How Money Works

Is DIY Financial Planning Costing You?

Doing it yourself feels empowering, until the margin for error disappears. Craig and Jennifer look at why many people stick with a DIY financial approach longer than they should, and how retirement quietly changes the stakes. Small decisions start to matter more, timelines get longer, and mistakes get harder to unwind. The real question isn't can you do it yourself, it's should you? Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛠️ DIY Mindset: Why people choose to manage money themselves ⚠️ Common Pitfalls: Where DIY strategies often fall short 📉 Real-Life Mistakes: How small errors become costly 🤝 Advisor's Role: What experience adds beyond investments ⏳ Living Longer: Why longevity multiplies financial risk 🧭 Planning Matters: Turning uncertainty into structure Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

Navigating Financial Changes in 2026: Retirement, Taxes & Medicare

Craig and Jennifer dive into the key financial updates for 2026 and how they can affect your retirement. They discuss Social Security COLAs, Medicare premium increases, new tax deductions for seniors, and smarter ways to use Roth conversions and catch-up contributions. This episode highlights why proactive tax and income planning matters and how small decisions today can make a big difference in retirement. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏥 Healthcare Costs – Rising medical expenses in retirement 💳 Medicare Premiums – How income affects what you pay 🧾 Tax Deductions – New charitable and senior deduction rules 📈 Catch-Up Savings – Expanded contribution limits for older workers 🧠 Tax Strategy – Planning withdrawals before retirement begins 📜 Secure Act 2.0 – Roth rules changing retirement contributions Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

Retirement Sabotage: The Mistakes That Add Up

Most retirement mistakes don't happen all at once; they happen quietly and over time. In this episode, Craig and Jennifer walk through the most common ways people unknowingly sabotage their retirement, and how to make sure it doesn't happen to you. Tune in to learn how small, proactive planning choices can protect confidence, income, and peace of mind over the long run. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Retirement Sabotage: Quiet mistakes that compound 📉 Market Volatility: Why reacting hurts long-term plans ⏳ Social Security: Timing decisions with lasting impact 💼 Job Assumptions: When work ends sooner than expected 🎯 Financial Strategy: Replacing hope with structure Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

Taking Out the Financial Trash in Your Retirement Plan

As retirement gets closer, the small financial issues you've ignored can start to pile up fast. In this episode, Craig walks through the most common "financial trash" people carry into retirement, and how to start the process of cleaning it up. What financial clutter should you clean up before retiring? If you want a clearer, more confident path into retirement, this episode shows where to start. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧹 Cash Flow Cleanup: planning income and mortgage payments 💳 Debt & Risk: reducing financial pressure before retirement 💤 Lazy Money: cash losing ground due to inflation 🏦 Pension Choices: evaluating pension versus lump sum decisions 🏢 Life Changes: navigating company sales and job transitions Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

Safeguard Your Legacy: Avoiding Common Errors in Estate Planning

It's easy to avoid thinking about the realities of aging and the challenges it can bring. But, overlooking the true costs of healthcare and assistance can leave even the best financial plans vulnerable. Jennifer is joined by her son (and financial advisor) Cameron to explore why these risks are so commonly underestimated and what it means for your future security. Are you truly prepared for the hidden costs of growing older? Tune in the find out. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📛 Designations Matter: why beneficiary forms override your will 💸 Planning for Expenses: the danger of ignoring future healthcare and long-term care costs 🔄 Update Your Heirs: outdated beneficiaries that send assets to the wrong person 🏡 Don't Gift Too Soon: tax traps when transferring property while alive 🤝 Avoid Family Conflict: how communication prevents litigation Contact Maestro Wealth: Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ [https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/] Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin [https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin] Phone: 336-448-1086