Pivot with Darryl Lyons

Everyone has rules of thumb they live by when it comes to money, but are yours helping you or holding you back? In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, shares the first 10 of his 20 guiding money principles that influence how he makes financial decisions for himself, his family, and his clients.

Show Highlights: • Why an emergency fund should cover 3-6 months of expenses, not income. • How your spending and giving habits reveal what truly matters to you. • The two most reliable paths to wealth: starting a business or saving early and often. • Key rules of thumb on saving rates, home affordability, and retirement withdrawal strategies. • How a "legacy bucket" can help retirees balance growth, generosity, and peace of mind. • What just $150 a month could mean for your child's future college costs.

Whether you're just starting out, in the middle of your career, or already retired, these principles can serve as a foundation to help you make wiser money choices and think long term.

If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to share it with a friend or family member!

Rising health insurance costs are squeezing household budgets - especially for families and those not yet on Medicare. In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, breaks down the differences between traditional health insurance and medical cost sharing programs and how each can impact cash flow between ages 62 and 65.

Show Highlights:

• The 2025 cost picture: premiums and out-of-pocket trends families are feeling.
• Traditional insurance vs. cost sharing: deductibles vs. IUAs, "premiums" vs. "shares," and how reimbursement works with cash pay.
• Networks and access: why many sharing programs don't use networks - and what that means at the doctor's office.
• Coverage nuances: preventive care, preexisting conditions, and when ACA plans may be a better fit.
• Faith-based vs. non-faith options: examples like Samaritan Ministries, Medi-Share, Christian Healthcare Ministries, and Sedera.

Whether you're still working, planning to retire before 65, or helping adult children evaluate coverage, this episode offers practical insights to compare traditional insurance with medical cost sharing and make a more informed decision for your situation.

If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to share it with a friend or family member!

Resource:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/06/16/how-much-does-insurance-cost-2025-family-of-four/84149201007/

Roth IRAs have been around since 1997, but many people still have questions about how they work and whether they make sense for their retirement strategy. In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, unpacks the power of Roth IRAs and how they differ from traditional IRAs.

Show Highlights:

• The difference between marginal and effective tax rates - and why it matters for Roth contributions and conversions.
• Real stories of how retirees and pre-retirees have used Roth conversions to reduce future tax burdens.
• Key considerations before converting, including cash needs, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and tax brackets.
• The impact of Roth IRAs on estate planning and how they can benefit the next generation.
• Contribution limits for 2025 and how Roth 401(k)s compare to Roth IRAs.

Whether you're just starting out, approaching retirement, or thinking about legacy planning, this episode will give you practical insights into how a Roth IRA may fit into your overall financial plan.

If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to share it with a friend or family member!

In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, shares practical strategies for protecting yourself from identity theft. From freezing your credit to creating stronger passwords and monitoring your accounts regularly, Darryl walks through clear, actionable steps you can take to help reduce the risk of fraud.

Along the way, Darryl highlights real-life examples and common scams, helping you stay aware and proactive in safeguarding your finances.

Show highlights include: • Three preventative measures to help reduce the likelihood of ID theft. • How freezing your credit works and when to consider it. • Tips for creating stronger, harder-to-guess passwords. • Why two-factor authentication can add an extra layer of protection. • Key steps to take immediately if you experience fraud. • Resources like identitytheft.gov and credit bureau fraud alerts.

Whether you're looking to better protect yourself, help a loved one, or simply stay informed, this episode offers valuable insight into minimizing the impact of fraud and keeping your personal information more secure.

In today's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, explores a timely question: Is the economy actually doing better than we think?

While pessimism often dominates the news cycle, this episode highlights five key indicators that suggest economic resilience in 2025 - and what that means for long-term investors.

Darryl breaks down:

-Why employment trends may be stronger than they appear - even with recent layoffs.

-How recent corporate earnings from companies such as Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta have been interpreted as signals of underlying strength.

-The real-world impact of AI in business and how it's driving profitability and efficiency.

-What investors should understand about tariffs, trade policy, and global supply chains.

-How recent deregulation is giving companies room to grow and innovate.

If you've been wondering, "Should I still be investing right now?" or "What economic data actually matters?" - This episode offers thoughtful perspective.

Tune in to gain clarity, filter through the noise, and make informed decisions rooted in your values and the broader economic landscape.

Resources:

https://www.morningstar.com/economy/job-growth-slowed-may-labor-market-remains-healthy-now

https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/economy/spotlight/US-labor-market-US-headline-numbers.html

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/trumps-tariffs-achieved-experts-weigh/story?id=123859218

In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, sits down with PAX Financial Advisor Haley Wall for a heartfelt discussion on the emotional and financial challenges faced by widows.

Drawing from real-life experiences and her work as a certified Loss of Life Advocate, Haley explains how widows can regain clarity and make informed financial decisions after a loss. From navigating life insurance and estate documents to avoiding predatory scams and understanding Social Security's widow blackout period, this episode offers practical guidance and emotional insight.

Key highlights include:

• The first financial step every widow should take - pause.
• Why widows are often targeted by scammers and opportunists.
• The importance of updating wills, beneficiaries, and medical directives.
• How the widow's Social Security blackout period works - and how to prepare.
• The emotional weight of stewardship and honoring a spouse's legacy.
• Available community resources, including grief counseling and support groups.

Whether you're navigating widowhood yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers both compassion and direction.

For more support, visit PAXFinancialGroup.com or contact Haley directly at [email protected].

In this heartfelt episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, sits down with fellow PAX advisor David Alvarez to discuss a deeply personal and often overlooked financial planning topic - supporting families who have children or loved ones with disabilities.

David shares his own journey into financial services, shaped by his family's background and a career that began at the peak of economic uncertainty. Now a key member of the PAX team, David has developed a specialized focus on serving families navigating the complex realities of long-term disability planning.

Together, Darryl and David explore: • How David's passion for serving families with special needs began. • The emotional and financial toll of long-term illness or disability. • Key planning tools like ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts. • The importance of acting on important, but not always urgent, financial tasks. • How PAX's "Honest Conversations" methodology helps both spouses find clarity and peace of mind.

Whether it's planning for a child with autism, preparing for future medical expenses, or simply figuring out where to start, this episode offers real-world guidance for those walking a challenging path.

If you or someone you know is navigating life with a loved one who has special needs, don't miss this episode. And remember - you think different when you think long term.

Learn more or reach out at PAXFinancialGroup.com.

In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, sits down with Roger Stukkie - Certified Financial Planner™, Certified Kingdom Advisor®, and Financial Advisor at PAX - for a thought-provoking conversation about the intersection of faith and finances.

From biblical definitions of generosity to real-world giving strategies, this episode dives into steps you can take to be both a Christian and a steward of your financial resources. Darryl and Roger explore how aligning your money mindset with your faith can lead to deeper fulfillment, more intentional giving, and long-term impact.

Key Highlights Include: • The difference between becoming a Christian and living as one - especially when it comes to money.

• Why generosity is more about stewardship than sacrifice.

• How to overcome skepticism and give with confidence (even if you don't fully trust the organization).

• Checks and balances in nonprofit financials and how to evaluate them.

• Two tax-efficient giving strategies every faith-driven investor should know: QCDs and donor-advised funds.

Whether you're a faith-forward investor or simply exploring how your values align with your financial life, this episode offers practical tools and spiritual insight to help guide your giving.

For more insights or to connect with a PAX Financial Group advisor, visit www.PAXFinancialGroup.com.

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In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, tackles one of the biggest challenges facing investors today: information overload. With news headlines, political rhetoric, and market commentary flooding our daily lives, making sound financial decisions can feel like navigating a maze.

Darryl breaks down the subtle (but critical) differences between mentors, coaches, and consultants - and explains why having a trusted guide can help you stay rational when emotions threaten to derail your long-term strategy.

Key Highlights Include: • How mentors, coaches, and consultants each play unique roles in your financial life. • The behavioral traps that can derail even the most rational investors. • A real-life case study of emotional decision-making during market turmoil. • How misinformation influences your perception of risk and opportunity. • Why your advisor should be more than just a financial "consultant".

Whether you're feeling stuck or simply want to build a better decision-making framework, this episode offers a thoughtful and empowering perspective.

For more insights or to connect with a PAX Financial Group advisor, visit www.PAXFinancialGroup.com. Like what you heard? Share this episode with a friend!

Resource: https://www.justfactsdaily.com/50-examples-of-fake-news-in-2024

In this week's episode of Retire in Texas, Darryl Lyons, CEO and Co-Founder of PAX Financial Group, unpacks the complex world of bonds and why they matter to everyday investors. With market headlines swirling and interest rates shifting, Darryl breaks down what bonds really are, how they function in your portfolio, and why government debt isn't just a political issue - it's a personal one.

From explaining how bond auctions work to highlighting the risks of chasing returns, this episode offers a practical and reassuring look at what is often considered the "boring" side of investing - and why it deserves your attention. Key Highlights:

• Why bonds still play a vital role - even if you prefer stocks. • What bond auctions reveal about global trust in the U.S. economy. • The four principles every investor should follow when it comes to bonds. • Why professional bond management can make a major difference. • How to stay calm (and informed) in the face of economic uncertainty.

Whether you're nearing retirement or helping a loved one navigate their investment journey, this episode provides timeless insights with a steady hand.

For more insights or to connect with a PAX Financial Group advisor, visit www.PAXFinancialGroup.com.

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Resources: 🌐https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/greece/long-term-interest-rate

🌐 https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/why-the-national-debt-matters-for-the-u-s-bond-market-and-the-economy/

🌐 https://www.ib.barclays/our-insights/five-forces-affecting-fixed-income-markets.html?cid=paidsearch-textads_google_google_themes_fixed-income_us_fixed-income