437 Rethinking Mortgages: How to Avoid Costly Traps When Buying a Second Home or Downsizing
Release Date: 10/04/2024
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...
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447 Qualified Charitable Distributions: A Powerful Retirement Strategy
Sound Retirement Radio
Imagine you could give to charity, lower your tax bill, and satisfy your Required Minimum Distributions—all at the same time. Most retirees don’t realize that there’s a smarter way to donate to charity using their IRA. In today’s episode, I’ll show you how one simple strategy—Qualified Charitable Distributions—can save you thousands in taxes while supporting the causes you care about. To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit and click on episode #447. The is an intuitive tool that promises ease and accuracy. However, like any tool, user error could...
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446 Understanding WEP and GPO: What the New Law Means for Social Security
Sound Retirement Radio
Big changes are on the horizon for retirees impacted by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5, 2025, is expected to increase benefits for millions of retirees while introducing new challenges for the Social Security system. In todays podcast, I will break down what this means for you and how to adapt your retirement strategy to these changes. Plus, be sure to listen to the end to learn about our new updates to the Retirement Budget Calculator that help you stress-test your Social Security...
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445 Taking Stock and Gearing Up
Sound Retirement Radio
In todays podcast I am going to examine how the S&P500 historically has performed after back to back years of 20% plus gains. We are going to look at an interesting recent story about retirement, wealth and contentment. I am going to share a couple of good financial habbits for you to consider as you kick off the new year. I want to share with you a few milestones we accomplished this year and I will give you the top episode downloads for Sound Retirment Radio for 2024. And finally I want to share with you what my crystal ball is showing regarding investing as we kick off 2025. To find...
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444 Beyond the Money: Building a Purposeful Retirement with Dr. Jann Freed
Sound Retirement Radio
In today’s podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Jann Freed, an expert in helping people live intentionally and reflect on their impact. Dr. Freed shared powerful insights on building meaningful relationships in the second half of life and explained how embracing the reality of our mortality can inspire us to live more fully. Her words reminded me of something my mentor used to tell me: “Jason, life is not a dress rehearsal. This is the real deal, baby. You get one shot—so give it everything you’ve got.” This conversation is a valuable reminder to approach life with...
info_outlineA common consideration for people living in colder climates is purchasing a second home in a warmer region to escape the winter months. However, in March 2022, the Federal Reserve began increasing interest rates to combat inflation. This move caused many potential buyers to hit pause on their plans for a second home. Recently, on September 18, 2024, the Fed announced its first rate cut, lowering the Federal Funds rate to 4.75%-5%, marking a half-percent decrease. Mortgage rates, which had soared as high as 8%, are now starting to come down. As a result, more people are reconsidering downsizing or purchasing that second home.
At the same time, there has been a rise in aggressive sales tactics from mortgage lenders. To help navigate these waters, I invited my friend Frank Ellerbroek, a seasoned mortgage broker, to join today's podcast. He’ll share his insights on the current market trends and offer advice on what to watch out for if you're thinking of financing a second home or downsizing to a more manageable property.
On a personal note, Frank and I have been friends for nearly 20 years, and my firm has referred many clients to him over the years. I trust him because he consistently delivers great service, and I worked with Frank when I purchased my home. That said, whether you're considering working with Frank or someone else, I always recommend talking to more than one professional to ensure you get the best terms for your unique situation.
https://vantagemortgagegroup.com/about-us/meet-the-team/frankellerbroek/
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/
The Retirement Budget Calculator 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 investments, taxes, and the data in the Retirement Budget Calculator. We will ensure your plan's completeness and accuracy, helping you create an investment strategy, assist with tax planning, and monitor your plan to maximize your retirement benefits.
At Parker Financial we offer a well-crafted retirement investment strategy, deeply rooted in academic data and financial science which can be the key to a prosperous retirement.
Don't leave your future to chance. Take the first step towards a sound retirement. Schedule your complimentary discovery session now by visiting Parker-Financial.net let us help you make the most of your retirement years.