Category: Retirement Planning
Why Financial Literacy Should Start Young: January Liddell’s Mission (Ep. 22)

Why Financial Literacy Should Start Young: January Liddell’s Mission (Ep. 22)

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What do planning for the future and teaching financial literacy to the next generation have in common?

In this unique episode, Mike Milligan welcomes January Liddell to the show. Money isn’t just about numbers; it’s about narratives. Explore how January, a dynamic financial professional, balances roles as a mother, wife, and author, while fiercely advocating for financial literacy beginning in childhood. January’s insights into minimizing taxes and the challenges of traditional retirement savings plans will transform how you think about your financial future.

Mike and January discuss key topics including:

  • January Liddell’s journey (02:00)
  • Financial mistakes and learning opportunities (04:00)
  • Teaching financial literacy to children (05:23)
  • Strategies to tackle taxes and financial burdens (10:38)
  • The philosophy behind the Ideas by Mike™ approach (12:44)
  • Personal growth, motivation, and community engagement (13:51)
  • Tips to take control of your finances (20:43)

January shares her story and insights to inspire listeners to create personalized financial plans that resonate with their values.

References: 

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

Connect with January Liddell:

About Our Guest:

January Liddell has over three years of experience in the financial industry, dedicated to helping clients achieve tax-free gains and secure access to their finances. She focuses on the ERFT method, “Eliminating Risk, Fees, and Taxes.” With a focus on protecting money from market risk and volatility, January provides her clients with peace of mind, knowing that their hard-earned assets are safe. 

Her extensive knowledge of financial products is matched by her unwavering commitment to client success. January radiates positive energy and is a pleasure to interact with. She understands that communication is essential, regularly keeping in touch with clients to ensure their financial goals are on track. Most importantly, January makes her clients’ success her top priority, giving them the confidence that she truly has their back every step of the way

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How to Live a One-of-a-Kind Life (Ep.21)

How to Live a One-of-a-Kind Life (Ep.21)

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Ever faced a mountain and thought, “I can’t do this?” This episode serves as a way to combat this thought.

As the calendar turns to 2025, Mike Milligan recounts an incredible journey to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain and draws parallels to the journey of retirement planning. Learn how each individual step, supported by a trusted guide, can lead you to breathtaking highs in your financial life.

Mike shares the importance of personalized financial planning, exploring the value of having an experienced guide in crafting your unique financial path. With stories of breathtaking adventures and overcoming limits, he ties these experiences back to helping you achieve the retirement of your dreams. 

Key discussion points include:

  • The significance of taking small, consistent steps in retirement planning (10:00)
  • Understanding how personalized plans can lead to unique financial experiences (14:59)
  • Get to know the team behind Ideas By Mike™ and how they contribute to crafting individualized plans (16:30)
  • The power of asking “What makes you one of a kind?” in developing a personal financial strategy (19:00)
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

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The Impact We Make In Our Communities (Ep.20)

The Impact We Make In Our Communities (Ep.20)

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What makes a team truly one of a kind?

Join host Mike Milligan, a Certified Financial Planner® with over two decades of experience, as he delves into the power of individuality with team members Kelsey Vollmer and Marcus Washington. Together, they explore how their personal experiences influence their communities. 

Mike, Kelsey and Marcus discuss: 

  • The power of a supportive community (04:03)
  • Unique journeys in the financial planning industry (13:21)
  • Bridging fundamental skills in both coaching and financial planning (19:02)
  • Individual and community impact through financial literacy (22:51)
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

About Our Guests:

Marcus Washington is a Retirement Specialist at Ideas By Mike™. He graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science. With extensive experience in the Financial Service Industry, Marcus has specialized in assisting Federal Employees in navigating their retirement plans, particularly focusing on the complexities of FERS and CSRS retirement plans.

Kelsey Vollmer is our Senior Relationships Manager  at Ideas by Mike, LLC. She is dedicated to ensuring that everyone interested in Mike’s services feels heard and valued. She believes in the power of a personal touch, emphasizing a genuine and supportive approach to helping prospects feel understood and informed about their financial decisions.

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Personal Stories of Impact with Grace Milligan (Ep.19)

Personal Stories of Impact with Grace Milligan (Ep.19)

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How can simple actions lead to meaningful change?

Mike Milligan sits down with his daughter Grace, to explore what it truly means to make an impact. Grace shares her inspiring journey from creating fly swatters out of thrift store finds to leading charitable efforts at Grace Klein Community’s food rescue mission. This discussion dives deep into personal stories, community-focused initiatives, and how Grace found her calling in Birmingham, Alabama—proving that effective change often begins with loving the Earth and living purposefully.

Mike discusses: 

  • The craft of finding purpose in unexpected places
  • The story of a worm that sparked a vision for impact
  • Her journey to Grace Klein Community
  • The miracle of community food rescue efforts
  • Building relationships beyond traditional financial planning
  • And more

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

Connect with Grace Milligan:

About Our Guest:

Ever since she was a little girl, Grace Milligan had a deep passion for the earth. Whether spending endless summer days outside or picking up trash on the playground, she always sought to sustain the planet’s beauty. Today, she is fortunate to do just that as the Sustainability Liaison at Grace Klein Community.

Grace graduated from the University of Lynchburg with a double major in Business Administration and Environmental Sustainability, along with a minor in International Relations. She was a member of the Westover Honors College, served as captain of the women’s soccer team, and was a regional student leader with Campus Outreach.

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The Impact of Strategic Partners and Clients (Ep. 18)

The Impact of Strategic Partners and Clients (Ep. 18)

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What makes a financial plan truly stand out?

Mike Milligan explores how strategic partnerships are key to creating personalized, effective financial plans. Joined by Tiffany Saunders and Liz Mundey, they discuss how working together and embracing new ways of thinking are changing the financial planning landscape.

Find out how partnerships with innovative platforms like Halo and Asset Map are making financial planning more complete and accessible.

Episode highlights include:

  • Building unique value through partnerships
  • Impact of partnerships on client services
  • Creating personalized financial plans for unique lives
  • Steve Harlow’s partnership and extending client impact
  • Benefits of visual financial planning with Asset Map
  • Long-term vision and plans for expanding reach 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

Connect with Tiffany Saunders:

Connect with Liz Mundey:

About Our Guests:

Tiffany Saunders is the Director of Growth at Ideas by Mike™, LLC, where she plays a key role in driving the company’s expansion and ensuring its long-term success. Her responsibilities include developing strategic growth plans, identifying new market opportunities, and fostering strong relationships with both partners and clients. With an extensive background in growing start-ups, Tiffany brings a wealth of experience to the team, consistently seeking innovative ways to enhance processes and deliver exceptional value. She is passionate about helping partners and clients achieve their financial goals, making her work deeply rewarding.

Originally from a small town in the Northern Neck of Virginia, Tiffany has always been passionate about building and sustaining relationships. This passion led her to a career focused on making a tangible difference in people’s lives and impacting their financial well-being.

Prior to joining Ideas by Mike™, LLC, Tiffany helped grow three start-ups into successful small businesses. Her previous roles include Client Success and Sales Director at ChatterBoss Virtual Assistants, Director of Sales and Client Success at Real Leaders, and Chief Operating Officer at the Clinical Supervision Directory. In these positions, she honed her skills in strategic growth, leadership, team building, and relationship management, which she now leverages to drive innovation and growth at Ideas by Mike.

In her free time, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her two young daughters, Layla and Lily, or traveling with her husband, Michael. She is excited to be part of the dynamic team at Ideas by Mike™  and looks forward to contributing to the firm’s shared success.

Liz Mundey is the Senior Relationship Manager at Ideas by Mike™, LLC, where she plays a vital role in providing exceptional support to clients. Her responsibilities include keeping client accounts up to date, ensuring that information is easily accessible and understandable, and maintaining close connections with clients to ensure their financial plans remain aligned with their evolving lives.

Licensed in general life and insurance, Liz is committed to continuing her education in finance each year. She is particularly passionate about becoming financially literate and building strong relationships with clients, which she considers the most rewarding part of her job.

Originally from Arizona, Liz spent her twenties traveling the country before deciding to settle down, get married, and start a family in her thirties. Today, she has a growing family, including a new puppy named Little Miss Bandita and a second baby on the way—marking her own little piece of the American Dream.

Before joining Ideas by Mike™, Liz worked as a National Trainer for four years, a Licensed Massage Therapist for six years, and a Business Consultant for five years. In each of these roles, she was driven by a desire to make a direct impact on people’s lives.

Now, Liz is incredibly grateful to be part of the financial space, seeing it as a gift that has enriched her life. She is honored to contribute to the team and support clients in a meaningful way. Liz looks forward to connecting with others and continuing to make a positive impact in the financial world.

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The Mission Behind Ideas by Mike™ (Ep. 17)

The Mission Behind Ideas by Mike™ (Ep. 17)

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Financial planning can truly change lives, not just through numbers but by making a real impact in our communities.

Mike, Kaitlan, and Katie shed light on how they’re redefining financial planning through community impact. They dive into how Ideas by Mike is not only crafting unique financial plans but also investing in meaningful change from local neighborhoods to global communities. 

Learn about their inspiring mission, heartwarming outreach stories, like “Stuff the Bus,” and how they motivate both clients and employees to make a difference. 

Key discussions include:

  • Impact Division Origins: Discover how Mike Milligan’s vision created a department focused on community change 
  • Local Involvement: Hear about the team’s hands-on activities like volunteering at Samaritan House and participating in the Polar Plunge 
  • National and Global Efforts: Learn how the team supports animal rescues and clean water projects worldwide 
  • Inspiring Client Stories: Gain insight into how clients are starting their foundations and making impactful retirements 
  • And more!

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

Connect with Kaitlan Costner:

Connect with Katie Owen:

About our Guests:

Kaitlan Costner is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Ideas by Mike, LLC. In her role, Kaitlan oversees and manages our day-to-day operations, ensuring they align with our strategic goals. Kaitlan handles all business submissions and processing, nurture relationships with partners, and keep a close eye on their financial performance.  

Kaitlan comes equipped with licenses in life, annuity, and health insurance in Virginia, and to top it off, she holds a double major in criminal justice and sociology from the Old Dominion University. She recently bagged her education certification in Financial Planning.

Originally from charming Norfolk, Virginia, Kaitlan is a coastal soul through and through. She shares her cozy home with Benny, her adorable rescue dog, and when she’s not ruling the business world, you’ll find her soaking up the sun at the beach, dancing, or getting creative with craft projects, practicing her hand lettering, decorating her house and collecting house plants.

Prior to Ideas by Mike, Kaitlan worked for 13 years in the Judicial field, working as a courtroom clerk in Circuit Court, as a paralegal to a high-profile criminal defense attorney and as a judicial assistant to a U.S. District Court Federal Judge. The shift from the judicial system to the financial industry has been nothing short of liberating, and she couldn’t be happier in this dynamic leadership role!

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Katie Owen is the Administrative & Impact Coordinator at Ideas by Mike, LLC, a role that perfectly aligns with her passion for creating positive change and fostering innovation.

For Katie, integrity, innovation, collaboration, and excellence are not just words; they are guiding principles that shape every decision she makes. She is dedicated to driving strategic and impactful initiatives for their organization, identifying opportunities for growth, and developing and implementing programs that address societal challenges head-on. Her goal is to create lasting, positive change in every project she undertakes.

Originally hailing from the sandy shores of Virginia Beach, Katie has found her little slice of paradise in Knotts Island, NC, where she lives with her wonderful significant other and their two amazing kids.

Katie is a firm believer that life is better with animals, and their home is a lively sanctuary filled with the playful antics of dogs, the clucks of chickens and hens, and yes, even the occasional gobble from their turkey, Mr. P!

In addition to her responsibilities in driving impactful initiatives, Katie serves as a personal assistant, working closely with their esteemed CEO/Owner, Mike Milligan. In this pivotal role, Katie ensures seamless communication, efficient time management, and streamlined processes. Her aim is to support Mike in scaling their business growth and development, ensuring that their vision becomes a reality.

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Elevate Your Finances in 2025 with One-of-a-Kind Strategies (Ep.16)

Elevate Your Finances in 2025 with One-of-a-Kind Strategies (Ep.16)

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Are you ready to transform your financial approach and make 2025 the year you finally achieve your one-of-a-kind life goals?

Engage with captivating insights into tax planning, retirement income, and the paramount importance of having a genuinely personalized financial plan. Plus, look out for an engaging revelation of how 2025 can be your groundbreaking year.

Mike Milligan looks forward to helping you seize 2025 with fresh financial resolutions and personalized planning!

Key conversations include:

  • Implementing a “one-of-a-kind” financial plan that aligns with your personal goals and priorities from the outset of 2025
  • Learning from professionals about the importance of future tax scenario preparedness
  • Exploring innovative retirement income strategies to ensure financial security.
  • Embracing the art of human connection as a vital part of maintaining mental and financial well-being throughout the year
  • And more!

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

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