Discover how Sullivan Mermel's longtime tax-focused approach enhances financial decision-making, driving client success and confidence.

One of the hardest financial decisions you'll ever face isn't how to make your money grow — it's what to do when someone you love needs it. This week we take on the show that's long overdue: helping family with money without hurting them, your relationships, or your own retirement.   On this week's Money On Tap, we combine the two things people are most emotional about — loved ones and money — and walk through how to help from strength instead of hope. It starts with the oxygen mask principle: secure your own financial stability first, because two people going downhill financially is not a rescue. From there we get practical: the questions to ask before any check gets written (emergency or recurring problem? give, lend, or pay directly?), why where the money comes from can double the cost of the same act of love, and a college approach that teaches kids to swim instead of holding them up forever. We cover the sandwich generation and why a parent's ask for time carries real financial cost, the special needs planning traps that can accidentally cost a loved one their benefits, and the gift-versus-loan playbook — documentation, matching, the enforcement question, and the case for sometimes just saying "forget about it."   What you'll learn: - The first questions: give it, lend it, or pay the expense directly? - Emergency or recurring problem — and why the answer changes everything - The oxygen mask principle: protecting your retirement isn't selfish - Your real number: income need and genuine surplus, not net worth - Why retirement account withdrawals can double the cost of helping - College help that teaches: hard dollar amounts, real responsibility - "You can't take a loan out to retire on — but a kid can for tuition" - Treating children fairly when circumstances won't cooperate - The sandwich generation: when they ask for time, not money - Special needs planning: ABLE accounts, trusts, and the beneficiary-form trap - Gift, loan, match, or direct payment — and the loan-as-gift mindset - Using your planner as the excuse — and when to just forgive the loan Plus Money In The News: - Medicare's projected 2027 changes — why this enrollment season demands real homework - Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire chairman at 96 — the lessons and quotes he leaves behind - Retirees are fleeing to no-tax states in search of financial heaven — and don't always find it Want this week's white paper — the Family Financial Assistance Stress Test? Email us at info@yourmoneyontap.com and we'll send it over.   Read our most recent Blog Post on this topic here: https://www.fmgwebsites.com/d772de05-9833-44e4-9676-f510f85cef74/blog/family-generosity-help-without-the-hurt-the-oxygen-mask-principle Schedule a free consultation: https://app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsulta Browse the full Money On Tap library: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tap   Contact Us - Phone: 855-226-8551 - Email: info@yourmoneyontap.com - Office: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110 - Web: brayshawfinancial.com Securities and advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. All other services offered through Brayshaw Financial Group, LLC are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc. Osaic Wealth, Inc. and Brayshaw Financial Group do not provide tax or legal advice. Retirement account withdrawals may be subject to income taxes and, before age 59½, an additional 10% federal penalty. ABLE accounts, trusts, and public benefit programs are subject to federal and state eligibility rules that vary and change — coordinate with qualified legal and tax professionals. Medicare figures referenced are projections as of the air date and subject to change. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

AVA Corporation has announced its strategic partnership with Minato Consulting, aiming to enhance member services and expand regional support across Japan.

Navien Financial announces its rebranding to Navien & Amaya Consultants, highlighting a newfound focus on personalized financial planning and client relationships.

eMoney Advisor unveils its latest branding enhancements for the Premium Client Portal, enabling customized client experiences and deeper engagement.

RetireWizard has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-driven retirement income calculator designed specifically for Americans to optimize their retirement savings effectively.

Cetera Financial Group's recent acquisition of Marmo Financial Group enhances its national presence, offering extensive financial planning services to clients.

Join our free online seminar on June 27 to learn about essential topics in caregiving and financial planning. Don't miss this informative session!

In this inspiring interview, Mike Milligan shares his remarkable journey from childhood poverty to becoming a successful financial planner. He emphasizes the importance of living a one-of-a-kind life, understanding your money story, and planning for a meaningful retirement. Key Topics Mike Milligan's childhood and entrepreneurial spirit The impact of early money memories on adult behavior The importance of a personalized financial plan Living a one-of-a-kind life and retirement planning The difference between risk and failure Sound Bites "Why is money important to you? That’s the key." "Failure is just lack of success, risk is reward." "Cherish every moment, life is unpredictable." About Mike Milligan Mike challenges Wall Street's focus on "Return ON Investment" with his own philosophy of "Return OF Life," helping clients live purpose-driven lives. His journey was shaped by personal events, including his brother's early passing, which solidified his mission to help others live their unique lives to the fullest. The One-of-a-Kind Financial Plan (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXYZ1234 Mike Milligan's Website - https://www.oneoakfinancial.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilligan https://bookme.name/PhilippaBagley/lite/system-reset-session I'm a Clinical Hypnotherapist, MSc Neuroscience & Psychology of Mental Health student at King's College London, Army Veteran, and Programme Manager in my day job. Like many high-achieving professionals, I know what it's like to keep pushing through exhaustion — running on empty while everything looks fine on the outside. Now I combine my neuroscience training, clinical hypnotherapy practice, and lived experience of high-pressure environments to help ambitious professionals do one thing: actually recover. My specialist focus is burnout and sleep regulation for high-achievers — the people who can't switch off, can't sleep, and have tried everything except getting to the root cause. Through Choose2Change, I work with professionals in corporate, NHS, legal, tech, and military environments who are ready to regulate their nervous system and reclaim their energy — without burning it all down first. If that sounds like you — or someone you know — a free 20-minute Sleep & Burnout Clarity Call is available athttps://bookme.name/PhilippaBagley/lite/system-reset-session Journey to Purpose explores what drives people, the stories behind their careers, and what it really means to live and work with intention.

Envestnet has announced new enhancements to its MoneyGuide platform, improving usability and workflows for financial advisors to better serve clients’ complex planning needs.

The 2026 eMoney Summit will explore cutting-edge financial strategies and technology aimed at enhancing client experiences. Join us virtually on October 19-21.

Lifenet Life Insurance organized a seminar for its customers to discuss the recent changes to the high-cost medical expense system, emphasizing financial planning.

Truist Premier aims to provide a premium banking experience with personalized financial planning and dedicated support for affluent clients to navigate financial complexities.

Vern Hayden has been honored by Marquis Who's Who for his extensive expertise in financial planning, contributing significantly to the industry over decades.

SuperMoney's AI assistant, Sense AI, has impressively scored 99.4% accuracy on a rigorous financial planning benchmark, showcasing its high performance.

Stratos Wealth Enterprises has joined forces with RPI Financial Life Planners to enhance their services and cater to clients better. This partnership aims for significant growth while maintaining a personalized touch.

Financial Planning magazine names Northwestern Mutual among America's top independent broker-dealers, citing increased revenues and client trust in financial planning.

The article provides practical advice for Canadians navigating Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) withdrawals. It highlights common errors such as withdrawing funds before the child's education begins, which can result in lost government grants. Experts emphasize the importance of understanding contribution limits and tax implications. The piece also discusses strategies to maximize savings, including using the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) effectively. While the article mentions broader news headlines about social assistance changes and infrastructure issues, the focus remains on financial planning for education. Readers are advised to consult with financial advisors to tailor their approach to individual circumstances. The content underscores the need for careful long-term planning to ensure RESP funds serve their intended purpose without unnecessary penalties.

Rusty Rhodes has returned to MassMutual of South Carolina, enhancing financial planning services for individuals and small businesses with his expertise.

Simplicity Group's recent acquisition of Mobile Bay Financial signals an expansion in holistic financial planning. New partners expand client services.

This article unveils how to effectively calculate your financial independence number with expert guidance from Greg Harrison of HelloNation.

Discover 49th Parallel Wealth Management's new free OAS Clawback Calculator and explore additional tools for managing finances across Canada and the U.S.

Whatever you've done, there's a very good chance you can recover. That's the message of this week's show — and then Ben and Dan get specific, decade by decade, about the mistakes that quietly sink retirements and the moves that rescue them.In this week's Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon walk through the money mistakes of every stage of life. The 20s and 30s: waiting to invest, lifestyle inflation, and treating insurance as a nuisance instead of what it really is — protection of your ability to retire. The 40s — the squeeze years: turning off the 401(k) match to pay the bills (walking away from free money), getting too comfortable with debt, and skipping the tax planning that builds tax-free assets for later. The 50s — the catch-up years: catch-up contributions, the HSA "triple threat," the backdoor Roth, and the fear-driven mistake of going too conservative too soon. And in retirement itself: the light-switch move to cash, target-date funds past their date, scattered old 401(k)s, chasing a "number" instead of an income, and the biggest one of all — no plan for a health change.What you'll learn: - Why your 20s and 30s are the most powerful investing decade you'll ever get — and what lifestyle inflation really costs - Insurance reframed: insuring well-being, not events — and why long-term care planning protects the healthy spouse - The 401(k) match rule for the squeeze years: never walk away from free money - When to shift from investment planning to retirement planning — and why the goal is an income number, not a total number - The catch-up toolkit for your 50s: 401(k) and IRA catch-ups, the HSA triple threat, and the backdoor Roth - Why "too conservative too soon" quietly loses money backwards — and how segmentation puts risk and security in one strategy - The bucket strategy in action: a real case of a 60%-bond portfolio, a 4.5% withdrawal rate, and a first-home gift — rescued - Foundational expenses: the income planning step most people skip before retiring - The health-change plan: estate documents, powers of attorney, and why waiting can mean it's too late to sign Plus Money In The News: - Alphabet set for a blockbuster quarter as AI bets collide with spending fears — why this AI buildout isn't the dot-com era - Phased tariffs on generic drugs: 90% of U.S. prescriptions are generics, and most aren't made here - Fidelity's new number: retirees may need nearly $186,000 for healthcare — up 7.5% in a year Want the Retirement Rescue white paper? Email us at info@yourmoneyontap.com and we'll send it over.Read the companion blog: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/blog Schedule a free consultation: https://app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsulta Browse the full Money On Tap library: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact Us - Phone: 855-226-8551 - Email: info@yourmoneyontap.com - Office: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110 - Web: brayshawfinancial.com Securities and advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. All other services offered through Brayshaw Financial Group, LLC are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc. Osaic Wealth, Inc. and Brayshaw Financial Group do not provide tax or legal advice. Figures cited are as of the air date, drawn from sources believed reliable, and subject to change. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Explore valuable financial planning tips for families from HelloNation featuring expert Sean Walczyk, aimed at building lasting stability and confidence.

Brighton Jones announces the opening of new offices in Connecticut and Michigan, enhancing its wealth management services in those regions.