Retirement Ready

We all have those personality quirks: a car full of fast-food napkins, forgetting names mid-conversation, or insisting on carrying all the groceries in one trip. But what if those small, relatable habits say something deeper about how we handle money, risk, and retirement planning? In this episode, Eric brings humor and insight to the table as he explores how everyday behaviors often mirror our financial tendencies.   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

What do smoking sections, kids' menus, and combo meals have to do with retirement planning? More than you might think! In this episode, Eric serves up financial wisdom using a creative "retirement restaurant" metaphor.  He explains how appearances can be deceiving when it comes to diversification, why some strategies that helped you build wealth may not be the same ones that preserve it, and how oversimplified financial plans can leave retirees underprepared for life's curveballs.   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

Should you use your emergency fund, dip into your IRA, or just finance a new car in retirement? How can someone fresh out of college start saving for the future without putting life on hold? And is $500,000 really enough to retire comfortably at 65? In this listener mailbag episode, Eric dives into three real-world questions that highlight the complexity and nuance of personal financial planning.    Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

In this mailbag episode, Eric answers real questions from listeners navigating big life transitions. First up, a soon-to-be retiree wants to take the whole family to Disney World, but how do you plan a big trip like that without derailing your retirement timeline? Eric breaks down how to stress-test your retirement plan for one-time expenses and offers tips for budgeting a major vacation while keeping your future goals intact. Next, Eric tackles two more questions that hit close to home for many: how to turn a $500,000 nest egg into reliable retirement income, and what to do when you're leaving a job with benefits to go full-time self-employed. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

DIY works great for fixing up the house or building a bookshelf, but does it hold up when you're planning your retirement? In this episode, Eric unpacks the pros and pitfalls of do-it-yourself financial planning, especially as you transition from the "saving" years to the "spending" years. It's one thing to manage your portfolio when you're working and have time to bounce back from a mistake. But once that paycheck stops, the financial game changes fast.   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

Turning 62 isn't just another birthday, it's a milestone that kicks off some big retirement decisions. In this episode, Eric breaks down what reaching this age really means, from deciding when (or if) to claim Social Security to navigating income limits that could reduce your benefits. We'll also explore how your health, family longevity, and lifestyle goals should influence that decision. Beyond Social Security, you'll hear strategies for covering the tricky gap before Medicare kicks in at 65, why this is the perfect time to review your legal documents, and more!   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⏳ Should you claim Social Security at 62 or wait?

Most of us have a junk drawer stuffed with random odds and ends we forgot about. But what about your financial junk drawer? Old insurance policies, dusty 401(k) statements, outdated wills, or savings bonds from decades ago could be sitting forgotten, and they might be costing you money or missing opportunities. In this episode, Eric opens the drawer on common financial items people stash away and forget to revisit. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: