Retirement Starts Today

Latest Episodes:

A Few Simple Tricks Turn Humble HSAs Into Wealth Builders, Ep # 287 Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Do you have an HSA? If so, do you simply use it to pay for your medical expenses? Or do you use it as a way to build your wealth? Today we'll look at an article from Financial Advisor Magazine that will help us identify opportunities for wealth creation.

Listen in to learn how to maximize the triple benefit of the humble HSA.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] A few tricks to turn the humble HSA into a wealth builder
[12:30] What is the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation?

Resources & People Mentioned

Article - A Few Simple Tricks Turn Humble HSAs into Wealth Builders
PBGC.gov

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Couples Who Combine Finances Are Happier. So Why Don't More Do It? Ep #286 Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Do you combine your finances with your partner? If you do, chances are that you might be happier. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore a WSJ article written by Julia Carpenter titled Couples Who Combine Finances Are Happier. So Why Don't More Do It?

In addition to examining the benefits of combining finances, we'll take a look at the reasons couples choose not to pool their resources. Finally, I'll share my thoughts on why merging with your spouse's finances could be a boon to your retirement.

Make sure to stick around for the listener question segment. Bret and I discuss whether it is worth self-funding long-term care rather than purchasing long-term care insurance. Listen in to hear discover whether you're surprised by our response.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] Couples who pool their finances are happier
[6:30] Do we recommend self-funding long-term care insurance?

Resources & People Mentioned

WSJ article - Couples Who Combine Finances Are Happier. So Why Don't More Do It?

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

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Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

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How to Give Your Parents Advice That They Will Actually Listen To, Ep # 285 Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Giving advice to your parents can be a challenge both for you and for them. However, there comes a time when the roles reverse and our parents may need to hear our practical advice. If you have been wondering how to go about doing this you're not alone.

This week we'll explore a retirement headline from Francine Russo at WSJ titled How to Give Your Parents Advice That They Will Actually Listen To. And to continue with the parent-child relationship theme we'll answer a listener question about moving to be near the kids and grandkids in retirement. Don't miss out on this helpful episode. Press play now.

Outline of This Episode

[1:12] How to give your parents advice
[6:32] On moving to be closer to adult children and grandchildren

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

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Investing in Yourself - An Interview with Fritz Gilbert - The Retirement Manifesto, Ep # 284 Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Investing in yourself is a great way to invest in your retirement. You may know Fritz Gilbert from the Retirement Manifesto blog or you may even have read his book, Keys to a Successful Retirement. What you may not know is how he has invested in himself in retirement.

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you'll hear how Fritz has chosen to invest in his community and himself through a charity that his wife started. Listen in to hear how Fritz's life took off in unexpected directions because he chose to follow his curiosity.

Outline of This Episode

[2:22] How Fritz's life has changed in retirement
[5:30] Getting engaged in a charity is a great transition
[10:23] How he has invested in his physical health

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK - Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley
PODCAST - Can Carl Retire? See The Retirement Planning Process In Action
FI Chautauqua Ecuador
Episode 146 - The Hidden Chances of Retirement with Fritz Gilbert

Connect with Fritz Gilbert

Freedom for Fido
The Retirement Manifesto
BOOK - Keys to a Successful Retirement by Fritz Gilbert

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

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Early Filers Should Wait to Submit Their Tax Return in 2023, the IRS Warns, Ep #283 Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Do you typically like to get your taxes done early? Before you rush out to submit your tax return, listen to this episode to hear why you might want to wait.

In this episode, we'll explore a CNBC article by Kate Dore that lists the reasons you may want to wait to file your taxes in 2023. After the Retirement Headlines segment, Bret and I will discuss the differences between bonds and bond funds to see if we can answer which one is better.

Finally, in the Personal Development section, Scott from Houston will let us know what he has been doing to improve his life and health in retirement. This episode is packed full of helpful, informative ideas that you can use to improve your life in retirement. Press play now to listen.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] Early filers should wait to submit their tax returns
[6:00] Which are better: bonds or bond funds?
[12:52] Scott is reassessing the practices and habits of his everyday life

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK - Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level by Gary Kadi
Episode 282 - Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level an Interview with Gary Kadi
'Early filers' should wait to submit their tax return in 2023, the IRS warns. Here's why

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

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Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level – an Interview with Gary Kadi, Ep #282 Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

I'm so excited to bring you this interview with Gary Kadi. Gary is the author of one of the best books I read in 2022, Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level. I call this an accidental retirement book because although it is not specifically written for retirees, many topics apply to retirement.

Gary has so much to share in this interview. We discuss how to receive good things in life, how your net worth is directly proportional to your self-worth, why you shouldn't reject good things, why only 5% of people retire with financial freedom, and how to find fulfillment in retirement.

This was a fantastic interview and I know you'll enjoy hearing from Gary Kadi. Press play to hear what he has to say.

Outline of This Episode

[2:12] In life you don't get what you deserve, you get what you think you deserve
[6:20] Tips to work on yourself that can spill over into your finances
[8:50] Retirement is an inside job
[13:00] What do you do to find fulfillment in retirement
[19:49] Accept yourself for who you are

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK - Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level by Gary Kadi
BOOK - Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Benjamin Hardy
BOOK - Be Your Future Self Now by Benjamin Hardy

Connect with Gary Kadi

Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level Facebook group

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University
Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

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The Housing Crisis You Didn't See Coming, Ep #281 Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Many people are concerned that rising interest rates will eventually crash the housing market. Future retirees can become overly worried about the housing market since the value of their homes plays a huge role in their retirement plans.

This is why an article from Annie Lowrey at the Atlantic caught my eye. Today, we'll dive into the article, The U.S. Needs More Housing Than Almost Anyone Can Imagine, and prognosticate the future of the housing market.

Outline of This Episode

[1:32] Addressing housing affordability concerns
[7:50] What to look for in a tax preparer
[14:50] What Jim did to improve his retirement

Resources & People Mentioned

Atlantic article: The U.S. Needs More Housing Than Almost Anyone Can Imagine

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
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What Old Age Might Be Like for Today's 30-Year-Olds, Ep #280 Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever thought about what the future might be like for your children and grandchildren? In this week's retirement headline, we'll explore a Wall Street Journal article called What Old Age Might Be Like for Today's 30-Year-Olds.

During the listener questions segment, one listener wonders whether it is possible to have too much Roth money. Finally, stay tuned for the personal development segment where we learn what Jerry is doing to find purpose and stay active in retirement.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] What old age might look like for today's 30-year-olds
[7:38] My thoughts
[9:12] Is it possible to have too much Roth money?
[13:57] Jerry's investments in himself in retirement

Resources & People Mentioned

What Old Age Might Be Like for Today's 30-Year-Olds
BOOK - Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level by Gary Kadi
The Retirement Manifesto

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

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Breaking News - Secure Act 2.0, Ep #279 Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to Retirement Starts Today Radio! Today we have an extra special episode for two reasons.

Today, you'll finally meet our newest advisor, Bret Mulvaney. He joins me today to discuss the most recent legislation regarding tax and retirement planning.

This entire episode is dedicated to reviewing the Secure Act 2.0. Listen in to learn what's changing in retirement planning and how the Secure Act 2.0 will change your retirement tax situation.

Outline of This Episode

[2:12] The age for RMDs is changing
[7:58] Qualified Charitable Distributions have not changed
[10:35] Roth 401k or 403b no longer needed RMD
[12:00] An update to 529 plans
[16:58] Key takeaways

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

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Some $$ Now, More $$ Later, Ep #278 Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

Do you ever wish you could sneak a peek into someone else's retirement financial plan? Our retirement headline this week does just that. The article, Some Now More Later, takes a look into Richard Connor's decision-making process as he examines how best to allocate his retirement funds and how he and his wife decided how to claim their Social Security benefits.

After the retirement headlines segment, we'll discuss the best way to rebalance a portfolio in retirement. And lastly, in the personal development segment, you'll hear our first audio submission from Linda on how she made an investment in herself by committing to learning a foreign language in retirement. Don't miss out on this informative episode!

Outline of This Episode