What do you think is the key to a successful retirement?

By asking yourself the right questions and being intentional about using money to enrich life, you can live more presently in the moment and enjoy a meaningful and successful retirement.

James explains the most important question to ask yourself so that you can transform your retirement.

Questions Answered:

How do you get the most out of life with your money by living intentionally?
How do you live intentionally for a more meaningful life?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:37 The email
6:42 The responses
9:46 Points to note
12:03 Steph’s story
13:35 Important things to think about
15:30 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

For many people, Social Security will be their primary income source in retirement, but some individuals have sufficient assets or income from other sources, making them less dependent on Social Security benefits.

James explains the factors that can affect when you should collect Social Security and how to create a dynamic strategy.


Questions Answered: 
What if you have sufficient assets/ income that you don't depend on Social Security for your retirement needs?
How should that change your approach to collecting social security?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:36 If you don't need Social Security
5:40 First thing to look at
7:48 Listener's situation
10:11 Working in retirement
12:50 The second thing to look at
14:30 The third thing to look at
15:44 The fourth thing to look at
17:15 Examples
20:18 Needing cash down the line
24:49 Final thoughts
25:22 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Description
There are a lot of good reasons to put your money into a Roth account. But does it make sense to have all your money in Roth accounts?

The truth is, there is  a point at which it's potentially harmful to continue putting money into Roth accounts. 

James explains the nuances of Roth accounts and tax planning, while answering a listener's question.

Questions Answered:
Is there a point at which you can have too much in a Roth account?
How can you use tax planning in retirement?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:17 Listener question
3:59 Short answer
5:41 Example
8:04 Tax planning
9:10 Eample
11:45 Two questions
14:18 Charitable giving
18:22 Example
20:57 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

How much it will cost to meet your needs is one of the hardest parts to understand about retirement. Relying on conventional wisdom will only get you so far, and may even lead you astray.

In this episode, we explain how to get an accurate sense of your retirement expenses while walking you through a real example from a listener question.

As a bonus, we are including a free worksheet for you to use:
Retirement Cash Flow Planner

Questions answered:
How can you tell if you're financially on track for retirement?
What do you do before social security kicks in to supplement income?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:10 Listener question
3:57 A few things to consider
6:00 Here's where to start
10:23 Where does the rest go?
13:07 Steps 1 and 2
16:31 Their portfolio
18:31 Retirement expenses
21:50 Income strategy
23:40 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Many people believe that when you're retired, you need to own your own home, ideally without a mortgage. But there are instances where renting can make more sense, not just financially but for several other reasons. 

In this episode, James discusses the pros and cons of owning versus renting and when it makes sense to rent instead of own.

Questions answered:
In what instances does it make more financial sense to rent than own?
What other reasons might factor into the decision to rent?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:33 Cost of rent rising
6:00 Less control
7:22 Equity
9:00 First issue: tax implications
11:49 Second issue: budget
15:08 Lifestyle
18:44 Your health
19:56 Example
23:20 Emotional factors
24:33 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Required Minimum Distributions work differently depending on the type of account. How can you most effectively plan for them? 

Today we're talking through everything you need to know about RMDs so you can understand their nuances and create a plan to best address them.

Questions Answered:
At what age do you need to take an RMD?
What accounts do you have to take an RMD on?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:59 At what age do you need to take out an RMD?
4:19 How much is the RMD going to be?
7:40 What accounts do you have to take an RMD on?
9:25 Basic rules
11:26 Spouse and non-spouse inherited IRAs
16:11 Extra benefit
20:07 Exceptions to the rules
23:54 Keep this in mind
25:55 Example
32:26 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

For people who are planning to retire early, planning for retirement can be especially daunting. 

There are many different points to consider, but the most important is ensuring that your income stream will sustain you for the rest of your life.

Today’s case study examines someone who is looking to retire early so that you can understand what framework and approach to apply to your own situation.

Questions Answered:
What do you do for income when you no longer receive a paycheck?
What sort of strategies do you use for taxes, medicare, withdrawal, etc?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:11 Today’s question
4:11 Considerations
6:55 Strategy and Expenses
9:34 Recommendations
11:30 Implications
13:27 Are they on track?
18:35 A couple of things you can do
22:22 Adding in Social Security
25:42 Quick thoughts
27:34 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

One of the best things you can do for your portfolio is to implement the right tax strategy. Each situation is unique and requires a personalized approach.

Using a listener’s question, James explains one specific example to show when and how to implement the right strategy. 

Questions Answered: 
Why should or shouldn't you do Roth conversions?
What should you be mindful of when doing Roth conversions?

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:53 Listener question
4:03 Two core things to focus on
5:56 Should we do a Roth conversion?
7:13 Taxable income
9:16 Lower tax bracket
11:24 Taking a basic look
14:21 Gray area
16:40 Control the balance
19:31 Big picture plan
20:41 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

Managing your cash reserves in retirement can get complicated quickly between living expenses, multiple income streams, taxes owed, etc. 

James explains how you should manage your cash reserves based on your financial plan and answers a listener’s question.

Questions Answered:

How do you incorporate cash needs and short-term assets into your bigger-picture portfolio?
How does that change from working years into retirement years?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:44 Listener question
2:42 Review of the week
4:09 Three “buckets”
5:30 Other tax accounts
6:57 Emergency fund
7:51 Example
10:39 Free access to your accounts
12:45 Savings accounts
14:37 Reframing your view
16:14 Cash vs portfolio
18:05 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!

When you retire, there are surprising things you’ll wish you knew beforehand. Unlike social security, IRAs, or Medicare, most people don’t often plan for the emotional and personal matters of retirement.

James discusses the five things people often regret not understanding before retirement. 

Questions Answered:
What do people regret not knowing before retirement?
How can you avoid those mistakes?

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:20 Regret one
5:54 Regret two
7:42 Regret three
9:14 Regret four
11:34 Regret five
13:45 Summary
14:30 Outro

Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️

Get Started Here.

Join the new Root Collective HERE!