Retirement Ready

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We’ve all heard the phrase “famous last words.” These statements sound confident in the moment but don’t age well. Retirement planning has its own version of those phrases and believing them can lead to painful consequences. In this episode, Eric shares the financial phrases he’s heard far too often, why they can be dangerous, ...

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Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

Retirement planning often looks straightforward from the outside, but as Eric explains, many decisions can be harder to make than they appear. In this episode, Eric and Marc break down some of the most common challenges retirees face, starting with the big question of when to claim Social Security. They discuss why the timing d...

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The financial world is crowded with titles- advisor, broker, planner- and it isn’t always clear what those labels mean for your retirement. In this episode, Eric breaks down the critical differences between brokers and fiduciary advisors, using simple analogies to show how each approach your money in very different ways.

Here’s...

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Gen X is often called the “forgotten generation,” but when it comes to retirement planning, they may also be the most at risk. Many Xers came of age just as pensions were disappearing, making them the first generation to rely heavily on 401ks. Add in market crashes, higher levels of personal debt, and a fierce streak of indepen...

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Conventional wisdom often sounds reassuring: “Real estate always goes up.” “Mortgages are good debt.” “Switch investments when something isn’t working.” But is it actually wise advice? In this episode, Eric challenges some of the most common money clichés and points out where they can lead retirees astray. It’s time to test whe...

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Could you be wealthier than you realize once all your accounts and assets are tallied? Many pre-retirees and retirees underestimate the financial strength they’ve already built, creating unnecessary stress. In this episode, Eric shares five clear signs that you’re on stronger financial footing than you might think. If you’ve ev...

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

Planning a great vacation takes time, effort, and a little bit of strategy. So why do so many people put more thought into a week-long trip than into a decades-long retirement? In this episode, Eric uses the fun (and sometimes stressful) process of vacation planning to show how you can prepare for a smoother, more enjoyable ret...

We all have those personality quirks: a car full of fast-food napkins, forgetting names mid-conversation, or insisting on carrying all the groceries in one trip. But what if those small, relatable habits say something deeper about how we handle money, risk, and retirement planning? In this episode, Eric brings humor and insight to the table as he explores how everyday behaviors often mirror our financial tendencies.

Here’s some o...

What do smoking sections, kids' menus, and combo meals have to do with retirement planning? More than you might think! In this episode, Eric serves up financial wisdom using a creative "retirement restaurant" metaphor.  He explains how appearances can be deceiving when it comes to diversification, why some strategies that helped you build wealth may not be the same ones that preserve it, and how oversimplified financial plans can l...

Should you use your emergency fund, dip into your IRA, or just finance a new car in retirement? How can someone fresh out of college start saving for the future without putting life on hold? And is $500,000 really enough to retire comfortably at 65? In this listener mailbag episode, Eric dives into three real-world questions that highlight the complexity and nuance of personal financial planning. 

Here’s some of what we discuss i...

In this mailbag episode, Eric answers real questions from listeners navigating big life transitions. First up, a soon-to-be retiree wants to take the whole family to Disney World, but how do you plan a big trip like that without derailing your retirement timeline? Eric breaks down how to stress-test your retirement plan for one-time expenses and offers tips for budgeting a major vacation while keeping your future goals intact.

Next...

DIY works great for fixing up the house or building a bookshelf, but does it hold up when you're planning your retirement? In this episode, Eric unpacks the pros and pitfalls of do-it-yourself financial planning, especially as you transition from the "saving" years to the "spending" years. It's one thing to manage your portfolio when you're working and have time to bounce back from a mistake. But once that paycheck stops, the finan...

Turning 62 isn’t just another birthday, it’s a milestone that kicks off some big retirement decisions. In this episode, Eric breaks down what reaching this age really means, from deciding when (or if) to claim Social Security to navigating income limits that could reduce your benefits. We’ll also explore how your health, family longevity, and lifestyle goals should influence that decision.

Beyond Social Security, you’ll hear strate...

Most of us have a junk drawer stuffed with random odds and ends we forgot about. But what about your financial junk drawer? Old insurance policies, dusty 401(k) statements, outdated wills, or savings bonds from decades ago could be sitting forgotten, and they might be costing you money or missing opportunities. In this episode, Eric opens the drawer on common financial items people stash away and forget to revisit.

Here’s some of w...

In today’s world, information is everywhere, but not all of it is helpful. When it comes to financial planning, too much research or the wrong kind of advice can do more harm than good. In this episode, Eric tackles the overwhelming flood of financial content people consume through news articles, websites, AI tools, and so-called “money experts.” While it feels empowering to Google your way to a decision, Eric warns that many of th...

Retirement isn’t just about financial spreadsheets, it’s about preparing your whole life for a new chapter. In this episode, Eric uses the clever framework of The Five People You Meet in Heaven to explore the five types of professionals and relationships that can shape your retirement journey. From legal guidance to physical wellness, these people can help protect what you've built and ensure you're actually able to enjoy it.

Here’...

When it comes to retirement, some decisions aren’t as clear-cut as they seem. Should you pay off your mortgage early? Convert to a Roth IRA? Claim Social Security at 62 or wait until 70? The math might say one thing, but your emotions, goals, and personal circumstances often pull you in another direction. In this episode, Eric tackles the “gray areas” of retirement planning, those tricky crossroads where logic and lifestyle collide...

We all like to believe we're rational when it comes to money, but our emotions often tell a different story. In this episode, Eric unpacks key insights from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money and explains how our upbringing, fears, and life experiences shape how we save and spend. From the fear of running out to the trap of always wanting more, Eric explores why logic alone isn't enough to build a solid retirement plan.

Here...

Most people assume all financial advisors offer the same services, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. From taxes to Social Security, Medicare to estate planning, the depth and quality of your advisor’s services can make or break your retirement plan. In this episode, Eric walks through the often-overlooked services a true, holistic advisor should provide and why they matter.

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