Fearless Finance with Amy Ross

What if the retirement rules you have trusted for years no longer fit your life? Amy Ross challenges the idea of a universal retirement number and explains why fees should be measured against the value an advisor provides. She also discusses oversaving, outdated withdrawal assumptions, Social Security decisions, changing expenses, and the importance of preparing for long-term care before a health...

Would you recognize a financial scam if it looked completely legitimate? Amy Ross shares a real client experience involving an elaborate impersonation scam and discusses why isolation, secrecy, and increasingly sophisticated technology can create serious risks. She also explores the challenge of shifting from saving to spending in retirement, the role income planning can play in that transition, a...

Scammers are getting more convincing, so how can you recognize when something isn’t right? Amy Ross discusses increasingly sophisticated financial scams, including Medicare calls and AI voice impersonation, before exploring the value behind advisory fees and relationships. She also examines common sources of retirement anxiety, inherited IRAs, tax planning, beneficiary designations, and why...

One overlooked envelope almost changed everything. Amy Ross shares a story about helping a widow uncover valuable assets while discussing the importance of having trusted guidance through life's transitions. The conversation covers retirement fears, taxes, income planning, Social Security, healthcare costs, and why a retirement strategy involves far more than simply saving money. Amy Ross and the...

Is inflation quietly reshaping the retirement many people imagined? Amy Ross explores retirement income planning, inflation, “funflation,” travel costs, and why a 401(k) alone is not a retirement strategy. She discusses creating financial buckets for different phases of retirement, planning for longevity, and lessons inspired by the legacy and outlook of Dolly Parton. Amy Ross and the...

Saving for retirement is only half the challenge. Will you feel comfortable actually living it? Amy Ross shares the mission behind Gold Shield Wealth and explains why retirement preparation begins with understanding each person’s goals, fears, expenses, and desired lifestyle. She discusses income planning, Roth accounts, investment risk within the retirement red zone, the dangers of becoming...

Could healthcare costs derail an early-retirement date that otherwise looks achievable? Amy Ross explains why the years before Medicare can create a costly planning gap, especially for workers considering retirement in their early sixties. She also explores federal and state employee benefits, long-term care, Medicare choices, inherited accounts, and the tax complications that can accompany a fami...

Is the market's recent run making you nervous? Amy Ross discusses market highs, retirement readiness, annuities, investment risk, sequence of returns risk, and why many retirees struggle to spend the money they've worked so hard to save. Amy Ross also shares her approach to building retirement plans designed around confidence, flexibility, and personal goals. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield W...

The biggest market mistake may happen after an investor decides to get out. Amy Ross discusses Market Guard with Brad Jenkins, including disciplined risk management, emotional investing, direct indexing, and tax-loss harvesting. The episode also examines hidden investment fees, concentrated portfolios, the value of a retirement “full body scan,” and the importance of building purpose a...

Annuities continue to attract attention, but are they being misunderstood? Amy Ross explores how annuities can be used as income tools rather than investment vehicles, helping retirees address income needs and market concerns. She also discusses portfolio diversification, orphaned 401(k)s, workplace retirement plans, and Market Guard’s approach to managing risk. Amy explains why education an...

What if the biggest threat to your retirement portfolio isn’t the market, but your own emotions? Amy Ross sits down with Brad Jenkins, creator of Market Guard, to discuss risk management, tax efficiency, downside protection, and why preparation can matter more than prediction. Using relatable examples, they explore how investors can avoid emotional decision-making and build portfolios aligne...

What retirement questions are you afraid to ask? Amy Ross discusses educational workshops, Social Security concerns, AI-driven workplace changes, Roth conversions, inheritance planning, and the importance of family communication. It’s a conversation about replacing uncertainty with understanding and making retirement decisions with confidence. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield Wealth are...

Market highs feel exciting, but retirement plans need to handle what comes next. Amy Ross discusses volatility, buying the dip, long-term care planning, annuities, income needs, RMDs, and the emotional side of protecting a retirement lifestyle. Amy also explains her “body scan” approach to finding scattered retirement pieces, why caregiving can carry a heavy family cost, and how retire...

What if a few small money habits today could dramatically change your future retirement? Amy Ross discusses financial lessons from Carrie Underwood, retirement savings strategies, reducing unnecessary expenses, tax-efficient investing, and why your 40s may be the most important decade for building retirement confidence. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield Wealth are dedicated to helping adults pl...

Financial independence starts with understanding what you’ve built. Amy Ros s discusses retirement roadmaps, income planning, investment risk, retirement confidence, and why chasing home runs can create unnecessary setbacks. Amy shares why having a clear plan often matters more than simply chasing higher returns. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield Wealth are dedicated to helping adults pla...

A golf cart might reveal more about retirement planning than you think. Amy Ross explains how she reverse-engineers retirement plans to uncover hidden risks, reviews the benefits of annuities and Roth conversions, and discusses why many Gen X workers are unprepared for retirement. Amy also explores spending confidence, tax-efficient planning, and the value of creating a retirement strategy designe...

Annuities can be powerful—or misunderstood—depending on how they’re used. Amy Ross breaks down how these tools fit into retirement planning, from income generation to principal protection. The conversation focuses on balancing growth, safety, and flexibility while avoiding common mistakes that limit financial outcomes. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield Wealth are dedicated to...

A behind-the-scenes experience sparks a broader conversation about work ethic, opportunity, and financial success. Amy Ross reflects on leadership lessons, discipline, and the evolving definition of the American Dream, connecting those ideas to retirement planning and long-term financial independence. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield Wealth are dedicated to helping adults plan for and manage t...

Are you planning your next vacation more carefully than your entire retirement? Amy Ross breaks down why so many people prioritize short-term spending over long-term financial clarity and how that disconnect shows up in real life. She explores the three core questions of retirement—income, expenses, and savings—and why most people underestimate what they actually spend. From early reti...

What would a “full body scan” of your retirement plan reveal? This episode with Amy Ross uncovers how analyzing your entire financial picture can expose hidden risks, tax inefficiencies, and gaps in income planning. The conversation explores decluttering accounts, aligning investments, and adjusting goals as retirement approaches. It also dives into the three phases of retirement and h...

What if retirement planning felt empowering instead of overwhelming? This episode with Amy Ross walks through building income, managing taxes, and preparing for healthcare costs. It also tackles why many don’t want to retire and how understanding your options can reshape the future. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield Wealth are dedicated to helping adults plan for and manage the hurdles th...

Why are annuities getting more attention—and more questions? This episode with Amy Ross explores shifting attitudes toward annuities, how they fit into retirement planning, and why choosing the right type matters. It also covers advisor relationships and the role of personal guidance. Amy Ross and the team at Gold Shield Wealth are dedicated to helping adults plan for and manage the hurdles...

What does financial planning look like when family comes first? Amy Ross weaves together conversations about money, memories, and major life moments—from bucket-list experiences to generational goals. The episode reflects on balancing future planning with enjoying life now, and how values shape financial decisions over time. It’s a candid discussion about aligning money with meaning an...

For many retirees, the challenge isn’t saving—it’s feeling comfortable spending. Amy Ross discusses how reliable income sources, including annuities and structured income strategies, can create clarity and confidence in retirement decisions. The episode explores the idea of “paycheck” and “playcheck” income. Amy also addresses why income planning often det...

What happens when retirement planning relies on assumptions instead of structure? Amy Ross explores misconceptions around inheritances, inflation, working longer, and “figuring it out later.” The episode underscores why written plans, realistic timelines, and flexibility matter—especially as careers end and income sources shift. It’s a candid look at why preparation beats o...