The Money Knight

📞✨ Get in touch with Chessman Wealth: https://www.chessmanwealth.com/ 

Many retirees are caught off guard when they discover Medicare isn’t always truly “free.” If your income is too high, you could face a hidden surcharge called IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), that can potentially reduce your Social Security check by thousands each year. In this episode, Wade breaks down what IRMAA is, who it impacts, and how to...

📞✨ Get in touch with Chessman Wealth: https://www.chessmanwealth.com/ 

Retirement can feel overwhelming when so much seems out of your control. Markets rise and fall, tax laws shift, and Social Security’s future makes the news every few months. But here’s the good news: stressing about those things won’t improve your retirement. What will help is focusing on the four key areas you can control. In this episode, Wade shares the leve...

📞✨ Get in touch with Chessman Wealth: https://www.chessmanwealth.com/ 

On a recent hiking trip, Wade noticed how Moses, his Cavapoo, darted after every squirrel, bird, and chipmunk along the trail. It was funny to watch, but it also reminded him of how investors behave when chasing the latest “hot” trend. Many of us have been tempted by tech stocks, crypto, and gold, only to jump in at the wrong time and drain our savings and sa...

📞✨ Get in touch with Chessman Wealth: https://www.chessmanwealth.com/ 

The Big Beautiful Bill may not have overhauled the entire tax system, but it quietly introduced a wave of limited-time tax opportunities, and the clock is already ticking. In this episode, Wade shares seven strategic tax moves to consider before many of these provisions expire in 2028. These changes could impact how much you owe, how much you save, and how fast...

📞✨ Get in touch with Chessman Wealth: https://www.chessmanwealth.com/ 

A new tax bill has officially passed (you’ve probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, Wade is focused on what really matters: how it impacts your retirement and financial plan. The choices you make in the next year or two could have a significant impact on how much you keep and how much goes to ...

📞✨ Get in touch with Chessman Wealth: https://www.chessmanwealth.com/ 

The thing about assassins in the real world is that they’re sneaky and you don’t see them coming. The same is true for retirement planning. It’s not always the obvious threats that do the most damage. It’s the ones that creep in quietly, unnoticed, and unplanned for. In this episode, Wade breaks down what he calls the “retirement assassins,” those stealthy fi...

📞✨ Get in touch with Chessman Wealth: https://www.chessmanwealth.com/ 

Giving to charity feels great. But what if you could do it in a way that also gave you a tax break, without needing to itemize? That’s where a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) comes in. And if you're over 70½, this could be a game-changer. In this episode, Wade brings in a special guest: Sean Phillips, Vice President of Wealth Management at Chessman Weal...

Tax software makes it easier than ever to file your return on your own, but just because you can do your taxes yourself, doesn’t mean you should. In this episode, Wade explores when DIY tax filing makes sense and when it could lead to costly mistakes. If you’re a W-2 employee with no extra income streams, doing your own taxes might be just fine. But add a rental property, a home sale, a K-1, or retirement distributions, and the ris...

A little hope can go a long way, unless it's the foundation of your retirement plan. In this episode, Wade breaks down five common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly sabotage even the most well-intentioned retirees. From underestimating healthcare expenses to assuming you’ll just “keep working,” Wade explains why these hopeful assumptions can lead to stress, shortfalls, and lost opportunities.

Instead of vague optimism, ...

Millions of people leave jobs each year, and often leave behind their 401(k) accounts too. But what actually happens to that money, and when should you consider rolling it into an IRA? It’s not as straightforward as some advisors make it sound. In this episode, Wade walks through the critical factors to consider before deciding whether to move your old 401(k), including why a rollover isn’t always the right move and what hidden ris...

The headlines are loud and the markets are a bit messy. Your gut might be telling you to something – anything – but you’re not actually sure what to do. In this episode, Wade offers calm, practical guidance to help you avoid panic and make smarter choices during market downturns. If your instinct is to react fast, Wade shows you why slowing down might actually be the best move.

You’ll learn four essential questions to ask when the ...

You’ve done a good job saving, but now what? In this episode, Wade tackles a question many people face as retirement approaches: how do you take solid savings and build a reliable, long-term plan around it? Wade breaks down the essential steps for transitioning from a lifetime of saving to a strategy for generating income, maintaining flexibility, and preparing for uncertainty.

He covers everything from taking inventory of your f...

What does a world-class golf tournament have to do with your financial future? Turns out quite a bit. The Masters is a beautiful reminder of just how much strategy, patience, and long-term focus goes into a great round of golf. Think about it: a hole-in-one may be thrilling, but it won’t win the tournament. Just like chasing a hot stock or one-time windfall will not secure your financial future.  

Today, we’re teeing up a few key l...

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.

Should you really claim Social Security as soon as possible? Wil...

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? Today, we’ll explain a bit of the backstory of tariffs and discuss these new tariffs.

For those looking to understand more about managing their finances in the face of uncertainty, this sho...

Financial mistakes can happen at any age, but they can have a particularly significant impact in your 60s. In this episode, Wade discusses six critical financial mistakes that individuals often make during this pivotal decade. Understanding and avoiding these pitfalls can make the difference between a secure retirement and a financially precarious future.

There are numerous financial missteps that can occur as you prepare for retir...

In today's economic climate, the rising cost of healthcare is a pressing concern for many, especially those approaching retirement. In this episode, we will discuss the factors driving these costs and provide insights on how to manage them effectively.

Healthcare expenses have been outpacing general inflation, with costs rising by 5 to 6% annually. According to Fidelity, the average retiree spends about $4,300 per year on out-of-po...

For ​a ​lot ​of ​people, ​giving ​money ​to ​charities ​or beneficiaries ​that ​are ​close ​to ​them ​is ​very ​important. ​But ​oftentimes ​it's ​done ​as ​part ​of ​the ​estate ​planning process. ​Now we’re seeing a trend where more and more people are deciding to give while they’re still alive. Is this a good idea? ​Today's ​episode ​is ​all ​‘giving while you’re living’ and the planning decisions that go into gifting money now.

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

In that verse, the Apostle Paul teaches that we should practice discernment in all things and we submit that includes financial advice. So this episode will tackle a common question: What should you ask a potential financial advisor?

When it comes to choosing someone you can trust and who is a good fit for your financial situation, it’s essential to ask the right qu...