{Encore} Transforming Your Knowledge into Profitable Memberships
MILMO Show
So many people in the military community carry hard-earned knowledge from their careers, side hustles, and lived experiences, but aren’t always sure how to turn it into consistent income aligned with their lives. Here is the encore airing of Transforming Your Knowledge into Profitable Memberships with Stu McLaren, a standout episode that reminds us your expertise has value, and that building something meaningful doesn’t have to mean burning yourself out. It’s a motivating listen as you reflect on what you know, what you’ve learned, and what might be possible next. For more...
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A Quick Financial Reset When You Feel Behind
MILMO Show
Feeling behind can sneak up on you. It’s not always about the numbers. It’s that constant sense that you should be further along, more caught up, more on top of things than you are. And for military families, that feeling can hit even harder when life keeps moving, whether you’re ready or not. In this episode, I’m sharing a quick financial reset. Not a full overhaul or a long to-do list. Just a steady way to pause, get your footing, and decide what actually deserves your attention right now. For more MILMO, follow at: on YouTube on X Instagram LinkedIn Facebook
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How to Pick, Use, and Maintain a High-Yield Savings Account
MILMO Show
Saving money is something most people want to do or are already doing, but where that money sits often gets overlooked. A lot of service members and spouses are doing the right thing by spending less than they make and saving money, but your savings might not be working to its fullest potential for you. And that can slow your progress, even when you’re trying hard. In this episode, I’m talking about high-yield savings accounts, what they are, how to choose the right one for your life, and how to maintain it. I’m going to share some strategies you can use and stick with, especially during...
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Choosing Peace Over Pressure in the New Year
MILMO Show
The start of a new year brings a lot of pressure. Pressure to fix everything, do more, be better, and somehow come up with a brand-new version of yourself at the stroke of midnight. And for many military families and others who feel financially or personally behind, that pressure can feel overwhelming instead of motivating. In this episode, I want to share a more straightforward approach to goals, one that I personally use, especially as I head into 2026. It’s not about doing more. It’s about creating space, trusting your gut, and taking steady action on the things that will actually bring...
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{Encore} Building Wealth for Military Families
MILMO Show
As we close out the year and look ahead to what’s possible, this felt like the right moment to revisit a meaningful conversation on the show. Building wealth in the military isn’t about quick wins. It’s about clarity, confidence, and playing the long game, even when life gets unpredictable. Here is the encore airing of Building Wealth for Military Families with Jerry Quinn, one of my top episodes of 2025 and a powerful reminder that consistent, values-driven decisions can shape a strong financial future. A fitting note of inspiration as we head into 2026. For more MILMO, follow at: ...
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A Purposeful Approach to Wealth and Well-Being
MILMO Show
Most of us spend years chasing success without ever stopping to ask what “living well” really means. We talk about building wealth or hitting financial milestones, but often overlook the two resources that matter most: our time and our health. In this episode, Navy pilot Zach Rodriguez shares about how a near-fatal helicopter mishap pushed him to rethink everything from what success looks like to how we care for our bodies and our finances. Zach shares the journey that led him from aviation to helping people align their money with their well-being. For more MILMO, follow at: on YouTube ...
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Staying on Top of Your Money in the VA Disability Claims Process
MILMO Show
For many veterans, the hardest part of leaving the military isn’t the transition, it’s figuring out what to do with the physical and mental wear-and-tear of service. Too many walk away without documenting injuries, without understanding the claims process, or believing they don’t “deserve” benefits because someone else had it worse. But overlooking a VA disability claim can affect your health, your income, and the opportunities you. In this episode, Jex Roach, a Marine Corps veteran, Army spouse, financial counselor, and founder of FinanciFI Coaching shares practical guidance to help...
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How to Protect Your Money When the Gate Is Gone
MILMO Show
The financial risks facing service members today look nothing like they did 10 or 15 years ago. There used to be real barriers. A literal base gate stood between you and companies that didn’t have your best interests at heart. Commanders could keep bad actors out. The Department of War could set policies and say “nope, not on installations.” But that world is gone. Today, the enemy isn’t standing at the gate trying to get in. The enemy is already in your pocket. It’s in your phone, your apps, and the ads. It’s also the algorithms, the late-night scrolling, and the...
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The Power of Lifetime Tax Planning
MILMO Show
Most people think about taxes one stressful season at a time, but that mindset can cost you opportunities. Especially if you’re in the military, planning for early retirement, or navigating years when your income swings up and down. When you don’t understand how the rules work across your whole financial life, it’s easy to miss out on the strategies designed to help you keep more of what you earn. In this episode, tax expert and financial planner Sean Mullaney breaks down the difference between annual tax prep and true lifetime tax planning. We talk about how early retirement opens...
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Financial Readiness From Day One
MILMO Show
Too many service members begin their careers already on their heels, navigating debt and financial confusion. And for many, lack of early financial readiness awareness doesn’t just stress their wallets, it limits their options. In this episode, retired Army Colonel Michael Tremblay shares what he witnessed across the full spectrum of service, from onboarding new recruits to transitioning soldiers after decades in uniform, and why financial freedom is one of the most powerful readiness tools a service member can have. For more MILMO, follow at: on YouTube on X Instagram LinkedIn...
info_outlineToo many people wait until they’re just a few years from retirement to start asking the big questions, like Can I afford to stop working? And what if my spouse isn’t retiring yet? The truth is, preparing for retirement isn’t just about portfolios and percentages. It’s about aligning your finances with your life.
In this episode, Jeff Panik shares the common mistakes people make before retirement and offers advice on how to avoid them. He talks about why inventorying your financial life matters, what conversations couples should be having, and why testing your retirement lifestyle before you actually retire can be a game-changer.
Jeff is the Founder of Balance Wealth Partners and a financial advisor with over 25 years of experience. A U.S. Army veteran and first-generation college graduate, Jeff combines disciplined insight with deep empathy to help pre-retirees navigate the complex landscape of Social Security, Medicare, income planning, and succession strategy. His firm was founded on a simple mission: to help people live well today while preparing wisely for tomorrow.
Jeff’s approach is rooted in life experience, from paying off student loans through military service to building a career that demystifies money for others. He believes financial advice should be practical, transparent, and deeply human. He is the author of Your Future Is Now, a personal finance guide for young adults, and is set to release his upcoming book for pre-retirees. His work reflects a deep commitment to fostering financial literacy for all generations. When he’s not advising others, Jeff enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, and following sports— especially from his home base in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
06:05 – The #1 mistake people make 5–10 years before retirement
08:30 – Is the “perfect portfolio” really the goal?
10:35 – Why taking a “financial inventory” is a retirement game-changer
12:10 – What to do if you're not naturally organized with money or documents
13:30 – The surprising truth about hobbies and moving in retirement
14:45 – Couples and retirement: how to navigate different timelines
16:25 – Important financial conversations to have before marriage
18:00 – Perception vs. reality: social media and financial stress
19:57 – Why mentorship and storytelling matter in personal finance
23:15 – What retirees often overestimate—and what they underestimate
24:49 – The very first move to make if you haven’t started retirement planning
27:30 – Retirement and health: why you can’t afford to wait
29:22 – Jeff’s favorite tools, including how he uses AI for planning
31:36 – The book that shaped Jeff’s financial philosophy
33:15 – Game Time: “Is It Real?” – Jeff faces off with banana museums and reverse zoos
https://milmo.co/podcast/retirement-mistakes-to-avoid
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