Relax, It’s Retirement Podcast

Are you struggling to navigate the maze of Medicare and healthcare costs in retirement? In this episode, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro delve into the complexities of healthcare planning for retirees. They discuss understanding Medicare, evaluating different health plans, and the critical steps to prevent unexpected medical expenses. Josh and Pete share valuable insights into Medicare’s par...

Are you ready to break some financial rules to optimize your retirement planning? Today, we’re challenging the rules of retirement planning to see when breaking them might actually be in your best interest. In this episode, Josh Leonard and his partner in crime, Pete Belcastro dive into five conventional financial rules that many believe are set in stone but might be worth reconsidering to b...

Are you ready to make your retirement last for the long haul? In this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro discuss the importance of longevity in retirement. They cover strategies for structuring your assets to ensure they last, the importance of tax planning, and tips for maintaining an active and fulfilling lifestyle throughout your retirement years. Learn about the...

Have you ever found yourself curious about how some folks manage to live their retirement years to the fullest? This week on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh sits down with Chuck Glenz, a long-term client and family friend, to discuss Chuck’s unique and insightful journey through life and retirement. You’ll learn practical advice on retirement planning, the importance of saving early, the...

Art isn’t just for galleries – it’s a powerful tool for enriching your retirement experience. Have you ever thought about how art could transform your retirement?  Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh introduces Tami Fauver, the Executive Chief and Curator at Krasl Art Center. They explore the dynamic intersection of the arts and retirement and discuss how Krasl Arts Center has become...

Are your financial decisions driven by a fear of missing out (FOMO)? Get ready to conquer your retirement planning with confidence and ease. Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro discuss retirement planning with a focus on overcoming the fear of missing out (FOMO) and making informed decisions for a secure financial future. They explain why staying true to your disciplin...

What does it take to truly conquer life’s toughest challenges and apply those lessons to your retirement? This week on Relax It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro dive into the topic of “doing hard things” and how taking on challenges can prepare you mentally and emotionally for retirement. Josh shares an inspiring anecdote about a grueling bike ride up Maui&#821...

Ever wondered how to effectively save for retirement without missing out on the joys of life today? Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard shares invaluable tips about optimizing your savings strategy during the accumulation phase of your finances. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode demystifies the order of saving money, and ensuring a balanc...

Are you being hoodwinked by financial advice on social media? In today’s episode of Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard delves into the murky waters of financial advice on social media platforms. With special attention on the credibility of so-called financial influencers, or ‘finfluencers,’ Josh unpacks the allure of simplicity in managing finances that social media tends to promise....

Are you ready for retirement? How much money do you need to ensure your golden years are truly golden? Today on Relax It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro address essential considerations for anyone nearing retirement. From understanding the right time to retire to strategically managing retirement income, this conversation aims to equip you with the knowledge to navigate financi...

How does life insurance fit into your retirement plan? Is life insurance still relevant in retirement? This week on Relax It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro discuss whether or not life insurance is necessary in retirement. They cover four main reasons to own life insurance in retirement: covering debts, preserving family assets, covering long-term care expenses, and leaving a t...

Transitioning into retirement could feel just as sunny and relaxed as a perfect summer day, but like spending a day in the sun, you’ve got to plan for all weather factors when it comes to retirement or risk feeling a little burned. Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro delve into part two of financial literacy for your golden years with a focus on government benefits and...

Many believe that impactful philanthropy is exclusive to the ultra-rich. However, strategic charitable giving is accessible to a wide range of donors. In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by philanthropy expert Jack Miller, principal of Miller Consulting, for a conversation about how strategic charitable giving can be a cornerstone of your financial planning and legacy. Jack shares his personal...

Are you ready to greet retirement with a well-prepared smile? Welcome to the Relax, It’s Retirement podcast, where we dive into mastering financial literacy in your golden years. This episode, featuring Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro, zooms in on transitioning into retirement with intent. They explore practical tips for income and budget planning in April’s Financial Literacy Month, h...

Are you struggling to navigate the complexities of charitable giving and tax planning for retirement? Let us introduce you to Daffy! Josh Leonard and his guest, Adam Nash, co-founder and CEO of Daffy.org dive into the world of donor-advised funds, money decisions, and much more on this engaging episode of Relax It’s Retirement. They address how Daffy can help simplify your giving and give yo...

Are you looking to maximize your tax bracket and secure a stress-free retirement? You might want to consider adding Roth conversions to your retirement plan. Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro dive into the world of Roth conversions, discussing three key scenarios when converting to a Roth IRA might benefit your retirement plan with a focus on reducing taxes, maximizing income, and securing a tax-eff...

Are you nearing retirement but still burdened with your kid’s college debt payments? Discover how you can potentially cut those payments in half with The College Dude. Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Dan Cieniewicz, CFP®, CCFC, CSLP®, a.k.a. The College Dude, delve into the world of managing Parent PLUS loans to balance funding education and retirement savings effectively. They d...

Have you ever wondered how quickly the stock market can plunge into a bear market and the impact it has on your investments? Join Josh Leonard and our Pete Belcastro, as they delve into three significant market crashes in history, including the 1929 stock market crash, Black Monday in 1987, and the recent COVID market meltdown. Discover how fear drives investors, the role of margin accounts, and t...

What’s your retirement adventure? Meet Barbara Hillary, the trailblazer who set foot on the North Pole at 76. Let’s explore her remarkable story! In this special Women’s History Month episode, Josh Leonard and Yana Leonard, CIA, MBA, Director of Finance, share the incredible life story of Barbara Hillary, an inspiring woman who challenged herself to achieve the impossible. From b...

Have you ever found yourself making financial decisions based on instinct rather than informed choices?  In this episode, Josh Leonard talks about five common behavioral biases that can influence financial decision-making. He addresses loss aversion, confirmation bias, herd mentality, overconfidence, and anchoring bias, illustrating each with real-world examples. He also discusses the influence of...

In a world filled with distractions and temptations, discipline stands as a beacon of consistency and success, guiding us toward our goals and aspirations. Whether in financial planning, health routines, or personal growth, discipline forms the foundation for long-term achievement and fulfillment. Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh and Pete Belcastro, CFP®, talk about discipline in variou...

Tax time is near. Nobody wants to pay taxes, but we have to, so let’s talk about how we can maximize our tax savings. In this episode, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro, Financial Planner at Leonard Advisory Group, talk about tax planning. They share tips for filing taxes this year and some ways to help reduce taxation in the future and be more tax-efficient. Josh and Pete cover the importance of re...

Have you ever wondered how successful couples navigate the challenges of marriage, parenthood, and career? Meet Yana Leonard, CIA, MBA, a key member of the team at Josh Leonard Advisory Group, as she steps into the spotlight in this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement. Today, Josh introduces his wife, Yana Leonard, CIA, MBA, Director of Finance, to listeners. They dive into the evolution of their re...

What are the long-term impacts of keeping your 401(k) with a former employer versus rolling it over to an IRA or a new employer’s plan? How can the benefits of IRA rollovers and Roth conversions influence your decision for penalty-free withdrawals? Josh Leonard explores the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the 401(k) with a past employer, transitioning it into an IRA, or moving it...

Is your financial plan secure enough to last until retirement? How could dividing your income into separate groups help ensure your retirement income will last? Check out this episode as Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro from the Leonard Advisory team explore the essential elements of retirement preparation. They delve into the “three baskets” strategy, which includes the cash, income, a...