Posts by Eric Peterson
Easy Ways to Ruin Retirement
Retirement can be exciting, but it can also come with new challenges. In this episode, Eric discusses some of the most common ways people can accidentally ruin retirement.
Read MoreThe National Park Guide to Retirement Planning
Whether you’re visiting one of the 63 national parks this summer or just hitting a local trail, a lot of the best practices for a great hike apply just as well to your retirement plan. Today, Eric “walks” through a few.
Read MoreMailbag: Military Pension Mistakes & Retirement Decision Paralysis
What happens if you make a retirement decision you can’t undo? And how do you know when you’ve done enough research before making an important financial move? In this mailbag episode, Eric answers two listener questions—one from a military retiree looking to protect his spouse after declining a survivor pension benefit, and another from a listener who struggles with overthinking every financial decision.
Read MoreMovie Quotes That Reveal the Truth About Retirement
Can classic movie quotes actually teach valuable retirement lessons? In this episode, Eric takes memorable lines from films like The Terminator, When Harry Met Sally, and The Wizard of Oz and uses them to explain key retirement-planning concepts. From preparing for inevitable market downturns to understanding why every retirement plan should be personalized, these famous quotes provide surprisingly practical financial insights.
Read MoreMailbag: Simplify Your Retirement Accounts
Sometimes, the most valuable retirement lessons come from the questions people are asking every day. In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles listener questions covering investment organization, diversification, and pursuing new opportunities later in life.
Read MoreWhere Does Guaranteed Income in Retirement Really Come From?
What does “guaranteed income” really mean in retirement, and is it actually possible to create a paycheck you can count on for life? In this episode, Eric breaks down the different sources of retirement income, including Social Security, pensions, investments, rental properties, and insurance-based solutions. He explains the risks many retirees overlook when relying solely on portfolios, dividends, bonds, or rental income and discusses why predictable income streams can play an important role in a well-designed retirement strategy.
Read MoreMailbag: IRA Withdrawals, Whole Life Insurance & Cash on the Sidelines
In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles a variety of listener questions about retirement and financial planning.
He breaks down complex topics into clear, practical guidance to help you make more confident money decisions.
Retirement Lessons Hidden in Walt Disney Quotes
Sometimes the best financial lessons come from the most unexpected places. Walt Disney built one of the most recognizable brands in history, but some of his most memorable quotes offer lessons that extend far beyond theme parks and animated characters.
Read MoreMailbag: Working Forever, Safety Nets, and Target Date Funds
A lot of people think they’ll work forever, until life changes the plan. In this special mailbag episode, Eric answers listener questions about retirement timing, backup planning, target date funds, and how to think about risk as retirement gets closer.
Read MoreThe Financial Impact of Losing a Spouse
Losing a spouse is one of the hardest realities anyone can face, and it can create major financial changes that you may not see coming. In this episode, Eric walks through the potential financial impact of becoming suddenly single in retirement, including Social Security changes, tax surprises, IRA rules, beneficiary updates, and income planning challenges.
Read MoreOld Accounts Could Be Costing You
Today, Eric discusses why old financial accounts deserve a second look. He explains how reviewing these accounts can uncover missed opportunities, improve efficiency, and help create a more coordinated financial plan.
Read MoreGood 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!
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