MADE Financial Design, Matthew Ferrell, Certified Financial Planner

05/20/2026

When I was a college professor, I had no idea I was leaving thousands of dollars in tax savings on the table every single year.

I was contributing to my 401(a) and thought I was done. Nobody told me I also had access to a 403(b) AND a 457(b) — two additional retirement accounts with their own separate contribution limits.

If you work in higher education, there's a good chance you're in the same boat.

I wrote this for every professor, administrator, and university employee who deserves to know what they actually have.

When I was a college professor, I only contributed to the 401(a) — the mandatory defined contribution plan my university offered. It felt like enough. I was saving for retirement, the university was contributing, and I assumed someone would have told me if there was something else I should be doin

02/27/2026

I recently booked a trip to Philadelphia that would have cost roughly $1,030:

Instead, I used:
• A free night certificate from the World of Hyatt Credit Card
• 20,000 transferred points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Airline miles for the flight

Out of pocket: primarily annual fees.

This isn’t about chasing points or opening a dozen credit cards. It’s about being intentional with spending you’re already doing and understanding how to use rewards strategically.

If you’re going to spend money anyway, you might as well let it work for you.

Learn more at www.madefinancialdesign.com.

01/29/2026

I didn’t have a real retirement plan until around 40, and as I work with clients, I see many common, avoidable mistakes. In this video, I walk through 5 retirement planning mistakes and why being intentional and taking action now can give your future self more options. MADEfinancialdesign.com

01/27/2026

Curious about networking but don’t want anything stuffy or awkward?

Come check out our networking group Tuesday, February 3 at 7:15 AM ☕🥐

Breakfast is provided, and you’ll meet a great group of supportive, welcoming professionals who actually enjoy helping each other grow. No pressure, just good conversation and solid connections.

Feel free to message me if you’d like more details or just come see what we’re all about!

Ready to come grow your business with the BNI Flyers of Wesley Chapel?
We invited you to attend our next meeting on Tuesday (every Tuesday) from 7:15-9am.

Bring your business cards....we've got the coffee!

01/27/2026

Please come join us for our visitors day. Join us for free breakfast. February 3rd from 7:15-9am.

Find local professionals to network with.

Please come join us for our visitors day February 3rd from 7:15-9am.

Find local professionals to network with.

Scan the QR to register! 👋🏻

01/15/2026

Despite the financial challenges GenX faces, there are some moves we can make right now to catch up on retirement.
We survived dial-up, Y2K, recessions, and everything in between, so we can survive the retirement challenge as well.
Stick around to the end for the Gen X theme song. Trust me, it delivers. And follow the page for weekly-ish tips.

01/09/2026

Five financial moves to make as retirement gets closer 👇

As you approach retirement, small decisions start to have big consequences. In this quick video, I walk through five smart moves that can help you protect what you’ve built and feel more confident about what’s next. www.madefinancialdesign.com

11/21/2025

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11/13/2025

11/13/2025

Got an inheritance? Make it work for you, not against you.
In this quick video, I break down the key do’s and don’ts so you can protect your legacy, avoid common mistakes, and put your windfall to work for your future.
Follow this page for weekly tips to grow and safeguard your money.