PODCAST · business
McNamaraOnMoney
by McNamara Financial
McNamara Financial is an Independent, family-owned, fee-only investment management and financial planning firm, serving individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond for over 30 years.
Episodes
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Medicare Changes: What You Need to Know Before Choosing Your Coverage
Medicare can be confusing, and with rising premiums and changing coverage options, making the right decisions is more important than ever. This week on McNamara on Money, Mike McNamara welcomes Medicare specialist Peter Stoner for a practical conversation about navigating Medicare and…
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Long-Term Care Insurance: Is It Still Worth It?
Alyssa McNamara Reed takes a closer look at one of the biggest questions in retirement planning: does long-term care insurance still make financial sense? Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Alyssa compares traditional long-term care policies, newer hybrid options, and the alternative...
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Bonds, Rates, and Risk: What Investors Need to Know Now
In this episode of McNamara on Money, Justin McNamara and Mike McNamara take a closer look at what’s happening in the bond market and why it matters to investors, especially those approaching or living in retirement. They break down the basics of how bonds work, why bond prices tend to fall when...
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Strategic Personal Risk Management and Asset Protection
Insurance is about more than policies and premiums. It’s about protecting what you’ve worked hard to build. In this episode of *McNamara on Money*, private risk consultant Dylan Flaherity joins the conversation to explore the role insurance plays in a comprehensive financial plan. They discuss…
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Should You Convert to a Roth? Running the Real Numbers.
What does a Roth conversion actually look like when you run the numbers? In this episode of McNamara on Money, financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed works through a real-life Roth conversion analysis with volunteer Jerry. Using financial planning and tax software, Alyssa looks at Jerry’s...
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Navigating College Acceptance and Financial Aid Decisions
Choosing a college is a major decision, and understanding how to pay for it can be just as important as deciding where to go. On this episode of **McNamara on Money**, Justin McNamara talks with Julie Shields-Rutina of the **Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)** about navigating...
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Navigating New Chapters: A Widow's Financial Roadmap
In this episode of McNamara on Money, Mike McNamara continues the series “Real People, Real Lives, Real Financial Situations” with Susie, a recent widow facing some important decisions about the next chapter of her life. Together, they look at the real financial and emotional questions that can...
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Aging in Place: Planning for Care, Independence, and the Future
In this episode, Alyssa McNamara Reed talks with Mark Friedman, owner of Senior Helpers Boston, about what it really takes to help an aging parent remain safely and independently at home. They explore the challenges facing the “sandwich generation,” as adult children balance careers, families,...
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Navigating Special Needs Trusts and Government Benefits
In this episode of *McNamara on Money*, Joan McGrath, CEO of Plan of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, joins the program for a practical conversation about financial planning for individuals with disabilities and the families who support them. Joan explains the important differences between SSI and...
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Blueprint for a Secure Retirement
In this episode of *McNamara on Money*, Mike McNamara talks with listener Dave about a question many successful savers eventually face: How do you shift from building wealth to using it confidently in retirement? Dave has accumulated more than $2 million in his 401(k), but approaching retirement...
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Economic Realities and Personal Finance Strategy
In this episode of *McNamara on Money*, Alyssa McNamara Reed and Mike McNamara take a practical look at managing your finances in an uncertain economy. Mike discusses the growing national debt, government spending, and what those larger economic pressures could mean for individual investors and...
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Financial Transitions and Portfolio Strategy
What happens to your financial plan when life changes overnight? In this episode, Mike McNamara introduces “Real People, Real Lives, Real Financial Situations,” a new segment featuring conversations with people navigating real-world financial decisions. Mike sits down with Susie, a recent widow...
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Roth Conversions
Are Roth conversions really the tax-saving strategy they’re made out to be? Financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed breaks down the benefits, costs, and often-overlooked consequences of converting retirement assets to a Roth account. Using a real-world retirement scenario, Alyssa explores tax-free...
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Safeguarding the Future: A Guide to Special Needs Planning
Planning for a loved one with a disability involves more than saving money. It requires protecting their future without jeopardizing access to essential benefits. In this episode, Mike McNamara speaks with Joan McGrath, CEO of Plan of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, about the critical role of...
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An Active Retirement Plan Consultation
In this episode of McNamara on Money, host Mike McNamara introduces a new listener-focused series built around live, one-hour retirement consultations. He invites individuals and couples to volunteer for on-air sessions, offering a $200 incentive to participants willing to discuss their 401(k)...
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The Roth Moment: Navigating Tax Brackets and Conversions
In this episode, financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed breaks down the growing interest in Roth accounts and Roth conversions, explaining why they can be powerful retirement planning tools but are not right for everyone. She compares traditional IRAs, which offer upfront tax deductions, with…
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The Essentials of Medicare and Retirement Healthcare Planning
This week, join guest host Patrick Haraden from Lockton Companies in Boston for a discussion about Medicare. This episode of McNamara On Money features a practical conversation with experts from Abacus Business Consulting about the often-confusing world of Medicare. The discussion breaks down the...
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The Looming American Fiscal Cliff
In this episode, Mike McNamara delivers a blunt assessment of America’s growing financial instability, comparing the federal government’s spending habits to a household headed toward bankruptcy. He explains how persistent deficits, trillions in new borrowing, and interest payments on a national...
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Unlocking Wealth: The Strategic Power of Reverse Mortgages
In this episode, financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed speaks with reverse mortgage specialist David Tourtillott about the modern role of federally regulated Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. David Tourtillott explains how today’s reverse mortgages differ from the poorly regulated and often...
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The Other Types of Insurance: Disability and Long-Term Care
This episode features financial advisor Justin McNamara and insurance professional Guy Ziriak discussing two often-overlooked forms of protection: disability insurance and long-term care insurance. They begin with disability insurance, explaining why it is best understood as income protection.…
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The Trade Shift: Modern Paths to Technical Careers
This episode of McNamara on Money explores how vocational education is creating alternative pathways to stable, high earning careers as traditional college costs continue to rise. Host Alyssa McNamara Reed speaks with representatives from Southshore Technical School about the growing demand for...
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The Nuances of Wedding Planning and Financial Budgeting
In this episode, financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed sits down with wedding planner Ashley Fiddler to discuss the realities of planning modern weddings and managing the often substantial costs that come with them. From event management and partial planning to full-service coordination, Ashley...
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Social Security Navigation: Benefits, Eligibility, and Timing Strategies
In this episode, host Justin McNamara sits down with Social Security expert Kurt Zarnowski, a former SSA insider, to break down how the system actually works. From earning the required credits over a ten-year minimum to understanding how your highest 35 years of income shape your benefit, they...
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Two Golden Rules for Financial Stability
In this episode, financial advisor Mike McNamara reduces long-term stability to two non-negotiable rules. First, live within your means. Spend less than you earn, and treat retirement and education savings as fixed monthly obligations, not optional leftovers. McNamara argues that consistency and...
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Mastering Reverse Mortgages as Financial Tools
In this radio interview, financial expert Alyssa McNamara Reed and certified specialist David ourtillott discuss the mechanics and benefits of federally regulated reverse mortgages. They clarify that modern Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) are transparent, government-insured tools designed...
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The Financial Roadmap for College Acceptance and Aid Funding
This interview features Julie Shields-Rutyna from the Massachusetts Education Finance Authority (MEFA), who discusses the complexities of college financial aid and decision-making. The conversation focuses on the significance of National College Acceptance Day on May 1st and the necessity of...
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Navigating the Costs of College and Cars
Financial advisor Mike McNamara provides a detailed analysis of major life expenses, specifically focusing on the high costs of college education and automobile ownership. He argues that the primary purpose of higher education should be career preparation, urging parents to set strict budgetary...
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Navigating the Modern College Selection and Financing Process
In this episode, Alyssa McNamara Reed interviews Stacy Havens, an independent college counselor from Student Pathways, to discuss the complexities of higher education planning. They emphasize that the application timeline has shifted earlier, suggesting that students begin exploring interests as...
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Navigating the Massachusetts Health Connector Enrollment Process
In this episode, Justin McNamara interviews an interview with Niki Conte from the Massachusetts Health Connector, who explains the state’s insurance marketplace and upcoming enrollment deadlines. The discussion clarifies that open enrollment typically ends in late January, providing a critical...
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Navigating the Massachusetts Health Connector in 2026
This week, join guest host Patrick Haraden, Employee Benefits and Risk Management Strategist at Lockton Companies for a discussion about Insurance and Employee Benefits along with his guest Nikki Conte, the Director of Outreach and Education for the Massachusetts Health Connector, explaining how...
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The True Cost of Homeownership and Market Downturn Prep
In this episode, Mike McNamara discusses the hidden expenses of homeownership and strategies for enduring a potential market downturn. He argues that most homeowners significantly underestimate total costs, emphasizing that mortgage payments are merely a financial floor rather than a ceiling. To...
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The Modern Travel Agent: Expert Planning and Group Destinations
This week join Mike McNamara and his guest Susan Peavey, a veteran travel professional. The discussion highlights the evolving role of travel agents, emphasizing how their expertise provides security and personalized logistics that internet booking sites often lack. Peavey explains the benefits…
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The Essential Guide to Social Security Strategy
On this show, Alyssa McNamara Reed and Social Security expert Kurt Czarnowski talk about the complexities of Social Security benefits. The speakers outline the historical evolution of the program, explaining how eligibility shifted from a calendar-based system to one determined by credits and...
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The Rising Reality of 2026 Homeownership and Tax Changes
In this episode, hosts Justin and Michael McNamara discuss financial planning updates for 2026, focusing on significant changes to retirement contribution limits and tax laws. They highlight the new "super catch-up" provisions for older workers and explain how higher earners may be required to...
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Mastering the Mortgage Amortization Table
In this episode. join host Alyssa McNamara Reed provides a detailed look at mortgage management and the mechanics of debt reduction. She utilizes amortization tables to illustrate how interest payments are front-loaded, demonstrating how even small monthly overpayments can significantly shorten a...
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Retirement Readiness and the Next Generation of Business Leaders
On. this episode, we explore the complexities of retirement planning, specifically addressing the question of how much one needs to save. Hosts Alyssa McNamara Reed and Mike McNamara emphasize that savings targets are highly individual, depending on factors like marital status, pension…
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Navigating Massachusetts Health Connector: Enrollment, Costs, and Subsidies
In this episode, Justin McNamara is joined by, Niki Conte, a director at Massachusetts Health Connector, who explains what Massachusetts residents need to know about getting health insurance - and why timing matters. She highlights the January 23rd deadline to enroll in coverage that begins in...
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Navigating Retirement Risks and Debt Statistics
In this episode, financial advisor Mike McNamara tackles two of the biggest threats to a secure retirement: debt and the rising cost of education. Mike explains how many people unintentionally put their own future at risk—by carrying high credit card balances, maintaining expensive lifestyles, or...
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Navigating the Rising Costs of Healthcare and Insurance
Alyssa McNamara Reed and insurance expert Everett Henderson discussing the current state of the insurance industry. The conversation centers on the unprecedented 35% premium increases small businesses are facing and the overall lack of competition within the health insurance market. Henderson...
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The One Big Beautiful Bill - Modernizing the Tax Code
Financial advisors Justin and Michael McNamara talk about the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a substantial piece of legislation that significantly alters the United States tax code. The hosts highlight key changes, such as making certain income tax brackets permanent and increasing the standard...
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The Wealth Wakeup Call - Taking Responsibility for Retirement
In this episode, host Mike McNamara takes a clear-eyed, plain-spoken look at the financial pressures facing Americans right now — and what they mean for everyday families. Using current data, Mike breaks down why a $38 trillion national debt isn’t just a headline number, but a real force shaping...
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Retirement Savings and Student Entrepreneurship
In this episode, hosted by Alyssa McNamara Reed and her father, Mike McNamara, they discuss retirement savings strategies and the difficulty in answering how much a person needs for retirement, as "it depends" on various factors like marital status, existing pensions, and desired lifestyle. A...
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Skilled Trades, College Debt, and US Finance
In this episode, Mike McNamara and his son Justin discussing several pressing financial topics facing American families and the economy. A major portion of the discussion focuses on education, with Mike arguing that too many young people attend college without a specific career goal, resulting in...
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The Artificial Intelligence Tidal Wave
In this episode, host Mike McNamara, Ph.D., sits down with Michael Burns for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the societal and ethical stakes of Artificial Intelligence. Together, they confront some of the biggest fears surrounding AI’s rapid rise: the threat of widespread job…
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The Brutal Reality of Skyrocketing Health Insurance Costs
Join host Alyssa McNamara Reed and guest Everett Henderson as they discuss the current state of the insurance market, particularly focusing on the dramatic rise in costs during the open enrollment period. The central theme revolves around the soaring premiums for health insurance, with the host...
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The Human Element - Leading People in the Age of AI
This week, join guest host Patrick Haraden, from Lockton Companies in Boston, and his guest, Andrew Dawson, the Chief People Officer at BVI, as they explore the evolution of the human resources profession. Dawson first shares his unique path from the UK military and recruitment to eventually...
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Rethinking Success: The Power of Skilled Trades
In this episode of McNamara On Money, host Mike McNamara is joined by Bob Melo from a local technical high school to explore an increasingly relevant question: Do all paths to success require a college degree? Together, they dive into the growing opportunities in skilled trades—plumbing…
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Medicare Explained - Parts, Plans, and Industry Changes
This week, join Alyssa McNamara Reed, CFP® and her guest Peter D. Stoner of AHIP (American Health Insurance Plans) a Certified Medicare Consultant/Licensed Broker (MA & NH) for a discussion about Medicare Pricing and Considerations. The discussion centers on Medicare coverage, including the...
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Understanding the Big Beautiful Tax Bill
Join Justin McNamara, CFP® and Michael J. McNamara, Ph.D., CFP® who discuss recent changes to the United States tax code under a piece of legislation they informally call the "one big beautiful bill." The conversation focuses heavily on year-end tax planning and the permanent establishment of...
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Reverse Mortgages - A Retirement Planning Tool
This week, David Tourtillot of Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage, featuring guest Dr. Wade Pfau, an esteemed economist and retirement researcher. The discussion focuses extensively on reverse mortgages, exploring their mechanics, benefits, and common misconceptions as a retirement planning tool.…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
McNamara Financial is an Independent, family-owned, fee-only investment management and financial planning firm, serving individuals and families on the South Shore and beyond for over 30 years.
HOSTED BY
McNamara Financial
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