Make It Personal Podcast

If you're in retirement, or approaching it, you know about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The IRS says you have to start withdrawing money from your retirement accounts. But what if you don’t actually need the money right now? What if it feels more like a tax trap than a reward for decades of saving? You're not alone, and you’re not stuck.

In this episode of Make It Personal, we tackle the often-confusing world of RMDs with a refreshing mindset shift: what if these “required” withdrawals could actually work for you? Host Mark Zagurski breaks down eight clear, actionable strategies to put your RMD money to smart, purposeful use, whether you're focused on legacy, giving, or simply staying tax-efficient.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

→ Reinvest RMDs in a taxable account to stay in control of your tax bill

→ Use RMDs to fund a Roth IRA, and why that’s a legacy game-changer

→ Make charitable donations that reduce your taxes and boost your impact

→ Gift money in tax-smart ways to support loved ones or big milestones

→ Leverage RMDs for long-term care or insurance planning with purpose

“The IRS may require you to take the money out, but what you do with it is entirely your choice.”

Listen now and take one small step toward a retirement that’s not just secure, but meaningful.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a friend facing their own RMD questions, and journal one strategy that feels right for you.

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

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Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

Roth or traditional: how do you choose? If you've ever wondered when it's time to shift from a traditional 401(k) to a Roth, you're not alone. In this listener-led episode of Make It Personal, we tackle a smart, real-life question from Nicholle about taxes, timing, and how to plan ahead for retirement without getting stuck in a higher tax bracket down the road.



In this episode, you’ll learn:

→ The core difference between Roth and traditional 401(k)s

→ When future taxes could outweigh today’s tax savings

→ How RMD age changes impact your long-term tax planning

→ Why your total income picture matters more than rules of thumb

→ The value of pairing good content with personalized advice

"AI can educate you. Content can guide you. But an advisor helps you apply it to your life."

Got a money question? Send it in to [email protected] or comment wherever you're listening. And if you're ready to see how this applies to your future, connect with a Mutual of Omaha advisor at www.makeitpersonalpodcast.com. Don’t just learn - Make It Personal.

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

You planned, saved, and sacrificed for decades, so why is spending in retirement so hard?



After a lifetime of discipline and diligent saving, retirement arrives… and with it, an unexpected emotional hurdle: switching from saving to spending. Not because the numbers don’t add up, but because the mindset does. In this episode of Make It Personal, we dive deep into one of retirement’s most overlooked challenges: the emotional transition from wealth-building to wealth-using.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

→ Why spending after decades of saving triggers anxiety, even when you’re financially prepared

→ How your identity as a saver can make it hard to embrace retirement freedom

→ The “battery” analogy that helps reframe the role of your savings

→ Four proven strategies to move from fear to confidence

→ Why purposeful spending is the next chapter of disciplined living

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

They did it, the Bridstons paid off their home in Southern California. No loan. No mortgage. Just freedom.

But what happens after the big goal is reached? In this episode of Make It Personal, we explore the surprising truth about life after paying off your house, and why the hardest (and most important) financial planning starts after the last payment.

→ Why financial freedom isn’t the same as financial finish line

→ The hidden costs that remain even after your home is paid off

→ The blind spots most families miss: life insurance, disability coverage, and education planning

→ How to prepare for the three phases of retirement: Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go years

→ How to avoid sequence of returns risk and plan for sustainable retirement income

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

→ Why your brain is wired to crave instant rewards (and how to retrain it)

→ The real cost of “quick comfort”, in time, focus, and money

→ 3 practical tools to break the cycle: The 10-Minute Rule, mindful consumption, and vision anchoring

→ How to balance joy today with peace of mind tomorrow

→ A healthier approach to discipline that still leaves room for fun

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

If your money could work for you while you sleep, would you let it?



In this episode, you’ll learn how to start investing, even if you’ve never bought a single stock or still think you’re “bad with money.” This is your beginner-friendly roadmap to build wealth confidently, one simple, personal step at a time.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ Why saving alone rarely builds wealth, and how compounding does (investing for beginners)

→ Which account to use first (401(k) match), and when to choose Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, or a brokerage

→ The owner mindset vs. trader mindset—why “own great companies” wins long term

→ Common rookie mistakes (chasing hot sectors) and how to avoid panic during volatility

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

Want to retire together on your timeline and still build generational wealth? This episode breaks down a real couple’s plan, cars, handbags, pension choices, and all, to show exactly what works. For professionals who earn well but want a coordinated retirement plan that actually lasts.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ The simple math behind a 7-year retirement target, and why “savings only” falls short.

→ How to shift from high-yield saving to true ownership (investing with purpose vs “dabbling”).

→ The hidden risk of single-life pension choices and how to protect a younger spouse.

→ Why estate documents (will/trust) are step zero for generational wealth.

→ The “protection stack” that makes a plan self-completing (life, DI, LTC)

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

Financial stress isn’t “just in your head”, it’s your brain doing ancient survival work in a modern money world. In this episode, biologist and author Dr. Rebecca Heiss breaks down the science of financial stress and how to retrain your mind for calmer, smarter decisions. For anyone who’s ever felt that knot-in-your-stomach money moment, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ Why your brain treats money threats like physical danger (and how to disarm it)

→ The stress loop: signs you’re stuck in fight/flight with your finances—and how to break it

→ Practical “retrain the brain” habits for calmer spending, saving, and investing

→ How social/media comparison (FOMO + “keeping up with the Joneses”) hijacks decisions

→ A simple language shift to stop “should-ing” on yourself and reduce money shame

→ Why human nature is a failed investor, and how to outsmart it with process

→ Dr. Heiss’s personal aha: living for today while planning for tomorrow (kids, legacy, future)

If this helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more people make their money, and their legacy, personal.



Brought to you by Mutual of Omaha Advisors: It’s your money, your plan, your future.

Connect with Dr. Rebecca Heiss:

→ www.rebeccaheiss.com

→ instagram.com/drrebeccaheiss

→ twitter.com/drrebeccaheiss

→ facebook.com/drrebeccaheiss

→ linkedin.com/in/rebeccaheiss

→ fearlessmasterclass.com

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

How Do Lower Interest Rates Actually Affect You?



Ever heard the news say, “The Fed cut rates,” and wondered what that means for your everyday life? This episode breaks it all down, no jargon, no confusion, just real talk about how the Federal Reserve’s decisions affect your mortgage, credit cards, and even your savings account.

In Episode 45 of the Make It Personal Podcast, we dive into what “Fed loosening” actually looks like on the ground. From cheaper home loans to smaller credit card bills, and yes, even changes to your rent, we’ll walk you through what to expect and how to take advantage. Whether you're buying your first home, tackling credit card debt, or trying to grow your savings, this episode helps you turn a headline into a helpful next step.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

→Why adjustable-rate mortgage holders should pay close attention to Fed moves

→How renters might benefit in the long run when rates go down

→The one downside to falling rates, and how to offset it

→Three practical financial moves you can make this week

→How even small rate changes can lead to big savings over time

"Even a quarter-percent drop in rates could mean dinner out with the family, or a weekend getaway. That’s real money, real fast." - Mark Zagurski

Ready to act? Start by reviewing your debts, comparing mortgage offers, and checking if your savings could earn more elsewhere. Then share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. Subscribe, leave a review, and visit makeitpersonalpodcast.com for more tools to make your money, and your legacy, personal.

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.

What if the secret to becoming a millionaire has nothing to do with luck, and everything to do with daily, quiet decisions?

Here’s the truth: most millionaires don’t look like the ones you see on social media. No flashy sports cars, no massive mansions, and no viral success stories. About 80% of millionaires are self-made, and they’ve built wealth by following simple, repeatable habits that anyone can start today.

In this episode of Make It Personal, we’re diving deep into the real routines and mindsets of everyday millionaires. From driving modest cars to avoiding debt like the plague, these habits might seem boring, but they work. And the best part? You don’t need a six-figure income to get started.

We’ll explore the power of small, consistent actions: budgeting that brings freedom, saving for opportunity, not just emergencies, and protecting your time like the valuable asset it is. Whether it’s starting a side hustle or reading 30 minutes each morning, these habits compound in surprising ways.

5 Key Takeaways:

→Wealth is built on consistency, not charisma.→Most millionaires avoid debt and live below their means.

→A budget isn’t a restriction—it’s a roadmap to freedom.

→Investing in yourself pays the biggest dividends.

→Delayed gratification is a superpower worth mastering.

“Your fortune isn’t built in a day. It’s built daily.” - Mark Zagurski

If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, start with just one habit. And don’t do it alone, schedule a free consultation at www.makeitpersonalpodcast.com. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to build a quiet legacy of wealth.

Make it personal- it’s your money, your plan, your future.

Connect with Mutual of Omaha Advisors through the following links:

→ Download The Game of the Decade eBook

→ Download the Seven Principles eBook

→ Instagram

→ Facebook - Mutual of Omaha Advisors

→ Sign Up For a Free Financial Strategy Meeting

--

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

This podcast is for educational purposes only and may include references to concepts that have legal and/or tax implications. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional regarding your personal situation prior to making any financial decisions.  Strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone.   Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Mutual of Omaha Advisors is a division of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.