People talk about Backdoor IRAs and getting one done, but do you know what they are, who they’re best for, and how to get it done the right way? In this episode, Brian O’Neill shares the fundamentals of Backdoor Roth IRAs, including how they work, who is eligible, and the steps to set one up. Brian also covers the upsides and potential drawbacks of this approach, and how it fits into a broader retirement savings plan. Brian is a Certified Financial Planner, a Military Qualified Financial...

Financial education and knowledge are important parts of financial success and reaching goals. Often, though, people aren’t taught or raised in an environment to learn about money in a way that builds confidence and helps you avoid financial mistakes. In this episode, Andi Wrenn shares insights on the importance of financial literacy, how to assess your own level of knowledge, and actionable steps you can take to take ownership of improving your financial know how.  Andi is an Accredited...

It’s no secret that frequent moves impede the earning ability of many military spouses. This often leads spouses to the world of entrepreneurship, but often, people aren’t prepared for the challenges that come with being a business owner—yours truly included.  In this episode, military spouse Laura Early shares her journey of starting a business, her agency's support to the military spouse entrepreneur community, the lessons she's learned building a successful business, and her advice for...

Spending less than you make and saving money is part of building wealth. It’s wealth for your future self. Building wealth takes commitment and sacrifice to have a good quality of life in the future. But will you be around to see it or have the physical capability to enjoy it? In this episode, David Frost will discuss the importance of maintaining muscular strength as we age, explaining why he considers it the "cornerstone of a healthy physical bank account." He'll share practical tips for...

Being a small business often means you wear many different hats, including bookkeeper. Whether you're a numbers person or not, proper bookkeeping is crucial for making informed business decisions, filing taxes accurately, and, if you need it, securing financing down the road. In this episode, Alise Jackson breaks down the importance of good bookkeeping, best practices, and common mistakes to avoid. From organizing your receipts to choosing the right bookkeeper, we discuss everything you need...

We've had a record-warm winter this year, and now that it's spring, things are really starting to bloom—including our beloved money trees. But while the lack of frigid temperatures has been nice, these dryer conditions may come at a price—an early harvest. In this episode, I’ll discuss how a warmer winter could impact money tree yields and the ramifications for the economy and our budgets, as well as what we can all do to help the situation. The show notes can be found here:...

One of the major perks of serving in the military is the opportunity to travel and experience different parts of the world. However, deployments and assignments often determine the destinations rather than personal travel bucket lists. But that doesn't mean you can't explore the places you've always dreamed of visiting, and even better, you can do so while saving money thanks to the many financial and travel benefits that come with military service. In this episode, Chelsey Thomas, a...

MilMoneyCon is my true passion project - a calling to bring financial professionals together to solve problems, support each other, and uplift our community. I feel that when we unite, we create a stronger financial force, leading to a more resilient military and veteran force.  In this episode, I'm excited to give you a sneak peek into MilMoneyCon this year. I'll cover Denver, our host city, the hotel, special events, and what you can expect to get out of the conference.  The show notes...

Networking can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Whether it's finding a trusted babysitter or landing your dream job, connecting with the right people can be a game-changer. As I gear up for MilMoneyCon, I've been reflecting on the power of networking and what it means to different folks. At its core, networking is about making connections that help fulfill needs and goals. It's a crucial part of careers, businesses, and life in general. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain...

Let's talk about financial moods, figuring out where you’re at, what you’re looking for, and aligning your mood with what you’re seeking. The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/your-money-mood

In this episode, I’m going to go about how taking control of your situation is often the key to finding peace and can lead to success or at least feel like you’re in control and captaining the ship that is your life. I’m also going to go over how to focus on controlling what is controllable in your finances. The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/Controlling-What-You-Can-With-Money/

In this episode, I’m going to go over getting control of wastefulness in your household and simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of money you spend on groceries to keep your food spending from climbing more than it already has. We’re also going to have a heart-to-heart about leftovers. The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/whats-your-trash-worth

More than ever before, quality of life for service members, veterans, and their families is a priority for military leaders. One of the top factors that can make or break the quality of life for members of our community is their financial situation.  In this episode, the former Sergeant Major of the Army, Tony Grinston, is here to talk about the latest resources available through Army Emergency Relief to help improve service members' and their families' quality of life.  The show notes can...

Earning money as a writer is something many aspire to. When people think of becoming a writer, they often think about Steven King or J.K. Rowling, but there’s another type of writing that can be a business for you and make you money. It’s the business of ghostwriting.  In this episode, Navy veteran and professional ghostwriter Steven Leapley shares how he broke into ghostwriting, how he gets clients, and how you can get started in the business.  The show notes can be found here:...

In honor of Dan Miller, I’m bringing back an episode on a topic I think is even more powerful at this moment: creating work you love.  Here is the encore airing of How to Create Work You Love with the amazing Dan Miller I hope it inspires you to get after creating a work and a life you love.  Show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/how-to-create-work-you-love

Getting ready for a military retirement can feel like a part-time job. There’s a lot to learn and get done years in advance of your final out. Waiting until the last minute to prepare can lead to mistakes, stress, and potentially getting less money than you’re owed in disability.  In this episode, Mark Overberg shares news on the new military medical retirement calculator and resources to help prepare you for retirement. He also busts some divorce and retirement pay myths and breaks down the...

Like it or not, money makes you feel a certain way. Do you know what your thoughts and feelings about money are and how they weave into the areas of your life, like relationships and work?  In this episode, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz shares how we can bring awareness to our thoughts and feelings about money to reach our financial goals.  Dr. Lurtz, is a writer and Senior Research Associate with Kitces.com, a financial planning blog. She’s a Professor of Practice at Kansas State University, where she...

I’m breaking down what I envisioned for my new brand name and what’s coming. Plus, I’m sharing some of my insights and observations about entrepreneurship.  The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/my-new-name-and-more/

What you do right now can have a positive impact for your future self. The planning and actions you take now can mean a better retirement for you and your family. But what should you be doing and when?  In this episode, I talk with my friend and fellow podcaster, Wes Moss, about habits you can practice right now to become a happy retiree.

In this episode, I'm going to talk about who creates a lasting impact on your kids and the future. Show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/whats-to-come

In this episode, I’m going to tell you what happened to me, the lessons I learned from my experience, and how it’s changing my business. The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/changing-my-business

Getting a will is something talked about quite frequently in the military. They won’t let you deploy without one. But have you given thought and consideration to who you select as your executor and the dynamics of your family members after your death?  In this episode, Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) David E. Edey makes the case for why everyone needs to appoint an executor and what it can cost if you don’t.  Show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/appoint-an-executor

Free financial counseling is offered to the military community but no-cost financial planning is new, thanks to a program called Advisors Give Back.  In this episode, financial adviser and veteran, Garrett Dearden shares a free new resource that can help you with your finances.  We talk about: What Advisors Give Back is and how it works How it’s different from financial counseling Who can use it The top financial struggles advisors see in the military community Garrett volunteers as a...

Enrollment for the new Dependent Care Flex Spending Account is now open until December 11th, 2023. According to the Office of Financial Readiness, the DCFSA is a pre-tax account used to pay for eligible dependent care services such as child or adult day care. If you have kids, you know childcare costs can break a family’s budget and determine a military spouse's ability to work or go to school. Using the DCFSA to save for your childcare expenses can help, but how do you know it’s right for...