A Wiser Retirement®

ChatGPT can explain what is in a portfolio, spot funds that overlap, and help you ask better questions about investment costs. But what happens when you ask it specifically about what to do with your retirement savings?

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith and Financial Advisor William Medcalf, CFP®, CBDA discuss how ChatGPT handles an investment question, what changes when it receives more details, and where its analysis still needs human judgment.

Related Podcast Episodes:

Ep 272. Why should I pay a financial advisor to invest in low-cost ETFs?

Ep 118. What to Look For in a Financial Advisor

Related Financial Education Videos:

Warning Signs of a Bad Financial Advisor

Why Financial Planning is Different for Pilots

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

Retirement does not always happen on the same timeline for both spouses. One person may feel burned out and ready to leave a demanding career, while the other still enjoys working. That difference affects more than a retirement date, it can reshape household cash flow, healthcare coverage, taxes, Social Security decisions, and the way a couple imagines life together.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss what happens when one spouse wants to retire while the other continues working. Casey Smith and Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, explore both the financial calculations and personal conversations that help couples decide whether retiring at different times fits their shared plan.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 353. Is $2 Million Enough to Retire? What about $3 Million?

Ep 293. Retirement for Business Owners: Selling Your Business or Passing It On

Related Financial Education Videos:

Financial Habits to Avoid in Retirement

How Much Risk Should You Take in Your Retirement Portfolio?

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

Estate planning for a blended family is rarely as simple as deciding who receives each asset. The harder questions involve timing, control, changing relationships, and what happens after one spouse dies. A plan may look complete on paper while leaving room for outcomes no one intended.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, and Estate Planning Attorney Arun Gupta, discuss estate planning for blended families. They explore how family dynamics, asset ownership, beneficiary designations, trusts, and financial powers of attorney can affect whether an estate plan works as intended.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 346. Estate Planning Coordination: How Your Attorney, CPA, & Financial Advisor Work Together

Ep 314. The Simple Estate Planning Error That Could Hurt Your Family

Related Financial Education Videos:

What is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

What is a QTIP Trust and Who Needs One?

Other Links:

AG Law

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

Crypto regulation in the United States has been caught in a gray area for years. The industry continues to grow, financial institutions are showing more interest, and blockchain technology is finding new uses, but companies still face basic questions about who regulates what and which rules apply. The CLARITY Act is designed to address some of those uncertainties, but its failure would not necessarily mean the end of crypto.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith is joined by Robert Swarthout, founder and CEO of Teton Crypto Capital, to discuss what could happen if the CLARITY Act does not pass. They look at why the crypto industry wants clearer rules, how the SEC and CFTC could respond, why regulatory uncertainty may push development overseas, and how blockchain technology could extend far beyond buying and selling individual coins.

*The episode was recorded on August 25th, 2026, before the Senate action discussed in the conversation, so the timeline reflects what is known at the time of recording.*

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 344. What Are the Real Uses for Crypto?

Ep 331. Crypto, Retirement, and Taxes: What’s the Strategy?

Other Links:

Teton Crypto Capital

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

Long-term care can shift from a distant concern to an immediate financial decision faster than many families expect. It can begin with a few hours of help at home and progress to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, or around-the-clock support. Each stage brings different costs, care needs, and family decisions.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith and Grace Pavel break down what long-term care can actually look like and how families can prepare for it.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 276. How to Make Sure You're Ready for Retirement

Ep 245. Strategies for Early Retirement and Long-Term Security

Related Financial Education Videos:

How to Plan for Long Term Care Without Breaking the Bank

Long-Term Care Insurance Explained

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

Debt tends to get treated as either a financial tool or a financial trap. The reality is more complicated. Borrowing can help someone buy a home, expand a business, or acquire an income-producing asset, but the same leverage can become a burden when the payment strains cash flow. The important distinction is not simply whether debt exists. It is whether the debt improves your financial position without exposing you to more risk than you can reasonably manage.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith and Financial Advisor Michaela Dowdy, CFP®, go over the difference between productive debt and expensive financial mistakes. They examine all variations of debt while asking, What are you actually getting in exchange for taking on the debt?

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 298. America's Balance Sheet: A Financial Advisor's Deep Dive into National Debt

Ep 107. Get Rid of Debt Before You Retire

Related Financial Education Videos:

Is Wedding Debt Worth It? The Long-Term Financial Impact Couple Ignore

Honest Review for True Link Debit Card

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

Making more money does not automatically mean keeping more of it. For high-income couples, taxes often become more complicated as compensation rises, investment income grows, employer benefits expand, and multiple tax rules begin interacting at the same time. The challenge is not finding a loophole that makes taxes disappear. It is understanding which planning decisions are available and how those decisions fit into a household’s broader financial picture.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, and Financial Advisor William Medcalf, CFP®, CBDA, break down practical tax-planning strategies high-income couples may want to consider.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 331. Crypto, Retirement, and Taxes: What’s the Strategy?

Ep 308. The Silent Tax: How Inflation Erodes Your Retirement

Related Financial Education Videos:

Second Home Considerations: Tax Implications of Multiple Residences

What is Tax-Loss Harvesting?

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

A 30% stock market decline gets attention quickly. Account balances fall, headlines become more alarming, and investors may feel pressure to make an immediate change. But a market downturn does not automatically mean your long-term financial strategy needs to change. In many cases, the more important question is whether anything about your personal financial situation has changed.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss how instead of reacting to the market itself, investors can focus on the elements they can control: liquidity, diversification, portfolio allocation, taxes, contributions, and their long-term financial plan.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

284. Fear, Greed, and the Markets: Mastering Emotional Investing (Part 1)

285. Fear, Greed, and the Markets: Mastering Emotional Investing (Part 2)

Related Financial Education Videos:

What is the difference between stocks, bonds, and mutual funds?

Does lump sum investing beat dollar cost averaging?

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

Reaching a retirement portfolio of $2 million or $3 million may feel like crossing a definitive finish line. However, an account balance alone does not determine whether someone is financially prepared to retire.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss how two households can enter retirement with the same amount of savings and experience very different outcomes. Retirement age, annual spending, taxes, healthcare costs, debt, income sources, and account types all influence how long a portfolio may last.

The more useful question is not simply, “How much have I saved?” It is, “How much does my retirement plan require from my portfolio each year?”

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...

The word “budget” often brings to mind complicated spreadsheets, spending guilt, and tracking every coffee purchase. While that level of detail can be helpful for some households, it may become unnecessary once saving, debt management, and cash flow are consistently under control.

In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss how to determine whether a traditional budget still serves a purpose in your financial life.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 291. How is Financial Planning Different for Entrepreneurs

Ep 152. 10 Tax Planning Strategies for High Net Worth Individuals

Related Financial Education Videos:

High Yield vs Traditional Savings: How to Make Your Cash Work Harder

How to Boost Cash Reserves During Retirement

Learn More:

Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions.

Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are. 

Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more!

Stay Connected:

Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes.

This podcast was produced by ...