Planning for retirement doesn't always stop with your own financial future. For many families, helping children or grandchildren afford a college education has become one of the biggest priorities facing retirees and pre-retirees. 

With rising tuition costs, evolving financial aid rules, and widespread misconceptions around 529 plans and FAFSA, families with great intentions can unknowingly make costly mistakes without the right strategy in place.

In this episode, Matthew Peck is joined by SHP Financial Advisor Laura Russo to break down the increasingly complex world of college planning. Laura explains how parents and grandparents can support their family's education goals in ways that remain tax-efficient and how ownership structures, gifting strategies, and early planning decisions can influence outcomes for both students and families.

Together, they share practical strategies such as direct tuition payments, 529 and ABLE accounts, and recent FAFSA rule changes that significantly impact financial aid eligibility. Ultimately, this conversation emphasizes how education planning is done proactively, it can reduce financial stress, preserve family wealth, and create opportunities for future generations without compromising retirement security.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• How grandparents can help fund college in a tax-efficient way.
• Why 529 plan ownership now matters more than ever.
• How recent FAFSA changes impact financial aid eligibility.
• The differences between direct tuition payments and 529 strategies.
• Why student-owned assets can unintentionally reduce aid opportunities.
• How ABLE accounts support education planning for individuals with disabilities.
• Why early financial conversations help families make smarter college decisions.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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Planning for the future doesn't stop once your estate documents are signed. As laws change, family dynamics evolve, and asset values grow, outdated estate plans can create unintended consequences.

In this episode, Keith Ellis Jr. is joined by estate planning attorney Keith McManus to discuss current estate planning trends, common misconceptions, and the real risks families face when plans aren't properly reviewed. With over 30 years of experience, Keith McManus explains why estate planning is never a one-and-done decision and why proactive updates matter more than most people realize.

Together, they explore how blended families, beneficiary designations, and state-specific tax laws can dramatically impact outcomes, along with why trusts don't all work the same way. Keith also addresses the growing trend of DIY and AI-generated estate plans and the costly mistakes that often follow.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• The importance of reviewing estate plans every three to four years.
• How blended families create unique estate planning challenges.
• What the Massachusetts estate tax exemption means for retirees.
• How beneficiary designations can override trusts.
• Why long-term care planning should be factored into your estate planning.
• Reasons why DIY and AI-generated estate plans can create serious risks.

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Mentally preparing for retirement often generates more questions than answers. From wondering if you've saved enough to figuring out when you can finally stop working, many pre-retirees feel uncertain about what comes next. And then you add concerns around taxes, healthcare, Social Security, and market volatility, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed without a clear plan in place.

In this episode, Keith Ellis Jr. is joined by SHP Financial Advisor Mike Guthrie to tackle the most common questions they've heard from clients over the years. With decades of combined experience, Keith and Mike walk through real-world scenarios and explain why there's rarely a one-size-fits-all answer—but there's always a better, more informed way to make decisions.

They discuss how to determine whether you truly have enough to retire, how income planning provides clarity and confidence, and why understanding where your money comes from—and where it goes—is critical in retirement. You'll also hear how concepts like the 4% rule and income buckets help retirees move from uncertainty to control.

Ultimately, Keith and Mike emphasize the importance of proactive planning—especially around taxes and withdrawal strategies—so retirees can protect their lifestyle, reduce unnecessary risk, and enjoy the years they've worked so hard for.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• How to determine whether you truly have enough money to retire.
• Why income planning is the foundation of a confident retirement.
• When it may—or may not—make sense to retire earlier than expected.
• How to think about cash reserves, income buckets, and long-term growth.
• What to consider when deciding when to claim Social Security.
• Why proactive tax planning can significantly impact retirement success.

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As we kick things off in 2026, it's a natural time to reflect on how quickly time passes and how important it is to have a plan that evolves as life, markets, and priorities change. Volatility, political uncertainty, and shifting tax laws continue to remind investors that retirement isn't just about accumulating money; it's about knowing how to manage it so you can spend it with confidence.

In this episode, SHP Financial co-founders Matthew Peck, Derek Gregoire, and Keith Ellis, Jr. got the band together in the studio to look back on the past year and reflect on how the firm—and the financial planning industry as a whole—has evolved since they first started SHP Financial over two decades ago. 

In their conversation they discussed what's changed, what hasn't, and why comprehensive planning matters more today than ever before. Ultimately, this episode reinforces a simple but powerful message: while markets and policies will always change, proactive planning, clear communication, and a strong support team provide the stability retirees need to focus on what truly matters in the years ahead.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why having a comprehensive retirement plan matters even more during volatile markets.
• How SHP evolved from a small startup into a fully integrated planning firm.
• The five key areas every successful retirement plan needs to address.
• Why market downturns are easier to manage when you have a clear plan in place.
• How tax planning, estate planning, and investment strategy work best when aligned.
• Why specialization and client service are critical as retirement needs become more complex.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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SHP Financial Co-Founder, Matt Peck, CFP®, CIMA®, and Lead Advisor, Laura Russo, sit down for their quarterly market update. Matt and Laura will take a look back at 2025, discuss the current state of the markets, where we are headed, and what this means for your future and finances. Visit shpfinancial.com for more information!

It's a new year, and financial uncertainty continues to be a pressing topic for investors. Questions around interest rates, inflation, tariffs, artificial intelligence, and global market stability continue to dominate headlines, leaving many retirees and pre-retirees wondering how to position their portfolios for what comes next.

That's why we're incredibly grateful to have Michael Arone on the podcast today. Mike is the Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist at State Street Investment Management and has over three decades of experience navigating market cycles. From other down periods like the dot-com bubble, the global financial crisis, and the pandemic, Mike brings a historically grounded perspective to today's environment.

In our conversation, Mike shares how State Street is thinking about the economic outlook for 2026, including the Federal Reserve's policy direction, the likelihood of recession, and why he describes the current market setup as "uncomfortably bullish." He explains why inflation may remain sticky but manageable, how tariffs have potentially been misunderstood, and what investors should realistically expect from equities after several strong years.

You'll also hear why Mike believes that portfolio diversification matters more than ever, how tangible assets like commodities and precious metals can help improve portfolio resilience, and why time horizon remains one of the most powerful drivers of long-term investment success.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why State Street expects continued economic growth and no near-term recession in 2026.
• How Federal Reserve policy, inflation trends, and labor dynamics are shaping the market outlook.
• Why fears around tariffs and inflation may be overstated.
• The role real assets and alternatives can play in boosting portfolio resilience.
• How lessons from past market crises help investors navigate future uncertainty.
• Why long-term discipline matters more than short-term market predictions.

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For many investors, 2025 has raised difficult questions about safety, inflation, global instability, and how to protect wealth in an increasingly unpredictable environment. With gold posting some of its strongest performance in decades, many are wondering whether it belongs in their portfolios.

So today, SHP Financial's Matthew Peck is joined by Senior Portfolio Analyst David Hathaway to break down the factors behind gold's surge. From geopolitical tensions to inflation concerns, David explains why gold has historically served as a store of value, how it behaves in crisis periods, and why it often shines when uncertainty is at its highest.

In this conversation, you'll also learn how investors can actually access gold, whether through ETFs, physical metals, or alternative allocations; what percentage ranges may make sense inside a diversified portfolio; and how SHP evaluates when to introduce or increase exposure. 

Matthew and David also compare gold with assets like Bitcoin and discuss its role in alternative investments. They outline why a disciplined, research-based approach—not a fearful approach—is essential when evaluating gold's place in long-term planning.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• The forces driving gold's surge in 2025, including geopolitical tension and central bank buying.
• How inflation pressures, weakening currencies, and rate cuts often boost demand for gold.
• The most common ways to invest in gold and why ETFs are typically the most efficient.
• Typical allocation ranges for gold and how it fits within an alternatives bucket.
• How gold differs from Bitcoin in correlation and diversification benefits.
• Why SHP uses a careful, research-based process before adding or increasing gold exposure.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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For many young adults and new parents, getting their savings or investment plans started can feel intimidating. Despite all the information available online, most don't realize that setting aside small amounts early—$25 a week or $100 a month—can grow into a lifetime of financial security through the power of compound interest.

In today's episode, SHP's VP of Advisory Solutions, Nick Nelson, is back to explain why building strong saving habits early makes a huge difference later in life. He details simple steps for young savers, how low-cost index funds help, and why consistency beats market timing for long-term success.

In this conversation, you'll also learn the best vehicles for helping children build long-term wealth—from 529 plans and UTMAs to custodial Roth IRAs—and how families can begin meaningful, healthy conversations around money. They also discussed other important topics, such as when a young investor may need an advisor, how to create financial goals effectively, and why a simple, consistent plan can make early savers dramatically more successful over a lifetime.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why starting your savings plans early—even with small amounts—creates extraordinary long-term advantages.
• How compound interest can turn $100 or $250 per month into millions over a lifetime.
• The best accounts for young savers, including 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, brokerage accounts.
• How parents and grandparents can use 529 plans, UTMAs, and custodial Roth IRAs to help with their children's education costs.
• Why timing the market is a losing game and what young investors should do instead.
• How to keep investing simple by using low-cost index funds and long-term discipline.
• When a young investor may need a financial advisor and when they might not.

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For many investors approaching or navigating retirement, the world of private markets can feel intimidating. Over the past 30 years, the number of public companies in the capital markets has declined by 30% while private markets have grown at the same rate. This means failing to understand the rapidly growing asset class of private markets and alternatives could mean missing opportunities for diversification, income, and potential returns in retirement.

In this episode, we're welcoming Jon Diorio, Head of Alternatives for BlackRock's U.S. wealth management business. Jon shares valuable insights into the massive shift in capital markets and explains why private equity, private credit, and other alternative investments are becoming increasingly relevant for everyday investors—not just institutions.

In this conversation, Jon breaks down the trends driving private market growth, the different types of alternative investments investors should have on their radar, how new product structures have improved accessibility, and what today's retirees should know before considering alternatives and private markets in their portfolios.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why private companies now outnumber public companies and what that means for diversification.
• How private credit has surged as banks retreat from lending.
• The benefits and tradeoffs of new "evergreen" and semi-liquid fund structures.
• Why due diligence, liquidity awareness, and manager selection matter in alternatives.
• How BlackRock's HDMA framework (Hedge, Diversify, Modify, Amplify) helps identify the right type of alternative investment for your goals.
• What investors should know before adding private equity or private credit to their retirement plan.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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