A Wiser Retirement®

Losing a loved one is emotional enough without having to navigate legal paperwork, financial accounts, and estate settlement decisions at the same time. Yet for many families, those responsibilities begin almost immediately after a death occurs, often without clear guidance or preparation.

In this episode of the A Wiser Retirement® Podcast,  Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, and Estate Planning Attorney Arun Gupta, discuss what really happens after someone dies, common estate planning mistakes, and how families can avoid unnecessary stress, delays, and expenses.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

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

Ep 329. Digital Estate Planning: What Happens to Your Online Life?

Related Financial Education Videos:

Prevent Family Conflict with Legacy Planning 

A Financial Advisor's Role in Legacy Planning

Other Links:

AG Law, LLC

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 ...

Celebrating 25 years in business offers a rare perspective, one shaped by market booms, financial crises, industry shifts, and, most importantly, real client experiences. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, founder Casey Smith reflects on the journey from a startup firm to a comprehensive financial planning team, sharing the lessons learned and what the future holds.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 241. The Heart and History of Wiser Wealth Management with President, Casey Smith

Ep 300. Built to Last: The History and Future of Wiser Wealth Management

Related Financial Education Videos:

Meet Casey Smith, President of Wiser Wealth Management

Learn More About Wiser Wealth Management: Who We Are & How We Help

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 ...

About 70% of Americans feel confident about retiring, but most don’t actually have a plan. Confidence without clarity isn’t confidence at all, it’s hope. In this episode of the A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we break down how to turn uncertainty into a structured, testable retirement plan, especially if you’re within five years of retiring.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

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

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

Ep 259. What Pilots (& Others) Should Consider 5 Years Before Mandatory Retirement

Related Financial Education Videos:

Can You Save Too Much for Retirement?

Financial Habits to Avoid in 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 ...

Passive income is one of the most talked-about wealth-building strategies today, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. From rental properties to online side hustles, many income streams labeled “passive” actually require far more time, effort, and involvement than people expect.

In this episode of the A Wiser Retirement® Podcast,  we take a closer look at the reality behind passive income, breaking down the myths, the misconceptions, and what it actually takes to build income that works for you.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 240. The Benefits of Diversified Income Streams

Ep 239. How can I reduce my current taxable income?

Related Financial Education Videos:

Investing for Income vs Growth in Retirement: Finding the Balance

Does Social Security Count as Income?

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 ...

Most people don’t actually have a financial plan, they have a scattered collection of accounts, insurance policies, and investments they’ve picked up over time. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we break down what financial planning actually looks like behind the scenes, and why so many people are missing it entirely.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 327. What Tax Planning Strategies Should You Implement for 2026?

Ep 224. Living in the Moment While Planning for the Future

Related Financial Education Videos:

Financial Planning Tips to Thrive in Your 40s

What is flat fee financial planning?

Other Links:

Our Financial Planning Process

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 ...

Owning property with others, whether it’s a spouse, sibling, friend, or business partner, can seem like a smart financial move. It can reduce costs, create investment opportunities, and simplify certain aspects of ownership. But without proper planning, it can also lead to serious financial and legal complications.

In this episode of the A Wiser Retirement® Podcast,  Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, and Estate Planning Attorney Arun Gupta break down the most common pitfalls of joint ownership and how to avoid them.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

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

Ep 233. How Second Marriages and Blended Families Impact Estate Planning

Related Financial Education Videos:

How to Reduce Capital Gains When Selling Real Estate

Should I invest in real estate or stocks?

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 ...

There is a moment many families are not prepared for: when the roles begin to shift. One day, your parents are helping you make big financial decisions, and the next, you are wondering whether they need help managing their own money. It is emotional, uncomfortable, and deeply personal, but it is also one of the most important conversations a family can have. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we unpack one of the hardest financial questions families face: when should you take over your parents’ finances?

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 313. How Can You Help Your Parents Plan Financially for The Future?

Ep 189. Taking Control of Finances for Your Aging Parents

Related Financial Education Videos:

What Does Retirement Look Like for Special Needs Parents?

Social Security Workshop Scams

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 ...

Annuities are often marketed as the safe, guaranteed, no-risk answer for retirement income. For many retirees, that promise can sound incredibly appealing, especially during volatile markets or uncertain economic times. But the reality is far more complicated. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we unpack the truth about annuities, why they are so commonly sold, and why many investors may be better served by a simpler, lower-cost strategy.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 106. Create a Cash Flow Strategy for Retirement

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

Related Financial Education Videos:

What is a Better Alternative to an Annuity?

Annuity Awareness Month: Stay Away from Annuities!

Other Links:

Buyer Beware: Why Do They Keep Trying To Sell You That Annuity?

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 ...

More than 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits every month. For millions of retirees, disabled workers, and surviving family members, that monthly check is a crucial part of their financial stability. But what would actually happen if Social Security suddenly disappeared? In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we break down how Social Security works, why it matters so much, and why its disappearance would have massive economic and social consequences.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 109. Common Social Security Questions Answered

Ep 222. When should I claim Social Security if I don’t need it?

Related Financial Education Videos:

How Do You Apply for Social Security?

Claiming Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70: What’s the Real Difference?

How Much is Social Security Reduced if I Have a Pension?

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 ...

Housing affects nearly every part of life, whether you rent, own, invest, or you’re just trying to keep up with rising costs. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we sit down with Tom Townsend, REALTOR® of Tom Townsend Realty Group to break down the housing trends shaping 2026.

Related Podcast Episodes: 

Ep 267. The 2025 Housing Market: Trends, Changes, and What to Expect

Ep 198. Real Estate Market Trends: What to Watch for in 2024 with Tom Townsend

Related Financial Education Videos:

How to Reduce Capital Gains When Selling Real Estate

Should I invest in real estate or stocks?

Other Links:

Tom Townsend Realty Group

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 ...