In this episode of Money Made Simple, Mike and Nick Lockwood explore a reality they see every day while working with employer groups. While retirement plans are often the starting point, the financial questions employees bring to the table go far beyond plan enrollment and contribution limits.

From the employer perspective, Mike shares what consistently shows up in conversations with leadership teams. There is a growing lack of financial literacy, uncertainty around who employees should turn to for guidance, and a desire to support teams without always knowing how. Retirement plans are important, but they are only one part of a much bigger financial picture.

From the employee side, the questions come fast and often feel overwhelming. How much should I contribute. Should I choose pre tax or Roth. How do I balance saving for retirement while trying to buy a home or support my family. Beyond the basics, deeper planning questions surface around trusts, Social Security timing, pension decisions, insurance needs, and ultimately the question everyone asks at some point. When can I retire.

Throughout the conversation, Mike and Nick emphasize a core truth in financial planning. The answer to most of these questions is, it depends. Context matters. Education matters. And having a trusted team to help connect the dots makes all the difference.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

4:02 - What's creating stress among employees?

10:22 - Large employers struggle to properly educate

14:34 - "Americans are confident in retirement, but scared of daily finance"

19:35 - Goal-setting and aligning your financial plan

24:53 - When can I retire?

31:01 - The opportunity that exists for employers

35:22 - Sharing a client story

37:12 - Closing remarks

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Mike and Nick Lockwood tackle one of the most common—and most damaging—challenges people face with their finances: confusion. When there’s no clear direction or understanding, progress stalls. Confusion leads to inaction, inaction leads to messy outcomes, and before long, people lose focus on what truly matters for their families and their future.

The conversation explores why so many individuals feel overwhelmed by financial decisions and why having a coach or teacher is often the missing piece. Mike and Nick discuss how poor experiences—such as being sold products that weren’t fully explained or receiving advice that felt overly complex—can create frustration, distrust, and long-term paralysis. They also address a common refrain they hear from clients: “I don’t understand my advisor.” When conversations move too fast or focus only on investments instead of goals, clarity is lost.

A central theme of the episode is the power of simplicity. While comprehensive financial plans are important, they’re only effective if people can follow through. Mike explains why Oakwood emphasizes breaking plans down into clear, digestible action steps—because a simple plan that gets executed is far more valuable than a complex one that sits on a shelf.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

1:06 - What keeps you up at night?

8:24 - Making sense of your data and developing a plan

14:42 - Inaction typically stems from a lack of a coach

19:35 - "I can't understand my financial advisor"

25:58 - First steps you can take towards financial clarity

29:27 - Have key financial discussions with your spouse

33:00 - Closing remarks

In the premiere episode of Money Made Simple with Oakwood Wealth Partners, Mike Lockwood, CFP®, CRPC® takes listeners back to where it all began. Before Oakwood Wealth Partners became a trusted name in financial planning, it started with a personal journey shaped by early experiences, unexpected lessons, and a growing passion for helping people find clarity in their financial lives.

Mike shares the defining moments that influenced his approach to client service, from his first exposure to the world of financial planning to the values that ultimately guided him toward launching the firm. Joined by his son and co-host, Nick Lockwood, CRPC®, the conversation offers an intimate look at the philosophy and purpose that still drive Oakwood today.

This episode sets the foundation for the entire series—highlighting why education, organization, and real human connection play such central roles in the work Mike and Nick do every day. If you’ve ever wondered what shaped the firm behind the microphone, or why its advisors are so passionate about simplifying the complex, this origin story provides the perfect starting point.

Start here, and get to know the heart behind Money Made Simple.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

1:34 - Mike Lockwood's humble beginnings

8:08 - Pivotal family relationships

15:09 - The start of Mike's career in 1987

21:38 - Nick Lockwood joining Oakwood Wealth Partners

27:06 - Mike's top priorities for his clients and the firm

31:50 - The financial literacy challenge that exists today

32:40 - Closing remarks