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.

In this episode, Mark talks about making smart choices before money becomes a source of stress. It’s not just about cutting back or saying no, it’s about understanding how each decision fits into the bigger picture.

Wedding bells are ringing, but are the money talks happening? In this episode, Mark offers essential financial advice for newlyweds and remarried couples alike.

In this episode, Mark explores some of the most dangerous mental traps he’s seen people fall into during their financial journey, and how to avoid them.

In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, a man arrives in heaven and encounters five different people who impacted his journey and gave meaning to his life. Today, Mark talks about the five people you should be meeting right before you retire

What do you do when life throws retirement curveballs, especially the ones you didn’t see coming? In this mailbag episode, Mark tackles three unique retirement planning questions from listeners like you. You’ll hear whether life insurance can make sense as part of an estate plan and what the 4% rule really means when it comes to dividends and interest. Mark also helps a listener assess the impact of leaving work earlier than expected and what steps to take next.

Not all financial advisors do the same thing and not all “plans” are made with your best interest in mind. In this episode, Mark walks through what a genuine financial planning process looks like from start to finish, and how to spot the difference between true fiduciary advice and a thinly veiled product pitch.