RETIREMENT MADE EASY

What is causing inflation concerns? What does it mean for the average retiree? What should you be doing to counter inflation? The cost of living is higher than ever. Unfortunately, inflation is here to stay. You need to be able to survive and pay for the increased cost of living. So you have to plan for it. What is the best way to do that? Learn more in this episode of Retirement Made Easy! You wi...

I worked with my life coach and business coach to come up with a solution to help you plan the retirement of your dreams: the retirement blueprint. A retirement blueprint is something that very few financial planners talk about, but it's absolutely crucial to the success of your retirement. It helps you plan for the retirement of your dreams. If you're ready to design your retirement—and not just...

Should you roll over your old 4101k into an IRA? Or should you just leave it where it is? What are the advantages and disadvantages? What should you watch out for? If you've recently left an employer, you may be questioning what you should do. So in this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I'll shed some light on the subject. Hopefully, you can take this information and make a better decision for you...

When should I retire? How much money do I need? Can I afford to retire? Are these questions rolling through your mind? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I share some statistics about retirement savings and what various experts think you need. I share some resources to help you determine where you should be, and what I think you should base your retirement goals on. Check it out! You will wa...

What is long-term care insurance? Who needs it? How many types are there? How does it work? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I want to give you the information you need so YOU can determine whether it's a good fit for you now or in the future. If long-term care is something you've been worried about, don't miss this episode!  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [...

Should you consider gold as an investment? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I address having gold as part of your portfolio. I'll share facts, figures, and why I think gold should NOT be part of a long-term investment portfolio. I would actually exclude it if at all possible. Why? Find out in this episode! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [2:50] Gold is simply...

If you're on your journey toward retirement, you're either on track, behind, or ahead of schedule. Do you know where you're at? Are you only a few years from retirement, but stuck having to work longer than planned? If you feel behind, how do you catch up? Lisa—a listener of the podcast—recently asked what I would recommend for someone who felt like they weren't on track to retire on time. It's ea...

When is a retirement date fund appropriate? Who might need one? What are the downfalls of retirement date funds? Many people use these in their 401k or 403B. So in this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I talk about the pros and cons—and why I'm personally  not a fan . Don't miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [2:28] The whole idea behind retirement date funds [7...

Davis Love III—a pro-golfer and PGA Champion—was interviewed years ago and asked, "How do you prepare for these tournaments?" He said, "When you see me play, everything looks natural….Day after day, Monday through Friday, preparing for a tournament, 95% of the time I work on the basics—the fundamentals of golf." Every morning he'd practice the basics until he couldn't get it wrong. You need to pre...

Are you close to retirement? Are you ready to close up any loose ends you may need to deal with? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I share a few simple tips to help you get on track for the retirement you've been working for. I also answer a couple of listener questions that came in over the last few weeks. Check it out! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [2:25]...

What can Warren Buffett teach us about the volatility of the stock market? Where do you get started with retirement planning? Should you bring in a professional to help you? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I answer some listener questions and share a story that drives home the point of long-term investing. Don't miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:32...

What are health savings accounts (HSAs)? How can an HSA be beneficial to you and your retirement? One of my listeners asked me to cover HSAs, so this episode of Retirement Made Easy is dedicated to them. But if you're wondering what the big deal about an HSA is, don't miss this episode! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:51] ALL about Health Savings Accounts [3:13] W...

Is a certain stock tip or investment the "holy grail?" Is there a magic bullet that will make you millions? The money you invest in your retirement needs to be there for the next 30–40 years—so how do you make smart decisions with your future? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I share the best way to invest your hard-earned money. Don't miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are...

In this special Throwback Thursday edition of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, we take a look back at episode #4: Are Women BETTER Investors Than Men? In this episode I dissect THREE studies that all come to the same conclusion . To find out what the research says—and learn how you can leverage it—check out this special replay!

You can't control health insurance premiums going up. You can't control rising prescription costs. But you can control your tax planning. As the old saying goes, "You have to make hay while the sun is shining." We are still under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Until that changes, the sun is shining and you should consider taking advantage of a Roth conversion. What is it? How does it help you? Li...

When Should You Claim Your Social Security Benefits? Ep #31  Did you know that you can be eligible to collect social security benefits as young as 62? While the prospect may be exciting, the bigger question is: Should you? The answer is different for everyone and based on many factors.  Are you married? What's your health like? Do you plan on working in retirement? Do you have assets or other savi...

A Roth IRA is THE best thing since sliced bread. Why? Why do I think it needs to be a part of your investment portfolio? How does it positively impact your retirement income? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I share why you need to make tax-free investing a bigger piece of the pie. Don't miss it! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [2:37] Roth IRAs are underutili...

How do you want to be remembered when you're gone? Who do you want to bless financially? What organization or individuals are important to you? Legacy planning is the missing piece in retirement plans—and can be a difficult conversation to have. But it's a conversation that must be had and what I'm talking about in this episode of Retirement Made Easy.  You've worked hard for everything that you h...

Why do some people have a bad experience investing in the US stock market? Why do they lose money? More importantly— how do they lose money? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I walk through the decisions that would lead someone to lose money in the stock market—and how to keep that from being you.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [2:31] What the research about...

Should you change your investment strategy now that Joe Biden is president-elect? Should you move your investments into a different asset class? Will the stock market tank with Biden in office? 2020 left a bad taste in everyone's mouth and now many are worried about how 2021 will look with Joe Biden in office. In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I share what I think you should or shouldn't do...

What is a retirement plan? What should a well-written retirement plan do for you? What 5 questions should it answer? Can you adjust a retirement plan? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I talk about the importance of planning ahead for retirement. The sooner you have a retirement plan in place, the better. Listen to find out why it's so important!  You will want to hear this episode if you a...

People say that you spend 30% less in retirement—but is that true? What do you need to budget for retirement? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I look at data from my many clients throughout the US to help YOU get a clearer picture of your budget for retirement. If you're questioning where your budget needs to be, don't miss this one! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested...

The bucket strategy is a popular way to plan for retirement. Now only is it popular, but it's an easy-to-understand approach that works . Everyone wants to retire and be able to live comfortably, but many people don't realize that it takes some planning to do that. Social security and pensions aren't enough to sustain your lifestyle. So what is the strategy? How does it help you reach your retirem...

What are the insurance options for anyone who wants to retire early? What's the difference between long-term care and hybrid long-term care? Why would I never recommend a Medicaid Irrevocable Annuity Trust ? These are just a few of the many questions I answer in this special Q&A episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast. Be sure to listen!  You will want to hear this episode if you are intereste...

In this special throwback episode, I'm going to highlight a fan-favorite episode of the Retirement Made Easy Podcast, episode #7—The Worst Retirement Plan EVER. I talk about the worst retirement plan I've EVER seen, go over the six mistakes that were made, and cover what you should do instead. Don't miss this replay—you might catch something you missed the first time.