Matthew McManus, Financial Professional

Matthew McManus, Financial Professional Triplecrown Wealth Management, LLC is not a registered investment advisor and is not owned or operated by Equitable Advisors or Equitable Network.

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09/08/2026

One of the best investments you'll ever make?

Your replacement.

Most people hate that idea.

They spend years protecting their position, guarding information, and worrying the younger generation is coming for their spot.

I've never understood that mindset.

You all remember being the FNG, don't you?

I do, vividly.

The other day Equitable hosted a training for newer advisors.

I wasn't required to be there.

So naturally, I showed up.

Part of it was selfish. After 14 years in this business, there are still things I forget and need refreshed on.

Part of it was curiosity. I wanted to meet the new faces.

But the biggest reason was this:

I survived in this business because a lot of people invested in me.

Rich.

Alex.

Clint.

Chris.

They didn't have to answer my questions.

They didn't have to share what worked and what didn't.

They certainly didn't have to save me from some of my own mistakes.

But they did.

And because they did, I got a head start.

The funny thing is I see the exact same thing with many of my police and firefighter clients.

The best officers train the rookies.

The best firefighters teach the probies.

The best leaders want the person behind them to be better than they were.

Why?

Because that's how a profession gets stronger.

Some people see up-and-comers as competition.

I see them as an opportunity.

Help them.

Train them.

Build them up.

Share what you've learned.

Because one day you'll retire, turn in the badge, hang up the gear, or walk out of the office for the last time.

When that day comes, the greatest compliment isn't being irreplaceable.

It's knowing you left someone capable behind.

And that's usually where the real magic happens.

A hard mental shift with money is learning to trade your money for time.Most people understand trading time for money.Th...
09/03/2026

A hard mental shift with money is learning to trade your money for time.

Most people understand trading time for money.

That's called a paycheck.

But the reverse transaction is where things get interesting.

My youngest wanted a "water party" for her birthday this week.

Since her birthday landed on a Wednesday, my presence was requested earlier than normal.

Which meant leaving the office before the workday was over.

It also meant paying someone out of my own pocket to handle things while I was gone.

Easy decision.

When I got home, Sarah had already filled what felt like a million water balloons.

I quickly swapped my office suit for my bathing suit.

For the next hour, the kids ran around the backyard trying to soak each other and eventually turning their attention toward mom and dad.

My phone sat untouched.

No meetings.

No emails.

No market updates.

Just a bunch of kids laughing their heads off while I tried unsuccessfully to avoid getting nailed with a water balloon.

The funny thing is, that's exactly how retirement works.

For decades you've traded your time for money.

Then one day the transaction flips.

Your money starts buying back your time.

The challenge isn't having enough money.

The challenge is being willing to spend it on the things that matter.

Because the minutes, the hours, and the days never come back.

And you don't want the little moments slipping away while you're busy stressing over dollars you'll never have the chance to spend.

One thing I've noticed about first responders:Most people see the badge.I see the fundraising dinners, the charity event...
09/02/2026

One thing I've noticed about first responders:

Most people see the badge.

I see the fundraising dinners, the charity events, the toy drives, the memorial golf events, and the countless volunteer hours nobody ever talks about.

Saturday night I spent the evening with the Hamilton County Police Association at their annual bourbon and ci**rs fundraiser.

The room was filled with officers, families, business owners, friends, judges, and supporters all gathering for a simple reason:

To help someone else.

That's the part of these communities that rarely makes the news.

I caught up with clients, saw a lot of familiar faces, and even managed to scheme up a future ride-along.

Stay tuned on that one.

But what I'll remember most is being reminded that some of the most generous people I know happen to wear uniforms, and how many people truly value having them in their communities.

The final charitable event of the year will be the police vs. fire boxing matches around Thanksgiving, benefiting Maddie's House.

And judging by the crowd Saturday night, I'm guessing they'll show up for that too.

Most retirees don't struggle with saving.They struggle with spending.Seriously.I'm not going to be that advisor who tell...
08/31/2026

Most retirees don't struggle with saving.

They struggle with spending.

Seriously.

I'm not going to be that advisor who tells you to save every spare dollar and never enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Now, my kids may disagree with that statement, but they also inhabit a slightly distorted version of reality, so we'll set their opinions aside for the moment. 😆

It's funny.

People often get a little sheepish when they're about to tell me about a big purchase.

Their voice drops to a whisper and they'll say something like:

"You're not going to like this..."

or

"Please don't talk me out of it."

My response?

"Okay."

"Spend it."

The goal of money isn't to die with the biggest account balance.

The goal is to use money as a tool to build the life you want.

But... and there is always a but...

Do it responsibly.

Have a plan.

Know where the guardrails are.

My wife and I actually struggle with this ourselves sometimes because we're both hardwired savers.

Spending can feel harder than saving.

But the truth is, I want you to do the things that bring you joy.

Travel.

Upgrade the house.

Buy the boat.

Spoil the grandkids.

Whatever it is.

Just build it into the plan first.

Once you've done that, the guilt tends to disappear.

And so do the awkward conversations with your financial advisor.

Because most retirees don't have a saving problem.

They have a permission-to-spend problem.

If that sounds familiar, reach out.

Helping people spend confidently is just as important as helping them save wisely

Since when did the quality of a parent get measured by how many of our kids' sporting events we attend?"I never miss a g...
08/28/2026

Since when did the quality of a parent get measured by how many of our kids' sporting events we attend?

"I never miss a game."

It's often thrown around like a badge of honor.

Sometimes with a nose in the air and a pinky raised pretentiously off a Stanley filled to the brim with hard seltzer.

OK. I've missed plenty.

I've also embarrassed my children in public, given lousy advice, and created some horribly uncomfortable situations during "The Talk."

Given my overall track record, it's a wonder none of my four kids has called CPS on me.

But somewhere along the way, youth sports became a cult-like obsession.

And no, I don't feel guilty missing games in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Columbus while staying home with the other three kids and trying to run a household and a business.

(Cincinnati is home for any new readers.)

This weekend, my second grader had his soccer season opener.

The emotional tension on the sidelines was... intense.

People were living and dying on every play.

I couldn't help but wonder:

How did we get here?

Why is so much of our happiness and self-worth tied to the outcomes and performance of our children on a sports field?

Maybe it's a glimpse into some larger issue in society.

Who knows.

But I've started to think we're asking the wrong question.

The question isn't:

"Did I make every game?"

The better question might be:

"Was I present when it mattered?"

Because I don't think my kids are going to remember whether I attended 97% of their games or 100% of them.

I think they'll remember whether I showed up for the moments that counted.

And those are two very different things.

08/27/2026

The $1,000 recommended emergency fund wouldn't cover this.

Neither would a more robust 3-6 month rainy day fund.

Now, this isn't a shot at Dave Ramsey.

In fact, I admire what he's built and he's helped more people than I ever will.

But when the county shows up at your house and fails your septic system, things get real in a hurry.

We're now facing the prospect of a full replacement to the tune of roughly $65,000.

Or, if we choose not to address it, the county can levy fines and eventually foreclose on the property.

Pretty sweet deal, huh?

This is why I've always viewed some of these expenses as less of a repair and more of a tax.

Because let's be honest, nobody wakes up in the morning hoping to spend sixty-five grand on a septic system.

As my wife and noted American philosopher, Sarah McManus, put it:

"Even if we had the money, nobody wants to drop 65K on a poo machine."

Touché.

So what do you do in a situation like this?

For most people, debt is the answer.

You borrow the money.

You finance the project.

You tap home equity.

Because it's not like there's a thriving marketplace for gently used turd bunkers where I can scoop up a bargain model and hope the wheels stay on long enough for me to save cash.

Sometimes life just hits you with a good old-fashioned butt punch and forces you to make tough choices.

For us, a home equity line of credit appears to be the most logical play.

Yes, it's debt.

And yes, I'm the guy who constantly tells people to avoid unnecessary debt.

But personal finance isn't about perfection.

It's about adapting when reality doesn't care about your plan.

Sometimes the best financial decision isn't the one you'd prefer.

It's the one available to you.

So we'll deal with it, pay it off, and move on.

Because when life hands you a mountain of crap, sometimes all you can do is clean it up as fast as possible.

Preferably faster than a high-pressure bidet.

My client made my day the other week.And before some of you heathens take that statement the wrong way, let me explain. ...
08/26/2026

My client made my day the other week.

And before some of you heathens take that statement the wrong way, let me explain. 😆

We were hosting an event and one of my clients walked up and handed me a small gift.

A Matchbox car.

Not just any Matchbox car, either.

My dream car.

He even got the color right.

Now, on the surface, it doesn't seem like much.

It's a toy car.

But as I stared at that little thing, it struck me just how fortunate I am.

See, when I was younger, the people I looked up to had those cars.

The successful business owners.

The entrepreneurs.

The members at the country club where I worked.

To a kid from a fairly modest upbringing, those cars represented that you had made it.

I never imagined one day I'd have clients who knew me well enough to know exactly which one I'd want sitting on my desk or in my garage.

And truthfully, it wasn't really about the car.

It was about what the gesture represented.

The relationship.

The fact that someone took the time to listen, remember, and think of me when they saw it.

That's the best part of this profession.

Yes, we help people with retirement plans, investments, pensions, and taxes.

But the real reward is the friendships that develop along the way.

Those relationships are what make all of this worthwhile.

Of course, if I ever acquire the real version, Chris has earned himself a ride and a milkshake.

Until then, the Matchbox version has a permanent home in my office.

Thank you, Chris.

You probably spent a few bucks on a toy car.

But you gave me a reminder of just how lucky I am to do what I do.

Most of you first responders have an ace up your sleeve, and we’re not just talking about bad tattoos. You are potentia...
08/25/2026

Most of you first responders have an ace up your sleeve, and we’re not just talking about bad tattoos.

You are potentially sitting on a wad of cash and may not realize it.

“Matt, what on earth are you talking about?”

PLOP’s and DROP’s

These 2 pension features, if available, can potentially create a nice cash infusion into your nest egg at retirement.

The best part?

These pension features are unaffected by stock market swings.

So, knowing you can utilize these options, would you treat your deferred comp differently?

Would you try to get more out of your 457 knowing you had that ace up your sleeve in the form of a large lump sum of money ready to be deployed upon your retirement?

I would.

This is also how I coach my clients.

IT is a strategy that people frequently miss.

Once you see it, you cannot unsee it.

Is it right for you?

Maybe.

Certainly, I can help you with that determination.

Are you sitting on a PLOP or a DROP and don’t know what to do?

I got you.

And, there are no jokers in my deck.

Play the hand you are dealt.

(please observe the bad AI rendering of me playing poker) LOL

Most people ask:"When can I get my pension?"Very few ask:"How can I maximize my pension?"One question focuses on eligibi...
08/24/2026

Most people ask:
"When can I get my pension?"

Very few ask:
"How can I maximize my pension?"

One question focuses on eligibility.

The other focuses on outcome.

In other words, what are the pension features that I can maximize that will best favor me and my family for the long term?

Is it a PLOP?
Is it a DROP?
Is it a full refund?
Can I leave it to my spouse?
Do they offer some sort of health insurance or health reimbursement account?

Don't get me wrong, the dates are very important as far as when you can collect.

But, I would certainly prioritize these other questions first and then back my way into a targeted date.

Need help?

You know the drill.

Send a DM or email and we can carve out some time to go over the questions you should be asking yourself and the pension board.

Seriously, this is not a sales pitch.

If it were, thousands of cops would've sniffed me out by now and cried fowl.

But its not, and you are closing in on retirement so why not reach out?

08/21/2026

This is Buzz.

He is a kitten.

He belongs to us now.

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