Mailbag: DIY Financial Planning, Stock Picking and Taking Risk
The Retirement Huddle
In this special Mailbag episode, Mark responds to real listener questions that get to the heart of retirement planning. The conversation explores how risk changes in retirement, why income reliability matters more than market timing, and how to balance financial efficiency with peace of mind. Mark also explains why working with the right advisor can add value even when you feel financially secure. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧭 Advisor Value: The benefits of clarity and guidance ⏱️ Early Retirement: Income reliability vs. market timing 🛡️ Risk Management:...
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The Retirement Barista: What Your Coffee Order Says About Your Investments
The Retirement Huddle
Your coffee order might say something about your personality- but what does it say about your investment portfolio? In this episode of The Retirement Huddle, Mark uses a fun coffee-shop analogy to explain how different investor behaviors show up in real life- from playing it too safe to chasing the latest hype. But the conversation quickly goes deeper, uncovering why many investors are taking more risk than they realize, especially with today’s AI-driven market excitement. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ☕ Investor Personalities: what your coffee order could say about...
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Mailbag: Pensions, Giving Strategies & Gold in Retirement
The Retirement Huddle
In this episode, Mark answers listener questions about preparing for retirement, navigating pension choices, maximizing charitable giving, and managing legacy assets like gold. Listeners will get practical financial insights and strategic tips for making the most of their retirement years. Tune in to hear expert advice tailored to real listener challenges. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Pension Choices: the trade-offs between lump sums and monthly checks 📈 Retirement Income Strategy: how your overall plan supports long-term stability 🎁 Giving With Impact:...
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The Worst Investors (and What the Best Do Differently)
The Retirement Huddle
In this episode, Mark explores common pitfalls that can make or break your investing journey. The conversation sheds light on how mindset and habits set successful investors apart, while emphasizing the ongoing importance of financial education. Curious if you might be making the same mistakes as the worst investors? If you want better results, start by avoiding the habits that wreck the worst portfolios. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🚫 Worst Investor Traits: short-term thinking, trend chasing, and emotional decisions 🏆 Successful Investors: long-term mindset,...
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Mastering the Variables of Retirement Success
The Retirement Huddle
Wondering if you’re truly ready for retirement? Retirement planning isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your plan should be as unique as your fingerprint. In this episode, Mark tackles the most important and often overlooked, questions everyone faces as they plan for life’s biggest transition. Discover the surprising factors that shape your retirement path and learn how clarity, preparation, and flexibility are the real keys to peace of mind. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💵 Income Needs: determining how much you’ll truly need to live comfortably 🧾 Tax...
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Retirement Wisdom Hidden in Fortune Cookies
The Retirement Huddle
What if your fortune cookie actually held financial wisdom? In this fun and insightful episode, Mark cracks open a few “financial fortune cookies” and translates their mysterious messages into practical retirement lessons. Mark shares how these bite-sized philosophies, like staying calm in a volatile market and knowing when to protect what you’ve built, can guide smarter decision-making. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📝 How having a plan removes emotion from investing ⚖️ When it’s time to shift from growth to preservation 🧘 “Accept what you...
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How to Make Your First Retirement Year a Success
The Retirement Huddle
The first year of retirement is a major milestone, one that can feel both exciting and intimidating. In this episode, Mark unpacks what really happens once the paychecks stop and the portfolio withdrawals begin. For many retirees, those early “go-go years” are when the bucket list calls, travel, hobbies, and experiences you’ve been waiting decades to enjoy. But striking the balance between spending freely and protecting your nest egg is often harder than expected. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💸 The Psychology of First Withdrawals ⚖️ Avoid Becoming the...
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The Beatles Retirement: All You Need Is A Plan
The Retirement Huddle
It’s been 60 years since Beatlemania took America by storm. But beyond the screaming crowds and legendary performances, some of their lyrics still carry timeless wisdom, even when it comes to your financial life. In this episode, Mark takes a magical mystery tour through classic Beatles songs and uncover what they can teach us about retirement planning. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎸 Let It Be: avoid emotional moves when markets get volatile 🕰️ Why planning “yesterday” makes all the difference 🔄 Get Back: life setbacks happen, but you can return to your...
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Conventional Wisdom Is Failing You
The Retirement Huddle
Conventional wisdom sounds safe, but it can be deceiving. “You can’t go wrong with real estate.” “A mortgage is good debt.” “If your investments aren’t working, just try something else.” Sound familiar? In retirement planning, these rules of thumb can be misleading, or even dangerous. In this episode, Mark unpacks common money myths and shows how blindly following them could derail your retirement strategy. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 Real estate is not always a guaranteed win 🏦 Paying off the mortgage vs keeping it 💤 Retirement without...
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The Retirement Restaurant: Menu for Financial Success
The Retirement Huddle
What do restaurants and retirement planning have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Mark uses memorable restaurant stories—from the days of smoking vs. non-smoking sections to “pick two” menu rules—to explain some of the most important lessons in investing. You’ll never look at a menu, or your portfolio, the same way again. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🚭 How “secondhand smoke” from one sector can damage your portfolio 📊 The trade-off between growth, safety, and liquidity—and why you can only pick two 🍱 What restaurant menus...
info_outlineIn this mailbag episode, Mark tackles two listener questions from opposite ends of the retirement spectrum. One faces a potential layoff, and the other dreams of seeing the world. Different situations, same goal: a secure, flexible retirement. Mark shares clear, practical strategies for both, including how to build financial resilience, strengthen your emergency savings, and fund global adventures without derailing your long-term financial plans.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🚨 What to do if forced into early retirement
📦 Building a financial cushion for career uncertainty
✈️ Creating a sustainable travel lifestyle in retirement
🧾 Why you need a written income plan
Want to get in touch with Mark?
https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526