Successfully Retired

One of the cruel ironies of money is that if you're a really good saver, spending down your investments is a tough mental switch. 

"Money is fuel, it only serves it's purpose when it's burnt." 

Listen in on real-life stories from retirees who made that transition successfully, and ones who struggled to stick the landing. 

It's the thing they're not making any more of - and no I don't mean bitcoin. Real estate.

Adding real estate to your investment portfolio is, for many people, a huge way to accelerate their wealth. I'm saying that and I don't even have a course I can sell you on how to 10x leverage yourself into an early AirBnb retirement.

But should you own real estate in a self-directed IRA?

In this episode Hamilton and Rick break down the best ways to save for a child’s future—comparing 529 plans, UTMA custodial accounts, and joint brokerage accounts. They cover the pros, cons, and recent 529 rule changes that add flexibility, including Roth IRA rollovers. The takeaway: don’t default to a 529—match the account type to your goals, control needs, and tax situation.

In this episode, Rick and I break down the critical difference between a tax preparer who records the past and a tax planner who shapes your future. Learn how proactive planning can eliminate tax surprises, keep more money in your pocket over your lifetime, and align your tax strategy with what matters most to you.

Many people plan for retirement under the assumption that their tax bill will drop once they stop working — but what if that’s not true? In this episode, Rick Luchini and I break down why taxes could actually be higher in retirement, from shifting income sources to changing tax laws. You’ll learn how using "rules of thumb" instead of personalized tax planning can lead to surprise tax bills throughout retirement. We’ll also share strategies to prepare now, so you’re not caught off guard later.

With everyone talking about a fed rate cut in September home buyers and mortgage holders are hoping they can see more favorable interest rates on 30 year mortgages soon. But will a lower fed funds rate actually lead to lower mortgage rates? Maybe not.

Many retirees are shocked when a smart tax strategy—like a Roth conversion—requires them to write one of the biggest checks of their lives to the IRS. On this episode of Successfully Retired, Rick Luchini and I dig into why that upfront cost can actually save hundreds of thousands in lifetime taxes, protect your heirs from higher tax brackets, and give you more spending flexibility in retirement. They explore why “do nothing” is often the most expensive choice, how to avoid letting sticker shock derail a good plan, and why the real value of a tax strategy isn’t just in dollars—it’s in the freedom it creates for you, your spouse, and your legacy.

Cryptocurrency, possibly best performing asset class over the past 15 years, has made a lot of smart people look dumb. But is it the new "gold," or just another fool's gold? 

Many investors understand the advantages a Roth IRA or 401(k) can give you for tax planning in retirement, but it's easy to hear a strategy from your neighbor or an internet personality and make a misstep on applying it to your situation.

Today Rick and I talk about some of the most common Roth mistakes we run into, from conversions, to the pro-rata rule, to the differences between a Roth IRA and Roth 401(k).

Many couples are blessed to enjoy decades together in retirement enjoying life's golden years.

But what happens if one spouse concludes their retirement much sooner than the other?

Tune in as Rick Luchini and I talk about how this affects tax, investment and income plans, as well as how people can be prepared for the worst, which has the effect of helping us actually think about worst-case scenarios less and enjoy guilt-free the time we have, knowing all of our bases are covered.

learn more at https://brandenburgFS.com