Trust the Plan Podcast with Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP®

EP 042: Some Planners Don't Plan

June 15, 2018 11:51 - 8 minutes - 7.98 MB

Some "Financial Planners" don't do any Financial Planning at all -they are simply salespeople who sell financial products like insurance, annuities, and mutual funds. At Peak, it is a little bit different. We don't sell financial products. We sell what we know works. We are selling ourselves. Listen in and get the full scoop. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our client...

EP 041: Rick Guttersohn of New Hope

May 22, 2018 16:18 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MB

Nick chats with Rick Guttersohn, the Executive Director at New Hope Center for Grief Support. Rick teaches us about "Fun" raising, Blueprinting as it relates to grief support, and the generational impact New Hope has had on the local community. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions putting them on a path toward fulfillment and their own de...

EP 040: Business Law, Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and Private Equity with Rick Hoeg of Hoeg Law

May 14, 2018 12:56 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MB

Have your contracts reviewed! Nick chats with Rick Hoeg of @HoegLaw about Star Wars, Michigan Football, and course, Business Law! Given Rick's background and experience with small business and venture capital, he has unique insights into entrepreneurship and small business start ups. Learn about how he approaches small business law and at the very end wait for his @michiganfootball season prediction! Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth,...

EP 039: Estate Planning Mistakes with Marc Wander of the Marc Wander Law Firm

May 08, 2018 17:54 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MB

Don't Die Intestate! Nick chats with Estate Planning Attorney Marc Wander of the Marc Wander Law Firm. Learn about Marc's "Retirement Trust" concept as well as discussing many of the common pitfalls he sees people making with their estate plans over the past 25 years. You can learn more about Marc at mwanderlaw.com. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make g...

EP 038: The Refinancing Addiction with Shawn Presnell of Academy Mortgage

April 25, 2018 16:34 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MB

Nick chats with Shawn Presnell from Academy Mortgage about America's Refinancing Addiction, the state of the mortgage industry, and how he approaches his loan design. Shawn has over 15 years of experience and is a trusted resource for our clients. You can learn more about Shawn on his website and download his app for mortgage calculators and many other useful tools! Book a meeting with Nick Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We...

EP 037: Long Term Care Insights with Michael Tepper

April 16, 2018 19:51 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

What would you do if you were retired and had a new $7,000/mo bill from the nursing home each month? Nick is joined by Michael Tepper from Capitas Financial, who has over 25 years of experience in the Long Term Care Insurance Marketplace. Join us as we discuss the need for Long Term Care, how to qualify, evolution of the insurance industry, and more. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidanc...

EP 036: Social Security Disability with Atty Jason Steinhelper

April 11, 2018 16:23 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MB

Nick chats Social Security Disability with veteran attorney Jason Steinhelper of the law firm Levine Benjamin. Jason has represented thousands of clients seeking to obtain Social Security Disability over the last 11+ years. Learn more about the program and some tips to consider before applying. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions putting...

EP 035: I Have $1 Million. Is that Enough?

March 26, 2018 19:23 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

People are always asking me, “Do I have enough to retire?” They expect me to be able to look at their 401(k) statement and give them a yes or no answer in two seconds flat! The truth is it doesn’t matter how much money is in your 401(k). In my opinion, what matters most is your spending habits. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions putting ...

EP 034: Nick Joins the Finding Flow Podcast

March 23, 2018 18:55 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

In this episode, Coach Ben and Coach Kevin, from the InFlow Wellness Academy, sit down with Nick Hopwood, CFP and chat about "How much is enough?" Learn more about InFlow. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions putting them on a path toward fulfillment and their own definition of true wealth.

EP 032: Social Security - The Decision of a Lifetime

March 22, 2018 13:46 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MB

Social Security is More than a monthly check. Do you realize it can be worth well over a million dollars? Its a pension with cost of living inflation adjustments, which pretty much do not exist anywhere else. It is a pension for a homemaker which you can’t get anywhere else. You can to control when to turn it on to maximize your benefits. It provides for your spouse if you die. It provides for your children if you die when they are under 18. It provides disability benefits. Simply put, it ...

EP 031: NO LAZY MONEY - TEACH YOUR KIDS

March 06, 2018 15:31 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MB

“It is important that your children learn what they can do with money early in life so they will apply the lessons learned at home as they face the real world in future years.” According to American Century, 88% of high school students learned what they know about money from their parents. They don’t teach this kind of stuff in school, so it is up to us - the parents and grand parents to teach the proper lessons about money - that goes for saving, investing, and debt. You are the CFP (chief...

EP 030: THE HSA NO-BRAINER

March 05, 2018 14:16 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MB

Health savings accounts, or "HSA" for short, have been around since 2003, when President Bush improved upon medical savings accounts and flexible savings accounts. HSAs are superior compared to their predecessors because of the triple-tax-free benefits and they are not “use it or lose it.” They are becoming more and more important as our healthcare cost crisis continues, and I predict your HSA will play a significant role in the years to come. Listen in to find out why. Peak Wealth Managem...

EP 029: Finding a Satisfying Second Career with Dr. Russ Dore

February 09, 2018 21:19 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

Dr. Russ Dore of PCS Counseling and Dore Productions sits down with Nick to chat about Finding a Satisfying Second Career. Dr Russ has consulted with hundreds of individuals in transition and shares some stories and takeaways from his experience. Some recurring themes from previous episodes are revisited, such as Blueprinting, Start with Why, Your Retirement Quest author Keith Lawrence, and Certified Retirement Coach Donna Martin. We also learn about Dr Russ' personal journey into his second...

EP 028: The 10% Market Correction is Here

February 06, 2018 11:59 - 8 minutes - 7.62 MB

What just happened? Since January 26, the stock market is down by over 10%. Is it over? Probably not. It’s very difficult to time the bottom and there is usually a longer “bottoming process.” What do you suggest we do? Don’t overreact - keep recent perspective as well as historical perspective in mind for the markets. Also, perspective on how this might change your overall retirement plan. Let’s put it this way - imagine we met the week before Thanksgiving and reviewed your retirement a...

EP 027 Peak Wealth 2017 Year in Review

January 16, 2018 15:54 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

2017 was by far the best year ever for Peak. Join Nick as he reflects on some of the things going on driving growth and what we are working on for 2018. This is your chance to kick the tires and look under the hood on how a successful financial planning practice operates! Book an appointment with Nick here. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great dec...

EP 026 Nick's Personal 2018 Financial Plan

January 13, 2018 15:14 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

Ever wonder how a CFP manages their own money? Listen as Nick talks about his personal financial plan for 2018. Everything from cash flow, investments, debt, and real estate. January is the perfect time of year to evaluate and update your own financial plan. Let's get started! Book an appointment with Nick here. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make grea...

EP 025 Your Second Home: The Anti-Dividend

January 12, 2018 14:08 - 8 minutes - 8.23 MB

Thinking of a cottage or a condo in Florida? Listen to Nick's personal experience as well as what he has learned from client experiences and why owning a second home is The Anti-Dividend. One other tool which is recommended before buying a second home is to make sure you've clearly spelled out your vision of the future. Check out EP 007 - Blueprinting which is a great place to start. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe ...

EP 24 Building Wealth Through Real Estate 2.0

December 26, 2017 14:23 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MB

Join Nick as he talks Real Estate Investing and updates you on his personal real estate portfolio and why he loves real estate. If you haven't heard EP 006 you should start there. Investing in rental real estate is part of the Peak Income 360 Formula. Learn more by visiting our Income 360 page or by listening to EP 009. Peak Wealth Management is a full-service Registered Investment Advisor located in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to m...

EP 023 Health Yields Wealth 2.0

December 20, 2017 22:55 - 8 minutes - 7.33 MB

Join Nick and learn about Health Yields Wealth 2.0 where we don't just talk about detox, we do the detox! Learn more about our services at peakwm.com

EP 022.5 Before Your Meeting - Listen to be Prepared

December 20, 2017 20:03 - 3 minutes - 2.88 MB

In this two-minute episode Nick will help you prepare for your initial meeting at Peak Wealth. Understand what to expect and how to have the most efficient meeting possible! Learn more at Peakwm.com

EP 022 What's the Deal with Mutual Fund Loads? What to Look for in a CFP

November 29, 2017 14:48 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MB

Listen to the latest edition of Finding True Wealth as Nick reminisces about the industry twenty years ago and reflects on what he would be looking for when selecting a CFP/financial planner. Learn more at peakwm.com.

EP 021 Top Ten Tips for a Meaningful Retirement

October 09, 2017 21:07 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MB

Retirement is a major life transition, but its stages are predictable. Sadly, most people don’t think it through all the way. Many retire simply because they hate their job or as soon as they have enough money. But, they work 40-60 hours per week, which is a lot of time to fill. The average retiree watches 43 hours of TV per week. Don’t let yourself fall into that rut. These ten tips can help you better prepare for a meaningful retirement. learn more at peakwm.com

EP 020 Small Business Retirement Plans with Scott Westgate

October 09, 2017 21:06 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MB

Nick chats with Scott Westgate, founder and president of MBC Retirement Services, located in Rochester, MI. Peak and MBC have worked together on many plans since 2002 with tremendous success. Scott talks about the different retirement plans available to the small business owner today and pros and cons of each type of arrangement, as well as his best tip for how to build true wealth as a small business owner. Learn more at peakwm.com

EP 019 Understanding Personality Styles with Dr John Mlinarcik

October 09, 2017 21:05 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MB

Nick sits down with Dr John Mlinarcik talking personality styles. Understanding your own personality style helps you understand your own needs and why you do what you do. The same can be said about the other people in your life- understanding their personalities and how to interact with them are just as important as understanding your own! This truth can be applied to all relationships in your life – personal and professional. Learn more about Dr John at pcs-global.com or pcs-counseling.com....

EP 018 Your House is NOT Your Biggest Asset

October 09, 2017 21:02 - 6 minutes - 6.32 MB

Despite everything you have heard, your house and your 401k are not your largest asset – your career path and income are your biggest asset by far. Listen as we give one simple tip on how to maximize your largest asset, according to Nick Hopwood, CFP. Learn more at peakwm.com

EP 017 The Sweet Spot of a Roth Conversion

October 09, 2017 21:01 - 5 minutes - 5.28 MB

Learn about the sweet spot of Roth IRA Conversion from Nick Hopwood, CFP. How do some people convert their IRA to a Roth IRA with little or no tax due? Lear more at peakwm.com

EP 016 Certified Retirement Coach Donna Martin

October 09, 2017 20:59 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MB

Did you miss the Naked Retirement Workshop? Listen in and get caught-up as Nick chats with Donna Martin, CEO of Change Engine, a business and retirement coaching firm. At Change Engine, she works with professionals who want to achieve big goals and overcome obstacles in their business lives as well as prepare for a successful transition into their retirement life. In the podcast Donna talks about how often times people run out of meaning in retirement before they run out of money, as well ...

EP 015 MIT Age Lab

October 09, 2017 20:58 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MB

Nick speaks with John Diehl, SVP at Hartford Funds and liaison to the MIT Age Lab, where they do a lot of cool research! Our topic today is the 5 ways technology will change the way we age. Check out this white paper which covers the apps, sites, and devices discussed. Also, below is the animated video with Grandma! Learn more at peakwm.com

EP 014 Halftime with Chip DeClue

October 09, 2017 20:56 - 28 minutes - 28.6 MB

From success to significance: Chip shares his story about reaching “Halftime” in his life. Learn why he walked away (in his early 50’s) from his successful 26 year career as VP of Finance at Enterprise Car Rental and how he is paying it forward. Lear more at peakwm.com

EP 013 Track Your Expenses and Net Worth!

October 09, 2017 20:54 - 10 minutes - 10.3 MB

I hate the word budget. It reminds me of being on a diet. For some reason, people hate diets AND budgeting. This ten minute podcast uncovers a new spin on budgeting – expense tracking. Learn how to combine expense tracking with Gary Keller’s monthly net worth reviews, and you will be able to understand where your money is going each month, which allows you to make better decisions, which ultimately leads to fulfillment and true wealth. Download Sample Spreadsheet Learn more at Peakwm...

EP 012 Start with Why

October 09, 2017 20:52 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MB

Have you ever heard of Simon Sinek? He is an author, speaker, and marketing consultant. I first got introduced to him through his ted talk entitled “how great leaders inspire action” and that eventually led me to his book entitled “start with why.” Both are amazing, and I love his work. The book really spoke to me, and helped facilitate some good reflection for me. One of the major themes is people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. So in my case, my clients don’t use me because ...

EP 011 Tax Planning with John Dawson, CPA

October 09, 2017 20:50 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MB

Tax time is almost here! Do not wait until the last second to start planning. Listen as Nick sit down with John Dawson, CPA, partner at Landini, Reed, and Dawson, PC. In this latest episode of Finding True Wealth, Nick and John dive deeper than just the ordinary tax planning. Learn more at Lrdcpas.com and peakwm.com

EP 010 Your Retirement Quest - Conversation with Keith Lawrence

October 09, 2017 20:45 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MB

In spring 2016, Nick had the pleasure of meeting Keith Lawrence, co-author of Your Retirement Quest. As a former HR Executive at Proctor and Gamble, Keith and his co-author, Alan Spector, witnessed many retirees coming back to P&G walking the hallways and hanging-out in the cafeteria. Why would they come back to hang-out at work? This question/observation was the beginning of their research of interviewing thousands of retirees and developing the five stages of retirement, along with the ten...

EP 009 The Original Peak Income 360 Formula

October 09, 2017 20:42 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

Guaranteed pensions don’t exist like in the past. Peak Income 360 seeks to replace that pension by adding multiple passing retirement income streams. Learn more at peakwm.com

EP 008 Am I Ready to Retire?

October 09, 2017 20:41 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MB

How do you know if you are ready to retire? This is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. In this podcast, Nick talks about the four big questions we believe you should ask yourself. Some questions you should think about: Do I have enough (money)? Will I have enough to do? Have you had enough – do you have more “work” to accomplish in your career? Is your spouse/family on board with your decision? learn more at peakwm.com

EP 007 Blueprinting: Live Your Life By Design, Not By Default

October 09, 2017 20:40 - 15 minutes - 14 MB

The Blueprinting Process is a series of exercises we created to help you live your life by design, not be default. The purpose of these exercises is to help ignite your relentless burning desire, and lead you toward personal fulfillment. In other words, it will help you find you “why.” This series of six exercises will help you develop a crystal clear map of where you want to go personally and what you want to accomplish professionally. As a result, the new clarity gained will help make your ...

EP 006 Peak Income 360: Building Income and Wealth through Real Estate

October 09, 2017 20:36 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MB

The younger generation typically does not have the benefit of a guaranteed pension plan like the former generation often had. Real Estate may be a good source of income to fill in that gap. Listen as Nick talks about his personal experience with Real Estate – both good and bad! Learn more at peakwm.com

EP 005 Cathy Clough - Founder of New Hope

October 09, 2017 20:30 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MB

Nick sits down with Cathy Clough, founder of New Hope Center for Grief Support, to hear about her journey after losing her husband and how she made it her life's work. newhopecenter peakwm.com

EP 004 Health Yields Wealth: Detox for Life

October 09, 2017 20:08 - 1 hour - 67.6 MB

Happen to miss our Health Yields Wealth – Detox for Life event? Listen to our Finding True Wealth Podcast to listen in and gather some golden nuggets from our highly experienced panel of Ben Knapp from Pow(r) Performance gym, Dr Stacie Ford from First Choice Wellness, and Coach Callie from GO! Smoothies. Learn more at peakwm.com

Trust the Plan Podcast with Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP®

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