The Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars playoff series is a reminder that winning is rarely about one big moment. The best teams plan for a long series, adjust when things change, and protect against mistakes.

Retirement works the same way.

In the latest episode of Money Not Math, we use playoff hockey as a simple way to think about retirement planning. Not through complicated formulas, but through real life perspective that makes sense.

In this episode, we talk about: • Why retirement is a long term series, not a single event

• The risks of relying on one strategy or one account

• How flexibility matters as markets, taxes, and life change

If you are within a few years of retirement or already retired and want more clarity around your plan, this episode is worth watching.

⚠️ This video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as individualized financial or investment advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

#MoneyNotMath #RetirementPlanning #MinnesotaWild #EmptyNesters #FinancialEducation #RetirementConfidence #5StoneFinancialGroup #RetireConfidently

Money stress is not always about income, markets, or account balances.

In fact, many people who are doing objectively well still feel anxious about money.

In Money Not Math Episode 182, I talk about why financial stress usually comes from: • Unanswered questions

• Too many open decisions

• Competing priorities

• Lack of clarity, not lack of money

This episode is about confidence, simplicity, and understanding what actually reduces financial pressure over time.

Disclosure: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Individual situations vary and decisions should be made based on your own circumstances, ideally with guidance from a qualified professional.

#MoneyNotMath #FinancialClarity #FinancialConfidence #RetirementPlanning #WealthWithPurpose #LifeAfterWork #5StoneFinancial #FiduciaryMindset #BusyProfessionals #BusinessOwners

Money Not Math Episode 181

A YouTube commenter asked me what happens when the Social Security Trust Fund runs out and requested I revisit a prior retirement income example to show what retirement could look like if Social Security benefits were reduced by 25%.

So in Money Not Math Episode 181, I do exactly that.

Using the same hypothetical couple from Money Not Math Episode 162, with $500,000 in an IRA plus Social Security, I walk through a retirement stress test and show how a reduction in benefits can impact retirement income and overall retirement success.

In this episode, I touch on how:

• Asset allocation decisions

• Social Security benefit and timing considerations

• Retirement tax planning

• Retirement income spending strategies

can all impact retirement income and overall retirement success.

I do not try to predict the future of Social Security. Instead, this episode is about education and planning, illustrating how different planning variables work together when assumptions change.

⚠️ This is a hypothetical example only, not legal, tax, or investment advice, and it does not include long term care planning.

If you would like to ask a question, publicly or privately, or want to explore planning options for your own situation, feel free to message me or call 218 686 3170.

And as always, please: ✅ Subscribe

✅ Share with a friend

✅ Comment with a question or thought

Disclaimer: This content is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your personal situation.

#RetirementPlanning #SocialSecurityPlanning #RetirementIncome #PreRetirement #FinancialEducation #MoneyNotMath #RetirementSuccess #5StoneFinancialGroup #RetireConfidently

How much do you really need to retire confidently? 🤔

In Money Not Math: Episode 180, I tackled one of the most common retirement questions I hear:

👉 How much in assets does a couple actually need to retire with confidence?

Here’s what I did in this episode:

• Assumed a married couple receiving $4,200 per month in Social Security

• Compared retirement spending using $250k, $500k, $750k, and $1M in an IRA

• Showed results with and without Long Term Care costs included

Same Social Security. Same assumptions. Very different outcomes.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your savings are “enough,” this episode gives you a clearer framework for thinking about retirement income, without the math headache.

Disclaimer: This content is not legal, tax, or investment advice. You should always consult a qualified professional regarding your personal situation.

#MoneyNotMath #RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #FinancialConfidence #SocialSecurity #LongTermCare #5StoneFinancialGroup #RetireConfidently

This one is personal.

My 96 year old grandpa passed away on March 20th. He was a man I admired deeply because of the way he lived his life with faith, humility, kindness, and a level of consistency that is rare today.

In this episode, I share the lessons he taught me about real wealth. Not money, but character, commitment, community, and legacy.

One of the memories I will never forget is being able to spend most of his final 24 hours with him. I sat next to him, held his hand, and was with him when he took his last breath. I will always be grateful for that time.

If you have ever wondered what truly matters in retirement and in life, I hope his story encourages you the way it has encouraged me.

#MoneyNotMath #RealWealth #Legacy #RetirementPlanning #Family #5StoneFinancialGroup

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

With everything happening in the world, it’s completely normal to feel uneasy about your investments or retirement plans.

But here’s the thing:

Headlines create fear.

History creates perspective.

In the newest episode of Money Not Math, I walk through:

• How markets have historically behaved during major conflicts

• Why wars often aren’t the main driver of long term returns

• The key questions that matter more than the news

• Why clarity and understanding bring confidence in uncertain times

This is not about predictions or recommendations, just calm, educational perspective to help you stay grounded.

If you want a retirement plan you can actually understand and feel confident in, reach out anytime.

5 Stone Financial Group

Turning hard work into a confident retirement.

Disclaimer: Educational content only; not individualized advice.

#MoneyNotMath #RetirementPlanning #FinancialWellness #InvestmentEducation #MarketPerspective #RetirementConfidence #FinancialClarity #5StoneFinancialGroup #RetirementJourney #FinancialStability #EmptyNest #MinnesotaBusiness

Ever wondered how people approach earning income through real estate, or how real estate developers think about design, sustainability, and addressing the affordable housing crisis while also aiming to create positive experiences for investors?

In this Episode, I sit down with Dusten Hendrickson, founder of Mailbox Money, who brings over 20 years and more than $500M of experience in real estate development, design, construction, and syndication.

Dusten shares how smart design, smaller footprints, and intentional planning can shape the future of both communities and investment opportunities.

💡 In this conversation we cover:

✔️ Education on ways investors have historically participated in real estate

✔️ How Dusten transitioned from construction to design to real estate development

✔️ Why financial and environmental sustainability work best together

✔️ How efficient design helps address today’s affordable housing challenges

✔️ Ways investors can participate in purpose driven real estate projects

✔️ The mission behind Mailbox Money and what’s next for their team

Whether you're passionate about real estate, curious about passive investment structures, or simply enjoy big-picture problem solving, this episode brings a lot of valuable insight.

👉 If this conversation gave you something to think about, please like, share, or tag a friend who would enjoy it.

💬 Drop a comment with a thought or question. If I do not know the answer, I will reach out to Dusten and get it for you.

🔗 Connect with Dusten: mailboxmoneyre.com | LinkedIn: Dusten Hendrickson

⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your personal situation.

#MoneyNotMath #MailboxMoney #RealEstateEducation #WealthBuilding #FinancialLiteracy #SustainableDesign #AffordableHousing #CashFlowConcepts #EmptyNestersWhoInvest #RetirementPlanning #5StoneFinancialGroup

The past two weeks reminded me just how quickly life can move between joy, excitement, and unexpected heartbreak.

While my family and I were on vacation, we experienced moments of pure happiness — from our daughters’ first plane ride and their first time swimming in the ocean, to meaningful time with grandparents and cousins. We also spent part of our trip cheering on our niece in the TRF Girls 12U Region Tournament, surrounded by family and community.

At the same time, our hometown experienced incredible hockey success:

🏒 TRF Girls 10U B – District Champions

🏒 TRF Girls 12U B – 2nd in Regions & State bound

🏒 TRF Girls 15U B – Region Champions & State bound

🏒 TRF Boys Bantam A – State bound

(Congrats to everyone else who achieved success these past weeks as well!)

And on the national stage, both the USA Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams brought home gold — something we haven’t seen from the men in 46 years.

But mixed in with all the joy were difficult moments.

While on vacation, I learned that a former classmate — just 33 years old, a parent — passed away in a snowmobile accident. And another person close to our TRF hockey community, a husband and father, had to be life flighted due to unexpected complications and is still fighting to recover.

These moments hit hard. They remind us that life can be full of happiness, achievement, and heartbreak — sometimes all at once. And while we can’t control everything, we can control how we show up, how we love our people, and how we prepare for the unexpected.

That’s what this week’s Money Not Math episode is all about.

🎥 Watch Episode 176: “Happiness, Hockey, and Heartbreak”

👉 https://youtu.be/eXYOjBBc1Go

As always, remember: money is just a tool — life is the goal.

Disclaimer, this content is not legal, tax, or investment advice. You should always consult a qualified professional regarding your personal situation.

#MoneyNotMath #5StoneFinancialGroup #HockeyCommunity #LifePlanning #FamilyFirst #TRFHockey #Perspective #FinancialWellness #RetirementPlanning

What can a gorilla teach you about retirement planning?

In this episode of Money Not Math, Drew uses the famous Monkey Business Illusion to reveal a surprising truth:

👉 Even smart, attentive people can completely miss what’s happening right in front of them.

When it comes to retirement, many people focus almost entirely on:

• Picking the “best” investments

• Chasing higher short-term returns

• Watching the market every day

Those things matter, but they’re only part of the story.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🦍 The “gorillas” in retirement planning most people overlook:

• Lifestyle planning

• Taxes in retirement

• Healthcare and long-term care

• Sequence of returns risk

• Cash flow and distribution strategy

🛠 Three practical ways to stop missing the big picture in your financial life:

1️⃣ Zoom out beyond “How much will my portfolio grow this year?”

2️⃣ Build a written retirement plan that covers more than investments

3️⃣ Work with someone who can help you see your blind spots

If you’re an empty nester with $300,000 or more in investable assets, this episode is designed to help you retire with confidence, not surprises.

🎧 Press play to make sure you’re not just counting passes and missing the gorilla in your retirement plan.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Bx2zpvfyxlM

🌐 Learn more or schedule a conversation: https://5stonefinancial.com/

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. You should consult a qualified professional regarding your personal financial situation before making any decisions.

#MoneyNotMath #RetirementPlanning #EmptyNester #SequenceOfReturns #TaxesInRetirement #FinancialPlanning #LongTermCare #RetireWithConfidence #5StoneFinancialGroup

In Episode 174 of Money Not Math, we explore the 8 essential questions to ask before you retire. These questions go far beyond savings amounts and help create clarity around income, Social Security, healthcare, taxes, investment strategy, and lifestyle planning.

This episode is designed for empty nesters and pre retirees who want to feel more confident and prepared for their next chapter.

Disclosure:

This content is for educational purposes only and is not individualized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. It does not represent a recommendation to buy or sell any security or adopt any specific strategy. All investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Consult a qualified financial professional regarding your personal situation before making financial decisions.

#MoneyNotMath #RetirementPlanning #EmptyNesters #PreRetirement #FinancialEducation #5StoneFinancialGroup