The Real Retirement Podcast

What happens when a family experiences significant wealth—but the children still grow up grounded, generous, and motivated? In this conversation, entrepreneur Steve R. shares how he and his wife navigated parenting through a successful business exit, taught their children about money, work, generosity, and faith, and avoided many of the pitfalls that often come with wealth. You'll hear practical l...

What happens to great fortunes over generations—and why do so few billionaire families stay wealthy? In this episode, former Long-Term Capital Management co-founder Victor Haghani shares lessons from his book The Missing Billionaires, revealing why wealth preservation is harder than most people realize. Learn about investing, risk management, diversification, intergenerational wealth planning, mar...

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com Should inherited wealth stay separate in marriage? In this video, we explore the difficult conversation many wealthy families face around prenups, inherited assets, and protecting family wealth. Rather than focusing only on financial risk, we disc...

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com Think you can write off 100% of your income with charitable donations? Not so fast. In this video, we break down the IRS rules for charitable tax deductions, including the real limits on cash donations, appreciated stock, donor-advised funds, and...

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit: https://engagewithbirchwood.com What is a GRAT (Grantor Retained Annuity Trust) and how do the wealthy use it to pass on millions tax-efficiently? In this video, we break down how GRATs work, who they're for, and why billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang use them f...

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit: https://engagewithbirchwood.com Wondering when and how to talk to your kids about money and wealth ? In this video, we break down the best age to start financial conversations, how to teach strong money values, and what wealthy families do differently to raise financially respo...

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com   In this episode, we break down powerful ideas from Die With Zero by Bill Perkins and challenge the traditional approach to wealth, inheritance, and retirement. Learn why waiting until your kids are 60 may not make sense, how to maximize life exp...

If you feel like you should be getting more value than the AUM fee you're currently paying at your brokerage firm, visit https://engagewithbirchwood.com Giving money to your kids sounds generous—but it can sometimes do more harm than good. Today, we share practical ways parents and grandparents can financially help their children without hurting their motivation, confidence, or independence. We co...

Get more of your answered here: https://birchwoodcapital.com Why is it so hard to beat the market? 🤔 In this episode, we break down the real data behind active investing vs. index investing and why even professional fund managers struggle to outperform the S&P 500 over the long run.  We cover: -The shocking statistics from the SPIVA study -Behavioral biases that hurt investors (anchoring, overcon...

When should your kids inherit money? And more importantly… how do you know they're ready? In this episode, we break down the key factors parents and grandparents should consider before passing down a substantial inheritance. Instead of focusing on a specific age, we share a practical "Ready to Inherit Test" built around five critical traits: work ethic, personal motivation, financial responsibilit...

Get more of your family wealth answered here: https://birchwoodcapital.com Are there really "secret" investments only available to the ultra-wealthy? Or is that just great marketing? In this episode, we break down how ultra high net worth investors actually invest—from private equity and venture capital to hedge funds and private real estate—and whether those exclusive opportunities truly outperfo...

Everyone wants a bold market prediction for 2026 — we're doing the opposite. In this anti-outlook episode, Stephen and Matt explain why price targets, market timing, and "secret strategies" miss the point of successful long-term investing. Instead, they break down what actually matters: disciplined investing, diversification, rebalancing, and avoiding emotional decisions during market volatility....

Are popular tax strategies actually helping you—or just adding complexity? In this episode, Stephen Nelson and Matt Higbie break down some of the most overhyped tax strategies high-income investors hear about—like direct indexing, customized portfolios, and long-short strategies—and explain why they often don't deliver the results promised. We also share one tax strategy that does work for the rig...

Most folks need to make car purchases over the course of their retirement. If stepping onto a dealer lot makes your palms sweat or you find yourself agreeing to paying big dealer mark-ups, then buckle up because I think I can help you save some money off your next car purchase by knowing a few strategies.   To learn more, visit: https://birchwoodcapital.com/

Today, let me share what a real retirement portfolio looks like. Yes, actually! This is what I use at my firm for my clients.   Referenced WSJ article: https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/stock-market-craziness-alternative-funds-7df17b9c   Learn more about Birchwood: https://birchwoodcapital.com/

If you've saved, invested, and achieved some level of wealth through hard work and luck, you might still feel a bit weird for having more money than most. How should we deal with this?   Read more at: https://birchwoodcapital.com/writings/  

In this month's episode, we discuss how we can actually achieve the goals that we want: saving for retirement college wedding building friendships traveling, being a generous person     Learn more at https://birchwoodcapital.com/writings/

Today's episode we chat through the Social Security Fairness Act and the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). If you worked in the private and public sector (teacher, police officer, fire fighter), then perk your ears up. This is HUGE!   Be the first to know about how you can retire more confidently by heading over to: www.birchwoodcapital.com/wri...

Today we discuss Roth Conversions vs. Roth Contributions. You'll be able to tell the difference between the two and when to implement each one.     Be the first to know about how you can retire more confidently by heading over to: www.birchwoodcapital.com/writings.

Last episode in our back-to-basics series.   Today, it's all about how to invest.     Be the first to know about how you can retire more confidently by heading over to: www.birchwoodcapital.com/writings.

Back-to-basics serious continues!    Today, it's all about fees. I share a story highlighting the effects of fees on an investment portfolio.

We're continuing our back-to-basics series with this 3rd episode.   Today, we're talking about Why Money Makes Us Anxious   Be the first to know about how you can retire more confidently by heading over to: www.birchwoodcapital.com/writings.

We're continuing our back-to-basics series with this second episode.    Today, we're talking about " savings ."  Where to do it How much to save How to become a saver And how to knock 7 years off your mortgage    Be the first to know about how you can retire more confidently by heading over to: www.birchwoodcapital.com/writings.    

Today we're kicking off our back to basics series. Where I'm going through different personal finance topics. Things like: net worth, budgeting, debt, savings, and investing.  You might think that you're beyond these and maybe so, but in putting this together even I found some great reminders about the basics. So let this be a reinforcement of what you believe or an opportunity to share it with so...

Today we discuss how to earn tax-free income from your bond and money market funds. You may be familiar with Treasury or Municipal bonds, but you might not be getting the tax credit that you are owed. This is especially important in places like California!   Be the first to know about how you can retire more confidently by heading over to: www.birchwoodcapital.com/writings.