This week, Matt and Steve continue their discussion on the financial realities of raising a child with special needs, and the numbers may surprise you.

Families can face lifetime costs ranging from $1.4 million to $2.8 million, making early and intentional planning essential. Matt and Steve explore key financial tools, such as special needs trusts and ABLE accounts, and explain how they can help protect your child’s future without jeopardizing critical benefits. Listen as they share tools that can empower families with practical strategies, trusted resources, and reassurance that they don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Caring for a loved one with special needs comes with emotional and practical challenges that require strength, resilience, and support.

In this episode, Matt is joined by Steve Gundy, a coach who shares insights from both personal experience and professional work. They discuss the importance of community, practical strategies for navigating daily challenges, and how families can move forward with clarity and hope.

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a powerful way to give to charity while maximizing tax benefits.

Matt explains how a DAF works, why it’s especially useful in high-income years, and how donating appreciated assets can help avoid capital gains taxes while growing charitable dollars tax-free. Listen to see if a donor-advised fund could be a smart fit for your charitable strategy.

What if just 15 minutes a week could improve both your family’s finances and your relationships?

Listen as Matt explores the power of a weekly family money meeting, a simple habit that can reduce stress, improve communication, and create a shared understanding around money.

You can save more in your 401(k) than you think.

The after-tax 401(k) option for high savers is often overlooked. In 2025, while the employee contribution limit was $22,500, total 401(k) contributions can reach $69,000, including employer match.

Always review your plan rules to see if this option fits your strategy.

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Can you claim a spousal Social Security benefit now and switch to your own later?

In this episode, Matt breaks down why, for most people, the answer is no. Thanks to a rule called deemed filing, anyone born on or after January 2, 1954, automatically applies for both their own and their spouse's benefits at the same time and receives the higher amount. That means the old strategy of claiming one benefit first and switching later is off the table.

Listen to learn how timing, strategy, and informed decisions can make a big difference in your Social Security benefits and your long-term financial well-being.

This week, Matt is joined by Keith Langan from Columbia Threadneedle to explore the complexities of retirement, focusing on seven key aspects that are often overlooked.

Contrary to common perception, retirement is not just a celebration of newfound freedom; it can be one of life’s most stressful transitions. Leaving the structured rhythm of work can bring losses in routine, identity, community, and purpose. Keith highlights the importance of preparing not only financially but also mentally and emotionally for this major life stage. Retirement can be approached with a sense of purpose and connection, rather than merely stepping away from work, to ensure a truly fulfilling and meaningful experience.

In this episode, Matt and Lyndon Azcuna continue their discussion on how addiction develops, why it’s so hard to break, and what parents need to understand to protect their children. They break down the addiction cycle in simple terms, exploring the triggers that push kids toward unhealthy coping habits and the emotional pain that often sits beneath those patterns.

You’ll hear practical, non-negotiable strategies that every parent can use to help their children build emotional awareness and resilience, so they can face difficult feelings without turning to harmful escapes. Throughout the conversation, Lyndon highlights the power of humility, authentic connection, and cultivating a deeper relationship with God as essential tools for navigating life’s challenges.