The Zaino Group

03/27/2025

Why are these benefits so difficult to understand, and how can federal employees set themselves up for financial and retirement success?

06/06/2024

Here's my latest article as an official member of Forbes Finance Council. Many thanks to Forbes for publishing my content!

If you know ANY federal employees at ANY agencies, please share this with them!

While pensions are important for federal workers, they don't replace the need for strategic financial planning.

05/04/2024

Any other parents of college students feeling this?

"In the US, Gen Z is looking at a future in which jobs, homes and long-term wealth are much harder to come by than was the case for their parents. “The Generation Z cohort that’s graduating college today keeps hearing how low unemployment is and how hot the stock market has been running, but they’re getting no part of it,” Jonathan Levin writes in Bloomberg Opinion."

03/14/2024

I asked a friend who has crossed 70 and is heading towards 80 what sort of changes he's feeling in himself? He sent me the following:

1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.

2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas.” The world does not rest on my shoulders.

3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.

4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.

5. I stopped telling the elderly (or anyone I talk with) that they've already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.

6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.

7. I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”

8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.

9. I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.

10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.

11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.

12. I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.

13. I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last.

14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!

I decided to share this for all my friends. Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80? Why can't we practice this at any stage and age?

I borrowed this. I don't know who to credit it to but thank you! We can all learn a lot from this post - I know I can.

01/25/2024

For those of you who've taken the time to leave me a 5-⭐ review, just know that you're appreciated! 🫶🏼

11/24/2023

You know all that money you're spending today? You could've given yourself the same in rewards dollars to spend again!

If you've got more shopping to do and are not getting dollar for dollar rewards, hit me up and I'll send you a link!

11/21/2023

If I may ask every one of my followers to do me a HUGE solid and please like and follow my Money Matters with Mike page. It really means a lot and takes you less than 1 minute. Thanks in advance!

09/02/2023

https://MoneyMattersWithMike.com

07/07/2023

Happy Friday Friends! A listener sent me a message a few weeks back saying she thinks she's ready to retire, but worried she is doing it too early and will eventually run out of funds. I told her to first do a deep dive into her expenses. Often you can discover what I call "found money." Which are unnecessary expenses that you can prioritize to better fit your retirement needs. Here's a clip from the episode where I address her question.

https://MoneyMattersWithMike.com

06/21/2023

The roof protects your home against nature’s risks. Is your personal wealth protected against life's risks?

Building wealth requires protection from the forces of wealth destruction.