Retirement Ready

There can be a lot of emotions when it comes to investing and planning for retirement. And what better way to discuss those emotions than through the characters of Pixar’s latest film, Inside Out 2? In this episode, Eric breaks down how emotions can impact your financial decisions and shares practical strategies to help you manage them. 

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

• The potential joy in retirement planning.
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Preventative care isn't just for your health; it's essential for your financial well-being too. By consulting a financial advisor early and often, you can avoid financial distress and make informed decisions that lead to a secure and fulfilling retirement. Join us as we talk about the importance of preventative care with your finances in today's episode!

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

• Proactive vs. reactive f...

Financial planning involves a lot of planning ahead, much like Noah did when he started building the ark long before the rain began. This metaphor serves as a powerful reminder that proactive planning is essential for weathering financial storms. Eric highlights that while we can't predict events like market crashes or global pandemics, we can prepare for them by stress-testing our financial plans.

Here’s some of what we discuss ...

When planning for retirement, one of the most critical aspects to consider is your income. But what does this mean, and how can you ensure you have enough income to cover your needs and desires?

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

• Income is key.
• Considering medical expenses.
• Unexpected travel costs.
• Supporting family members in the sandwich generation.
• The impact of taxes.

Get in touch with the Peterson F...

Retirement is a significant milestone that requires careful planning and preparation. In today’s podcast, Eric shares a comprehensive checklist to ensure you're fully prepared for your golden years.

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

• Understanding your monthly income needs.
• Choosing the right account for withdrawals.
• Timing Social Security benefits appropriately.
• Addressing longevity risk.
• Handling market volatil...

In the latest episode of the Retirement Ready Podcast, Eric invites us to explore the timeless wisdom of Mark Twain and how it applies to modern financial planning. Mark Twain, known for his wit and keen observations, offers quotes that are surprisingly relevant to today's financial landscape. Eric takes these quotes and translates them into practical advice for those planning their retirement.

Here’s some of what we discuss in t...

Are bonds really the safe investment we've always been told they are? What percentage of assets should a retiree or pre-retiree hold in bonds? In today’s episode, Eric addresses some of his most frequently asked questions about the world of bonds…

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

• What is a bond and how does it work?
• How do bond funds and individual bonds differ?
• What makes bond prices rise or fall?
• What percent...

Financial statements can often feel like a foreign language, filled with jargon and numbers that seem to have little relevance to your everyday life. However, understanding these documents is crucial for effective retirement planning. In the latest episode of the Retirement Ready Podcast, Eric breaks down the essentials of reading and interpreting your financial statements.

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

• Why ...

This one goes to the grads! Whether you know someone graduating high school, college, or even preschool, graduation marks a new stage and season in life. Similarly, retirement is a new chapter in life. It's a time of change, celebration, and sometimes, uncertainty. On today’s show, we talk through the similarities between leaving school and entering retirement.

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

• Retirement is mor...

Your 401(k) likely plays a major role in your retirement savings. That's why it’s important that it’s set up and functions in the way that’s most beneficial to you. Following our last podcast about beneficiary mistakes, now we focus on common mistakes people make with their 401(k).

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

• Moving a 401(k) to another retirement account.
• Allocation and rebalancing with your contributions.
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In this episode of the Retirement Ready Podcast, Eric guides us through the critical yet often overlooked details of beneficiary designations. Learn the simple yet vital steps to prevent beneficiary blunders that could lead to unnecessary headaches for your heirs. Eric calls these errors "low hanging fruit" because they're easy to fix yet can save your family from future heartache.

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

Dive into the world of financial emotions in this episode with Eric Peterson. Discover how greed, fear, hope, and pride can make or break your investment strategy. Eric unravels the complexities of managing emotions to ensure a secure and enjoyable retirement.

This episode isn't just about financial strategies; it's about understanding the human side of investing. It's about knowing when to hold on and when to let go, when to take ...

Retirement is closer than you think, but are you ready? With a staggering number of people lacking confidence in their retirement savings, Eric shares the misconceptions people have and what mistakes can derail someone’s financial future. Many people feel inadequate when it comes to what they have saved in their nest egg, uninformed about the pitfalls of target date funds, and unprepared about the reality of leaving the workforce e...

Navigating life's financial crossroads can be tricky, especially when it involves your financial future. In this episode of Retirement Ready, Eric addresses these complex issues head-on. How do you best evaluate your broker and your investment performance against the S&P 500? Eric says a lot of that comes down to setting expectations and understanding the risks. Then, Holly wants to know what to consider before making a midlife...

We are all guilty of procrastinating from time to time. Financially speaking, though, this can get you into a lot of trouble. Let’s talk about the areas where it might feel better to kick the can down the road. 

Ultimately, it’s best to get things taken care of sooner, rather than later. Dealing with financial stuff or tightening up the budget might not sound appealing at first, but doesn’t have to stress you out. Sometimes worryin...

Americans over 60 have lost more than $3.1 billion in various forms of fraud and scams in the last 12 months! Today we talk through some of the common scams people unfortunately fall for and how you can stay vigilant against it. As the scams get more sophisticated, it can be harder to see through them. Understanding what ones to look out for will help you steer clear of these schemes.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episod...

There are a number of financial ideas that people have differing opinions on. Eric shares today which of these he agrees with or disagrees and why. From paying off the house to having life insurance after you retire, each of these financial concepts will give you something to consider as you compare to what you’re doing.

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

• Should you pay off your house as soon as you can?
• Individu...

Unfortunately, divorce happens. When it does, no one wants to make costly financial mistakes amidst an already stressful time. Today, we talk about the mistakes that can happen and how to avoid them when it comes to dividing up your assets with a spouse. 

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

• Choosing the house vs. other assets.
• Consider the tax implications and long-term impact.
• Combining accounts and rolling over ...

In movies, there are all-time classic villains like Darth Vader or the Wicked Witch of the West. When it comes to the financial world, what kind of villains should you look out for? Just like some of these cinematic villains, some of these financial elements may have a bit of nuance and history that can make it hard to label them all good or all bad.

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

• The stock market can be a fo...