The Future of Finance

Getting to retirement is one thing. Winning in retirement is something completely different.You've spent decades working, saving, and building your financial future. But when your paycheck stops, how do you know if you've saved enough? And more importantly, how do you turn those savings into income you can actually enjoy?In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood of Union Financial Services sits down with Brian Akers, CFP®, President and Founder of Akers Financial Group, who brings nearly 40 years of experience helping people prepare for retirement.Together, they discuss what it really takes to achieve financial independence, create a reliable retirement paycheck, manage taxes, and avoid some of the biggest mistakes retirees make.Brian shares stories from his decades of experience, including a client who started saving for retirement in his 50s and eventually built substantial wealth. He also explains his memorable "milk the cow" retirement strategy—a simple way to think about generating income from your investments without unnecessarily depleting your savings.But winning in retirement isn't just about money.Marissa and Brian also explore the emotional side of retirement, why some retirees struggle to spend the money they've saved, and how to find purpose after leaving the workforce.Plus, don't miss their Winning or Losing? lightning round, where Brian gives his take on retiring with a mortgage, claiming Social Security at 62, moving to Florida, and more!💰 What You'll Learn How to determine whether you're financially ready to retire Why retirement planning is about cash flow, not just your savings balance How to replace your paycheck with retirement income Why having cash reserves can help manage market downturns What sequence-of-returns risk means for your retirement savings How taxes and Roth strategies can affect retirement income Why some retirees are afraid to spend their own money How to prepare emotionally for life after work What Brian considers winning and losing retirement decisions💬 Question for you:What's your biggest concern about retirement—running out of money, paying too much in taxes, or not knowing what to do with your time? Let us know in the comments!👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who's preparing for retirement or already enjoying it.📞 Wondering if you're financially ready to retire?Visit https://union-financial.com and click Schedule a Meeting to book a phone, Zoom, or in-person consultation with the Union Financial Services team.Get answers to your retirement questions and explore strategies designed around your personal financial goals.This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial, investment, or tax advice. Investments involve risk, and strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone. Insurance product guarantees depend on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer.#FutureOfFinance #RetirementPlanning #FinancialIndependence #RetirementIncome #RetirementTips #FinancialPlanning

What if debt wasn’t the enemy—but your greatest tool for building wealth?In this powerful episode of The Future of Finance, host Marissa Wood sits down with mortgage expert Jason Johnson of Sun Point Home Loans to uncover how the wealthy use strategic borrowing to grow their net worth. From celebrity mortgage moves to bridge loans and amortization tricks, Jason shares 22 years of experience to help everyday homeowners and aspiring investors make smarter financial decisions.Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or just looking to refinance the right way—this episode is packed with actionable insights.👉 Need a mortgage consultation?Reach out to Jason at (813) 781-2744 or search "Jason Johnson SunPoint Home Loans" to see his 400+ 5-star reviews.💬 Ready to talk investing, life insurance, or retirement strategy? Book a meeting at UnionFinancial.com

Making a great income doesn't automatically make you wealthy.In fact, many doctors, dentists, attorneys, business owners, and other high-income professionals find themselves years behind on retirement planning despite earning hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood is joined by Daniel Foss, CEO of Foss Financial Services and a Chartered Financial Consultant with more than 25 years of experience, to discuss why so many successful professionals fall behind financially—and the strategies they can use to catch up without taking unnecessary risk.Whether you've spent years paying off student loans, building a business, or simply delayed investing, this episode will help you understand how to make the most of the years you have left before retirement.💰 Learn why high income doesn't always equal wealth📈 Discover tax strategies that can accelerate retirement savings🛡️ Understand how to catch up without simply taking more investment risk💼 What You'll Learn Why high income alone won't create financial freedom How lifestyle inflation quietly delays retirement The importance of tax diversification in retirement planning Why taking more risk isn't always the answer Advanced strategies successful professionals use to accelerate retirement savings💬 Question for you: If your income doubled tomorrow, would you invest the difference—or would your lifestyle grow with it?👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a doctor, business owner, attorney, or anyone who earns a great income but wants to build lasting wealth.📞 Ready to build a personalized retirement strategy? Visit https://union-financial.com and schedule a complimentary consultation with the Union Financial team.

How much money do you actually need to retire comfortably?It's one of the most common questions financial advisors hear—and the answer may surprise you.In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood and Lisa Green react to popular retirement advice from financial experts Ramit Sethi and Tom Hegna, breaking down the famous 4% Rule, why many retirees underestimate their expenses, and why **income—not assets—is the real key to a successful retirement.You'll learn why two people with the exact same nest egg can have completely different retirement experiences—and how guaranteed lifetime income can help remove the fear of running out of money.💰 Learn how much you may actually need to retire 📈 Understand the strengths (and limitations) of the 4% Rule 🛡️ Discover strategies designed to create income you can't outliveWhether you're 10 years from retirement or already there, this episode will help you think differently about what financial freedom really means.💰 What You'll Learn Whether the 4% Rule still works today Why retirement planning is about income, not just portfolio size The difference between accumulating wealth and creating retirement income How guaranteed income strategies may reduce retirement stress Why having millions doesn't automatically mean you'll feel ready to retire💬 Question for you: If you retired tomorrow, would you feel more confident because of your assets... or because of your income?👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who's planning for retirement.📞 Want to know your retirement number? Visit https://union-financial.com and click Schedule a Meeting for a complimentary retirement review.

Should you wait for interest rates to drop? Do you really need a 20% down payment? Is renting always throwing money away?In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood is joined by veteran Realtor James "Jimmy B" Boardman to separate fact from fiction when it comes to today's housing market. Together, they react to some of the internet's most popular real estate advice and explain what actually makes sense for buyers, homeowners, and investors.Whether you're buying your first home, considering an investment property, or wondering if now is the right time to move, this episode will help you make smarter real estate decisions based on your goals—not social media.🏡 Learn when it actually makes sense to buy 📉 Understand how interest rates affect home prices 💰 Discover strategies for building long-term wealth through real estate🏡 What You'll Learn Why timing the housing market isn't always the best strategy Whether waiting for lower interest rates could actually cost you more The truth about 20% down payments and PMI How to evaluate investment properties for cash flow and appreciation Why buying a home should fit your financial goals—not someone else's advice💬 Question for you: If you were buying today, would you buy now or wait for interest rates to fall? Tell us why in the comments!👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who's thinking about buying or selling a home.📞 Have questions about your financial plan or home-buying strategy? Visit https://union-financial.com and schedule a complimentary consultation with the Union Financial team.

Welcome to another episode of The Future of Finance, where host Marissa Wood and co-host Lisa Green bring together their two favorite F-words: Football and Finance! 🏈💸With fantasy football season in full swing, Marissa and Lisa use powerful, fun analogies between football positions and investment strategies to help you rethink your portfolio.Are you running a team of all tight ends? 😬 Are you missing a defense? 🤯 Do you even have a kicker? This episode will show you how to create a diversified financial team that wins — on and off the field.🔁 Watch, learn, and maybe even win a gift card if you can guess the mystery play shown in the video. 🏆

For the first time on The Future of Finance, the interviewer becomes the interviewee.In this special episode, Marissa Wood sits down with Erin Kennedy, Emmy Award-winning communicator and Director of Communications at Brookstone Capital Management, to share the personal story behind Union Financial Services, what inspired her to become a financial advisor, and why financial planning is about so much more than investing.From growing up in a family-owned financial planning business to witnessing firsthand how a financial plan changed a family's future after tragedy, Marissa opens up about the experiences that shaped her career and her passion for helping others build financial confidence.Whether you've ever wondered what it's like to work with a financial advisor—or if you're simply looking for motivation to take control of your financial future—this is an episode you won't want to miss.💙 Learn the story behind Union Financial Services📈 Discover what financial advisors really do for their clients🤝 See why relationships matter more than investment returns alone💙 What You'll Learn How Marissa's personal story shaped her approach to financial planning Why financial advice is about relationships—not just investments What to expect during your first meeting with an advisor Common misconceptions that stop people from seeking financial guidance Why comprehensive planning is becoming more important than ever💬 Question for you: What's the biggest financial lesson you've learned from your parents—or one you hope to pass on to your children?👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who's been wondering whether working with a financial advisor is the right next step.📞 Ready to build your own financial plan? Visit https://union-financial.com and schedule a complimentary phone, Zoom, or in-person consultation with the Union Financial team.

Should you pay off your mortgage as fast as possible—or invest that money instead?In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood and Lisa Green react to two viral investing philosophies from Dave Ramsey and Warren Buffett that completely clash on debt, mortgages, and long-term investing.One side says: eliminate all debt immediately. The other says: low-interest debt can actually help build wealth.So who’s right?🏡 Learn when paying off your mortgage makes sense 📈 Understand the power of leverage and investing 💡 Discover how your strategy should change throughout lifeThis episode dives into real-life examples, celebrity mortgage strategies, stock market psychology, and the emotional side of investing that most people never talk about.🏡 What You’ll Learn When it makes sense to pay off your mortgage early How leverage can accelerate long-term wealth Why emotional investing often hurts returns The hidden tax advantages of long-term investing Why retirement planning should evolve over time💬 Question for you: Would you rather have a paid-off home—or a larger investment portfolio?👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone debating whether to pay off their mortgage.📞 Want help running the numbers for your situation? Schedule your free consultation: https://union-financial.com

If something happened to you tomorrow…would your family actually know what to do?In this eye-opening episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood sits down with estate planning attorney Fernando Ramos to break down the real consequences of dying without an estate plan—and why avoiding these mistakes could save your family years of stress and tens of thousands of dollars.From probate and trusts to guardianship planning and protecting your children, this episode explains estate planning in plain English so you can finally take action.⚖️ Learn how probate really works👨‍👩‍👧 Discover why wills alone may not protect your family💰 Understand how billions of dollars become “lost” assets every yearWhether you’re a parent, homeowner, business owner, or simply someone who cares about their loved ones… this conversation is essential.⚖️ What You’ll Learn The difference between a will and a trust Why probate can drain time, money, and privacy How to properly protect minor children Why updating beneficiaries matters more than you think The first steps every parent and homeowner should take today💬 Question for you: Do you currently have a will, trust, or estate plan in place?👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to stop putting this off.📞 Want help reviewing your beneficiaries, investments, or estate planning gaps? Visit https://union-financial.com and schedule a complimentary consultation.

Is your 401(k) working for you—or against you? 😬 In this eye-opening episode of The Future of Finance, hosts Marissa Wood and Lisa Green dive deep into the truth about 401(k) plans, Roth IRAs, and how to better plan for retirement.If you’ve ever asked:  ✅ Should I contribute more to my 401(k)?  ✅ What happens to my old 401(k)s when I change jobs?  ✅ Should I open a Roth IRA too?  ✅ How do I diversify for tax efficiency?Then THIS is the episode you need to hear!🔍 Learn about: The history & intent of the 401(k) Why too many people rely solely on it Roth IRA benefits for tax-free retirement What to do with an old 401(k) Tax diversification strategies SEP IRAs & solo 401(k)s for self-employed