Building a Purpose-Filled Life with Values First Financial Planning
Release Date: 08/11/2025
{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...
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Holiday Spending Tips for Military Families
MILMO Show
The holidays can be a special time full of connection with coworkers, friends, and family, but they can also be a season when money feels out of control. Between travel, gifts, parties, food, and “just one more present” moments, it’s easy for two months of spending to undo months of progress. For many military families, the pressure hits even harder with long travel distances, family expectations, and the feeling that memories have to come at a price tag. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to prepare for the holiday season in a way that keeps your financial goals front and center,...
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Why Veterans Should Rule the World
MILMO Show
Veterans are built different. We’ve learned to push when others quit, to focus on the big picture instead of getting caught up in small stuff, and to adapt when things change. We’ve mastered discipline, resilience, and teamwork —the same qualities that drive financial success. In this episode, I’m breaking down why veterans have what it takes to rule the world—financially speaking. Because when you combine our strengths with the resources and benefits available to us, the path to financial freedom becomes shorter, smarter, and stronger. Veterans already know how to make...
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What Military Families Can Learn from the Millionaire Next Door
MILMO Show
In this episode, we revisit the timeless lessons from The Millionaire Next Door, how ordinary habits create extraordinary wealth, and explore the difference between managing money day to day and truly planning for the long term. Kirk also shares practical guidance on paying off debt, saving for the future, and building flexibility into your financial life, especially for military families facing uncertainty. Kirk Kinder, Director of Financial Planning at Bastion Fiduciary, a fee-only financial planning firm built on the military ethos. Kirk’s path to finance started in the U.S. Coast Guard,...
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Government Shutdown Impact on Military Pay and Benefits
MILMO Show
Right now, there’s a lot of anxiety, confusion, and information floating around. The U.S. government has been shut down since October 1st, and we’re now in the last week of the month. It’s one of the longest shutdowns in modern U.S. history. If you’ve been feeling uneasy or just plain tired of the uncertainty, you’re not alone. It’s totally normal to feel that way. But there’s also good news and today, I want to help you focus on that. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on with the government shutdown, what it is, why it’s happening, and how it’s...
info_outlineWhen your military career ends, the mission doesn’t, but figuring out what’s next, or what truly lights you up, can be one of the hardest transitions. It’s not just about finding a new job. It’s about rediscovering what matters most and learning how to fund the life you want, not the one you think you’re supposed to have.
In this episode, Omen Quelvog and I discuss values-first financial planning. Omen shares what it is, why it matters, and how it can help you and your family navigate life after service with intention. You’ll hear how to rethink your next chapter, what abundance really means, and why military retirees might be more financially ready than they realize.
Omen is the founder of Formynder Wealth Management, a fee-only financial planning firm helping military families build purpose-filled lives after service. A retired Marine Corps officer with 25 years of service, he holds the Military Qualified Financial Planner® designation and is a candidate for CFP® certification.
https://milmo.co/podcast/values-first-financial-planning
02:15 – Why values first financial planning matters for military families
04:10 – Starting with your “why” before creating a financial plan
06:02 – Common money challenges during the transition to civilian life
08:15 – How defining your “North Star” shapes every financial decision
10:05 – The emotional side of money and why it’s often overlooked
12:20 – Real-life examples of aligning spending with values
14:05 – The role of intentional trade-offs in living your ideal life
16:12 – How to filter out distractions and stay focused on priorities
18:30 – First questions to ask if you’ve never done values-based planning
20:45 – Bridging the gap between short-term needs and long-term goals
23:00 – Why flexibility is key in military-to-civilian transitions
25:12 – Building resilience through purpose-driven financial choices
27:05 – How this approach strengthens family relationships
29:15 – Final advice for living with clarity and intention
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