453 The Barbell Strategy: How to Be a Pessimist and Optimist at the Same Time

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 assets in low-risk, easily accessible accounts, while the rest remains invested for long-term growth. The goal isn't to predict the market—because no one can—but rather to create a structure that allows you to respond calmly and strategically, no matter what the market is doing.