It’s Halloween in Hot Springs Village when the leaves fall, the nights stretch longer, and the wind carries just enough mystery to make you pause on your porch. Next to a fire table. In this episode, I reflect on what’s truly scary about life here — not ghosts or ghouls, but the quiet truths that sneak up on all of us. It’s about slowing down, listening to the stillness, and finding meaning in a place that can feel almost too peaceful sometimes. A few stories, some laughs, and maybe a reflection...
Oct 31, 2025•26 min
What if you could enjoy retirement without ever dipping into your savings? In this episode of Hot Springs Village Inside Out, I share how smart retirees can design a cash-flowing retirement — living on a steady income so our investment accounts can keep growing for the future. This approach offers: ✅ Peace of mind — no stress about selling investments in a down market ✅ Long-term growth — your nest egg keeps compounding ✅ Flexibility — you stay financially strong no matter what comes next ✅ Free...
Oct 28, 2025•29 min
In the summer of 2018, I began to plan our annual “getaway” trip for September. From my teen years through my mid-50s, I was a retail animal. When you’re leading a retail company, you don’t think about taking time off between October and January. September always was the most convenient time to step away. So here I am, mid-summer, planning for September. Big Cedar Lodge, up near Branson, Missouri, had become a bit of a favored place. We enjoyed the Ozarks and had friends in the Springfield area,...
Oct 24, 2025•21 min
Most of us don’t like to think about it, but one day, one of us will be left behind. And for most couples, that person will be her . The median age a woman becomes a widow is 59.4 for a first marriage and 60.3 for a second marriage, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Half of widows over 65 will outlive their husbands by 15 years. Eighty percent of men die married, while 80% of women die single. The death of a spouse can be more devastating for the survivor if the deceased spouse was the financ...
Oct 21, 2025•47 min
Melissa Speers has served the Jessieville school system for years, the last eight as the Superintendent. This week, I sat down with her in her office to learn more about the K-12 school system just outside the gates of Hot Springs Village. Some of you with children are considering making Hot Springs Village your home. You’ve asked for more insights into the two school districts that serve Hot Springs Village. Last month, we visited with Darin Laundry, the Superintendent of Fountain Lake , the ot...
Oct 17, 2025•41 min
Rick Marshall , #1 Waterfront Specialist with McGraw Realtors , joins me for our monthly Hot Springs Village real estate update – for September 2025. We’ll also tour a house not yet on the market (at the time we recorded) – 13 Caribe Lane, Hot Springs Village (see the video tour below). CLICK HERE to see details on this listing. It’s just one reason to work with Rick. You can get a jump on the house you want. Besides, Rick is a valued sponsor of this show, so you’re getting one of the best realt...
Oct 14, 2025•36 min
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest differences in our lives. Here inside Hot Springs Village, those little things are easier to notice…and to enjoy! Here are about four areas where the itty-bitty things add up for me. What about you? • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on the images below to visit their websites.) __________________________________________ ___...
Oct 10, 2025•28 min
I love Hot Springs Village. A lot! I have ever since September 2018, when I first drove through the gates as an Airbnb guest. But… There are a few things I dislike. Some of them very much. It’s not a comprehensive list, and it’s not objective. It’s my list, and it’s 100% subjective based on my preferences and my experiences. My list is numbered, but it’s not in order of my dislike (or hatred) except for the first one. That’s the biggest one for me. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to...
Oct 07, 2025•34 min
Getting retirement right isn’t just about money — it’s about designing the life you want. It’s about taking advantage of today – the present. In this episode of Hot Springs Village Inside Out , we explore the keys to making retirement work: avoiding common regrets, figuring out the right place and time, and building a lifestyle that fits your values. Discover why Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, continues to be one of the best places to retire, offering affordability, natural beauty, and a vibrant...
Oct 03, 2025•23 min
Will Owens , Golf Course Superintendent for the Diamante Country Club , joins me to tour the course. A 17-year veteran at Diamante, Will shares a bit of history and his insights into one of the premier private golf courses in Arkansas. Enjoy! • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on the images below to visit their websites.) __________________________________________ ________________...
Sep 30, 2025•32 min
The Reunion Resort Villas is now open for business. What began as an idea five years ago has come to fruition thanks to Brandon Tedder, owner and founder. The Reunion Resort Villas brings a new level of luxury overnight accommodations to the Village. Guests can be within a mile of three golf courses (Diamante Country Club, Isabella, and Granada), as well as numerous restaurants. The resort features three 4-bedroom units and four 1-bedroom studio suites. Sorry, NO PETS are allowed! The Villas fea...
Sep 25, 2025•18 min
Darin Landry is the Fountain Lake School District’s Superintendent . I work with top-level leaders every day, so I quickly recognized him as a high-performer, both in his own vision of making Fountain Lake a top-performing school district and in assembling a high-performing team. Fountain Lake schools serve the Saline County part of Hot Springs Village. We sat down in a conference room at the district headquarters to learn more about the uniqueness that is the Fountain Lake School District , hom...
Sep 23, 2025•27 min
“My wife and I are considering Benton, Little Rock, or Hot Springs (including Hot Springs Village). We have family in Little Rock. We want to find 5-10 acres.” “Hot Springs Village is appealing to us because of all the golf courses, but we’d like to have a few acres. We know Benton is the nearest town to Little Rock. Would it be feasible for us to own a lot inside HSV so we could play golf, but to find some acreage between HSV and Benton?” “What is the drive like between HSV and Benton?” “We ser...
Sep 19, 2025•29 min
Last Wednesday was an awful day for our country—the assassination of Charlie Kirk . Last Thursday, we remembered another awful day for our country that occurred 24 years ago, 9/11. I ventured out to my back porch to record today’s show to provide a perspective that may help you navigate challenging times. Today’s episode was recorded on the afternoon of Thursday, September 11, 2025. But don’t fret, the subject isn’t politics or any other specific topic that may trouble you. Instead, it’s about h...
Sep 16, 2025•23 min
Rick Marshall, #1 waterfront specialist with McGraw Realtors, shares an end-of-summer real estate update for Hot Springs Village, and he answers some audience questions, too. What can you tell us about the school systems – Jessieville and Fountain Lake? What help might a realtor provide for adult children who need to relocate our parents? We don’t live in HSV and need to move them closer to us, but we’re overwhelmed with the house and all the stuff. We’ve been searching online for a house that’s...
Sep 12, 2025•19 min
What’s drawing people to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas? After countless conversations with my audience, I’ve learned a few surprising lessons about the people considering/planning to retire here. In this episode of Hot Springs Village Inside Out , I share three big takeaways that caught me off guard: ✅ Many of you are planning your move 2–4 years in advance ✅ Some of you move to different places to expand your retirement experience ✅ Golf, pickleball, and lake life are bigger motivators for some...
Sep 09, 2025•43 min
I’m biased in favor of the Fall/Autumn inside Hot Springs Village because we made our first visit here in September 2018. You may want to consider visiting in the Fall. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on the images below to visit their websites.) __________________________________________ __________________________________________...
Sep 05, 2025•26 min
When I first appeared on this show to discuss how Rhonda and I were approaching our “retirement” years (even though we’re not really retired), I was bombarded with questions from viewers wanting to know more about my spreadsheet and my cash-flow approach. Disclaimer: I am NOT a tax or accounting professional. I’m NOT a financial advisor. I’m just a guy trying to make the most of the resources we have . Hot Springs Village is a central character in this retirement strategy. In recent months, inte...
Sep 02, 2025•36 min
Retirement should be a time of peace and enjoyment — but choosing the wrong place to live can turn that dream into disappointment. According to AARP and other retirement studies, more than 30% of retirees who move out of state later say they wish they’d chosen differently. So, what are the biggest regrets we’ve heard — and how can you avoid them? Let’s break down the seven regrets I hear from our audience. 1. We Didn’t Visit Enough Before Moving Many retirees fall in love with a place on vacatio...
Aug 29, 2025•35 min
Today, I want to take a slightly different angle. We often talk about why people love retiring to Hot Springs Village. But not everyone who looks at the Village decides it’s the right fit. And that’s okay. So let’s talk about some of the reasons people choose not to retire here. Let’s walk part of the Cedar Creek trail while we discuss it. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on the...
Aug 26, 2025•30 min
Rick Marshall, #1 Waterfront Specialist with McGraw Realtors, gives us a market update for July 2025, plus he answers some viewer questions. Today’s show was recorded from one of Rick’s listings located at 25 Costa Del Lago Lane . Here’s a video of the property produced by Rick: CLICK HERE . For more information, call Rick at (501) 601-7425. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on t...
Aug 22, 2025•17 min
It happened about 3 weeks ago. An email hit my inbox to begin a conversation I hadn’t considered having. Then, it happened again. And again. Each time it was slightly different – but the same. People who said they hadn’t yet visited Hot Springs Village…and weren’t sure if they ever would, for fear it was an exclusive community where they’d feel uncomfortable. After a handful of these encounters, I finally decided to set the record straight and combat this misconception about Hot Springs Village....
Aug 19, 2025•16 min
In this special episode of Hot Springs Village Inside Out , we sit down with renowned golf course architect Tom Clark and John Paul to celebrate two monumental anniversaries in Hot Springs Village golf history — 25 years of Isabella Golf Course and 30 years of Diamante Country Club . John Paul served as the Director of Golf for the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association for many years. He also served as the interim General Manager…twice! Tom shares the stories behind the designs, the in...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Today, we’re going to talk about something that doesn’t always show up in the brochures, the spreadsheets, or the checklists. But in my opinion — and in the opinion of a lot of folks who live here inside Hot Springs Village — it’s absolutely essential to getting retirement right. Today’s topic? How a place makes you feel. When most people think about retirement, the questions start off pretty predictably: “What’s the cost of living?” “Is there good healthcare nearby?” “Are there enough activitie...
Aug 12, 2025•35 min
Some volunteers for the Hot Springs Village Fire Department formed a 501 (c) (3) non-profit association to help raise money for the department. This endeavor aims to support the department by engaging our community to help raise funds for various departmental needs. Chief Jeremy Simmons leads the department, but President Charlie Phillips leads the 501(c)(3) with board members Mike Jackman and Glen Wagner. Hot Springs Village Volunteers Firefighters Association 110 Cortez Rd Hot Springs Village,...
Aug 08, 2025•13 min
Diamante Country Club celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. A main attraction is the clubhouse and the dining experience that members get to enjoy. Executive Chef, Terry Thompson , relocated to Hot Springs Village from Portland, Oregon, over 6 years ago. For the past year or so, he’s been responsible for dishing out superb cuisine at Diamante. Follow Diamante on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diamantehsv/ Follow Diamante on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamanteCountryClub • Join...
Aug 08, 2025•23 min
SPECIAL EPISODE 5 Granada Lane, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Premier Custom Estate in Diamante Country Club! This extraordinary all-brick custom home is one of the crown jewels of the prestigious Diamante Country Club. With over 6,200 square feet of finely crafted living space, this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers elegance, functionality, and unmatched comfort. Step inside to discover custom cabinetry throughout, rich hardwood floors, and an expansive layout designed for both luxury living and ...
Aug 06, 2025•31 min
Hot Springs Village isn’t the perfect fit for everyone — and that’s okay. Recently, I spoke with two couples who realized pretty quickly that the Village wasn’t right for them. One was looking for more acreage and a deeper “country living” feel. The other preferred a different political climate — something much more liberal. I was genuinely happy they figured it out early. But for many of us, Hot Springs Village is ideal. One of the biggest reasons, especially for retirees (or those of us past r...
Aug 04, 2025•39 min
Jeremy Simmons is the newest Fire Chief of Hot Springs Village. At just 41 years old, Chief Simmons brings more than two decades of dedicated service within the Village’s fire department. Combining youthful energy with deep experience and proven expertise, his leadership plays a vital role in making Hot Springs Village a safe and welcoming place for all property owners. The HSV Fire Department, a team of 24 committed professionals, serves our community around the clock—365 days a year. With Chie...
Aug 01, 2025•36 min
Thinking about retirement? Discover why Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, is one of the best-kept secrets for retirees. Today, let’s break down what it means to retire richer – not just financially, but in every area of our lives. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on the images below to visit their websites.) __________________________________________ _______________________________...
Jul 29, 2025•35 min
