Posts by Eric Peterson
Ways 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!
Read MoreYear-end Roth Conversions
As we start to close out 2022, what are the things we should be doing with our finances? Is now the time to do a Roth conversion? Depending on your situation, you may want to con-sider it before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. Eric explains how a Roth conversion works, what the benefits are, and why you’ll want to talk to your advisor about whether you should do one right now.
Read MoreInheritance 101
An inheritance isn’t something you experience every year, so when it does happen, there are a lot of details to understand. We talk about some of the questions surrounding inheritances. Eric also shares the most common mistakes and how you can avoid them.
Read MoreMailbag: Do I Have Too Much in Cash?
When people are in retirement or closer to retirement, the accessibility of money goes up. So, what does that mean when you have to take out RMDs? How do you know if you have too much money in the bank? Talking through this with an advisor might help you make the right next steps with your money. We also talk about what mistakes people are prone to make if they try to DIY their retirement planning without a financial advisor.
Read MoreRetirement Planning with Mr. Miyagi
Eric answers three questions from the mailbag today, all common scenarios that you might one day come across yourself. Find out what he has to say!
Read MoreMailbag: Is It Irresponsible to Retire Early?
Eric answers three questions from the mailbag today, all common scenarios that you might one day come across yourself. Find out what he has to say!
Read MoreRetirement Red Zone
Let’s talk football! As fans of the game, we make some comparisons between football terms and retirement planning. How can you win when it comes to our financial plan? Understanding the strategies ahead of time and having the right team behind you can make all the difference.
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