Early Retirement - Financial Freedom (Investing, Tax Planning, Retirement Strategy, Personal Finance)
Ari Taublieb, CFP®, MBA
Ari Taublieb is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Vice President of Root Financial Partners. Ari Taublieb, CFP®, MBA specializes in helping people navigate an early retirement. I get it...retirement sounds overwhelming (an early retirement may sound particularly overwhelming)! Does it just feel like there's so much to consider and you just want to make sure you're doing everything you can to set yourself up right? If I may ask...why do YOU want to retire early? Do you want to travel? Have you just had enough of work? Do you want to spend more time with family (or on hobbies you've been putting off)? I created this podcast to help you know when work is now optional because you have a financial strategy that tells you when you can retire. You will learn all the investing tips in this financial podcast to set up the right portfolio for your goals. You may love what you do - and if that's you, great! I'm not saying stop working. But, I am saying, wouldn't it be nice to know when you didn't HAVE to work any more? When you would only go to work because you enjoyed it (crazy concept, I know). This is the ultimate retirement podcast (specifically, early retirement!). Retiring early, also known simply as "financial freedom", is having the ability to do what you care most about, MORE!I don't want you to work unless you ENJOY it (finances aside, for just a moment)! My goal of this podcast is to give you all the tips and strategies so you can retire EARLY. Retirement planning, investing, personal finance, tax strategy, and you'll hear case studies from my clients and exactly how I've helped them navigate the transition into retirement. What are the right investment accounts to have in retirement? I want retirement planning to be simple for you so that you can retire early and maximize your retirement goals. Become a retiree and enjoy everything you've been waiting for your whole life (and start practicing retirement today)! I release new episodes every Monday with all the strategies (you'll learn that I love examples) so you can maximize your return on life (we use money to do this).
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 1, 2025 • 18min
Root Talks: Spend Your Way to a Happier Retirement: 5 Pillars of Better Spending
Retirement often leaves savers bewildered about how to spend their hard-earned money. This discussion shifts focus from saving to investing in meaningful experiences that enhance life satisfaction. The hosts share personal stories, emphasizing five key areas: experiences, time, giving, health, and environment. They advocate for making intentional spending choices that prioritize relationships and personal well-being. Listeners learn to balance financial goals with the joys of life, redefining how to embrace retirement with confidence.
Apr 28, 2025 • 15min
Why More People Are Retiring Early Today Than Ever Before
More Americans are choosing early retirement, and the trend is accelerating. COVID-19 led to an unexpected surge, with 2.6 million more retiring than anticipated. The average retirement age has dropped from 64 to 62 in just a few years. Interest in the FIRE movement has soared, increasing by 300%. The rise of remote work allows many to retire 2-5 years earlier. A focus on work-life balance is reshaping priorities, with many willing to sacrifice income for freedom. Health concerns also drive early retirements, affecting one in four.
Apr 21, 2025 • 16min
4 Tax Strategies To Consider This Year
Discover essential tax strategies that could save you thousands over time. Learn how Roth conversions allow you to pay taxes at lower rates now, safeguarding your future. Explore the crucial concept of asset location to maximize growth investments in Roth accounts. Find out how to leverage health insurance premium planning for significant savings. Delve into capital gains harvesting, where couples can realize gains tax-free. Make the most of the standard deduction to potentially generate over $126,000 yearly with zero tax liability!
Apr 17, 2025 • 24min
Root Talks: How Does The Advisory Team Structure Work at Root?
Discover the inner workings of a financial advisory team designed to elevate client service. The unique four-person structure ensures personalized attention, with each member playing a vital role. Learn how collaboration and continuous training shape the advisor experience. Delve into the intentionality required when choosing financial advisors, influencing your financial peace of mind. This dynamic approach not only fosters strong relationships but also prepares clients for successful retirement planning and beyond.
Apr 14, 2025 • 16min
Why It's Natural To Be Worried To Retire (And What To Do About It)
Retirement anxiety is normal and healthy, even for people with solid financial plans—it shows you're taking your future seriously and want to make thoughtful decisions about your life transition.• Understanding why retirement worry is natural despite having financial security• How joining a retirement community can provide perspective and reduce anxiety• Balancing financial needs with personal purpose and meaningful activities• Learning to differentiate between necessary caution and excessive worry • Finding comfort in flexibility and dynamic planning during market changes• Recognizing that uncertainty is normal in major life transitions• Defining your personal measures of retirement success rather than comparing to others• Taking action by exploring new ideas from peers rather than just passively consuming contentJoin our free retirement planning community to connect with others navigating the same challenges and discover new strategies to improve your retirement confidence.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.
Apr 7, 2025 • 20min
Healthcare Analysis: How We Save Our Clients Thousands Before Medicare Begins
Healthcare costs shouldn't stop you from retiring early, especially when strategic planning can reduce those expenses from $1,000+ to as little as $50 per month. We explore how proper account structure and withdrawal strategies can save you tens of thousands in healthcare premiums during the critical pre-Medicare years.• "Superhero accounts" (brokerage/taxable accounts) offer tremendous flexibility for controlling taxable income• Capital gains from brokerage accounts are taxed more favorably than IRA withdrawals • Strategic income planning can qualify you for ACA subsidies, potentially saving $70,000+ over five years• Tax gain harvesting at 0% capital gains rate provides additional opportunities• Balance healthcare optimization with other goals like Roth conversions• Most valuable for those within 5 years of retirement Submit your questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com. I respond to everyone, and if your question would benefit many, I'll make an episode about it.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.
Apr 3, 2025 • 21min
Root Talks: How to Get Past the Fear of Retiring Even When You Have Enough
You've run the numbers. You have enough saved. Your spreadsheet says you can retire comfortably. So why can't you pull the trigger and leave your high-stress, high-paying job behind?This struggle represents one of retirement planning's most challenging psychological hurdles. After spending decades accumulating wealth and building a career identity, many successful professionals find themselves paralyzed when the time comes to actually step away—even when financially prepared to do so.Our conversation explores this common predicament through the lens of a Root Collective member who knows they're financially ready but can't seem to make the leap. We dive into how our brains process major life transitions, why we tend to see future versions of ourselves as different people, and how this affects our decision-making. Just as starting preschool, college, or a new job feels intimidating, retirement represents a significant unknown that naturally triggers hesitation.The discussion moves beyond simple financial calculations to examine what we're really sacrificing by postponing retirement. While the opportunity cost of leaving unvested compensation on the table is obvious, the opportunity cost of continuing in a high-stress position—measured in health, time, relationships, and experiences—remains harder to quantify but potentially more valuable. We share perspectives from community members who've successfully made this transition, including practical advice on how to structure your finances and mindset for a fulfilling post-career life.Connect with our Root Collective community to learn from others navigating similar transitions and discover resources to help make your own retirement decision with confidence. What would your 85-year-old self advise you to do today?Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.
Mar 31, 2025 • 20min
How Much Should I Have In Bonds/Cash/etc. In Retirement?
We explore how much safe money you should maintain throughout retirement for financial security and peace of mind without sacrificing long-term growth potential. Instead of using cookie-cutter rules, we break down a personalized approach to balancing safety and growth in your retirement portfolio.• Start with your annual spending needs to calculate your safe money base• A good starting point is having 5 years of living expenses in safe assets• Your safe money requirements should decrease as guaranteed income sources (Social Security, pensions) begin• The 60/40 portfolio rule doesn't work for everyone - your allocation should reflect your specific situation• As your portfolio grows, the percentage allocated to safe money typically decreases• Too much safe money risks losing purchasing power to inflation over time• Consider your emotional "sleep number" - how much safe money you need to feel secure• Factor in upcoming expenses like healthcare, travel, and home renovations• Cookie-cutter planning fails because everyone's situation is unique and dynamicSubmit your financial questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com for a chance to have them answered in a future episode.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.
Mar 24, 2025 • 19min
My Biggest Recommendation Before You Retire - Please Do This
Dreaming big and being intentional about planning for retirement can be the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving in your post-work years. • Retire TO something, not just FROM something • Test-drive your retirement dreams before committing fully, like renting in a new state before buying• Be honest about how retirement will change your spending habits and social dynamics • The first few years of retirement are critical – don't be too frugal when you have health and energy • Spend generously on things you truly value and remain frugal on things you don't care about• Put your retirement dreams into financial planning software to see if they're achievable • Consider what would feel worse – spending too much or having regrets at 85 about not spending enough • Dream big and think intentionally about what will make retirement fulfillingBefore executing any strategy discussed in this episode, please consult with your financial advisor, tax preparer, or estate attorney. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Submit questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com for consideration in future episodes.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.
Mar 20, 2025 • 15min
Root Talks: How We Plan When Markets Are Volatile
James and Ari tackle a great question from the Root Collective: How do you keep things fun when markets—or life—get tough? They break down why “fun” isn’t just about ping pong tables and perks—it’s about being prepared, building trust, and maintaining strong relationships before challenges arise. James shares a personal story from the early Covid days, highlighting how mindset and self-care helped him show up for clients. The takeaway? A great advisor isn’t just there for the good times—they’re prepared to guide you through the tough ones, too.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.
