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

This is the 300th episode, and they kick it off with big news worth celebrating. Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth are now on WJR Detroit with Ryan Ermanni for The No Lazy Money Show every first Wednesday from 7 to 8 pm.

In this special milestone conversation, Nick and Jim sit down by discussing Simon Sinek’s Start With Why and share, in a warm and genuine way, what first pulled them into this work. They talk ab...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth joined Ryan Ermanni on WJR to unpack the new federal newborn investment accounts and how families can let those funds grow from day one. He highlighted how long-term compounding, paired with the Dell family’s philanthropic commitment to expand access, could spark a new generation of investors and help level the playing field for kids from all backgrounds.

Catch Nick on WJR the first Wednesday of ev...

This week on the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® kick off with a Thanksgiving recap and highlights on Michigan football. Plus, they share a big announcement: starting December 2025, catch them live on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM on WJR for No Lazy Money with Ryan Ermanni, an hour-long show diving into what “No Lazy Money” really means. 

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning an...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth discuss ETFs – Exchange-Traded Funds —and the “Everyday Is Payday x2” concept, highlighting key points about dividends and investing strategies. In their discussion, they cover how ETFs are structured, the types of dividends investors may encounter, and the factors to consider when exploring income-focused investments. This content is for informational purposes only and is not f...

In the new episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management talk about their Peak Process and what new clients can expect when working with their team. They explain how the process helps determine a good fit between what Peak offers and what clients are looking for, creating clarity and confidence from the beginning.

Nick and Jim also share how being true wealth managers means ...

On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth talk about how many people get financial advice from family, friends, or co-workers who are simply trying to share what they have learned. They point out that this advice often comes from personal experiences and may not apply to your own financial situation. As Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), Nick and Jim stress that what works for someone el...

On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth discuss the importance of asset allocation and asset location when building a strong retirement strategy. They emphasize that younger investors can typically afford to be more aggressive with their investment mix, leaning more heavily into equities to take advantage of long-term growth potential, while also being mindful of where those assets are h...

On a new episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth share insights on the RIA business model and why it continues to attract both advisors and clients. They highlight how the number of RIA firms has doubled in the last 20 years, reflecting major shifts in how people want to work with financial professionals. With a focus on trust, transparency, and real relationships, they explore w...

On the Trust the Plan Podcast from Peak Wealth, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® open the episode with a conversation about Michigan football before shifting into a discussion on a recent Wall Street Journal article about changes to tax laws.

They explore how certain households, such as married couples with children or retirees, can end up in a zero percent federal tax situation through careful planning. The discussion covers...

On this feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP®, and Jim Pilat, CFP®, of Peak Wealth started with some positive market news. The S&P 500 is up double digits year to date, which has happened about 30 times since 1950 and is usually a good sign for the rest of the year. They encouraged listeners to focus on data like this rather than emotions, especially with distractions such as potential government s...

On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® explore the concept of "What's your number?" This refers to the specific amount of money you need to feel comfortable retiring. They explain how identifying this number brings clarity to your financial planning and helps you focus on what truly matters to achieve your goals. It's about understanding what you need to live the life you want and being able to enjoy ...

On today’s episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth discuss recent market data with a focus on international stocks. After years of underperformance, many investors began to ignore this area completely, often with no exposure at all.

So far in 2025, international equities have emerged as a leader, and Nick and Jim explain why they are feeling bullish. They share a chart showing th...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® kick things off with some excitement as Michigan Football is back and the season is finally underway. There's plenty to be hopeful for on the field, and even more to look forward to in today's feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan Podcast.

We're turning our attention to an important topic: scam calls and suspicious emails. Nick shares a personal story about recently getting hacked, reminding...

On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP®, and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth dive into insights from the J.P. Morgan Guide to Retirement, offering practical ideas and concepts around getting started with saving, preparing for, and living in retirement.

They emphasize the importance of evaluating Roth contributions at various life stages, noting that younger investors often benefit most from Roth accounts due to lower cur...

On this episode of Trust the Plan Podcast with Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth, the focus was on the rising availability of private investments within 401(k) plans. They discussed how options like private equity and private credit, while traditionally reserved for institutional investors, are slowly being introduced into retirement accounts through specialized structures. Although access is still limited and...

In this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth explore the topic of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and why they matter in long-term planning. They explain how CCRCs offer a range of living options within one community, allowing individuals to transition smoothly as their care needs change. Nick and Preston highlight key considerations like contract types, finan...

On this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, financial experts Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® discuss the uncertain future of Social Security, referencing both U.S. developments and international changes.

They noted that the U.S. Social Security program is projected to be unable to pay full benefits by 2033—just eight years away—unless reforms are made. Nick emphasized that while nothing is likely to change in the short...

On this feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® dive into the lighthearted financial plot flaws in the classic comedy Happy Gilmore, just in time to celebrate the release of Happy Gilmore 2, 30 years after the original hit theaters.

From Happy’s plan to win prize money to save his grandmother’s house, to the questionable handling of her overdue tax payments and looming eviction, Nick ...