Make It Personal Podcast

In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, Mark Zagurski takes recent college graduates, and those advising them, through the essential first steps to financial success after graduation. From ancient graduation traditions like diplomas and gowns to the more modern tradition of student loan debt, this episode highlights both the history and the current challenges facing today’s grads.

With student debt averaging over $29,000 an...

In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, Mark wraps up the two-part series on the 10 most important financial decisions that shape your long-term success. Building on last week’s exploration of education, career, budgeting, and saving, this episode tackles the next five pivotal choices that deepen and secure your financial foundation.

Mark revisits the crucial difference between saving and investing, explaining why both are ...

In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, the team dives into one of life’s most overwhelming and yet critical arenas: financial decision-making. Host Mark walks listeners through the sheer volume of choices we make daily, estimated at 35,000 per day, and zooms in on the 10 most important financial decisions that shape long-term success. This episode kicks off with the first five, helping listeners break down complex topics ...

In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, host Mark Zagurski pulls back the curtain on DIY financial planning. With over 30 years of experience in insurance, investments, and strategic communication, Mark takes you on a journey into what today’s internet really says about "doing it yourself" when it comes to finances—and why that might not be your best move.

From Google searches to Reddit threads, from 9 steps to 12, from Mik...

In this episode, Mark Zagurski tackles a crucial financial question sparked by a conversation with his video producer—Is the Roth IRA the gold standard? With nearly 30 years of experience in training and developing financial advisors at Mutual of Omaha Advisors, Mark breaks down the differences between Roth and Traditional IRAs, explaining the advantages and trade-offs of each.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of:

• How th...

Time moves fast, and for parents, the reality is stark—by the time a child turns 18, 80-90% of your time together has already passed. This episode dives deep into the importance of family vacations, financial planning, and balancing present experiences with future security.

Drawing from studies on childhood memories, vacation spending statistics, and financial planning insights, host Mark Zagurski explores:

• Why family vacations cr...

What does it really take to become a millionaire? In this episode, host Mark Zagurski explores the realities behind wealth accumulation, challenging the myth that millionaires are simply born into money. Drawing from Ramsey Solutions’ National Study of Millionaires and the insights of The Millionaire Next Door, Mark uncovers how financial success is built through intentional habits, smart investments, and disciplined financial plan...

In this episode, host Mark Zagurski takes a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood aspects of personal finance—taxes in retirement. Many people assume that once they stop working, their tax burden will automatically decrease, but the reality is far more complex. With a tax code that grows more complicated every year, understanding how federal income tax applies to your retirement savings is crucial.

Drawing from over 30 years ...

In the final episode of this enlightening podcast series, the focus shifts to Principle #7: Find Good Financial Advice Tailored to Fit Your Needs. Over the past seven episodes, host Mark Zagurski has explored the Seven Principles for Your Success, including building a strong career foundation, balancing savings and investing, and protecting your family’s financial future. Mark ties it all together with the essential cornerstone: pe...

In this episode, host Mark Zagurski continues his exploration of the Seven Principles for Your Success with Principle #6: Conventional Advice Is Too Conventional – The Wisdom of Building Your Own Capital. After diving into career growth, saving vs. investing, and retirement planning, Mark shifts to a critical yet often overlooked aspect of personal finance: creating and safeguarding your own capital.

Building your own capital means ...

In this episode of the Make it Personal podcast, host Mark Zagurski dives into Principle #5 of the Seven Principles for Your Success:Retirement Investing – It’s Personal and Subject to Change. Building on the foundations laid in previous episodes, Mark takes a personalized approach to the complexities of retirement planning. With retirement potentially lasting 30 years or more, this principle highlights the importance of tailored s...

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into Principle #4 of the Seven Principles for Your Success: Protect Your Most Important Asset First—You and Your Family. Building on the foundation laid in previous episodes, host Mark Zagurski highlights why personal financial protection is the cornerstone of any effective financial plan.

Listeners will learn the importance of safeguarding their income and family’s future with life insurance,...

In this episode of the Make it Personal podcast, the journey through the Seven Principles for Your Success continues with Principle #3: Emotional Wants vs. Financial Needs. Host Mark Zagurski builds on the foundation laid in earlier discussions about careers and the difference between saving and investing, this principle dives into the mindset shifts needed to overcome societal pressures and impulsive spending habits.

Listeners will...

In this episode of Make It Personal, host Mark Zagurski dives into Principle #2 of the Seven Principles for Your Success: Savings vs. Investing: Know the Difference. Picking up from last week’s discussion on leveraging your career as a growth engine, Mark tackles the critical distinction between saving and investing, emphasizing the unique roles each plays in achieving financial security and long-term growth.

Listeners will discover...

In this episode, the Make It Personal podcast begins an in-depth exploration of the 7 Principles for Your Financial Success, starting with Principle #1: Your Career as a Growth Engine to Success. Host Mark Zagurski unpacks how your career or business serves as the cornerstone of financial prosperity, offering insights into maximizing your earning potential through skill development, personal growth, and strategic planning.

Listeners...

In this episode of the Make It Personal podcast, Mark Zagurski challenges the common belief that financial planning is a do-it-yourself project. While it’s tempting to rely on online resources, social media, or advice from well-meaning friends and family, DIY financial planning often overlooks the complexities and nuances of personal finance. From budgeting and investing to retirement and estate planning, Mark emphasizes that finan...

Is there a “cheat code” for retirement planning? In this episode, Mark Zagurski, Director of Strategy and Communication for Mutual of Omaha Advisors, dives into the concept of “cheat codes” and their application to retirement planning. Drawing parallels to video game strategies, Mark unpacks the popular 10/4/80 rule—save 10% of your income, withdraw no more than 4% annually, and plan for 80% of your pre-retirement income. While sim...

In this episode, host Mark Zagurski tackles one of the most pressing questions for retirees: how much of your retirement assets should be invested in the stock market? With traditional pension plans fading and the burden of retirement savings increasingly placed on employees, this question is more relevant than ever.

Mark draws on decades of experience in the insurance and investment industries to explore key strategies for managing...

Join host Mark Zagurski as he unpacks the complexities of incorporating Social Security benefits into your retirement planning. Whether you’re just starting to think about your golden years or you’re approaching retirement age, this episode provides essential insights to help you make informed decisions.

Key takeaways include:

• Understanding Social Security eligibility requirements and how benefits are calculated.

• Exploring the d...