Posts Tagged ‘Retirement Readiness’
Mailbag: HELOCs, Trusts, and Family Money
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.
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 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.
Mailbag: 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 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 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 MoreMailbag: Inherited Farmland, AI Planning, and Retirement Readiness
What do you do when financial decisions aren’t just about the numbers? Today, Eric pulls from the mailbag and takes on high-stakes decisions: what to do with family farmland, how much to save, and whether AI belongs in your financial life.
Read MoreAre You Falling for Financial “Shiny Objects?”
In a world full of flashy promises and polished marketing, how do you know what actually matters when choosing a financial professional? In this episode, Eric tackles “shiny object syndrome” in retirement planning- the glossy brochures, impressive projections, testimonials, awards, and alphabet soup of credentials that can distract investors from what really counts. Eric breaks down which tools can be helpful, which deserve skepticism, and why trust, process, and real-world experience ultimately outweigh hype.
Read MoreMoney Mistakes You Only Make Once
Eric explores common money mistakes people often make when planning for retirement, and scenarios that could cost you in the long run. The discussion also covers critical considerations around long-term care and how to avoid financial setbacks. Tune in to learn what you can do now to steer clear of these all-too-common errors and set yourself up for a worry-free retirement.
Read MoreThe Friendly Skies of Retirement Planning
What do flight plans and retirement strategies have in common? In today’s episode, Eric draws an analogy between pilot-ing a plane and navigating retirement.
Read MoreYour First Year of Retirement: Don’t Screw It Up
Today, Eric shares the do’s and don’ts of entering retirement and explains why the first year is one of the most critical times in your financial life.
Read MoreRetirement Planning Is Harder Than It Looks
Retirement planning often looks straightforward from the outside, but as Eric explains, many decisions can be harder to make than they appear. In this episode, Eric and Marc break down some of the most common challenges retirees face.
Read MoreNot All Advisors Are Created Equal
The financial world is crowded with titles- advisor, broker, planner- and it isn’t always clear what those labels mean for your retirement. In this episode, Eric breaks down the critical differences between brokers and fiduciary advisors, using simple analogies to show how each approach your money in very different ways.
Read MoreDIY Planning: Where It Works and Where It Can Go Wrong
DIY works great for fixing up the house or building a bookshelf, but does it hold up when you’re planning your retire-ment? In this episode, Eric unpacks the pros and pitfalls of do-it-yourself financial planning, especially as you transition from the “saving” years to the “spending” years.
Read MoreToo Much Financial Info? How to Filter the Good from the Bad
Retirement isn’t just about financial spreadsheets, it’s about preparing your whole life for a new chapter
Read MoreWhat Game Night Can Teach Us About Financial Planning
In this episode, Eric breaks down the surprising financial lessons hidden in classic board games, offering valuable insights to help you navigate your retirement strategy.
Read MoreSocial Security Variables That Impact Your Claiming Strategy
After so many years of paying into Social Security, you might feel ready to reap the benefits. But before you get too eager, it’s best to have a thorough understanding of the different variables and how to best leverage them.
Read MoreRetirement Real Estate Decisions: Downsizing, Snowbirding, and More
One of the key discussions you may have in retirement is what to do about the house. Should you downsize your home? Pay it off early? Buy a vacation home and become a snow bird? Eric emphasizes the importance of considering not just the financial implications but also the lifestyle changes each of these decisions entail. Weighing out the pros and cons of each decision can highlight what is right for you (which isn’t always the same as what your neighbor is doing).
Read MoreHealthcare in Retirement
One major (yet often overlooked!) expense in retirement is healthcare. Especially if you are retiring early, healthcare can be a huge expense as you bridge the gap between your working years and when eligible for Medicare. Not only will you have an increased monthly cost, but you may need to budget for additional medical costs as time goes on or even long-term care needs.
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