Tag: Financial Literacy
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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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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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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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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Mike and Steve on Purpose-Driven Investment Planning (Ep. 13)

Mike and Steve on Purpose-Driven Investment Planning (Ep. 13)

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Is your portfolio working toward your dreams—or just chasing the market?

This week on Ideas by Mike™, Mike Milligan, CFP®, sits down with Steve Osterink, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Advisory Alpha, to explore the art and science of investment planning. Drawing from his vast experience managing $3.8 billion in assets, Steve shares practical insights on aligning your investments with your financial goals, avoiding emotional pitfalls, and leveraging tools like Koyfin and FRED to optimize your strategy.

Tune in and hear Steve’s powerful story of how his father’s mentorship shaped his client-first philosophy while learning how to create a personal “Investment Policy Statement” that serves as a financial roadmap. 

(Whether you’re a DIY investor or work with an advisor, this episode leaves you equipped to make smarter, purpose-driven investment decisions!)

Key Highlights:

  • Investment as Architecture: Why a strong foundation—your plan—is more important than the materials (products)
  • Risk and Return Mastery: Understanding your personal capacity for risk to achieve meaningful financial outcomes
  • Behavioral Bias Busters: How to avoid emotional traps like recency and hindsight bias
  • Essential Tools: Maximize your strategy with Koyfin’s analytics dashboard and FRED’s economic data
  • Advisory Alpha’s Edge: Learn about fee-waived charitable solutions and other innovative approaches to client-focused investing
  • Mentorship in Action: Steve reveals how his father’s wisdom continues to inspire his financial strategies
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

Connect with Steve Osterink:

About Our Guest:

Steve Osterink, CFA and CFP, is the visionary CEO of Advisory Alpha, overseeing $3.8 billion in assets. With a passion for client education and innovation, Steve combines technical expertise with a commitment to personal growth, both for his clients and his family.

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This is WHY Money is Important: IBM Employee Edition (Ep. 4)

This is WHY Money is Important: IBM Employee Edition (Ep. 4)

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Your financial journey is as unique as you are. So, in order to plan for a bright future you first need to ask yourself one simple question:

Why is money important to you?

This week on Ideas by Mike™, Mike Milligan, CFP® brings on a few members of his dynamic team, including Kaitlan Costner, Marcus Washington, Nicole Stam, and Liz Mundey, to dive into this fundamental question they ask all their clients.

Tune in and explore the team’s unique roles and hear different perspectives on financial priorities, the role of money in achieving life goals, and how understanding client relationships can lead to impactful, one-of-a-kind financial plans.

Episode highlights include: 

  • An introduction to the team and their unique roles at Ideas by Mike™
  • Marcus discusses varying client responses and the universal fear of running out of money
  • Nicole shares her journey to financial literacy and the importance of budgeting and autonomy
  • Liz highlights the need for security, legacy, and the personal touch in financial planning
  • Kaitlan emphasizes the value of transparency and expectations in managing client trust and money
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

About Our Guests:

Kaitlan Costner is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Ideas by Mike™. She oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of the company, ensuring they align with its strategic goals. She is responsible for handling all business submissions and processing, nurturing relationships with partners, and closely monitoring the company’s financial performance.

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.

Nicole Stam serves as the Marketing & Lead Generation Strategist for Ideas By Mike™. With a background in digital marketing and cybersecurity, she has cultivated a keen interest in staying abreast of technological trends. Nicole leverages this expertise to transform innovative methodologies into successful marketing and lead-generation strategies. With a proven track record of success, she remains committed to making significant strides in the marketing industry through pioneering campaigns.

Liz Mundey is the Senior Relationship Manager at Ideas by Mike™ tasked with providing enhanced client support. Her responsibilities include maintaining up-to-date accounts, ensuring accessible and comprehensible information, and maintaining close communication with clients to ensure their financial plans evolve in alignment with their lives.

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