Retirement Success Blueprint With Michael Stewart

The original Toy Story came out 30 years ago, which means some of you took your kids to see it in theaters. Now you can bring your grandkids to see the latest one. Before you do, we thought it would be fun to revisit some of the iconic moments from the franchise and see what they say about your retirement.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Summer's here. And somewhere between the excitement of planning a big trip and the anxiety of what it costs, a lot of retirees end up doing something that surprises us… they feel guilty about it. They worked hard, they saved, they planned for decades, and then they second-guess a beach vacation. Today, let's talk about how travel fits into a real retirement plan and how to enjoy it without guilt....

It's summer- and nothing says summer quite like Tom Cruise as Maverick soaring across the sky in Top Gun. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the original film, and with Tom Cruise's birthday on July 3rd, we figured it was the perfect excuse to revisit some of the most iconic quotes from the franchise and see what they have to say about your financial life. Contact Info: Website: https://cryst...

We're doing something a little different today. Three listeners wrote in with variations of the same question — am I ready to retire in 2026? Same question, three very different situations, three very different answers. Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

A lot of people think working with a financial advisor is just about picking investments. But a great planning experience is much more than that. Today, we’re walking through what it actually feels like to work with a firm- from the first conversation to ongoing guidance- so you know what to expect.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

We heard from a listener who has managed their own money for years and done well. So why would they need an advisor now that retirement is around the corner? Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

A new proposal out of Washington is adding a fresh angle to the Social Security solvency debate. Today, we're breaking down what's proposed, if it might cost you money in the future, and what questions it raises for anyone planning around Social Security right now. Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Financial media loves simple answers: always do this or never do that. But real financial planning doesn’t work that way. Most of the biggest decisions people face in retirement live in the gray.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Everyone’s got an opinion about money (especially the people with a book deal or a TV show). Some of that advice is useful. Some of it sounds better on a stage than it works in real life. Let’s break it down.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

There’s no shortage of financial advice out there, and unfortunately, not all of it is good. Some of the most damaging retirement mistakes don’t come from reckless behavior, but from ideas that sound reasonable and get repeated often enough to feel true. Today, we’re busting some of the most common retirement planning myths and explaining why believing them can quietly derail an otherwise solid pl...

After a year marked by volatility, uncertainty, and more than a few economic curveballs, it’s understandable if optimism doesn’t come easily. But at least one economist is arguing that the outlook for 2026 may be brighter than many people expect. Allison Schrager's Article: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/five-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-the-2026-economy-85324.html?section=68 Contact Info: Website:...

Nothing will mess with your financial confidence faster than comparing your savings to your brother, your coworkers, or that guy on YouTube who claims he retired at 35. Your retirement number isn’t a competition. Let’s talk about what really matters when you’re trying to figure out if you’re behind on your savings goals…and what to do if you actually are.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystalla...

A lot happened in 2025… Big political swings, stubborn inflation, new tax rules, and even a historic government shutdown. But what actually matters for your financial life? Today, we’re breaking down the year’s biggest headlines and what they may mean for your plan moving forward.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

You’ve heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a bad question.” But in retirement planning… some questions are definitely better than others. The way you frame your question often determines the quality of your answer and, in some cases, the quality of your retirement.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

How do you know if your financial advisor is a bad fit for you? What about an advisor that you’re thinking about working with? What red flags should you be looking out for?   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Some people believe having two financial advisors means double the wisdom. But does it really equal double the problems? Today, we’ll tackle a person’s question about this very dilemma.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Most people think financial planning is about calculators, spreadsheets, and strategies. But that’s only half the story. The truth is, your feelings about money can have just as much impact on your retirement as the numbers do. Today, we’re exploring the emotional side of planning.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

You’ve probably said it before. ‘I ran the numbers, and I should be fine.’ But what if the math you're relying on isn’t telling the whole story? Today, we’re unpacking some of the most common examples of fuzzy retirement math and showing you how to spot them before they cause real problems.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Inflation may not be in the headlines like it was in 2022, but for most Americans, it’s still public enemy number one when it comes to saving for retirement. A new Schwab survey reveals just how many people still feel unprepared and how that affects their confidence in their financial future.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Just because something used to be true doesn’t mean it still is, especially in retirement planning. In 2025, rising interest rates, tax uncertainty, and longer retirements mean it’s time to rethink some of the old advice. These seven assumptions sound smart at first… but they could quietly hurt your plan if you’re not careful.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-...

No two retirements look the same, and often clients come in with circumstances that make a cookie-cutter plan impossible. Let’s look at some examples of these more unique and challenging scenarios and explore the solutions you’ll need to successfully retire.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Markets crash. Taxes shift. Congress waffles on Social Security. You can’t control any of that. And stressing over it won’t help. What will? Focusing on the four things that actually move the needle in retirement.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision?   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 81...

We’re starting a financial book club where a couple of times a year, we’ll discuss a book in the financial realm to see what we can learn…or what we might disagree with. Today, we’ll look at a few concepts from Morgan Housel’s book, The Psychology of Money…   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Are you saving so much for retirement that it’s squeezing your life today? In this episode, we’re answering a smart viewer question about finding the right balance between preparing for the future and living fully in the present.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092