Retirement Starts Today

If you clicked on this title you may be wondering what a $300 gym bag has to do with retirement. Well, this podcast focuses on learning how to spend more money and pay less taxes to set yourself up for the ideal retirement. Outline of This Episode= [1:32] What a new gym bag can teach us about retirement [4:20] The lens that you view your purchases through [6:25] A thought experiment Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University   Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Have you ever considered joining a retirement mastermind group? Many of us choose mastermind groups to further our careers, businesses, or other areas of our lives, but few think to create one for retirement planning. Today, we’ll focus this entire episode on Fritz Gilbert’s recent article on his experience creating a retirement mastermind group.  You won’t want to miss out on hearing what you could learn from a retirement mastermind. Make sure to listen until the end to hear how you can create your own retirement mastermind group. Outline of This Episode [1:42] How you could learn from a retirement mastermind [4:55] What Fritz has learned from his mastermind [9:33] How you can create your own mastermind Resources & People Mentioned What I’ve Learned From My Retirement Mastermind Group Episode 284 - Investing in Yourself – An Interview with Fritz Gilbert Retirement Planning Education Facebook Group (Formerly Taxes in Retirement) BOOK - The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill BOOK - Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Have you ever thought about how much money you need to be truly happy? If so, you’re not alone. And chances are that number is elusive.  In today’s Retirement Headline segment, we’ll check out an article from The Atlantic called “The Reason Many Ultrarich People Aren’t Satisfied With Their Wealth.” In doing so, we’ll explore human nature and how to know when enough is enough. In the Listener Questions segment, one listener asks how to withdraw funds from a taxable account during early retirement. Don’t miss out on discovering the logistics of how to access your money in retirement. Press play to find out.  Outline of This Episode [1:42] What inspires the ultra-rich to keep spending? [5:55] What can this teach us about retirement? [8:16] How to withdraw funds from a taxable account in retirement Resources & People Mentioned The Reason Many Ultrarich People Aren’t Satisfied With Their Wealth Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

If you have found this podcast you’re probably interested in spending more money, spending less in taxes, and making life even better in retirement.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’re taking a look at how to spend more money in retirement by assessing a two-part article from AdvisorPerspectives.com called A Framework for Assessing Variable Spending Strategies.  If you are trying to figure out how to maintain your desired standard of living throughout retirement, you won’t want to miss hearing the authors’ findings. Press play to listen. Outline of This Episode [1:28] A variable spending strategy is better than a fixed withdrawal strategy [6:40] Different types of spending strategies [8:35] My thoughts [11:45] How employee stock option plans work Resources & People Mentioned A Framework for Assessing Variable Spending Strategies How Could This Go Horribly Wrong? Lessons in Estate Planning Part 1 My Kids Don’t Want My Stuff – Lessons in Estate Planning Part 2 Conversations about “Guardrails Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Welcome back to the second part of our lessons in estate planning. Bret and I recently reviewed all of our clients’ estate plans and in doing so, we learned a lot from this exercise that could help you and your heirs. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode make sure to go back and listen–especially if you have stepchildren or blended families. In this episode, you’ll learn why you might want to disclaim some assets, how to specifically disinherit a child, and why it is so important to clearly state your medical wishes to all of your kids.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Why you may want to disclaim assets [6:00] What to do if you want to specifically disinherit one of your children [8:07] Common [11:22] Make sure your medical wishes are clear to all your children [13:53] Surprising things we learned from our clients Resources & People Mentioned Episode 295 - How Could This Go Horribly Wrong? Lessons in Estate Planning Part 1 We will soon be accepting new clients! Use this link to schedule a fit meeting Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify  

Bret and I recently reviewed all of our clients’ estate plans this spring and, as a result, we have so much to share with you about what we learned. It was so much that we had to break it into multiple episodes! If you are curious about how this sort of meeting goes and wish that you could be a fly on the wall, you won’t want to miss this episode.  Today we’ll discuss why you need to ask yourself what could go wrong, why it’s so important to consider where your documents are located, why you may want to consider having your medical power of attorney or living will a digital document, and how an executor is a mini dictator.  Everyone needs an estate plan. Listen in to hear what you need to consider when you create or update yours. Outline of This Episode [2:02] Having your estate planning docs in order can help you sleep better [4:14] Don’t create complexity by trying to keep things simple [9:17] Where are your documents located? [12:38] How can your kids prove to a hospital that they can make medical decisions on your behalf? [14:24] Commonly misunderstood ideas about estate planning [25:01] The pros and cons of having co-powers of attorney or individual powers of attorney Resources & People Mentioned Use this calendar link to set up a 20-minute fit meeting Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Do you ever get together with your friends from high school and wonder why they all look so old? Are you surprised by the image that you see in the mirror each morning? If so, you’re not alone.  In today’s retirement headline segment, we’ll explore an article from Jennifer Senior at MSN.com that examines the abstract concept of feeling a different age in your head than you physically are in years.  Related to the retirement headline, today’s listener question is about how to understand when you are mentally ready to retire. Learn how important purpose is in your decision to retire. Outline of This Episode [1:02] Subjective age is feeling a different age in your head [6:37] What can this teach us about retirement? [8:50] Understanding the mental aspect of deciding when to retire Resources & People Mentioned The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are and How Old You Think You Are Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Have you made any changes to your retirement savings due to the poor economy? If you did, you’re not alone.  According to a Financial-Planning.com article, half of America stopped saving for retirement last year. Don’t miss hearing why this is such a bad idea. Stick around for the listener questions segment where Bret and I address one listener’s worry about the upcoming changes to the tax code. Retirement Starts Today is the podcast where you learn how you can spend more money, pay fewer taxes, and live a better life. Outline of This Episode [1:42] 50% of Americans stopped saving last year [6:10] My thoughts [8:46] How prepared should I be for the sunset on tax laws in 2026 Resources & People Mentioned Half of America stopped saving for retirement last year amid soaring inflation The Retirement Tax Podcast Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

You may be excited to jump on the early retirement bandwagon, but before you do, listen to this episode. In our retirement headlines segment, we explore a peer-reviewed article that shows that early retirement can accelerate cognitive decline.  Stay tuned for the listener questions segment to hear how to reimagine your retirement spending mindset by creating a flexible spending plan.  Retirement Starts Today Radio is a way to learn about having more income, paying fewer taxes, and creating an even better retirement, so if that sounds like the life you’re trying to create, press play now.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Cognitive decline can increase in retirement [3:50] My takeaways from the article [6:52] How can I convince my partner to spend more money in retirement? Resources & People Mentioned Research shows that early retirement can accelerate cognitive decline Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Many DIY investors would like to learn more about the latest changes in financial and tax laws but don’t have the same opportunities to attend professional financial conferences. The good news is that Bret and I do have these opportunities, and we relish sharing our findings.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, Bret shares his insights from his boots-on-the-ground experience at Ed Slott’s recent conference in Las Vegas. If you are curious about the changes surrounding IRAs and other retirement accounts as a result of the Secure Act 2.0, you won’t want to miss Bret’s distillation.  Outline of This Episode [3:22] Private letter rulings are very expensive [6:23] Tax laws are getting more complicated [11:52] Main themes of the conference [17:30] Don’t squander your biggest advantage in retirement Resources & People Mentioned Ed Slott Devin Carroll on YouTube Social Security Intelligence Episode 279 - Secure Act 2.0 Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify