Take Back Retirement
“It's nice to get millions when you're 65, but wouldn't it be better if you gave [your children], say, 10s of 1000s when they are in their 20s and 30s?” -Meir Statman Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines, are joined by world-renowned behavioral finance expert Dr. Meir Statman to explore the intricate dance between human behavior and financial decision-making! Dr. Statman is a pioneer in the world of behavioral finance, currently serving as a professor and researcher at Santa Clara University. He attempts to understand how people make financial choices and how...
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Picture a world where your money isn't controlled by any government, but rather exists in the form of digital code. That's the idea behind Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, where freedom meets cryptography, and transactions are recorded transparently on a blockchain. But we get it–to those looking to add cryptocurrency to their portfolio, the subject of decentralized finance can be pretty intimidating. Our hosts, Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines break it down with special guest Marianne Borneman, founder of Access Tax Solutions, the home of Real Clear Tax Advice. They look into...
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“It really does cost us in terms of our ability to learn about money, embrace failure, the mistakes that we made and we learn from them, to actually get closer to the people in our lives, whether that is our adult children, whether that's a partner, whether that's a friend. So there's a lot of ways in which money silence kind of keeps us locked up in a way that I don't think is useful.” - Kathleen Burns Kingsbury Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines invite Kathleen Burns Kingsbury back to the show. She brings her invaluable expertise as a money mindset coach to discuss...
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Volatility and recession and crashes! Oh, my! Today, our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines give their best strategies for successful investing when the world’s feeling dangerous. They kick things off with some pointers on riding out market ups and downs. It all comes down to sticking to a long-term investment plan, no matter what’s happening around you. Remember the 2008 financial crisis? Stephanie and Kevin talk about how markets always bounce back and why it’s best not to fret over the dramatic headlines. They also discuss ways to manage your wealth during...
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Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines discuss the emotional side of money management with Meghan Dwyer, a Certified Financial Planner and the host of the "Money Isn't Scary" Podcast. Meghan's vision-mission is all about challenging societal norms and empowering women to take charge of their finances with confidence. She helps us uncover the hidden emotional influences that shape our financial decisions and shares her insights on moving from a mindset of fear to one of abundance. “How we earn our money is emotional,” says Meghan. “How we spend our money is...
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“Prevention is better than cure. Don't feel overwhelmed by all this. Would you remove your own kidney? You would go to a professional to get it done.” -Denise Appleby Renowned IRA and retirement plans expert Denise Appleby joins our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines for a crucial conversation on managing your retirement accounts effectively, especially as 2024 comes to a close. Having trained thousands of financial, tax, and legal professionals, Denise shares her invaluable insights on year-end retirement planning strategies, covering the complexities of Required...
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Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with Pam Starsia, who swapped her corporate lawyer gig for the world of estate planning, and now runs a firm alongside her husband. Once a pro in high-stakes mergers and acquisitions, Pam’s now all about creating personalized, relationship-focused estate plans. Listen in as she takes us through the sometimes-tricky and always-emotional landscape of family legacy planning. “If you have the resources to pay for help, do so. You deserve it.” Pam unpacks the Personal Family Lawyer model she follows, which emphasizes the...
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“We’re nothing if not resourceful. That’s our generation’s superpower.” -Kevin In celebration of the 100th episode of Take Back Retirement, our hosts Stephanie and Kevin Gaines reflect on the defining characteristics of their very own generation–Gen X–and key lessons that women in this age bracket can put into practice today in preparing for retirement. From the seismic shift from pensions to 401(k) plans, to navigating the rollercoaster of financial events like the 1987 Black Monday and the dot-com bubble at the turn of the century, today’s conversation explores...
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“Suddenly you've got to create the content of your life, and that's a completely new enterprise for most people we work with, and it's scary until you can get your hands in the clay and feel confident about having a process.” -Elizabeth Parsons How do you deal with the massive shift that comes with stepping away from a high-powered career and into retirement? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines chat with Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, founder of Encoraco, who has dedicated her life to guiding high achievers through the emotional and psychological challenges of...
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“Age is just another journey that we need to learn to love and embrace, and see as the gift it is!” Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines are joined by Ande Lyons, host of the Don't Be Caged by Your Age podcast. She’s redefining what it means to thrive after 65, and teaches us how to combat ageism at every level—whether it's institutional, societal, or internalized. Finding and maintaining confidence and a sense of purpose in retirement is seldom easy. Ande gives us tips to stay engaged in later life, as well as essential steps for financial and mental wellness,...
info_outlineEver feel like you're wading through murky waters when it comes to retirement planning? You're not alone. Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines of Sofia Financial and American Financial Management Group illuminate the path with their expertise, debunking pervasive myths that cloud the judgment of many investors.
They kick things off by setting the record straight on investment growth, cutting through the confusion surrounding account consolidation, and revealing the true engine of growth—percentage rates. Diversification is another victim of misunderstanding, and they’re untangling the real meaning from the common misperception that more accounts always equals better diversity.
As the discussion wades deeper, Stephanie and Kevin tackle the intricacies of IRAs with precision. Did you know that your 401(k) doesn't barricade the door to IRA contributions? Our hosts share why tax deduction eligibility is a whole different ball game. Plus, they don't shy away from the tough stuff—like financial emergencies—guiding you through the maze of withdrawal rules to keep penalties at bay. The conversation then turns to market volatility and holding steady to your investment strategy. So buckle up and tune in; this episode is your financial GPS, navigating you away from common pitfalls and towards a more secure retirement.
Key Topics:
- Growth Rate of Money in One Account vs Multiple Accounts (01:23)
- Investment Accounts and Diversification (03:14)
- IRAs, Contributions, and Emergency Funds (07:47)
- IRA and 401(k) Clarification (12:25)
- Financial Options for Emergencies (13:04)
- Borrowing and Credit (17:47)
- Changing Investment Strategy Because of World Events and Headlines (21:05)
- Investment Strategies for Various Life Stages (24:19)
- Retirement Planning with Nuanced Investment Strategies (29:59)
Resources:
- Movie Clip: There is always… Threat (Men in Black)
- Tack Back Retirement Ep. 12: What Women Need to Know About IRA’s, with Sarah Brenner
- Tack Back Retirement Ep. 44: Don’t Try This at Home! Unique Situations Call for Unique Strategies
- Tack Back Retirement Ep. 64: What is Money Insurance?
- Tack Back Retirement Ep. 27: Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s): What Women Need to Know
If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. [email protected]
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
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