Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment ☎️ 919-391-3446 Congress has passed and President Trump has signed the Big Beautiful Bill, which is our new tax code (along with a bunch of other things). While you might have a strong opinion on different aspects of this legislation, all we care about today is how it will impact tax planning and financial planning for people preparing for retirement. We’re going to run thro...
Jul 11, 2025•17 min•Ep. 119
If you're only using your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for co-pays and prescriptions today, you’re missing out on its biggest superpower. In this episode, John reveals how to “hack” your HSA and turn it into a tax-free retirement goldmine. He also shares tips on contribution strategy, the portability of HSAs, what qualifies as a medical expense, and how to retroactively reimburse yourself in retirement. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💡 Triple tax benefits in one account 🛠️ HSA ...
Jun 27, 2025•10 min•Ep. 117
Bees might not seem like financial gurus, but when it comes to patience, long-term planning, and compound growth, they might just outsmart most investors. In this episode, John teaches on what his personal beekeeping hobby taught him about investing, and why the early years of building wealth often feel frustrating or futile. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🕰️ Why early returns often look discouraging 💸 Feeling behind? Focus on contribution, not chasing returns 📈 The power of compound...
Jun 13, 2025•5 min•Ep. 116
A new tax proposal, referred to as “The Big Beautiful Bill,” has officially passed the House. But before anything’s set in stone, it has to make it through the Senate, where revisions are all but guaranteed. The bill’s main goal? To extend several provisions of the 2018 tax code, with a few adjustments and updates along the way. In this episode, John breaks down what’s currently in the bill, what might shift in the Senate, and how it could impact your financial outlook. From a continued high sta...
May 28, 2025•10 min•Ep. 115
For a lot of folks, retirement and travel go hand-in-hand, whether that’s taking a trip to Europe or rolling into every Cracker Barrel in the Southeast. But here’s the thing: dreaming is free, but the travel costs aren’t. In this episode, John shares how to build a realistic, flexible plan that supports your travel goals in retirement, whether it’s an RV road trip to national parks or annual international adventures with a passport in hand. We’ll also break down how to budget realistically for t...
May 09, 2025•8 min•Ep. 114
When the market takes a dive, most people panic. But the most successful investors often see downturns differently. Being able to recognize opportunity in the middle of market uncertainty can help you make critical decisions during difficult market environments. Let’s talk about what steps you can take to strengthen your plan while others sit on the sidelines. We'll cover four smart strategies that can work during volatile periods, including increasing savings, timing Roth conversions, reallocat...
Apr 24, 2025•10 min•Ep. 113
Tax season is here, but did you know that filing your 2024 return is only part of the equation? With the 2025 tax changes in place, John breaks down key areas where you may be able to reduce your tax bill. With increased standard deductions and higher retirement contribution limits, now is the time to evaluate how you can plan smarter and potentially put more money toward your future. In this episode, we dive into the major tax changes for 2025 and discuss how smart planning now may save you a l...
Apr 11, 2025•16 min•Ep. 112
Once you’re on a fixed income in retirement, it can be difficult to open the checkbook to pay for major expenses. Emotion and logic both play into the decision, and many spouses can feel apprehensive about spending large sums of money without a paycheck still coming in. So how do you determine if you can afford that home renovation you’ve always wanted and what’s the best way to convince your partner it’s going to be okay long-term? We’ll highlight three potential scenarios regarding that cause ...
Mar 21, 2025•9 min•Ep. 110
There’s a lot of anxiety out there right now about the market and the current economy that we're experiencing. People are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding Social Security, DOGE, tariffs, and more. So I wanted to get on here and try to dispel some of the myths, talk about what's actually happening, and then drill down specifically to what you should be doing yourself. Here’s some of the things we’ll cover: 📉 Market Volatility Explained – What’s...
Mar 14, 2025•12 min•Ep. 111
What’s the average age that people retire? While that question can give you an idea of what most Americans do, it’s best to understand why people choose the specific ages they do. This video will explain the key ages that influence retirement decisions to help you identify the factors that might affect your timeline. We’ll tell you why the milestone ages begin at 59.5 and what ages are most important for Social Security and Medicare. Most of our clients at Rosewood Wealth Management tend to reti...
Jan 30, 2025•9 min•Ep. 109
What happens when you get remarried and want to create a new will and estate plan with your new spouse? Do you have to change all of your previous beneficiaries or will the new will override those existing designations? That’s the question we’re answering in this week's show. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 0:51 – Beneficiaries override the will 2:32 – Estate planning challenges with second marriages Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Phone: 919-391-...
Dec 26, 2024•6 min•Ep. 108
With Halloween on the horizon, we’re rolling out a themed edition of the show today by tackling some of the trick or treat decisions of the financial planning world. We’re going to present John with four different products that have risen in popularity recently and find out whether he would characterize them as tricks or treats. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:20 – Home equity line of credit 5:18 – Infinite banking 8:12 – Buying gold 10:17 – No closing cost mortgage Connec...
Oct 24, 2024•15 min•Ep. 107
Getting laid off or forced into retirement earlier than expected can be a big blow emotionally and financially, but it’s a life event that many people will have to navigate. If you find yourself in this position of no longer having a job before you were prepared to retire, should you go find another job or can you find a way to retire without it? Today we’re answering a question we received recently from someone who is 61 and trying to determine if they need to go back to work. John will walk yo...
Oct 03, 2024•8 min•Ep. 106
Social Security timing is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make in your retirement planning journey. Should you wait until 70 to claim your benefits, or is it better to start earlier? Today we’re going to answer a question from someone who planned to wait until 70 for Social Security so they didn’t leave money on the table, but now that they’re approaching age 68, they’re having second thoughts about waiting. So what’s the best path forward? John breaks down the pros and cons of taking S...
Sep 26, 2024•9 min•Ep. 105
As we age, one of the most pressing questions we face is how to manage long-term care expenses. What coverage will you need and what’s the best way to pay for that coverage? Today we answer a question about purchasing LTC insurance and whether it’s worth doing while you’re in your 50s. John will discuss whether it is a necessary investment for those nearing retirement age and examine alternative options such as self-insuring and leveraging life insurance policies with accelerated death benefits....
Sep 19, 2024•12 min•Ep. 104
It can be challenging for a lot of folks to think about legacy planning because it takes a lot of forward thinking. Not everyone wants to plan that far ahead, but for some, it’s incredibly important to leave their loved ones with an inheritance. Today we are answering a question from someone who wants to leave money for their children and grandchildren but also wants to ensure that they’re not paying more in taxes on that money than they need to. John will examine some common thoughts and concer...
Sep 12, 2024•11 min•Ep. 103
Instilling good financial habits in children starts at a young age, but that doesn’t mean that every lesson will stick in adulthood. Once your kids start working and earning significant money for the first time, it’s pretty common to put spending ahead of saving. As parents, we want to help them establish good financial habits but what’s the best approach to do that? In this video, John will address a question we received from a parent who wants to make sure their kid is doing more than just get...
Sep 05, 2024•11 min•Ep. 102
With college costs continuing to rise, some grandparents wonder if there’s anything they can do to help ease the burden of college expenses for their grandchildren. Today we’ll explore the best strategies for those who want to support their grandchildren’s college education without compromising their own financial stability. The 529 plan gets most of the attention when it comes to college savings, but we’ll share a few more options that are worth considering. All of these could work for you but ...
Aug 29, 2024•13 min•Ep. 101
It’s not uncommon for children to stay on their parent’s payroll in some capacity when they’re adults, but that could end up impacting the parent’s ability to retire. At what point do you move your kids off of the payroll and what’s the best way to handle that conversation? In this episode, we’re going to address this situation and talk about how it ends up happening for parents. John sheds light on this issue, sharing his own experiences and those of his clients. He also emphasizes the importan...
Aug 22, 2024•11 min•Ep. 100
When you have multiple IRAs, managing them across different platforms and figuring out your RMDs for each account can be a little bit tricky. So what’s the best way to manage these accounts? Should you consider consolidating your IRAs? Today’s featured question comes from a comment left on one of our previous videos so thank you for the contribution. Here is the question John will answer: We have multiple IRAs set up over the years as different approaches appealed each year. Would you recommend ...
Jul 25, 2024•11 min•Ep. 99
Inheriting assets can be a life-changing financial boost, but it often comes with a maze of tax implications and decisions. In this episode, we will answer a question about an inheritance and lay out the tax considerations for a variety of assets to help you better understand what you might owe. Discover how to navigate the tax implications of IRAs, annuities, bank accounts, real estate, and stocks to make the most of your inheritance. Even with this information, you still want to plan ahead as ...
Jul 18, 2024•13 min•Ep. 98
Retirement planning doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly complicated. It certainly doesn’t have to be as complicated as some people make it. In this episode, we unravel the unnecessary complexities often woven into the fabric of retirement advice. We’ll debunk some myths, simplify strategies, and uncover the beauty of simplicity and straightforward retirement planning. If you’re looking for more simplicity within your financial plan, we’ll even provide a few steps you can take today to move in that...
Jun 28, 2024•14 min•Ep. 96
What should you do with an old 401k that you’re still holding onto from an previous employer? Does that answer change when the market is performing well and your account is generating strong returns? Let’s take a closer look at the rollover IRA and whether it’s something that you should be doing with your old 401k accounts. The primary reason someone uses a rollover is to gain more flexibility and control over that money so let’s talk about how the current investing environment impacts that deci...
Jun 20, 2024•10 min•Ep. 97
No one has a crystal ball that will tell them what will happen with tax rates in the future and we certainly can’t predict what will happen, but the expectation for many people is that rates will only be going up from where they are right now. With that in mind, does it make sense to sell investments off ahead of those possible tax increases in order to take advantage of the lower rates? We’ve been talking to our clients at Rosewood Wealth Management about tax planning strategies that will posit...
Jun 13, 2024•12 min•Ep. 95
The IRS first made significant changes to the stretch IRA with the introduction of the SECURE Act in 2020, and they’ve since made a few updates. Now the IRS has tweaked things even further for 2024 and we’re going to fill you in on what you need to know in this video. We’ll discuss the implications of the recent changes made by the IRS, including the new rules for inherited IRAs and the importance of having a well-thought-out plan for withdrawals. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – I...
Jun 06, 2024•8 min•Ep. 94
The housing market remains strong in North Carolina and throughout much of the country, which creates an interesting option for many people moving in retirement. Should you go ahead and sell your home to take advantage of the current home values and rent until you’re ready to buy your next place? Today we’ll tackle a question that came in to us recently and asked about this same scenario: The housing market in my neighborhood is still really good right now and I’m tempted to put our house on the...
May 23, 2024•9 min•Ep. 93
Are you in your early 50s and dreaming of retiring early? It’s a feasible goal with the right financial planning but there are milestone ages that you need to take into account. Retiring early means different things to different people. For some, it's bowing out before the traditional retirement age, while for others, it's about clocking out permanently while still in their fifties. But regardless of how you define 'early,' there are certain financial considerations that are pivotal in the plann...
May 16, 2024•12 min•Ep. 92
The idea of retirement is one that’s filled with plenty of rest and relaxation, but the reality is stress doesn’t go away. From losing the structure of a daily routine to the challenges of socializing and finding a new purpose, the pitfalls of retirement can certainly increase the stress you’re feeling. We heard from someone recently who had this concern about their upcoming transition so we want to address the unexpected stresses that come with leaving the workforce. Here’s the scenario John wi...
May 09, 2024•8 min•Ep. 91
We’re just a few months away from another election and everyone anticipates it being another year, so what does that mean for your investments? When uncertainty starts to increase, there’s often a strong marketing push for buying gold, but is now a good time to do that? Today we’ll answer that question with a discussion on the role of gold in your portfolio as we prepare for election year madness. Uncover the truths behind gold's historical performance and whether it truly is the investment armo...
May 02, 2024•9 min•Ep. 90
As you approach retirement or begin that next stage of life, the financial goals shift to protecting what you’ve saved. There are different ways to accomplish that goal, but with the volatility we’ve seen from the market, does it make sense to move to cash to be safe? Here’s the question we’ll tackle in this video: I haven’t decided on a specific retirement date yet, but hopefully it will be sometime in the next four years. With all of the recent market volatility, should I just move my retireme...
Apr 25, 2024•8 min•Ep. 89
