College Financial Planning Insights For Grandparents
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Release Date: 07/11/2024
The Hidden Medicare Penalty You Might Be Paying
The Red Zone Retirement Program
🏈 Don’t fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at Think Medicare is free once you hit 65? Not quite. If your income’s too high, there’s a hidden surcharge that can quietly shrink your Social Security check by thousands a year. It’s called IRMAA. And most people don’t see it coming. Let’s break down who’s impacted and how to avoid it. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💰 IRMAA is a Medicare penalty based on income—not assets 🔙 It looks 2 years backward to determine your premiums 💥 One-time income events like property sales or...
info_outline
Football & Finance: Don’t Panic, Stick to the Plan
The Red Zone Retirement Program
🏈 Don’t fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at In football, one bad play doesn’t decide the outcome. A fumble, interception, or blown coverage can rattle a team, but the best players stay calm, adjust, and keep running their game plan. The same lesson applies to your finances. In this episode, John uses football stories from the field to show how to handle financial fumbles without panicking. Setbacks are part of the game. What matters is responding with discipline and perspective so you can stay on track toward your long-term goals. Here’s some of what we...
info_outline
Mailbag: Renting, Dividends, and Social Security
The Red Zone Retirement Program
🏈 Don’t fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at When it comes to retirement, the toughest calls aren’t always about the market — they’re about your life. In this episode, John takes a break from the playbook to field real questions straight from the audience mailbag. Big choices about where to live, how to invest, and when to start Social Security can feel like fourth-quarter pressure, and John’s here to help you call the right plays when it matters most. John explores the pros and cons of renting in retirement, why relying on a “dividends only”...
info_outline
Gain an Edge in Investing with the 3 Factor Model
The Red Zone Retirement Program
🏈 Don’t fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at Retirement planning isn’t about flashy plays- it’s about fundamentals. In this episode, John breaks down the “3 Factor Model,” an investment strategy backed by decades of academic research. He explains how focusing on market exposure, small-cap stocks, and value companies can give investors a subtle but powerful performance edge over time. Using football as a framework, John compares successful investing to building a winning team: it's about preparation, sticking to the game plan, and finding hidden...
info_outline
Big Beautiful Bill Myths Debunked
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you’re getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let’s set the record straight on what’s really changing. If you’ve been hearing wild claims about tax-free retirement or giant write-offs, this conversation may just be the reality check you need. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧾 New Social Security deductions for seniors 65+ 💰 Not everyone gets a tax cut, despite the hype 🏡 Estate tax tweaks don’t replace actual planning 🙌 Changes to the...
info_outline
Target-Date Funds: Smart Strategy or Lazy Investing?
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? In this episode, John tackles the pros, cons, and misconceptions surrounding target-date funds. We’ll break down how they work, why they’re so popular, and what you don’t know that could be costing you more than you think. We’re talking hidden fees, misunderstood risk levels, and why this “set it and forget it” method might be fine at 25,...
info_outline
Football & Finances: Details Matter
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Football is often called a game of inches, and the same can be said for retirement planning. Winning on the field and winning in retirement both come down to the smallest decisions, the fine-tuned plays, and knowing what to look for before it’s too late. Yet many people overlook the financial “red zone,” where strategy and timing matter most. One wrong move, like a missed RMD or a forgotten beneficiary update, can cost you more than just yards. It can cost you real money and peace of mind. In this episode, John breaks down the unexpected parallels between football and personal finance,...
info_outline
Hiring Your Spouse & Kids: Big Opportunities and Big Mistakes to Avoid
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Today, John’s answering a question from a viewer about hiring a spouse, or children, in a family business. When structured properly, this strategy can create significant tax advantages and strengthen retirement savings. However, it also carries risks if not handled correctly. We’ll break down the real pros, cons, and IRS guidelines around bringing your family onto the payroll. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:06 – Are there tax benefits to hiring your family? 2:43 – What qualifies as “real work”? 6:55 – Roth IRAs and earned income 10:06 –...
info_outline
Football & Finance: Simulated Pressures in Retirement
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Retirement can feel a lot like facing a defensive blitz. Just like in football, when six defenders line up and the offense doesn’t know who’s coming after the quarterback, retirees can feel surrounded. With market volatility, tax changes, media noise, and conflicting advice, it’s hard to know where to focus. If you can’t identify what’s real and what’s just smoke, John breaks down how to approach these decisions with strategy, to make sure your choices don’t cost you the game. You’ll learn how to recognize financial distractions, avoid costly misreads, and stick to a...
info_outline
Mailbag: Volatility, Rebalancing, and Buying the Dip
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Retirement planning isn’t that different from calling plays on game day. When the market’s throwing curveballs and the scoreboard doesn’t look great, you don’t panic…but you should adjust. In this mailbag edition, John answers listener questions about navigating market volatility with a level head. Whether it’s rebalancing in a down market, knowing when to “buy the dip,” or understanding what diversification actually looks like when everything feels like it’s dropping, we will break down how you can call the right plays in volatile markets. You’ll also hear why knowing your...
info_outlinePaying for college has become increasingly harder with rising costs. Starting early for your child's or grandchild's education can make a big difference and reduce the need for excessive borrowing later. In this episode, we’ll cover the key aspects of college financial planning from the grandparent perspective.
Join us as we discuss saving strategies, the importance of starting early, and answer your pressing questions. From 529 plans to Coverdell IRAs, and even gifting appreciated stock, John breaks down various strategies and their tax implications. With the right strategies, you can make a significant impact on your grandchildren's future without jeopardizing your own financial security.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:15 – Average annual tuition and fees
3:28 – First steps
6:50 – 529 plan
8:00 – Tax implications
11:09 – Helping multiple grandchildren
15:40 – Coverdell IRA
16:52 – What if it’s not used for college
19:00 – Roth as a college tool
Get in touch:
Phone: 661-775-3704
Book an appointment with us: https://mearsmoneymanagement.as.me/schedule.php
Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/
Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM