Retirement Plain & Simple

We ​receive ​our ​working ​paychecks ​in ​a ​very ​systematic ​way, ​often ​every ​week ​or ​every ​other ​week. ​Well, ​what ​do ​we ​do ​when ​we ​get ​a ​year-​end ​cash ​bonus, at ​times ​in ​the ​thousands ​of ​dollars ​all ​at ​once? ​What ​is ​the ​best ​way ​to ​use ​it? ​ In this episode, ​we'll ​talk ​about ​some ​important ​things ​to ​think ​about ​when ​receiving ​a ​year-end ​bonus,...

In today's fast-paced world, navigating the complexities of financial planning is very difficult at times. Many individuals find themselves asking, "What exactly does working with a financial advisor entail?" Today we're going to shed light on this very question, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding our role and our process for planning. Join Todd and David as they take listeners on a j...

One of the first questions that anyone asks before working with a financial advisor is how do you get paid? It's a great question because there are different fee structures, and understanding what each means can help you choose the right type of service for your needs. In this episode, we'll down the different ways that advisors get paid and the types of clients often drawn to these different type...

As we approach the fall, many employees will soon receive emails from their HR departments about open enrollment for the 2025 calendar year. This period is crucial for reviewing and selecting the benefits that best meet your needs. To help us better understand our options and what coverage is best, we are excited to have Kelly Brownell, a seasoned expert in open enrollment and employee benefits, o...

As summer winds down and the new school year approaches, now is the perfect time to consider your strategy for saving for your child's college education. We all know that college isn't getting any cheaper, so a proper financial plan is crucial in helping your child make this big commitment. Join Todd and David as they explore key aspects of college financial planning. They provide practical advice...

We are excited to have Elder Law Attorney, Maureen Anderson, on the show with us today. She joins us to discuss the benefit of intergenerational conversations surrounding end-of-life planning and wealth transfer. Starting these conversations with your loved ones can be challenging, so we're excited to have Maureen's perspective and insights to help approach these topics as effectively as possible....

When you hear the word "insurance," what comes to mind? No matter how you feel about it, it's a complicated and often confusing topic for many. So, in this episode, we're going back to basics, breaking down different types of insurance and their roles in protecting your finances. Listen in as we discuss auto, home, umbrella, disability, and life insurance. While insurance may not be the most thril...

There's no doubt that healthcare expenses are one of the biggest things you must plan for when it comes to retirement. Because of this, many want to know how Medicare will fit into their overall healthcare expenses. In today's show, David Lawrence is going to sit down with seasoned healthcare expert, Jim Long, to explore the intricacies of Medicare. With 16 years of experience under his belt, Jim...

In today's episode, we're going to take some time to focus on an often overlooked, but crucial aspect of retirement planning. While financial preparedness is undeniably important, there's more to retirement readiness than just the numbers in your 401k. Stay tuned as Mark and Todd explore some of the non-financial elements that can significantly impact your retirement experience.  During this conve...

You've probably seen or heard the term "comprehensive financial planning" used pretty frequently in the financial space. But what exactly does this mean and entail? In today's episode, we're going to focus on what comprehensive planning means to us here at Kemp Harvest Financial Group. Stay tuned as we give you a quick overview of the five foundations that make up a comprehensive plan. When thinki...

January often brings a wave of commitment to better money management, with many of us eager to make positive changes and set new money-related goals. With financial resolutions on many of our minds, we thought we'd take the time to explore some positive and negative aspects of common financial habits. Stay tuned as we discuss whether the "good" habits you're considering are truly working in your f...

This week, we're thrilled to have Sue Derr, a seasoned budget coach from Crown Financial Ministries, on the show to explore the crucial topic of budgeting, just in time for the upcoming new year. With a background in budgeting that dates back over 30 years, Sue brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the table. Stay tuned as she shares incredible insights into the art of effective budgeting an...

In today's episode, we're taking a close look at high-net-worth individuals - those who have accumulated significant wealth and face unique challenges and opportunities when planning for retirement. Unlike the average person, their financial considerations go beyond the basics. We'll explore the distinct strategies and factors that come into play when securing a comfortable and prosperous retireme...

It's that time of the year again! Join us for a thoughtful episode where we unpack our 2023 edition of key year-end planning strategies for those nearing or embracing their retirement years. We'll explore the nuances of optimizing your investment portfolio, safeguarding your assets, and ensuring a stable, rewarding lifestyle in the years to come. We're also excited to welcome David Lawrence, CFP®,...

As we age, the topic of long-term care and retirement planning becomes increasingly important. However, trying to work through the different options can often feel overwhelming and daunting. That's why we've brought in senior living expert John Bryant on our latest podcast episode to share his wealth of knowledge on these topics. John currently serves as the CEO of Christ's Home in Warminster, Pen...

Today we are excited to dive into the intricate world of estate planning with seasoned estate planning attorney, Bill Cooper . With over two decades of experience in the field, Bill brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Join us as we explore the critical elements of estate planning that go beyond simply drafting a will. Tune in to discover how estate planning can help you mainta...

In this episode, we're diving into the essential components of retirement income planning. Mark and Todd break down the five major areas of retirement expenses, including housing, healthcare, food and groceries, transportation, and paying off any remaining debts. They also touch on nice-to-haves, such as travel, leisure activities, self-care, and gifts. Tune in so that you don't forget to account...

In this episode, we'll explore many of the expenses in your life that might drastically change (one way or another) in retirement. We'll break those expenses down further to see which ones are the top priorities and analyze some of the other factors that impact your cash flow in retirement. Join us as we talk about home renovations, travel costs, healthcare expenses, inflation, taxes and much more...

Are you ready to take control of your finances during life's most pivotal moments? In this episode, we dive into the complex world of financial decision-making during six key life events. Each of these could have a major impact on your money and your future. From the excitement of marriage and the joy of welcoming a new child to the challenges of divorce and the loss of a loved one, we'll provide...

Age and wisdom go hand-in-hand when it comes to planning for your financial future. While knowledge is certainly important, it is not enough on its own. In this episode, we will dive into the significance of both wisdom and experience in preparing for the retirement of your dreams. There's an old quote that says, "Age is the price of wisdom." Ask yourself, have you changed your opinion on money an...

For some people, it's time for spring cleaning. And that often means diving into a cluttered closet and getting it cleaned out and organized. In this episode, we'll discuss what principles we can take from a closet clean-out and apply to our financial lives. It's always overwhelming to start the process of cleaning and organizing a closet, and for most people, it's no different when it comes to ge...

On this episode of Retirement Plain & Simple with Mark Kemp & Todd Little, we'll address some key money saving concerns that we think you'll find helpful as we run full speed into tax season. Todd is going to kick us off by breaking down the important difference between tax filing and tax planning. It's a crucial distinction that you'll want to know about to avoid missing out on key opportunities...

If you want to improve your finances and plan for retirement, it's good to have a financial advisor. Picking the right advisor can lead to one of the most important relationships in your life. But not all advisors are created equal. In this episode, we're going to point out some of the people that you might want to stay away from. We'll share some red flags you should look for when searching for t...

Over 30 years ago, a mentor in the business taught about "The Financial house". With the New Year here, we want to help you get your Financial House in order. Every house needs a good foundation, and this lesson will help you make sure your foundation is strong. Let's jump in! Here's what you'll learn on the show: The three parts of the Financial House. (3:57) Do you have a functional budget? (6:1...

Most of us make a financial mistake (or two) in our lifetime, but there are circumstances that it's imperative to make the right decision. When major life decisions occur, you want to understand how they can affect your finances. Let's explore some of the things you should be thinking about to make smart financial decisions when you encounter some of the most significant events in your life. Here'...