Selling a home is often one of the largest financial transactions you’ll ever make, yet most people get it wrong in ways that cost time, money, and peace of mind. 

Michelle Gessner shares six critical mistakes sellers make, from skipping repairs to pricing too high or too low, and how to avoid them.

She shares real stories and gives clear, practical advice that could save you thousands. Whether you’re planning to sell next month or ten years from now, these tips can help you prepare smarter and protect your wealth.

What to expect:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French, as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

A massive new tax bill quietly passed on July 4th, spanning 900 pages and packed with changes that could impact retirees, families, and professionals across the country. 

In this episode of Retire to a Life You Love®, Michelle Gessner breaks down what really matters so you don’t get lost in the weeds. From standard deduction increases to SALT cap changes, new senior deductions, updates to 529 plans, and even the controversial “Trump account,” Michelle highlights the top eight provisions most likely to affect your finances today.

Most importantly, Michelle explains why understanding these rules now can help you plan smarter before it is too late.

What to expect:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner:

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French, as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds: the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm.

In this episode, Michelle Gessner, CFP®, welcomes attorney Lorie Burch for an important conversation on estate planning for LGBTQ+ families, especially in Texas. Lorie shares her personal experience with reciprocal IVF and the surprising legal reality that birth certificates alone don’t guarantee parental rights. They explore why second-parent adoption is essential and how shifting laws—like a possible overturn of marriage equality—could impact families.

The discussion also highlights the risks of using online DIY estate planning tools or handwritten wills, which often fail due to improper execution. Lorie outlines what to look for in a qualified estate planning attorney and explains why revocable living trusts are becoming more popular for privacy and avoiding probate. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or not, this episode offers practical advice to help protect your loved ones and avoid legal complications down the road.

What to expect from their conversation:

Resources:

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Connect with Lorie Burch:

About Lorie Burch:

Lorie owns a Dallas law firm that primarily focuses on estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, and business law. Burch Law has been awarded 3 years in a row as one of the 500 fastest-growing small law firms in the country, which is a testament to our team and how we’ve been able to help more families and individuals with this vital planning. 

Lorie has engaged in many civic and community organizations and advocacy. She currently serves on the Leadership Plano Board of Directors and is the Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee for Leadership Plano. In 2018, she ran for United States Congress for the 3rd District of Texas. Lorie served as the 2013-2014 National President for the Board of Directors of the American Business Women’s Association. She is also the past Chairwoman of the Board for the North Texas LGBT Chamber and was formerly the Co-Chair of the DFW Human Rights Campaign Steering Committee. 

This year, Lorie was voted as Dallas’ Best Civil/Family Law Attorney by readers of the Dallas Voice for the 6th time! In 2024, Burch Law was awarded “Best Marketing Ad Campaign” by Plano City Lifestyle Magazine. In 2022, Burch Law was honored as Business of the Year by the North Texas LGBT Chamber. Additionally, Lorie was honored by the Dallas Business Journal as a 2013 Women in Business. She was recognized as one of the 2010 Top Ten Business Women for the American Business Women’s Association. In 2007, Lorie was awarded the North Texas LGBT Chamber Business Person of the Year. 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and being their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French, as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

Join Michelle Gessner, CFP®, for smart tax tips that can help you avoid costly mistakes and take advantage of smart planning opportunities. While taxes may not be everyone’s favorite topic, Michelle emphasizes that education is crucial to make the most of what the system offers, especially when it comes to retirement planning.

Gain insight as Michelle touches on Medicare IRMAA, capital loss limitations, Social Security taxation, Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and Avoiding Underpayment Tax Penalties.

Remember that forward-thinking tax planning, not just tax filing, can lead to big savings and fewer surprises. 

Key takeaways from this release include:

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French, as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

What if you could retire to a life that feels like a storybook dream? In this latest episode of Retire to a Life You Love®, Michelle Gessner, CFP®, reconnects with Glenda Cole who is living an idyllic retirement in Portugal. Known for her vibrant lifestyle in the Algarve region, Glenda shares insights into why Portugal is capturing the hearts of so many Americans considering overseas retirement. From the amazing weather to the camaraderie with locals and expats, Glenda paints a picture of her life that may have you booking a one-way ticket!

Michelle and Glenda discuss:

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner CFP®: 

Connect with Glenda Cole:

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French ,as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

About Glenda Cole:

She is a guest on the Retire to a Life You Love® podcast, where she talks about her journey to Portugal, the challenges of relocating, and the joy of her new lifestyle.

Join Michelle Gessner, CFP®, as she welcomes Lauren Morris, the client services extraordinaire at Gessner Wealth Strategies. Lauren shares her behind-the-scenes skills on simplifying the financial complexities that often perplex us. Whether it’s navigating the ins and outs of accessing funds, ensuring tax efficiency, managing paperwork with Schwab, and knowing what questions to ask, or better safeguarding finances with seamless bank links, Lauren’s insights are invaluable. 

Discover how Gessner Wealth Strategies strives to enhance your overall financial well-being through proactive management and exceptional client support.

Michelle and Lauren discuss:

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

Connect with Lauren Morris:

About Our Guest:

As the Client Services Manager at Gessner Wealth Strategies, Lauren Morris takes great pride in working with clients daily, assisting them with important questions about their accounts. Lauren is responsible for more than just answering phones—they ensure that files meet compliance standards, projects are completed on time, tasks and follow-ups are handled, and data is collected with care and security. In many ways, Lauren runs the office like a well-oiled machine.

With over 14 years of administrative experience, Lauren is a native Houstonian who spent some time living in Georgia and Washington before returning to the Houston area in October of 2015. Lauren earned a degree in Pharmacy Technology from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, in 2011. Additionally, they have experience in both the mortgage and jewelry industries, earning a Gemological Institute of America Certification in Diamonds. Outside of work, she serves as the Kids Church Coordinator and Elementary Youth Program Leader at their church, while also being a proud parent of two children. In their free time, they enjoy reading, spending time at the beach, and visiting family in Dallas.

What do you do when life throws you a curveball, like an unexpected job layoff?

Join Michelle Gessner, CFP®, on navigating the uncertainty of job loss and crafting a viable plan forward. Michelle shares her personal layoff experience post-9/11, and delves into ten essential action steps everyone should consider when faced with sudden unemployment. From prioritizing self-care to understanding health insurance options and other items you may not have thought about, Michelle offers guidance on protecting your assets and planning for your future.

Michelle discusses: 

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston, and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

What are the right questions to ask when choosing a financial advisor? 

Knowing what to ask can differentiate between retiring comfortably and facing unexpected challenges. 

Join CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, Michelle Gessner to discover the critical questions you should ask when searching for a financial advisor – and the three questions you should ask yourself when deciding if the expense is worth the benefits. She provides a comprehensive checklist that can guide you in selecting the right professional to help you achieve your retirement goals. 

Top takeaways from today’s episode: 

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston, and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

How do elections and rate changes affect your investment portfolio?

Join Michelle for an engaging conversation with John Archbold and James Yahoudy, two members of the expert investment team supporting Gessner Wealth Strategies called Aptus Capital Advisors. Together, they explore the dynamic world of investments, unpacking Aptus’ unique investment philosophy and the potential impact of recent events, like elections, on your portfolio. With decades of experience, John and James share actionable insights and proven strategies to help you navigate market changes with confidence.

Key conversations include:

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About John Archbold:

John Archbold is responsible for ongoing advisor and client support and education. He is passionate about ensuring that the advisor and client experience at Aptus is of the highest quality and prioritizes improving financial outcomes for clients.

John spent previous years working with high-net-worth investors and their advisors, most recently at Brinker Capital. Before that, he spent several years working in the private credit and private equity arena at FS Investments. Earlier in his career, John was a financial advisor and a Regional Marketing Director for the Hartford Funds.

John holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA®Institute and is a member of the CFA® Society of Philadelphia and the CFA® Institute.  He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Syracuse University. John holds the Series, 7, 24, and 63 licenses.

John lives with his family in Haddonfield, New Jersey. John and his wife, Emily, share a passion for food and wine and even got their Sommelier certifications. His son Charlie and dog Hilde keep him on his toes and on the move as much as possible. It was Charlie who at the age of three became enamored with golf and finally roped his father into the game at age forty. Other hobbies include an obsession with history, trying to become a better chess player, and still playing any and all sports in his middle age.

About James Yahoudy:

James Yahoudy’s primary focus is supporting advisors with all things to enhance the client experience. Whether the support is directly from the Aptus suite of services or a technology change outside of what we do –he is ready to roll up his sleeves to support.

James has worked as an advisor and closely with advisors since 2010. He most recently came from TD Ameritrade Institutional working with RIAs in a variety of practice management areas and assisting breakaway brokers in the process of going independent.

James is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He completed his certificate program in Financial Planning from Southern Methodist University.

James lives in the Dallas area with his wife, Courtney, and son, Avett. He enjoys anything related to music, sports, and travel. His most recent trip may hit theatres soon entitled, Two dogs and a toddler drive 3000 miles.

How much of your Social Security Benefits do you keep after taxes? How can you better plan your taxes to reduce the amount taken from your Social Security during retirement?

In this episode, Michelle Gessner, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, dives into the nuances of how your Social Security benefits are taxed. She unravels the complexities and explores strategies so you can potentially reduce those taxes. 

From understanding provisional income to leveraging Roth IRAs, Michelle sheds light on critical steps that could impact your financial future.

Michelle discusses: 

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate for her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm.