Outdated Financial Rules

Today’s Prep:

What financial rules are worth following and which ones need an update? On this episode, we discuss several known financial rules to see which ones are dated and which ones stand the test of time.

Equipping Points:

Just like your cell phone or other technology, things get outdated over time. What kinds of financial rules have gotten dated and unusable over time? What has held true?

How does the four percent rule hold up? Eric reviews where this rule came from and how it was applied in the 1980s. Some of the question comes down to how long you want your retirement to last? What kind of success are you aiming for?

Where is the market today? Does the 10-5-3 rule fit in today’s market? If things stay the way they are today, ask yourself how can you retire? How can you generate the income that you need? There are different tools that can make it happen, but relying on the 10-5-3 rule just doesn’t work.

Should you transition from stocks to bonds as you get older? It’s been done to transition from high risk to lower risk. Remember though that bonds still have risk, it just looks different. What are bonds and how do they gain value? Consider what alternatives there are to bonds to that provide you with a sense of safety and security.

Is your goal to save a million dollars for retirement? Is this a worthwhile goal or should you focus on what you already have? Instead of getting caught up on a particular number, look at your plans to make sure you get to enjoy the retirement lifestyle you want.

Listen the full episode or click on the timestamps below to hear what financial rules might be outdated today.

1:38 – Should you follow the four percent rule? 

4:36 – What is the 10-5-3 rule?

5:55 – Does it make sense to change from stocks to bonds as you age?

8:30 – Are you following the million-dollar rule?

Related Resources:

Defining Dividend-Paying Stocks

Finding Predictable Income Sources In Retirement

 

Today’s Takeaway:

[spp-tweet tweet= “Understand if you use these old rules that things have changed. The market is different today. You need to have a plan to see how you can fill the income that you need coming from safer, smarter places. Sometimes ask, why are you chasing it? Why do you want to get a million dollars? Just to say you did it? Think about all the memories you could have had along the way. – Eric Peterson”]

More From Eric:

The host: Eric Peterson - Contact - Call: (515) 226-1500

Subscribe To The Podcast:

Apple Podcasts  -  Google Podcasts  -  Spotify  -  Stitcher  -  iHeartRadio  -  TuneIn

Check out some other recent episodes

The National Park Guide to Retirement Planning

July 16, 2026

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.

Mailbag: Military Pension Mistakes & Retirement Decision Paralysis

July 9, 2026

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.

Movie Quotes That Reveal the Truth About Retirement

July 2, 2026

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.

Where Does Guaranteed Income in Retirement Really Come From?

June 18, 2026

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.

Mailbag: IRA Withdrawals, Whole Life Insurance & Cash on the Sidelines

June 11, 2026

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

June 4, 2026

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.

Mailbag: Working Forever, Safety Nets, and Target Date Funds

May 28, 2026

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.

The Financial Impact of Losing a Spouse

May 21, 2026

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.

Leave a Comment