Mike Milligan

Educate. Coach. Plan.

Redefining what it means to retire, build wealth, and leave a legacy. Through story-first financial strategy, powerful keynote talks, and accessible education—he’s here to help you plan a life that outlives you.

Be one of a kind

Let’s Talk Money + Meaning

EDUCATE

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Financial planning alone can feel overwhelming without the right knowledge and guidance.

That’s why Mike offers a six-week Personal Financial Planning Course, taught virtually through Old Dominion University, to equip you with practical tools and strategies for lasting financial confidence.

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COACH

1 oak Financial was founded by Mike Milligan in 2021 as Ideas by Mike to create, implement, and review your financial plans.

To learn more about Mike’s journey through the financial work, (learn more). To schedule a time with one of the hand picked advisors on Mike’s team at 1 oak Financial, click here.  If you have a current advisor and you want a One of a Kind Financial Plan executed as a fee only plan.

Are you a financial professional looking to not only grow your business, but also lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose? In today’s competitive landscape, it’s not enough to simply manage numbers—you need strategies that help you stand out, build trust, and deliver exceptional value to your clients.

Through personalized coaching, you’ll gain the tools, accountability, and insight you need to sharpen your skills, strengthen your client relationships, and unlock your full potential as a financial leader.

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PLAN

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A Must Read! Mike sees us. He knows we are all special and unique which means that our financial plans should also be aligned with who are are as individuals. He and his team are disrupting the finance world by customizing each plan based on tuning into that person’s dreams and aspirations for their lives. He does not do cookie cutter financial plans. He sees you more than a number, but truly one deserving of a life you choose to live. This book gives you insight on the 5 pillars of Retirement Planning and the One of a Kind Financial process. Mike weaves stories throughout the book that is easily relatable and gives us hope. Highly recommend you read this if you’re planning on retirement or if you’re already retired.
— sperry106, Amazon Review

One-of-a-Kind Financial Plan Book

This isn’t your typical money book—and Mike Milligan isn’t your typical financial advisor.

Conventional, One Size Fits All financial wisdom coming from so-called gurus telling you what to do with your money, without ever asking what you really want from your life is not what you deserve.  The advice they give is about them; not you. 

In The One of a Kind Financial Plan™, Mike Milligan flips the script. With over 25 years in the industry, he’s seen how traditional advice fails real people with real dreams. That’s why he developed a dynamic, personal approach that starts where most plans don’t: with you.

This isn’t exclusively about chasing numbers. It’s about creating a life that lights you up.

Inside, you’ll discover:

  • How to create your personal vision, or as Mike introduces to the world in this book, The Retirement CHI™

  • The 5-step blueprint to a plan that reflects your values and vision

  • How to reduce taxes, invest wisely, and plan for the unexpected all while reducing the fear and anxiety money can create

  • The mindset shift that unlocks purpose, fulfillment, and true wealth

  • Real-life stories of clients who stopped settling and started thriving

Whether you're planning for retirement, navigating a big transition, or just ready to think differently about money, this book is your guide.

Don’t let someone else’s formula dictate your future.

Design the life you deserve... starting now.

The One of a Kind Financial Plan is a refreshing approach to personal finance. It recognizes that everyone’s situation is unique and provides actionable advice that works for real people—not just millionaires or math wizards.

The book is clear, well-structured, and gives tools you can actually use to create a plan that fits your life. Even the more technical sections are explained in a way that’s understandable, and the focus on customization makes it far more effective than “one size fits all” guides.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants a financial plan that actually makes sense for their circumstances.
— Anne Walker, Kindle Review
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A refreshing take on personal finance, this book moves beyond cookie-cutter advice and shows you how to create a plan that truly fits your life.

Clear, practical, and empowering, it helps you build a financial strategy that actually works for your unique goals. A smart read for anyone ready to take control of their money.
— shanzilay, Amazon Review
This book is excellent at showing you how to financially plan for your future. The steps are easy to follow for a successful future/retirement.
— Virgie, Kindle Review

Hi, I’m Mike! I’m here to retire the rules.


My mission is to inspire a generation to reimagine wealth—not as accumulation, but as impact. Through storytelling, strategy, and soul, I help people plan for a future that feels like freedom and legacy combined.

My first client didn’t have a bank account—she had used coffee cans and a grandson who knew how to count.

I was 11 years old, sitting at my grandmother’s kitchen table, helping her track the money she made selling collard sandwiches. That night, I became her CFO. But more than that, I saw what it meant to build something out of love, necessity, and grit.

That moment stayed with me. It taught me that money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about survival, story, and legacy. And it’s why I do this work today.

I want everyone, no matter where they come from, to feel like they can create a life worth remembering. Because it’s not just about what you leave behind—it’s about how you live while you’re here.

Book Mike
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Live Financial Planning Sessions

Access the Room Where Wealth Gets Reimagined

Join us for a six-week Personal Financial Planning Course, taught virtually through Old Dominion University, to equip you with practical tools and strategies for lasting financial confidence.

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Ideas by Mike™ Podcast

Free game. Real talk. Big ideas.

On Ideas by Mike™ Podcast, Mike breaks down how vision becomes value—and how your story can turn into strategy. Tune in for unfiltered inspiration, financial wisdom, and the mindset shifts that turn everyday ideas into legacy moves.

Check Out The Podcast

WATCH MORE ON YOUTUBE

From aha moments to hard-won lessons, he breaks down the mindset shifts and game-changing stories that shaped his one-of-a-kind approach to financial planning—built for real people, not cookie-cutter portfolios.

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A One-Of-A-Kind Financial Plan For Your One-Of-A-Kind Life