Inflation may not dominate the headlines like it did in 2022, but for many Americans, it’s still the number one threat to retirement confidence. In this episode, Nathan unpacks a recent Schwab survey showing how concerns over rising costs are leaving pre-retirees and retirees feeling unprepared for their financial future. The sting of higher costs hasn’t fully eased, and that stress is keeping people second-guessing their retirement readiness.

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

💸 Inflation’s lingering impact on retirement confidence

🛒 Why everyday costs like groceries & healthcare still sting

📈 Market cycles, recency bias, and investor mindset

🏦 Social Security, pensions, and realistic planning math

🌍 The surprising boost from international markets

Schwab Survey

USA Today Article, Americans believe this is the No. 1 obstacle to saving for retirement, by Medora Lee:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2025/07/29/inflation-retirement-savings-survey/85413630007/

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com  

Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. Surprisingly, none of these involve yachts or private jets… Let’s analyze the habits that signal real, lasting wealth and what to do if you are (or aren’t) on the right track.

Here are the 5 signs we discuss in this episode:

💰 You’ve built a 3-6 month emergency fund

🧾 You live below (or within) your means

📈 You invest with intention

🔄 You have multiple income streams

🧠 You focus on the long-term

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com  

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Dave Ramsey’s 9-step retirement plan is one of the most well-known personal finance frameworks out there: simple, popular, and built for mass appeal. But is it really the best approach for your retirement? In this episode, Nathan offers his take on where Ramsey gets it right, where the plan falls short, and why personalized advice is critical if you want to retire with confidence.

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

🧭 Why step one matters more than you think

💸 Is saving 15% enough for your future?

🏡 Should you pay off your mortgage early or not?

🧮 The problem with choosing a Social Security date too soon

🩺 What to consider when planning for long-term care

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com  

Cue the mixtape! It’s Gen X’s turn to get serious about retirement. Today, Nathan talks about why it’s time for this often-overlooked generation to be at the center of the retirement conversation. Gen Xers have weathered market crashes, economic swings, and a total rewrite of retirement expectations. Nathan breaks down the reality behind the statistics, like why nearly 50% of Gen Xers say they’re not financially prepared, and offers practical tools for catching up.

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

🧠 Why Gen X has the mindset and independence to reinvent retirement

🧾 What the TCJA extension could mean for your Roth conversion strategy

💳 Getting serious about tackling your debt

📊 Options to realistically close a projected $467k savings gap

📆 Why the next 10 years might be the most financially critical of your life

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com 

Living a long life is a blessing, but without the right financial plan, it can become a challenge. In this episode, Nathan unpacks how longevity multiplies risk in retirement, including market volatility, health care costs, and Social Security. He shares how some unexpected, real-life curveballs forced tough conversations with clients, and what you can do now to avoid those same outcomes.

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

📆 The longer you live, the more risk you face

📉 Inflation + poor planning = real trouble

🚨 Real-life stories of running out of money

💸 Why playing it “too safe” can backfire

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com 

There’s no single definition of what makes a “great’ retirement plan. It’s a deeply personal season of life that can look wildly different for each person. In this episode, Nathan explores what retirement really means for different people and why your plan should reflect your personal vision. For some, retirement means constant travel, bucket-list adventures, and new hobbies. For others, it’s about family, quiet simplicity, or even launching a small side venture just for fun.

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

🎉 What “nothing but fun” retirement looks like (and what it costs)

🌱 The unexpected joy of starting something new after retiring

🏡 Why some retirees shift to quiet living, or charitable giving

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Giving to the kids – now or later?

📅 Why your retirement vision may change, and that’s okay

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com 

Today, we’re talking about Type A personalities. If you’re driven, competitive, and goal-oriented, then you’re likely part of the club that struggles during difficult markets. When things get tough, your instinct is to work harder, push more, and fix the problem. But, as Nathan reveals in this conversation, when it comes to investing, that instinct can sometimes backfire.

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

📉 Why market volatility triggers the Type A urge to "fix" things

🧠 How emotional overreactions can quietly wreck a solid strategy

🛒 The “grocery store” analogy for scattershot investing habits

💼 Why working with an advisor can ease anxiety without losing control

📺 The hidden impact of constant negative financial news

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com 

What drives your financial decisions: cold hard numbers, or the way you feel? In this episode, Nathan kicks off a financial book club series with a look at The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, one of his favorite reads. This widely acclaimed book doesn’t just focus on dollars and decimals; it unpacks how emotions, personal history, and mindset shape the way we spend, save, invest, and plan for the future.

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

🧠 Why your financial past shapes your future behavior

📈 “Never enough” thinking and the risk of chasing more

💤 Why peace of mind > perfect math

🏡 Should you pay off your mortgage early?

⚠️ The power of building room for error into your plan

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com 

When the market drops, anxiety at home may rise. In this episode, Nathan explores how couples can navigate fear, miscommunication, and different emotional reactions to investing during downturns. You’ll hear why involving both spouses in planning meetings makes a measurable difference in confidence and calm.

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

💬 Why couples react differently to market drops

📉 How financial news distorts reality

🧠 The 4 emotional responses to volatility

📊 Why both spouses need to attend planning meetings

🤝 Creating peace of mind through conversation

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com 

Market headlines are screaming and your portfolio is bouncing around. You’re tempted to “do something,” but what actually makes sense when volatility kicks in? In this episode, Nathan breaks down four practical strategies for navigating downturns without losing your cool (or your long-term plan). If you’re feeling shaken by the market dip or wondering what to do the next time one rolls around, we’ll share some practical guidance.

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

📱 Why watching the news can wreck your mindset

📉 Gut check: when fear meets strategy

🛠️ Smart investing is emotional discipline in action

🔁 Roth conversion opportunities during downturns

For more, visit us online: http://thefinancialanswer.com