Curated articles and podcasts from trusted financial experts and real retirees.
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Joe is planning for retirement and wants to minimize his tax burden, especially on the interest earned from his three annuities. James explains that non-qualified annuities are purchased with post-tax...
Deciding to work with a financial advisor is about more than how much you've stashed away. It's also about determining whether an advisor's benefits outweigh the costs. In your higher earning years, f...
Listener Ray is wondering what to do with his home as he embarks on a nomadic, van-life journey in retirement. Should he sell it to finance his travels or retain it for potential appreciation and cash...
Listener Drew asks about a tax strategy for juggling capital gains and Roth conversions. While it can be a complicated question – especially when large accounts are involved – James provid...
James responds to listener Jerry’s question about the optimal time to distribute inheritance or charitable gifts: before or after passing away. James walks listeners through four important thing...
A listener says, “Eventually, one spouse will pass before the other, which will often catapult the survivor into a significantly higher tax bracket. Shouldn’t a Roth strategy take this int...
Jason and his wife face a crucial decision: whether to purchase an annuity or pursue traditional investments as they prepare for a full-time, slow-travel retirement. With a diverse array of income sou...
The "Three Bucket Strategy" is a popular retirement income planning method. The first bucket covers immediate expenses in retirement. Listeners John and Donna are seeking advice on constructing their ...
Benjamin, nearing retirement at 65, faces a familiar dilemma with his taxable account housing expensive mutual funds. Despite their underperformance, converting to low-cost index funds entails a signi...
Typical retirement strategies assume a retirement age of over 60. With an earlier retirement goal, a careful look is required to determine what strategies will create the best outcome. James responds ...
The 4% rule helps us understand how much we can safely take out of our portfolio each year without running out of money in retirement. Yet, as simple as the 4 percent rule seems, the practical implica...
Sammy, a 51-year-old retiree, is seeking advice on how much she should convert from her traditional IRA to a Roth IRA each year to avoid jumping tax brackets and minimize the taxation of her social se...
James addresses a common concern for a couple approaching retirement through a listener’s question. Listener Rob plans to collect Social Security early at 62, raising questions about his wife&rs...
As one listener prepares for an early retirement, James discusses the situation, covering how to build a bond ladder based on non-retirement funds. James provides a different way of looking at the sto...
James explores the concept of sequence of return risk in retirement planning. Most people are unaware of how risky this is, as it doesn’t become an issue until you begin living off your portfoli...
Should you sell long-term stocks for a real estate investment? I walk through one listener’s question and explain what you need to consider before making such a decision. Aside from the obvious&...
When you’re doing well financially, paying advisor fees might seem unnecessary. So do you need an advisor if you’re already in a good place? Having a successful retirement isn’t just...
James addresses a listener's question regarding Social Security strategies in retirement. Sasha, aged 59, seeks advice on when to start collecting Social Security, considering her husband's benefits a...
James explores the nuanced aspects of Roth IRAs, shedding light on intricacies that can confound even experienced investors. Through a listener question from Manfred, a retiree contemplating a $50,000...
 Tax loss harvesting is a strategy that investors use to reduce their tax bill. However, there are many misconceptions about tax loss harvesting, including when it's valuable and how to do it ef...
James walks through a framework of how you ensure that your legacy goals include more than just leaving a chunk of money to your kids when you're gone. He explains the key concepts that can help your ...
Have you ever wondered if purchasing an annuity makes sense for you? There are two conflicting opinions from financial advisors: some advocate for annuities while others advise against them. James exp...
401(k) account management is an option for anyone with a 401(k) – no matter how close or far you are from retirement. Even if you have some basic investment knowledge, you might want to consider...
Gen Xers still have some time – but not a ton – to plan for retirement....
Ready for Retirement is on a mission to be the most valuable source of retirement information in the world. In that light, we’re making some changes. The biggest change is that rather than James...
Dr. Riley Moynes, author and creator of a popular TED Talk joins James to discuss his own retirement which led him to become the author of The 4 Phases of Retirement. While Dr. Moynes was financially ...
Retirement is not just about financial readiness; it's also about finding purpose, passion, and personal growth. James and guest Cynthia Meyer debunk the arrival fallacy, the illusion that reaching re...
Joining the ranks of 401(k) millionaires can be withing your sights with these four strategies....
In 2010, Nobel Prize winners Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton found that happiness rises with income up to about $75,000 a year*. After that, more income doesn’t increase happiness. However, ......
Multi-national organized networks of criminals know how to get to vulnerable people. Learn how to stop them....
Beneficiaries will pay less in 2025 for Medicare Part D prescription and Medicare Advantage plan premiums....
Discover the most affordable car insurance options in Maine for 2024. Compare rates from top providers like Auto-Owners, State Farm, and Geico, and learn how to lower your premiums through discounts, ...
We live in an area where the value of houses has appreciated quite a bit, and ours is paid off. We do not have an LTC policy, having heard poor experiences and reviews. But, depending on how long we c...
I’m (62F) retiring 12/6/24 from my nonprofit fundraising job. I’ve worked in fundraising for most of my career for a variety of clients, all of them wonderful organizations with moving mis...
Financial literacy crucial for a comfortable retirement across all life stages....
The week ahead holds high stakes as U.S. jobs and manufacturing data will influence the Fed’s next policy moves. While ... Read more...
Gen Xers still have time to maximize retirement contributions, educate themselves about finances and plan carefully...
FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! What Grandparents Need to Know About Social Security for Kids. If you’re raising grandchildren, they may be eligible for benefits. By Martha C. White, ...
The best presidential candidate for retirees may depend on what issue concerns you most....
The big financial news this month was interest rates starting to fall with the Fed cutting rates by .5%. What does this mean moving forward? We’ll explore. I share an early retiree case study an...
Work provides more benefits than simply an income stream. To prepare for retirement, be sure to consider the non-financial aspects of retirement, too....
I am coming up on retirement. Right now when I meet someone new, I can ask about what they do for a living and learn about their job and life, or I will ask about a life goal. When I retire and meet o...
I'm counting down to retirement on 9/1/25, and my wife (retired 5 years ago and loving it) sent me this nugget today. A retired person is a jùbilado/a. I just love this, with its connotation of...
A new Bankrate survey shows that 57% of Americans feel behind on their retirement savings. Here's what you can do....
The story of dwarven king Thorin Oakenshield in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel perfectly illustrates how the relentless pursuit of wealth can undermine the fulfilling experience of true riches....
Juggling kids, aging parents and work? No wonder you don't want to talk about your own retirement. But there are four key areas you should be discussing now....
What you need to be comfortable in retirement won't be the same as what your neighbor might need. Here's a scenario in which $1 million might be enough....
The 2025 rule changes for Roth and traditional IRAs could mean more money for your retirement. But you have to pay attention to reap the rewards....
Here's what you need to know about QDROs (qualified domestic relations orders), which determine how assets in a soon-to-be ex-spouse's retirement plans or pension will be distributed....
Knowing how your IRA balance compares to your peers could be the nudge you need to save more for retirement....