Retirement Pathfinder with Barbara Lane & Phil Guske

It's a mailbag edition of the show today! We've got four great questions coming your way. Hazel asks for a checklist of financial priorities to address before she retires from her job at the hospital. Joseph asks whether he should proceed with rolling over his 401k from his old job, given its strong performance this year.   Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory....

Retirement planning doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly complicated. It certainly doesn’t have to be as complicated as some people make it. In our next episode, we unravel the unnecessary complexities often woven into the fabric of retirement advice. We’ll debunk some myths, simplify strategies, and uncover the beauty of simplicity and straightforward retirement planning.   Important Links: Pathfind...

We've got four great questions that we'll cover in today's mailbag episode. Tony asks whether, as a pastor, it's advisable for him to opt out of Social Security. David's wife is nine years younger than him, and he wonders if he should take out a large insurance policy on himself. Tune in to see what you can learn from these real-life scenarios!   Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  htt...

As much as any other threat, recognizing and avoiding scams has become a necessary skill for today’s retirees to develop. Join us as we explore crucial steps you can take to safeguard your financial well-being against the growing tide of scams and identity theft. Learn from real-life stories and gain practical advice to keep your finances secure in this digital era, all from the perspective of a s...

We're back with another special edition of the podcast for you today! We've pulled more of our favorite mailbag questions from prior episodes and compiled them into one conversation for you. In this week's show, Barbara and Phil talk about making financial decisions after a real estate sale, long-term care coverage, and ethical considerations in investing.   Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Mana...

We've got a special edition of the podcast for you today! We've pulled some of our favorite mailbag questions from prior episodes and compiled them into one conversation for you. Stay tuned as Barbara and Phil discuss tax laws, pensions for federal employees, traveling in retirement, and more. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from real-life financial planning scenarios!   Important Links: Pathf...

Welcome back to the Retirement Pathfinder. We've got some mailbag questions for you to enjoy today! Dorothy wishes to financially support her daughter and grandchild, who are facing challenges due to the newborn's extended hospital stay, but isn't sure about the tax implications and feasibility. Charles has been pinching pennies for 10 years in retirement and wonders whether he should start spendi...

Imagine your retirement plan as a ship sailing toward a horizon of rest and relaxation. But what if one leak could sink it all? In today’s episode, we spotlight some of the single oversights that could send your dreams to the bottom. We'll share key strategies to plug the gaps, ensuring your financial ship stays buoyant and on course. Tune in to protect your future from the one mistake that could...

This episode might be a bit counterintuitive. We’re going to question the real impact of common financial habits. Are the strategies you consider beneficial actually working in your favor? We explore the pros and cons of practices like ignoring account statements and strict budgeting. Join us for a practical discussion, as we uncover the unexpected effects of everyday money decisions. Are your goo...

Is 'Lazy Money' still a concern in 2024's higher interest rate landscape? In this episode, we explore this question, examining how the recent rise in interest rates affects the money sitting in savings accounts, CDs, and conservative investments. We'll discuss the new dynamics of managing your funds in a world where traditional saving methods are seeing better returns. Are these options now a viab...

In this week's mailbag episode, Dan asks whether the changes in tax laws in recent years have affected the tax benefits of his charitable donations. Amy asks if her approach of not rushing to pay off debt, utilizing a Home Equity Line for major expenses, and prioritizing retirement savings is advisable. Listen in as Barbara and Phil tackle these questions (and a few more) in today's show!   Import...

Sometimes it’s hard to make financial sacrifices when the reward might not be seen until several years in the future. Today we’ll talk about some of the situations where you might be inclined to take the immediate benefit, when you should really consider the delayed rewards. Plus, Barbara and Phil will provide an update on interest rates and what we might expect to see in the new year.   Important...

Join us for a great mailbag episode today! This is your chance to gain valuable insights from the financial questions of our listeners. In today's show, Chris asks where to invest additional money for retirement since he is already maxing out his 401(k). Tony asks if he needs a will, trust, or both to evenly split two rental properties between his sons after he passes. Tune in to see how Barbara a...

The retirement planning world is filled with plenty of advice and suggestions, but there are critical questions lurking in the shadows – the unasked, the overlooked. These are the questions that can help define the comfort and security of your retirement future. On this episode, we unearth and tackle these hidden, but essential questions about retirement.   Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Manag...

As we approach the end of the year, there's a lot to look forward to. This is also the perfect time of year to share some year-end planning tips. Join us as we take a look at what items and opportunities you need to be paying attention to before we turn the page to 2024.   Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Schedule A 15 Minute Consult: http://Pathfinder...

We have a special edition of the show for you today! We thought it would be helpful to pull some of our favorite mailbag questions from the past and compile them into one episode. Tune in as we talk about life insurance, divorce, retirement, passing assets along to your kids, and much more. Stay tuned to see what you can learn!   Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadv...

Dave Ramsey is well known for his no-nonsense approach to personal finance, particularly in the areas of budgeting, debt management, and wealth-building. He has gained a significant following through various media platforms, including books, radio shows, podcasts, live events, and more recently, Tik Tok. Tune in as we peel back the layers of Dave’s bite sized Tik Tok advice and share our thoughts...

The article we will discuss today has a fun breakdown of someone trying to plan for retirement with the help of AI and a real advisor. The author asks them the same questions and reveals the results. Would be a fun one to recap on your show and break down the nuances of planning that a robot just can’t understand (at least not yet).   Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfind...

There are some people who don’t care at all about leaving a financial legacy, but for those who do, it’s important to eliminate some of the common estate planning mistakes. In this episode, we cover topics ranging from poor expense planning to outdated beneficiary designations and family conflict triggers. We also shed light on some misconceptions about transferring real estate and explain the imp...

In this episode, we delve into the complex and often emotionally charged process of changing financial advisors. We'll discuss the telltale signs that it's time to consider a switch, the questions to ask your current advisor, and what to look for in a new one. Join us as we demystify the transition process and equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about who is best suite...

We've got some great listener mailbag questions lined up for today's show! Bruce says that he fears a recession and wonders if he should stop contributing to his 401(k) for a while. Andy asks whether he should continue paying extra on his house to have it paid off by retirement, considering the advice he's received about needing a mortgage for a tax deduction during retirement. Tune in and see wha...

Finding a trustworthy and competent financial advisor is essential for securing your financial future. After all, they play a vital role in helping you make informed decisions about your money, investments, and long-term financial goals. But how can you separate the wheat from the chaff? How can you identify problematic personalities that might indicate an advisor isn't the right fit for you? We’l...

We're back with another mailbag episode this week. We've got some great listener questions lined up for today's show. Kate asks how to stop financially supporting her 27-year-old son without setting him up for failure. Laura asks if her account is too small for her financial advisor to worry about. Tune in and see what you can learn from these mailbag questions!    Important Links: Pathfinder Weal...

In the complex world of retirement planning, there are countless pitfalls one could fall into. In this episode, we've distilled it down to what we believe are the top 4 mistakes to watch out for. Avoiding these crucial missteps can have a significant impact on the success of your retirement plan. Join us as we delve into these key issues and learn how to navigate them effectively when it's your tu...

In today's episode, we're diving into the 4 common excuses that people often use to keep from retiring. Taking the leap and deciding to retire can be daunting. Whether you love your career, are afraid of being bored after you leave the workforce, or are simply afraid that you can't retire, Barbara and Phil will help you get over that hurdle so that you can move on to the next chapter of your life...