From Saver to Spender: How to Confidently Use Your Nest Egg, Ep 390
Release Date: 03/03/2025
Retirement Starts Today
Inflammatory headlines are "Clickbait", and I am not immune to falling for them. "Social Security recipients set to face an $18,000 benefit cut in just seven years" is the most recent culprit in my Google feed - with an image of a Social Security check with a wrecking ball smashing straight through it. The good news is the headline is pretty far from reality for most people, and I explain why. Listen in to understand who might actually be impacted, and why most people actually won't. Source: Article by Emily Peck on Axios: "" Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: ...
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If you’ve saved more than a million dollars, that puts you ahead of 90% of your peers. Statistically, that makes you a super saver. But one of the biggest challenges super savers face is this: it’s hard to spend your own money. In this episode, I share one exercise that can help break some of those old habits and open the door to a more fulfilling retirement. A Practical Exercise Think back over the last year or two and pick a trip that you really enjoyed. Itemize all the spending decisions you can remember: Where did you go? How did you get there? How long did you stay? What...
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Nick Maggiulli’s latest article in Of Dollars & Data challenges one of the core ideas that drives personal finance blogs, podcasts, and even some of our own thinking — the belief that financial independence should be the ultimate goal. We explore the surprising downsides of chasing early retirement, the difference between financial independence and financial freedom, and why something called “Coast FIRE” might be the real goal worth aiming for. I also answer a listener question: What can retirees do to fight back against inflation? One listener asks how to protect their buying...
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Could heaven be an RV in a state park? It is for Marian Barry, who became a traveling nurse after working in hospitals during the pandemic. We share this story from a Business Insider article, pointing out that she lives on $2,972 a month in Social Security and is lovig life. "I literally live in heaven." Key takeaways: Low-cost retirement living Lifestyle vs. possessions Community and mental well-being Flexibility in retirement Pursuit of happiness If any of this interests you - practice it first! Then I share some of my thoughts from our Spring client meetings. I found some common...
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New research from David Blanchett, head of retirement research at PGIM, challenges one of the biggest assumptions in retirement planning: that happiness in retirement depends on maintaining a constant—or even increasing—level of spending. ⬇️ Upon entering retirement, households experience a median consumption decline of about 20%. This drop is often viewed as a red flag in traditional financial planning models. However, Blanchett argues that this decline is not necessarily problematic, especially when you look at how financial well-being changes over time. ☎️ Then on our listener...
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There is a lot to cover in this episode, including new legislation that could impact your retirement. Plus, 6 More Retirement Financial Myths to Avoid, and a listener with substantial assets who wants to know how to pay for a new car. The OBBB The One Big Beautiful Bill became public law on July 4, 2025. Included are: Lower Tax Brackets Are Now Permanent Larger Standard Deduction New Senior Bonus Deduction (2025–2028) Above-the-Line Charitable Deduction (2026–2028) Expanded SALT Deduction ACA Subsidy Planning Alert New Car Deduction If you’re a client of ours -...
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For decades, you've been focused on saving—watching your retirement accounts grow, sticking to a budget, and making smart financial decisions to ensure a secure future. But now that the time has come to actually enjoy your hard-earned money, spending it feels... unsettling.
You’re not alone. Many retirees struggle with the mental shift from accumulation to decumulation, even when their financial plans show they have more than enough. The fear of running out, coupled with conflicting financial advice, makes it tough to confidently transition into this new phase of life.
Today we explore strategies for overcoming the retirement spending fear, based on an insightful Forbes article by Tim Maurer. We’ll break down his three-step approach: phasing into retirement instead of stopping abruptly, redefining "work" to maintain purpose and fulfillment, and structuring an investment portfolio designed specifically for retirement withdrawals.
Plus, we’ll tackle a listener question about Social Security spousal benefits and the implications of early filing. By the end of the episode, you'll gain a clearer understanding of how to embrace your retirement, spend with confidence, and fully enjoy the wealth you’ve built.
Outline of This Episode
- (0:00) The fear of spending in retirement
- (1:19) The “Retirement Cycle of Fear”
- (3:13) Step 1: Phase into retirement gradually
- (5:15) Step 2: Keep working, but redefine it
- (7:20) Step 3: Build a portfolio for spending
- (10:14) Listener Q – Social Security & spouses
- (14:30) Final thoughts (how to thrive in retirement)
Resources & People Mentioned
- The Retirement Podcast Network
- Tim Maurer’s Forbes article – Overcoming the fear of spending in retirement.
- Daniel Crosby’s The Soul of Wealth – A deep dive into money and psychology.
Connect with Benjamin Brandt
- Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/start
- Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
- Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
- Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
- Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University
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