Upticks: A Financial Planning & Investment Podcast

Think pensions are simple? Think again. Jake and Cory break down four important things to know before making your pension decision. They cover payout options, tax implications, survivorship benefits, and ways to align your pension with your overall financial plan. They break it all down with real stories, smart strategies, and a few laughs. --------------- Complimentary 'Retiring Right' ebook: htt...

What can you learn from your wealth? Jake and Cory reveal how your financial decisions reflect your values, fears, and ambitions—and ways to help make sure your money is aligned with what matters most. Learn ways to identify blind spots, avoid emotional spending, and use a simple framework to help bring clarity to your financial life. Real stories, practical strategies, and a mindset shift to help...

Think your taxes will drop in retirement? Not always. Jake and Cory reveal how Required Minimum Distributions, taxes on Social Security, and IRMAA can trigger a retirement tax time bomb. Help defuse it by learning about Roth conversions, smart withdrawals, and tax-efficient planning. Real stories, practical tips, and a clear framework to help you retire with more of your money. --------------- Com...

Sitting on a pile of company stock and not sure what to do with it? Jake and Cory unpack the four biggest pitfalls employees face with RSUs, ESPPs, and stock options—from tax confusion to emotional attachment—and share a simple framework to help you make more informed decisions. With real-life stories, practical strategies, and a dose of myth-busting, this episode will help you turn your equity co...

Are you saving too much for retirement? Jake and Cory break down four signs that your financial habits might be costing you more than you think. From working longer than necessary to missing out on meaningful experiences, they explore how to bring more balance to your plan. With real-life stories and practical insights, this episode helps you rethink how your money supports your life—now and in th...

Your 401(k) might be working—but is it working for you? Jake and Cory explore five thoughtful strategies to help you get more out of your 401(k). They cover tax diversification, employer matches, common misconceptions, the risks of borrowing from your 401(k), and more. Whether you're just starting or refining your approach, this episode offers practical insights to help you make more informed, con...

Retirement might be the goal—but what happens after you get there? Jake and Cory unpack six surprising truths that often surface in the first six months of retirement. From emotional curveballs to unexpected spending and shifting routines, they cover what most don't tell you about life after the paycheck. Whether you're nearing retirement or already there, this episode can help you prepare for wha...

Think tax-free retirement sounds too good to be true? Think again. Jake and Cory break down the most powerful tools that could help you keep more of your money—legally and strategically. From the mysterious-sounding Mega Backdoor Roth to the triple-tax-advantaged HSA, they're covering the heavy hitters. Ever heard of tax-free municipal bonds? What about using life insurance to offset taxes for you...

They aren't what you think. Well, at least some of them aren't. Have you considered buying your health? You can't really do that directly, but it's important to think about before you retire! What about setting up a home office or hiring the right professionals to help you? Then there's the most popular question, should you pay off your mortgage before you retire? Jake and Cory spend the next thir...

When should you turn on Social Security? There may be more variables at play than you think. Jake and Cory discuss the complexities of Social Security, discussing strategies to help optimize your benefits and the impact of longevity, health, and working longer. Curious about how your financial plan and tax situation play into this decision? Tune in for insights to help you make more informed choic...

Ever wondered why some retirement plans just don't work out? Jake and Cory are here to break down some reasons behind these failures. From underestimating expenses to dealing with market ups and downs, they share practical tips to help keep your retirement on track. Curious about how to avoid common pitfalls and make the most of your savings? Tune in for insights to help you avoid some retirement...

In our experience, it takes some retirees over a year to get comfortable spending their retirement savings. These four retirement income strategies can help change your thinking around spending money in retirement. By aligning your spending with specific goals, you can feel better about using your hard-earned savings. Understanding how your savings continue to work for you in retirement is importa...

Tariffs have seemingly taken over every headline imaginable. Let's take a step forward and try to understand the bigger picture of our emotional connection with money and what all of these headlines could mean for your retirement future. What can we control and what can we not control? What can history tell us? How are financial advisors feeling right now? Does this compare to previous market cris...

You endlessly think your way out of retirement. You don't want to regret your decision. You don't want to run out of money. Sound about right? Retiring is a big life decision, but it doesn't need to be a stressful one. Jake discusses a recent conversation he had with a client considering retirement and practical ideas to help you approach retirement from a fresh perspective. --------------- Subscr...

Can you retire with a million dollars? Yes! Kind of… While $1,000,000 isn't what it used to be, it's important to understand what it means to you. Jake and Cory discuss cash flow in retirement and how different income sources contribute to your financial plan. Honesty and self-reflection are arguably as important as the dollars in your accounts. Tune in for scenarios and client stories from Jake a...

Retirement goals change over time, and so does spending. Jake and Cory dive into the go-go, slow-go, and no-go years, revealing how spending evolves throughout retirement. Discover why many retirees underestimate their initial expenses and overestimate later ones. Learn how some manage spending through each phase of retirement. Understand the importance of investing in your health and relationship...

After retirement, investing may seem daunting. Especially if your account values start decreasing after years of increase. Jake and Cory explore simple ways to invest your money post-retirement by understanding the importance of risk tolerance, common pitfalls, and straightforward strategies. Learn the role of cash flow and how to weather market volatility. Investing in retirement might just be ea...

Before you sell, watch this. Bearish and bullish investing are not strategies. Market downturns often trigger panic among investors. But if we know the market is volatile, why does this panic happen? Jake and Cory discuss ways to remedy this panic through market psychology, true stories from clients, and intelligent investing strategies. Stay tuned until the end for a quick tip from Jake. --------...

Looking poor may be as bad as looking rich. Jake argues that both behaviors stem from a desire to impress others or avoid judgment. Jake and Cory talk about the psychology of money and share personal insights on authenticity and human emotions. Is it possible to align your spending with your values, avoid societal pressures, and build a healthy relationship with money? --------------- ⭐️ Subscrib...

Are you tired of cookie-cutter retirement advice that doesn't fit your life? Us too! Jake and Cory share real client stories to illustrate why retirement planning is a deeply personal process. Your portfolio, nest egg, retirement age, and more should never be compared to someone else's. You are your own person with your own goals and needs, and we believe your retirement planning should reflect th...

Jake and Cory say it's possible to retire at 50. Like most things, you'll need to plan for it. What are you going to do every day? Are your savings enough to fund your potentially 40-year retirement? Learn about accessing your funds before the typical retirement age and why health insurance costs might not be as daunting as you think. Plus, discover why you might not need to pay off all your debt...

In episode 335 of Upticks , Jake and Cory discuss engaging with a fiduciary wealth advisor, planning for health insurance, accurately estimating your financial needs, defining your retirement lifestyle, the importance of tax planning, and aligning your investment portfolio with your financial plan.  --------------- ⭐️ Subscribe to our newsletter ⭐️ https://bit.ly/upticksubscribe   🌐 C ontact us...

In episode 334 of Upticks, Jake and Cory discuss four common mistakes that could derail your retirement plans. They discuss the importance of adapting your behavior, accurately estimating your financial needs, aligning your investment portfolio with your financial plan, and planning for taxes. These insights are important for retirees and those nearing retirement to consider when planning. Click h...

On this episode of Upticks , Jake and Cory cover a range of topics, from the Kansas City Chiefs' playoff prospects to the introduction of a new team member, Catalina Florez. They also delve into the volatile world of Trump Coin, discuss the pitfalls of Wall Street's market predictions, debate the relevance of the traditional 60/40 portfolio, and share regrets from Americans over 80. Thank you for...

On this episode of Upticks , Jake and Cory introduce the concept of a "spending cleanse" to promote financial mindfulness. They share a cautionary tale about annuities and a fraudulent investment scheme. The hosts debate the pros and cons of chasing the highest-yield savings accounts. They also discuss the implications of sustained higher inflation and the Federal Reserve's role. Finally, Jake sha...