Make it Make Cents

Armstrong Advisory Group
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Weekly

Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

  1. 4d ago

    Renting vs. Buying a Home Is Homeownership Still Worth It

    Is renting really throwing money away, or could it actually be the smarter financial decision? With home prices and mortgage rates remaining high, the traditional advice to buy a home as soon as possible may no longer make sense for everyone. In this episode of Make It Make Sense, host Michele Copley welcomes Cash Armstrong of Armstrong Advisory Group to discuss the financial trade-offs between renting and buying. They explore hidden homeownership costs, the benefits of renting and investing the difference, and why buying a starter home may not be the best strategy in today's market. Plus, they explain how to evaluate affordability, the importance of staying in a home long enough to justify the transaction costs, and why flexibility and lifestyle should play a role in your decision.

  2. Oct 22

    How to Create an Emergency Binder to Protect Your Family During a Crisis

    If you were suddenly hospitalized or unable to manage your finances, would your family know where to find your bank accounts, insurance policies, legal documents, and other important information? An emergency binder can help eliminate confusion and give loved ones a clear plan when they need it most. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michele Cropley sits down with Armstrong Advisory Group financial advisor Michael Bradley to explain how to create an emergency binder that organizes your most important financial and personal information. They discuss what to include, how to keep sensitive information secure, and why preparing these details in advance can make an overwhelming situation much easier for your family. They cover: ●    What an emergency binder is and why every household should consider creating one ●    How to organize emergency contacts, financial advisors, attorneys, and other important professionals ●    Which estate planning documents to include, such as wills, trusts, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney ●    How to document bank accounts, retirement savings, investments, and beneficiary information ●    What to include about life insurance, health insurance, disability coverage, and employer benefits ●    How to organize property information, mortgages, outstanding debts, and bills that need immediate attention ●    Why passwords and sensitive account information should be stored securely rather than directly in the binder ●    How often to update your emergency binder and why starting with a few simple steps is better than putting it off The key takeaway: Creating an emergency binder is about more than organizing paperwork. It's about making life easier for the people you love during an already stressful time. A clear, accessible record of your finances, important documents, professional contacts, and personal wishes can help your family make informed decisions without searching for information in the middle of a crisis. Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

  3. Oct 8

    The Investing Risks You May Be Overlooking

    Investment risk is about much more than watching the stock market rise and fall. Some of the biggest threats to a financial plan can come from inflation, emotional decisions, concentrated investments, poor timing in retirement, or simply not having enough access to your money.  Michele Cropley and financial advisor Paul Lane explore the different types of risk investors should consider and why understanding your personal tolerance for risk is an important part of building a financial plan.  They cover: ●    Why market volatility is only one form of investment risk ●    How emotions can lead investors to make costly decisions at the wrong time ●    The danger of concentration risk and putting too much money into a single investment ●    Why being too conservative can expose your savings to inflation risk ●    How your actual risk tolerance may differ from simply calling yourself conservative or aggressive ●    Why sequence of returns risk can be especially damaging during the early years of retirement ●    How liquidity and liability risks can affect people with significant real estate holdings ●    Why identifying worst case scenarios can help you build a more resilient financial plan The key takeaway: Managing risk does not mean eliminating it. It means understanding which risks exist in your financial life, deciding which ones you are comfortable accepting, and creating a plan for the risks that could cause the most damage. Taking inventory of those risks can help you build a financial strategy that is better prepared for both market declines and the financial challenges that are harder to see coming.  Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

  4. Oct 5

    How to Talk About Money With Your Family Without Making It Awkward

    Money can be one of the hardest subjects to discuss with family, but the right questions can turn an uncomfortable topic into a meaningful conversation. Family gatherings can offer a rare opportunity for different generations to share financial lessons, experiences, goals, and even mistakes. Michele Cropley and financial advisor Brendan Hayes explore ways to start productive conversations about money with parents, children, grandparents, and other family members. They discuss thoughtful questions that can get everyone involved without making the conversation feel intrusive or overly personal. They cover: ●    What financial success means and why the answer can be different for everyone ●    The biggest financial decisions people make throughout their lives ●    What you would tell your 25 year old self about money ●    The difference between looking rich and actually building wealth ●    Why investing early matters even when you can only start with small amounts ●    How retirement goals and lifestyle affect how much you may need to save ●    When parents might consider helping their adult children financially ●    What families should discuss about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and future financial responsibilities The key takeaway: Talking about money does not have to mean comparing salaries, account balances, or net worth. Sharing experiences, asking thoughtful questions, and discussing lessons learned can help younger generations develop better financial habits while giving families a clearer understanding of each other's goals and priorities. Sometimes one conversation around the dinner table can introduce an idea or lesson that sticks for years. Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

  5. Oct 2

    What Higher Interest Rates Mean for Your Money

    Interest rates affect more than Fed headlines. They shape borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, bond returns, and the decisions investors make with their money. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michele Cropley is joined by Cash Armstrong of Armstrong Advisory Group to explain how the federal funds rate works, why the Fed raises or lowers rates, and how those decisions ripple through the economy. They also discuss why the Fed does not directly control mortgage rates, what the 10-year Treasury crossing 5% may signal, how higher rates affect borrowers and savers differently, and why your investment strategy should reflect your time horizon, risk tolerance, income needs, and overall financial plan. Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

  6. Oct 2

    Money Lessons That Shape a Financial Advisor’s Life

    Michael Bradley joins Make It Make Sense to share how his path from Newton, Stonehill, and early career uncertainty led him to become a financial advisor with Armstrong Advisory Group. In this episode, Michele Cropley talks with Michael about his background, his decision to pursue finance, the professional risk he took by leaving Armstrong before eventually returning, and how his own relationship with money has changed over time. They also discuss balancing short-term spending with long-term goals, why investing early can make such a difference, and the simple first step anyone can take to get more organized with their finances Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

  7. Sep 14

    Meet Paul Lane The Values Behind a Financial Advisor

    What shapes the way a financial advisor thinks about money, relationships, success, and the people who trust them with their financial future?  In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michele Cropley sits down with Armstrong Advisory Group financial advisor Paul Lane for a more personal conversation about the experiences that shaped his life and career. Paul shares how his upbringing, family, love of sports, and early exposure to financial advising influenced the person and advisor he is today. They cover: ●    How growing up in Wellesley shaped Paul's perspective on opportunity and gratitude ●    Why sports played such an important role in his childhood and still influence how he thinks ●    How becoming a husband and father changed his priorities and motivation ●    The habits and discipline that helped him advance personally and professionally ●    Why an early internship convinced him that financial advising was the right career ●    The best lessons he has learned from mentors, including the importance of owning mistakes ●    Why trust, honesty, and communication are essential to a strong advisor and client relationship ●    How Paul defines success through relationships, client retention, referrals, and helping people reach meaningful financial goals The key takeaway: For Paul, being a successful financial advisor is about much more than markets and investments. It is about building relationships based on trust, communicating complicated ideas clearly, continuing to learn, and helping people feel more confident about important financial decisions. Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

  8. Sep 2

    The Big Money Decisions That Shape Long Term Wealth

    Small purchases get a lot of attention, but the biggest impact on long term wealth usually comes from major financial decisions around housing, investing, taxes, retirement timing, and big ticket purchases. In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Michele Cropley is joined by Brendan Hayes, financial advisor with the Armstrong Advisory Group, to discuss why decisions like how much house to buy, whether to pay down debt or invest, how to evaluate investment returns, and when to retire can have a much larger effect than everyday spending habits. They also cover opportunity cost, tax planning, expensive cars, boats, vacation homes, and why a strong financial plan can help people make confident choices without losing sight of the future. Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

See All (44)

About

Make It Make Cents is an educational personal finance podcast produced by Armstrong Advisory Group to help listeners better understand money decisions and long term planning concepts. The show covers broad financial topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and retirement planning. “This content of the post or podcast is intended solely to provide general information regarding our business services. Nothing within the post constitutes personalized investment advice or is an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product. To the extent you wish to engage us for investment advice based upon your personal investment circumstances and objectives, please contact us directly at (781) 433-0001. Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice and no portion of the post or podcast should be interpreted as legal or accounting advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding any tax or legal matters relevant to you. You agree, as a condition precedent to your access to the post or podcast, to release and hold harmless Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc., its officers, directors, owners, employees, and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of your actions or omissions, which are independent of your receipt of personalized investment advice from Armstrong Advisory Group, Inc. Armstrong Advisory Group ("AAG") is affiliated with an insurance agency called Armstrong Insurance Group, Inc. ("AIGI"). AIGI offers insurance products and services to customers, including investment advisory clients of AAG. AAG refers clients to AIGI for those products and services. AIGI does not, however, compensate AAG for any referrals. Certain AAG representatives are also licensed as insurance professionals appointed with AIGI and may earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products implemented for AAG clients. Insurance commissions earned by AAG representatives are separate and in addition to AAG's advisory fees. This practice presents a conflict of interest as the representative has a financial incentive to recommend insurance products to a client. Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to purchase insurance products through any of AAG's representatives or any other AAG affiliated person.”

Information

  • Creator
    Armstrong Advisory Group
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Armstrong Advisory Group
  • Show Website
    Make it Make Cents

You Might Also Like