Financial Planning Explained

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Anylise Crouthamel, Esq. and Doug Kaune, Esq. Anylise and Doug are estate planning attorneys at Unruh, Turner, Burke, & Frees PC. Unruh Turner Burke & Frees helps clients navigate the increasingly complicated legal and regulatory world. In this episode, Anylise, Doug, and Mike talk discuss the many facets of elder care law. They discuss irrevocable trusts, wills, and taking assets. They then discuss a case study where they explore trust planning options for a mother with four children (trustees). This is a great episode for anyone who wants a more concrete insight into elder care, wills, and trusts. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Andrew Mirolli, CEPA. Andrew is the Co-founder and Head of Client Services at BuyAUM. This is the third episode of a three-part series discussing business succession planning through the lens of a financial planner. In this episode, Andrew and Mike discuss the purchasing of another book of business and the planning, terms, and nuances associated with it. They also talk about things advisors should consider once they sell the business and fears related to selling their practice. This is a great episode for any advisor considering the purchase of another book of business or selling their own firm. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Andrew Mirolli, CEPA. Andrew is the Co-founder and Head of Client Services at BuyAUM. This is the second episode of a three-part series discussing business succession planning through the lens of a financial planner. In this episode, Andrew and Mike talk about what steps to take if your financial planner either retires, or something unexpected happens to them. The two discuss key things to look for and questions individuals should be asking a new advisor, as well as from the advisor perspective, what to do in order to protect clients in the event something happens to them. This is a great episode for anyone who is working with an advisor who may be on the doorstep of retirement. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Andrew Mirolli, CEPA. Andrew is the Co-founder and Head of Client Services at BuyAUM. This is the first episode of a three-part series discussing business succession planning through the lens of a financial planner. In this episode, Andrew and Mike talk about what steps to take if your financial planner either retires, or something unexpected happens to them. The two discuss key things to look for and questions individuals should be asking a new advisor, as well as from the advisor perspective, what to do in order to protect clients in the event something happens to them. This is a great episode for anyone who is working with an advisor who may be on the doorstep of retirement. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. This is the final episode of a three-part series discussing this past years market performance and the outlook for 2026. In this episode, Mike and Brad discuss the stock market outlook for 2026. The guys talk about uncertainty moving forward when it comes to interest rate cuts, the labor market, effects from holiday spending, the government shutdown, and tax refunds. This is a great episode for anyone seeking insight on how 2026 could potentially shape up and what to look out for in the markets. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. This is the second episode of a three-part series discussing this past years market performance and the outlook for 2026. In this episode, Brad and Mike talk about the current state of the economy. The guys discuss the current political situation in Venezuela, tariffs, unemployment, and inflation. This is a great episode for anyone seeking a better understanding of how things currently stand in the stock market, and why. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. This is the first episode of a three-part series discussing this past years market performance and the outlook for 2026. In this episode, Mike and Brad discuss market performance in 2025 vs. prior years, PE Ratio (price-earnings), valuations, and unemployment. This is a great episode for anyone looking for a better understanding of how the markets performed in 2025 and why. ​For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Nick DeVito. Nick is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss the best practices when it comes to cash management. Cash management one of the six core areas of financial planning. The guys discuss debt consolidation, HELOCs, and basic organizational practices on ways to track your spending. This is a great episode for almost anyone that could use tips on how to better manage your cash and/or debt. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is part two of a two-part series on employer stock plans. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss the the various forms of employer stock and how to incorporate it in your financial plan. The guys talk about ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) as well as 401(k) / NUA (Net Unrealized Appreciation). This is a great episode for anyone who has a stock program with their employer. ​For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Nick DeVito. Nick is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is part one of a two-part series on employer stock plans. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss the the various forms of employer stock and how to incorporate it in your financial plan. The guys discuss RSUs (Restricted Stock Units), ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Program), and stock options (both non qualified & incentive). This is a great episode for anyone who has a stock program with their employer. ​For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss retirement plan contributions, employer match, traditional 401(k) vs. Roth, and beginning of the year tax planning. This is a great episode for anyone as beginning of the year planning ties directly in to year-end planning. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Nick DeVito. Nick is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss the concept of tax-loss harvesting. The guys discuss what exactly the concept means, strategies used, and the interesting concept of tax-gain harvesting. This is a great episode for anyone who wants a little more clarity on the concept of tax-loss harvesting. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC. Kyle is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Kyle discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was recently passed by Congress. The guys talk about exactly what the bill changed, the tax ramifications of the bill, and then discuss SALT (state and local tax). This is a great episode for anyone seeking a comprehensive overview of the new bill. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Harris Gubin. Harris is the president and franchise coach at Corner Booth Franchise Consulting. This is the second episode of a two-part series on business franchising. In this episode, Harris and Mike talk about the benefits of using a business franchise consultant, how to recognize your strengths and weaknesses as a franchisee, and what a franchisor should provide you with in support. This is a great episode for anyone looking to franchise a business. ​For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down Harris Gubin. Harris is the president and franchise coach at Corner Booth Franchise Consulting. This is the first episode of a two-part series on business franchising. In this episode, Harris and Mike discuss what business franchising is, categories of businesses that franchise, and funding the initial investment for the business. This is a great episode for anyone looking to franchise a business. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the second episode of a two-part series on pension plans. In this episode, Mike and Nick talk about pension election options & survivor benefits as well as factors to weigh such as lump sum vs. annuities. This is a great episode for anyone with a pension plan. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a partner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the first episode of a two-part series on pension plans. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss what a pension is, the formula to calculate a pension, and lump sum vs. monthly payment options. This is a great episode for anyone who has a pension plan. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. This episode discusses the market outlook for the fourth quarter and beyond. In this episode, Brad and Mike talk about tariffs, the current job market, earning projections, and future rate cuts by the Fed. This is a great episode to get some insight on what the stock market could do next quarter. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. This episode discusses the third quarter performance in the markets. In this episode, Brad and Mike discuss how the markets performed in the third quarter, growth stocks in 1999 vs. 2025, and PE ratio vs. PEG ratio. This is a great episode to catch up on the current status of the stock market. ​ For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Steve Gannon and Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC. Steve is the president and founder of Gannon Insurance Agency. This is the second episode of a two-part series on property & casualty insurance. In this episode, the guys talk about umbrella liability insurance from a business vs personal standpoint. They also discuss vehicle insurance and how coverage is determined when driving someone else's car, along with insurance pertaining to Uber and Lyft services. This is a great episode for anyone who has questions about any form of property or casualty insurance. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com