Your Money Your Retirement Podcast

Any time is a good time to break a bad habit. Whether you want to make improvements in your routine at home, your job performance at work, with your physical health or your financial health, the time to make a positive change for your future, is right now. 

In your working years, a steady paycheck provided peace of mind. In retirement, that sense of predictability can disappear, and is sometimes subject to market ups and downs. In this episode, we explore how to build reliable income streams, so your retirement feels less like a rollercoaster and more like smooth sailing.

You probably know what you should plan to spend on housing and groceries in retirement. And you've been dreaming to finally book that luxury vacation or close on that lake house in retirement. But are you ready for all the unplanned costs in retirement? 

We can't prevent bad things from happening. But we can help plan for the worst so if there is an accident, emergency, or serious medical diagnosis...you and your loved ones can focus on healing, not financial headaches. 

You've spent an entire career saving for retirement. The last thing you need at this stage of the game is to make a misstep, so you end up spending down your savings too quickly. How can you make sure you've done enough? 

The process of properly setting things up for when you pass away is not fun, but very important to avoid issues with your estate. We don't want a fight if we can avoid it. 

Building your financial house is about creating a strong foundation for long term financial stability and independence. Just like constructing a home, it starts with a solid base, budgeting, saving, and managing debt before adding the walls and roof that represent investments, insurance, and long-term planning.

After years of diligent saving and investing, many people are thrilled to see their retirement accounts grow. And while that's certainly an achievement worth celebrating, there's a sobering reality to consider - Uncle Sam is patiently waiting to collect his share of every dollar you withdraw from those tax-deferred accounts.

Many people spend decades building their retirement nest egg, only to discover that having substantial savings isn't enough. Just like a beautiful house needs a strong foundation to withstand storms, your retirement plan needs proper structuring to help preserve against the challenges ahead.

Some people spend decades diligently saving for retirement, watching their 401(k)s and IRAs grow. But here's an important question many fail to ask: "How much of that money will I actually get to keep after taxes?" If you have a million dollars in your retirement account, Uncle Sam could be entitled to a significant amount of that, depending on your tax situation.

When building a house, you'd never start construction without a proper foundation. Yet surprisingly, some people approach retirement planning exactly that way, focusing on just one aspect while ignoring other crucial elements that help provide essential support and stability.

In the world of investments, two approaches often dominate the conversation: active vs. passive investing. It's like choosing between a sports car that requires skilled handling or an SUV designed for a smoother, more predictable ride. How do you choose a financial strategy that's right for your retirement journey?

As retirement approaches, a significant challenge emerges. How do you actually transform those savings into reliable monthly income? It's a shift from earning a paycheck to creating your own "retirement paycheck" that needs to last a lifetime.

You've spent an entire career saving for retirement. The last thing you need at this stage of the game is to make a misstep, so you end up spending down your savings too quickly. How can you make sure you've done enough?  

Retirement planning can feel like solving a complex puzzle — every move matters. When should you claim Social Security? How can you avoid triggering unnecessary taxes? What's the smartest way to manage your retirement savings without costly missteps? Getting it right means fitting all the financial pieces together.

From daily routines to casual conversations, we're used to easy answers. But planning for retirement brings questions that require deeper thought and bigger decisions.

Estate planning isn't fun, however it's vital. A little preparation now can prevent confusion, conflict, and costly mistakes later. 
Listen, learn and update your plan.

Designing your dream home? It starts with a blueprint. The same goes for your financial life! Add structure, personalize it, and build your financial house that truly fits you.

Steven is a Certified Public Accountant with more than ten years of experience helping individuals and business owners be tax-efficient through proactive planning and strategy implementation.