Mesirow Mondays on WGN 720 “Your Money Matters”

On the first Monday of every month, Mesirow thought leaders are featured on the WGN Radio 720 “Your Money Matters” show hosted by Jon Hansen.

Each week, our speakers share insights on topics including the basics of personal finance, investing and wealth management, financial security, financial literacy and retirement planning.

Financial hiccups that could emerge in 2026

Sumit Desai, CFA Senior Vice President and Director of Research, discusses his advice for 2026 and what to beware of. From tech stocks and diversification to the biggest market trends, Sumit breaks it all down.

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Sumit Desai  in WGN studio

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    The spirit of giving and its tax benefits

    Jennifer Gartenberg, Managing Director and Wealth Advisor, discusses donating and charity. From gifting stocks to the tax benefits of gifting, Jennifer talks about this and more as we wrap up this year in finances. 

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    Converting an IRA to a Roth IRA

    Jennifer Gartenberg discusses converting an IRA into a Roth IRA.

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    Time to take stock in what your finances looked like in 2025

    Jennifer Gartenberg discusses taking stock of what you did financially this year.

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    Five spookiest things you can do to your finances

    Noah Bloch discussed five ways you could risk your financial future and how to combat those risks.

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    Spooky finances with Mesirow: Not budgeting and having high interest rates

    Noah Bloch breaks down the consequences of not budgeting and carrying high-interest debt.

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    Compounding interest and why time really is money

    Noah Bloch talks about the spookiest things you can do for your finances: missing out on compounding interest.

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    Insurance coverage and estate plans

    Noah Bloch talks about life insurance and making sure you’re covered for everything you might need.

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    When should teens start thinking about retirement savings?

    Jennifer Rosenblum discusses smart money habits that can help give teens a head start on their financial future.

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    Teen money management and budgeting

    Jennifer Rosenblum discusses teen money management as well as the importance of conversations about building a budget, setting goals, and understanding taxes.

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    Trump Accounts: IRAs for babies

    Jennifer Gartenberg explains when contributions can be made, the starting qualification date, and the investment requirements.

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    Benefits of college savings and 529 accounts

    Jennifer Gartenberg breaks down the flexibility of 529 accounts and how to use them.

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    Gen Z’s path to financial stability

    Gregg Lunceford discusses showing grace to Gen Z and their thoughts on finances. 

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    Millennials and Gen Z are staying at home longer and here’s why

    Gregg Lunceford discusses why the younger generations are staying at home longer than before and how their career paths have changed.

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    Conversations you should have regarding funding education

    Gregg Lunceford discusses what conversations people should be having about funding education regarding expectations, scholarships, community colleges, and more.

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    How are finances affecting the age that people start a family?

    Gregg Lunceford discuss why Gen Z and millennials are getting married later in their lives in comparison to other generations.

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    To Roth or not to Roth

    Gary Pattengale, Advanced Planning Specialist and Wealth Advisor, joins Jon Hansen to discuss having a Roth investment account, when it makes sense to add money into your accounts, and moving money from IRAs.

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    Knowing where opportunities exist when filing your taxes

    Gary Pattengale discusses his background as a CPA and how he approaches wealth advising. 

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    IRA vs Roth IRA & Roth 401(K) plans

    Gary Pattengale discusses the differences between an IRA, a Roth IRA, and a Roth 401(k).

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    The advantages of having an HSA

    Gary Pattengale discusses the benefits of an HSA, from triple tax advantages to time limitations and more.

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    Tariff fears, uncertainties and staying the course

    Sumit Desai, CFA, Senior Vice President and Director of research, joins Jon to chat about staying on course when markets are down and not making emotional decisions.

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    Preparing for a fluctuating market

    Sumit Desai, CFA  discusses how to prepare for a fluctuating market and plan for long-term goals.

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    What data goes into your financial plan?

    Sumit Desai, CFA discusses what data he uses to help create the best financial plan for his clients.

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    Dealing with the dips in your investments

    Sumit Desai, CFA discusses the emotion behind investing and how dips in the market can affect how you feel about your portfolio.

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    It’s time to talk to your family about finances

    Gregg Lunceford discusses the importance of talking about finances to your family members.

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    Why you should consider university-based retirement communities

    Gregg Lunceford discusses university-based retirement communities and shares how college campuses are revitalizing retirement.

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    Retiring and joining the Peace Corps

    Gregg Lunceford discusses joining the Peace Corps in retirement and its benefits.

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    Entrepreneurship and returning to the workplace

    Gregg Lunceford discusses becoming an entrepreneur when you retire.

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    Are you a renter or a buyer?

    Noah Bloch breaks down the pros and cons of renting vs. buying, including rent increases, down payments, and deciding which option works for you.
     

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    Pros and cons when buying a home or renting

    Noah Bloch breaks down the pros and cons of renting vs. buying and what people should think about to make the best decision for them.

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    Are investment properties a good investment?

    Noah Bloch discusses if investment properties are actually a good investment.

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    Why buyers should be focusing on the expense-to-income ratio

    Noah Bloch breaks down ratios that buyers should be looking at when it comes to income and debt.

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    What are the top factors that contribute to retirement success?

    Gregg Lunceford recently discussed key factors that help contribute to retirement success.

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    Financial Readiness

    Gregg Lunceford discusses financial readiness in 2025.

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    The importance of social relationships in retirement

    Gregg Lunceford discusses retirement and the importance of social relationships.

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    Prioritizing yourself for a healthy retirement

    Gregg Lunceford discusses the importance of your health before your retirement.

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    It’s the season for gifting, so what’s the right way to do it?

    Jennifer Rosenblum discusses the ins and outs of financial gifting to family and non-profits.

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    Breaking down giving as a tax deduction

    Jennifer Rosenblum discuss how donations to charities and GoFundMe can be tax-deductible.

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    Annual gifting to family and friends

    Jennifer Gartenberg discusses annual gifting to friends and family.

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    Gifting out of your IRA for the holidays

    Jennifer Gartenberg discusses gifting out of your IRA.

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    7 financial planning tips for the end of the year

    Jennifer Gartenberg, Managing Director, talks about things that can help you as we go into the new year, from taxable estates and charity to considering converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. 

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    Mesirow’s guide to estate tax

    Jennifer Gartenberg explains why most people will never have to pay an estate tax and more!

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    The benefits of tax-loss harvesting

    Jennifer Gartenberg joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss tax harvesting and its benefits.

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    Managing bad days in the markets

    Gregg Lunceford, Managing Director and Wealth Advisor, joins Jon Hansen to discuss the importance of a mid-year financial check-in.

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    Midyear financial checkups

    Gregg Lunceford talks about the importance of measuring your goals to stay on track financially and more.

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    Midyear planning for tax season

    Gregg Lunceford discuss midyear financial checkups and the importance of preparing for tax season.

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    Final tips for a midyear financial check-up

    Gregg Lunceford discusses the final tips for midyear financial check-ups.

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    A crucial part of family life

    Sophia Yudkowsky discussed five essential financial planning topics for young families.

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    How to discuss finances as a family

    Sophia Yudkowsky shares the importance of speaking on family finances.

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    Why you should have a life insurance policy

    Sophia Yudkowsky talks about life insurance and the difference between whole life and term life policies.

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    How to prioritize your savings

    Sophia Yudkowsky talks about prioritizing savings.

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    Thinking ahead: College education funding

    Jennifer Gartenberg discussed college education funding with a focus on 529 plans. 

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    Breaking down 529s: College savings accounts

    Jennifer Gartenberg explains how to set up an account and where the money goes if the child gets a scholarship.

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    Five questions to ask a potential financial advisor

    Jennifer Gartenberg with five questions that everyone should be asking a potential financial advisor.

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    Setting financial resolutions that will keep you on track in 2024

    Gregg Lunceford discussed an effective way to set your financial New Year’s resolutions in motion 

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    When it comes to improving your savings ‘You can’t afford not to do it’

    Gregg Lunceford discusses the importance of improving your savings

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    Keep a journal for 30 days to track purchases

    Gregg Lunceford discusses unnecessary purchases and how keeping a journal can be beneficial to your wallet

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    Financial resolutions and converting them to goals

    Gregg Lunceford discusses 2024 financial goals that everyone should have and the benefits of having financial control

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    Social Security income increase for 2024

    Bill Robbins, CFP talks about important issues for Social Security retirees. 

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    Market recovery, 401(k) benefits and SECURE Act 2.0

    Bill Robbins, CFP discussed Dollar Cost Averaging in a 401(k) plan to how tax cuts could possibly be reversed in 2026 and more.

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    Charitable giving and how to do it effectively

    Jennifer Gartenberg, CFP discussed the effective ways for listeners to give to their favorite charity by year-end.

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    How to prepare in case you are forced to retire early

    Gregg Lunceford, Mesirow Wealth Management, recently returned to WGN to discuss how ageism, natural disasters, and more are affecting retirement.

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    Do you know what’s in your portfolio ?

    Sumit Desai, CFA Senior Vice President, Director of research recently discussed how to build a diversified portfolio while limiting risk.

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    How much money should you plan to have as a caregiver?

    Gregg Lunceford, Mesirow Wealth Management, recently returned to WGN to address listeners concerns about annual caregiving expenses and how to prepare in advance for these possibilities.

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    Are you familiar with all the issues related to aging parents ?

    Gregg Lunceford, Mesirow Wealth Management, recently discussed the pitfalls, financial stresses, and resources associated with aging parents.

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    Hear our market observations for the first 6 months of 2023

    Bob Martin, CFA, Mesirow Wealth Management, shared his observations of financial markets in the first half of the year and the importance of “looking under the hood” of your 401k.

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    Which retirement account may be best for you?

    Jennifer Gartenberg, CFP®,  Mesirow Wealth Management, discusses how to determine which retirement account is best for you.

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    How do couples work together to create a financial plan?

    Gregg Lunceford, Mesirow Wealth Management, recently discussed how couples can work together to plan financially, especially for retirement.

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    What is a year-end portfolio check?

    Bob Martin, CFA, Mesirow Wealth Management, recently discuss the macroeconomic environment and how investors can benefit from a year-end portfolio check-up and what that could entail.

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    Tax-advantaged investment strategies

    Jennifer Gartenberg, Mesirow Wealth Management, recently discussed recent market conditions and how Mesirow is guiding clients with tax-advantaged investment strategies.

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    Retirement lifestyle choices

    Gregg Lunceford, Mesirow Wealth Management, discussed the “exit from work” – how this transition requires social, emotional readiness and financial readiness and how he guides clients as they reimagine retirement.

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    Market insights and Mesirow approach

    Bob Martin, Mesirow Wealth Management, discussed 1H2022 market movements, inflation, jobs and more – and gave insights into how Mesirow wealth advisors helped clients as we entered the second half of 2022.

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    Any questions one of our wealth advisors can help you with?

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