Purposeful Planning with Aspen Wealth Management

"This business is my retirement." It is a sentence advisors hear from business owners all the time, and it raises the question this episode tackles head-on: are you truly ready to sell? Troy Fore, CFP®, walks through the three sides of exit readiness: preparing the business, structuring the deal, and preparing yourself, along with the timeline most owners underestimate. Sources: • Buildi...

After decades of steady paychecks, retirement asks a new question: where does the money come from now, and in what order? In this episode of Purposeful Planning, Troy Fore, CFP®, walks through retirement income sequencing, or the order in which you draw from Social Security, pensions, savings, and investment accounts. It is a decision that shapes your taxes, your exposure to market downturns, and...

April is when you find out what your tax year cost you. Right now, you can still do something about it. There’s still time to review your withholding, look for tax-loss harvesting opportunities, revisit whether itemizing makes sense, plan charitable gifts, account for vesting equity, or evaluate a Roth conversion. The important thing is looking while there are still choices on the table. In this e...

For forty years, the paycheck just showed up. In retirement, you become the one who writes it, and how you handle that job in the first decade shapes everything after. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, Troy Fore, CFP®, walks through how to build a spending plan with flexibility at its core: a real budget, time-based buckets, tax diversification, and guardrails that let your plan bend without...

We spend our working years afraid of dying too soon. In retirement, the bigger risk flips. It becomes living longer than your money does. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, Troy Fore, CFP®, unpacks longevity risk and walks through how to build a retirement plan that can go the distance, whether that is twenty years or forty.  Sources:   • Longevity Risk and Financial Security: Plann...

Most money mistakes are not math problems. They are emotional ones. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, Troy Fore, CFP®, looks at why we spend the way we do, how habits formed long ago still drive our choices, and a few simple practices that can help you spend with intention instead of on impulse.  Sources:   • The Psychology of Spending: How Emotions Impact Financial Decisions – Asp...

Building wealth is the first chapter. Passing wealth on for the next generation to hold onto it and grow it is a different challenge entirely. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, Troy Fore, CFP®, looks at why financial literacy, family governance, and honest conversations matter as much as the dollars themselves, and how families can raise children who become capable stewards rather than passi...

Not everyone wants to go from full-time work to full stop. Phased retirement is a growing path for people who want to wind down gradually, on their own terms. But easing out of work is not as simple as just cutting back your hours. In today's episode of Purposeful Planning, we walk through what phased retirement actually looks like, the financial decisions it triggers, and how to sequence everythi...

If you’re a corporate executive, your compensation package is likely far more complex than just a simple paycheck. Stock options, restricted stock units, deferred compensation, and equity awards can add up to meaningful wealth but only if they’re managed well.   In today's episode of Purposeful Planning, we’ll walk through the key components of executive compensation and what it takes to...

Should you stay, downsize, or move to a new state entirely? For many retirees, where and how you live are among the biggest financial decisions you will make. In today's episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore the financial and emotional sides of downsizing and relocation, so you can make the move that best fits your retirement picture.  Sources:   https://www.aspenwealthmgmt.com/reso...

If your portfolio includes real estate, a business interest, or private equity, you already know these assets don't behave like stocks and bonds. But are they truly working within your broader financial plan? In today's episode of Purposeful Planning, we'll talk through the strategies and best practices for managing illiquid assets as part of a balanced, diversified financial picture, including ho...

When most people think about building wealth, they picture stocks, bonds, and maybe a savings account. But there's a whole world of alternative investments, from real estate and private equity to collectibles and digital assets, that could play a role in a well-rounded portfolio. In today's episode of Purposeful Planning, we're breaking down what alternative investments are, why they might be wort...

Health insurance costs are rising for many Americans following the expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies at the end of 2025. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore how the Premium Tax Credit works, who qualifies, and the options available to those who no longer receive enhanced subsidies. Whether you're self-employed, in early retirement, or simply looking for affordable coverage, under...

Tax law changes have made it harder for many people to benefit from charitable deductions, but that hasn't stopped Americans from supporting the causes they care about. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore how donor-advised funds offer a flexible, tax-efficient way to maximize your philanthropic impact. From batching contributions to understanding the new restrictions under OBBBA, di...

Early retirement is a dream for many Americans, but making it work requires more than just saving enough money; it requires smart tax strategies. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore how Roth conversions can help early retirees reduce their lifetime tax burden and create more tax-free income in retirement. From understanding the five-year rule to timing your conversions strategically...

Most parents would do anything to help their children succeed, but providing financial support shouldn't come at the expense of your own retirement security. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore smart gifting strategies that allow you to support the next generation while protecting your financial future. From strategic giving approaches to understanding gift tax implications, discove...

When most people think about investing, stocks and bonds come to mind. But what about that vintage car collection, your rare coins, or even that comic book from the 1960s? In today's episode of Purposeful Planning, we're exploring the world of alternative investments, from collectibles to real estate to digital assets. We'll discuss what makes these investments unique, the opportunities they prese...

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this year, the tax landscape has shifted significantly for 2025 and beyond. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore the expiring tax credits you need to act on before year-end, the new opportunities for tax savings, and changes that could affect everyone from retirees to small business owners. Whether you're planning for estate...

Dreaming of early retirement? There's a critical detail many people overlook: health insurance coverage in the years before Medicare kicks in at 65. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore the healthcare gap that early retirees face and walk through your options, from the Health Insurance Marketplace to COBRA and Health Savings Accounts. Whether you're planning to retire in your fifties...

Remember those old Crock-Pots where you could set it and forget it? Estate planning doesn't work that way. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we examine why the "set-it-and-forget-it" approach to estate planning can lead to costly mistakes, particularly with $80-125 trillion expected to be transferred between generations over the next two decades. From outdated beneficiary designations to cha...

Social Security provides retirement income for millions of Americans, yet many people can't answer basic questions about how it works. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore everything from setting up your online account to deciding when to claim benefits. Whether you're helping aging parents navigate their options or planning your own retirement strategy, understanding Social Security...

When you're starting your career, financial planning can feel like a luxury you can't afford. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore why establishing good financial habits early is one of the most powerful moves young professionals can make. From the magic of compound growth to practical strategies for saving and investing, discover how small steps today can lead to significant financi...

After decades of saving for retirement, many people focus entirely on accumulation without considering how they'll actually withdraw those funds. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore retirement withdrawal strategies that can help you pay less in taxes, protect your Social Security benefits, and potentially make your money last longer. From the conventional wisdom of spending taxable...

As summer winds down and college preparations begin, families face important decisions about education funding, school selection, and financial aid. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we explore strategies for making college more affordable and manageable—from the power of starting early with 529 plans to navigating the updated FAFSA process. Whether you're sending your first child to college...

Medicare decisions can feel overwhelming, but they're among the most essential choices you'll make in retirement. In this episode of Purposeful Planning, we break down the four parts of Medicare, explain the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap coverage, and share crucial timing information about enrollment periods. Whether you're approaching 65 or helping a parent navigate these deci...