Retire To A Life You Love® with Michelle Gessner, CFP®

Selling a home is often one of the largest financial transactions you’ll ever make, yet most people get it wrong in ways that cost time, money, and peace of mind.  Michelle Gessner shares six critical mistakes sellers make, from skipping repairs to pricing too high or too low, and how to avoid them. She shares real stories and gives clear, practical advice that could save you thousands. Whet...

A massive new tax bill quietly passed on July 4th, spanning 900 pages and packed with changes that could impact retirees, families, and professionals across the country.  In this episode of Retire to a Life You Love®, Michelle Gessner breaks down what really matters so you don’t get lost in the weeds. From standard deduction increases to SALT cap changes, new senior deductions, updates to 529 plan...

In this episode, Michelle Gessner, CFP®, welcomes attorney Lorie Burch for an important conversation on estate planning for LGBTQ+ families, especially in Texas. Lorie shares her personal experience with reciprocal IVF and the surprising legal reality that birth certificates alone don’t guarantee parental rights. They explore why second-parent adoption is essential and how shifting laws—like a pos...

Join Michelle Gessner, CFP®, for smart tax tips that can help you avoid costly mistakes and take advantage of smart planning opportunities. While taxes may not be everyone’s favorite topic, Michelle emphasizes that education is crucial to make the most of what the system offers, especially when it comes to retirement planning. Gain insight as Michelle touches on Medicare IRMAA, capital loss...

What if you could retire to a life that feels like a storybook dream? In this latest episode of Retire to a Life You Love®, Michelle Gessner, CFP®, reconnects with Glenda Cole who is living an idyllic retirement in Portugal. Known for her vibrant lifestyle in the Algarve region, Glenda shares insights into why Portugal is capturing the hearts of so many Americans considering overseas retirement. F...

Join Michelle Gessner, CFP®, as she welcomes Lauren Morris, the client services extraordinaire at Gessner Wealth Strategies. Lauren shares her behind-the-scenes skills on simplifying the financial complexities that often perplex us. Whether it’s navigating the ins and outs of accessing funds, ensuring tax efficiency, managing paperwork with Schwab, and knowing what questions to ask, or bette...

What do you do when life throws you a curveball, like an unexpected job layoff? Join Michelle Gessner, CFP®, on navigating the uncertainty of job loss and crafting a viable plan forward. Michelle shares her personal layoff experience post-9/11, and delves into ten essential action steps everyone should consider when faced with sudden unemployment. From prioritizing self-care to understanding healt...

What are the right questions to ask when choosing a financial advisor?  Knowing what to ask can differentiate between retiring comfortably and facing unexpected challenges.  Join CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER , Michelle Gessner to discover the critical questions you should ask when searching for a financial advisor – and the three questions you should ask yourself when deciding if the expense...

How do elections and rate changes affect your investment portfolio? Join Michelle for an engaging conversation with John Archbold and James Yahoudy, two members of the expert investment team supporting Gessner Wealth Strategies called Aptus Capital Advisors. Together, they explore the dynamic world of investments, unpacking Aptus’ unique investment philosophy and the potential impact of rece...

How much of your Social Security Benefits do you keep after taxes? How can you better plan your taxes to reduce the amount taken from your Social Security during retirement? In this episode, Michelle Gessner, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER , dives into the nuances of how your Social Security benefits are taxed. She unravels the complexities and explores strategies so you can potentially reduce those...

In this episode, Michelle Gessner sits down with Madison Ross, co-founder of Ross & Connor LLP, a CPA firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. Together, they dive into why proactive tax planning and working with professionals is essential to avoid costly mistakes and optimize tax strategies. Madison, an expert in small business, real estate, and individual taxation, shares common tax pitfalls to avoid...

If you want to make the most of your Social Security benefits, this episode is a must-listen! Join Michelle Gessner as she breaks down the facts behind the Social Security debate—will it run out, or is it just a myth? Plus, Michelle shares essential strategies whether you’re married, divorced, or a surviving spouse, to help you secure every dollar you deserve. Don’t miss out! Listen now and empowe...

Are annuities a smart addition to your retirement portfolio?  Join Michelle as she breaks down different types of annuities—fixed, fixed index, and variable annuities—explaining how they can fit into a comprehensive financial plan. Understand the tax advantages and risks associated with each type, and learn why annuities might not be as bad as you think, if used in moderation and understood.  Feat...

Are you ready for retirement? Let’s find out!  On today’s show, Michelle Gessner, CFP® shares a checklist that includes six questions to ask and answer before you decide to hang up your career hat. With her co-host, Michelle discusses the necessity of professional help with investments, the decision to retain money in an employer’s retirement plan, and the importance of stress-testing your r...

Are you undervaluing the importance of long-term disability insurance in your financial plan? This episode reveals the common myths and misunderstandings that could cost you and your loved ones dearly. Michelle dives into why even retirees need to grasp the nuances of disability insurance policies and how overlooking the benefits could expose gaps in your financial safety net. Discussion points in...

While it’s widely acknowledged that retirement involves careful financial planning, its essence extends far beyond mere numbers – a facet often overlooked.  Today, Sue Mintz, a certified retirement transition coach, unravels the intricacies of crafting a comprehensive retirement strategy that embraces the full spectrum of considerations. Sue highlights that retirement should be viewed...

“Find a job you’ll love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”’ But how? Michelle Gessner is joined by special guest Lee Rathbun, a part-time sports official who shares his journey of turning his hobby into a paid gig. They explore the theme of “What are you going to do in retirement,” emphasizing the importance of not just planning for financial security but also planning for a fu...

After the successful release of “ Understanding Medicare: A Guide for Beginners ,” Michelle was prompted to ask Joanne Giardini Russell back to the show to provide a deeper look into Medicare. Let’s gain further knowledge about how to make informed decisions regarding your healthcare and insurance options as Michelle and Joanne discuss:   Recommendations to prepare for Medicare six months before e...

A lot of us spend time planning for our retirement from a financial perspective, which I will never tell you is a bad thing. However, how much thought have you given to HOW you will spend your retirement? Everyone deserves to Retire to a Life You Love®, and today’s guest has done just that! Glenda Cole shares what it’s like living her storybook life in Portugal including details surrounding what l...

A new year provides opportunities for growth and self-improvement, and this extends to your finances too!  But before we look too far ahead, let’s revisit a few 2023 episodes of Retire To A Life You Love® for the top takeaways that you can carry into the new year. Gain insight as Michelle highlights practical reminders and nuggets of financial wisdom like: The value of understanding and implementi...

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, Michelle understands how confusing all of the rules, guidelines, and restrictions surrounding taxes can be. That is why she has dedicated this episode to helping you maximize your tax benefits before year-end. Join Michelle as she provides a few simple strategies, breaks down financial terms and jargon, and explains concepts like tax loss harvesting a...

In today’s world of relationships, if you are ignored, you’re being ‘ghosted.’  Basically, the person doing the ghosting has decided that they no longer care about you. Do you feel this way about your financial advisor? If they don’t regularly communicate, share market advice or insights, or return your calls, you are likely being ghosted. Is it time to fire your financial advisor?  Join Michelle...

If you go outside when it is raining, you take an umbrella to keep you from getting wet. When you ride in a car, you put on your seatbelt to keep you safe. But what do you do to safeguard your finances? Taking proper precautions for the safety of your assets and finances is just as important as protecting yourself from harm which is why Ryan Kaiser, Personal Risk Specialist at USI Insurance Servic...

Planning for your retirement is not black and white. It’s not cookie-cutter, or one-size-fits-all.  And because there is no universal template when it comes to retirement planning, it’s important that your plan is tailored to your lifestyle and how you envision your post-work life.  In this episode, Michelle provides ten strategies to help you avoid common retirement planning mistakes. Listen in a...

Join Michelle Gessner, CFP ® as she chats with tax attorney and educator Sarah Brenner from Ed Slott and Company, LLC. With over 20 years of experience, Sarah has become a trusted resource for financial advisors and their clients across the nation. Listen as she shares her insights on how you can navigate through the complexities of retirement and tax regulations.  In this episode, you will: Learn...