Dr. Axel Meierhoefer joins Mike Milligan, CFP®, to uncover his unique strategies for achieving financial freedom and navigating the future landscape of wealth.
This Ideas by Mike™ Podcast episode dives deep into three core areas: building wealth through residential real estate investing, the imminent impact of AI and embodied robotics, and the tactical steps to successfully transitioning to expat life.
In this episode of the Ideas by Mike Podcast, Mike Milligan, CFP®, talks with Rhyan Finch, CEO of 1st Class Real Estate, about the mindset and strategies behind real estate investing and franchise growth. Rhyan shares how to spot real estate investing opportunities in today’s market, the role of financial discipline in scaling a business, and the key decisions that helped him grow one of the fastest-expanding real estate franchises in the country.
Rhyan’s journey is a powerful lesson in financial planning and growth: he transitioned from a $40,000/year plumber to a $100,000/year agent, only to realize he was over-leveraging and almost went broke.
He shares how he overcame this hurdle, stabilized his finances, and endured the pain of losing $50,000 monthly to build his national real estate franchise.
In this 37th episode of Ideas by Mike Podcast, Mike Milligan, CFP® and Tom Hegna went for another one to discuss his newest book “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?”.
They revealed these HUGE financial mistakes younger generation can avoid because these financial mistakes are stopping them from reaching their First Million mark on their professional careers.
Tom Hegna explains Why the First Million is the Hardest and the critical importance of patience in wealth building.
Learn the math behind the $10.8 million mistake couples make and the essential savings discipline: The 10/20/70 Rule. They both discuss how to use the SEC Savings Goal Calculator to hit your targets, and Tom’s secret to career success: Finding Riches by being the Best in your Niche.
This episode provides the mindset and the math for building wealth faster and helping you execute your One of a Kind Financial Plan.
In this episode of the Ideas by Mike™ Podcast, Mike Milligan sits down with best-selling author David McKnight, creator of The Power of Zero. They dive deep into the truth about rising taxes, why the next 10 years are critical for retirement savers, and how to build a tax-free strategy before rates climb again.
William Bengen retirement withdrawal strategies have shaped how millions plan for retirement. Known as the creator of the famous 4% Rule, Bengen now reveals new research that challenges the old standard. In this episode of the Ideas by Mike™ Podcast, Mike Milligan, CFP®, asks the key question: is 4% rule still safe in 2025?
Bengen explains why his updated research supports a 4.7% withdrawal rate, when retirees might take even 5.5%, and how diversification, inflation, and market conditions impact retirement success.
📞 Book your free complimentary portfolio analysis today: https://calendly.com/ideasbymike/linkedin-strategy-call?month=2025-07
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William P. Bengen is the pioneering financial planner who first formulated the now-famous “4 % Rule” for retirement withdrawals and coined the term “SAFEMAX.” With over 30 years of research on maximizing sustainable income in retirement, he’s updated the rule to 4.7 % in his new book A Richer Retirement. Bengen holds a B.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT and an advanced degree in financial planning, and runs a website where he shares his charts, tables, and ongoing research.
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
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.
Taxes may be inevitable, but they don’t have to drain your wealth. Here’s how to turn them into a powerful tool for financial growth 💡
Mike Milligan, CFP® teams up with Ben Birkin from Holistiplan to reveal how this powerful software is transforming tax planning from a headache into a strategic advantage. It’s not just about lowering tax bills—it’s about turning tax strategies into a key driver of long-term wealth.
Holistiplan cuts through the complexity, giving financial advisors the tools to deliver clear, actionable tax insights that put more money back in clients’ pockets. And since taxes are often one of life’s biggest expenses, smart planning can make all the difference.
The real takeaway?
Advisors who integrate Holistiplan aren’t just checking a box. They’re offering clients a customized roadmap to financial well-being, turning tax planning into an opportunity for real growth.
Key Highlights:
How a midlife career shift inspired the creation of Holistiplan, now trusted by over 5,000 firms
The key benefits of Holistiplan: simplifying tax reviews while providing actionable insights
How Holistiplan’s solutions align with the latest trends in tax planning technology
The tangible benefits: How proactive tax planning empowers clients to optimize their lifetime income
How Holistiplan fosters stronger client relationships through transparency and trust
The collaboration between Ideas by Mike™ and Holistiplan (delivering a unique, client-centric service)
Imagine a financial plan that not only builds your wealth but also enriches your life.
This week,Mike reflects on the values he learned from his grandmother’s sandwich shop — values that now shape his approach to financial planning.
For Mike, wealth is more than money. It’s about aligning your finances with what matters most, like a secure retirement, supporting loved ones, or giving back.
So, his takeaway?
Start early, focus on what’s important, and partner with someone who understands that true wealth serves your life, not the other way around.
Key Highlights:
Lessons from Mike’s entrepreneurial grandmother and their lasting impact
Why aligning your money with your values is essential for financial success
How integrating health and wealth creates a balanced, fulfilling life
The key areas of financial planning (taxes, retirement income, investments, long-term care)
Ways tools like HolistaPlan, Halo, and Snug simplify and enhance financial planning
A real-life case study: How Mike helped a high-earning family reduce stress through smart planning
Legacy planning is more than just dividing up financial assets; it’s about preserving the values, traditions, and harmony within a family.
This week on Ideas by Mike™, Mike Milligan, CFP®, highlights the importance of this often-overlooked step in his unique financial planning approach.
By incorporating SNUG — a powerful platform designed to streamline the organization of essential documents, final wishes, and family legacies — Mike empowers families to face the emotional and practical challenges that come with losing a loved one with greater ease and confidence.
Key Highlights:
How legacy planning is the final piece of a comprehensive financial strategy, working alongside tax planning, retirement income, investment, and long-term care
The importance of preserving more than just financial assets — ensuring family stories, values, and traditions live on
SNUG and its unique benefits in simplifying the organization of critical documents, wills, and final wishes to avoid disorganization after death
Real-life stories that highlight the emotional and practical burdens families face without a proper legacy plan
Investing is an important piece of retirement planning, but there is much more to it than just picking “the right” stocks.
This week on Ideas by Mike™, Mike Milligan, CFP®, breaks down the third step in his one-of-a-kind financial planning processes, investment management. Mike explains the importance of setting specific goals and developing strategies to achieve those goals through investments.
But that’s not everything! He also emphasizes the need for diversification and risk assessment in investment portfolios while highlighting common mistakes people make in investment planning.
Mike covers:
Why tax planning is crucial for your financial health
How to create a sustainable retirement income plan
The importance of diversification when it comes to crafting an investment plan
