You got the money—now don’t lose it.

This episode opens with the cautionary parable of MC Hammer: talent, meteoric wealth, and then the crash. Hosts Rory Pendergast and Kerrie use that story to frame a conversation with structured-settlement veteran Manny Valdez on how injured clients can avoid the same fate after a life-changing verdict or settlement.

Valdez explains why structures exist: instead of taking a single taxable lump sum and inviting pressure from friends, family, and fast-talking “advisers,” a plaintiff can receive guaranteed, tax-free payments over time. The key is avoiding “constructive receipt”—never taking possession of the lump—so the money flows directly into a schedule the client chooses. That schedule can mix monthly income with planned lump sums (think: every July when tuition is due) and even built-in inflation increases. The beauty? If you overspend one year, another payment is coming—discipline by design.

Manny also pulls back the curtain on industry history and tactics, from early defense-side control to plaintiff-side advocacy, and he warns about pre-settlement loans that can devour outcomes before a case resolves. The through-line is simple: surround yourself with a team—attorney, structured-settlement broker, and trusted advisors—who plan for your real life: housing, care, transportation, kids, and the future you’ll thank yourself for.

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