Power Your Retirement

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The five love languages were made popular by author Gary Chapman. If you’re not familiar with them, they include acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, and physical touch. Let’s think about how you may encounter the love languages when it comes to financial planning. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💰 How your love language could shape your financial behavior

🕰️ What quality time ha...

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Thinking about using real estate to strengthen your retirement plan? From generating income to offering financial flexibility or emergency access to cash, real estate offers a wide range of possibilities. But not every option is the right fit for every retiree. In this episode, Steve breaks down seven common real estate approaches that frequently come up in financial planning conversations.

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Today, Steve answers three thoughtful listener questions from viewers like you! Is saving 15% of your income truly necessary or just a rule of thumb that doesn’t fit everyone? What should you consider if you’re unexpectedly offered a severance package right before retirement? And does the popular 4% withdrawal rule still work in today’s financial landscape?

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎯 Is saving 15...

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If you’ve ever left a job and wondered what to do with that old 401k account, you’re not alone, and today’s episode is for you! In this listener mailbag edition, Steve answers a question from William, who’s trying to decide whether to leave his 401k where it is or roll it into an IRA. It sounds simple, but the implications can be huge.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🔄 Rollover or leave it? Some pros an...

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Welcome to our final installment of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!

Let’s be real. Nobody wants to talk about fees, but everyone wants to know if they’re getting a fair deal! Today, Steve sheds light on one of the most misunderstood aspects of working with a financial advisor: what you're actually paying for, and why it matters.

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Welcome to part 6 of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!

Change is the name of the game! Career shifts, unexpected life twists—whatever it is, your retirement plan has to keep up. Today, we’re talking about flexibility. Why? Because your retirement should be as adaptable as you are! If you’re wondering how to keep your plan steady, even as life changes, tune in....

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Plenty of people have concerns about stock market volatility, a potential recession on the horizon, and fears for the economy amidst federal layoffs and tariffs. What if you’ve had 2025 marked on the calendar for a while as the year you plan to retire? Is this a bad time to do it? In this episode, Steve breaks down what retirees and near-retirees should actually be focused on in times like these. 

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If you’ve been in your utility job for years and still don’t understand how your pension works, you’re not alone. In this episode, Steve takes a listener question from Lisa. She’s been working for 15 years and asked a commonly misunderstood question: What’s the difference between a cash balance pension and a traditional pension? 

Tune in as Steve breaks down the key differences and why it matters!

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Wondering if you're actually on track for retirement? That’s the question Alex, a utility worker with 22 years of service, asked, and it sparked this helpful breakdown. Whether you’re early in your career or closing in on retirement, knowing where you stand is key to your financial future. The truth is, it’s not just about your 401k balance, it’s about how everything works together.

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Ever wonder what other people talk about with their financial advisors? A new survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors reveals the biggest concerns, challenges, and financial goals their clients are facing today. From retirement planning and healthcare costs to working longer than expected, we’re breaking down the key takeaways and how they compare to what we see in our own client conversations.

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The day President Trump took office, he announced plans to implement a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Additional tariff conversations have exploded since that day. How might this impact your personal finances and the economy? In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at the backstory of tariffs– what they are, why governments impose them, and the historical context of them. 

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Welcome to part 5 of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors! 

Imagine this: your retirement portfolio is growing steadily, adjusting to market shifts, all without you lifting a finger. Sound too good to be true? Welcome to the world of managed portfolios. In this episode, Steve peels back the curtain on what “hands-off” investing really looks like, and how it can br...

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It’s been a volatile month. And if you’re feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. But how we respond in moments like this often has roots in the crashes we’ve lived through before. In this episode, we look at how past market meltdowns shaped investor psychology, how today’s chaos might be leaving its own mark, and what lessons we can take with us to navigate what’s next.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

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The headlines are loud, the markets are messy, and your gut might be telling you to do something - anything- right now. But what should you actually do when your portfolio takes a hit? Whether you’re feeling calm or full-on panicked, this conversation offers four practical questions to help you check in with your plan, reassess your risk, and avoid emotional mistakes. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

📊 ...

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Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025- before the year gets away from you

With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to lower your tax bill and boost your savings. Tune in as we break down the key changes and how you ...

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April Fool’s Day is all about jokes and pranks, but when it comes to retirement planning, getting fooled can cost you real money. Today, we’re uncovering the beliefs that fool retirees and pre-retirees into making bad financial moves. We’ll cover some of the most common myths that can derail your retirement plans and explain why they might not be as true as they seem.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

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March Madness is here, and just like filling out a bracket, picking individual stocks can feel like a thrilling gamble. But the odds of winning big are slim. In fact, history shows that most stock picks, like most brackets, end up busted.

Many investors can’t resist chasing big wins, even though diversification is a smarter play. One economist, Hendrik Bessembinder, analyzed the returns of nearly a century of stock per...

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Welcome to part 4 of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!

In today’s episode, we’re diving into what it really means to choose the right investments for your goals. We’re going beyond the basics of ‘target-date funds’ and talking about how to customize your portfolio for your unique situation. 

Tune in as Steve walks through the potential downsides of relying on d...

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Welcome to part 3 of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the value of professional guidance and how having a trusted advisor can help you see the full picture, manage emotions, and avoid costly mistakes in your financial life. Steve shares real-world examples of how fear-driven decisions- like pulling money out of the mark...