Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

Six Essential Tips for Any IRS Letter   Before diving into the specifics of the five most common letters, we share six universal tips to ground your response:   Don't Panic – IRS notices are routine, and millions are sent each year. Receiving one doesn't mean you're uniquely targeted. Read Carefully – Understand exactly what the notice is about, and pay close attention to response deadlines, which...

When it comes to retirement savings, Roth IRAs are among the most powerful tools for achieving tax diversification and financial flexibility. Knowing how and when to tap into your Roth IRA can make a tremendous difference in optimizing your tax situation, ensuring income over the years, and even establishing a valuable legacy for your heirs. On the podcast this week, we're digging into the strateg...

Holding a significant portion of your wealth in one or a handful of individual stocks can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. While the rewards of watching a single company's meteoric rise can be life-changing, the risks of a lack of diversification are just as great. The problem is that liquidating these positions often means getting hit with daunting tax bills. We walk through practical sol...

The first quarter of 2026 brought a whirlwind of market events—geopolitical shocks, surging energy prices, and a notable shift away from mega-cap US growth stocks. Despite the turbulence, the markets proved remarkably resilient, underscoring the importance of diversification and a long-term approach. We discuss lessons investors can use to navigate uncertainty and build lasting wealth.   Market Pe...

Financial independence isn't just about hitting a certain net worth or reaching a magic retirement number, it's a personal journey shaped by your habits, values, and the emotional baggage that money can carry. In this episode of the Financial Symmetry Show, we dig into Morgan Housel's "The Art of Spending Money," exploring the spectrum from financial dependence to independence.   The Financial Ind...

As women are living longer than men—on average, 5 to 7 years more—the later decades of life promise opportunities to cherish freedom and fulfillment. Yet, as this International Women's Day episode of the Financial Symmetry Show reveals, these extra years often come with both unique financial challenges and disproportionate caregiving responsibilities. Allison Berger bring together Haley Modlin, Ni...

Receiving an unexpected inheritance while already in retirement can spark a mixture of emotions—gratitude, uncertainty, and even a bit of overwhelm. In this episode, we dig into the practical and emotional aspects of managing an inheritance, answer common questions, and guide listeners toward making wise and meaningful decisions. With over $105 trillion expected to change hands in the coming decad...

Many people begin their financial lives confidently handling everything on their own. They set up retirement accounts, save diligently, and make decisions that feel reasonable at the time. But as life evolves, that confidence can quietly erode. In this episode, we speak directly to the do-it-yourself investor who has started to wonder whether going it alone still makes sense. We unpack the most co...

The holiday season inspires generosity, but smart gifting can go far beyond festive moments and gifts under the tree. On the show this week, we're digging into the world of gifting strategies, just in time for the end of 2025. Whether you're navigating last-minute holiday shopping, planning gifts for loved ones, or looking to maximize your charitable donations, this episode is packed with practica...

We talk with hundreds of individuals and families every year, and many of the questions they ask come back to one core concern. Can my retirement plan really survive the messy, unpredictable situations that happen in real life. Instead of only looking at straight line projections or average returns, Chad and Allison walk through how to "stress test" your plan with real world what if scenarios so y...

When people think of what could haunt their retirement, they often imagine running out of money, facing unexpected expenses, or living too long. But as we discuss in this episode, there's a more insidious villain: sequence of return risk. Sequence of return risk refers to the threat of poor investment returns occurring early in your retirement years, just when you start withdrawing funds. Even if...

Tax planning often slips to the bottom of our financial to-do lists—until a surprise bill or missed opportunity crops up. But behind the scenes, the right process for an ongoing tax strategy can put you leagues ahead, reducing uncertainty and helping you capitalize on changes. On the show this week, we'll walk through the seven stages of tax planning, highlighting key insights and practical action...

Planning for retirement isn't just about hitting your savings targets and hoping for the best. It's about getting creative, asking new questions, and challenging your own assumptions. We follow the retirement planning journey of a fictional couple, Dwight and Angela, who are three to five years from retirement, using the SIFT framework shared by Rohit Bhargava and Ben duPont in their book "Non-Obv...

Planning for your child's college education can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with skyrocketing tuition costs and countless savings options. This week on the show, we're discussing the question of exactly how much you should save in a 529 college savings plan. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Decide your college funding goal before saving in a 529 account. [02:06] An overview of college...

Recently, an executive order has set the stage for 401 (k) providers to potentially start offering investments like private equity, private real estate, digital assets (think bitcoin), commodities, and more—options typically reserved for pension funds and institutional investors. But what does this really mean for everyday savers? We break down the differences between traditional 401k offerings an...

Are you taking advantage of all your Roth opportunities? We break down the differences between the Roth IRA, Roth 401(k), or the Mego Backdoor Roth 401(k). by comparing your choices with another favorite summer treat - ice cream. We break down the basics, benefits, and ideal life stages for each account type—whether you're just scooping your first vanilla cone with a Roth IRA, adding some flavor w...

The second quarter of 2025 was anything but dull in the financial world. But despite the turbulence, both US and international stocks finished the first half of the year up over 10%. Over the last 12 months, markets have performed robustly, returning 14-19%.  Bonds have also held their own, with 6% returns over the last year. Investors have endured a roller coaster ride, especially after the drama...

Tax season may feel far off, but with sweeping legislative changes just passed, proactive financial planning starts now. In this episode, we're sharing our accessible, in-depth breakdown of the new Big Beautiful Bill, highlighting ten key tax provisions that every taxpayer should understand. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Summarizing the latest major legislation in 10 key tax provisions. [04:59]...

When is enough, enough? Many investors have recently found solace in growing their cash reserves, whether in their checking accounts, savings accounts, or certificates of deposit (CDs). With attractive yields and recent market turbulence still fresh in mind, it's easy to assume that loading up on cash is a safe strategy. But there's a hidden cost to keeping more money than you need. Not only does...

At Financial Symmetry, our internship program has become a core pillar of our growth, innovation, and client experience. Over time, our program grew from simply filling resource gaps to a foundational development engine, helping to shape the services Financial Symmetry offers and the team culture itself. What has emerged from these iterations is the recognition that our best chance of success come...

Claiming Social Security as soon as you become eligible at age 62 is a common choice for Americans. While understandable, this decision can have significant, and often underappreciated, long-term consequences. For many, the urge to claim early may stem from financial necessity, lack of other income sources, or simply a desire to "get what you've paid for." However, claiming early can reduce your b...

Chad and Mike break down the major moves in US and international markets from the past quarter, revealing why diversification works unexpectedly. They chat through the impact of recent tariff news, what those headlines might mean for the economy and your portfolio, and share evidence-based strategies for taking action (or not!) when markets get rocky. Outline of This Episode [0:00] Major moves in...

Market volatility is never comfortable, but with the right mindset and a thoughtful plan, you can face downturns not as a victim, but as an opportunist. On this episode of the Financial Symmetry Show, we're sharing our advice on managing your finances amid turbulent markets and giving you a helpful checklist to guide your decision-making when headlines make your stomach flip. Outline of This Episo...

Tax planning might not top everyone's list of leisure activities, but in the middle of tax season there's a hidden opportunity. What if, instead of seeing it as a mere logistic hurdle, we embraced it as a moment to refine our financial strategy?  *********** 📰 See the  full show notes here 🌐  Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to assure you are positioned to experience y...

What if your retirement lasts much longer than you anticipated? Increasing life expectancies have reshaped our understanding of retirement and financial planning in recent years, and we'll likely become more concerned about effectively managing financial resources throughout a potentially very long life in the future.  In this episode, we're sharing some insights gleaned from a recent industry con...