Can I Retire Now?

With market volatility and rising living costs making headlines, people often focus on chasing returns, leaving behind a foundational piece of their wealth: emergency savings. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky dive into the basics to explore why a cash reserve is your ultimate financial shock absorber. From breaking down the exact cash buffer you need at every stage of life to e...

With AI dominating conversations everywhere from schools to doctor's offices, it's no surprise that more people are turning to chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude for financial guidance. But should you really trust artificial intelligence to map out your retirement? In this episode of Can I Retire Now? , Nick and Becky dive into the good, the bad, and the risky side of using AI for personal...

When planning for a child or grandchild’s future, most people naturally jump straight to 529 college plans or standard custodial accounts. But a newly created tool, the Trump Account, is introducing a whole new way to build generational wealth long before a child ever enters the workforce. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky break down how these new government-backed custodial acc...

With AI getting smarter by the day, financial scams are no longer just obvious emails from international princes. Today, bad actors are using personalized and sophisticated voice cloning, DocuSign spoofs, and hidden crypto links to target everyday savers and pre-retirees. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky dive into the updated landscape of modern financial fraud. From imposter c...

Government legislation might not sound like standard weekend listening, but the latest changes could reshape how you save and spend your money. Today’s episode of Can I Retire Now?, dives into Part 2 of Nick and Becky’s breakdown of the SECURE 2.0 Act. Employers can now match your student loan payments with 401(k) contributions and the new $2,500 emergency savings accounts are built right into wor...

Navigating government legislation shouldn't feel like decoding a foreign language. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky sit down to break down the actual, real-world impact of the Secure 2.0 Act. The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) ages have shifted, moving out to 73 and 75 depending on when you were born. That extra runway gives you a massive window for strategic Roth con...

Could you be paying taxes in retirement that you didn't actually have to pay? Many retirees spend years focusing on saving money, only to discover that how they withdraw it can be just as important. Understanding the difference between taxable income and cash available to spend can open planning opportunities that many people never realize exist. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagone...

Retirement gets a lot more real when the calendar starts counting down. Questions around healthcare, taxes, income, routines, and timing can suddenly feel overwhelming. What happens if you miss Medicare deadlines? How do you avoid tax surprises? And what does life actually look like once the work routine disappears? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner walk through a retirement readines...

Summer travel is exciting…until the costs start piling up before you’ve even packed a bag.  Between rising prices, group trips, and social pressure to “upgrade” every experience, it’s easy for vacation budgets to spiral. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner discuss how rising travel costs are changing how Americans vacation this summer. They cover why fewer people are traveling, how gro...

Uncertainty in the market can make even the most experienced investors question their decisions. How should you respond when headlines, politics, and volatility start influencing your financial choices? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner break down how midterm election years have historically impacted the market and what investors can expect during these periods. They explain why vola...

Most people avoid thinking about future care needs until it suddenly becomes real. What happens when everyday tasks become difficult, and how does that impact your finances and family? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner break down what long-term care really means and why it is a key part of retirement planning. They explain how care is tied to basic daily activities, who is most likel...

Many people think saving for retirement is the same thing as financial planning. But are they really the same? And could focusing on one while ignoring the other leave major gaps in your financial future? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner break down the difference between retirement planning and financial planning and why the distinction matters more than most people realize. They ex...

Buying a car can feel exciting, but the payment can quietly shape your financial future. Are you thinking about what that monthly number means for your long-term plans? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner share the real numbers behind their recent $40,000 car purchase. They break down when financing at 1.9% made more sense than paying cash, how a $3,000 Costco discount changed the deal...

What happens if your paycheck suddenly stops, not because you lost your job, but because you can't work?  Most people never consider this possibility until it's too late. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner tackle one of the most overlooked aspects of financial planning: disability insurance. They explain what disability insurance actually is, who needs it, and why protecting...

Are you making the most of your retirement savings? Many people contribute to their 401(k) without understanding how to truly maximize its potential. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner break down the essentials of 401(k) optimization. They explore common mistakes people make with their retirement accounts, explain employer matching strategies, and reveal how proper investment allocati...

Should couples keep their finances separate or merge everything together? What happens when money meets commitment? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner tackle the often uncomfortable topic of combining finances in relationships. They discuss why couples who merge their accounts tend to be happier and more financially successful, share practical steps for combining bank accounts and ass...

Do your New Year's resolutions fade by mid-January? Are you ready to approach goal-setting in a way that actually works for you? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner explore practical strategies for setting and achieving goals throughout the year. From choosing the right time to set goals based on your personal rhythm to understanding why writing them down makes such a dramatic dif...

Health is the foundation that allows every financial plan to matter because if you can’t enjoy your wealth, what’s it really for? In this episode, Nick Russell welcomes back Dr. Ara Suppiah, Founder of The Functional Sports Medicine Institute, to separate myths from facts on nutrition, sleep, and movement.  They discuss how simple daily choices can extend both lifespan and relevance, not just year...

The end of the year brings more than just holidays.  It’s also a key moment to make tax-efficient moves that can shape your financial picture for the next year. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner share a practical year-end checklist to help you stay proactive with your retirement accounts, avoid tax penalties, and make informed planning decisions before December 31.  From Roth convers...

The holidays bring joy, but they also bring financial pressure that can leave you dazed come January. What if you could enjoy the season without the post-holiday regret? What if your spending reflected what truly matters to you? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner share strategies for managing holiday expenses while staying aligned with your values. From creating supportive budgets to...

Taxes don’t stop when you retire; they just get sneakier. From Social Security surprises to Medicare premium surcharges, retirees face more hidden taxes than they might expect. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner reveal how to spot and manage the “Big Four Hidden Taxes” that can quietly drain your retirement income. They break down these taxes, how they interact, and what proactive pla...

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s about giving your loved ones clarity and control when it matters most. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner explain why estate planning should start early, the essential documents everyone needs, and how to protect digital and financial assets for your family’s future.  They share personal stories, practical advice, and even a touching fa...

Running a business means wearing many hats, but retirement planning doesn’t have to get lost in the shuffle. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner unpack retirement savings strategies designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs. From SEP IRAs to solo 401(k)s, they explain how different plans work, who they’re best suited for, and why offering retirement options can help retain e...

Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner break down what retirement planning really looks like at each stage of life. From the first savings habits in your 30s, to protecting your income and family in your 40s, to running “stress tests” in your 50s to see if you are truly on track, this episode is packed with practical insights and relatable stories.  Nick shares how even $300 a month in your 30s can grow i...

Nick and Becky open up about a deeply relevant topic: divorce and finances.  Drawing from both personal experience and professional perspective, they highlight the hidden financial pitfalls and overlooked steps that can make or break a secure future after separation. Listeners will learn: Why updating beneficiaries is one of the most urgent post-divorce tasks How Social Security benefits may still...