Retirement Ready Podcast

Bite-sized guidance to help you properly plan for your retirement and financial future.

Mailbag: Downsizing, Roths & Home Equity

October 15, 2026

In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles real listener questions about retirement communities, Roth 401(k) contributions, and using home equity wisely.

Advisor Pet Peeves: Fees, Bias & Bad Advice

October 8, 2026

Are you working with a true fiduciary… or just a well‑paid salesman? Financial advice should feel clear, personal, and aligned with your goals, but that isn’t always the experience people get. Eric shares a few of his biggest industry pet peeves and explains why individualized planning matters so much.

Your Biggest IRA Questions Answered

October 1, 2026

In this episode, Eric answers some of the most pressing questions that come up when people are trying to make sense of their IRAs and 401(k)s.

Mailbag: Retirement, Family & Special Needs Planning

September 24, 2026

In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles several real-life situations where family, uncertainty, and long-term responsibilities can make the financial picture more complicated.

What Does Your Net Worth Really Tell You?

September 17, 2026

Net worth can be a useful snapshot, but it doesn’t always tell you how prepared you are for retirement. In this episode, Eric explains why the number people are proudest of may not be the same number that actually drives retirement income planning.

Who Really Needs a Financial Advisor?

September 10, 2026

Ever wondered who truly needs a financial advisor, and who might be fine doing it alone? Eric looks at the different ways people approach retirement planning and how professional guidance can fit alongside a hands-on investing style.

4 Financial Commandments for Retirement

September 3, 2026

In this episode, Eric shares a few simple rules that could change how you think about retirement and investing.

Retirement Truth Bombs: Your Biggest Financial Blind Spots

August 27, 2026

Some long-held retirement assumptions deserve a closer look. Eric drops a few “truth bombs” and explains why one of an advisor’s most important jobs has less to do with picking investments and more to do with helping people avoid emotional decisions.

Mailbag: Hiring an Advisor, Market Crashes & Tax-Smart Giving

August 20, 2026

In this mailbag episode, Eric addresses whether do-it-yourself investors need professional guidance, how to respond to predictions of a market crash, and when a donor-advised fund may make sense.

Retirement Lessons from Betty White

August 13, 2026

Betty White may never have officially retired, but her humor and outlook offer several valuable lessons for anyone planning the next stage of life.

Laid Off Near Retirement? What to Do Next

August 6, 2026

A layoff close to retirement can feel like a financial emergency, but it may not be as damaging as it first appears. Eric explains why layoffs are happening and walks through the key financial decisions that follow. He also shares a practical checklist for evaluating whether returning to work is necessary, or whether retirement may already be possible.

Mailbag: HELOCs, Trusts, and Family Money

July 30, 2026

In this mailbag episode, Eric answers listener questions about borrowing after retirement, avoiding unnecessary taxes on large IRA withdrawals, simplifying an estate, and setting healthy financial boundaries with loved ones.

Easy Ways to Ruin Retirement

July 23, 2026

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.

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.

All shows are paid advertisements by Peterson Financial Group, Inc Investment advisory services are offered through Peterson Financial Group, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but are limited to the dissemination of general information and may not be suitable for members of the listening audience. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies presented.
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