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)
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)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Can your financial strategy unlock the secret to a longer, healthier life?
This week on Ideas by Mike™, Mike Milligan, CFP®, welcomes Heather Holmes, Founder and CEO of Lumiant, and Nicola Perry, VP of Sales at Lumiant, to explore the game-changing connection between health and wealth. Drawing from their expertise, Heather and Nicola unveil Halo, a revolutionary tool that personalizes long-term care and longevity planning by analyzing lifestyle, family history, and location.
Tune in to hear Heather’s powerful story of how her father’s struggles inspired her to develop Halo and learn how Nicola helps families make informed, confident decisions about their future.
Together, they share actionable strategies to integrate health insights into financial planning, empowering you to live well today while preparing for life’s later stages.
(Whether you’re planning for retirement, caregiving for loved ones, or seeking clarity on long-term care, this episode equips you to take proactive, life-changing steps!)
Key Highlights:
The Halo Mission and its Benefits: How Lumiant connects health and wealth to improve longevity and financial outcomes
Customized Planning: Insights on your active, slower, and extended care years with tailored cost projections
Health Meets Wealth: Learn how financial advisors integrate wellness coaching for a truly holistic approach
Plan Early: Discover why ages 40-70 are ideal for long-term care planning
Impactful Conversations: See how Halo’s tools foster client trust and shift the focus from transactions to solutions
Heather Holmes is the visionary Founder and CEO of Lumiant, where she leads the charge in connecting health and wealth to improve life outcomes. Inspired by her father’s health and financial challenges, Heather developed Halo, a revolutionary tool that empowers families to plan for longevity and long-term care with clarity and confidence. Her mission is to help clients live longer, healthier, and more financially fortified lives.
About Nicola Perry:
Nicola Perry serves as VP of Sales at Lumiant, combining her adaptability and deep empathy to guide families through life’s most pivotal financial decisions. Driven by a passion for making long-term care planning accessible and personalized, Nicola works to ensure clients feel supported and prepared for every stage of life. Her work with Halo exemplifies her dedication to integrating health insights with financial strategies.
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
Did you know that over 70% of people aged 65 and older will need some form of long-term care services in their lifetime?
This week, Mike Milligan, CFP®, dives into the world of long-term care planning, highlighting the difference it can make in our lives.
Follow along to explore HALO, an innovative tool designed to simplify and enhance the planning process. Learn about its features, benefits, and practical applications so that you are empowered with the knowledge you need to secure a better future for yourself and your loved ones (all this from a financial planner and professor’s point of view!)
Mike discusses:
Mike’s motivation and approach to long-term care planning
How long-term care planning fits into his one-of-a-kind financial plan model
HALO and its unique benefits, such as combining research to provide a personalized life and health expectancy analysis
Real-life implications of planning for long-term care and health expectancy
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
