Retirement Planning - Money Not Math

What if the “boring” part of the market is quietly doing the heavy lifting? If you’ve followed financial headlines lately, you might think only a handful of tech-companies matter. But something very different has been happening behind the scenes. The Dow recently touched 52,000 for the first time ever. That move has been driven by steady, everyday companies. Not hype. Not speculation. Just consist...

Can a couple retire at 55 with $2 million? In this episode of Money Not Math, we explore a hypothetical retirement scenario inspired by a common real-life question couples face when they do not agree on whether they are ready to retire. With $1.5M in a 401k and $500K in a Roth IRA, we analyze: • Income potential with no advanced planning • How strategy can increase after-tax income • The impact of...

In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, we cover three timely topics: • Why markets continue to shift based on changing expectations • A simple way to evaluate changes in your cost of living mid-year • How retirement is evolving into a more purposeful and structured phase This episode is designed for individuals approaching retirement or already retired who want a clear, long-term perspective. Follow...

What if the difference between a good retirement and a great retirement was not how much you saved, but how you structured your income? In this episode of Money Not Math, I walk through a real-life inspired case study using hypothetical names to protect privacy featuring Mr. and Mrs. Back 9 Blueprint. We cover how a couple with strong savings improved their retirement outcome from: • $6,150 to $7,...

In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, we cover three timely topics: • Why markets can feel uncertain even when underlying conditions are relatively stable • A simple mid-year approach to reducing financial complexity • How to rethink productivity and purpose in retirement This episode is designed for individuals approaching retirement or already retired who want a more structured, long-term perspect...

Markets are shifting in ways many investors do not fully recognize. In this episode, we break down recent research on diversification and explain what it means for protecting your portfolio as you approach retirement. You will learn: • Why diversification still works but is evolving • What risks investors often overlook • How to think about portfolio structure in today’s environment This episode i...

In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, we cover three timely topics: • A practical way to think about the new Federal Reserve Chairman • Why a mid-year financial check-in may help keep your plan aligned • How “Citizen Science” is helping retirees stay sharp and purposeful This episode is designed for individuals approaching retirement or navigating their retirement years who want a steady, long-term...

Many investors assume retirement success comes down to saving enough and hoping the market cooperates. In this episode, we explain why asset allocation and glide path strategy often play a much larger role, both while you are working and throughout retirement. Using hypothetical planning illustrations, we cover: • Why target date funds and automatic equity reduction may be inefficient • How glide...

In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, we discuss why interest rate changes are historically normal, how inflation should already be built into a retirement income plan, and why separating income from market volatility can create peace of mind. We also explore how summer gatherings can become meaningful opportunities to talk about values, legacy, and family intent. This episode is designed for people...

If you have ever looked at your retirement savings and thought, “I should be further along by now,” this episode is for you. In Episode 185 of Money Not Math, we explore The Gap and The Gain, a mindset framework from Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, and how it applies to retirement planning. We discuss: • Why retirement can feel stressful even with solid savings • How measuring progress forwar...

Should you be doing something right now with the market at all-time highs and inflation still elevated? In this week’s 5 Minute Friday, we cover: • Why inflation remains persistent and how it affects long-term planning • The reality behind market averages and investor behavior • Why many long-term investors benefit from staying disciplined • A growing travel trend that reflects a different way to...

“I hope to retire early.” That’s how this episode starts and that one word says more than most people realize. In this episode of Money Not Math, we walk through a real world planning scenario we see often. Mid 50s House paid off College covered $3.5 million saved 80 percent traditional retirement accounts, 20 percent Roth Inherited IRA already creating required withdrawals On paper, everything lo...

The Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars playoff series is a reminder that winning is rarely about one big moment. The best teams plan for a long series, adjust when things change, and protect against mistakes. Retirement works the same way. In the latest episode of Money Not Math, we use playoff hockey as a simple way to think about retirement planning. Not through complicated formulas, but through rea...

Money stress is not always about income, markets, or account balances. In fact, many people who are doing objectively well still feel anxious about money. In Money Not Math Episode 182, I talk about why financial stress usually comes from: • Unanswered questions • Too many open decisions • Competing priorities • Lack of clarity, not lack of money This episode is about confidence, simplicity, and u...

Money Not Math Episode 181 A YouTube commenter asked me what happens when the Social Security Trust Fund runs out and requested I revisit a prior retirement income example to show what retirement could look like if Social Security benefits were reduced by 25%. So in Money Not Math Episode 181, I do exactly that. Using the same hypothetical couple from Money Not Math Episode 162, with $500,000 in a...

How much do you really need to retire confidently? 🤔 In Money Not Math: Episode 180, I tackled one of the most common retirement questions I hear: 👉 How much in assets does a couple actually need to retire with confidence? Here’s what I did in this episode: • Assumed a married couple receiving $4,200 per month in Social Security • Compared retirement spending using $250k, $500k, $750k, and $1M i...

This one is personal. My 96 year old grandpa passed away on March 20th. He was a man I admired deeply because of the way he lived his life with faith, humility, kindness, and a level of consistency that is rare today. In this episode, I share the lessons he taught me about real wealth. Not money, but character, commitment, community, and legacy. One of the memories I will never forget is being abl...

With everything happening in the world, it’s completely normal to feel uneasy about your investments or retirement plans. But here’s the thing: Headlines create fear. History creates perspective. In the newest episode of Money Not Math, I walk through: • How markets have historically behaved during major conflicts • Why wars often aren’t the main driver of long term returns • The key questions tha...

Ever wondered how people approach earning income through real estate, or how real estate developers think about design, sustainability, and addressing the affordable housing crisis while also aiming to create positive experiences for investors? In this Episode, I sit down with Dusten Hendrickson, founder of Mailbox Money, who brings over 20 years and more than $500M of experience in real estate de...

The past two weeks reminded me just how quickly life can move between joy, excitement, and unexpected heartbreak. While my family and I were on vacation, we experienced moments of pure happiness — from our daughters’ first plane ride and their first time swimming in the ocean, to meaningful time with grandparents and cousins. We also spent part of our trip cheering on our niece in the TRF Girls 12...

What can a gorilla teach you about retirement planning? In this episode of Money Not Math, Drew uses the famous Monkey Business Illusion to reveal a surprising truth: 👉 Even smart, attentive people can completely miss what’s happening right in front of them. When it comes to retirement, many people focus almost entirely on: • Picking the “best” investments • Chasing higher short-term returns • Wa...

In Episode 174 of Money Not Math, we explore the 8 essential questions to ask before you retire. These questions go far beyond savings amounts and help create clarity around income, Social Security, healthcare, taxes, investment strategy, and lifestyle planning. This episode is designed for empty nesters and pre retirees who want to feel more confident and prepared for their next chapter. Disclosu...

When it comes to retirement, when certain rules apply can be just as important as how much you have saved. In Money Not Math 173, we walk through several important ages that can influence how Social Security, Medicare, and retirement account rules work under current law. The goal is to help you better understand these milestones so you can have more informed conversations with your financial, tax,...

Welcome back to Money Not Math – Episode 172, the show where we break down complex retirement questions into clear, actionable insights—so you can retire with confidence, not confusion. In this episode, we walk through a hypothetical 67-year-old who has: • $870,000 in a 401(k) • $120,000 in an IRA • $2,200/month in Social Security At first glance, it sounds like a basic math problem. But designing...

What Does Retirement Income Look Like for a Single Person with $500,000 in an IRA + Social Security? | Money Not Math Ep. 170 Welcome back to Money Not Math! In Episode 170, we’re revisiting a popular topic from Episode 162, where we looked at retirement income for a hypothetical married couple with $500,000 in an IRA plus Social Security. This time, we’re adjusting the scenario for a single perso...