See The Forest Through the Trees

Which states are the cheapest—and most expensive—to live in America in 2026? In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down the latest cost-of-living rankings, comparing housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other everyday expenses across the country. You’ll see why Oklahoma ranks as the cheapest state, why Hawaii sits at the other extreme, and how a lifestyle costing $60,000 in Oklahoma could cost nearly $133,000 in Hawaii. We’ll also look at surprising results from states like Florida, Texas, and Maryland and explain why your location can have such a major impact on your retirement plan.

More New Yorkers Are Moving to Philadelphia Than Any Other City, According to New Report: https://philadelphia.today/2026/09/new-yorkers-are-moving-to-philadelphia/

#Retirement #CostOfLiving #RetirementPlanning #BestStatesToRetire #CheapestStates #RetirementTips #PersonalFinance #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #retiresmart

00:00-Intro

01:22- 10th Cheapest State

01:57- 9th Cheapest State

02:29- 8/7th Cheapest State

03:09- 6th Cheapest State

03:42- 5th Cheapest State

04:19- 4th Cheapest State

04:42- 3rd Cheapest State

05:05- 2nd Cheapest State

05:42- 1st Cheapest State

09:10- 5th Most Expensive State

10:15- 4th Most Expensive State

10:41- 3rd Most Expensive State

11:09- 2nd Most Expensive State

12:06- 1st Most Expensive State

13:04- Cheapest vs Expensive State Side by Side

Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

Topics covered regularly include:

• Social Security claiming strategies

• How Social Security is taxed

• Roth conversion timing

• Retirement withdrawal strategies

• Tax-efficient retirement income

• IRMAA and Medicare premiums

• Retirement mistakes to avoid

• Survivor planning strategies

• Retirement planning for business owners

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/ ⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Recommended Financial Planning Tools👇

Budgeting...👇

★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★

https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Wealth Management...👇

★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇

https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Bookkeeping...👇

★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇

https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

Social Security spousal benefits can be confusing, especially when you hear that you may be eligible for up to 50% of your spouse’s benefit. But that doesn’t mean you receive half of your spouse’s check on top of your own benefit.

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains how the 50% Social Security spousal benefit actually works, how your own benefit factors into the calculation, what happens if you claim early, and why delaying until 70 doesn’t increase the maximum spousal benefit. We’ll also look at how couples can coordinate their filing decisions and consider the impact on future survivor benefits.

➡️ ➡️ Check out my comprehensive Social Security Guide: https://celestialwm.com/social-security-guide/

00:00-Intro

00:52-50% × Higher Earner's Full Retirement Age Benefit

03:24-Current Spouse: Worker Must Be Receiving Benefits

04:18-Waiting until 70 does not increase the 50% amount

05:25-The early-filing trap: “up to” 50%

06:38-Should the higher earner wait until 70?

09:16-When the answer may change

10:08-The five numbers to check before filing

#SocialSecurity #SocialSecurityBenefits #SpousalBenefits #SocialSecuritySpousalBenefits #RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #SocialSecurityTips #RetirementStrategy #RetirementTips #SocialSecurity2026

Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

Topics covered regularly include:

• Social Security claiming strategies

• How Social Security is taxed

• Roth conversion timing

• Retirement withdrawal strategies

• Tax-efficient retirement income

• IRMAA and Medicare premiums

• Retirement mistakes to avoid

• Survivor planning strategies

• Retirement planning for business owners

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/ ⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Recommended Financial Planning Tools👇

Budgeting...👇

★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★

https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Wealth Management...👇

★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇

https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Bookkeeping...👇

★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇

https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

If you’re retired and thinking about paying cash for your next car, you may want to reconsider before writing that check.

Paying cash might feel like the financially responsible choice—no monthly payment, no interest, and no debt. But depending on where that money comes from, paying cash could actually cost you significantly more than you realize.

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains why retirees should think twice before automatically paying cash for a vehicle, how financing can sometimes work in your favor, and why the account you use to fund a major purchase can have a big impact on your retirement.

We’ll cover how to negotiate the actual price of the vehicle instead of the monthly payment, when low-interest financing could make sense, and why pulling $50,000 from a traditional IRA could potentially create additional taxes, affect Social Security taxation, and even increase future Medicare premiums.

The question isn’t simply, “Can I afford this car?”

The better question is: Which money should I use to pay for it?

Before making your next major purchase in retirement, make sure you understand how it fits into your overall retirement income and tax strategy.

#Retirement #RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #RetirementTaxes #FinancialPlanning #CarBuying #IRA #SocialSecurity #Medicare #retirementtips

00:00-Intro

00:46-Don't Tell The Dealer You're Paying Cash

02:05-Negotiate the Car: Not The Payment

03:30-Sometime Financing Makes the Car Cheaper

05:00-The $50,000 Car Can Turn Into a $70,000 Car

06:51-This is Where Retirement Planning Changes the Answer

09:31-How I'd Actually Buy the Car

10:43-When Cash is Still the Right Answer

Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

Topics covered regularly include:

• Social Security claiming strategies

• How Social Security is taxed

• Roth conversion timing

• Retirement withdrawal strategies

• Tax-efficient retirement income

• IRMAA and Medicare premiums

• Retirement mistakes to avoid

• Survivor planning strategies

• Retirement planning for business owners

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/ ⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

If you have a pension, how much do you actually need to invest for retirement? Do you still need to save 15%, 20%, or even 25% of your income—or could your pension mean you're already saving enough?

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains how to look at your pension, Social Security, 401(k), IRA, and other investments as one complete retirement plan. Rather than chasing an arbitrary savings number, you'll learn how to calculate the income gap your investments actually need to cover.

We also cover how having guaranteed pension income can affect your investment strategy, whether you may be able to save less, the importance of inflation and survivor benefits, and why building investments outside of your pension can give you more flexibility to retire on your terms.

Ultimately, retirement isn't about accumulating the largest possible portfolio. It's about creating enough reliable income and flexibility to fund the retirement you actually want.

#RetirementPlanning #Pension #PensionPlanning #Retirement #401k #SocialSecurity #Investing #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #RetirementSavings

00:00-Intro

00:44-Start With the Income Gap

02:19-Your Pension Has a Value

03:13-Your Pension Can Change

06:25-Should You Save Less

09:00-Why I Still Like Saving Even With a Pension

10:00-Could You Save Too Much

11:00-The Calculation

Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

Topics covered regularly include:

• Social Security claiming strategies

• How Social Security is taxed

• Roth conversion timing

• Retirement withdrawal strategies

• Tax-efficient retirement income

• IRMAA and Medicare premiums

• Retirement mistakes to avoid

• Survivor planning strategies

• Retirement planning for business owners

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/ ⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Recommended Financial Planning Tools👇

Budgeting...👇

★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★

https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Wealth Management...👇

★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇

https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Bookkeeping...👇

★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇

https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

Many investors believe an S&P 500 index fund gives them all the diversification they need. After all, owning the S&P 500 means owning approximately 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States.

But the S&P 500 is market-cap weighted, and its ten largest companies now represent a significant portion of the entire index. Investors may also unknowingly increase that concentration by owning an S&P 500 fund alongside large-cap growth funds, Nasdaq funds, technology funds, or target-date funds that hold many of the same companies.

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains whether the S&P 500 alone is enough for a retirement portfolio and why owning hundreds of stocks does not always provide the diversification investors expect.

You’ll learn:

• How market-cap weighting creates concentration inside the S&P 500

• Why owning several different funds may still result in overlapping investments

• The difference between market concentration and predicting a market crash

• How sequence-of-returns risk affects retirees taking portfolio withdrawals

• When portfolio rebalancing may help control risk

• How bonds, value stocks, small-cap stocks, international equities, and equal-weight strategies may fit into a diversified retirement portfolio

The S&P 500 can remain an efficient and valuable long-term investment. The real question is whether your entire retirement plan should depend so heavily on the same small group of companies continuing to lead the market.

00:00-Intro

00:41-How The S&P 500 Actually Works

01:20-What is Fund Overlap?

02:27-What the Fund Data Doesn't Tell You

03:48-Analyze Your Fund Holdings

04:08-Compare Current vs Intended Allocation

04:37-Examine Diversification Within Equities

05:38-Consider the Tax Impact

06:08-The Bottom Line

[About] Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

Topics covered regularly include:

• Social Security claiming strategies

• How Social Security is taxed

• Roth conversion timing

• Retirement withdrawal strategies

• Tax-efficient retirement income

• IRMAA and Medicare premiums

• Retirement mistakes to avoid

• Survivor planning strategies

• Retirement planning for business owners

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

Some purchases can make you look wealthy while quietly reducing your financial freedom.

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains six purchases that wealthy retirees tend to approach carefully—not because they refuse to spend money, but because they understand the difference between intentional spending and permanent financial obligations.

The six purchases include:

• Vacation homes

• Timeshares

• High-fee annuities

• High-fee mutual funds

• Luxury car leases

• Vacation clubs and luxury memberships

You’ll learn how recurring expenses, surrender charges, mutual fund expense ratios, maintenance costs, and difficult exit provisions can gradually reduce your flexibility in retirement.

The discussion of high-fee mutual funds includes real-world examples from Capital Group, J.P. Morgan, and T. Rowe Price. It also explains how investors can use free research tools such as Morningstar and Portfolio Visualizer to investigate investment expenses and compare higher-cost mutual funds with lower-cost ETFs.

This does not mean every vacation home, annuity, mutual fund, luxury vehicle, or membership is a bad purchase. The important question is whether the purchase supports the retirement you want—or creates an obligation that controls your future decisions.

Before making a major retirement purchase, ask:

Will this increase my flexibility or reduce it?

Will it increase the fixed expenses I must cover?

If my circumstances change, will I still be glad I bought it?

#RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning

00:00-Intro

00:35-Retirement Changes the Question

00:57-Vacation Home

02:16-Timeshares

03:20-High-Fee Annuities

04:56-High-Fee Mutual Funds

08:18-Luxury Car Leases

09:33-Vacation Clubs and Luxury Memberships

11:15-The Three-Question Filter

[About] Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Recommended Financial Planning Tools👇

Budgeting...👇

★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★

https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Wealth Management...👇

★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇

https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM

Bookkeeping...👇

★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇

https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

A retirement tax strategy can look smart on its own and still create a larger tax bill somewhere else.

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains three common retirement tax mistakes: failing to use the 0% long-term capital gains bracket, triggering the Social Security tax trap, and converting too much—or too little—from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Retirement withdrawals, capital gains, Social Security benefits, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, and Medicare IRMAA are all connected. A capital gain taxed at 0% can still cause more of your Social Security to become taxable. A Roth conversion intended to reduce future RMDs can trigger higher Medicare premiums or push income into a higher tax bracket.

The goal is not simply to minimize taxes this year. It is to coordinate these decisions to potentially reduce your lifetime retirement tax bill.

TOPICS COVERED:

• How the 0% long-term capital gains bracket works in 2026

• Using tax-gain harvesting to increase your cost basis

• How provisional income determines Social Security taxation

• Why a 12% tax bracket can produce a 22.2% effective marginal rate

• The risks of under-converting and over-converting to a Roth IRA

• Coordinating Roth conversions, RMDs, IRMAA and survivor taxes

• Creating an annual retirement tax projection

LEARN MORE:

⭐How Social Security Is Taxed⭐ 👇

https://celestialwm.com/how-social-security-is-taxed/

⭐Roth Conversion Timing Guide⭐ 👇

https://celestialwm.com/roth-conversion-timing-guide/

#RetirementTaxes #RetirementPlanning #RothConversion

00:00-Unrealized Tax Planning Mistakes

00:33-Topics Covered In this Video

00:55-What is See the Forest Through the Trees?

01:28-Mistake #1: Wasting the 0% Capital Gains Rate

05:18-Mistake #2: The Social Security Tax Trap

08:40-Mistake #3: Converting to Roth Without a Tax Plan

12:27-The Coordination Checklist

[About] Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

Your Social Security estimate may not be as fixed as you think.

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains five ways you may be able to increase your Social Security benefit—even if you are already in your 60s or have started collecting.

Social Security uses your highest 35 years of covered earnings to calculate your retirement benefit. Missing years are counted as zeros, while new high-earning years may replace lower years already included in the calculation. Your claiming age, earnings record, and coordination of spousal and survivor benefits can also make a significant difference.

The goal is not simply to generate the largest possible monthly Social Security check. It is to choose a strategy that works with your taxes, investments, portfolio withdrawals, health, longevity, and complete retirement-income plan.

TOPICS COVERED:

• How Social Security calculates your retirement benefit

• Finding and correcting errors in your earnings record

• Replacing zero-earning years in the 35-year calculation

• Replacing lower-earning years by continuing to work

• Increasing benefits after you have started collecting

• How claiming at 62, full retirement age or 70 changes your check

• Social Security withdrawal and voluntary suspension options

• Coordinating spousal and survivor benefits

• Why maximizing Social Security may not maximize your retirement plan

SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMING GUIDE:

Learn how claiming age, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, taxes and retirement income should be coordinated:

👉https://celestialwm.com/social-security-guide/

Max Out Your Social Security with THIS Formula

👉https://youtu.be/tbmc-nk9z1A

#SocialSecurity #RetirementPlanning #socialsecuritybenefits

00:00-5 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Benefit in 2026

01:00-How social security is calculated

02:00-Check your earnings record

03:26-Replace zero earning years

04:57-Replace low earning years

07:30-Change when you claim

10:05-Coordinate spousal and survivor benefits

12:44-The 5 question checklist

[About] Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

If you've ever wondered, "Am I really ready to retire?", this video is for you.

Many people don't retire too late because they don't have enough money—they retire too late because they lack confidence in their retirement plan. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains how to build retirement confidence by stress testing your financial plan, practicing your retirement income strategy, and understanding the key decisions that create long-term financial security.

In this video you'll learn:

• Why retirement confidence comes from evidence, not emotion

• How to stress test your retirement plan before you retire

• Why practicing your retirement budget can reduce financial anxiety

• How to spend confidently without feeling guilty

• The biggest mistake that keeps many people working longer than necessary

• Why retirement planning is about more than just reaching a certain account balance

• How Social Security fits into a successful retirement income plan

Retirement isn't about eliminating every risk. It's about building a plan that gives you the confidence to enjoy the retirement you've spent decades preparing for.

📘 Free Social Security Planning Guide

https://celestialwm.com/social-security-guide/

▶ Watch Next:

The Social Security Decision Married Couples Get Wrong

00:00-Give me 9 Minutes and I'll Make you Confident in Retirement

00:24-The one more year trap

01:19-Confidence comes from the proof

01:45- Stress testing the plan

03:12-Practice retirement before you retire

04:20-Give your money a purpose

05:39-You may never feel completely ready

06:40-The real risk

07:24-The big idea

If you're looking for retirement planning advice, retirement income strategies, Social Security planning, withdrawal strategies, Roth conversions, tax-efficient retirement planning, or ways to retire with confidence, this channel is dedicated to helping pre-retirees and retirees make better financial decisions through thoughtful, evidence-based planning.

#RetirementPlanning #Retirement #RetirementIncome #SocialSecurity #FinancialPlanning

[About] Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

Many people assume the goal of retirement planning is to accumulate as much money as possible. But there comes a point when continuing to work may no longer improve your life—it may simply exchange some of your healthiest years for additional wealth you may never need.

In this video, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Colin Exelby explains why age 58 often represents a major shift in retirement planning. While 58 isn't a magic retirement age, it frequently marks the point where the balance between earning more money and preserving your healthiest retirement years begins to change.

You'll learn:

• Why the value of your time changes as you approach retirement

• The hidden opportunity cost of delaying retirement

• Why many people continue working longer than necessary

• How fear and identity often influence retirement decisions more than finances

• Why waiting for the "perfect" market is usually a mistake

• How to determine whether you're financially and emotionally ready to retire

• Why retirement planning is about balancing money, time, health, and purpose—not simply maximizing your investment accounts

Many retirees discover that the hardest part of retirement isn't building enough wealth—it's recognizing when enough is enough. This video explores the mindset shift from accumulating assets to intentionally using those assets to create a meaningful retirement.

If you're within five to ten years of retirement, understanding this framework can help you make more confident retirement decisions and avoid sacrificing years you can never get back.

Planning when to retire often goes hand-in-hand with deciding when to claim Social Security. Understanding your claiming options can have a significant impact on your lifetime retirement income.

📘 Free Social Security Planning Guide

https://celestialwm.com/social-security-guide/

▶ Watch Next:

5 Years Out from Retirement? Here’s What you Must do now.

#RetirementPlanning #Retirement #FinancialPlanning #FinancialIndependence #RetirementIncome

[About] Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.

This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.

00:00-Once You Understand This, You'll Stop Working Past 58

00:30-The equation changes at 58

01:15-The hidden cost of working longer

01:45-Time become more valuable

02:45-Retirement isn't just about money

03:25-Waiting for the perfect market

04:00-The fear of losing your identity

04:27-What retirees often regret

05:09-Gaining clarity before retirement

No fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.

➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️

⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join

Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.

DISCLOSURES

Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.

Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.

Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.

Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.

Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.