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, host Mike Milligan, CFP shares the journey of his financial planning firm, Ideas by Mike, and its evolution into 1.oak Financial.
He discusses the tumultuous financial landscape over the past few years, the founding principles of his firm, and the importance of client-centered financial planning.
Mike emphasizes the need for a unique approach to financial services that prioritizes clients’ needs and goals, culminating in the introduction of the one-of-a-kind financial plan designed to help clients live their best lives.
Episode Takeaways:
– Ideas by Mike aims to provide unique financial insights.
– The firm was founded on principles of client-centered service.
– Mike’s career journey reflects a commitment to client needs.
– The one-of-a-kind financial plan is central to their approach.
– Financial planning should prioritize individual client goals.
– The evolution to One Oak Financial signifies growth and innovation.
– Client service is prioritized over profit in their business model.
– Understanding clients’ core beliefs about money is crucial.
– The firm aims to reduce fear and anxiety around finances.
– Community impact is a key focus for clients in retirement.
Tom Hegna retirement income strategies are some of the most researched, proven methods to retire with security, peace of mind, and lasting wealth. In this episode of the Ideas by Mike™ Podcast, Mike Milligan, CFP®, sits down with Tom Hegna—renowned author of Paychecks and Playchecks and Don’t Worry, Retire Happy—to uncover his formula for creating guaranteed lifetime income, reducing taxes, and protecting family wealth. #TomHegna #RetirementIncomeStrategies #ideasbymike
Stream all past episode of Ideas by Mike™ Podcast for Expert Financial Planning Insights in our YouTube channel!
📞 Book your complimentary Financial & Retirement Planning Analysis: https://calendly.com/ideasbymike/linkedin-strategy-call?month=2025-07
✅ Subscribe for more expert financial planning insights, insider tax strategies, retirement income tips, and legacy planning ideas from the financial planning world.
👤 About Our Guest: Tom Hegna
Tom Hegna is a world-renowned retirement income expert, economist, and author widely known as the “Retirement Income Guru.” With decades of experience as a financial industry executive, retirement strategist, and keynote speaker, Tom has helped thousands of individuals and advisors understand how to retire happy and secure.
– Why annuities must play a foundational role in retirement income.
– The truth about fake fiduciaries—and how to spot them.
– Strategies for Roth conversions and cash value life insurance.
– How to build a wealth floor with life insurance for your family.
– Why guaranteed income leads to happier, longer retirements.
– How to prepare for the long-term care crisis with hybrid solutions.
– The balance between short-term liquidity and long-term stability.
This conversation with Tom Hegna is packed with insights that every retiree and pre-retiree should hear. This conversation is a masterclass in building a plan that actually works—covering income, taxes, legacy, investments, and healthcare.
📖 Episode Chapters:
00:00 – Tom Hegna Retirement Income Strategies (Intro)
22:59 – Safe Withdrawal Rate vs. Lifetime Guarantees
24:14 – Building a Wealth Floor with Life Insurance
25:56 – Creating a Comprehensive Financial Plan
27:38 – Short-Term vs. Long-Term Balance in Retirement
28:53 – Which Tom Hegna Book to Start With
**We’d love to hear your thoughts! Subscribe for more Tom Hegna retirement income strategies, proven tax tips, and financial planning insights that help you build wealth and peace of mind.**
Discover how to leave a love letter to your family…
This week on Ideas by Mike™, Mike Milligan, CFP®, welcomes Scott Cary, Founder of Snug, to unveil how his groundbreaking platform is transforming estate planning.
From safe document storage to AI-powered updates, Snug offers a modern, affordable approach to creating a legacy that reflects your values. Whether preparing for retirement or crafting a heartfelt “final love letter” for your loved ones, this episode will equip you with the insights to take action today.
Key Highlights:
Snug’s Mission: Redefining estate planning with simplicity and accessibility
Legacy Made Personal: Incorporate meaningful messages for loved ones alongside essential documents
Technology Meets Planning: Real-time updates and safe storage for ease of use
Debunking Myths: Estate planning is for everyone, not just the wealthy
Future Trends: How tools like Snug are reshaping holistic financial services
Scott Cary is the Founder of Snug, a groundbreaking platform designed to simplify estate planning for everyone. With a passion for making legacy planning accessible, Scott has created a solution that combines cutting-edge technology with personalized financial services, helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of protecting their assets and safeguarding their future. Driven by a commitment to empower people with affordable, user-friendly tools, Scott is dedicated to redefining how we think about estate planning—ensuring it’s not just for the wealthy but for everyone.
With the right financial plan, it’s entirely possible to keep those “paychecks” coming, even after you stop working.
This week on Ideas by Mike™, Mike Milligan, CFP®, dives into the second critical element of the Ideas by Mike™ one-of-a-kind financial planning process, retirement income. Highlighting personal experiences and historical insights, Mike unveils actionable steps to help secure your financial future without fear of running out of money.
Mike discusses:
The first step of his one-page financial plans, tax planning, and how retirement income planning builds off of that
Different methods to help you obtain consistent retirement income
Historical insights into the evolution of pensions and retirement systems
Innovative tools such as income forecasters that the Ideas by Mike™ team uses to alleviate financial fears for retirees
Did you know that over 56% of Americans now feel they pay more than their fair share in taxes?
This frustration is only growing.
So, let’s dive into how you can approach tax planning to keep more of your hard-earned money!
Join Mike Milligan, CFP®, as he unpacks the history of taxes in the United States, the impact of tax planning on your financial future, and practical steps to take control of your tax liabilities. Follow along to hear about the partnership Ideas by Mike™ has to help you navigate your tax situation and how their holistic approach could help you reach your retirement goals.
Mike discusses:
The historical context of tax rates in the United States and their current implications
How tax planning is the foundation of all real financial planning
The top 3 frustrations surrounding tax obligations
How their partnership with Holistiplan provides clients with comprehensive, personalized tax planning strategies
Having a financial plan could help bring your dreams to life!
But no ordinary plan will do. You need one as unique as you are.
Join Mike Milligan, CFP® to hear about how he and his firm, Ideas by Mike™ approach the world of financial planning. Mike shares his experiences crafting custom financial strategies for a diverse range of clients, from federal employees to the quietly affluent hidden in plain sight.
So, listen in as Mike uncovers the transformative journey clients embark upon working alongside the team at Ideas by Mike™, from the initial discovery call to the creation of a one-page financial plan that distills complex financial goals into actionable, understandable steps.
Mike discusses:
The process of becoming a client of Ideas by Mike™ and the experience you can expect
The value of discovery meetings and getting to know one another
How to craft a one-page financial plan that simplifies and clarifies financial objectives
Reasons specialized financial planning needs federal employees and the quietly affluent
The importance of celebrating life’s milestones and managing life’s challenges through financial strategies
