Elena

Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t

Business EN ↓ 6 episodes

This show is for pre-retirees and planners aged 45–65 with $100K–$1M investable assets who need decade-scale decisions in plain language—not day-trading hype or opening-bell chatter. We own 401(k), IRA, Roth vs traditional, Social Security timing, RMDs, Medicare basics, and withdrawal sequencing. We never compete with `the-morning-market-show` on S&P/Fed/CPI intraday catalysts, or with `managing-personal-debt-lets-make-sense-of-this-sht` on avalanche/snowball payoff (cross-link instead). Each episode is one decision tree with dollar examples, not stock picks. --- Topics include: Retirement Pla...

Author

Elena

Episodes

Understanding Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision 30.06.2026 7:32

In this episode, we cover Roth decision. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Many pre-retirees face a clear fork in the road when they decide how to fund their accounts each year. The choice between a Roth and a traditional option changes your tax bill now and later. Because tax rates can shift over a decade, that decision tree st...

Understanding HSA Triple Tax Advantage: Retirement Stealth IRA 30.06.2026 8:19

In this episode, we cover HSA. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Health savings accounts carry a triple tax advantage that few people fully use for long-term retirement goals. Many treat these accounts as short-term medical reserves only. However, the same account can function like a stealth IRA once you understand the contribut...

Understanding Retirement Withdrawal Sequence: Which Account 29.06.2026 6:15

In this episode, we cover Withdrawals. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Today we look at withdrawals no one warns about when you start pulling money from your accounts after sixty. These costs often catch people off guard because they sit outside the basic four percent guideline. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways,...

Understanding Medicare Enrollment: Missing This Deadline Costs 29.06.2026 7:21

In this episode, we cover Medicare. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Missing a Medicare enrollment deadline can add permanent costs to your retirement plan because penalties compound each month and never reset. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward. Welcome to Retirement...

Understanding Social Security at 62 vs 67: Break-Even Math 06.06.2026 6:16

In this episode, we cover Social Security. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Many people reach their early sixties and face one choice that shapes decades of income. Should they start Social Security benefits at sixty two or hold off until sixty seven. The difference adds up because each option changes the monthly check and the...

Understanding 401(k) Limits 2026: Catch-Up Rules If You're Over 05.06.2026 6:05

In this episode, we cover 401(k) limits. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Many listeners over age fifty wonder exactly how the two thousand twenty six four oh one k limits will affect their catch up contributions. The standard limit rises each year yet the extra room for older savers stays fixed in its own category. Therefore c...