Retirement Starts Today

Have you ever tried tax loss harvesting? With the markets down across the board, now is a good time to learn to utilize this tax-saving tool. I found a great article about this from  Barrons.com  that I share in the retirement headline segment. The article explores the traps that can befall someone trying to use this strategy. Afterward, in the listener questions segment, we'll dive into the quest...

If you are like many retirees and soon-to-be retirees, you may be rethinking your entire investing strategy. Stocks are down, interest rates are up, and inflation is eating away at your purchasing power.  One listener wonders, with everything going on in the world, should they shift their investments into commodities? In the listener question segment, I discuss what commodities are, how to invest...

Nobody likes to experience the uncertainty that a bear market brings, but it's an even more challenging experience to weather when you are a recent retiree. It's easy to lose sight of your goals in a bear market which is why I found an article outlining some lessons that you can remember during a bear market. Listen to this episode to hear some wise words of wisdom that may help you keep your wits...

It's no secret that we're living longer than ever. People are living so long that we may soon be seeing 6 generations in a single-family.  With people living such a long time it makes retirement planning even more challenging than ever before. Understanding the 4 stages of retirement can help understand the different approaches to money management in each stage. Listen in to learn the 4 stages of...

Inflation is weighing heavy on the minds of retirees right now, so when I came across  this article  on WSJ.com from Cristin Lourosa-Ricardo, I knew I had to share it with you. Listen in to try and find the silver lining of inflation.  If you are a financial advisor fan of this show, make sure to stick around until the very end for a special announcement. Outline of This Episode [1:38] How to less...

It's true, money can't buy happiness. But does how you choose to spend your money affect your happiness? Today we'll discuss one article that challenges that old adage. We'll also discuss a multifaceted question from a listener who just accepted an early retirement package. We'll help her consider whether to rollover funds into an IRA and figure out what to do with her target-date funds. Listen in...

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably noticed a bit of an issue with the stock market lately. This can be distressing for any retiree, but when the declines in stock prices are coupled with high inflation and rising interest rates, then you have a triple threat to your retirement plans.  Today we have a special guest joining the show. Joseph Hogue, CFA from the  Let's Talk Money!...

We've all heard of the 4% rule, but did you know that the creator's recommendation for it has changed over the years?  I recently discovered an article from  ThinkAdvisor.com  that included an interview with the father of the 4% rule, Bill Bengen. In the retirement headlines segment, we'll take a close look at the article and learn directly from Mr. Bengen's perspective and then I'll offer my own....

Are you planning on enjoying an active retirement? If so, it may cost you more than you think.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, I interview Thatcher Taylor, the financial advisor behind ProPathFinancial.com . Thatcher and I discuss how to prepare financially and mentally for an active retirement. Outline of This Episode [1:42] How to navigate the balance between [3:18] How plan for a l...

If you are looking to ease into retirement by transitioning into a part-time role first, you won't want to miss this episode of Retirement Starts Today. In the retirement headlines segment, we'll explore an article by Anne Tergesen at the Wall Street Journal which outlines topics to consider when phasing out your retirement before retiring fully.  Make sure to stick around for the listener questio...

If you have received an inherited IRA or think you will in the future you won't want to miss this episode. In the retirement headlines segment, we'll take a look at the proposed changes in regulations regarding inherited RMDs based on the Secure Act of 2020. In the listener questions segment, we'll hear from Jim who has a question about rebalancing retirement income buckets. Make sure to stick aro...

How much thought have you given to your future self? This week's retirement headline explores the concept of nurturing your future self now so that you can increase your health, happiness, and financial security. Over in our listener questions segment, I'll answer a question from an anonymous listener about increasing their spending in retirement. They are looking for advice on whether they can af...

If you are heading into retirement you probably have a bucket list that you want to work on. While just about everyone has heard of a bucket list, not many are familiar with the concept of reverse bucket lists.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore this concept by referring to an article from Jeff Stein at Inc.com. You'll learn how a reverse bucket list could help you manage y...

Do you wish you could have more freedom at work yet still earn a paycheck? Remote work and flexible scheduling may help you ease into retirement rather than plunging in all at once. In our retirement headline segment today, we'll explore an  article from the Wall Street Journal  that discusses a new phenomenon that is a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, I'll answer Frank's ques...

When people begin retirement planning they usually have 3 main questions. We cover the questions about what to do about healthcare before Medicare and should I pay off my house regularly on this show. However, the third question, what do I do if I still have kids at home, is not one we regularly address. That is why I'm excited to have Bobbi Rebell, author of the new book,  Launching Financial Gro...

Have you been hesitant to retire this year because of all that is going on in the world? On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore a retirement headline from Maurie Backman at The Motley Fool called  3 Reasons Why 2022 May Be a Bad Year to Retire , but then you'll hear my rebuttal to each of her 3 arguments.  If you have been on the fence about whether you should take the plunge an...

With the news that January's inflation rate was a staggering 7.5%--the highest level in 40 years–everyone has inflation on their minds lately. Many retirees are reassessing how they can protect their nest eggs.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore a WSJ headline, " There's No Perfect Way to Inflation-Proof Your Investments ," by Anne Tergesen. If you have been wondering how y...

Many people begin retirement with the question: what's next? That question can plant the idea of starting a second chapter whether it be a new business, a side hustle, a passion project, or a consulting business. The question then becomes, how to get started?  Gabe Nelson, the host of the  Solopreneur Money podcast , is here to discuss how you can start a business in retirement. In this episode, y...

Tax season is here. This yearly duty is something that a good portion of citizens put off until the last minute, with some even requesting an extension to file later. However, today I have 8 reasons for you to consider filing your taxes early. Listen in to discover why you might want to bite the bullet and file your tax return early this year. Outline of This Episode [1:12] 8 reasons to file your...

You may be worried about money in retirement, but are you worried that you won't spend enough of it? Today's retirement headline comes from Neil Templin over at  Barrons.com  and it examines how people's core spending and saving habits from their working years continue in their retirement years.  Listen to this episode to hear the author's suggestion for how to rectify this issue and whether or no...

 Do you know where you'll live when you retire? Deciding where to live in retirement is one of the biggest retirement decisions that you'll make. There are so many factors to consider that it can be overwhelming with the myriad choices.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore a headline from J.D. Roth at  GetRichSlowly.org  that reveals a new tool from The New York Times which h...

Is saving for the future preventing you from enjoying your present life? This may be an unpopular opinion for a financial podcast, but it is important to ask difficult questions to experience growth. If over-saving is preventing you from enjoying your present life, then you need to make changes.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll examine an article by Darius Foroux that asks,  Are...

Tax scams are as old as taxes themselves, so are you doing everything you can do to avoid them? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore what the IRS labels, 'the dirty dozen' tax scams. You'll learn who is targeted by the various scams and then you'll discover what you should do to protect yourself from scammers. Make sure to stick around until the end of this episode to hear wha...

Do you have gold as a part of your investment portfolio? Several years ago there were loads of infomercials about investing in gold, but after today's retirement headline you may want to think twice about complicated investment strategies. Don't miss out on this real-world cautionary tale which provides an example of how and why owners of IRAs with assets invested in nontraditional means need to f...

You may have noticed how the spirit of giving changed your mood this holiday season. That is because giving can actually increase your happiness. This week's retirement headline from BigThink.com is titled  How Generosity Changes Your Brain , and it discusses recent research on how giving to others promotes happiness. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you'll learn how acting on your gene...