#526 - The Benefits of FIRE

Now that we know what FIRE is, let’s learn the benefits. In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Kevin Sebesta joins me to discuss the benefits of FIRE. 

Afterward, Mark Ross comes aboard to noodle on why creativity is important in retirement. And finally, Taylor Schulte from the Stay Wealthy podcast helps me answer some listener questions. Don’t miss out on this informative episode!

Read More
#525 - What Is the FIRE Movement?

Have you heard of the FIRE movement? It’s become increasingly popular in the past few years. Even if you are technically too old to retire early, there is something we can all learn from FIRE seekers. 

In this episode, Kevin Sebesta, a real live FIREer joins me to discuss what FIRE is, how he achieved it, and what people who retire early do with their time. 

Read More
#524 - Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Managing Joint Cash Flow with Separate Assets 

How do you manage a joint cash flow with separate assets? In addition to discussing Mark and Mary’s situation, today I chat with Kay about how she and her husband handled finances with their late in life marriage.

Make sure to stick around to hear an update from Sam, our single Retirement Plan Live case study from 2018. She’ll let us know how she’s been doing, what has surprised her about retirement, and whether her retirement plan has changed. 

Read More
#523 - Retirement Plan Live - Mature Marriage: Shared Resources

We’re back with Retirement Plan Live to explore how two adults who married later in life can share their resources as they age.

Last week we looked at their goals both individually and together and today we’ll do the same with their resources. Listen in to hear the different ways that older adults who come together later in life can pool their resources so they can rock retirement.

Read More
#522 - Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Shared Goals

Do you like lemonade? If so, you won’t want to miss out on the lemonade I make on today’s episode. 

We’re discussing goals on this episode of the Retirement Plan Live series and we get to catch up with Lori from the 2017 Retirement Plan Live. Find out what she is up to and how to work through shared and separate goals in retirement.

Read More
#520 - Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Mark’s Story

Today you’ll meet Mark–half of our newest case study for Retirement Plan Live. Mark and Mary are a year and a half into their new marriage and are trying to figure out how to plan the rest of their lives. On this episode, you’ll learn about Mark and his aspirations and concerns for their life together. 

Read More
#519 - Should I Withdraw from My IRA to Pay Off My Mortgage?

One of our listeners actually has a better mortgage rate than me! However, as they begin to test their retirement budget they have found that the mortgage payment leaves that budget a bit tight. So they are wondering if they should pay off their mortgage early by withdrawing from their IRA. What would you do?

Listen in to hear my response in addition to several other listener questions. We’ll also catch up with Rosie from the last Retirement Plan Live. Press play to learn if she implemented any of the things we discussed and how her retirement has been over the past year. 

Read More
#518 - How Can I Reduce the Chances of Running Out of Money in Retirement?

It seems like no matter how much we save we always have that nagging worry about whether it is truly enough. 

One of our listeners is looking for ways to reduce the chances of running out of money in retirement. My response to his question may surprise you. Listen in to hear what I have to say about improving his retirement trajectory.

Read More
#517 - The Ins and Outs of Donor-Advised Funds

Have you ever wondered how the subjects from our Retirement Plan Live series are doing now? Did everything turn out okay for them? Find out how Emma (from 2019 RPL) is doing on this episode of Retirement Answer Man.

In the listener questions segment you’ll learn about the Rule of 55, donor-advised funds, and contributing to a teen’s Roth IRA. Press play to listen.

Read More
#513 - Should I Consolidate My Accounts in Retirement? 

If you have different retirement accounts at various brokerage firms, you may wonder whether you should consolidate them. One listener asked me that very question today. I’ll answer it along with several others–don’t miss the one about my finance book recommendations. 

Are you curious about how you can improve your relationship in retirement? Then, make sure to listen to Mark Ross’s suggestions in the Bring It On segment.

Read More
#512 - How Should I Pay Taxes on My Roth Conversions?

“You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” James Clear

I’ve been focusing on building up my systems lately and today I’ll provide you with an example of what that looks like for me. 

In addition, in this episode, you’ll hear several questions on how to optimize your tax burden. Then in the Bring It On segment, Kevin Lyles joins me to discuss the role of leisure in retirement.

Join me today to take a baby step to improve your life in retirement. 

Read More
#511 - Should I Continue to Own Bond Funds?

Bonds are a ubiquitous part of a balanced portfolio and in recent years bond funds have become even more attractive to many investors. However, due to rising interest rates, bond funds are now losing their appeal. 

One listener asks whether she should call it quits on her investment in bond funds. In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Nichole and I will explore this and other questions from listeners like you. 

Stick around to hear my conversation with Dr. Bobby Dubois about energy and our relationship with caffeine. Find out once and for all whether caffeine is as bad for you as they say.

Read More
#510 - Wisdom for Our Children - Spending, Saving, and Investing

We often try to overcomplicate finances, but simplicity is the key. That’s not to say simplistic: simple doesn’t equal simplistic.

On this episode, we wrap up our Wisdom for Our Children series by exploring your advice for spending, saving, and investing. We have tons of valuable guidance for the young people in our lives. Be sure to listen to hear all the suggestions.

Read More
#509 - Wisdom for Our Children - Family and Friends

Your family and friends are the people you walk life with, so it is important to choose wisely. In this episode of our Wisdom for Our Children series, Nichole joins me to reflect on what the younger generation should keep in mind when forming these valuable relationships.

Press play to hear what it takes to build meaningful relationships.

Read More
#508 - Wisdom for Our Children - Career and Retirement

This month, as we meander through the different parts of life we are stopping to reflect on certain areas to pass on wisdom to our children. In this episode of the Retirement Answer Man Nichole Mills joins me to discuss career and retirement. 

Do you have a young person in your life who you would like to pass on some juicy nuggets of wisdom? If so, make sure you are signed up for the 6-Shot Saturday newsletter. At the end of this series, we’ll be sending out a carefully cultivated PDF full of sagacity that you can pass on.

Read More
#507 - Wisdom for Our Children - Energy and Mindset

It is commonly said that youth is wasted on the young. Do you ever wish you could share the wisdom and perspective you have gained with someone young enough to benefit from it?

As we approach our sunset years, many of us have a spiritual desire to give back to the next generation. There is an abundance of wisdom within this community which is why over the course of the next several episodes we will collect that wisdom to pass on to our children. 

Read More