📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

Money shows up in our favorite songs for a reason. It captures the emotions, tensions, and tradeoffs we all feel when it comes to finances. In this episode, Eric has some fun pulling financial lessons from iconic lyrics and exploring what they reveal about real-life money decisions. You might never hear these songs the same way again!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎤 Song Lyrics – Financial lessons hidden in familiar music

💵 More Money – Why higher income creates new complications

🧠 Mindset Shift – How wealth changes decisions and emotions

🛣️ Big Decisions – When it makes sense to pull money out

🧾 Taxes – Keeping more of what you’ve earned

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

In a world full of flashy promises and polished marketing, how do you know what actually matters when choosing a financial professional? In this episode, Eric tackles “shiny object syndrome” in retirement planning- the glossy brochures, impressive projections, testimonials, awards, and alphabet soup of credentials that can distract investors from what really counts. Eric breaks down which tools can be helpful, which deserve skepticism, and why trust, process, and real-world experience ultimately outweigh hype.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

✨ Shiny marketing vs. substance

📊 How to interpret hypothetical projections realistically

🗣️ What testimonials can (and can’t) tell you

🏆 Why advisor awards may be misleading

🎓 Experience vs. professional designations

🤝 The importance of trust and a clear planning process

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

When it comes to retirement, having enough money doesn’t automatically mean having everything figured out. In this episode, Eric tackles real listener questions that reveal where even confident savers can still go wrong. From deciding whether an advisor adds value when money isn’t an issue, to the risks of relying on stock-picking and “passive income” strategies for early retirement, the conversation centers on one core idea: having options isn’t the same as having a strategy.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💬 “If I already have more money than I’ll ever need, do I really need an advisor?”

💬 “Can I create reliable passive income by picking the right stocks and retiring early?”

💬 “How do we handle risk when my spouse and I don’t see money the same way?”

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

We’ve all seen those Christmas ornaments that say things like “Baby’s First Christmas.” It’s a milestone moment worth commemorating. But what about a retiree’s first Christmas? You may not have a specialty ornament to hang on the tree for this one, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a milestone. Let’s break down what might be different about this year’s holiday for your first Christmas in retirement…

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎁 How gift-giving changes without holiday bonuses

✈️ Travel freedom- and costs- during the holidays

📊 Why many retirees feel cautious their first year

🫴 The power of giving back to your community

❤️ Creating new traditions, giving back, and building lasting memories

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

We’re bombarded daily with headlines that spark panic — elections, health insurance changes, Social Security insolvency, market swings, and more. But how much of it really matters for your retirement?

In this episode of the Retirement Ready Podcast, Eric Peterson breaks down three major worries retirees bring up all the time — political elections, ACA subsidy changes, and the Social Security trust fund — and explains which ones deserve your attention and which ones are mostly noise.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🗳️ Election noise ≠ reality

🛡️ Focus on what you control

💊 ACA subsidies still workable

📉 Social Security needs fixes

🧾 Your plan should absorb changes

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/

Your retirement journey has more in common with The Wizard of Oz than you might think. In this playful but practical episode, Eric uses themes from the classic film — the Yellow Brick Road, the Scarecrow, Glinda the Good Witch, and more — to illustrate some of the most important principles in retirement planning.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

 🟨 Stay on the Yellow Brick Road

🏡 There’s No Place Like Home 

🧠 “If I Only Had a Brain” 

🧙‍♀️ Good Witch or Bad Witch? 

🚫 Don’t Follow the Munchkins

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

Eric explores common money mistakes people often make when planning for retirement, and scenarios that could cost you in the long run. The discussion also covers critical considerations around long-term care and how to avoid financial setbacks. Tune in to learn what you can do now to steer clear of these all-too-common errors and set yourself up for a worry-free retirement.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💸 Retirement Planning Slip-Ups: the mistakes that sneak up on people

📥 Automating Contributions: how money ends up sitting idle without you noticing

📊 Auto-Enrollment Pitfalls: when “set it and forget it” backfires

🕒 Claiming Too Early: why timing your Social Security matters

🏥 Long-Term Care Blind Spots: the cost people underestimate most

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

What do flight plans and retirement strategies have in common? In today’s episode, Eric draws an analogy between piloting a plane and navigating retirement. He explains how stress-testing your retirement plan against life’s turbulence can enhance your confidence and strengthen your financial resilience. So, fasten your seatbelt and join us as we chart a smooth course toward a secure retirement landing.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

✈️ Flight Plan First: why every successful retirement starts with a solid plan

🌪️ Market Turbulence: how to stay calm and confident when markets get bumpy

🛫 Course Corrections: adjusting your plan when life or the market shifts

💼 Regular Reviews: why consistent check-ins keep your financial flight on track

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

It’s time to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. In this episode, Eric tackles the financial discussions most people put off and explains how facing them now can protect your family’s future. Tune to discover honest, practical ways to talk about loss, legacy, and long-term care—and learn how these conversations can bring clarity and connection to the people who matter most.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💔 Spousal Loss: preparing for income changes and the financial impact of losing a partner

🏥 Long-Term Care: exploring strategies to cover nursing home and healthcare costs

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Communication: discussing care plans, expectations, and responsibilities with loved ones

🤝 Advisor’s Role: how financial professionals can guide families through emotional and financial decisions

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

📞 Ready to take the next step?

Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ 

Think fairy tales are just for kids? Think again. The secrets to lasting wealth may be hiding in stories you heard at bedtime. Today, Eric takes a creative approach to financial planning, drawing lessons from Aesop’s Fables to show why slow, steady, and intentional strategies still win the race.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

 💰 Enjoying Wealth: why it’s important to use your money, not just look at it

🐢 Slow & Steady Wins: the power of consistency over chasing quick gains

📈 The Hockey Stick Curve: understanding how real wealth builds over time

🌪️ Market Volatility: how to stay calm and focused when markets fluctuate

👨‍👩‍👧 Teaching the Next Generation: passing on patience and long-term thinking