Before I ever recommend an investment, I ask five questions.

Not about stocks.
Not about the market.
Not about what your neighbor is buying.

Because great retirement planning has very little to do with chasing returns—and everything to do with building a strategy around your actual life.

In this episode, I walk through the five questions I ask every new client to uncover:

• What “work optional” really looks like for them
• Where their retirement income will actually come from
• The tax risks hiding inside their current accounts
• What happens if life doesn’t go according to plan
• What they’re truly optimizing for: lifestyle, legacy, flexibility, or something else

This episode pulls back the curtain on how I work, how real financial planning should feel, and why a portfolio alone is not a retirement plan.

If you can’t clearly answer these five questions… you may be guessing more than you think.

Most high-income W-2 employees are doing exactly what they were told to do:

Max out the 401(k). Save aggressively. Keep building.

The problem? Almost nobody is showing them what happens later.

In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked tax strategies I see with professionals in their 40s and 50s—and why waiting too long to address it can create a massive tax problem in retirement.

We cover:

• Why “tax deferred” doesn’t always mean “tax efficient”
• The hidden future risk of large pre-tax retirement accounts
• How backdoor Roth strategies work
• Why Roth conversion planning matters before RMDs begin
• The difference between tax preparation and actual tax planning

If you’re building wealth but haven’t thought about what your tax bracket could look like at 70… this episode is for you.

Because retirement planning isn’t just about growing your money.
It’s about keeping more of it.

You don’t mess up retirement at 65…
You lock in the mistakes at 45.

In this episode, I break down why I focus on the Retirement Red Zone—the 10–20 years before you retire—and why that’s where the biggest financial decisions actually get made.

Let’s be honest: most kids think money just comes out of the wall. Or worse—“Can’t you just use the card?”

If you’ve ever watched your child blow through their birthday cash like it’s Monopoly money, this post (and video 👇) is for you.

We want to raise Game Changers and Wealth Builders—not future adults who learn the hard way that “0% interest for 12 months” is not free money.

Kids love games. So make saving and budgeting one.

• Set up a “family bank” where they earn interest on savings.

• Match their savings like a 401(k) for chores.

• Let them “invest” in snack stocks—buy Goldfish at 10 cents today, sell at 15 cents next week.

Suddenly, compound interest is cooler than Roblox coins.

Skip the PowerPoint presentation. Teach money in the wild:

• Grocery shopping? Show them unit pricing.

• Eating out? Let them help calculate the tip.

• Road trip? Hand them a gas budget and let them play CFO.

They’ll absorb way more from hands-on money moments than any lecture.

Yep, you read that right. Let. Them. Blow. It.

Nothing drives home the value of money like watching $20 vanish in a flash on the worst claw machine in America. It’s a lesson in budgeting, buyer’s remorse, and decision-making all in one go.

You’re not raising perfection. You’re raising confidence. And confidence comes from experience—even the oops kind.

🎥 Watch the full video for more tips and a few laughs along the way. I’ll show you how to plant the seeds for financial literacy that actually stick.

Because let’s face it—your kid knows 84 YouTubers by name. It’s time they learn who Warren Buffett is, too.

Ready to raise a money-smart kid (and maybe brush up on your own skills too)?
Let’s un-eff the next generation’s finances, one piggy bank at a time. 💪🐷💸

💸 Your kid can explain Minecraft strategy in painstaking detail…
But ask them what a Roth IRA is, and it’s 🦗🦗🦗.

📚 It’s time we taught our kids more than just how to swipe a debit card.
In this episode of Un Eff Your Finances, I break down how to get your kids started with real-world money smarts—without boring them to tears (or making it feel like detention).

🙌 Let’s raise the first generation that actually understands compound interest before they sign for student loans.

Do you find yourself tangled in tax season chaos every year? You’re not alone! Dive into this episode for a laugh and some clarity!

In this episode, Nicholas chats with his brother from another mother, Mark Carrison, a seasoned tax pro from Verdolino and Lowey. Prepare to unwind those tax-time worries and learn how to save the bucks you’ve been unknowingly sacrificing to Uncle Sam. Grab your headphones as Nick and Mark highlight common mistakes, from last-minute filing frenzies to the myths about tax refunds, and unravel how proactive planning can save you from pulling your hair out come March!

Mark and Nick discuss:

• (02:48) Top three tax mistakes – procrastination, reactive planning, and poor communication
• (06:36) Differences between tax deductions and credits and why mixing them up can cost you
• (13:26) The importance of building a team of trusted advisors for holistic financial well-being
• (21:59) Creative gifting strategies for leaving a meaningful legacy while optimizing your taxes
• (22:40) The value of real-time tax planning over delayed fixes and how “Google” isn’t your perfect tax advisor
• And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

• St. George Wealth
• LinkedIn: Nicholas St. George
• Facebook: Nicholas St. George
• Phone: 828-481-8836

Connect with Mark Carrison:

• Verdolino & Lowey P.C.
• LinkedIn: Mark Carrison
• mcarrison@vlpc.com

About our Guest:

Mark Carrison is a Tax Supervisor for Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. Mark joined the firm in January 2020 and has more than 15 years of public accounting experience. Mark provides accounting and advisory services in tax, accounting, financial reporting, and consulting services for individuals, privately held companies, and trusts. Mark is a member of the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He has had active roles on numerous not-for-profit boards in Rhode Island and Massachusetts including Treasurer and Board of Director of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Boy Scouts of America, and Rhode Island Wild Plant Society. Mark received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bryant University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Leo University in Accounting with a Fraud Examination concentration.

A childhood fascination with GI Joe and Madden NFL could shape a financial advisor’s career; who knew?

In this premier episode of Un Eff Your Finances, host Nicholas St. George takes us on his journey from a young stock market enthusiast to a seasoned financial advisor dedicated to demystifying finance for hardworking professionals. Nick shares personal anecdotes, his passion for financial planning, and the importance of having a tailored strategy. This episode introduces you to Nick’s unique approach to financial advising, combining honesty, humor, and a client-centric mindset to help you feel more confident and in control of your financial future.

This episode covers:

• Nick’s journey from stock market games in Lincoln, Rhode Island to becoming a trusted financial advisor
• The importance of personalized financial plans over one-size-fits-all solutions
• Nick’s approach to demystifying complex financial concepts with humor and clear communication
• Real-world examples highlighting the significance of long-term financial planning
• And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

• St. George Wealth
• LinkedIn: Nicholas St. George
• Facebook: Nicholas St. George
• Phone: 828-481-8836

About Nicholas St. George:

Nick is a North Carolina-based advisor who coordinates the financial affairs of a select group of families and individuals. With a background in compliance, he applies strong analytical skills and attention to detail to help clients identify risks and plan for their financial futures. His mission is to help clients achieve their personal and financial goals through comprehensive support, customized planning, and exceptional service.

Nick began his financial services career after earning a Finance degree from Bryant University. He holds several certifications, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA).

Nick lives in Denver, NC, with his wife Kelly and their two children, Bo and Caroline. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and hockey.

⚠️ Breaking news: The market went down.
🎉 Also breaking: It went back up. And down again. And… you get the idea.

If market swings give you anxiety and make you want to cash out faster than a kid with birthday money at Target—this one’s for you.

Because here’s the truth: Volatility isn’t the enemy. Panic is.

Yes, it goes up and down. But like a roller coaster, unless you jump off mid-ride, you’ll end up back on solid ground. Investors who stay buckled in, even through the loops and dips, historically come out ahead.

Missing just a handful of the best market days can crush your long-term returns. And spoiler alert: those “best days” often come right after the worst ones. Selling out during chaos feels safe… until you realize you locked in your losses and missed the rebound party.

• Stick to your plan.

• Don’t try to outsmart the headlines.

• And for the love of compounding interest—don’t turn your portfolio into a panic button.

🎙️ In the latest Real Talk audio, I break down exactly why staying invested matters, how volatility can actually be your friend (yep), and why your financial future deserves more than emotional decision-making.

Bottom line:
The market will swing. That’s its job.
Your job? Stay grounded. Stay invested. Stay smart.

Let’s un-eff your finances—one mindset shift at a time.

#UnEffYourFinances #VolatilityIsNormal #StayInvested #GameChangersAndWealthBuilders #RealTalkMoney #BehavioralFinance #LongTermWins