457 How to Withdraw from Retirement Accounts the Smart Way
Sound Retirement Radio
As we celebrate the 4th of July, I want to explore a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention—how to withdraw money from different types of retirement accounts. Specifically, we’ll look at sequential vs. proportional withdrawals, and how your strategy can impact your taxes, your legacy, and your long-term retirement success. We’ll walk through a hypothetical scenario to compare the outcomes, and the good news is—you can run this kind of analysis for yourself using the new Withdrawal Strategy Scenario in the Retirement Budget Calculator. To find links and resources mentioned in...
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456 Don’t Panic—Plan: Social Security’s Future and Your Retirement
Sound Retirement Radio
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the latest press release from the Social Security Board of Trustees. The numbers this year look worse than last year—and that has real implications for your retirement. To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit and click on episode #456. The is an intuitive tool that promises ease and accuracy. However, like any tool, user error could potentially lead to costly mistakes. To avoid this, let the experienced advisors at Parker Financial LLC guide you. When you hire our team, we offer a comprehensive review of your current...
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455 The Solitaire That Changed the World
Sound Retirement Radio
The number one question people ask as they approach retirement is: “Have we saved enough?” Can we retire confidently without running out of money? In today’s podcast, we’ll explore how having a solid retirement plan can help you understand your likelihood of success—and the probability of avoiding a catastrophic financial shortfall. To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit and click on episode #455. The is an intuitive tool that promises ease and accuracy. However, like any tool, user error could potentially lead to costly mistakes. To avoid this, let the...
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454 Unlocking the Spousal Top-Up Strategy in Social Security
Sound Retirement Radio
One of the most common Social Security questions we get is this: “If my spouse starts her Social Security at age 62 and I wait until age 70 to start mine, can she receive a higher spousal benefit when I start?” When it comes to Social Security, most people know you can qualify for retirement benefits based on your own work history — the taxes you paid into the system over the years. But what many don’t realize is that you might also be eligible for a spousal benefit, even if you didn’t work enough to qualify on your own. That’s right — even if you didn’t pay into Social...
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453 The Barbell Strategy: How to Be a Pessimist and Optimist at the Same Time
Sound Retirement Radio
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a time-tested strategy that can boost your confidence when it comes to withdrawing money in retirement—the barbell strategy. Also known as the two-bucket approach, this method is designed to help you navigate market volatility while staying focused on long-term growth. I'll walk you through the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the barbell strategy—so by the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of how it works and whether it’s a fit for your retirement plan. Put simply, this strategy involves holding some of your retirement...
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452 Buckle Up: Navigating Market Volatility
Sound Retirement Radio
If you're feeling stressed about what's happening in the market right now—you're not alone. Market volatility never feels good, but there is a better way to invest: one grounded in planning, discipline, and long-term thinking. In today’s episode, I’ll share 8 important things to consider as you navigate this market, so you can make confident decisions and stay focused on what truly matters. Learn more at
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451 The Risk You're Not Getting Paid For
Sound Retirement Radio
I recently came across a fascinating paper by Hendrik Bessembinder titled “Which U.S. Stocks Generated the Highest Long-Term Returns?” The research is based on nearly 100 years of stock market history, and it delivers some surprising and important lessons for retirees.
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450 Margins Of Safety
Sound Retirement Radio
When markets get wobbly, people panic. It’s natural. We’ve all seen it—headlines screaming recession, market crashes, and doomsday predictions. The fear can be overwhelming. But what if I told you that you could structure your retirement investments in a way that makes all of this noise irrelevant? That’s what today’s episode is about—building Margins of Safety so you can worry less and live more.
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449 Expert Investing Insights with Eduardo Repetto, Ph.D. Avantis Investors
Sound Retirement Radio
I’m so glad you’re joining me for episode 449, where I have the privilege of interviewing Eduardo Repetto, Chief Investment Officer at Avantis. In today’s episode, we dive into recent market volatility, Warren Buffett’s growing cash reserves, and the investment philosophy behind Avantis Investors. To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit and click on episode #449. I created the Retirement Budget Calculator as a tool to help people build a solid retirement plan. Rather than making the tool exclusive to our clients, I decided to make it available to everyone...
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448 How To Set Up A Foundation And Endowment For Your Christian School
Sound Retirement Radio
In 2019, two pastors from my church approached me with a request: would I be willing to create a foundation or endowment to raise money for the Christian school our church operates? Without hesitation, I said yes. Both of my children had attended the school, and it had a profound impact on our family. While I had experience serving on nonprofit boards, I had never started a nonprofit from scratch. This was entirely new territory. I spent the first year immersed in research—consulting legal experts, meeting with our church’s board of elders, and speaking with leaders from other schools that...
info_outlineIn today's podcast, I’m excited to share what I am calling the Pyramid of Investing Success. We will begin by exploring the foundation of the pyramid and then progress layer by layer until we reach its pinnacle.