TaylorMade Retirement with Taylor Demars, CFP®

The 2026 health insurance subsidy cliff is back — and it could cost early retirees over $20,000 a year in unnecessary premiums. In this video, I break down the exact withdrawal strategy we used to drop a couple's health insurance premium from $28,000/year to under $5,000/year. Same plan. Same coverage. Same doctors. If you're retiring before 65 and wondering how to afford ACA health insu...

When your company stock has treated you well, buying more might feel like the obvious move. But investing decisions tied to your employer carry unique risks that many people underestimate. In this episode, Taylor walks through the psychology behind doubling down, the blind spots that creep in, and how to think more strategically about long-term retirement security Here’s what we discuss in today’s...

Your healthiest retirement years are also your best tax planning years, but many people miss this crucial window 🎯. This video explains how individuals often waste their health by working longer and their tax planning for retirees opportunities through rushed decisions. With eight years of experience, I've seen this pattern repeat, emphasizing the importance of proper retirement tax strategi...

Becoming a grandparent changes everything, including how you think about money. For many families, the natural instinct is to help financially. But the “how” matters just as much as the heart behind it. In this episode, Taylor tackles a listener’s question about the best ways to financially support grandchildren. The key is to give in a way that doesn’t compromise your own retirement and strategy...

After helping hundreds of retirees, Taylor has discovered a dirty secret about wealth... net-worth does not equate to net lifestyle.  Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement Taylor's Newsletter: http...

Some investors stay calm when market turbulence hits. Others feel the pressure immediately. The difference often isn’t intelligence or experience; it’s preparation. Taylor uses a weather metaphor to explain why understanding your true risk tolerance matters more than predicting the next downturn. The goal isn’t to forecast every storm. It’s to build a plan strong enough to handle them without forc...

After working with hundreds of clients, Taylor has learned a hard truth most advisors will never say out loud... He has turned away more people than he has helped. Not because they could not afford it. Not because they were not smart. But because hiring an advisor would have been a waste of their money. Hiring a financial advisor is a lot like a marriage. If your goals are not aligned, it will be...

Rules of thumb make retirement planning sound simple, but simplicity can be misleading. Many of the decisions that matter most don’t fit neatly into checklists or headlines. Today, Taylor challenges black-and-white thinking and focuses on the trade-offs that quietly shape how retirement actually feels. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t choosing, it’s realizing there isn’t a perfect answer. Here’s w...

Why are people with less money than you already free? Let's talk about it... Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e Discla...

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. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:  🏡 How the step-up in basis works for inherited homes  💸 Why m...

Taylor recently worked with a client facing a challenge many high-net-worth individuals know all too well: analysis paralysis. Even at 57, with $4 million in savings and no debt, he was frozen by fear at the thought of taking the leap into retirement... Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcas...

What happens when retirement starts earlier than planned? In this mailbag episode, a listener facing a layoff at age 55 asks how concerned they should be- and what options they actually have. The conversation walks through why early retirement is more common than people expect, how the Rule of 55 can provide access to income, and why replacing your full salary may not be necessary. Here’s what we...

If you've got 7 figures saved for retirement but it still doesn't feel like enough, the problem isn't your portfolio size- it's your deployment strategy.  Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMade...

Is it smart to skip long-term care insurance if you expect a future inheritance? In this episode, a listener’s mailbag question sparks a conversation about the risks of planning around money that isn’t guaranteed. The discussion explores why inheritances are unpredictable, how parents’ own care needs can change the outcome, and why uncertainty makes assumptions dangerous. You’ll hear practical ins...

Taylor reveals the 5 "safe" assets that secretly make you poor- investments that seem secure, but may actually be working against you. Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement Taylor's Newsl...

Some retirement myths sound reasonable enough that they start to feel true. In Part 2 of this series, Taylor continues the conversation by unpacking four more of those assumptions and where they tend to fall apart. Because in retirement, small assumptions can carry much bigger consequences. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 💸 Lower Taxes? Why retirement doesn’t always mean a smaller tax bil...

Today, we're covering the ugly truth about claiming Social Security late, and why the conventional advice to wait until 70 could cost you money and freedom.  Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement T...

Some of the most damaging retirement mistakes don’t come from reckless decisions; they come from ideas that sound reasonable and get repeated often enough to feel true. In part 1 of this 2-part series, Taylor tackles retirement myths that quietly undermine otherwise solid plans. These beliefs can create blind spots that don’t show up until it’s too late. If you want fewer assumptions and more clar...

What if the biggest mistake preventing your early retirement isn't your account balance, but how you're thinking about your 401k? Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement Taylor's Newsletter...

Wondering how to leave a legacy for your heirs without handing more than you need to Uncle Sam? In this episode, Taylor tackles a listener’s question about legacy planning and smart tax strategies in retirement. Get insights on how to be more intentional with what you pass along and discover key moves that could help you keep more of your hard-earned savings.  Here’s what we discuss in today’s sho...

Today, Taylor reveals the healthcare hack that makes early retirement feel easy and shows how the ACA marketplace can save you $20,000 a year, so the years before Medicare don’t hold you back.  Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel : https://www.yout...

What if everything you've been told about retirement savings is wrong? According to Fidelity, by age 40, you should've saved 3x your annual salary, and by 50, that jumps to 6x your income. If you're shocked, you're not alone. And figures like this can be deceiving... Resources: Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/ Phone: (509) 536-9556 Schedule an introduction call with T...

With the holidays approaching, many retirees ask a simple question with complex implications: How can I help my kids financially- without creating tax headaches or hurting my own retirement? This conversation walks through smart gifting strategies, IRS rules to watch, and thoughtful guardrails that help generosity stay intentional. If you’re considering helping children or grandchildren, a little...

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, Taylor looks back at the year’s biggest headlines and what they may mean for your plan moving forward. Sure, there was a lot of chaos, but learning to have a long-term strategy will give you the confidence you need for 2...

Deciding when to take Social Security is a major decision in your retirement planning, and while many people wait until full retirement age or beyond, there are some solid reasons to start at age 62. Today, Taylor breaks down why taking early can be a financially smart move, depending on your situation. From maximizing years of payments to protecting yourself during market downturns, he’ll explain...