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What Should I Do With My Money?

What Should I Do With My Money?

Written by: Morgan Stanley
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About this listen

Matching real people, asking real questions about their money, with experienced Financial Advisors. You’ll hear answers to important questions like: Is now the right time to buy a house? What to do if your business fails? How should I be saving to cover the cost of college? How much do I really need to retire and am I on track?

Join us as our guests share their stories around life's major moments. And hear the difference a conversation can make. Hosted by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s Jamie Roô.

For more information visit morganstanley.com/mymoney.

Not all products and services are available in all countries or jurisdictions.


© Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Solidcore Founder Anne Mahlum Doesn’t Want to Die Rich

    Solidcore Founder Anne Mahlum Doesn’t Want to Die Rich
    Nov 12 2025
    Anne Mahlum built and sold Solidcore, a national fitness empire — and now she’s asking what really matters. After achieving financial freedom following her $100M exit, she’s thinking deeply about what it means to live a rich life. From love and legacy to family, philanthropy and mentoring, she’s considering how to spend, give and structure her wealth to make an impact while she’s still alive. In this episode of What Should I Do with My Money?, host Jamie Roô brings Anne together with Victoria, a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, to explore values-based wealth planning, giving while living and how post-exit founders can reinvent their purpose for the next chapter of their life. For more information about this episode and the topics covered, check out our episode page and explore how you can connect with a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. DISCLOSURES The conversation in this podcast is solely intended as a case study between a client/prospective client with a Financial Advisor and is not intended to serve as individualized investment or financial advice. No portion should be construed as a recommendation to employ any of the guidance contained within this podcast. Each investor has their own unique facts and circumstances and must determine what is appropriate for their own situation. Participants in this podcast are not compensated and are not affiliated with Morgan Stanley. The views and opinions expressed in this material are those of the speaker, at the time of this writing and do not necessarily represent those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates or its other employees. Of course, these views may change without notice in response to changing circumstances and market conditions. Furthermore, this material may contain forward looking statements and there can be no guarantees that they will come to pass. The discussion of any securities in this material should not be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell such securities. Portfolio holdings are subject to change and there is no guarantee that any securities mentioned will be held in a client’s account. It should not be assumed that any securities transactions or holdings discussed were or will prove to be profitable. Historical data discussed represents past performance and does not guarantee comparable future results. The information and statistical data contained herein have been obtained from sources that are believed to be reliable but in no way are guaranteed by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC as to accuracy or completeness. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters. Tax-loss harvesting: IRS rules stipulate that if a security is sold by an investor at a tax loss, the tax loss will not be currently usable if the investor has acquired (or has entered into a contract or option on) the same or substantially identical securities 30 days before or after the sale that generated the loss. This so-called "wash sale" rule is applied with respect to all of the investor's transactions across all accounts. Technology stocks may be especially volatile.Artificial intelligence (AI) is subject to limitations, and you should be aware that any output from an IA-supported tool or service made available by the Firm for your use is subject to such limitations, including but not limited to inaccuracy, incompleteness, or embedded bias. You should always verify the results of any AI-generated output. Because this strategy expects to hold a concentrated portfolio of a limited number of securities, a decline in the value of these investments would cause the portfolio's overall value to decline to a greater degree than that of a less concentrated portfolio. Equity securities may fluctuate in response to news on companies, industries, market conditions and general economic environment. Companies paying dividends can reduce or stop payouts at any time. Real estate investments are subject to special risks, including interest rate and property value fluctuations, as well as risks related to general and economic conditions. Private equity funds typically invest in securities, instruments, and assets that are not, and are not expected to become, publicly traded and therefore may require a substantial length of time to realize a return or fully liquidate. They typically have high management, performance and placement fees which can lower the returns achieved by investors. They are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid with significant lock-up periods and no ...
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    38 mins
  • Financial Strategies for Special Needs Families

    Financial Strategies for Special Needs Families
    Oct 29 2025
    How do you financially plan for a child with special needs? Paige and Scott are navigating the emotionally complex and financially challenging landscape of raising their son who is considered to be level 3 on the autism spectrum. They have questions about being financially prepared to support their child throughout adulthood, while setting their second child up for success. Kim, a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, is a mother of a special needs child herself and offers tailored solutions for Paige and Scott. Hear their conversation on estate planning, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts and second-to-die insurance policies that can help secure their children's futures.For more information about this episode and the topics covered, check out our episode page and explore how you can connect with a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. [DISCLOSURES]The conversation in this podcast is solely intended as a case study between a client/prospective client with a Financial Advisor and is not intended to serve as individualized investment or financial advice. No portion should be construed as a recommendation to employ any of the guidance contained within this podcast. Each investor has their own unique facts and circumstances and must determine what is appropriate for their own situation. Participants in this podcast are not compensated and are not affiliated with Morgan Stanley. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal invested. Important considerations concerning ABLE Accounts: ABLE Accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities and their families, were created as a result of the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 or better known as the ABLE Act. The beneficiary of the account is the account owner, and generally income earned by the accounts will not be taxed. Contributions to the account made by any person (the account beneficiary, family and friends) will be made using post-taxed dollars and will not be tax deductible, although some states may allow for state income tax deductions for contribution made to an ABLE account.The ABLE Act limits eligibility to individuals with significant disabilities with an age of onset of disability before turning 26 years of age. Starting in 2026, the eligibility age of onset of disability will be raised to 46 years of age. If you meet this age criteria and are also receiving benefits already under SSI and/or SSDI, you are likely eligible to establish an ABLE account. Generally, the total annual contributions by all participating individuals, including family and friends, for a single tax year is $19,000 (for 2025) plus, in certain cases, the lesser of the amount of the beneficiary’s compensation or the amount equal to the poverty line for a one-person household. The total limit over time that could be made to an ABLE account will be subject to the individual state and their limit for education-related 529 savings accounts. The first $100,000 in ABLE accounts would be exempted from the SSI $2,000 individual resource limit. If and when an ABLE account exceeds $100,000, the beneficiary’s SSI cash benefit would be suspended until such time as the account falls back below $100,000. It is important to note that while the beneficiary’s eligibility for the SSI cash benefit is suspended, this has no effect on their ability to receive or be eligible to receive medical assistance through Medicaid. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act allows funds to be rolled over from a designated beneficiary’s 529 plan to an ABLE account for the same designated beneficiary or a family member of the designated beneficiary (including the beneficiary's spouse). But this does not apply to the extent the amount distributed when added to other amounts contributed to the ABLE account exceeds the annual contribution limit ($19,000 for 2025).A “qualified disability expense” means any expense related to the disability of the designated beneficiary and are for the benefit of that designated beneficiary in maintaining or improving his or her health, independence, or quality of life. These may include education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, health care expenses, financial management and administrative services and other expenses. As of now ABLE accounts are not available through Morgan Stanley, but they can be purchased directly through a state offering an ABLE plan.Individuals who qualify for governmental benefits may use a combination of a supplemental needs trust, an ABLE account, and perhaps also an account at a website such as helphopelive.org, which is a non-profit that provides the ability to create a fundraising page to cover the costs of uncovered medical expenses. As it is a non-profit, donations to your fundraising page are tax deductible, and the non-profit as well as your lawyer can help guide you...
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    29 mins
  • The Price Tag of Parenthood

    The Price Tag of Parenthood
    Oct 15 2025
    Growing your family is a very exciting time. Baby fever may have prepared you emotionally, but have you considered if you’re financially prepared? In this episode, our guests Nat and Kel are obsessed with this question. Though they are a financially savvy couple, they wonder what it’ll take to grow their family while saving for other goals. And it’s not just about preparing for a baby, but what comes next. As a content creator, Nat wonders how she can maintain her career momentum while raising a child. For Kel, he worries about upgrading to a larger home in a tough mortgage rate environment. Morgan Stanley financial Advisor, Danelle, guides them through each question, helping them navigate the anxieties of impending parenthood. They confront these universal challenges and unpack what it takes to feel prepared, or if the solution lies within their evolving financial plan. For more information about this episode and the topics covered, check out our episode page and explore how you can connect with a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. DISCLOSURESThe conversation in this podcast is solely intended as a case study between a client/prospective client with a Financial Advisor and is not intended to serve as individualized investment or financial advice. No portion should be construed as a recommendation to employ any of the guidance contained within this podcast. Each investor has their own unique facts and circumstances and must determine what is appropriate for their own situation. Participants in this podcast are not compensated and are not affiliated with Morgan Stanley.This material has been prepared for general reference and educational purposes only. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Please see our show notes for a full disclaimer on the information provided.When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account.Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options, investment objectives and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program.Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, investment objectives, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences. Investors should read the Program Disclosure Statement carefully before investing.Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult ...
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    23 mins
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