Strong markets feel good, but growth alone is not a strategy. As the year winds down, this episode asks a simple but often overlooked question: Are you still playing offense, or is it time to protect what you have built?
In this episode, Mark Taylan walks through the critical difference between building wealth and protecting wealth, and why knowing which mode you are in matters more than market headlines.
Mark discusses:
The offense vs. defense mindset when it comes to wealth
Why strong market years can quietly create hidden risk
How rebalancing works and why it is more than just stocks vs. bonds
The role of diversification across sectors and regions
Loss is difficult to consider, but planning for it is one of the most important acts of love for your family.
What happens to your spouse if you pass away unexpectedly? How can you ensure their financial stability and protect them from overwhelming decisions during an emotional time?
In this episode, Mark Taylan begins a two-part series on estate planning and financial preparedness. He walks through the three essential components every spouse needs to consider: income protection, simplicity in transition, and safeguarding against costly mistakes. Mark shares practical steps for creating a clear financial roadmap that protects your loved ones when they need it most.
Mark discusses:
How losing Social Security or pension income impacts household finances after a spouse passes away
Creating a comprehensive list of accounts, bills, and action items for the surviving spouse to follow
Why one person often serves as the family CFO, and what happens when that person is gone unexpectedly
Modern challenges like computer passwords and digital access that many couples overlook completely
The three key people to contact immediately, and how to prepare your spouse for a smooth transition
Most people think of life insurance as something you buy and hope your family never needs.
In this episode, Mark Taylan reframes that idea completely and explains how indexed universal life can serve not only as protection, but as a long-term planning tool that may support retirement income, taxes, and future flexibility.
Mark discusses:
How indexed universal life works in plain language
Why higher-earning families often look for additional planning options once traditional accounts are maxed out
How cash value grows, how loans work, and why tax treatment matters
Real-world scenarios where an IUL may offer another planning avenue
Many people avoid thinking about life insurance, believing they’re invincible or that it’s too expensive. But what happens to your family if the unexpected occurs?
How do you determine the right coverage amount? When is the best time to secure a policy? And what makes term insurance different from other options?
In this episode, Mark Taylan breaks down term life insurance and why it’s one of the most important financial protections for young families and working professionals. He shares personal stories about how term insurance has made the difference between financial security and hardship, and walks through the practical steps anyone can take to protect their loved ones.
Mark discusses:
Why your ability to earn income is likely your most valuable asset, not your house or investments
How to calculate the right coverage amount based on mortgage, expenses, and family needs today
The conversion feature that lets you switch term policies to permanent coverage without new health exams
Real stories of families who were protected because they planned ahead and those who weren’t prepared
Three immediate steps to take if you don’t currently have life insurance coverage in place
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
