5 Ways to Boost Your Financial IQ
Money Wisdom
Financial decisions don’t exist in a vacuum, and the cost of getting them wrong can quietly add up over time. Studies show that a lack of financial knowledge costs the average adult hundreds of dollars each year, often through missed tax opportunities, poor allocation decisions, or simply not understanding how different pieces of a plan work together. Today, Jake and Nick break down five practical ways to sharpen your financial IQ, especially as retirement approaches. It’s not about knowing everything, it’s about knowing enough to make smarter moves and avoid preventable mistakes....
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I'm 62 with $800K: What Can I Do Know to Lower Taxes in Retirement?
Money Wisdom
If you’re nearing retirement with a solid nest egg, the next big question isn’t how much you’ve saved, it’s how much you’ll actually keep. In this episode, Nick answers a listener question from a 62-year-old with $800,000 saved who wants to know how to lower taxes in retirement. It’s a scenario many people face, and the decisions made in these final working years can have a major impact on long-term outcomes. The takeaway is simple: retirement planning isn’t just about investments, it’s about building a tax strategy that works for decades. Here’s what we discuss in this...
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Tracking Down a Lost 401(k)
Money Wisdom
It sounds unbelievable, but millions of Americans have lost track of old retirement accounts, and the total adds up to over a trillion dollars. If you’ve changed jobs over the years, there’s a real chance money could still be sitting with a former employer. In this episode, Nick walks through how to recover these lost accounts, because nothing feels better than “found money” especially when it’s your retirement. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📍 Where to Look – Employers, providers, state databases 🪜 Step-by-Step Search – Practical recovery checklist 📊...
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Why Women Investors Outperform Men
Money Wisdom
To celebrate Women’s Day, Nick is joined by his colleague and financial advisor Jen Killilea to explore why women investors often outperform men, drawing on insights from a major Fidelity study. They highlight the behavioral advantages many women bring to investing and why those traits can lead to stronger long-term results. You’ll also hear about the unique financial challenges women face, from longer life expectancy and wage gaps to caregiving interruptions and healthcare and long-term care costs. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Investing Psychology: Behavior drives...
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How Can I Increase My Social Security Benefit?
Money Wisdom
Social Security might be one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and it’s rarely as simple as “take it early” or “wait until 70.” Nick is joined by Eric Hogarth, CFPⓇ and senior partner at Johnson Brunetti, to walk through how filing decisions affect income, taxes, and long-term retirement confidence. With hundreds of potential filing combinations and real consequences for spouses and families, this is not a decision to guess on. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💍 Spousal Benefits: Half of primary benefit 🛡 Survivor Rules: Larger benefit...
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What is the Rule of 55?
Money Wisdom
If you’re thinking about retiring before 59½, you’ve probably assumed your 401(k) is locked up. Not always. Nick unpacks the Rule of 55, a lesser-known provision that can allow penalty-free withdrawals from certain employer retirement plans starting at age 55. But like most tax rules, the opportunity comes with caveats. Used correctly, the Rule of 55 can create flexibility. Used carelessly, it can limit your options. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📘 Rule of 55: Penalty-free access explained 👥 Who Benefits: Early retirees with 401(k)s ⚠️ Limitations: Plan rules...
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5 Money Habits to Break
Money Wisdom
New year. New goals. Same money habits? In this episode, Nick is joined by special guest Eric Hogarth, senior partner and CFP®, to talk about five financial habits that can quietly derail retirement, especially during the transition from saving to spending. The strategies that helped you build wealth during your working years don’t always serve you the same way once the paychecks stop. Suddenly, risk looks different and taxes hit differently. Retirement isn’t just about having enough, it’s about making smart adjustments once you get there. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: ...
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How to Train Your Finances Like an Olympic Athlete
Money Wisdom
Olympic athletes don’t rely on talent alone. They prepare, adjust, and stay disciplined long before the moment arrives. In this episode, Nick and Jake use the Olympics as a lens to talk about what real retirement preparation looks like. The conversation centers on setting clear targets, staying consistent, and managing emotions when conditions change. It’s a practical reminder that confidence in retirement is built long before the finish line. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🎯 Clear Goals: Making plans measurable and realistic 🔄 Plan Adjustments: Reviewing and refining...
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What's Your Retirement Relationship Status?
Money Wisdom
Love is in the air, and so is smart retirement planning. In this Valentine’s Day edition, Nick and Jake show you how to move from a “day‑to‑day fling” with your finances to a long‑term, committed retirement plan by really knowing your numbers and your income needs. They break down how to balance safety, income, and growth so you can enjoy life now while still being prepared for curveballs like healthcare costs, inflation, and taxes. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Financial Clarity: Knowing your numbers builds confidence ⚖️ Income Balance: Coordinating...
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What 59% of Retirees Wish They’d Known About Taxes
Money Wisdom
Unlock the secrets most retirees wish they’d known about taxes before leaving the workforce. This episode cuts through the confusion and dives into smart, proactive tax planning for your retirement years. Join Jake and Nick for essential strategies and eye-opening insights that could safeguard your nest egg. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Survey Insights – Why retirees underestimated tax impact 💰 Social Security Taxes – Were benefits taxed more than expected? ⏰ RMDs – Required withdrawals may be triggering higher taxes 🏥 Medicare Premiums – Income...
info_outlineSocial Security will look different in 2026, and while the adjustments may seem minor on the surface, they can carry real weight over the course of retirement. Today we’ll explain what’s changing and why it matters for your long-term planning.
Join Jake and Nick as they discuss how benefits are shifting, why retirement ages continue to move later, and the impact of higher costs tied to healthcare and taxes. More importantly, they highlight how these changes fit into the bigger picture. Social Security was never meant to be a stand-alone retirement plan, and relying on it exclusively can leave you vulnerable to inflation, rising medical expenses, and legislative tweaks like the ones we’re seeing now.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📈 2026 COLA: 2.7% raise, still trails inflation
⏳ A later full retirement age means planning for longer lifespans and income needs
🏥 Healthcare costs keep climbing with Medicare premium hikes
🧭 Small changes add up, so planning ahead is essential
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