Stop Worrying You're Retired

When you have an annual checkup with your doctor, he or she spends time listening to your concerns and providing counseling for your particular needs. On this episode, George explains what should be included in an annual “financial checkup,” and how it impacts the well-being of your retirement.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s an overwhelming reality, but millions of Americans are struggling to care for a spouse, aging parent or family member suffering from serious health issues. Caregiving responsibilities can unfortunately take a toll on the caregivers’ emotions and finances. George illustrates why it’s not only important to provide the best care possible for your loved one, but to balance it with taking care of...

There’s a new kind of scam that’s making the rounds, so George uses this episode to offers actionable tips to help protect your financial life. Plus, your 401(k) balance probably increased during the bull market run, but maybe not as much as it should have… because of high fees. George explains how to empower yourself to find out how much you’re really paying in fees. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

General Electric recently announced they’re freezing pensions for some and offering buyouts to many former employees. That’s unfortunately a scary reality check for anyone who’s counting on a pension for their retirement. If you or a loved one have a pension, this episode is for you. George weighs the pros and cons of taking monthly payments or the choosing the lump-sum option, and what it means f...

Some of George’s clients recently celebrated 30 years of marriage! Their celebration and story serve as a wonderful reminder of why George takes such pride in helping people navigate to and through retirement. Whether you’re single or married, this episode reminds us all why planning for the “what if” matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another year is flying by, and it’s time to get ready for Medicare open enrollment! For those on Medicare, starting October 15th you have 54 days to assess your current coverage, health care needs, and make any changes that will better benefit you in 2020. On this episode George is joined by friend and colleague Dow Barton, to discuss why you need to review more than your plan’s premiums before de...

If you’re considering retiring early, you’re balancing the excitement of what lies ahead in your life during this major transition, along with some legitimate concerns. One of those is how to pay for one of the biggest expenses during your retirement years—out of pocket health care costs. Today, George breaks down the realistic healthcare options available if you’re planning to retire before age 6...

We’ve all heard the quote: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”  September of 2008 was an especially terrifying time for investors. Thankfully 11 years later, our portfolios are doing pretty well! But could something like that ever happen again? George isn’t a doomsayer, but the answer is YES! The bigger question is… how will your portfolio handle the next crash? Today Ge...

Any football fan knows that “offense wins games, but defense wins… championships!” George explains how creating a winning game plan in football is similar to creating a successful retirement income plan: You have to know when to protect your lead, how to adapt to new challenges, and recognize the importance of good coaching when planning for your future.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Did you know that estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy? In fact, just about everyone can benefit from having an estate plan, especially the middle-class. George is joined by friend and colleague C. H. Barrier, estate and elder law attorney in South Carolina, to discuss the importance of this planning, clear up some misconceptions, and explain why this should be part of your financial p...

Monopoly is a  very competitive  board game. Almost every family breaks out the box once or twice a year, but it can cause some minor arguments. Then there’s that other family member, “Uncle Sam,” who wants his share from all of us (on & off the Monopoly board). On this episode, George explores the lessons we can take away from Monopoly and how to help minimize the taxes you pay on your  real  mon...

You’re likely loyal to some name brands items. Could be a type of car, coffee, clothing, maybe even mayo? Turns out, a growing number of us are making the switch to generic brands because we’re seeking the best value for our buck. This raises a pricier dilemma than debating Starbucks verses Folgers… What should we be looking for to make sure we’re getting the best value with our investment dollars...

One of the main reasons we work with a financial advisor is to find out if – and when – we’re able to retire. George tells us about a woman he recently sat down with that initially felt she wasn’t able to pull it off. Turns out she’s a in a better spot than she thought! George explains how having an advisor run your numbers not only empowers you to create your own paycheck when you stop working, b...

The mainstream media isn’t saying much about the SECURE Act (Washington’s plan to tap into your retirement accounts), but it’s happening.  On this episode, George goes through the pros and cons of how this could help some Americans save for the future, but will likely reduce the value of your individual retirement account, and your financial legacy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Short-term sacrifice can lead to bigger returns later on, even when it comes to America’s pastime… baseball!  On July 1st, 56-year-old Bobby Bonilla collected a check for $1,193,248 from the New York Mets, as he has and will every July 1 from 2011 through 2035. Other MLB players such as Ken Griffey Jr and Darryl Strawberry have done the same. George will explain how YOU can hit a homerun in retire...

We live in a do-it-yourself world. Want to put new flooring in your house, fix your car or learn to play guitar? Just Google it and you’ll find all the advice you ever could want. And yes, you can  DIY your retirement just like anything else… But does that mean you should? On this episode George & Ryan offer things to consider if you’re thinking of going it alone. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Age is only a number, but you need various numbers to add up properly to support the long life you’re likely to live. On this episode George explains how (and why) you should financially plan to live ‘til age 95 or 100. He’ll also tell a story that explains how to avoid devastating financial mistakes when inheriting wealth, or on the rare occasion that you win the lottery.  See omnystudio.com/list...

We’ve all seen the headlines about Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to cancel outstanding student loans. Join George for a frank discussion about financial tough love for the Millennials in your life, and where as parents and tax payers we need (and must) to draw the line. He’ll also reveal some tax reduction strategies that could positively impact the future of your retirement dollars. See omnyst...

BMW announced they’ll soon freeze pensions for their U.S. workers, including those at the plant in Spartanburg, SC. This trend is happening at several long-time employers, and many folks are being presented with tough choices and buyout options. George shares his experience and advice to help you make the best decision for your family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women typically live longer than men, and that presents many challenges that can be overwhelming. On this episode George welcomes a new member to the team and addresses these challenges, while explaining how they help solve them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George takes us through an emotional exercise that vividly demonstrates the biggest threat to our future: Having a bear market hit early in our retirement. More importantly, George will explain how you can best guard against this risk with your own portfolio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you need to watch out for if you have, or are shopping for an annuity? Is an annuity something you should consider as part of your portfolio? George will tell a surprising story of what he uncovered for a couple recently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you feel part of your financial life is out of your control? George will explain how you actually do have control over taxes when it comes to your retirement dollars. Plus, details of how he tracked down “lost retirement money” for some of his clients. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George explains why its vitally important you understand your risk tolerance. Plus, a very interesting fact about one of the richest men in the world, and what you may have in common with him in relation to his wealth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people have a vague understanding of what inflation is, but they’re less clear about what it means for their personal economy. George will break it down with an easy-to-understand example, and find out how you can help guard against it.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.