How Money Works

Hosted by Craig Moser

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141

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Feb 2026

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About the show

Husband and wife team, Craig and Jennifer Moser of Maestro Wealth Advisors discuss crucial tips for planning your successful retirement. Listen for valuable insight from professionals with unique insight and perspective on How Money Works. If you need any help with your financial or retirement plan, give them a call at 336-448-1086 or visit the website, https://maestrowealth.com Avantax affiliated financial professionals may only conduct business with residents of the states for which they are properly registered. Please note that not all of the investments and services mentioned are available in every state. Securities offered through Avantax Investment Services(SM), Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory Services(SM). Fixed life insurance and annuity products offered through Maestro Insurance Services, Inc. All other insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency. The Avantax family of companies exclusively provide investment products and services through its representatives. Although Avantax Wealth Management(SM) does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Avantax representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business. Avantax affiliated financial professionals may only conduct business with residents of the states for which they are properly registered. Please note that not all of the investments and services mentioned are available in every state This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Content, links, and some material within this website may have been created by a third party for use by an Avantax affiliated representative. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not represent the views and opinions of Avantax Wealth Management(SM) or its subsidiaries. Avantax Wealth Management(SM) is not responsible for and does not control, adopt, or endorse any content contained on any third-party website.

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60 recent

February 5, 202625 min

Is DIY Financial Planning Costing You?

Doing it yourself feels empowering, until the margin for error disappears. Craig and Jennifer look at why many people stick with a DIY financial approach longer than they should, and how retirement quietly changes the stakes. Small decisions start to matter more, timelines get longer, and mistakes get harder to unwind. The real question isn't can you do it yourself, it's should you? Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛠️ DIY Mindset: Why people choose to manage money themselves ⚠️ Common Pitfalls: Where DIY strategies often fall short 📉 Real-Life Mistakes: How small errors become costly 🤝 Advisor's Role: What experience adds beyond investments ⏳ Living Longer: Why longevity multiplies financial risk 🧭 Planning Matters: Turning uncertainty into structure Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

January 15, 202624 min

Navigating Financial Changes in 2026: Retirement, Taxes & Medicare

Craig and Jennifer dive into the key financial updates for 2026 and how they can affect your retirement. They discuss Social Security COLAs, Medicare premium increases, new tax deductions for seniors, and smarter ways to use Roth conversions and catch-up contributions. This episode highlights why proactive tax and income planning matters and how small decisions today can make a big difference in retirement. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏥 Healthcare Costs – Rising medical expenses in retirement 💳 Medicare Premiums – How income affects what you pay 🧾 Tax Deductions – New charitable and senior deduction rules 📈 Catch-Up Savings – Expanded contribution limits for older workers 🧠 Tax Strategy – Planning withdrawals before retirement begins 📜 Secure Act 2.0 – Roth rules changing retirement contributions Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

December 31, 202526 min

Retirement Sabotage: The Mistakes That Add Up

Most retirement mistakes don't happen all at once; they happen quietly and over time. In this episode, Craig and Jennifer walk through the most common ways people unknowingly sabotage their retirement, and how to make sure it doesn't happen to you. Tune in to learn how small, proactive planning choices can protect confidence, income, and peace of mind over the long run. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Retirement Sabotage: Quiet mistakes that compound 📉 Market Volatility: Why reacting hurts long-term plans ⏳ Social Security: Timing decisions with lasting impact 💼 Job Assumptions: When work ends sooner than expected 🎯 Financial Strategy: Replacing hope with structure Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

December 18, 202526 min

Taking Out the Financial Trash in Your Retirement Plan

As retirement gets closer, the small financial issues you've ignored can start to pile up fast. In this episode, Craig walks through the most common "financial trash" people carry into retirement, and how to start the process of cleaning it up. What financial clutter should you clean up before retiring? If you want a clearer, more confident path into retirement, this episode shows where to start. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧹 Cash Flow Cleanup: planning income and mortgage payments 💳 Debt & Risk: reducing financial pressure before retirement 💤 Lazy Money: cash losing ground due to inflation 🏦 Pension Choices: evaluating pension versus lump sum decisions 🏢 Life Changes: navigating company sales and job transitions Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

December 4, 202525 min

Safeguard Your Legacy: Avoiding Common Errors in Estate Planning

It's easy to avoid thinking about the realities of aging and the challenges it can bring. But, overlooking the true costs of healthcare and assistance can leave even the best financial plans vulnerable. Jennifer is joined by her son (and financial advisor) Cameron to explore why these risks are so commonly underestimated and what it means for your future security. Are you truly prepared for the hidden costs of growing older? Tune in the find out. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📛 Designations Matter: why beneficiary forms override your will 💸 Planning for Expenses: the danger of ignoring future healthcare and long-term care costs 🔄 Update Your Heirs: outdated beneficiaries that send assets to the wrong person 🏡 Don't Gift Too Soon: tax traps when transferring property while alive 🤝 Avoid Family Conflict: how communication prevents litigation Contact Maestro Wealth: Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin Phone: 336-448-1086

November 20, 202523 min

How Money Works: Planning, Fables, and Real-Life Finance

The stories we believe about money often shape our choices more than the numbers do. In this episode, Craig and Jennifer explores these "financial fables," using real-life situations to reveal how hidden beliefs influence the way people plan. The team also tackles listener questions and offers smart portfolio strategies to balance risk and reward at every life stage. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📘 Financial Fables: classic stories that reveal modern money lessons 🎓 Student Loan Decisions: balancing generosity with retirement readiness 🏡 Inheritance Reality: why counting on future money is risky 😨 Market Fear: handling volatility without making emotional mistakes 📊 Smart Strategies: financial planning and investment fundamentals Contact Maestro Wealth: Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin Phone: 336-448-1086

November 6, 202520 min

You Made It to Retirement… Now Don't Screw It Up!

You've worked for decades, saved diligently, and finally reached retirement, now comes the hard part: not screwing it up. Craig and Jennifer share the most common post-retirement mistakes people make and explain why having a solid, flexible plan is far more important than a collection of accounts or hot stock tips. Once you've already won the race, don't jump back in. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏗️ Build a Strong Foundation: secure income before chasing returns 💡 New Opportunities: evaluating investments with clarity, not emotion 🧩 Comprehensive Planning: coordinating taxes, income, and estate goals 🔁 Adapting to Change: adjusting your plan as life evolves 💰 Tax Strategies: keeping more of what you've earned Contact Maestro Wealth: Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin Phone: 336-448-1086

October 16, 202525 min

The Retirement Road Trip: Don't Drive Without a Plan

Most people will spend hours planning a vacation: researching routes, mapping stops, and budgeting for the trip. But when it comes to retirement, many people set off without a roadmap. Today we'll use the great American road trip as a powerful analogy for planning the retirement journey. Craig and Jennifer break down the essentials: knowing your destination, calculating the cost of the trip, and choosing the right route to get there. Just like with travel, unexpected detours will pop up, like health issues, market downturns, or surprise expenses. With a clear plan and the right guide, you can navigate those bumps without losing sight of your goal. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🗺️ Decide your retirement destination before you hit the road 💰 Know what the trip will cost and how you'll pay for it 🛣️ Map your route: income, risk, and tax planning 🚧 Be ready for roadblocks like healthcare or market surprises Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin

October 2, 202526 min

The 10-Year Retirement Countdown: Ages 55–65

The decade between 55 and 65 is one of the most critical stretches in your financial life. It's the runway leading into retirement, and the choices you make in these years can set the tone for the decades that follow. In this episode, Craig and Jennifer break down the key decisions that every pre-retiree needs to think about before taking the leap. Today, you'll hear how to decide what really matters in retirement, why "knowing your numbers" is more important than ever, and how healthcare costs often surprise people who assume Medicare will cover everything. This decade is one where most people start getting serious about retirement and we want to make sure you know where to focus. We won't sugarcoat the fact that there's a lot to plan for, but we'll also offer a clear process that helps you step into retirement with confidence. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎯 Decide what matters most before you retire 📊 Know your numbers: income, expenses, and gaps 🏥 Prepare for healthcare and long-term care costs 📈 Build inflation into your plan so your lifestyle keeps up 🔄 Expect change and create flexibility in your retirement strategy Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin

September 18, 202523 min

Harder Than It Looks: Retirement Planning's Hidden Challenges

Some financial decisions appear simple on the surface until you start working through the details. In this episode, Craig and Jennifer break down common areas of retirement planning that are harder than they look and explain why professional guidance makes all the difference. Each of these areas can feel overwhelming if you're going it alone, but with the right plan, they don't have to be. They start with Social Security, where the choice of when to file isn't just about picking an age, it's about understanding penalties, income limits, and how benefits fit into your larger income plan. From there, they explore the real meaning of diversification, showing why simply owning dozens of funds doesn't guarantee balance. Join us and get better prepared for the road ahead in retirement. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🕰️ Social Security timing: Penalties and income rules can surprise you 📈 Real diversification: Beyond the typical pie charts 🔄 401(k) rollovers: Get them right or risk major headaches 🧩 Simple vs. complex: What looks easy can derail without a plan Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin