Strategic Planning Podcast

Dave Ramsey has built one of the most recognized brands in personal finance. Millions of people have followed his advice out of debt and into savings. But when it comes to how much you should pull from your retirement accounts each year, Ramsey takes a position that some financial professionals find hard to get behind. Today we're breaking it down: what he says, what the research says, and what yo...

This year's Fourth of July carries a little extra weight as we celebrate 250 years of American independence, and that's worth a moment. But between the hot dogs, the parades, and the fireworks, we started thinking about how many of our favorite holiday traditions have a pretty natural financial parallel. So that's what we're doing today… and the comparisons might surprise you.   Show Links & I...

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.   Show Links & Info: SPC Invest...

When retirement is around the corner, some of the biggest decisions aren’t about when to retire; they’re about how income continues if one spouse is gone. Pension options can look straightforward on paper, but the tradeoffs behind them are anything but. Today, we’re walking through a listener question that highlights a common decision couples face. Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spci...

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.     Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

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?   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

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.   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

This week on Strategic Planning, the team answers listener questions about smart financial decisions as retirement approaches. They discuss what to do with extra cash flow after paying off your mortgage, options for covering health insurance if you retire before Medicare eligibility, and how taxes work when withdrawing money from retirement accounts. Tune in for practical insights to help you thin...

Nobody likes tax season. But for new retirees, it can come with a few unwelcome surprises. The rules have changed, the income sources have shifted, and strategies that made sense during your working years may no longer apply. Today we're looking at some of the biggest tax mistakes retirees make as discussed in a recent Kiplinger article and whether these match what we see in the real world.    Sho...

When a parent passes away, emotions and finances tend to collide, especially when real estate is involved. One of the most common things that stalls families is fear of taxes, even when that fear isn’t fully understood. Today’s listener question is about an inherited home and hesitant siblings.   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike...

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. Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

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...

What’s new in 2026 for retirees & pre-retirees? From Social Security and Medicare to tax breaks and retirement contributions, this year brings several updates that could quietly impact your cash flow, taxes, and savings strategy.   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

As the year winds down, we’re taking a moment to answer some of the listener questions we’ve received over the past few months. One listener asks about taking on a mortgage heading into retirement, another wonders whether rolling multiple 401(k)s into one IRA hurts diversification, and a third is concerned about minimizing taxes when leaving money to their kids. Mike and Philip break down these ti...

As the year winds down, we’re taking a moment to answer some of the listener questions we’ve received over the past few months. One listener asks how they can give meaningful monetary gifts to their kids or grandkids while staying within gift tax rules. Another listener wonders whether keeping a large sum of cash in the bank- like $150,000- is really necessary, or if that money could be working ha...

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. In this second installment, we pick up the conversation and dig even deeper into how asking smarter questions can shape your f...

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.   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

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. Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

Every fall it feels like Congress flirts with a government shutdown. But what if you’re a federal employee planning to retire right as the headlines are screaming? Does the political drama in Washington threaten your retirement date?   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

Well, you’re retired. Now what? Some people subscribe to the “first year rule,” which says that the majority of your best retirement months will all take place in the first year of retirement. So how can you be strategic during that first year and set the tone in the right way, both emotionally and financially?   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: ht...

Think Medicare is free once you hit 65? Not quite. If your income’s too high, there’s a hidden surcharge that can quietly shrink your Social Security check by thousands a year. It’s called IRMAA. And most people don’t see it coming. Let’s break down who’s impacted and how to avoid it.   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

The kids may be heading back to class, but it’s not a bad time for adults to hit the books too, especially when it comes to retirement. So, let’s test your knowledge with a quick financial pop quiz and see how ready you really are.   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talkstomike.com/

Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. And none of them involve yachts or private jets… Let’s analyze the habits that signal real, lasting wealth and what to do if you are (or aren’t) on the right track.   Show Links &a...

You’ve worked hard, saved well, and now you’re thinking about giving back—maybe to your kids, your grandkids, or a cause you care about. But should you wait and pass that wealth on later, or give while you’re still around to enjoy the impact? Let’s talk about how to make that decision with confidence.   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule A Visit: https://talk...

When most people think of milestone ages, they think of ages like 50, 60, 65, or 70. But turning 62 can also be a big milestone, and the decisions you make in that year can set the stage for many of your retirement plans. Let’s talk about some of the reasons it can be a milestone and questions you need to have answers to…   Show Links & Info: SPC Investing: http://spcinvesting.com/   Schedule...