A friend told me her advisor said she only needed eight times her income to retire. I nearly spit out my drink. In this episode, we unpack the numbers behind this dangerously oversimplified advice—and walk through what it actually takes to retire without running out of money. From withdrawal rates to Monte Carlo simulations, we explore why conventional wisdom often falls short and what you need to do instead. Whether you’re aiming for $100K or $1M in annual income, this is the retirement math no...
Jul 10, 2025•34 min•Ep. 253
Before you make a major financial (or life) move, how do you know if the dream is truly yours—or just a leftover memory? Or even outside influence? In this episode, Mary Lyons and Eric Alexander dive into the surprising value of test-driving your dreams. From sports cars to second homes to family goals, they unpack the difference between real desires and impulsive wants, and how to approach big decisions with clarity, strategy, and zero regrets. They also explore how couples with different visio...
Jul 02, 2025•28 min•Ep. 252
What happens when your income doubles—but your stress does too? In this powerful real-world case study, we walk through the journey of “Bob and Sue,” a high-earning couple navigating family, rising income, and the toll of burnout. Instead of falling into lifestyle inflation, they took a radically different path—one that prioritized freedom, flexibility, and future-proofing their financial plan. This episode dives into the psychology of money, the hidden cost of pressure-driven careers, and what ...
Jun 11, 2025•28 min•Ep. 251
What if your dream life isn’t actually your dream? In this episode, we explore the powerful concept of test-driving your dreams before committing to big life changes. From buying lake houses to manual-transmission sports cars, our hosts share personal stories, client experiences, and honest realizations about what brings real joy, energy, and purpose. It's a thought-provoking dive into understanding what we truly want—and how to figure that out before we spend the money....
May 22, 2025•31 min•Ep. 250
What does it really take to retire early—and still live fully today? In this episode, we dive into the financial strategy of a high-earning couple in their 30s determined to retire by 50—not to stop working, but to start living intentionally. Learn how they’re building wealth, avoiding lifestyle inflation, and designing a future filled with travel and creative pursuits. If you're aiming for financial independence, this case study is packed with actionable insights on optimizing income, avoiding ...
Apr 24, 2025•23 min•Ep. 249
Markets got spicy —and not in the fun way. After a turbulent few days on Wall Street, Mary Lyons, The Wealth Woman, and Eric Alexander break down what’s really happening in the markets—and what investors should keep in mind when fear kicks in. From circuit breakers to emotional decision-making, they explore how to stay grounded through market swings, manage portfolio risk, and keep your long-term strategy on track.
Apr 09, 2025•27 min•Ep. 248
In this episode of the Wealth and Income Podcast , hosts Mary, Lyons, The Wealth Woman, and Eric Alexander explore a critical but often overlooked aspect of financial planning: protection first—discussing why safeguarding wealth is just as essential as growing it. Learn how life insurance, financial security strategies, and the concept of "human economic value" can protect your loved ones and ensure long-term stability. Whether you're new to financial planning or reevaluating your strategy, this...
Apr 02, 2025•26 min•Ep. 247
Join us as we review an article from Ernst and Young that demonstrates the power of a retirement plan focused on income and multiple asset classes coordinated together. E&Y Article: How insurance and investments can improve financial wellness
Mar 12, 2025•32 min•Ep. 246
Mary Lyons, The Wealth Woman, and Eric Alexander discuss key conversations to have with your significant other when it comes to money. Part financial education, part therapy, these points will help you avoid common pain points and provide tools to navigate disagreements to find alignment and eliminate a key source of stress for many couples.
Mar 05, 2025•33 min•Ep. 245
This week, we explore three essential questions you should be asking your advisor—are you leaving money on the table? Mary Lyons, The Wealth Woman, and Eric Alexander reveal key financial oversights that many advisors miss, potentially costing you valuable income opportunities.
Feb 28, 2025•24 min•Ep. 244
In this episode, hosts Mary Lyons and Eric Alexander are back with transformative insights gained from Oliver Burkeman's book, 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals . They explore the concept of time management beyond productivity, emphasizing how life's finite nature necessitates intentionality in choosing what truly matters. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, they touch on themes like strategic neglect, the pitfalls of hustle culture, aligning actions with values, and finding ...
Feb 19, 2025•46 min•Ep. 243
Ahead of Valentine's Day this week, we're revisiting our discussion about money dynamics between couples, focused on how you can learn to speak openly and honestly about money — with Dr. Ryan Holliman, owner and clinician at Dallas Psychotherapy, PLLC.
Feb 12, 2025•41 min•Ep. 242
Join us as we look at a new way to incorporate inheritance into an income plan. We had the opportunity to help a family exit their business earlier than they thought possible, still get the income they need, and grow the legacy they were given for the next generation.
Oct 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 241
Join us for a conversation with Andrea Engstrom as we talk about the importance of clarity, confidence and connections when it comes to growing your business and your wealth. Andrea's Bold Mastermind - https://andreaengstrom.com/
Oct 03, 2024•50 min•Ep. 240
Join us as we walk through mindset and strategy when it comes to setting up investment accounts. We also dive into how a diversity of style can enhance your diversity in assets.
Jul 24, 2024•21 min•Ep. 239
Join us as we review an article from Ernst and Young that demonstrates the power of a retirement plan focused on income and multiple asset classes coordinated together. E&Y Article: How insurance and investments can improve financial wellness
Jun 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 238
Join us as we examine the pressure many families have faced over the last 40 years. Prices have been climbing, but wages have not always kept pace. We will also discuss the renewed importance of having an efficient system and making every dollar do multiple jobs.
Jun 19, 2024•24 min•Ep. 237
Join us as we walk through a tough client story about how planning for income at retirement had to pivot to planning for options and income today. We explore two universal truths: First, money is simply a tool to get what we need. Second, a mindset and strategies centered around flexibility and income are paramount when the unexpected shows up uninvited.
Jun 12, 2024•34 min•Ep. 236
The hardest part of building wealth is convincing yourself to save money - just like the hardest part of getting healthy is convincing yourself to go to the gym. If you woke up already at the gym, you’d be fit in no time. David Mozeika, the owner and visionary behind the Currence System, joins us to talk about cracking the code to saving more without feeling a sense of deprivation.
Jun 05, 2024•30 min•Ep. 235
Our discussion with Howard Polansky, owner of Financially Led--Join us as we walk through the harrowing experience that got him out of a career he dreaded and into a life built around teaching. Learn about his simple process of increasing the velocity of cash through your financial system to get rid of debt faster without having to go on a starvation budget and getting to the offensive side of planning faster and with less stress.
May 29, 2024•34 min•Ep. 234
Join us as we break down the key findings and point out some of the misses from a podcast recorded earlier this week about the history of 401Ks, where they win, and where they fail.
May 22, 2024•39 min•Ep. 233
When the worst-case scenario in life occurs, how do you know how much life insurance is the right amount?
May 15, 2024•49 min•Ep. 232
Join us as we walk through a little of the history of social security, how it was initially set up, and some of the pressures we see in the system.
May 09, 2024•36 min•Ep. 231
When income and the future are uncertain, our instinct is to do nothing. The problem is that doing nothing gives up one of your most precious levers for planning: time. Join us as we look at the strategies and mindset needed to plan for retirement when income is in flux or unpredictable.
May 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 230
Accounting can often feel like a necessary evil. Something you just have to power through. But . . . what if it could be the gateway to making critical decisions to get the most out of your business? Join us as we talk with Nolan Bradbury. Nolan Bradbury's website: Bradfield Accounting & Advisory
Apr 24, 2024•52 min•Ep. 229
Join us as we explore the income ranges in the US and the world beyond. You may find you are in a different stratosphere of wealth potential than you might have thought. We often find that understanding where you rank and making sure you follow strategies appropriate for your income and wealth potential is the single greatest difference in where you end up. Short translation: your mindset and context have a tremendous impact on your ability to build generational wealth.
Apr 10, 2024•38 min•Ep. 228
Join us as we walk through the history of long-term care, some of the big challenges coming, and where it can fit in today’s economic landscape.
Mar 27, 2024•38 min•Ep. 227
Join us in this case study, where we explore various options for making an extra $60k go further toward financial freedom and achieving the lifestyle you want.
Mar 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 226
Trade-offs seem like a natural part of every decision. When it comes to financial decisions, the impact of those trade-offs can seem intense. Work longer, save more, take more risks, diminish lifestyle, etc., etc., all to get a magical net worth number. The solution to the trade-off problem is not harder work. It is interconnected systems working together to do more with less. Join us as we look at the mindset and strategy for having your cake and eating it, too.
Mar 06, 2024•26 min•Ep. 225
Join us as we explore a real-life case study and discover how to use an unexpected $100k to maximize income.
Feb 07, 2024•26 min•Ep. 224
