The Retirement Trainer

The more things change, the more they stay the same. We’re still dealing with high inflation and interest rates and the silent recession continues with the average household still feeling the pinch at the grocery stores and gas pumps. And now, the Federal Government says that we’re in a deflationary period while adding $1 trillion to the national debt every quarter. Which begs the question: What’s next? In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of being disciplined with your spending and sticking to your budget. We’ll also explain why interest rate drops that may be on the horizon might actually limit your ability to borrow money to cover your expenses in the future. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

With 30-year mortgage rates at 7.5%, inflation continuing to impact our spending power, and gas pushing almost $4 a gallon, we’re seeing higher bankruptcy rates and hearing talk of a lost decade. So what do we do to keep our financial plan as healthy as possible? In today’s episode, we’re talking about what’s going on in America–and the silent recession that is affecting everyone except those on Wall Street. You’ll learn why all this so-called “good economic news” proves to only be good for executives and investors, why interest rates might finally start dropping soon, and how to hedge your bets to protect yourself (and your money) when the economy won’t do it for you. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

“We’re overspending $5.1 billion a day more than we’re bringing in because of interest rates.” - Ed Siddell Today, we're talking about how good news can actually lead to bad news when it comes to the economy. When something looks good, it usually comes at a cost. We’ve all lived through a whole lot of craziness since 2020, and we’ve experienced major shifts in employment and the housing market–and inflation has played a huge role in that. In today’s episode, we explore how we got here, how overspending in government hurts us all, and when we might see some stability after what can feel like total chaos–and what to do with your money (and your financial plans) in the meantime. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

There are things that are within our control and some that are not. Time doesn’t stop, and everybody gets older, but one thing that is within our control is to take action before it’s too late to secure your legacy and avoid headaches like probate. For anyone who has been able to put money away and generate enough wealth to leave assets behind, we all need to determine who will take care of us and those assets toward the end of our lives–whether that’s our kids or someone we hire. With that in mind, today’s episode is about what it means to leave a legacy behind for the people you care about. We discuss how to best prepare your family to inherit what you leave behind, the small mistakes that can have huge consequences when we’re gone, and the critical components of a legacy plan that we ensure every client has. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Fear of missing out is a real thing. Everyone is looking for 15-20% returns and this can prompt people to make risky decisions–especially when it comes to retirement. Right now, we have a bull market in the S&P, volatility is low and tech is back on the rise. So, is it time to go all-in, or should investors beware? Today, we’re talking about why our markets seem so crazy, the resurgence of big tech in the wake of AI, and why all of this reaffirms the importance of having a solid financial plan at every stage of life. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Consumer credit is at an all-time high. Credit card debt is pushing $1.25 trillion and headed upwards. Inflation’s high, consumer spending is high, and employers are cutting good jobs with benefits. Even if you’re steadily employed or running a healthy business and your personal debts are manageable, these macroeconomic factors can still affect you. In today’s episode, we walk through why other people’s spending impacts our overall quality of life, how to get the best possible deals when you make a big purchase in this economy, and what to do about any lingering debt you need to get rid of. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

After a brief hiatus, we’re back with a timely episode to answer a popular question: Is it better to save with pretax dollars or a Roth? Inflation continues to be an issue in today’s economy, which is why it’s so important to make every dollar count. Everything is more expensive now, and saving for retirement is not a one-size-fits-all plan because everyone’s situation is different. In today’s episode, we’ll explain the difference between saving with pretax contributions or a Roth, how using your savings for vacations or emergencies can impact your income at tax time, and why making the wrong decisions early on can have significant consequences on your income taxes in retirement. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Between inflation, a possible recession, and bank failures, our economy feels chaotic right now. However, that doesn’t mean that now’s the time to panic. Instead, this is your opportunity to get a better understanding of these complex situations and make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your individual financial plan strong and healthy. In today’s episode, we talk through how we arrived at this truly crazy moment in our economy, the consequences of untenable debt and years of bad fiscal policy, and how to approach your own finances when our leadership is asleep at the wheel. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

You worked hard. You built a life, had a career, and hit some milestones along the way–and now you’re retired. So what are you going to do? Now that you’ve got all this free time, what’s your plan or purpose now? Today’s episode is all about answering one of the toughest questions we get asked: “What do I do now?” We dig into how it feels to retire, the power of feeling uncomfortable, and how to live your life with purpose and intention in the years and decades to come. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Ads for gold, silver, and other precious metals are everywhere. But even with the dollar coming off its high and inflation pushing over 7%, are they a good hedge? If so, what are you supposed to buy, and what should you avoid? We’ve had lots of people asking us where they can purchase gold and silver. With that in mind, today’s episode is all about precious metals–and why the buyer should almost always beware. We discuss common precious metals scams, whether these assets should be a part of your portfolio, and safer ways to make these investments if you’re interested. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

When everything we buy costs more, every dollar in our pocket and our bank account is worth less. You can cut back on unnecessary expenses here and there, but there’s only so much you can do to cut back on groceries or gas. That’s why factoring inflation into your retirement plan is so important right now. In today’s episode, we walk you through how to create an action plan to get you through this period of inflation, whether we’re officially in a recession or not. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Let’s face it, everyone has to face their own mortality at some point. But if you’ve planned ahead, your family and beneficiaries will thank you because settling an estate can be stressful when you’re starting from scratch. Today’s episode is all about how to make legacy planning as simple as possible. We’ll walk you through what needs to be done to ensure that your family is looked after and cared for when that day comes. Even though you can’t plan for everything, you can give them a great head start–which can make a world of difference when everything feels overwhelming. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

As inflation soars, more and more people are dipping into their savings–or going into debt–to make ends meet. While it may not be an emergency (yet!), it may be time to take a step back and assess your situation. With that in mind, today’s episode is all about how to make sure that your money lasts. We’re talking about why it’s so easy to accidentally take on debt, how to put together a personal debt plan to eliminate the bad debt you may hold right now, and what you can do from here on out to avoid a bad financial situation in the years to come. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

No matter what financial shape you’re in right now, it’s never too late to find new ways to do better in the years to come. If you’re thinking about retiring (or trying to figure out if you still can retire), concerned about today’s economy, or simply want to make sure that everything is in place before you make that decision, this episode is for you. Today, we dig into pensions, Social Security, insurance coverage, and much more. You’ll learn about when to start working with a financial planner, how to do the math, and how to get access to the retirement checklist so you can get a clear sense of what you’ve achieved–and what you still have left to figure out. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

If you’ve been watching the markets over the last few weeks, you probably have questions. Is the current market rally evidence that we’re experiencing a rebound, or are we still in a bear market? Pundits love to share good news; they don’t love to talk about the underlying pressures that make markets act the way they do. This means that if you’re nearing retirement and keeping up with financial news, you may not have all the information or tools you need to make sure your retirement plan is in the best shape possible. Today, we’re discussing what market rallies really mean, how they affect your portfolio, and how you can protect yourself in market upturns and downturns alike. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Our economy feels like a pretty uncertain place right now–especially if you’re approaching retirement age (or recently retired). Whether you’re reading the headlines or not, you’re probably feeling the effects of inflation and market volatility every single day. And if you’re of retirement age, you were there for the hyperinflation of the 1970s, the dot-com bust of the 2000s, and the Great Recession, but that doesn’t mean that your portfolio is currently suited to the moment at hand. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the countless financial products and options out there right now, how to avoid making emotional investing decisions in tough times, and how to make sure that you’re taking on the right amount of risk in every stage of life. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com/72 How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

On June 15th, the Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates by 75 basis points. Understandably, this leads to a lot of questions: how is this going to affect bonds and the stock markets? How will this impact the economy and employment? Will there be a recession? No matter what happens, a comprehensive financial plan is your best defense in uncertain times. In today’s episode, we discuss the impacts of the Fed’s decision, how to create a risk budget and reserves to prevent needing to sell at a loss, and how to create a plan that’ll ensure you have enough income, no matter what. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com/71 How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

It's difficult to prepare for every worst-case scenario. When the most likely scenarios are considered, it can help avoid panic and overwhelm when the rough days rise to the surface. Imagine that you're on your way to an important business meeting or picking your spouse up from the airport when one of your tires suddenly goes flat. If you have a spare, you'll be a little late. If you don't, your entire day could be derailed. As we all know, life can be unpredictable. And if you're taking too many risks with your investment portfolio, or if you've simply failed to prepare, changing market conditions can be more than a flat tire–they can put your nest egg in jeopardy and wreak havoc on your retirement. It's impossible to predict how the market will be performing when we retire, which is why today's episode is all about what to do when you retire in a market downturn. We'll dig into why our current economic situation is so complicated, why it shouldn't impact whether or not you retire, and how to take emotion out of your financial planning and live your life to the fullest. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com/70 How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re all on a roller coaster ride this year. As investors, it’s virtually impossible to predict what’s going to happen when it comes to leverage, supply chains, and rampant inflation. However, we can do our research, ask questions, and do our best to make sense of what’s going on so we can best expect the unexpected. In today’s episode, we explore the history of market volatility (and where it comes from), what makes our current economic moment unique, and how to ensure your plan will carry you through this ride that we’re all on. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com/69 How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com

Rampant inflation seems like it’s here to stay for at least a while longer. Everyone’s feeling it at the grocery store, the gas pump, and seemingly everywhere else. In part one of this two-part series, we’ll discuss why it’s happening and dive into how to make sure your retirement plan can sustain your lifestyle, even if costs continue to go up. We’ll help you make sense of why the markets seem to be changing at the drop of a hat, why emotional investing is all but guaranteed to hurt you, and how a custom retirement plan suited to your unique needs is critical in tough times. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit EGSIFinancial.com/68 How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan? We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com