Category: Financial Planning
The Great Wealth Transfer: How to Protect Your Legacy and Your Family (Ep. 18)

The Great Wealth Transfer: How to Protect Your Legacy and Your Family (Ep. 18)

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The greatest wealth transfer in history is already underway, and for many families, it’s about more than just money. It’s about legacy, values, and trust.

In this episode, Mark Taylan breaks down what the Great Wealth Transfer really means for families as trillions move from baby boomers to the next generation. He shares how intentional estate planning, gifting strategies, and honest family conversations can prevent conflict, preserve relationships, and ensure that wealth creates a positive impact across generations.

Mark discusses:

  • How to start the right conversations about inheritance and gifting before it’s too late
  • The importance of transparency and documented estate plans to avoid family disputes
  • Why every wealth transfer should include a plan for passing on values, not just assets
  • Real-world strategies to gift wisely, reduce taxes, and support loved ones responsibly
  • And more!

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Staying Disciplined When Emotions Run High (Ep. 17)

Staying Disciplined When Emotions Run High (Ep. 17)

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When markets surge to new highs, emotions surge right along with them. Should you cash out and protect gains or stay invested and risk the next dip?

In this episode, Mark Taylan unpacks the psychology of investing, including the fear of missing out, loss aversion, and the myth of perfect timing. Drawing on decades of experience, Mark shares how stress-testing portfolios and focusing on discipline, not headlines, helps families build lasting wealth and peace of mind.

What to expect:

  • Why timing the market rarely works and what to do instead
  • How emotions influence investment decisions
  • The value of stress-testing your portfolio before the next downturn
  • How to stay calm amid market noise
  • And so much more!

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The Secret Retirement Tool Hiding Behind Your House (Ep. 16)

The Secret Retirement Tool Hiding Behind Your House (Ep. 16)

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When we think about retirement income, most people imagine 401(k)s, pensions, or downsizing, but what if the most powerful income stream was already sitting in your backyard?

In this eye-opening episode, Mark Taylan explores Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a strategic financial planning tool. From boosting retirement income to supporting multigenerational living, ADUs offer creative, values-aligned solutions for families navigating aging, housing shortages, and rising care costs.

What to expect:

  • How retirees are using ADUs to unlock $4,000+ in monthly income
  • Cost breakdowns and permit incentives you need to know
  • Multigenerational living strategies that support aging parents
  • How ADUs can help adult children during job transitions
  • And more!

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How to Prevent Family Fallout After You’re Gone with Barbara Pretlove (Ep. 15)

How to Prevent Family Fallout After You’re Gone with Barbara Pretlove (Ep. 15)

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When it comes to protecting your legacy, most families don’t realize how costly estate planning mistakes can be until it’s too late. 

In this episode, Mark Taylan sits down with estate planning attorney Barbara Pretlove to unpack the real-world risks of skipping or mishandling your trust planning. From avoiding probate nightmares to understanding the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts, Barbara shares real stories from the courtroom and the cattle ranch (yes, really) that reveal why clarity in your documents is everything.

They dive into:

  • Why wills alone don’t avoid probate in California
  • The #1 mistake families make with trusts
  • How to protect minor children without triggering guardianship court
  • Why blended families need extra care in trust planning
  • And more!

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Connect with Barbara Pretlove:

About our Guest: 

Barbara Pretlove moved to Morgan Hill as a child and graduated from Live Oak High School in 2001. She left Morgan Hill and moved to San Diego to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Television. Upon obtaining her degree, she moved to Los Angeles and started her own Film Production company along with her cousin and two other College classmates. Barbara spent a year as an associate producer for multiple music videos and commercials before deciding to return to school to obtain her law degree.​ In 2012, Barbara graduated with her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in San Diego and returned to Northern California to begin her law career. Barbara has worked in the estate planning, trusts, and probate area of law for over 11 years and is recognized as a California Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration.

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How to Use Home Equity as a Retirement Tool (Ep. 14)

How to Use Home Equity as a Retirement Tool (Ep. 14)

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What if your home could be more than just a place to live, and instead, a powerful part of your retirement strategy?

In this episode, Mark Taylan dives into how home equity can serve as a dynamic tool in retirement planning. From home equity lines of credit to reverse mortgages, Mark shares how your house can provide flexibility, bridge unexpected expenses, and even support long-term care needs.

Mark discusses:

  • Why establishing a home equity line of credit before retirement can make future planning easier
  • How downsizing or right-sizing your home creates freedom and liquidity
  • The role of real estate in legacy planning for your family
  • Creative strategies like rentals and ADUs for generating income
  • And more!

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Money Is Emotional: Aligning Finances With What Matters Most (Ep. 13)

Money Is Emotional: Aligning Finances With What Matters Most (Ep. 13)

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Money is never just about numbers. It is about emotions, values, and the stories that shape our financial choices.

In this episode of Beyond the Dollar Signs: Financial Clarity, Mark Taylan explores why understanding the emotional side of money is essential to building clarity and confidence in financial decisions. He explains how emotions influence everything from risk tolerance to spending habits, often more than numbers or charts ever could. Tune in to hear practical tools, real client stories, and strategies that align money with what truly matters most.

Mark discusses:

  • How childhood experiences and family backgrounds influence financial behavior
  • Ways couples uncover hidden differences in their views on risk and money
  • Practical tools, like risk questionnaires, to create alignment and reduce conflict
  • The importance of designing layered strategies that balance emotions with long-term goals
  • Real client stories about market timing and overspending in retirement
  • The advisor’s role as a “financial gatekeeper
  • And more

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Life Insurance Simplified: Protecting Your Assets and Loved Ones (Ep. 12)

Life Insurance Simplified: Protecting Your Assets and Loved Ones (Ep. 12)

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Life insurance is a conversation many avoid, but it’s one of the most important tools for protecting your loved ones and the life you’ve built.

In this episode, Mark Taylan sits down with Dorotea Tuzon, a State Farm Agent from Northern California, for a candid conversation on life insurance; how it works, why it matters, and the real stories that prove its value. Dorotea offers practical tips on finding coverage that truly fits your life.

Key highlights include:

  • How to protect both your assets and your family’s financial stability
  • The differences between term and permanent insurance, and when each makes sense
  • The role of income replacement in your coverage plan
  • Real client stories that highlight the impact of getting insured at the right time

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Connect with Dorotea Tuzon:

About Our Guest: Dorotea Tuzon is a State Farm Agent based in Mota, California. With over eight years in the insurance industry, she leads a team serving thousands of clients, helping them protect what matters most through customized coverage and ongoing guidance.

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Smart Tax Moves for High Earners Nearing Retirement (Ep. 11)

Smart Tax Moves for High Earners Nearing Retirement (Ep. 11)

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You’ve worked hard, built wealth, and saved diligently, so why does retirement suddenly feel like a tax trap?

In this episode of Beyond the Dollar Signs, host Mark Taylan breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning for high-income earners: the surprising tax implications of success. From pensions and Social Security stacking up in your highest tax bracket to strategies that can help reduce unnecessary taxes, Mark offers a clear-eyed look at how to keep more of what you’ve built.

Key takeaways include:

  • Why many retirees are not in a lower tax bracket and what to do about it
  • Direct indexing: what it is, how it works, and who it’s best for
  • How Roth conversions may reduce lifetime tax burdens
  • Why IRMAA and Medicare surcharges catch so many retirees off guard
  • And more!

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What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part II with Mike Brouse (Ep. 10)

What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part II with Mike Brouse (Ep. 10)

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When it comes to retirement, many homeowners feel stuck—either emotionally tied to their homes or financially strapped with limited options. In this powerful Part Two of the reverse mortgage conversation, Mark Taylan sits down again with reverse mortgage specialist Mike Brouse to go beyond the mechanics and into the impact.

From the heartfelt story of Bonnie, who used a reverse mortgage to stop working, repair her home, and reconnect with family before passing, to strategic conversations about right-sizing homes and preserving equity, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating retirement planning.

Here’s what you can expect from part II of this episode:

  • How reverse mortgages help retirees live, not just survive
  • The emotional and financial power of staying in your home
  • Why right-sizing is better than downsizing
  • What happens to your reverse mortgage when you pass away
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

Connect with Mike Brouse:

About Our Guest: 

With 24 years of experience in the mortgage industry, including senior leadership roles, Mike has dedicated the past five years to specializing in reverse mortgages. His passion lies in helping retirees and older homeowners unlock financial stability and security through strategic home equity solutions.

Throughout his career, he has led teams, driven growth, and navigated the evolving mortgage landscape with a commitment to integrity and client-focused solutions. He believes in educating homeowners, financial professionals, and industry partners about the benefits of reverse mortgages, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.

If you’re looking for a trusted resource in the reverse mortgage space—whether as a client, financial advisor, or industry peer—Mike welcomes the opportunity to connect and explore how he can help.

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What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part I with Mike Brouse (Ep. 9)

What You’ve Heard About Reverse Mortgages Is Probably Wrong Part I with Mike Brouse (Ep. 9)

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Reverse mortgages carry a lot of baggage, misconceptions, fear, and outdated assumptions. 

But what if they could actually be a powerful financial tool to help you stay in your home, fund your lifestyle, or protect your retirement income?

In this episode, Mark Taylan is joined by reverse mortgage specialist Mike Brouse, who brings two decades of experience and a deeply personal story to the conversation. From working with his own in-laws to helping families across California, Mike breaks down what reverse mortgages are (and what they’re not) with clarity, humor, and heart.

You’ll learn why reverse mortgages are no longer a “last resort,” how they fit into a broader retirement strategy, and the truths behind the biggest myths, including who really owns the home, what happens when you move or pass away, and how the loan balance grows over time.

What to expect:

  • A breakdown of common reverse mortgage myths
  • How the product actually works, month-to-month
  • Why financial advisors are rethinking this strategy
  • The risks of ignoring home equity in retirement planning
  • And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

Connect with Mike Brouse:

About Our Guest: 

With 24 years of experience in the mortgage industry, including senior leadership roles, Mike has dedicated the past five years to specializing in reverse mortgages. His passion lies in helping retirees and older homeowners unlock financial stability and security through strategic home equity solutions.

Throughout his career, he has led teams, driven growth, and navigated the evolving mortgage landscape with a commitment to integrity and client-focused solutions. He believes in educating homeowners, financial professionals, and industry partners about the benefits of reverse mortgages, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.

If you’re looking for a trusted resource in the reverse mortgage space—whether as a client, financial advisor, or industry peer—Mike welcomes the opportunity to connect and explore how he can help.

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