McNamaraOnMoney

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/

In this episode, host Mike McNamara, Ph.D., sits down with Michael Burns for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the societal and ethical stakes of Artificial Intelligence. Together, they confront some of the biggest fears surrounding AI’s rapid rise: the threat of widespread job displacement across nearly every industry, the explosion of deep fakes and high-tech fraud, and the quiet erosion of critical thinking as people increasingly rely on personalized information feeds.

Callers and guests weigh in with pressing moral questions—chief among them, how future generations will tell truth from fiction in a world where AI can fabricate convincing human likenesses and subtly shape information to fit biased narratives.

Yet the episode isn’t all doom and gloom. Mike and Michael also spotlight AI’s extraordinary promise: from breakthrough diagnostic tools to the possibility of curing major diseases like cancer.

In the end, the conversation treats AI as a powerful, unstoppable force—one that demands urgent attention, thoughtful regulation, and a collective effort to guide its trajectory before it reaches the realm of superintelligence.

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.

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/

Join host Alyssa McNamara Reed and guest Everett Henderson as they discuss the current state of the insurance market, particularly focusing on the dramatic rise in costs during the open enrollment period. The central theme revolves around the soaring premiums for health insurance, with the host citing a shocking 35% increase in her small business plan, reflecting a wider trend of double-digit rate hikes. Henderson attributes these issues largely to the high cost of medical services, low market competition following the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the mandatory coverage of expensive procedures for an increasingly unhealthy population. Henderson offers his expertise to individuals seeking non-group insurance plans, especially early retirees, noting that monthly premiums can range widely from $500 to $2,000 depending on the coverage chosen. The two contrast these high costs with the significantly lower, income-tiered costs associated with Medicare for those 65 and older. The conversation briefly concludes by acknowledging the substantial cost increases also seen in property and casualty insurance (home and auto) due to natural disasters and expensive, complex vehicle repairs.

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.

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/

This week, join guest host Patrick Haraden, from Lockton Companies in Boston, and his guest, Andrew Dawson, the Chief People Officer at BVI, as they explore the evolution of the human resources profession. Dawson first shares his unique path from the UK military and recruitment to eventually leading HR teams at major international pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The conversation heavily focuses on how the CPO role and leadership strategies have shifted in the wake of the pandemic, emphasizing the necessity of offering greater empathy and flexibility to accommodate employees' diverse home lives and work constraints. Furthermore, the discussion highlights that effective recruitment and onboarding are paramount for fostering long-term employee commitment, arguing that these processes must be tailored and authentic. Lastly, Dawson addresses the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), asserting that it will automate routine tasks, ultimately allowing HR professionals to focus on higher-level coaching and strategic partnership.

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 of McNamara On Money, host Mike McNamara is joined by Bob Melo from a local technical high school to explore an increasingly relevant question: Do all paths to success require a college degree?

Together, they dive into the growing opportunities in skilled trades—plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, and more—and discuss why these professions are not just essential but also financially rewarding. The conversation highlights how parents can help their children move toward financial independence, the realities of today’s cost of living, and the rising demand for hands-on expertise.

Listeners will learn about vocational education options, cooperative work programs for high school students, and how early trade training can open doors to meaningful, well-paid careers. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or student weighing your options, this episode offers practical insights into building a stable future—no college debt required.

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

This week, join Alyssa McNamara Reed, CFP® and her guest Peter D. Stoner of AHIP (American Health Insurance Plans) a Certified Medicare Consultant/Licensed Broker (MA & NH) for a discussion about Medicare Pricing and Considerations.

The discussion centers on Medicare coverage, including the different Parts A, B, and D, detailing eligibility, costs, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the complexities and rapidly changing landscape of prescription drug plans (Part D), particularly in light of the Inflation Reduction Act, which has led to higher costs for insurance carriers and fewer plan options for consumers. They also address the current open enrollment period and the challenges consumers face, such as doctors dropping certain insurance plans and the financial implications of high-income brackets on Medicare premiums.

Alyssa McNamara Reed 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.

About Peter D. Stoner:

Over 25 years of Medicare Experience

* Manager of Retiree Sales at Tufts Health Plan

* Director of Medicare Sales at Fallon Health Plan

* Consultant to multiple Medicare Health Plans

AHIP (American Health Insurance Plans) Certified

https://www.stonermedicare.com/

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/

Join Justin McNamara, CFP® and Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP® who discuss recent changes to the United States tax code under a piece of legislation they informally call the "one big beautiful bill." The conversation focuses heavily on year-end tax planning and the permanent establishment of existing tax brackets and the standard deduction, which was scheduled to sunset. They address major temporary changes, such as the increase of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 and the introduction of a temporary senior bonus deduction for those over 65, and they urge listeners to consult their tax professionals due to the complexity and retroactive nature of the changes. The hosts also touch on other provisions, including expansions to 529 plans and changes to the federal gift and estate tax exemption, while fielding a call from a listener who shares his successful tax planning strategy.

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 and a Certified Financial Planner. He’s semi-retired, and works with legacy clients and select others.

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/