Clear Skies Retirement

On this episode: Looking at market corrections over the last 60 years. If Social Security has to cut back your check, are you ready? There are millions of people depending on their 401(k) in retirement. Tony Robbins points out the flaws we have to work around. Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and...

On this episode of Clear Skies Retirement: Your 401(k) plan is not a retirement plan. How family, friends, and the internet can fail you with financial advice. You can’t control tariffs, the Fed, and the economy. You CAN control where and how your retirement money is invested. Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To l...

On this episode: Is the bull market over? Is this going to get worse? How do you make your best Social Security decision? Should you hang in there one more year before you retire? Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement"...

On this episode: How will interest rates affect your retirement strategy? Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary reverses his position on retirement, while Mark Cuban says the stock market is for suckers. Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including thei...

We discuss identifying and adjusting your risk levels for your market money. Also: Why do Millennials and Gen Xers believe they will retire at 60 and Boomers say 68? Plus: The Top 6 Reasons people avoid using a financial advisor. Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial M...

There are a lot of questions you may have about retirement, but let’s get the biggest one out of the way first. Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com Follow us on  Fac...

On this episode: Mixed messages from financial media. How do you find the truth? Grandpa meant well but his will has caused hard feelings. Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com F...

On this episode: We hate taxes, but is there an opportunity right now? One thing we can guarantee about retirement. How do you answer, “How long are you going to live?” Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement"...

On this episode: As interest rates come down, where do you put your money? Should Bitcoin be a small part of your retirement portfolio? What makes 2025 a good year to retire? Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay! To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Ste...

On this week's podcast: Many financial advisors provide generalized advice without understanding individual situations. Percentage rules (like the 4% rule) don't work because the economic environment is always changing.  Do you really need a million dollars to have a successful and happy retirement? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me T...

Those unspent gift cards are like dead money in your wallet. Does your 401(k) have the same problem? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you need to match the market? Beat the market? What return do you need to have a successful retirement? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When people look for a financial advisor, many start on Google. The search has been very revealing. To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going through a 20-year retirement without growing your money would be difficult. But losing the money in a market crash could be devastating. Protection or growth: How do you choose? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a new "catch-up" provision in 2025 in 401(k)s. Some people will be able to put more in. But should you? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apparently, a lot of retirement planners aren’t doing the #1 job of retirement planning. You should know what it is. To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Kirkwood of Secure Financial Management discusses potential changes in taxation and benefits regarding Social Security. He emphasizes the importance of planning for retirement income, especially in light of possible future cuts to Social Security. The conversation also touches on strategies for managing taxes on benefits and the need for proactive financial planning to ensure a stable retireme...

Last year, the airline industry made over $100 Billion in various fees associated with flying. Meanwhile the financial services industry has been making a fortune in 401(k) fees for years. Do you know how much you are paying in hidden fees? And are you getting the kind of value you should be for what you are paying? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including the...

There are common misconceptions about Social Security benefits, particularly regarding the timing of claims and the implications of claiming early versus waiting. Jay Kirkwood of Secure Financial Management discusses the importance of understanding these benefits in the context of individual retirement planning and the challenges many face in navigating the intricacies of Medicare and Social Secur...

Jay Kirkwood of Secure Financial Management discusses the unrealistic expectations set by financial media regarding retirement savings, critiquing the advice given by figures like Suze Orman, emphasizing that the numbers often cited can be misleading and detrimental to individuals planning for retirement. Jay highlights the importance of personalized financial planning and understanding one's uniq...

Jay Kirkwood discusses the importance of year-end financial planning, particularly in relation to tax strategies and required minimum distributions (RMDs). He emphasizes the need for proactive tax management and the benefits of consulting with a financial advisor to navigate these complexities effectively. The conversation highlights key strategies such as Roth conversions and tax loss harvesting,...

Recently Jay Kirkwood sat down to chat with Johnny Van Zant & Rickey Medlocke of legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. How do international crowds compare to US crowds? How does the band keep the passion for performing after all these years? Who are some of Johnny & Rickey's influences? And what about the man behind the name "Lynyrd Skynyrd"? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Fi...

Jay Kirkwood discusses the implications of recent interest rate changes on retirement planning, covering the potential effects of lower interest rates on borrowing, the attractiveness of bonds, and the importance of understanding investment strategies for retirement.  To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to w...

The 401(k) is the place people have most of their retirement money. Is there a point where you should stop putting money in your 401(k) and use other means to save for retirement? To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.clearskiesretirement.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Kirkwood of Secure Financial Management discusses the often hidden fees associated with financial services and the importance of transparency in financial planning, emphasizing the need for clients to understand what they are paying for and the value they receive in return.  To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me To Retirement" 5-Step Proce...