What does The Wizard of Oz have to teach us about smart financial planning? More than you might think! In this episode, Mark uses the timeless lessons of Dorothy and the Yellow Brick Road to explain why a clear financial plan matters- and why “winging it” rarely works. Just like the journey to the Emerald City, retirement planning requires direction, flexibility, and the ability to adjust when obstacles pop up along the way.

The doctor is in! Most people worry about small financial details while ignoring the big issues that can quietly derail retirement. In this episode, Mark introduces a series of “financial diseases” that show up when planning gaps go un-checked.

Step into a fairytale-inspired take on financial planning as Mark matches real-life money habits to the colorful personalities of the seven dwarfs. Gain fresh perspective and actionable wisdom for your own financial story, all while having a little fun along the way. Ready to discover which financial dwarf you might be? You might be surprised which one you relate to most.

Planning for retirement has a lot in common with playing golf. In this episode, Mark uses the golf course as a metaphor for smart investing and retirement planning.

Mark reveals why moving to a smaller home isn’t always a money-saver, digging into costs like mortgages, HOA fees, and property taxes.

In this episode, Mark takes a practical look at the challenges retirees face and how to prepare for them with confidence.

We’ve all heard sayings like “real estate never fails” or “a mortgage is good debt.” But is conventional wisdom always wise?

In today’s mailbag, Mark answers three real listener questions. First, when it’s time to replace a car, is it smarter to use your emergency fund, pull from an IRA, or finance with a monthly payment? Next, a recent college grad asks how much she should realistically save each month toward retirement, a home, and future travel. Finally, a listener approaching retirement wonders if having less than a million dollars saved is enough to live comfortably.

In this episode, Mark shares real-world “financial disaster” scenarios he’s seen and how to keep them from happening to you.