In this episode, hosts Justin and Michael McNamara discuss financial planning updates for 2026, focusing on significant changes to retirement contribution limits and tax laws. They highlight the new "super catch-up" provisions for older workers and explain how higher earners may be required to direct certain contributions into Roth 401(k) accounts. The conversation shifts to the rising costs of homeownership, where Michael warns that insurance premiums and maintenance expenses are outpacing historical averages. He emphasizes that homeowners often underestimate the real cost of property upkeep, which can range from 1% to 3% of a home’s value annually depending on its age and location. The segment concludes with a sobering look at how climate-related risks are causing insurers to flee certain markets, potentially threatening property values and future mortgage availability.

Justin McNamara, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner with passion for investment strategy and selection. He works with small businesses and owners, parents of college-bound kids, job changers, pre- and post-retirees.

Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP®, is the founder of McNamara Financial. A seasoned financial planner with over 40 years of experience, Mike is now semi-retired and works exclusively with long-time clients and a select few new ones.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

In this episode. join host Alyssa McNamara Reed provides a detailed look at mortgage management and the mechanics of debt reduction. She utilizes amortization tables to illustrate how interest payments are front-loaded, demonstrating how even small monthly overpayments can significantly shorten a loan’s lifespan and save homeowners thousands in interest. The discussion also features a caller who shares his personal success in achieving financial freedom by aggressively paying off his mortgage early. Additionally, Reed offers guidance on evaluating refinancing opportunities, suggesting that borrowers must consider how far they are into their current loan term before resetting to a new thirty-year schedule. Throughout the segment, she emphasizes that eliminating debt not only improves long-term wealth but also provides the emotional security necessary for more confident retirement planning.

Alyssa McNamara Reed, CFP®is a financial planner with passion for the intersection of taxes and investing.  Alyssa works with motivated savers, beneficiaries of estates, business owners, divorcees, and pre-retirees.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

On. this episode, we explore the complexities of retirement planning, specifically addressing the question of how much one needs to save. Hosts Alyssa McNamara Reed and Mike McNamara emphasize that savings targets are highly individual, depending on factors like marital status, pension eligibility, and lifestyle expectations. We address the risks of inflation, the nuances of required minimum distributions, and the potential downsides of annuities.

Alyssa McNamara Reed, CFP®is a financial planner with passion for the intersection of taxes and investing.  Alyssa works with motivated savers, beneficiaries of estates, business owners, divorcees, and pre-retirees.

Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP®, is the founder of McNamara Financial. A seasoned financial planner with over 40 years of experience, Mike is now semi-retired and works exclusively with long-time clients and a select few new ones.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

In this episode, Justin McNamara is joined by, Niki Conte, a director at Massachusetts Health Connector, who explains what Massachusetts residents need to know about getting health insurance - and why timing matters.

She highlights the January 23rd deadline to enroll in coverage that begins in February, noting that for most people, this is the last chance to sign up unless they experience a qualifying life event. Niki also clears up a common misconception: the Health Connector isn’t government-run insurance. It’s a marketplace where residents can choose plans from major private insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The conversation walks through available subsidies and the ConnectorCare program, which can significantly reduce costs for middle- and lower-income households. Niki also shares practical tips on using online cost-estimation tools and getting free, certified help from trained navigators who can guide you through the process.

This episode is especially helpful for early retirees, freelancers, and anyone between jobs who needs reliable, affordable health coverage without an employer plan.

Justin McNamara, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner with passion for investment strategy and selection. He works with small businesses and owners, parents of college-bound kids, job changers, pre- and post-retirees.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

In this episode, financial advisor Mike McNamara tackles two of the biggest threats to a secure retirement: debt and the rising cost of education.

Mike explains how many people unintentionally put their own future at risk—by carrying high credit card balances, maintaining expensive lifestyles, or prioritizing their children’s college tuition ahead of retirement savings. He makes a simple but powerful case: retirement savings shouldn’t be optional. They should be treated like a monthly bill that always gets paid.

To show why planning matters, Mike walks through the history of major market downturns since 1950 and explains how volatility can damage portfolios if you’re forced to sell at the wrong time. His key takeaway for retirees is practical and reassuring: keep enough cash on hand to cover several years of expenses, so market downturns don’t derail your long-term plan.

This episode is a grounded, no-nonsense look at personal responsibility, smart planning, and how clear math—not wishful thinking—leads to financial peace of mind, the core philosophy behind McNamara Financial.

Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP®, is the founder of McNamara Financial. A seasoned financial planner with over 40 years of experience, Mike is now semi-retired and works exclusively with long-time clients and a select few new ones.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

Alyssa McNamara Reed and insurance expert Everett Henderson discussing the current state of the insurance industry. The conversation centers on the unprecedented 35% premium increases small businesses are facing and the overall lack of competition within the health insurance market. Henderson explains how the Affordable Care Act and rising medical costs have contributed to these financial pressures while offering strategies for navigating coverage. The two also explore the financial transition to Medicare at age 65, noting that government-subsidized plans often provide significant cost relief compared to private options. Additionally, the dialogue touches on rising auto and homeowners insurance rates driven by natural disasters and expensive vehicle technology.

Alyssa McNamara Reed, CFP®is a financial planner with passion for the intersection of taxes and investing.  Alyssa works with motivated savers, beneficiaries of estates, business owners, divorcees, and pre-retirees.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

Financial advisors Justin and Michael McNamara talk about the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a substantial piece of legislation that significantly alters the United States tax code. The hosts highlight key changes, such as making certain income tax brackets permanent and increasing the standard deduction to simplify filings for many households. They also explain new benefits for specific groups, including a senior bonus deduction for those over 65 and expanded child tax credits for families. Throughout the broadcast, the duo emphasizes that many of these provisions are retroactive to the current year, potentially leading to larger tax refunds. Listeners are repeatedly encouraged to consult with professional accountants because the complexity of these laws makes proactive year-end planning essential for maximizing savings. Specialized topics like state and local tax (SALT) caps, 529 education plans, and the financial impact of Social Security are also addressed to help retirees manage their taxable income levels.

Justin McNamara, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner with passion for investment strategy and selection. He works with small businesses and owners, parents of college-bound kids, job changers, pre- and post-retirees.

Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP®, is the founder of McNamara Financial. A seasoned financial planner with over 40 years of experience, Mike is now semi-retired and works exclusively with long-time clients and a select few new ones.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

In this episode, host Mike McNamara takes a clear-eyed, plain-spoken look at the financial pressures facing Americans right now — and what they mean for everyday families.

Using current data, Mike breaks down why a $38 trillion national debt isn’t just a headline number, but a real force shaping higher interest rates, tighter budgets, and fewer safety nets for younger generations. He walks through some truly eye-opening statistics: millions of workers living paycheck to paycheck, retirement savings pushed aside by daily expenses, and college costs crowding out long-term planning.

The message isn’t about fear — it’s about responsibility and agency. Mike explains why relying on government solutions is no longer enough, and why learning to live within your means and plan ahead is more important than ever if you want to avoid outliving your assets.

The episode closes with a practical call to action: take control of your financial future by getting informed, getting intentional, and getting professional guidance from a fiduciary who puts your interests first — like McNamara Financial.

If you want clarity instead of noise, and a plan instead of wishful thinking, this episode is for you.

Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP®, is the founder of McNamara Financial. A seasoned financial planner with over 40 years of experience, Mike is now semi-retired and works exclusively with long-time clients and a select few new ones.

📅 Want to speak with the team at McNamara Financial?

Schedule a consultation today:

👉 https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

⸻

McNamara Financial is a family-owned, independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. For over 30 years, we’ve helped individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond navigate their financial futures with clarity, confidence, and care.

💼 Come see what it’s like to work with a fiduciary.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com

In this episode, hosted by Alyssa McNamara Reed and her father, Mike McNamara, they discuss retirement savings strategies and the difficulty in answering how much a person needs for retirement, as "it depends" on various factors like marital status, existing pensions, and desired lifestyle. A significant portion of the program features a call-in segment with a listener named Marge, a retiree who asks for advice on the aggressive nature of her mutual fund-heavy retirement portfolio and the value of annuities and Certificates of Deposit (CDs). The show unexpectedly concludes with a transition to an interview with two high school students, Molly and Ethan, who represent their school’s DECA business club, detailing the organization’s competitive activities and the importance of developing public speaking and business skills for future careers.

Alyssa McNamara Reed, CFP®is a financial planner with passion for the intersection of taxes and investing.  Alyssa works with motivated savers, beneficiaries of estates, business owners, divorcees, and pre-retirees.

Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP®, is the founder of McNamara Financial. A seasoned financial planner with over 40 years of experience, Mike is now semi-retired and works exclusively with long-time clients and a select few new ones.

To schedule a visit with the team at McNamara Financial, be sure to visit:

https://mcnamarafinancial.com/contact

McNamara Financial is an Independent, family-owned, fee-only investment management and financial planning firm, serving individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond for over 30 years.

COME SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH A FIDUCIARY.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com/

In this episode, Mike McNamara and his son Justin discussing several pressing financial topics facing American families and the economy. A major portion of the discussion focuses on education, with Mike arguing that too many young people attend college without a specific career goal, resulting in debt and poor job prospects, especially when compared to the highly lucrative and desperately needed skilled crafts (like plumbing and electrical work). The hosts support this claim by quoting CEOs from major corporations who warn of severe labor shortages in essential sectors, suggesting that vocational training often yields better financial outcomes than a typical four-year degree. Furthermore, the program analyzes the alarming state of the U.S. federal debt, noting that annual interest payments are projected to exceed a trillion dollars, which contributes to a chaotic fiscal environment and potential inflation risks. Finally, the pair reviews distressing retirement statistics, illustrating that a majority of Americans are financially vulnerable, with many workers expecting to outlive their savings due to high debt loads and other financial burdens.

Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP®, is the founder of McNamara Financial. A seasoned financial planner with over 40 years of experience, Mike is now semi-retired and works exclusively with long-time clients and a select few new ones.

Justin McNamara, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner with passion for investment strategy and selection. He works with small businesses and owners, parents of college-bound kids, job changers, pre- and post-retirees.

McNamara Financial is an independent, family-owned, fee-only investment management and financial planning firm, serving individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond for over 30 years.

COME SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH A FIDUCIARY.

http://mcnamarafinancial.com/