Posts by Eric Peterson
Good Intentions, Bad Advice: Well-Meaning Advice Can Cost You
Not all bad financial advice comes from bad sources. Sometimes it comes from the people you trust the most. Eric breaks down how well-meaning input from family, friends, professionals, and even the media can lead to the wrong decisions.
Read MoreWhen Life Happens, Your Plan Needs to Change
Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and your finances need to be ready when things change. Eric walks through some of the biggest life events that can impact your financial future and why each one is a moment to revisit your plan. The goal isn’t to predict every twist and turn; it’s to be prepared when they happen. A solid plan gives you the flexibility to adjust without losing confidence.
Read MoreChallenging What You “Know for Sure” About Retirement
Mark Twain once said, “It’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” How can this wisdom apply to retirement planning?
Read MoreQuestions To Ask Your Advisor
Eric walks through the key questions that can reshape how you think about your plan and explains how the right questions can lead to better clarity, smarter decisions, and a more confident path into retirement.
Read MoreHow the 24/7 News Cycle Hurts Your Portfolio
In today’s 24/7 news cycle, financial headlines are designed to grab attention, not guide smart decisions. The result? Decisions driven more by noise than by strategy. In this episode, Eric explores how media influence, emotional reactions, and misunderstood risk tolerance can quietly derail a financial plan.
Read MoreWhy Most Of Your Financial Goals Fail
Many people talk about setting financial goals, but far fewer people know how to set the right ones, or how to turn them into something that actually works in real life. Eric walks through how to create financial goals that are both meaningful and achievable. It’s easy to aim high, but if your plan isn’t realistic, those goals often fall apart before they ever gain traction.
Read MoreMarch Madness & Your Money: Don’t Bust Your Retirement Bracket
Filling out a March Madness bracket is fun, but when it comes to your retirement, you can’t afford to treat it like a bracket pool. Upsets, bold picks, and emotional calls make for a good time, but the same principles can wreck a financial plan if you play it the same way. In this episode, Eric connects the dots between tournament chaos and retirement strategy, and why your financial game plan needs more discipline than your Final Four.
Read MoreWhat Mr. Rogers Can Teach Us About Retirement Readiness
Fred Rogers spent decades teaching life lessons through kindness, patience, and thoughtful reflection. While his words weren’t meant to be financial advice, many of his most memorable quotes offer surprising wisdom when applied to in-vesting and retirement planning. Today, Eric takes a few classic Mister Rogers quotes and connects them to the realities of retirement planning.
Read MoreDo You Have These Blind Spots In Your Retirement Plan?
Many people can have a couple of “blind spots” so to speak when it comes to their retirement plans. Do you worry you may not be accounting for everything you might need for your retirement? Then today’s episode is perfect for you!
Read MoreThe Importance of Preventative Care
Preventative care isn’t just for your health; it’s essential for your financial well-being too. By consulting a financial advisor early and often, you can avoid financial distress and make informed decisions that lead to a secure and fulfilling retirement. Many people will put it off for fear they will be told something they don’t want to hear or because of the perceived costs of financial advisors.
Read MorePreparing for Retirement like Noah’s Ark
Financial planning involves a lot of planning ahead, much like Noah did when he started building the ark long before the rain began. This metaphor serves as a powerful reminder that proactive planning is essential for weathering financial storms. Eric highlights that while we can’t predict events like market crashes or global pandemics, we can prepare for them by stress-testing our financial plans.
Read MoreRetirement Income
When planning for retirement, one of the most critical aspects to consider is your income. But what does this mean, and how can you ensure you have enough income to cover your needs and desires?
Read MoreRetirement Checklist
Retirement is a significant milestone that requires careful planning and preparation. In today’s podcast, Eric shares a comprehensive checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared for your golden years.
Read MoreFinancial Wisdom from Mark Twain
In the latest episode of the Retirement Ready Podcast, Eric invites us to explore the timeless wisdom of Mark Twain and how it applies to modern financial planning. Mark Twain, known for his wit and keen observations, offers quotes that are surprisingly relevant to today’s financial landscape. Eric takes these quotes and translates them into practical advice for those planning their retirement.
Read MoreUnderstanding Bonds in Today’s Market
Are bonds really the safe investment we’ve always been told they are? What percentage of assets should a retiree or pre-retiree hold in bonds? In today’s episode, Eric addresses some of his most frequently asked questions about the world of bonds…
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Financial Statements
Financial statements can often feel like a foreign language, filled with jargon and numbers that seem to have little relevance to your everyday life. However, understanding these documents is crucial for effective retirement planning. In the latest episode of the Retirement Ready Podcast, Eric breaks down the essentials of reading and interpreting your financial statements.
Read More401(k) Mistakes
Your 401(k) likely plays a major role in your retirement savings. That’s why it’s important that it’s set up and functions in the way that’s most beneficial to you. Following our last podcast about beneficiary mistakes, now we focus on common mistakes people make with their 401(k).
Read MoreRetirement Planning Statistics
Retirement is closer than you think, but are you ready? With a staggering number of people lacking confidence in their retirement savings, Eric shares the misconceptions people have and what mistakes can derail someone’s financial future. Many people feel inadequate when it comes to what they have saved in their nest egg, uninformed about the pitfalls of target date funds, and unprepared about the reality of leaving the workforce earlier than expected.
Read MoreMailbag: Should I Fire My Broker?
Navigating life’s financial crossroads can be tricky, especially when it involves your financial future. In this episode of Retirement Ready, Eric addresses these complex issues head-on. How do you best evaluate your broker and your investment performance against the S&P 500? Eric says a lot of that comes down to setting expectations and understanding the risks. Then, Holly wants to know what to consider before making a midlife career change.
Read MorePutting It Off
We are all guilty of procrastinating from time to time. Financially speaking, though, this can get you into a lot of trouble. Let’s talk about the areas where it might feel better to kick the can down the road.
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