Feeling like you're behind with money in your 20s or 30s? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing.  In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood breaks down 5 easy, high-impact financial moves you can implement in the next 90 days to build wealth early and avoid common financial pitfalls.  From understanding why budgets aren’t diets to leveraging compound interest and employer 401(k) matches, this episode is your go-to guide for getting on track without feeling overwhelmed. 

✅ Key Takeaways

- Budgeting is lifelong, not temporary

- Starting early with investing unlocks the power of compounding

- Employer match is free money—take it

- Diversify beyond your 401(k)

- Life insurance is cheaper when you don’t need it (yet)

- Taking action matters more than perfection

5 Smart Money Moves to Make in Your 20s & 30s | Build Wealth Early | Future of Finance Ep. 25

Annuities are one of the most misunderstood words in finance—and in this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood and Lisa Green break down exactly what they are, how they’ve evolved (think cell phones!), and how they can help you lock in income for life, protect against market losses, and even cover long-term care.

Whether you’ve heard horror stories or you’re curious if annuities could fit into your retirement plan, this episode gives you real answers, real examples, and real clarity—without the industry jargon.

📞 Ready to explore what an annuity could look like in your plan? Schedule a free call: https://union-financial.com/https://www.union-financial.com [https://www.union-financial.com/]

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

 * What annuities really are (not the scary kind you’ve heard about)
 * Why they're gaining popularity with all age groups
 * The difference between fixed, indexed, and variable annuities
 * How to get guaranteed income for life
 * Why many clients feel peace of mind (and live longer!) after buying one

💬 Question for You
 Have you ever considered an annuity—or do you think they’re all bad? Drop your thoughts and questions in the comments!

👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode if you learned something new.

The Truth on Annuities: You’re Not Being Told the Full Story| Ep. 24

Becoming a parent changes everything—including your finances. In this episode, we break down 5 essential financial tips every new parent should know, from budgeting and saving to planning for the future. Simple, practical advice to help you feel confident and prepared.



Episode 23 - 5 Financial Tips For New Parents (REPLAY)

Climbing the mountain of retirement is hard—but the descent is where most people fall. Literally.

In this eye-opening episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood sits down with Sam Payne, a financial advisor with 40+ years of experience, to uncover the five hidden threats that can destroy your retirement plan if you’re not prepared.

From taxes and inflation to sequence of returns and long-term care, this is not a scare tactic—it’s your survival guide for making your money last as long as you do.

The 5 Silent Retirement Killers (And How to Survive the Descent) | Future of Finance Ep. 22

In this special Q&A episode of The Future of Finance, host Marissa Wood tackles real questions from real listeners—covering job transitions, forgotten 401(k)s, emergency funds, retirement benchmarks, and how the 2025 Fed rate cut could affect your wallet.

Whether you’re changing jobs, building your first emergency fund, or wondering how to adjust your investments as rates shift, this episode delivers clear, actionable advice.

✅ Got your own question? Book a free call with Marissa at https://union-financial.com and get personalized guidance—Zoom, phone, or in-person.

401(k) Rollovers, Emergency Funds & Fed Rate Cuts Explained | Future of Finance Q&A Ep. 21

Being your own boss comes with incredible freedom—but also serious financial responsibility. In this episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood and Lisa Green from Union Financial Services dive deep into what every self-employed person needs to know to plan for a secure future.

From setting up retirement plans and understanding Medicare penalties, to leveraging HSAs and preparing for emergencies, this is your one-stop-shop for building a smart, sustainable financial life as an entrepreneur, 1099 contractor, or small business owner.

If you’re wondering how to build your own pension, how to reduce taxes as a business owner, or how to prepare for the unexpected—don’t miss this conversation.

👉 Book a free consultation: https://union-financial.com

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: Why this episode matters for the self-employed

1:10 – The shocking retirement stat: 40% of self-employed save nothing

2:15 – SEP IRAs: What they are and how they reduce your taxes

3:52 – SIMPLE Plans for small teams: A 401(k)-like solution

5:12 – How small biz employees get personalized retirement plans

7:47 – Individual 401(k)s: Double the contributions, double the tax benefits

9:00 – Retaining talent through retirement benefits

10:35 – Roth IRAs for kids? Yep, it’s legal and powerful

12:10 – The #1 expense for self-employed people: Health insurance

15:15 – Medicare trap: Why your income at 63 really matters

18:00 – Triple tax advantage of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

19:34 – Don’t forget quarterly tax payments (and how to plan for them)

22:23 – Emergency funds: Why your business needs one too

25:02 – Disability & indemnity insurance: Prepare for the worst

28:17 – Can self-employed people get a pension? Yes—here’s how

30:44 – The reality of self-employment: Best parts & biggest challenges

32:25 – Final thoughts + how to schedule a personal consultation

32:51 – How to book a free meeting with Union Financial Services

The Self-Employed Survival Guide: Retirement, Taxes & Healthcare Tips | Future of Finance Ep. 20

In this expert-packed episode of The Future of Finance, Marissa Wood welcomes Mark DiOrio, Chief Investment Officer at Brookstone Capital Management, to unpack everything from 2025’s wild stock market to AI dominance, dividend stock strategies, buffered ETFs, and crypto access without the chaos.

Whether you're an investor trying to make sense of this year's tech surge—or an advisor wanting to diversify your portfolio beyond the Magnificent Ten—this episode brings the clarity you’ve been craving.

🧠 Learn what actually worked in 2025

📈 Discover what to expect in 2026

🔍 Get portfolio strategies from one of the nation’s top CIOs

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Meet Mark DiOrio, CIO at Brookstone

01:45 – Brookstone Capital Management: Who they are & what they do

02:36 – What a Chief Investment Officer actually does

05:05 – How Brookstone helps advisors offer high-level strategies

06:14 – Market recap: What happened in 2025

10:03 – AI, tech stocks, and market leadership

12:18 – Will AI dominate in 2026—or will the rest of the market catch up?

13:57 – Why diversification still matters—even in an AI-driven world

15:23 – Clients want more tech, but advisors need to manage expectations

17:27 – Avoiding headline investing: How to stay strategic, not emotional

18:22 – Core + Satellite portfolios: The Brookstone approach

20:04 – Matching risk profiles to core strategies

22:43 – Satellite strategy 1: Dividend Growth Value Baskets

25:38 – Why baskets work better than DIY stock picking

28:58 – Satellite strategy 2: Buffered ETFs explained

32:15 – Liquidity + protection: Why some clients prefer buffers

34:03 – Satellite strategy 3: Crypto via ETF Exposure

38:29 – Crypto like gold: Exposure without the complexity

39:44 – How other advisors can partner with Brookstone

40:31 – Final thoughts: Insights heading into 2026

AI Stocks, Market Trends & Crypto | Investing Insights w/ $13 Billion CIO Mark DiOrio 

Most people know to see a doctor when something changes with their health—but what about your financial health?

In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Marissa Wood shares the 10 most important life events that should signal it’s time to meet with a financial advisor. Whether you’ve changed jobs, gotten married, received an inheritance, or are nearing retirement, your financial strategy needs to evolve with your life.

This episode is packed with practical advice for every life stage, from growing families to recent retirees. If you’ve experienced any major life change lately—this one’s for you.

📞 Schedule your check-in at https://union-financial.com

🎯 Free Zoom, phone, or in-person consultations available.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: What health and finance have in common

01:00 – Why major life events = time for a financial checkup

UFS_Rec 4_10 Life Events For Fi…

01:25 – 1. Job Change: Rollover old 401(k)s, set up new plans

03:00 – 2. Marriage: New tax brackets, budgets, and combining finances

04:10 – 3. Moving: Update your address and invest home equity

05:45 – 4. New Child: College savings, custodial accounts, life insurance

07:12 – 5. Paying Off Debt: What to do with that freed-up cash

08:14 – 6. Inheritance or Lawsuit Settlement: How to avoid blowing a windfall

10:31 – 7. Divorce: Protecting your new financial reality

11:35 – 8. Loss of a Spouse: Estate transfers, income loss, and mistakes to avoid

14:06 – 9. Turning 59½: Access retirement accounts with no penalties

15:57 – 10. Retirement: Planning your income, Social Security, and legacy

17:12 – Key Takeaway: Life doesn't stand still—your financial plan shouldn't either

17:51 – How to book a free meeting with Union Financial Services

✅ Bonus Resources:

💼 Roll over a 401(k)

🧒 Open a 529 or custodial account

🛡️ Set up life insurance

💵 Inheritance investment strategies

🔁 In-service rollovers after 59½

📈 Maximize Social Security decisions

👍 Like, share, and subscribe for practical financial strategies built for real life.

🔔 New episodes drop every other Thursday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

10 Life Events That Should Trigger a Financial Checkup | Future of Finance Podcast 

What if debt wasn’t the enemy—but your greatest tool for building wealth?

In this powerful episode of The Future of Finance, host Marissa Wood sits down with mortgage expert Jason Johnson of Sun Point Home Loans to uncover how the wealthy use strategic borrowing to grow their net worth. From celebrity mortgage moves to bridge loans and amortization tricks, Jason shares 22 years of experience to help everyday homeowners and aspiring investors make smarter financial decisions.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or just looking to refinance the right way—this episode is packed with actionable insights.

👉 Need a mortgage consultation?

Reach out to Jason at (813) 781-2744 or search "Jason Johnson SunPoint Home Loans" to see his 400+ 5-star reviews.

💬 Ready to talk investing, life insurance, or retirement strategy? Book a meeting at UnionFinancial.com

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 - Intro: Why the wealthy love debt

1:05 - Jason’s journey from carpenter to mortgage broker

2:20 - Why celebrities (like Meghan & Harry) take mortgages

3:50 - The power of leverage and investment returns

5:00 - How to get pre-approved for a mortgage

6:20 - How much house can you actually afford?

8:00 - What is a HELOC and when should you use one?

10:00 - Refinancing: When does it make sense?

13:15 - What to do with your savings after refinancing

14:30 - How amortization works and how to beat it

17:15 - Recasting: The mortgage trick no one talks about

20:00 - Why life insurance is a must with a mortgage

22:20 - Jason’s best & worst financial decisions

26:00 - What first-time buyers and investors need to know

27:00 - Bridge loans: A powerful strategy for movers and investors

29:00 - Florida’s Hometown Heroes program explained

30:30 - How to get in touch with Jason and Marissa

Why the Wealthy Love Debt: Mortgage Hacks & Equity Secrets with Jason Johnson | Future of Finance

One Big Beautiful Bill: What it Really Means for your Wallet

Introducing The Future of Finance, a podcast hosted by our own Marissa Wood. Join us every other Thursday, where we will break down financial strategies, investment insights, and real success stories to help YOU take control of your financial future. Because financial freedom isn’t just a dream—it’s a plan. And it starts here.

Marissa Wood

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