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Dividends can feel like the ideal source of retirement income: cash arrives regularly without having to sell your investments. But focusing too heavily on dividend yield can create unintended risks.

In this episode, Mike and Madison discuss why retirees are drawn to dividends, the difference between dividend income and total return, the risks of chasing high yields, and how taxes and diversification factor into a retirement income strategy. They also explain why selling investments in retirement is not necessarily a sign that your plan is failing—and why the bigger question is whether your portfolio can sustainably support the life you want to live.

WSJ Article: https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirees-love-dividends-but-the-stock-market-surge-is-making-them-think-again-0e448ff6

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When a recognizable company announces it’s going public, the headlines, excitement, and fear of missing out can make buying shares feel like an opportunity you can’t afford to miss. But by the time most individual investors can actually buy the stock, the story may look very different.

In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Mike and Madison break down what really happens when a company goes public—from IPO pricing and institutional access to opening-day jumps, lockup periods, and long-term performance. They also explore the behavioral biases that can make a popular company feel like an obvious investment, even when the valuation tells a different story.

Mike shares the questions investors should ask before buying into a newly public company, including how much of your portfolio you’re willing to risk, whether you’re investing in the business or the narrative, and how the opportunity fits into your broader financial plan.

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At some point, many adult children find themselves stepping into a new role—helping aging parents manage financial decisions, legal documents, healthcare wishes, and the possibility of long-term care. In this episode, Mike and Madison explain how families can begin these conversations without making parents feel as though they are losing their independence. They also cover durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, financial organization, warning signs of elder financial exploitation, and the importance of planning for care costs before a crisis forces the issue.