Most high-income W-2 employees are doing exactly what they were told to do:

Max out the 401(k). Save aggressively. Keep building.

The problem? Almost nobody is showing them what happens later.

In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked tax strategies I see with professionals in their 40s and 50s—and why waiting too long to address it can create a massive tax problem in retirement.

We cover:

• Why “tax deferred” doesn’t always mean “tax efficient”
• The hidden future risk of large pre-tax retirement accounts
• How backdoor Roth strategies work
• Why Roth conversion planning matters before RMDs begin
• The difference between tax preparation and actual tax planning

If you’re building wealth but haven’t thought about what your tax bracket could look like at 70… this episode is for you.

Because retirement planning isn’t just about growing your money.
It’s about keeping more of it.

You don’t mess up retirement at 65…
You lock in the mistakes at 45.

In this episode, I break down why I focus on the Retirement Red Zone—the 10–20 years before you retire—and why that’s where the biggest financial decisions actually get made.

Ever wonder why your retirement portfolio might resemble a messy clearance aisle at TJ Maxx?

In this episode, Nick St. George sits down with Eric Woodraska, Client Portfolio Manager from Helios, a financial wizard who knows his way around a portfolio like no other! They dig into the good, the bad, and the downright “what were they thinking” moments of investment management. This conversation is brimming with real-life portfolio mishaps and tips to steer clear of those financial train wrecks. Plus, it’s not all business – find out their bourbon favorites, because hey, life’s about balance, right?

Nicholas and Eric discuss:

• (02:12) The risks of concentrating investments in one fund family and how diversification should really look
• (06:28) A simple guide to understanding fund performance metrics, from flashy returns to actual sustainability
• (13:45) How to avoid the ‘latest-and-greatest’ investment traps and stick to what’s proven
• (22:01) The impact of risk tolerance on portfolio choices, especially during unpredictable markets
• And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

• St. George Wealth
• LinkedIn: Nicholas St. George
• Facebook: Nicholas St. George
• Phone: 828-481-8836

Connect with Eric Woodraska:

• Helios
• LinkedIn: Eric Woodraska

👮‍♂️ In the Retirement Unit, financially-motivated crimes against common sense are considered especially heinous…

These are their stories. DUN DUN.

Hi, I’m Nick St. George, CFP®, and in today’s episode of Retirement & Order, we meet Rob and Jen Langston. (Not their real names, of course—the names and some details have been changed to protect the financially innocent.)

They’re retired. Living the good life. Then BOOM 💥—curveball. One of their adult kids hits a financial snag.

Rather than torch their retirement plan with capital gains or mortgage stress, we got creative. No, not “hide your money in a coffee can” creative—strategic creative.

We used an asset-backed loan against their taxable investment account.
✅ No closing costs
✅ No tax returns or underwriting drama
✅ No capital gains
✅ No disruption to their portfolio

Just fast, flexible help—with structure, boundaries, and peace of mind.

🎯 Moral of the story: You can be generous without going broke.

If you’re in the same boat, don’t play financial detective solo. Book a quick call—let’s protect your retirement and your sanity.

What can market pullbacks teach us about investing?

Tune into this round of Un Eff Your Finances, Nicholas St. George dives into the intricacies of market pullbacks. Buckle up as Nick unravels the chaos and gets to the heart of why these pullbacks aren’t just unavoidable but can actually work in your favor!

Nick discusses:

• (00:03:00) The normalcy of market pullbacks and how history shows they’re nothing to fear
• (00:06:04) Strategies to use pullbacks to your advantage through smart planning
• (00:08:16). Keeping emotions in check during volatile times and sticking to your plan
• (00:14:3) The impact of inflation on spending power and why long-term growth is vital
• (00:25:20) The importance of having a solid and adaptable financial plan in place

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

• George Wealth
• LinkedIn: Nicholas St. George
• Facebook: Nicholas St. George
• Phone: 828-481-8836

Let’s be honest: most kids think money just comes out of the wall. Or worse—“Can’t you just use the card?”

If you’ve ever watched your child blow through their birthday cash like it’s Monopoly money, this post (and video 👇) is for you.

We want to raise Game Changers and Wealth Builders—not future adults who learn the hard way that “0% interest for 12 months” is not free money.

Kids love games. So make saving and budgeting one.

• Set up a “family bank” where they earn interest on savings.

• Match their savings like a 401(k) for chores.

• Let them “invest” in snack stocks—buy Goldfish at 10 cents today, sell at 15 cents next week.

Suddenly, compound interest is cooler than Roblox coins.

Skip the PowerPoint presentation. Teach money in the wild:

• Grocery shopping? Show them unit pricing.

• Eating out? Let them help calculate the tip.

• Road trip? Hand them a gas budget and let them play CFO.

They’ll absorb way more from hands-on money moments than any lecture.

Yep, you read that right. Let. Them. Blow. It.

Nothing drives home the value of money like watching $20 vanish in a flash on the worst claw machine in America. It’s a lesson in budgeting, buyer’s remorse, and decision-making all in one go.

You’re not raising perfection. You’re raising confidence. And confidence comes from experience—even the oops kind.

🎥 Watch the full video for more tips and a few laughs along the way. I’ll show you how to plant the seeds for financial literacy that actually stick.

Because let’s face it—your kid knows 84 YouTubers by name. It’s time they learn who Warren Buffett is, too.

Ready to raise a money-smart kid (and maybe brush up on your own skills too)?
Let’s un-eff the next generation’s finances, one piggy bank at a time. 💪🐷💸

💸 Your kid can explain Minecraft strategy in painstaking detail…
But ask them what a Roth IRA is, and it’s 🦗🦗🦗.

📚 It’s time we taught our kids more than just how to swipe a debit card.
In this episode of Un Eff Your Finances, I break down how to get your kids started with real-world money smarts—without boring them to tears (or making it feel like detention).

🙌 Let’s raise the first generation that actually understands compound interest before they sign for student loans.

Do you find yourself tangled in tax season chaos every year? You’re not alone! Dive into this episode for a laugh and some clarity!

In this episode, Nicholas chats with his brother from another mother, Mark Carrison, a seasoned tax pro from Verdolino and Lowey. Prepare to unwind those tax-time worries and learn how to save the bucks you’ve been unknowingly sacrificing to Uncle Sam. Grab your headphones as Nick and Mark highlight common mistakes, from last-minute filing frenzies to the myths about tax refunds, and unravel how proactive planning can save you from pulling your hair out come March!

Mark and Nick discuss:

• (02:48) Top three tax mistakes – procrastination, reactive planning, and poor communication
• (06:36) Differences between tax deductions and credits and why mixing them up can cost you
• (13:26) The importance of building a team of trusted advisors for holistic financial well-being
• (21:59) Creative gifting strategies for leaving a meaningful legacy while optimizing your taxes
• (22:40) The value of real-time tax planning over delayed fixes and how “Google” isn’t your perfect tax advisor
• And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

• St. George Wealth
• LinkedIn: Nicholas St. George
• Facebook: Nicholas St. George
• Phone: 828-481-8836

Connect with Mark Carrison:

• Verdolino & Lowey P.C.
• LinkedIn: Mark Carrison
• mcarrison@vlpc.com

About our Guest:

Mark Carrison is a Tax Supervisor for Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. Mark joined the firm in January 2020 and has more than 15 years of public accounting experience. Mark provides accounting and advisory services in tax, accounting, financial reporting, and consulting services for individuals, privately held companies, and trusts. Mark is a member of the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He has had active roles on numerous not-for-profit boards in Rhode Island and Massachusetts including Treasurer and Board of Director of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Boy Scouts of America, and Rhode Island Wild Plant Society. Mark received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bryant University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Leo University in Accounting with a Fraud Examination concentration.