John Mears
The Red Zone Retirement Program
In football, the Red Zone is where a team has to make small adjustments to ensure victory. As you approach retirement, you also need to make small adjustments to ensure success. Join John Mears of Mears Money Management each episode as he helps you understand the most important strategies that will help lead you to financial and retirement success. John has more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive planning services to families throughout the Santa Clarita, California area. On this show, he'll breakdown the essential facets of tax planning, investing, retirement concerns, and mu...
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Episodes
What To Sell Before Retirement – Reacting to YouTube's Most Watched Retirement Video 02.07.2026 23:57
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Over the past year, one retirement video on YouTube pulled in 3.7 million views. The title: "Sell These 5 Things Before You Retire." We thought it was worth a conversation, not to tear it apart, but to react honestly. Does John agree? Let's get into it: 3.7 million people watched this video for a reaso...
The IPO Buzz- What Hopeful Retirees Actually Need to Know 18.06.2026 17:31
SpaceX. OpenAI. These and other names have been dominating the headlines. The IPO market is heating up, and clients are asking questions. Today we're keeping it simple. What do retirees and pre-retirees need to understand about IPOs before they get caught up in the excitement? Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🚀 IPO Basics – Understanding how companies go public 💰 Why Companies IPO...
Protecting What You Care Most About 28.05.2026 15:37
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Nobody likes talking about death, insurance, or estate planning, but avoiding those conversations can create even bigger problems later. John discusses why protecting the people and things you care about most goes far beyond just investing and retirement accounts. Having a clear plan in place can make...
From Intro Call to Full Retirement Plan: Inside John's Process 14.05.2026 22:02
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net John pulls back the curtain on what it actually looks like to build a long-term relationship with a financial advisor. He walks through the process from the first conversation to creating an evolving retirement strategy built around your goals, values, and concerns. Tune in for a practical look at how...
My Investments Underperformed the Market - Should I Fire My Advisor? 23.04.2026 19:44
We got a great question from a listener: "My investments didn't do as well in the last 12 months as the overall market has done. Should I be re-evaluating my advisor based on this lack of performance?" It's a question a lot of people ask at some point in their investing lives, and John breaks down the answer today. Turns out, if your portfolio is doing what it was designed to do, that's the scorec...
Volunteering: The Best Investment You Might Make In Retirement 09.04.2026 19:38
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), let's talk about why volunteering is an important part of life, especially in retirement. Retirement isn't just about stepping away from work. It's an opportunity to step toward the things you've always cared about, with more time and freedom than you'...
What People Really Google About AI and Retirement (and What's True) 26.03.2026 23:15
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net AI headlines are everywhere right now, mostly bold predictions about how artificial intelligence will reshape the economy. Instead of reacting to the noise, John steps back and looks at what the data actually suggests about AI and the workforce. He also walks through the top questions people in their 5...
Tax Season Hits Different When You're Retired 16.03.2026 14:50
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net 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, John looks at some of the biggest tax mistakes retirees make as discus...
Should You Sell Your Business to Retire? 26.02.2026 18:14
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Selling a business is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. It's not just about finding a buyer, it's about structuring the deal correctly, minimizing taxes, and making sure the sale supports your next chapter of life. John coaches us through major considerations business owners need...
Inheriting a House? Here's What You Need to Know About Taxes 12.02.2026 17:33
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Inheriting a home can feel like a blessing, until the tax questions start piling up. John walks through the playbook for handling inherited property the smart way. This big financial decision deserves careful thought and consideration, not quick reactions. When it comes to inherited real estate, you do...
Would You Trade $600 a Month to Protect Your Spouse? 29.01.2026 16:17
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net John tackles a listener question that feels like a red-zone moment: trade $600 a month now or protect your spouse for life. Using real-world examples and a coach's perspective, John breaks down the tradeoffs, risks, and emotional weight behind pension elections. When the stakes are this high, understan...
What's Changing in 2026 (And Why It Matters To Your Money) 15.01.2026 14:48
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net What's new in 2026 for retirees & pre-retirees? John covers several updates that could quietly impact your cash flow, taxes, and savings strategy. A quick review now can help make sure changes in 2026 work with your plan, not against it. Discover actionable reminders and why your next steps matter more...
Year-End Mailbag: Your Biggest Retirement Questions Answered 18.12.2025 17:32
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Join John as he wraps up the year and answers some of the biggest questions on listeners' minds. This episode dives into real-world financial concerns, practical strategies, and tips to help you keep your retirement game plan on track. John cuts through the noise with straightforward answers that help...
I'm 62... Should I Claim Social Security? 04.12.2025 19:38
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Celebrate our 100th episode as John tackles the ever-important topic of Social Security and retirement planning. In this milestone show, we discuss key considerations for deciding when to claim Social Security benefits and the common mistakes to avoid. Tune in for expert insights and practical advice t...
Why Better Questions Build Better Retirements 20.11.2025 19:19
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net 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 a question often determines the quality of the answer, and sometimes the quality of your entire retirement. Today, John goes through some...
The Giving Playbook: Smart Moves for Lasting Impact 06.11.2025 16:23
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net In football, every great play starts with a solid game plan, and generosity works the same way. Giving feels good, but giving wisely wins championships. Today, John breaks down the playbook for smart, purposeful generosity and shows you how to make every dollar count. Because when it comes to giving, i...
Fidelity's 2025 Report: Health Care Costs Just Jumped Again 23.10.2025 19:55
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Fidelity just released their 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate. The number is staggering: $172,500 for a 65-year-old retiring today. The bigger problem? One in five Americans hasn't even thought about health care costs in retirement. Today, John breaks down exactly what this means, why it matters,...
Year-End Strategic & Tactical Planning Meetings 09.10.2025 18:33
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Retirement isn't just about saving money—it's about strategically planning your withdrawals. In this episode of Red Zone Retirement, we'll take you through our annual "strategic and tactical" fall meetings, showing how smart planning now can prevent massive surprises later. Here's some of what we discu...
Reacting To Unfiltered Retirement Takes from YouTube 25.09.2025 24:52
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net In this episode, John steps onto the field and reacts to unfiltered takes from viewers, everything from taking Social Security at 62 to the hidden penalty of healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in. These "back of the napkin" plays may look good in the huddle, but we'll break down where the blocking...
The Hidden Medicare Penalty You Might Be Paying 12.09.2025 13:16
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net 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. Here's some of wh...
Football & Finance: Don't Panic, Stick to the Plan 28.08.2025 17:18
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net In football, one bad play doesn't decide the outcome. A fumble, interception, or blown coverage can rattle a team, but the best players stay calm, adjust, and keep running their game plan. The same lesson applies to your finances. In this episode, John uses football stories from the field to show how t...
Mailbag: Renting, Dividends, and Social Security 14.08.2025 15:48
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net When it comes to retirement, the toughest calls aren't always about the market — they're about your life. In this episode, John takes a break from the playbook to field real questions straight from the audience mailbag. Big choices about where to live, how to invest, and when to start Social Security c...
Gain an Edge in Investing with the 3 Factor Model 24.07.2025 14:12
🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Retirement planning isn't about flashy plays- it's about fundamentals. In this episode, John breaks down the "3 Factor Model," an investment strategy backed by decades of academic research. He explains how focusing on market exposure, small-cap stocks, and value companies can give investors a subtle...
Big Beautiful Bill Myths Debunked 10.07.2025 23:32
Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you're getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let's set the record straight on what's really changing. If you've been hearing wild claims about tax-free retirement or giant write-offs, this conversation may just be the reality check you need. Here's some of what we discuss in this episo...
Target-Date Funds: Smart Strategy or Lazy Investing? 26.06.2025 16:51
Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They're now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? In this episode, John tackles the pros, cons, and misconceptions surrounding target-date funds. We'll break down how they work, why they're so popular, and...
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