Mondays With Matt Podcast

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Markets crash. Taxes shift. Congress waffles on Social Security. You can’t control any of that. And stressing over it won’t help. What will? Focusing on the four things that actually move the needle in retirement. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Have you ever been asked by a friend or family member to borrow money? You want to help, but you also don't want to worry about what could go wrong. It’s a common dilemma, and in today’s episode, Matt tackles the tough question: Should you lend money to a loved one? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

The day President Trump took office, he announced plans to implement a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Additional tariff conversations have exploded since that day. How might this impact your personal finances and the economy? Today, we’ll explain a bit of the backstory of tariffs and discuss these new tariffs. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

The headlines are loud, the markets are messy, and your gut might be telling you to do something — anything — right now. But what should you actually do when your portfolio takes a hit? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

April Fool’s Day is all about jokes and pranks, but when it comes to retirement planning, getting fooled can cost you real money. Today, we’re uncovering the beliefs that fool retirees and pre-retirees into making bad financial moves. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

When an aging parent needs care, the decision isn’t just financial. It’s emotional, logistical, and deeply personal. Mike’s 93-year-old mom has fallen twice in the past month, and he’s weighing two options: bring her to live with him or pay for in-home care out of his own pocket. Which choice makes the most sense, both financially and for his family’s well-being? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

You’ve built a successful business, but now the big question is, how do you turn that into a retirement plan? If you’re like many entrepreneurs, you’ve spent years reinvesting in your business, but what happens when it’s time to step away? Can you sell it? Can you create passive income from it? Or should you start saving in other ways right now? In this episode, we’re breaking down strategies for business owners who need to turn years of hard work into long-term financial security. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question one of our listeners sent in. He’s got an MBA, knows the markets well, and has always handled his portfolio solo. So, is working with an advisor just an extra expense, or could it actually add real value? In this episode, we break down when and why even experienced investors might benefit from professional guidance and when they’re probably fine on their own. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Social Security claiming strategies can vary greatly depending on family dynamics. This episode explores how different family situations, such as those with a stay-at-home spouse or a blended family, can impact when and how to claim Social Security benefits to maximize your retirement income. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Brrr, it’s cold out there! Winter has a lot of people thinking about warmer weather. For some, that just means an annual vacation down south. But for certain retirees, they choose to live elsewhere through the brunt of winter, becoming “snowbirds.” Is snowbird life for you? Let’s talk about what motivates people to take up temporary residence elsewhere, where they go, and if it’s worthwhile. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Today, we’re back to continue unveiling the 2025 Method to transform your money mindset in just 30 days. Whether you’re overwhelmed by debt, stuck in a savings rut, or simply stressed about money, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you think differently and achieve financial comfort. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Today, we’re unveiling the 2025 Method to transform your money mindset in just 30 days. Whether you’re overwhelmed by debt, stuck in a savings rut, or simply stressed about money, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you think differently and achieve financial comfort. Be sure to tune back for part 2 of this conversation in a few weeks! Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Whether you’re anticipating a year-end bonus this December, recently received an inheritance, or even won the lottery (hey, we’re all allowed to dream), figuring out what to do with a large financial windfall can feel overwhelming. No matter how you’ve come into this newfound wealth, it’s important to approach it thoughtfully. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Everyone loves a good game show. Whether it’s spinning the big wheel or hitting the buzzer with all the right answers. But what happens when people turn their retirement planning into a game? Spoiler alert: it’s not always a win! In this episode, we tackle the risky moves people make when they treat their finances like a game of chance. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Social Security is the backbone of retirement for millions of Americans, but big changes may be coming. In this episode, we dive into the recently released proposal to raise the full retirement age to 69 and what it means for your benefits, your future, and your financial security. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

The financial landscape is changing rapidly, and if you’re focused on retirement, these shifts can’t be ignored. In today’s episode, we break down the trends that will define the rest of 2024 and what they mean for your retirement plan. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

A random, retired YouTuber did a simple video exploring the top 5 regrets from other retirees he interviewed (all in their 70s). It blew up to almost half a million views (and counting). Let’s see what regrets made the list and, more importantly, explore what proactive steps you can take to avoid having the same regrets when you retire. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Remember the thrill of shaking a Magic 8 Ball to get answers to your childhood questions? Would we ace that math test? Would we be famous someday? Well, today, we're bringing a bit of that magic back. But instead of asking about pop quizzes and playground crushes, we’re turning to the Magic 8 Ball for advice on something much more important: your retirement planning! What would the Magic 8 Ball have to say about these common retirement questions if it had the wisdom of a financial advisor? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949