Ready For Retirement

Latest Episodes:

Are Adjustable Rate Mortgages Right for You in a High Interest Rate Environment? Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Are short-term savings using an adjustable rate mortgage worth the risk of rate hikes? In this podcast, we cover how adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) work, how they differ from fixed-rate mortgages, and the reality of their adjustment periods.
James uses a real-life scenario to dive into the comparison of adjustable and fixed-rate mortgages. Learn how to plan for the worst-case scenarios and evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
Questions answered:
Is it better to get a fixed rate mortgage, or is it better to get an adjustable rate mortgage?
What is the risk versus reward?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:10 Buying a home
5:18 How ARMs work
7:24 Why use an ARM?
10:11 What's the risk?
14:07 When not to get an ARM
16:15 When to get an ARM
18:50 Other considerations
20:21 Analysis
21:06 Outro

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How Rising Interest Rates Should Impact Your Pension Decision (Lump Sum vs Annuity) Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

How can rising interest rates impact your pension value?
In this week's episode, we analyze a real-life scenario from our listener, Mark, who is weighing the pros and cons of an early retirement, a higher lump sum, or a commit to an annuity.
Learn how to calculate the imputed returns of an income annuity and how to determine if taking the lump sum and investing it would be the better option.
Questions Answered:
What considerations and calculations can be used to decide between a lump sum payout or an annuity?
Are you working against yourself by continuing to work?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:40 Mark's question
4:24 Unpacking it
7:38 Don't do your analysis this way
14:09 Here's how to do your analysis
18:54 Risk
19:58 Planning
20:50 Takeaway
24:47 Outro

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What's the Best Way to Fund a Remodel During Retirement? Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

If you’re retired, you can’t wait around for the next bonus or stock to vest when you have a large expense. When you’re on a fixed income it’s more important than ever to find the best way to pull funds for large expenses.

In today’s episode, James explains how to find the best way to pay for large expenses in retirement while answering a listener’s question.

Questions Answered:

Should you use IRAs (or other assets), cash, or finance to pay for large expenses with today’s high-interest rates?

What considerations should you take into account when planning for a big expense in retirement?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:48 Cashflow
8:46 Taxes
10:52 Timing
13:14 Example
20:58 Investment
27:04 Legacy
30:32 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

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Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Here's the Right Way to Determine How Much Individual Stock to Hold Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

How much of your portfolio is safe to hold in one individual stock?
While 5% or 10% is typically recommended, rules of thumb like these are often irrelevant and harmful. The right answer depends upon your specific situation.
James explains the right way to determine how much individual stock you should hold based on your situation.
Questions Answered:
How much is okay to have in an individual stock?
What conditions make owning individual stock acceptable or unacceptable?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:02 Monica's story
3:30 Individual stocks
5:02 Example 1
7:45 Conditions
10:18 Technicalities
12:37 Example 2
14:34 Emotional implications
16:11 Framework
19:43 Portfolio size
21:49 Time best spent
22:50 Underperforming
25:07 Why diversify?
27:01 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

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Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Ask Yourself This Question to Transform Your Retirement Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

What do you think is the key to a successful retirement?

By asking yourself the right questions and being intentional about using money to enrich life, you can live more presently in the moment and enjoy a meaningful and successful retirement.

James explains the most important question to ask yourself so that you can transform your retirement.

Questions Answered:

How do you get the most out of life with your money by living intentionally?
How do you live intentionally for a more meaningful life?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:37 The email
6:42 The responses
9:46 Points to note
12:03 Steph’s story
13:35 Important things to think about
15:30 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

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Join the new Root Collective HERE!

What Age Should I Collect Social Security If I Don’t Need It? Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

For many people, Social Security will be their primary income source in retirement, but some individuals have sufficient assets or income from other sources, making them less dependent on Social Security benefits.
James explains the factors that can affect when you should collect Social Security and how to create a dynamic strategy.
Questions Answered:
What if you have sufficient assets/ income that you don't depend on Social Security for your retirement needs?
How should that change your approach to collecting social security?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:36 If you don't need Social Security
5:40 First thing to look at
7:48 Listener's situation
10:11 Working in retirement
12:50 The second thing to look at
14:30 The third thing to look at
15:44 The fourth thing to look at
17:15 Examples
20:18 Needing cash down the line
24:49 Final thoughts
25:22 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

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Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Is It Possible to Have Too Much in Roth IRAs? Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

Description
There are a lot of good reasons to put your money into a Roth account. But does it make sense to have all your money in Roth accounts?
The truth is, there is a point at which it's potentially harmful to continue putting money into Roth accounts.
James explains the nuances of Roth accounts and tax planning, while answering a listener's question.
Questions Answered:
Is there a point at which you can have too much in a Roth account?
How can you use tax planning in retirement?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:17 Listener question
3:59 Short answer
5:41 Example
8:04 Tax planning
9:10 Eample
11:45 Two questions
14:18 Charitable giving
18:22 Example
20:57 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

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Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Do We Have Enough for Retirement? [Plus Bonus Worksheet] Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

How much it will cost to meet your needs is one of the hardest parts to understand about retirement. Relying on conventional wisdom will only get you so far, and may even lead you astray.
In this episode, we explain how to get an accurate sense of your retirement expenses while walking you through a real example from a listener question.
As a bonus, we are including a free worksheet for you to use:
Retirement Cash Flow Planner
Questions answered:
How can you tell if you're financially on track for retirement?
What do you do before social security kicks in to supplement income?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:10 Listener question
3:57 A few things to consider
6:00 Here's where to start
10:23 Where does the rest go?
13:07 Steps 1 and 2
16:31 Their portfolio
18:31 Retirement expenses
21:50 Income strategy
23:40 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.
Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Here's When It Makes Sense to Rent In Retirement Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

Many people believe that when you're retired, you need to own your own home, ideally without a mortgage. But there are instances where renting can make more sense, not just financially but for several other reasons.
In this episode, James discusses the pros and cons of owning versus renting and when it makes sense to rent instead of own.
Questions answered:
In what instances does it make more financial sense to rent than own?
What other reasons might factor into the decision to rent?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:33 Cost of rent rising
6:00 Less control
7:22 Equity
9:00 First issue: tax implications
11:49 Second issue: budget
15:08 Lifestyle
18:44 Your health
19:56 Example
23:20 Emotional factors
24:33 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.
Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Everything You Need to Know About RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Required Minimum Distributions work differently depending on the type of account. How can you most effectively plan for them?
Today we're talking through everything you need to know about RMDs so you can understand their nuances and create a plan to best address them.
Questions Answered:
At what age do you need to take an RMD?
What accounts do you have to take an RMD on?
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:59 At what age do you need to take out an RMD?
4:19 How much is the RMD going to be?
7:40 What accounts do you have to take an RMD on?
9:25 Basic rules
11:26 Spouse and non-spouse inherited IRAs
16:11 Extra benefit
20:07 Exceptions to the rules
23:54 Keep this in mind
25:55 Example
32:26 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.
Join the new Root Collective HERE!

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