Shotwell Rutter Baer

When a grandchild arrives, it’s more than a joyful addition to the family — it can also bring new considerations for your retirement plan. In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Dave shares his own recent experience becoming a grandfather and how it’s shifted his financial focus. Nick and Dave talk through Grandparents' Retirement Plans: Why Dave moved from contributing to his adult children’s...

Welcome back to Kitchen Table Finance with hosts Dave Shotwell and Nick Nonna! In this quarterly market update, Dave and Nick walk through the rollercoaster that was Q2 2025. From unexpected returns to ongoing uncertainty, this episode offers a grounded, no-nonsense take on what’s happening in the markets—and what it might mean for your financial plans. Q2 Surprises: Despite a rocky start in April...

With Michigan State University announcing potential layoffs and buyouts, financial anxiety is growing—not just in East Lansing, but across many university communities. In this episode, Dave and Nick share practical, down-to-earth advice for those facing employment uncertainty. This isn’t just for MSU employees—anyone experiencing a rocky job outlook can benefit from the financial strategies shared...

When the kids move out and the house gets quieter, life—and your finances—enter a whole new chapter. In this episode, Dave and Nick talk about the often-overlooked financial opportunities (and pitfalls) that come with becoming an empty nester. From downsizing and budgeting to increasing retirement contributions or finally testing the snowbird lifestyle, this is your chance to reimagine the next st...

In this episode, Dave and Nick (back from vacation) tackle a wide mix of financial headlines so you don’t have to. From stock market shifts to Social Security panic, long-term care planning, and yes—even pet insurance—this episode covers the real-life stuff affecting your money and your future. https://youtu.be/Pst2wmkjOC8 Here’s what we dig into: Mistakes in Today’s Stock Market What Jason Zweig...

Riding the Market Roller Coaster: Lessons from a Wild Spring It’s been a bumpy ride in the markets this spring, and in this episode, Dave and Cole (filling in for Nick) sit down to talk through what happened, what it means for investors, and how to move forward with confidence. https://youtu.be/OlXVM0GV66M From steep drops to quick rebounds, the market has kept everyone on their toes. They break i...

In this episode, Dave and Nick dive into one of the most overlooked—but absolutely essential—parts of retirement planning : how to actually enjoy it. You’ve spent decades saving, investing, and working hard. But have you really thought about what your ideal retirement looks like? Spoiler alert: it’s not just endless rounds of golf and sunsets on a beach. It’s about purpose, lifestyle, relationship...

Welcome back to Kitchen Table Finance, where we serve up bite-sized financial wisdom with a side of common sense. In this episode, Dave and Nick tackle one of the biggest financial questions for retirees: Should you buy a house in retirement —or just stay put? Here’s what’s on the table: Why timing the housing market is just as tricky as timing the stock market The emotional side of downsizing—yes...

Roth Conversions: Worth It or Not? Welcome back to the Kitchen Table! In today’s episode, Dave and Nick take a deeper dive into the world of Roth conversions—what they are, how they work, and whether or not they make sense for your retirement plan. This isn’t your average tax talk. We’re serving up a practical, no-pressure conversation about a tool that gets a lot of hype—and a lot of confusion. F...

Hosts: Nick and guest advisor Cole WilliamsSpecial Guest Absence: Dave is off living his best life in Bozeman, Montana (hopefully catching trout and not taxes). In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, we take a deep dive into one of retirement’s least sexy—but most critical—topics: taxes. Whether you’ve just filed and are ready to forget about them until next year (don’t), or you’re actively pla...

Welcome back, friends! Today, Dave and Nick roll up their sleeves and dive into the wild and wonderful world of retirement headlines from March and April. Think of it as your financial cliff notes — so you can sound smarter than your neighbor without actually having to read all the boring articles yourself. Get the February Retirement Headlines HERE. https://youtu.be/SfyJRISwYIw Here’s what we ser...

In this episode, Nick and Dave take a seat at the kitchen table to unpack the highs and lows of the first quarter of 2025. From global diversification wins to U.S. economic uncertainty, they break down what investors need to know—and what they don’t need to stress over. https://youtu.be/iXrCvNCGtO0 Glass Half Full Diversification Pays Off: International stocks outperformed U.S. markets in Q1, offe...

Welcome to Kitchen Table Finance! Join hosts Nick and Dave as they dig into one of the most important aspects of financial planning for retirees: when and how to adjust your retirement income. Whether you’re navigating market volatility, planning for worst-case scenarios, or wondering if you can spend more than you thought, this episode is packed with actionable insights for retirees and those pla...

In this heartfelt and timely episode, Dave and Nick step away from charts and market trends to focus on something just as important—the emotions behind the numbers. If you’re retired or nearing retirement, you’ve likely felt the weight of recent market turbulence. Maybe you’re wondering if your plan is still on track or feeling that itch to “do something” in response to all the headlines. Don’t wo...

Join us for another engaging episode of Kitchen Table Finance ! This week, Nick sits down with Nathan Gardner, an SRB intern and aspiring financial planner, to learn more about his background, experiences, and passion for financial planning. Nathan shares his transition from a small-town upbringing to Michigan State University, his involvement in the university’s Wealth Management Program, and how...

Retirement planning isn’t just about getting to retirement—it’s about making sure your income lasts through retirement. In this episode, Dave and Cole break down how to adjust your retirement income to fit your lifestyle, changing expenses, and market conditions. They keep it real with practical tips and a down-to-earth discussion on how to create flexibility in your financial plan, avoid common p...

In this special episode, Nick and Cole put artificial intelligence to the test in a fun and insightful financial planning battle—CFP vs. ChatGPT! They tackle some of the most common retirement and estate planning questions, comparing Nick’s expert advice to ChatGPT’s AI-generated insights. Who gives the better answers? You decide! https://youtu.be/89elFdanuIU Topics Covered: ✔️ Have I Saved Enough...

Episode Summary In this episode, we welcome Kim Barber from Globetrotter Travel to discuss planning and budgeting for travel in retirement. Travel is a top priority for many retirees, but navigating costs, destinations, and logistics can be overwhelming. Kim shares expert advice on how to make the most of your travel budget, plan bucket-list trips, and find options for solo travelers. https://yout...

Episode Summary In this episode, Dave and Nick discuss George Kinder’s Financial Life Planning Process and how it applies to retirement savings. They explore how financial planning goes beyond numbers and investments—it’s about aligning financial decisions with what truly matters to you. They also break down Kinder’s famous three questions that help individuals clarify their financial and life pri...

Episode Summary Retirement isn’t just a financial transition—it’s a psychological one too. After years of saving and accumulating wealth, shifting to spending in retirement can feel unnatural or even scary. In this episode, Dave and Nick discuss how retirees can successfully make this transition by aligning their spending with their values, understanding their financial resources, and maintaining...

Welcome to another episode of Kitchen Table Finance! Join hosts David Shotwell and Nick Nauta as they break down the biggest financial headlines from January, so you don’t have to. https://youtu.be/QVMJFh-cNik Articles Covered in This Episode: 1.  How to Launch a Successful Consulting Business in Retirement Insights from a Wall Street Journal article on transitioning from a professional career to...

In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Dave Shotwell and guest co-host Cole Williams take a deep dive into financial crises—focusing on the Great Recession of 2007–2009. They explore its impact on financial planning, investor psychology, and how those experiences shape decisions even today. https://youtu.be/iw3NV9gkARg What You’ll Learn: How the Great Recession shaped financial attitudes across...

Episode Summary In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Dave and Nick dive into the importance of financial “lifeboat drills”—preparing for market downturns before they happen. They discuss why good times in the market don’t last forever and how you can set yourself up for success when the waters get rough. From diversification and rebalancing to cash reserves and Roth conversions, they break do...

Today, we’re conducting our Q4 2024 market review and upcoming market outlook. We’ll examine what happened last year and what may lie ahead to help listeners set realistic expectations. https://youtu.be/pKRvkkmKZ9M 2024 Market Highlights S&P 500 Performance: 2024 closed with another year of +20% returns. Q4 Results: Large-cap tech stocks rose 7%, while large-cap value stocks declined slightly....