Retirement Success Blueprint With Michael Stewart
Financial and retirement planning guidance from Michael Stewart of Crystal Lake Tax & Financial.
Episodes
Everyone says they want their money to be "safe." Almost nobody defines it the same way. Today we're breaking down what safe money really means and whether your version of safe holds up to reality.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
Most people plan to retire around 65. New research shows most people actually retire around 62, and it's often not by choice. Today we're digging into why that gap exists and what it means for your plan.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
There's a 7-minute animated short that got nominated for an Oscar this year called Retirement Plan. It's free on YouTube, narrated by Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, and it follows a middle-aged man named Ray who spends his days listing everything he plans to do once he finally retires. It's funny, it's surprisingly moving, and it hits a little close to home.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-...
The original Toy Story came out 30 years ago, which means some of you took your kids to see it in theaters. Now you can bring your grandkids to see the latest one. Before you do, we thought it would be fun to revisit some of the iconic moments from the franchise and see what they say about your retirement.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
Summer's here. And somewhere between the excitement of planning a big trip and the anxiety of what it costs, a lot of retirees end up doing something that surprises us… they feel guilty about it. They worked hard, they saved, they planned for decades, and then they second-guess a beach vacation. Today, let's talk about how travel fits into a real retirement plan and how to enjoy it without guilt.
Contact Info:
Website: htt...
It's summer- and nothing says summer quite like Tom Cruise as Maverick soaring across the sky in Top Gun. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the original film, and with Tom Cruise's birthday on July 3rd, we figured it was the perfect excuse to revisit some of the most iconic quotes from the franchise and see what they have to say about your financial life.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-...
We're doing something a little different today. Three listeners wrote in with variations of the same question — am I ready to retire in 2026? Same question, three very different situations, three very different answers.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
A lot of people think working with a financial advisor is just about picking investments. But a great planning experience is much more than that. Today, we’re walking through what it actually feels like to work with a firm- from the first conversation to ongoing guidance- so you know what to expect.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
We heard from a listener who has managed their own money for years and done well. So why would they need an advisor now that retirement is around the corner?
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
A new proposal out of Washington is adding a fresh angle to the Social Security solvency debate. Today, we're breaking down what's proposed, if it might cost you money in the future, and what questions it raises for anyone planning around Social Security right now.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
Financial media loves simple answers: always do this or never do that. But real financial planning doesn’t work that way. Most of the biggest decisions people face in retirement live in the gray.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
Everyone’s got an opinion about money (especially the people with a book deal or a TV show). Some of that advice is useful. Some of it sounds better on a stage than it works in real life. Let’s break it down.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
There’s no shortage of financial advice out there, and unfortunately, not all of it is good. Some of the most damaging retirement mistakes don’t come from reckless behavior, but from ideas that sound reasonable and get repeated often enough to feel true. Today, we’re busting some of the most common retirement planning myths and explaining why believing them can quietly derail an otherwise solid plan.
Contact Info...
After a year marked by volatility, uncertainty, and more than a few economic curveballs, it’s understandable if optimism doesn’t come easily. But at least one economist is arguing that the outlook for 2026 may be brighter than many people expect.
Allison Schrager's Article: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/five-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-the-2026-economy-85324.html?section=68
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketa...
Nothing will mess with your financial confidence faster than comparing your savings to your brother, your coworkers, or that guy on YouTube who claims he retired at 35. Your retirement number isn’t a competition. Let’s talk about what really matters when you’re trying to figure out if you’re behind on your savings goals…and what to do if you actually are.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketa...
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, we’re breaking down the year’s biggest headlines and what they may mean for your plan moving forward.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
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 your question often determines the quality of your answer and, in some cases, the quality of your retirement.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
How do you know if your financial advisor is a bad fit for you? What about an advisor that you’re thinking about working with? What red flags should you be looking out for?
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
Some people believe having two financial advisors means double the wisdom. But does it really equal double the problems? Today, we’ll tackle a person’s question about this very dilemma.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
Most people think financial planning is about calculators, spreadsheets, and strategies. But that’s only half the story. The truth is, your feelings about money can have just as much impact on your retirement as the numbers do. Today, we’re exploring the emotional side of planning.
Contact Info:
Website: https://crystallaketax.com/
Phone Number: 815-526-3092
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