Don't Retire...Graduate!

In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Charlotte's question: “What movie taught you the most about money?” Eric chose the movie The Ultimate Gift based on a book by Jim Stovall because of how it taught the value of money and how you can use it to make a difference. This is the opposite of one we often mention as more of a cautionary tale, which is Billy Madison. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! [embed]https://youtu.be/4dYA099WuOs?si=p4V98pyudHiqzXzA[/embed]

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On this special 100th episode, we’re joined by Marika Stimac, a life coach dedicated to helping people improve their financial literacy and achieve their financial goals. Marika, who has written a book called "Keys to Financial Confidence: Unlock Your Best Life," shares valuable insights and actionable steps to create a positive financial legacy.   Marika talks about the importance of bringing awareness to the impact of one's financial situation and shifting to a more positive mindset about money, highlighting that financial legacy is not just about leaving behind a large sum of money but also about the mindset and values that are passed down.   Join us to learn how you can be mindful about money and how your actions and words can influence others.   In this episode we’ll talk about: •Actions and words around money influence others in your life. •Shifting to a positive mindset about money can create a financial legacy. •Being mindful of how you handle money can potentially help others in their lives. •Financial legacy is not just about the amount of money one leaves behind, but also the mindset. •Leaving a financial legacy involves creating meaningful connections and thoughtful gestures. •Legacy is about leaving gifts of opportunity, experience, and influence for children, not just material possessions. •Mindset and habitual practices play a significant role in financial behaviors. •Identifying and understanding the origin of money stories can lead to healthier financial behaviors. •Overcoming money drama and reframing mindset is crucial for financial success. •Personalized investing aligned with your passions and goals can lead to meaningful financial growth. [embed]https://youtu.be/Jzhk6yAIXXs?si=M-CWu9XQ44u05Zb2[/embed] Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode. About Marika Stimac: I became a life coach with the intent of helping people unlock their best lives but quickly recognized how many people are held back by their financial insecurities. Now I am dedicated to empowering individuals to improve their financial literacy and feel confident in their ability to achieve their financial goals and live the life they desire. @thefinancialconfidencecoach www.linkedin.com/in/marikastimac www.facebook.com/marikastimac www.pinterest.ca/thefinancialconfidencecoach/ www.thefinancialconfidencecoach.com  

In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Oliver's question: “What should I know about finances before I buy my first home?” Well done for thinking ahead! There are so many costs that go into home ownership that are different from renting, like maintenance, taxes, and furnishing. Listen to what Eric thinks is important to know before you make the purchase. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours!  

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On this episode we’re joined by John Crane, a financial advisor and author of The One Number Budget.   In the episode, Eric and John share their dislike of traditional budgeting—which Eric less-than-affectionately calls the “B-word”—and go through John’s exercise of finding the “one number” you need for this new budgeting concept.   In this episode we’ll talk about: •Budget shaming and why it’s harmful •Taking a lifetime approach to budgeting •What it means to find your number and how to do it •Importance of financially funded retirement •Avoiding financial vampires •Figuring out how to use accumulated wealth, create income, manage taxes, and avoid running out of money before running out of oxygen •The concept of human life value and why it matters •How Target has perfected the art of being a financial vampire and driving impulse purchases •spending for love and how it can hurt your finances •long term care insurance and how it can impact multigenerational planning [embed]https://youtu.be/etKxXHUWGaU?si=9LdysRfO_6nsp_JJ[/embed] About John Crane: Author, financial advisor, and retirement income planner John W. Crane has spent more than a decade providing personalized financial guidance to business professionals, corporate executives, and medical specialists, utilizing a comprehensive planning process to identify each client’s unique goals. He’s a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and has received top honors from the premier association of financial professionals, MDRT. A lifelong learner himself, John shares his expertise with students at hospitals and high schools throughout Washington, D.C.   www.cranefinancial.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/johncrane/ Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode.

In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Jake's question: "How can I open a Roth IRA for my child?” This is a great question and a great way to set your kids up for success, but you need to understand how they work and how to use them. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! [embed]https://youtu.be/IJ6ncLsHVJU?si=92zTFd_52VVhRWoK[/embed]

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On this episode, Eric Brotman chats with financial industry veteran Troy Holt about the importance of financial literacy and shares some key strategies for managing your personal finances.   Troy is passionate about financial literacy and explains how a job in finance can provide both community impact and personal satisfaction beyond merely making money. He is here to walk us through the seven money milestones he and his team have identified in the financial planning journey, starting with financial education and leading to building and protecting wealth.   Listen now for tips on cutting expenses, generating income through multiple streams, and protecting wealth with proper insurance coverage and investment in income-producing assets.   In this episode we’ll talk about:   • The importance of financial education • The areas in our finances where most people are not protected, including life insurance and disability insurance • Rules of thumb for emergency funds and managing debt • Cash flow and how to begin building wealth • Investing in income-producing assets and creating multiple income streams • Avoiding one-size-fits-all financial advice and finding an advisor that can act as a copilot [embed]https://youtu.be/Y1_UolL0pZk?si=6LgIUMRwPyZq0FKm[/embed] Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode.   About Troy Holt: Troy Holt is a skilled sales and account executive with over 20 years of experience in business growth, development and financial planning. As a Certified Financial Educator & Registered Financial Consultant, Troy is licensed in 20 states and is an independent coach, speaker, and trainer. He is well-versed in communication, leadership, and work ethic, and has a proven track record of success in his endeavors. He is the co-author of an Amazon Best Seller book and host of the Troy Talks podcast, where he shares his expertise and personal stories to inspire others. Troy is also the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) of Troy Holt Consulting LLC, a growing financial consulting company focused on empowering and educating individuals and small business owners on wealth accumulation, preservation, and debt elimination. Troy is an engaging and motivating speaker, mentor, and Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with The John Maxwell Company, who has made it a personal mission to eliminate financial illiteracy, particularly in the African American community with a focus on black women. Troy is a 33-year member of the same church, serving in ministry for 29 years and as a Licensed Elder with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World for 26 years. He currently resides in Pensacola, FL with his wife of 31 years, one adult son, and three grandchildren.   Troy Holt's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3dru6pP Troy Holt's Instagram: https://bit.ly/3YEo9OZ Troy Holt's Twitter: https://bit.ly/33EMQ2W  

In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Colby's question: “When should somebody start investing?” The short answer is as soon as you have money available to invest, but the conversation doesn't stop there. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! [embed]https://youtu.be/xN-1MKc2Wfs?si=6WngnmPe6DsgWP1V[/embed]

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! Today’s guest has used Airbnb to reach financial freedom early and is teaching others how to do the same.   Zeona McIntyre is an author, realtor, investment consultant, and speaker who has been helping people house hack and build their portfolios of short and medium-term rentals for several years. She sat down with Eric to talk about how she has reached her financial goals, the lessons she has learned through experience, and how she has shaped her career to allow for her ideal lifestyle.   Listen to the conversation and then reach out to Zeona and tell her what it is that would make you happy.   In this episode we’ll talk about: • How Zeona started with AirBNB when $50,000 in debt • Things that can go wrong when managing rental properties • Why you should install cameras in your rental properties (and what happened before Zeona learned that lesson) • The FIRE movement and how she got involved • Suze Orman and the traditional, slow retirement ideology • How Zeona hit her retirement number within two years through real estate investing • Why real estate investing is not actually passive income • Protecting yourself from liability as a property manager • Zeona’s succession plan • Acting despite fear [embed]https://youtu.be/QBqcUUyO4CU?si=EjX6_AH2ZhHl5zYc[/embed] Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode. About Zeona McIntyre: Zeona McIntyre is an Author, Realtor, Investment Consultant, and Speaker. She has been an Airbnb host since 2012, and she now uses her decade of experience to help her clients House Hack and build portfolios of short & medium-term rentals. She is an avid Real Estate Investor owning a double-digit portfolio of furnished rentals across five states. She is the co-author of the BiggerPockets book "30 Day Stay. A Real Estate Investor's Guide to Mastering the Medium-term Rental''. Instagram: @zeonamcintyre Facebook: zeona.mcintyre YouTube: @ZeonaMTR Website: https://www.zeonamcintyre.com/  

In today’s Office Hours, Eric answers Ava's question: “How much does money matter in a relationship?” This is a multifaceted question with different types of relationships, but in all types, it is necessary to have communication, transparency, and honesty. Have a question? Tweet it to us at @BrotmanPlanning or post it on our Facebook and it may be used in a future episode of Office Hours! [embed]https://youtu.be/BA9p7v_dzPE?si=Sjp_sLhYeuThWCWE[/embed]

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! This is an episode unlike any we’ve done before. Our guest is Rachael Schlimmer, a nomad who is traveling more often than she isn’t but is ready to start putting down roots and planning out her future. While we promised not to call this an intervention (or a séance for that matter), Rachael was at a crossroads and needed someone to interfere, if only to help her stop doubting herself. She and Eric sat down for what is almost a financial planning consultation to discuss her goals, explore opportunities for cash flow, and get her to the realization that what you think your life is supposed to look like is not necessarily what it should look like. And, like many initial financial planning conversations, there was very little talk of money and a lot of talk of what she wants to be when she grows up. Listen now to go on this self-discovery journey with us.   In this episode we’ll talk about: • Turning your passions and hobbies into your career • The career paths that allow for the nomadic lifestyle that Rachael loves • Redefining the idea of “home,” and finding home in the people you meet • The skills you need (or don’t need) to make a living • Barbara Sloan’s book Tipped and the value it holds for those with less traditional income [embed]https://youtu.be/uchLbxcbSEA?si=jKYCMtIDuFuvCFwH[/embed] Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode. About Rachel Schlimmer: I've been semi-nomadic for the last 5-6 years, working for most of a year, travelling for 8-10 months. I'm working towards putting down some roots and building some stability, and part of that is upping my long-term finance game. Fortuitously met Eric over the bar top of a hotel restaurant I'm newly coffee slinging for, and here we are!