Let’s get back to basics—addition and subtraction two ways to get to the same answer. However, we have a tendency to stick with addition. Today we’ll learn how subtraction can help you come out ahead. Why am I talking about elementary math on a retirement podcast? Listen in to find out. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [2:12] Is scarcity really a negative thing? [6:04] Stop trying to aim for precision [11:17] Stop making retirement planning your new...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 538
Have you ever considered moving to a retirement community? With the freedom that retirement brings, many people begin to rethink their living arrangements. On this episode, you’ll hear how Brad and his wife decided to move to a retirement community. Listen in to hear how they approached their decision, the research they put in on where to retire, and how they enjoy their new locale. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN A MINI CASE STUDY [2:40] How Brad discovered The Villages [10...
May 01, 2024•42 min•Ep. 537
Does a withdrawal strategy in retirement have to be complicated or can you simply do a reverse of dollar cost averaging? In this episode, we’ll take a look at how reverse dollar-cost averaging would work by using an example and discover who it works for. Click play to learn if this withdrawal strategy would work for you. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT WITH A LISTENER QUESTION [1:44] Is it okay to do a reverse dollar-cost average for withdrawals in...
Apr 24, 2024•38 min•Ep. 536
We would all love to have that magic number–the exact amount we need to retire. However, since there are so many unknowns it is impossible to attain an exact number. This is why the big question of retirement is a complex one. In this episode, I’ll walk a listener through the process of how she can learn how much she really needs to retire. Make sure to stick around to hear about the books I read in March. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [1:46] How much do...
Apr 17, 2024•38 min•Ep. 535
Have you been wondering what retirement is like for real retirees out in the wild? With the success of our Retirement Plan Live series, we decided to try mini-case studies to learn more about what retirees like you are doing to rock retirement. In this episode, you’ll hear some feedback from Sarah who asked a question on the show about a year and a half ago. Listen in to hear how she responded to the advice I gave. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN A MINI CASE STUDY [2:27] Sar...
Apr 10, 2024•51 min•Ep. 534
Michael Kitces is one of the innovators in the retirement planning and financial services space. His blog and ecosystem of resources help retirees and financial advisors gain the base knowledge needed to rock retirement. On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Michael joins me to discuss the state of retirement planning, how it has changed, and how you can live your retirement to its fullest. Listen to this interview with one of the great minds in retirement planning. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE O...
Apr 03, 2024•52 min•Ep. 533
Have you ever wondered why it is so hard for you to spend your money? Even now after all these years of saving you know you have enough, but it’s hard to let go and untie those purse strings. Today, my friend and renowned author, Michael Easter joins me to discuss overcoming frugality from a different perspective. Click play to hear about the evolutionary mismatch that hinders you from spending your money. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [2:38] Clarificati...
Mar 27, 2024•43 min•Ep. 532
For the past ten years, we have been exploring how to do retirement right so that you can get down to the business of living a great life. This is why this month we have had a series of special guests. Today’s guest is behavioral investment expert and author Dan Crosby. Together we explore why it is so hard to overcome your money mindset and how you can learn to let go to enjoy the money you have worked so long and hard to save. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLAN...
Mar 20, 2024•50 min•Ep. 531
Retirement planning has changed over the years, but has the industry evolved to keep up? Your retirement needs are much different from those of your parents' generation. This is why it is important to focus on retirement planning in a holistic way rather than from solely a financial perspective. Morningstar’s Christine Benz joins me today on this episode of Retirement Answer Man. This seasoned retirement journalist shares her thoughts on the state of retirement planning, long-term care, investin...
Mar 13, 2024•52 min•Ep. 530
This month we celebrate the Retirement Answer Man’s 10th anniversary milestone with several guests throughout the month. Today we welcome Professor Rick Nason, author of It’s Not Complicated , to discuss complicated vs complex thinking. If that discussion didn’t Stick around for the listener questions with Tanya Nichols and Bring It On with Dr. Bobby Dubois OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN COMPLICATED VS COMPLEX THINKING WITH PROFESSOR RICK NASON [4:20] Defining simple, compl...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 529
Those who have FIREd like Keven Sebesta are choosing to rock life each day. In this final episode on the FIRE movement, we’ll explore what we can learn from them. Join Kevin and me to discover how you can do what FIRE is doing right. What can you learn from FIRE? Traditional retirement planning is all about achieving the end goal. Climbing the mountain and reaching the summit. However, FIRE embraces life today. Those in the FIRE movement see life as an endless journey to explore. Don’t wait to e...
Feb 28, 2024•45 min•Ep. 528
Over these past few weeks, we have been discussing the FIRE movement with Kevin Sebesta, a coach in the RRC who achieved FIRE some time ago and has been rocking retirement ever since. This week Kevin helps me explore the challenges that retiring early can bring. Listen in to hear if these are similar to the issues you face in retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [4:58] The challenges of leaving traditional work early [10:55] Healthcare is on...
Feb 21, 2024•50 min•Ep. 527
Now that we know what FIRE is, let’s learn the benefits. In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Kevin Sebesta joins me to discuss the benefits of FIRE. Afterward, Mark Ross comes aboard to noodle on why creativity is important in retirement. And finally, Taylor Schulte from the Stay Wealthy podcast helps me answer some listener questions. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [1:41] Life as a journey [3:00] ...
Feb 14, 2024•52 min•Ep. 526
Have you heard of the FIRE movement? It’s become increasingly popular in the past few years. Even if you are technically too old to retire early, there is something we can all learn from FIRE seekers. In this episode, Kevin Sebesta, a real live FIREer joins me to discuss what FIRE is, how he achieved it, and what people who retire early do with their time. Make sure to stick around for the Bring It On segment with Dr. Bobby Dubois to learn whether supplements are worth the time and money we spen...
Feb 07, 2024•57 min•Ep. 525
How do you manage a joint cash flow with separate assets? In addition to discussing Mark and Mary’s situation, today I chat with Kay about how she and her husband handled finances with their late in life marriage. Kay gives us some insight on how to manage finances in a financially unbalanced relationship. You’ll appreciate her perspective on how to manage the household cash flow when you haven’t always been married. Make sure to stick around to hear an update from Sam, our single Retirement Pla...
Jan 31, 2024•53 min•Ep. 524
We’re back with Retirement Plan Live to explore how two adults who married later in life can share their resources as they age. Last week we looked at their goals both individually and together and today we’ll do the same with their resources. Listen in to hear the different ways that older adults who come together later in life can pool their resources so they can rock retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE [2:55] Let’s look at their resources [8:5...
Jan 24, 2024•24 min•Ep. 523
Do you like lemonade? If so, you won’t want to miss out on the lemonade I make on today’s episode. We’re discussing goals on this episode of the Retirement Plan Live series and we get to catch up with Lori from the 2017 Retirement Plan Live. Find out what she is up to and how to work through shared and separate goals in retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE [3:42] Mark and Mary’s differences developed into a big conversation [9:00] Mark’s values [1...
Jan 17, 2024•40 min•Ep. 522
If you’re married, do you have retirement planning meetings? If you’re single do you plan a time to meet with yourself to plan your retirement? What or whom do you use as a sounding board? In this Retirement Plan Live, we’re getting to know Mark and Mary–two lovely people who have found each other later in life. This mature newlywed couple is trying to iron out the details of their finances. Sit back and enjoy this episode where we meet Mary and learn about her story and the financial challenges...
Jan 10, 2024•49 min•Ep. 521
Today you’ll meet Mark–half of our newest case study for Retirement Plan Live. Mark and Mary are a year and a half into their new marriage and are trying to figure out how to plan the rest of their lives. On this episode, you’ll learn about Mark and his aspirations and concerns for their life together. In the next episode, you’ll meet Mary, in week three we’ll discuss their goals, the following week we’ll look at their resources, and finally, we’ll see how they manage their cash flow and learn w...
Jan 03, 2024•52 min•Ep. 520
One of our listeners actually has a better mortgage rate than me! However, as they begin to test their retirement budget they have found that the mortgage payment leaves that budget a bit tight. So they are wondering if they should pay off their mortgage early by withdrawing from their IRA. What would you do? Listen in to hear my response in addition to several other listener questions. We’ll also catch up with Rosie from the last Retirement Plan Live. Press play to learn if she implemented any ...
Dec 27, 2023•55 min•Ep. 519
It seems like no matter how much we save we always have that nagging worry about whether it is truly enough. One of our listeners is looking for ways to reduce the chances of running out of money in retirement. My response to his question may surprise you. Listen in to hear what I have to say about improving his retirement trajectory. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [2:21] What can I do to ensure not run out of money in retirement [8:43] A rental property ...
Dec 20, 2023•34 min•Ep. 518
Have you ever wondered how the subjects from our Retirement Plan Live series are doing now? Did everything turn out okay for them? Find out how Emma ( from 2019 RPL ) is doing on this episode of Retirement Answer Man. In the listener questions segment you’ll learn about the Rule of 55, donor-advised funds, and contributing to a teen’s Roth IRA. Press play to listen. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [4:01] Can you directly contribute from an IRA or 401K to a...
Dec 13, 2023•37 min•Ep. 517
The way does not exist–there is no one correct way to do things. We are all finding our own ways in life and retirement. Working with an agile structure will help give you the scaffolding to create a retirement plan in an organized way. On this episode, you’ll hear how drafting your agile retirement plan can help you discover your unique way to rock retirement. Continue listening to discover the books I read in November, the answers to several listener questions, and the way to create an exercis...
Dec 06, 2023•59 min•Ep. 516
Have you been wondering what you’re supposed to do when it comes to refilling your retirement income buckets? So has Michael. In this episode, I’ll go into further detail about how to do that. Stay tuned for the answer to Michael’s question and many others as well as a chat with Kevin Lyles on how to ease into retirement in the Bring It On segment. Press play to get started. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [4:38] How to reinvest retirement income floor [15...
Nov 29, 2023•37 min•Ep. 515
What would you do if your retirement planner said no when you asked them for a report? I’ll address this question and many more on this episode of the Retirement Answer Man Show. We’ll also discuss the two things you need to find happiness. Are you curious as to what they are? Listen in to find out. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [2:13] Adding to my partial answer to a question in episode 512 [5:33] What to do when my advisor told me no to a report [11:05...
Nov 22, 2023•35 min•Ep. 514
If you have different retirement accounts at various brokerage firms, you may wonder whether you should consolidate them. One listener asked me that very question today. I’ll answer it along with several others–don’t miss the one about my finance book recommendations. Are you curious about how you can improve your relationship in retirement? Then, make sure to listen to Mark Ross’s suggestions in the Bring It On segment. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [5:...
Nov 15, 2023•34 min•Ep. 513
“You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” James Clear I’ve been focusing on building up my systems lately and today I’ll provide you with an example of what that looks like for me. In addition, in this episode, you’ll hear several questions on how to optimize your tax burden. Then in the Bring It On segment, Kevin Lyles joins me to discuss the role of leisure in retirement. Join me today to take a baby step to improve your life in retirement. OUTLINE OF...
Nov 08, 2023•35 min•Ep. 512
Bonds are a ubiquitous part of a balanced portfolio and in recent years bond funds have become even more attractive to many investors. However, due to rising interest rates, bond funds are now losing their appeal. One listener asks whether she should call it quits on her investment in bond funds. In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Nichole and I will explore this and other questions from listeners like you. Stick around to hear my conversation with Dr. Bobby Dubois about energy and our rel...
Nov 01, 2023•47 min•Ep. 511
We often try to overcomplicate finances, but simplicity is the key. That’s not to say simplistic: simple doesn’t equal simplistic. On this episode, we wrap up our Wisdom for Our Children series by exploring your advice for spending, saving, and investing. We have tons of valuable guidance for the young people in our lives. Be sure to listen to hear all the suggestions. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN WISDOM FOR OUR CHILDREN [3:38] Learn to invest in yourself [9:02] How to cr...
Oct 25, 2023•52 min•Ep. 510
Your family and friends are the people you walk life with, so it is important to choose wisely. In this episode of our Wisdom for Our Children series, Nichole joins me to reflect on what the younger generation should keep in mind when forming these valuable relationships. Press play to hear what it takes to build meaningful relationships. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [3:17] What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you have to say [8:15] H...
Oct 18, 2023•28 min•Ep. 509
