Money Matters with Mike

Money Matters with Mike

By Mike ZainoBusinessNewsEducationInvestingBusiness News
Download on the App Store

Money Matters with Mike episodes

  • Why Income Beats a Big Number: Planning Your Paycheck for Life

    A million dollars might sound like the goal… but in retirement, it's not about the number—it’s about the income. On this episode of Money Matters with Mike, host Mike Zaino and co-host Matt McClure dive into why an income strategy matters more than a big pile of cash, and how you can create guaranteed lifetime income that lasts as long as you do.

    Learn about:

    • Why hope is not a plan
    • How to turn savings into a reliable paycheck
    • The “Three Bucket Strategy” to balance growth, safety, and liquidity
    • Creating your own personal pension with an annuity
    • Planning for life’s curveballs with confidence and clarity

      • Whether you’re just entering retirement or already there, Mike shares practical strategies to help you avoid common mistakes and build a rock-solid retirement income plan.

      ️ Schedule your free consultation today at MoneyMattersWithMike.com
      Or call Mike directly at (704) 560-1573

       

      --

      Ready to test the strength of your plan?
      Schedule a FREE consultation with Mike Zaino today:
      MoneyMattersWithMike.com
      Call or text: (704) 560-1573 

      Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

      Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

      Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

      About the show:
      On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

      30 min
    • How to Strengthen Your Retirement Plan This Summer: 5 Smart Moves to Make Now

      Retirement isn’t just about stopping work—it’s about starting life on your terms. But without the right plan, retirement can become a different kind of stress.

      In this episode of Money Matters with Mike, host Mike Zaino and producer Matt McClure walk you through a step-by-step summer checklist to upgrade your retirement plan. Whether you’re five years from retirement or already enjoying your golden years, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you optimize, protect, and enjoy your retirement savings.

      What You’ll Learn:

      • 5 crucial steps to improve your retirement plan today
      • Why Social Security alone isn’t enough (even with higher checks in 2025)
      • The power of decumulation—and how to shift from saving to spending
      • The surprising impact of inflation on your future purchasing power
      • How working with a pro can reduce stress and increase peace of mind

        • Mike also shares how a free, no-obligation consultation could be the key to turning your nest egg into a confident, sustainable future. 

        You deserve a retirement that feels like freedom—not fear.

        Schedule your consultation:
        Visit MoneyMattersWithMike.com
        Or call 704-560-1573

         

        --

        Ready to test the strength of your plan?
        Schedule a FREE consultation with Mike Zaino today:
        MoneyMattersWithMike.com
        Call or text: (704) 560-1573 

        Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

        Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

        Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

        About the show:
        On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

        30 min
      • Financial Fundamentals: 9 Ways to Retire Comfortably—No Matter What You’ve Saved

        On this week’s episode of Money Matters with Mike, Mike Zaino and co-host Matt McClure go back to basics and unpack the essential strategies to help you retire confidently—no matter how much you’ve saved so far.

        Learn how to:
        ✅ Maximize your Social Security benefits
        ✅ Eliminate your mortgage and boost monthly cash flow
        ✅ Build a personal pension for lifetime income
        ✅ Make smart, tax-efficient investment decisions
        ✅ Avoid emotional investing mistakes
        ✅ Use Roth conversions for long-term tax savings
        ✅ Create a spending plan that works
        ✅ Adopt the financial habits of the wealthy

        Whether you're nearing retirement or already there, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you live a comfortable and stress-free retirement. 

        Ready for a personalized plan? Schedule your free consultation now: MoneyMattersWithMike.com
        Call Mike directly at: 704-560-1573

         

        --

        Ready to test the strength of your plan?
        Schedule a FREE consultation with Mike Zaino today:
        MoneyMattersWithMike.com
        Call or text: (704) 560-1573 

        Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

        Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

        Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

        About the show:
        On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

        30 min
      • The Truth About Annuities: Not Your Grandpa’s Retirement Tool

        This week on Money Matters with Mike, we’re unpacking the truth about annuities — and why they’ve stood the test of time from Jane Austen to Julius Caesar to today’s retirees. Mike Zaino and co-host Matt McClure dive into how annuities work, what makes a good one (and a bad one), and why guaranteed income is so vital in retirement. Plus, we tackle the hidden fees lurking in many portfolios and how to protect your nest egg from market volatility.

        --

        Ready to test the strength of your plan?
        Schedule a FREE consultation with Mike Zaino today:
        MoneyMattersWithMike.com
        Call or text: (704) 560-1573

         

         

        Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

        Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

        Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

        About the show:
        On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

        30 min
      • From Saving to Spending: How to Master the Decumulation Phase

        Your investment strategy should match your age — and your goals. In this episode, Mike and Matt talk about how to transition from saving to spending in retirement, why decumulation is often misunderstood, and how to catch up even if you started late. Plus: the age-appropriate guide to investing in your 40s, 50s, and 60s.

        Whether you're nearing retirement or already living it, this episode delivers practical insights to help you retire with confidence — and with a strategy built for your unique goals.

        Ready to test the strength of your plan?
        Schedule a FREE consultation with Mike Zaino today:
        MoneyMattersWithMike.com
        Call or text: (704) 560-1573

         

        --

        Whether you’re five years from retirement or already living it, this episode gives you practical, real-world advice to protect your nest egg and retire with confidence.

        Tap play now and start taking control of your financial future.

        Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

        Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

        Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

        About the show:
        On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

        30 min
      • Bonus Interview: Healthy Eyes, Healthy Lives: Vision Tips from the National Eye Institute
        Guest: Dr. Chantal Cousineau-Krieger, Ophthalmologist, National Eye Institute
         
        ️ May is Healthy Vision Month, and Matt McClure sits down with Dr. Chantal Cousineau-Krieger, an ophthalmologist with the National Eye Institute, to explore how your eye health connects to your overall wellness—especially as you age.
        We discuss:
        • How conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure impact your vision
        • The 20-20-20 rule to reduce screen strain
        • What foods support healthy eyes
        • The surprising connection between exercise and eye health
        • When and how often you should get a complete eye exam
        • Why early detection is critical—even if you feel fine
        • What those of us over 40 () need to keep in mind after LASIK or other vision corrections
          Whether you’ve been putting off that eye exam or are looking for ways to maintain clear vision into retirement, this episode is a must-listen.
          Learn more: https://nei.nih.gov
           
           

          --

          Whether you’re five years from retirement or already living it, this episode gives you practical, real-world advice to protect your nest egg and retire with confidence.

          Tap play now and start taking control of your financial future.

          Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

          Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

          Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

          About the show:
          On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

          8 min
        • Is Your Retirement Built on Income—or Just a Number?

          In this episode of Money Matters with Mike, host Mike Zaino and co-host Matt McClure dive into why retirement isn’t about hitting a magic number — it’s about reliable income. Learn how to transform your portfolio into a personal pension, how to align your investments with your goals, and how to reduce risk as retirement approaches.

          Plus:
          ✅ The #1 mistake retirees make with their savings
          ✅ The truth about pensions (and how to build your own)
          ✅ Passive income strategies that work
          ✅ Why working with a licensed financial pro matters 

          Visit MoneyMattersWithMike.com or call 704-560-1573 for your free consultation.

           

          --

          Whether you’re five years from retirement or already living it, this episode gives you practical, real-world advice to protect your nest egg and retire with confidence.

          Tap play now and start taking control of your financial future.

          Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

          Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

          Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

          About the show:
          On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

          30 min
        • Can You Afford to Retire Today? Income, Taxes & the Real Retirement Test

          On this episode of Money Matters with Mike, host Mike Zaino and co-host Matt McClure reveal the truth about retirement—it’s not about your age, it’s about your income. Learn how to assess your financial landscape, prevent the dreaded “retirement tax bomb,” and build a sustainable income plan that replaces your paycheck for life. From Social Security strategies and life insurance solutions to spending plans that actually work, this is the retirement reality check you need.

          Get peace of mind for your future at MoneyMattersWithMike.com

           

          --

          Whether you’re five years from retirement or already living it, this episode gives you practical, real-world advice to protect your nest egg and retire with confidence.

          Tap play now and start taking control of your financial future.

          Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

          Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

          Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

          About the show:
          On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

          30 min
        • Bonus Interview: Crushed by Credit? There’s Hope — with Robin Growley

          In this bonus episode, we dive into the importance of tackling credit card debt before it spirals out of control. You'll hear insights from Robin Growley of Bank of America, who shares practical tips and a message of hope for anyone feeling overwhelmed by debt. Whether you're just starting to manage your finances or already feeling buried, this interview reminds us it’s never too late to take control

           

          --

          Whether you’re five years from retirement or already living it, this episode gives you practical, real-world advice to protect your nest egg and retire with confidence.

          Tap play now and start taking control of your financial future.

          Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

          Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

          Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

          About the show:
          On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

          3 min
        • Retirement Gameplan: Control, Growth, and Guaranteed Income

          Concerned about market volatility and your retirement future? In this episode of Money Matters with Mike, financial pro Mike Zaino and co-host Matt McClure explore how to protect your retirement savings while still enjoying potential growth. Discover how to take control of your 401(k), make smart portfolio adjustments, and avoid devastating mistakes in the retirement red zone. Plus, what you need to know about the "Lost Decade" and how to prevent history from repeating itself. No matter your current financial situation, you’ll learn how to take actionable steps today that your future self will thank you for.

          Get peace of mind for your future at MoneyMattersWithMike.com

           

          --

          Whether you’re five years from retirement or already living it, this episode gives you practical, real-world advice to protect your nest egg and retire with confidence.

          Tap play now and start taking control of your financial future.

          Listen to Previous Episodes: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/episodes/

          Connect with Mike: https://moneymatterswithmike.com/contact/ | (704) 560-1573

          Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MoneyMattersWithMike

          About the show:
          On the show, you will learn key strategies to help protect and grow your wealth and provide for lifetime guaranteed income. Mike is committed to helping retirees hold onto more of their hard-earned wealth and is a big advocate of helping his clients reduce the total taxes they’ll be required to pay during their retirement.

          30 min

        About Money Matters with Mike

        From the publisher's feed

        Each week, Mike Zaino takes to the airwaves to educate more Americans on ways to a secure retirement and to reach financial freedom.