The Giving Playbook: Smart Moves for Lasting Impact
The Red Zone Retirement Program
Release Date: 11/06/2025
Why Better Questions Build Better Retirements
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at Youāve heard the saying, āThereās no such thing as a bad question.ā But in retirement planning, some questions are definitely better than others. The way you frame a question often determines the quality of the answer, and sometimes the quality of your entire retirement. Today, John goes through some of the most asked questions and how to reframe them to get clearer, more useful answers. Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode: š¦ Thanksgiving Traditions: Johnās holiday traditions and...
info_outline
The Giving Playbook: Smart Moves for Lasting Impact
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at In football, every great play starts with a solid game plan, and generosity works the same way. Giving feels good, but giving wisely wins championships. Today, John breaks down the playbook for smart, purposeful generosity and shows you how to make every dollar count. Because when it comes to giving, itās not just about moving the ball, itās about leaving a lasting legacy on and off the field. Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode: š When to Give: Timing your donations for both impact and...
info_outline
Fidelityās 2025 Report: Health Care Costs Just Jumped Again
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at Fidelity just released their 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate. The number is staggering: $172,500 for a 65-year-old retiring today. The bigger problem? One in five Americans hasnāt even thought about health care costs in retirement. Today, John breaks down exactly what this means, why it matters, and how to prepare. With the right planning, you can make health care just another line item in your retirement budget, not a financial shock. Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode: š Fidelityās...
info_outline
Year-End Strategic & Tactical Planning Meetings
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at Retirement isnāt just about saving moneyāitās about strategically planning your withdrawals. In this episode of Red Zone Retirement, we'll take you through our annual āstrategic and tacticalā fall meetings, showing how smart planning now can prevent massive surprises later. Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode: ā How to make Roth conversions work in your favor ā The hidden Medicare penalty most people miss ā Guardrails that protect your income when the market dips ā How strategic...
info_outline
Reacting To Unfiltered Retirement Takes from YouTube
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at In this episode, John steps onto the field and reacts to unfiltered takes from viewers, everything from taking Social Security at 62 to the hidden penalty of healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in. These āback of the napkinā plays may look good in the huddle, but we'll break down where the blocking is weak, what gaps are being missed, and how early mistakes can leave you taking a permanent loss on retirement income and survivor benefits. Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode: š§¾ Taking Social...
info_outline
The Hidden Medicare Penalty You Might Be Paying
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at Think Medicare is free once you hit 65? Not quite. If your incomeās too high, thereās a hidden surcharge that can quietly shrink your Social Security check by thousands a year. Itās called IRMAA. And most people donāt see it coming. Letās break down whoās impacted and how to avoid it. Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode: š° IRMAA is a Medicare penalty based on incomeānot assets š It looks 2 years backward to determine your premiums š„ One-time income events like property sales or...
info_outline
Football & Finance: Donāt Panic, Stick to the Plan
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at In football, one bad play doesnāt 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. Hereās some of what we...
info_outline
Mailbag: Renting, Dividends, and Social Security
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at When it comes to retirement, the toughest calls arenāt always about the market ā theyāre 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 Johnās 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 ādividends onlyā...
info_outline
Gain an Edge in Investing with the 3 Factor Model
The Red Zone Retirement Program
š Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at Retirement planning isnāt about flashy plays- itās about fundamentals. In this episode, John breaks down the ā3 Factor Model,ā 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 youāre getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, letās set the record straight on whatās really changing. If youāve been hearing wild claims about tax-free retirement or giant write-offs, this conversation may just be the reality check you need. Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode: š§¾ New Social Security deductions for seniors 65+ š° Not everyone gets a tax cut, despite the hype š” Estate tax tweaks donāt replace actual planning š Changes to the...
info_outlineš Donāt fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net
In football, every great play starts with a solid game plan, and generosity works the same way. Giving feels good, but giving wisely wins championships. Today, John breaks down the playbook for smart, purposeful generosity and shows you how to make every dollar count. Because when it comes to giving, itās not just about moving the ball, itās about leaving a lasting legacy on and off the field.
Hereās some of what we discuss in this episode:
š When to Give: Timing your donations for both impact and efficiency
š Non-Cash Giving: Donating appreciated stocks, property, or other assets
šµ How Much to Give: Setting intentional goals without losing flexibility
š° Tax Efficiency: Making the most of deductions and donation timing
š¦ Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): A tax-smart way to give from your IRA
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
Check out Johnās FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/