MILMO Show

There will always be a new trend everyone is talking about. Money included. Go anywhere on social media, Instagram, or TikTok, and there is a money trend. All that noise can make it easy to get caught up in trying to keep up instead of being focused on what is core to your financial success. Instead of jumping on a bandwagon that can crash and burn, we should focus on the basics. Or, more importantly, getting brilliant at the basics so when a trend comes along, we'll have a firm foundation and know if that trend is going to help us build wealth and reach our goals.

That's why I'm doing a back-to-basics series on the MILMO Show. I'm going to do different shows on topics we should all have a basic understanding of, like budgeting, the SGLI, insurance, and more. I have no idea how many shows yet, but I'm going to kick it off with the Thrift Savings Plan and take it from there.

Right now, you're saving money for two people: yourself and your 80-year-old self. That means your money needs to be working double duty. Lucky for service members, there's a tool you can use to help your money work overtime. It's called the Thrift Savings Plan, better known as the TSP.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the basics you should know about the Thrift Savings Plan, like making smart investment choices, managing it while you're in, and what to do with your TSP when you get out. Whether you're new to the military, just starting to give your TSP a little love, or just looking for a refresher, this episode's for you.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/thrift-savings-plan-basics/

Many people dream of becoming writers one day. The possibility of making money selling books filled with their creative writing, stories, or solutions is exciting. However, many don't know what it takes to get their books traditionally or self-published or how much money they can make as writers.

In this episode, long-time MILMO Show listener Randy Surles gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to write, edit, and publish a book that will have commercial success, whether traditionally or self-published.

SGM Randall Surles (Ret.) served for nearly 32 years in the Army as an infantryman in the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he parachuted into Panama during Operation Just Cause. He then served over 20 years as a Green Beret in various positions, specializing in medicine, weapons, tactics, and intelligence.

While still serving on active duty, Randy completed his BA in U.S. History from Campbell University and his MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Texas at El Paso. After retiring, Randall Surles trained under editor Shawn Coyne to become one of a handful of Story Grid Certified Editors. He currently works as a Podcaster, Developmental Editor, Book Coach, Ghost Writer, and Author. He specializes in editing military fiction and non-fiction books, but also enjoys editing/ writing Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Thrillers.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/earning-a-living-as-a-writer

Build it and they will come is wishful thinking in business. Having a product or service that is needed or wanted by people is only half of the battle. How will they buy your service or product if they don't even know you exist? That's where marketing comes in.

In this episode, Matt Halloran shares advice and tips for proudly spreading the word about your business, why you should market your business and mistakes to avoid.

Matt is a co-founder and chief relationship officer at ProudMouth, the world's leading influence accelerator for financial advisors. An in-demand speaker, Matt has appeared on over 1,000 podcasts and is the host of ProudMouth's Top Advisor Marketing Podcast, where he and industry leaders empower advisors to become trusted recognized authorities. Matt is the author of The Social Media Handbook for Financial Advisors, the first social media book for financial services. His upcoming book, "Shut the F Up and Listen," is set to be released this summer.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/marketing-your-brand-and-business

It's Memorial Day, a solemn day to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving. Our community knows well that this isn't a day to celebrate those serving or who have served in the military. Unfortunately, many people mistake Memorial Day as another Veteran's Day. No. Today is a sacred day to honor those who not only laid down their lives to preserve our freedoms, liberties, and way of life but, in many cases, gave their life to protect those serving beside them. Their sacrifice is a debt we will never be able to repay, but "we, the people," should still try.

In this episode, I'm going to talk about the significance of Memorial Day and ways we can attempt to repay the debt together.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/repaying-the-debt-to-the-fallen

A lot of blood, sweat, and tears go into building a business. As a founder, you'll wear many hats to get things done. It can be challenging to find time and energy to be strategic about growing or innovating in your business.

In this episode, Gary Kusin shares his decades of wisdom on successfully scaling businesses, managing pivotal moments with teams, building a valuable brand that could be acquired, and evaluating growth opportunities.

Gary is a mentor, investor, entrepreneur, business advisor, and author of Always Learning: Lessons on Leveling Up from GameStop to Laura Mercier and Beyond. He is the co-founder of GameStop, and Laura Mercier Cosmetics, both of which are well-known global brands. Today, he advises an array of public and private companies, large and small, on strategy, management and growth issues. In addition, Kusin continues his full schedule of mentoring and has mentored well over 1000 individuals during the course of his career.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/strategies-for-business-growth

Life can be difficult sometimes. Challenges and traumas are not something the military community has a monopoly on, but still, many in our community face challenges and traumas that can leave a person feeling shattered and low on hope, which can start a cycle of poor decision-making, including financial mistakes.

In this episode, Jeremy Stalnecker covers the common ways PTSD manifests, the challenges of military and post-military life, coping with isolating and hopeless situations, and advice for overcoming trauma. Jeremy also addresses how PTSD can impact decision-making, how spouses can navigate supporting a partner with PTSD, and what he wishes more people understood about this invisible wound.

Jeremy, Co-Founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, aids America's military and families battling combat-related wounds like PTSD. A Marine Corps veteran, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, acquiring leadership skills. As a USMC Infantry Officer, Jeremy received a Veteran Navy Commendation Medal with "V" for Combat Valor. Transitioning to ministry after the military, he counseled at Coastline Baptist, then served as Senior Pastor at Bay Area Baptist Church. Feeling the calling, Jeremy merged his ministry and military background, leading Mighty Oaks Foundation full-time where today he focuses on veterans and helping them adjust back to civilian life and deal with PTSD from a biblical perspective. Additionally, Jeremy is often a speaker on the topic of leadership and discipleship.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/challenges-and-trauma/

People talk about Backdoor IRAs and getting one done, but do you know what they are, who they're best for, and how to get it done the right way?

In this episode, Brian O'Neill shares the fundamentals of Backdoor Roth IRAs, including how they work, who is eligible, and the steps to set one up. Brian also covers the upsides and potential drawbacks of this approach, and how it fits into a broader retirement savings plan.

Brian is a Certified Financial Planner, a Military Qualified Financial Professional and an Enrolled Agent. He's the founder of Winged Wealth Management and Financial Planning LLC, a fee-only fiduciary Registered Investment Advisor firm focusing on the military aviator community.

Brian served 23 years in the Air Force, commanding at the squadron and group levels, and flying both the F-16 and F-35. He launched his firm in 2021 and is an expert in focusing on a small niche to grow a practice rapidly.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/basics-of-backdoor-roth-IRAs/

Financial education and knowledge are important parts of financial success and reaching goals. Often, though, people aren't taught or raised in an environment to learn about money in a way that builds confidence and helps you avoid financial mistakes.

In this episode, Andi Wrenn shares insights on the importance of financial literacy, how to assess your own level of knowledge, and actionable steps you can take to take ownership of improving your financial know how.

Andi is an Accredited Financial Counselor® and a Military Qualified Financial Professional® with a passion for helping people make sound financial decisions for more than two decades. She has a bachelor's degree in math and education, a master's in counseling, and is a mediation professional for North Carolina.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/owning-your-financial-literacy

It's no secret that frequent moves impede the earning ability of many military spouses. This often leads spouses to the world of entrepreneurship, but often, people aren't prepared for the challenges that come with being a business owner—yours truly included.

In this episode, military spouse Laura Early shares her journey of starting a business, her agency's support to the military spouse entrepreneur community, the lessons she's learned building a successful business, and her advice for other military spouses looking to start their own businesses.

Laura is the Chief Experience Officer and Founder of WISE Advise + Assist Team, a virtual assisting agency powered by military and veteran spouses. In her role at WISE, Laura helps business owners develop strategic and cultural priorities to grow their businesses and increase profit. Laura combines her background in project management and behavioral health to ensure all services, products, and initiatives are mission-driven and reinforce organizational culture. Laura is a proud Army spouse who currently resides in North Carolina.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/entrepreneurship-and-lessons-learned

Spending less than you make and saving money is part of building wealth. It's wealth for your future self. Building wealth takes commitment and sacrifice to have a good quality of life in the future. But will you be around to see it or have the physical capability to enjoy it?

In this episode, David Frost will discuss the importance of maintaining muscular strength as we age, explaining why he considers it the "cornerstone of a healthy physical bank account." He'll share practical tips for achieving and sustaining peak physical fitness and the concept of "down aging"—looking and feeling years younger than your chronological age.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/your-bodys-wealth/