When it comes to preparing for retirement, most people focus on the obvious goals of saving enough and building an emergency fund. But in this episode of Money Wisdom, Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP® explore the deeper, often overlooked financial goals that truly make or break your retirement experience.

It’s not just about hitting a magic number. It’s about assigning purpose to each dollar you’ve saved. Proper planning goes well beyond investments to include things like tax strategies, income planning, healthcare expenses, gifting, legacy planning, and even how you’ll spend your time. If you're wondering what you might be missing as you approach retirement, join us as we answer

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🎯 Retirement planning is about purpose, not just savings goals 💡 Unexpected life events can reshape your financial priorities 💬 The right advisor brings clarity beyond the numbers 🏡 Legacy and lifestyle planning are often just as important as investments

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Getting engaged later in life is an exciting time, but it requires different financial planning conversations. With blended families, different retirement timelines, and evolving goals, couples in this situation face unique challenges. Jake and Nick break down how your relationship with money changes as retirement nears and why your financial plan should evolve right alongside it.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📊 Your investments need a new job—income, not just growth

🏦 Assign purpose to each dollar to reduce risk and increase clarity

⏳ The closer you are to retirement, the more planning matters

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Establishing a solid relationship with a financial advisor is crucial for effective planning, but what does that look like in practice? Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP® discuss the essential role that communication plays in the client-advisor relationship to help set expectations for the planning process.

We received this question recently and wanted to open up the conversation so everyone can glean a little information from it. We’ll pull back the curtain on what ongoing communication looks like at Johnson Brunetti, with clients typically receiving ongoing education, quarterly events, newsletters, market updates, and in-depth reviews once or twice a year.  Plus, we’ll explain why meeting too frequently might not be a good thing and give you a few red flags to watch for.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📞 Proactive Communication – Why regular updates matter more than you think

📊 Annual Review Strategy – What goes into those once or twice-a-year deep dives

🚩 Advisor Red Flags – What it means when you haven’t heard from them in years

🧭 Life Changes = Plan Changes – When it’s time to revisit your strategy

0:00 – Today’s question

1:14 – How we interact with clients

3:29 – Proactive communication

4:50 – Can you meet too frequently?

6:18 – Client needs

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Long-term care planning is a significant concern for individuals approaching retirement because it’s an expense most people aren’t prepared for. Trying to prepare for it with insurance isn’t cheap, and people often ask us if it’s worth it. In this episode of the Money Wisdom podcast, Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP® tackle this pressing issue by answering a listener’s question about long-term care insurance and the options available.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Today’s question

1:39 – Reason it’s expensive

3:39 – Long-term care options

6:48 – Where is long-term care on the priority list?

9:18 – Final thoughts

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Preparing for required minimum distributions (RMDs) can be quite unsettling when you know withdrawals are coming and the IRS will be waiting. In this episode of the Money Wisdom podcast, we’re going to answer a question about what you can do from a planning standpoint when large RMDs are coming in retirement.  

This situation highlights a common issue: retirees often find themselves in higher tax brackets due to large mandatory withdrawals, reducing their financial flexibility. So what are the strategies you can utilize to manage your tax requirements?

Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP will take you through some of the strategies today.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Today’s question

1:05 – What to know about RMDs

4:13 – Income planning

8:49 – Tax planning

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Financial planning is an essential aspect of life, but every family handles their money a little differently. The Money Wisdom podcast tackled a common question: what happens when one spouse handles all financial matters, leaving the other uninformed? This scenario, while common, can create stress and uncertainty for family members, particularly adult children who may be concerned about their parents' financial security. Discover practical strategies to ensure that both partners are informed and prepared, and learn how to involve adult children in these important discussions.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Today’s question

1:00 – Couples and finances

2:56 – Keeping planning simple

4:44 – Involvement is key

6:48 – Our clients

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

A health savings account can be an incredibly powerful tool for tax-advantaged savings but not every health plan includes that option. Is it worth switching your plan for one that allows you to contribute to an HSA?

In the latest episode of Money Wisdom, Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP®  tackle a listener's question about HSAs and walk you through a few of the things you need to know before you switch plans. With rising health care costs and the complexities of health insurance, understanding HSAs and whether they are the right choice for you is crucial.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Today’s question

0:53 – What is an HSA?

2:09 – Qualifying for HSA

3:14 – Something to keep in mind

4:22 – Which health plan is right for you?

6:39 – Investing in HSA

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Most people want to know how they stack up to other people as they approach retirement, which is why people often ask about the average age most people decide to retire. We work with people across different states and regions, so we see a range of ages. In the latest episode of the Money Wisdom podcast, Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP® share their personal experiences from the planning process and explain why comparisons don’t provide the right perspective for retirement.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Today’s question

1:05 – Boston clients

2:10 – Connecticut clients

3:17 – Different ages that matter

6:00 – Managing this period of life

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

One of the primary concerns for individuals nearing retirement is the desire to be debt-free. While this is a noble goal, it raises several questions about financial strategy, liquidity, and credit scores. While being debt-free may feel like a significant milestone, it is crucial to consider the broader financial picture. In the latest episode of the podcast, Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP® discuss the various aspects of debt management and its implications on retirement planning.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Today’s question

0:54 – Considerations

2:57 – Do you need to be debt free?

5:44 – Credit score

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

In today's fast-paced world, job security can often feel like a fragile concept, especially for those in their 50s. In this episode of the Money Wisdom podcast with Jake Doser, CFP®, CPWA® and Nick Colantuono, CFP®, address a listener's concern about preparing for potential layoffs and talk about steps to take if you’re facing similar uncertainties.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Today’s question

1:05 – Initial checklist

2:26 – Why things change in your 50s

4:18 – Changing your saving strategies

5:18 – Retirement planning considerations

7:48 – Final Thoughts

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai