Retirement Ready

Should you use your emergency fund, dip into your IRA, or just finance a new car in retirement? How can someone fresh out of college start saving for the future without putting life on hold? And is $500,000 really enough to retire comfortably at 65? In this listener mailbag episode, Eric dives into three real-world questions that highlight the complexity and nuance of personal financial planning. ...

In this mailbag episode, Eric answers real questions from listeners navigating big life transitions. First up, a soon-to-be retiree wants to take the whole family to Disney World, but how do you plan a big trip like that without derailing your retirement timeline? Eric breaks down how to stress-test your retirement plan for one-time expenses and offers tips for budgeting a major vacation while kee...

DIY works great for fixing up the house or building a bookshelf, but does it hold up when you're planning your retirement? In this episode, Eric unpacks the pros and pitfalls of do-it-yourself financial planning, especially as you transition from the "saving" years to the "spending" years. It's one thing to manage your portfolio when you're working and have time to bounce back from a mistake. But...

Turning 62 isn’t just another birthday, it’s a milestone that kicks off some big retirement decisions. In this episode, Eric breaks down what reaching this age really means, from deciding when (or if) to claim Social Security to navigating income limits that could reduce your benefits. We’ll also explore how your health, family longevity, and lifestyle goals should influence that decision. Beyond...

Most of us have a junk drawer stuffed with random odds and ends we forgot about. But what about your financial junk drawer? Old insurance policies, dusty 401(k) statements, outdated wills, or savings bonds from decades ago could be sitting forgotten, and they might be costing you money or missing opportunities. In this episode, Eric opens the drawer on common financial items people stash away and...

In today’s world, information is everywhere, but not all of it is helpful. When it comes to financial planning, too much research or the wrong kind of advice can do more harm than good. In this episode, Eric tackles the overwhelming flood of financial content people consume through news articles, websites, AI tools, and so-called “money experts.” While it feels empowering to Google your way to a d...

Retirement isn’t just about financial spreadsheets, it’s about preparing your whole life for a new chapter. In this episode, Eric uses the clever framework of The Five People You Meet in Heaven to explore the five types of professionals and relationships that can shape your retirement journey. From legal guidance to physical wellness, these people can help protect what you've built and ensure you'...

When it comes to retirement, some decisions aren’t as clear-cut as they seem. Should you pay off your mortgage early? Convert to a Roth IRA? Claim Social Security at 62 or wait until 70? The math might say one thing, but your emotions, goals, and personal circumstances often pull you in another direction. In this episode, Eric tackles the “gray areas” of retirement planning, those tricky crossroad...

We all like to believe we're rational when it comes to money, but our emotions often tell a different story. In this episode, Eric unpacks key insights from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money and explains how our upbringing, fears, and life experiences shape how we save and spend. From the fear of running out to the trap of always wanting more, Eric explores why logic alone isn't enough to bu...

Most people assume all financial advisors offer the same services, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. From taxes to Social Security, Medicare to estate planning, the depth and quality of your advisor’s services can make or break your retirement plan. In this episode, Eric walks through the often-overlooked services a true, holistic advisor should provide and why they matter. Here’s some...

Thanks to a variety of economic and geopolitical circumstances, many people are experiencing some form of financial anxiety right now. Whether it’s market volatility, inflation headlines, or fears about Social Security and global instability, the emotional impact of uncertainty is very real. In this episode, Eric addresses what’s behind that anxiety and how a solid retirement plan can keep you gro...

In this episode, Eric opens the mailbag to answer three listener questions that hit on some of the most common—and often misunderstood—retirement topics. From how the 4% withdrawal rule really works, to whether life insurance is a smart legacy tool, Eric brings practical, experience-backed advice to each conversation. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 What the 4% rule really means...

Most people think a financial advisor’s primary job is picking investments, but that’s just a small piece of the puzzle. In today’s episode, Eric explains that the real work happens in solving the complex, emotional, and unexpected problems that come with retirement: early job loss, tax challenges, the loss of a spouse, or even recovering from bad advice.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this e...

Making more money is great, but what happens when it becomes a roadblock for contributing to a Roth IRA? And how can you make your emergency fund work smarter for you? In today’s episode, we pull from the mailbag and answer a mix of listener questions. Eric addresses concerns that reflect the real-life hurdles many face on the road to retirement.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:...

Although tax season has come to a close, the time for smart tax planning has just begun! In this episode, we unpack the upcoming tax updates that could affect your planning for the next few years, including changes to 401(k) contribution limits, tax deductions, and the potential benefits of using tax-advantaged accounts like HSAs. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📊 401(k) Contribut...

Ever fantasize about leaving your 9-to-5 before traditional retirement age? You're not alone, but is early retirement even possible? In today’s episode, Eric explores what it really takes to retire early including how to tackle healthcare costs, how to make money last longer, and the importance of shifting your mindset from spender to saver. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Why m...

​What are Americans really concerned about when it comes to retirement? In this episode, we unpack the results of an insightful survey from Financial Advisor Magazine, which was completed by over 400 financial advisors. We’ll also compare these answers with the real-world concerns we hear every day from the clients in our own practice.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:  💸 Outlivin...

March Madness is here, and just like filling out a bracket, picking individual stocks can feel like a thrilling gamble. But the odds of winning big are slim. In fact, history shows that most stock picks, like most brackets, end up busted. Many investors can’t resist chasing big wins, even though diversification is a smarter play. One economist, Hendrik Bessembinder, analyzed the returns of nearly...

Many investors focus on market performance but overlook one of the biggest threats to their long-term wealth: hidden fees. These costs—often buried within mutual funds, annuities, and trading expenses—can quietly erode your retirement savings over time. In this episode, Eric reveals the true cost of investing and how to protect yourself from unnecessary financial drains. Here’s some of what we dis...

What do Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Candy Land, and Risk have in common with retirement planning? More than you might think! In this episode, Eric breaks down the surprising financial lessons hidden in classic board games, offering valuable insights to help you navigate your retirement strategy. From the asset management lessons of Monopoly to the strategic thinking required in Risk, these games mi...

Join us as we answer questions about the challenges of downsizing, the emotional aspects of planning for family gatherings, and the realities of transitioning into a financial advisory career. Whether you're a grandparent considering a new home or a professional seeking a career change, this episode will hopefully cover something that might impact your retirement. Here’s some of what we discuss in...

On this episode, Eric dives into the complexities of crafting a personalized retirement strategy. While many face the same general retirement concerns, each individual’s situation is unique, requiring tailored solutions. We’ll explore real-life scenarios like age gaps and separate finances, highlighting the specific challenges people encounter when planning for the future. Here’s some of what we d...

Anyone with children knows that they will have a huge impact on your money, and retirement planning is no different. There are family dynamics that impact decisions you’ll need to make during the planning process. As many nearing retirement age are discovering, adult children and grandchildren can significantly influence financial strategies, making it crucial to understand how to navigate these r...

Financial advisors wear a lot of hats, but one role you probably didn’t expect us to play is a counselor or therapist. That happens more than you would imagine because we help couples communicate about money and have conversations that they might not normally have at home. This episode is focused specifically on the planning we do with couples with insights on how we help them navigate tricky conv...

Retirement is often viewed as a golden era of relaxation and enjoyment, but it can also be riddled with misconceptions that can lead to financial pitfalls. Many people fall into the trap of wishful thinking when it comes to what they expect will happen in retirement, but a successful retirement isn’t built on hope and assumptions. In this episode, Eric sheds light on these common myths and offers...