Posts by Eric Peterson
Good News, Bad News
Sometimes you get good news and bad news at the same time. Which one will outweigh the other? More times than not, you are better off than you expected but you won’t know until you ask a professional. In this episode, we talk through a number of financial scenarios that can bring a bit of both good and bad.
Read More401(k) Considerations
A 401(k) is a highly valuable, widely used investment asset for many people. But what should you know when you set one up or contribute to one? In this episode, we’ll talk through some of the things you’ll want to consider when using this powerful investment tool.
Read MoreGenerational Challenges
Every generation has had a different experience and are currently at a different life stage. In this episode, Eric talks through some of the financial challenges that Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers face. Understanding and acknowledging these different challenges can help you better plan according to where you are in life.
Read MoreAdvisor Pet Peeves
We all have pet peeves, so in today’s episode we talk about some pet peeves financial advisors have. Eric shares his experience as a financial advisor and sheds light on some things in the industry that can negatively impact both clients and professionals. From cookie-cutter financial plans to hidden fees, these things can really rub you the wrong way.
Read MoreFinancial Lessons from Yogi Berra
What kind of financial wisdom can we take from a baseball player’s quotes? Quite a bit! Today’s quotes from Yogi Berra have a bit of humor and a lot of truth when it comes to your financial plan. From navigating annuities to planning for inflation, Eric shares how these quotes can bring a lot of meaning and understanding to our finances.
Read MoreMailbag: Should I be Worried about Investing in a Bank?
You may have seen the news about some bank issues with banks like Silicon Valley Bank. Is that cause for concern? If you have money in the bank, Eric explains how much is covered and what you can do to protect yourself. With any investments you make, realize which of the three components you’ll have: safety, liquidity, or growth.
Read MoreWays to Ruin Retirement
Building a successful retirement requires careful planning and wise decision-making. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to undo all of that hard work by falling prey to common pitfalls. Rather than risking the enjoyment and security of your golden years, we’ll discuss some ways to avoid these mistakes and secure your financial future in this episode.
Read MoreFinancial Mistruths
Every once in a while, financial concepts or strategies get misunderstood or misconstrued. It’s important to understand what you have and why you have it. On today’s show, we break down some financial ideals to find the “mistruths” or lies that can mistakenly be adopted.
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference? Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA
Roth IRAs have been around for about 25 years, but a lot of people still don’t know how they differ from a traditional IRA. Understanding the difference between the two will help you determine which option is best for your retirement goals. In this episode, Eric shares what you’ll want to know about a Roth IRA and when to use it.
Read MoreMailbag: Where Should I Invest after Maxing Out 401(k)?
When saving for retirement, a lot of people look to their 401(k). But what happens after you’ve maxed out your contribution based on the yearly limit? Eric explains what options you have to invest toward your retirement beyond a 401(k). This will include money in the different buckets as well as other products to consider.
Read MoreStories People Tell Themselves
When it comes to where you’ve ended up financially, you may have a running narrative on how that happened. There are a number of common stories people tell themselves to make sense of their situation. On today’s show we discuss some of these stories and how we can both understand them and improve upon them.
Read MoreMailbag: Do We Need So Much Money in Cash?
Eric explains where things like your emergency fund can come and how couples usually think about savings. He also answers two other questions from the mailbag regarding retirement.
Read MoreRescuing Old Accounts
Do you have an old account laying around collecting dust, so to speak? Instead of forgetting about these, it’s important to find them, assess them, and get them up-to-date. It may even be an easier process than you think.
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0 – What Retirees Need to Know
Congress passed the SECURE Act 2.0 at the end of 2022, and you might have missed it because it was part of a larger bill.
Read MoreGood Intentions and Financial Advice
How can you use your money wisely? Eric answers three questions that range from short-term travel plans to long-term estate planning decisions. While it’s good to be a good steward with your money, remember what it’s really there for.
Read MoreMailbag: Should I Invest Unused Travel Funds Into Something More Practical?
How can you use your money wisely? Eric answers three questions that range from short-term travel plans to long-term estate planning decisions. While it’s good to be a good steward with your money, remember what it’s really there for.
Read MoreDesire to Retire
Are you dreaming of retirement? We talk through the different levels of desire people have in regards to retirement. Some can’t wait to cross the finish line and others have no plans soon to walk away from their jobs and careers. Depending on where your desire lies, here’s what you can be doing to prepare for the future.
Read MoreRetirement Lessons From Disney World
Ready to reminisce about the happiest place on earth? Or maybe you have plans to visit Mickey in the new year. On today’s show, we talk through some of the classic rides you can find at Disney World and what they have in common with your financial plan.
Read MoreNaughty or Nice? Financial Advisor Behaviors
Do you think your financial advisor belongs on the naughty list or the nice list this year? Eric talks through a few scenarios that financial advisors may face to set the record straight on whether it is nice or naughty. If you come across a similar situation, hopefully, this will shed some light on reasonable expectations clients should have with their advisors.
Read MoreMailbag: Where Should I Withdraw My Retirement Funds?
In retirement, even if you’ve saved more than you’ll need, there are still a lot of questions that come up as you make wise decisions about what to do with your money. Eric answers three questions from retirees on how to best navigate what they have and how to rest easy in retirement. If ever you have a question for Eric, feel free to reach out!
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