In this special final episode of 2022, I’m going to share clips from the top five most downloaded episodes of 2022. I cover everything from huge retirement mistakes that you should avoid to the types of accounts you want to use to save for retirement. These contain some of my best tips from the year. Don’t miss this special edition of the Retirement Made Easy podcast! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [0:29] Episode #118: 3 Types of Accounts You Want to Have to Save ...
Dec 29, 2022•19 min•Ep. 130
How do you gift money to individuals without getting hit with having to pay taxes on the gift? How do you make withdrawals if you’re gifted a beneficiary IRA? What is the most tax-efficient way to carry out charitable giving? These are just a few of the questions that I’ll answer in this special end-of-the-year episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:26] Submit questions at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com [2:19] Why pension lum...
Dec 22, 2022•25 min•Ep. 129
When I help a client craft a retirement plan, we want to make sure it lasts at least 30 years, (based on average life expectancy). A lot can change over a 30-year time period, right? So in this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I share why you can’t embrace the “set it and forget it” mentality and tell you why your retirement portfolio must change and adapt with your changing needs and goals. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [0:28] What makes you more lik...
Dec 15, 2022•20 min•Ep. 128
What happens when you sell your primary home? What are the tax implications? What’s the deal with long-term care insurance? Do you need it? What are Roth 401ks and IRAs and why do you need one? I’ve been getting numerous questions about these three topics, so in today’s episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast I’ll break them down. Don’t miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [4:02] Submit a question at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com [5:45] Popular Topic #1: Wh...
Dec 08, 2022•25 min•Ep. 127
Are you ready to retire? Or does the thought of retiring leave you questioning what you’ll spend your time doing? Guess what? Retirement doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In some circumstances, you may want to consider only partially retiring. Why? I share some viable reasons in this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast. Don’t miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:46] Check out the FREE resources at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com [3:32] Reason #1: The ...
Dec 01, 2022•19 min•Ep. 126
The St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster, Dan McLaughlin, was asked what makes the best professional baseball manager. He believes that the vision of a manager is one of their greatest attributes. They’re not just focused on the present, but looking forward and putting a strategy together based on what’s coming next. When we are talking about end-of-year tax planning, we are looking at the years ahead, too. Why? Because it might change what we do today. So in this episode of the Retirement Made Easy ...
Nov 24, 2022•21 min•Ep. 125
Do you feel like you’re late to the game? Are you in your 50s and just now seriously looking at what you have saved for retirement? If you feel like you don’t have any hope of reaching the retirement of your dreams, I’m here to tell you that you still can. But it will take some sacrifice. So how do you get caught up saving for retirement? I share some ideas in this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [3:42] What to do if you...
Nov 17, 2022•21 min•Ep. 124
The listener questions have been rolling in so I decided it was time to do another listener Q&A edition of the Retirement Made Easy podcast! In this episode, I cover everything from investing your 401k to health insurance, and capital gains tax to social security spousal benefits for divorcees. Don’t miss this informative episode—I just might answer questions that have been circling in your mind! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [3:55] Listener Question #1: Why ...
Nov 10, 2022•25 min•Ep. 123
In episode #106 of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I talked about the risks associated with investing in bonds. I also mentioned a Fidelity® U.S. Bond Index Fund, right? In this episode, I’m going to share an update about this index fund to help you understand how bonds can be risky . I’ll also talk about the #1 contributing factor that can help you retire wealthy. Don’t miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:45] An unexpected retirement coaching call [5:38]...
Nov 03, 2022•22 min•Ep. 122
What is forcing people to retire by the end of 2022? What’s happening to corporate pensions? What’s changing with social security because of inflation? Rising interest rates are making an impact on the economy—and your retirement. Find out how in this episode of Retirement Made Easy! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:20] Book a FREE retirement coaching call! [2:11] The changes happening with social security [6:04] Medicare Part B premiums were raised too much [7:3...
Oct 27, 2022•19 min•Ep. 121
In this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I focus on some listener questions that I’ve received that have to do with investing. I’ll share what the questions are and address why I don’t give out advice on specific investments. However, I will share some best practices and talk about why retirement planners get into the nitty-gritty details. Don’t miss it! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You will want ...
Oct 20, 2022•23 min•Ep. 120
I recently had a call with a listener who had great questions—but the call didn’t go as he had planned. Why? One of his main questions was point blank, “Can I retire by the end of the year?” His house was paid off. He had an emergency fund, a brokerage account, and a 401k. He felt like he was in good shape to retire so he was shocked when I told him that he wasn’t ready . Find out why I told him “no” in this episode of Retirement Made Easy! You will want to hear this episode if you are intereste...
Oct 13, 2022•22 min•Ep. 119
There are three types of accounts—that are not the same as my bucket strategy —that I believe everyone needs to use to save for their retirement. These accounts will benefit you in retirement . They are Roth accounts, traditional accounts, and brokerage accounts. Listen to this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast to learn more about each and how they can benefit you! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [4:33] Get a FREE 30-minute coaching call at RetirementMade...
Oct 06, 2022•24 min•Ep. 118
I’ve been offering free 30-minute retirement coaching sessions this year and recently, three themes have emerged in these conversations: Whether or not you should keep life insurance once you retire Struggling with losses in your retirement portfolio Legacy planning and beneficiary planning So in this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I’ll cover each of these topics and how you can decide what to do. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>&...
Sep 29, 2022•24 min•Ep. 117
Emergency funds. Cash reserve funds. Safe money. They’re all the same name for money that you need to set aside for—you guessed it— emergencies . As interest rates continue to climb to combat inflation, what should conservative investors do? What opportunities should you take advantage of with rising interest rates? Should you look at bonds or fixed-interest investments? Higher interest rates make it easier for conservative investors to earn interest on their emergency funds. Learn what I mean b...
Sep 22, 2022•21 min•Ep. 116
Do you have a plan for charitable giving in retirement? What about saving for a grandchild’s college education? Retirement planning goes far deeper than covering your basic bills in retirement—it’s about all of the goals you have. In this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I’ll cover two things I’m often asked about: charitable giving and college savings plans. Check it out! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [3:21] Check out the resources at RetirementMadeE...
Sep 15, 2022•23 min•Ep. 115
How should you invest your money once you’re retired? I get asked this question frequently because people are hoping for a quick recipe for success. But that’s not how it works. When I help you build a retirement portfolio, I start by looking at three factors. These three factors will dictate how we invest your money for a successful outcome: Do you need an income to supplement your social security or pension? What is the minimum rate of return you need for a successful retirement? What is your ...
Sep 08, 2022•19 min•Ep. 114
I’ve spoken with multiple women making the same mistake with their TSP plans (a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the government’s version of a 401k). Why? Because people are scared about the economy and inflation. People make their decisions based on emotion in times of uncertainty. So in this episode of the Retirement Made Easy Podcast, I’ll share what this mistake is and why I think it’s a mistake. I’ll let you decide what to do with the information. Don’t miss it! <<<<<<<<...
Sep 01, 2022•24 min•Ep. 113
We’ve had so many great questions from listeners that I couldn’t resist another episode where we take a look back at some of the best. From 401k matching to how advisors get paid, this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast will recap some important things you want to remember. Check it out! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:43] Submit a question at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com [3:02] Question #1: How does 401k matching work? [6:58] Question #2: How should y...
Aug 25, 2022•20 min•Ep. 112
Can you stop or suspend social security? How do inheritances impact your taxes? How do you pay for Medicare Part B if you’re not on social security? In this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I revisit some of the best questions from 2022 that are still 100% relevant and timely for today. If you want answers to these questions, don’t miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:40] Submit questions at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com [3:02] Question #1: Can y...
Aug 18, 2022•19 min•Ep. 111
I see people making the same IRA mistakes over and over again because they just don’t know enough about IRAs. That’s why I advise anyone to work with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)—even if it’s not me. Until you can do that, do everything you can to avoid these 8 great IRA mistakes with your retirement portfolio. If you own an IRA—traditional or Roth—this is a can’t-miss episode of the Retirement Made Easy Podcast. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:04] Submit...
Aug 11, 2022•22 min•Ep. 110
In this special listener question edition of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I’ll cover three amazing listener questions plus a bonus question that I’ve never been asked before: Should you sue your financial advisor? Tough question! Listen to this episode to hear my answers! Remember, you can submit your questions at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com ! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [2:54] Ask me a question at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com! [4:18] Question #1: Can y...
Aug 04, 2022•22 min•Ep. 109
I recently had a conversation with someone who retired a year ago. Sadly, his financial advisor gave him the worst advice I’ve heard in a long, long time. So in this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I’ll share why it was such poor advice and the two things you should never do. I’ll also answer a couple of listener questions at the end. Don’t miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [3:20] The worst retirement planning advice I’ve heard [10:11] Being armed with know...
Jul 29, 2022•22 min•Ep. 108
A lot has happened in 2022. A bear market and rising inflation have people who are about to retire scared. They’re worried about their retirement, and rightly so. In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I’ll talk about some important statistics from the Schroders 2022 US Retirement Survey and what they mean. I’ll share the easiest thing you can do to make sure you’re prepared to retire. Lastly, I answer a couple of listener questions. Listen to this episode to give yourself some peace of mind! ...
Jul 21, 2022•22 min•Ep. 107
Why are some bond investors running for the exits? Is it risky to have bonds in your portfolio? Most people associate bonds with being a “safe” play in their portfolio to balance out the “riskier” stocks. But the truth is that investing in bonds can be just as risky. So in the first part of this special episode, I’ll dive into the reason WHY investing in bonds can be a risky play. In the second half of this episode, I’ll share a case study of a current client. It’ll include some tips and strateg...
Jul 14, 2022•23 min•Ep. 106
What does the stock market look like right now? As I’m recording this episode, the S&P 500 is down around 20% for the year. In general, it’s a good gauge of the US stock market. The S&P 500 is broken down into different sectors such as healthcare, utilities, energy, consumer staples, financials, and more. The only sector that is positive—or has made money—in 2022 is the energy sector . So far, energy is up 27% YTD. Should we be concerned with how the market is performing? While I usually...
Jul 07, 2022•22 min•Ep. 105
In October of every year, the Social Security Administration announces the cost of living adjustment for recipients starting that will go into effect in January the following year. So when they announce it in 2022, it will go into effect in January of 2023. Last October, they announced that the cost-of-living adjustment was 5.9%. The number they land on depends on their calculation of inflation at that time . I imagine that the adjustment they land on will be higher than last year. I’m estimatin...
Jun 30, 2022•19 min•Ep. 104
There’s an old Indian proverb that goes, “Tell me a fact, and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth, and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.” Story enables us to connect with concepts and make the unfamiliar, familiar. So in this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I’m going to share someone’s story to illustrate huge retirement mistakes her husband made that could’ve been avoided. She allowed me to share her story so that others could learn from it. Don’t miss this episod...
Jun 23, 2022•22 min•Ep. 103
What should you expect from your financial advisor? Based on the questions I’m getting—and the conversations I’m having—many of you don’t know the answer to this question. And some of you have been working with the same financial advisor for 10–20 years! In this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I want to encourage you to expect more from your financial advisor: more planning, more advice, and more service. Listen to learn what you are paying for and SHOULD be getting from your financ...
Jun 16, 2022•18 min•Ep. 102
Too many people spend their time worrying about what they can’t control. But you have to focus on what you can control and disregard the rest. We are where we are today because of the decisions and choices we’ve made in the past. As you look ahead at your future retirement, you’ll be where you are because of the decisions you make now. There are things you can’t control like the economy, who’s in the white house, the war in Ukraine, and more. You’re wasting your time if you spend it thinking, “I...
Jun 09, 2022•19 min•Ep. 101
