Most Americans Are Forced to Retire Early - Are You Ready?
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Release Date: 12/12/2024
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,...
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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,...
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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 –...
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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...
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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...
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What Should You ACTUALLY Do When The Market Drops?
The Red Zone Retirement Program
What should you actually do when the market drops? In this episode, John breaks down the recent market volatility and offers a steady voice amid the noise. With headlines warning of global uncertainty and investors feeling the heat, John shares why emotional reactions can lead to long-term regrets and what smart investors should do instead. Drawing on years of experience, John explains why downturns are expected (one in every four years!), the power of rebalancing, and how diversified portfolios are built for all seasons. He also discusses the importance of written income strategies and risk...
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Key 2025 Tax Breaks & Adjustment Opportunities
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025—before the year gets away from you. In this episode, we’ll break down the key changes and how you can start planning now to make the most of them. With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to lower your tax bill and boost your savings. We’ll also highlight the risks of DIY tax filing, the hidden costs of getting it wrong, and when it’s worth...
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Bracket Busters and Stock Flops: The Risky Game of Picking Winners
The Red Zone Retirement Program
We’re ready for the return of March Madness and the craziness that will unfold over the next three weeks. We can’t give you any tournament picks, but we can take a look at what it teaches us about financial planning. In this episode, we’re going to look at the surprising parallels between bracket busting and investing—and why trying to pick stocks can feel a lot like picking the perfect tournament winner. With a 1 in 120.2 billion chance of filling out a perfect bracket, it’s no surprise that stock picking success is just as difficult. We’ll discuss why most people chase the wrong...
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Presidential Wisdom For Your Retirement Plan
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Presidents aren’t just leaders of a nation. They’re decision-makers who navigate uncertainty, make tough calls, and plan for the future. Today, we’re looking at how the leadership lessons of some of America’s greatest presidents can help you build a smarter, more secure retirement plan. In the spirit of President’s Day, Join John and his co-host as they discuss presidential quotes and the lessons they can teach us about patience, adaptability, and long-term planning in the face of uncertainty. From George Washington's discipline to Franklin D. Roosevelt's strategic vision, discover...
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What Do Proposed Tariffs Mean For Your Portfolio?
The Red Zone Retirement Program
The day President Trump took office, he announced plans to implement a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Additional tariff conversations have exploded since that day. How might this impact your personal finances and the economy? Today, we’ll explain a bit of the - what they are, why governments impose them, and the historical content of them. We’ll also break down these that have been introduced, their potential impact on everyday people, and what you can do to navigate this shifting financial landscape. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 –...
info_outlineDid you know most Americans retire earlier than planned, often due to unexpected health issues, job changes, or financial surprises? These challenges can force people out of work early, leaving them unprepared for decades of retirement.
In this episode, we’ll explore recent research highlighting the importance of planning for early retirement, even if it’s not in your current plans. Discover how unexpected health issues, job loss, and organizational changes can force early retirement and learn about the small adjustments you can make to ensure a successful transition.
Tune in for practical advice on managing your retirement strategy, including Social Security and healthcare considerations, and hear real-life case studies that highlight the importance of adaptability.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:16 – Retirement stats
2:40 – Most aren’t prepared
4:03 – Client story
6:59 – Biggest factors
10:00 – How to prepare
16:15 – Retirement happiness
Get in touch:
Phone: 661-775-3704
Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net
Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/
Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM