Have you ever looked at the price of a burger and wondered if you accidentally walked into a five star steakhouse?

On this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott dive into the reality of rising costs and why a plan that worked in the nineties might be running out of gas today.

Josh shares some fun stories from a recent family trip to Las Vegas and explains how a magician’s performance actually relates to your financial strategy.

We talk about the speed limit of your portfolio: are you driving 80 miles per hour into a school zone? We also break down the rule of 100 and why your neighbor’s investment strategy might be a total disaster for your specific situation.

It is all about shifting from the working years to a lifestyle of clarity and confidence.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

On this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott dig into what most people really mean when they say they want a “comfortable retirement.”

It turns out, it almost always starts with income.

Josh shares personal stories, including childhood memories at Wrigley Field, to explain why meaningful experiences matter in retirement and why those experiences depend on having reliable income you can count on.

The conversation breaks down the four pillars of a strong retirement plan. Income, protection, growth, and liquidity.

Josh explains why no single financial institution can provide all four and how retirees need to understand the role banks, Wall Street, and insurance companies each play.

They also explore common retirement fears, tax planning over a lifetime, and why clarity around spending can give you permission to actually enjoy retirement.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

This week on Retire Well, Josh Bretl pulls back the curtain on a big change with a very familiar purpose. The firm formerly known as FSR Wealth Strategies is now Wellment Financial, a name that better reflects what retirement planning is really about.

Not just numbers, but clarity, confidence, and living fully in the years ahead.

Josh shares the story behind the rebrand, the firm’s roots as a CPA practice started in 1988, and how it evolved into a retirement focused firm built on three pillars.

Smart tax focused planning, managing your entire financial life under one roof, and creating a community where retirees feel supported.

The conversation also dives deep into the tax challenges retirees face today, from required minimum distributions and Roth conversions to Social Security taxation and planning after the loss of a spouse.

It is a thoughtful, practical episode about why retirement should feel as good as it is planned.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with an FSR advisor.

Retirement should feel more like a holiday break and less like a stressful countdown.

In this festive episode of The Own Your Retirement Show, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott use the Christmas season to explain what real retirement freedom looks like and how to plan for it.

Josh shares personal stories about family, freedom, and why retirement is not about hitting a magic number but understanding monthly spending and reliable income.

The conversation covers income planning, taxes, healthcare, Social Security decisions, and long-term care, along with listener questions about gifting, charitable giving, and legacy planning.

It is a warm, practical discussion designed to help you check your retirement list twice and feel confident about the years ahead.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with an FSR advisor.

This week, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott break down the end of year planning moves every retiree should know.

They explain how Roth conversions, RMDs, capital gains planning, and charitable giving all work on different timelines and how a quick mock tax return can reveal smart opportunities before December 31.

Josh also talks about the emotional side of retirement and the natural shift from the go go years to the slow go and no go years.

From real stories to practical tax tips, this episode helps you understand what to prioritize now so you can stay confident and prepared for the road ahead.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15 minute call with an FSR advisor.

This week, Josh and Mark use the Thanksgiving table as a fun and surprisingly practical way to break down the key parts of a strong retirement plan.

From investments as the main course to income, taxes, and even emergency savings as the essential sides, they show how every piece of your financial picture works together.

Josh also shares five tips for a happier, more confident retirement, including health, purpose, social connections, and planning ahead with family.

Ready to talk?

Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15 minute call with an FSR advisor.

Josh kicks off the show with a story from his annual father daughter camping trip, a reminder of why intentional time matters.

He then breaks down the Federal Reserve’s latest quarter point rate cut and why this one is surrounded by controversy.

With the government shutdown limiting economic data, markets and policymakers are reacting with mixed opinions.

Josh explains how interest rates influence retirees and why planning around income, investments, taxes, healthcare, and legacy needs can help reduce the impact of outside forces.

The show also explores increasing longevity, withdrawal strategies, and real listener questions about planning for a long, fulfilling retirement.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with an FSR advisor.

In this week’s episode of The Own Your Retirement Show, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott talk optimism - yes, optimism - in a world full of gloomy headlines.

From a fourth-grade Greek mythology presentation to the latest Federal Reserve moves, Josh shares why he believes retirees have more reasons to feel hopeful than fearful.

He explains how technology and consistent tax laws can actually work in your favor, and how smart planning can protect your income, reduce taxes, and keep your retirement on track even when the news says otherwise.

The episode also digs into strategies for managing RMDs, Social Security taxation, and Medicare’s IRMAA rules, all with FSR Wealth’s signature clarity and humor.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with an FSR advisor.

This week, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott dive into what truly makes a confident, successful retirement.

After sharing a funny story from a family trip to Cabo San Lucas, Josh draws a surprising connection between family planning and financial planning, both take effort, but they’re worth it.

The conversation shifts to a Yahoo Finance report revealing how wealthy retirees think differently, focusing on guaranteed income, lifetime tax planning, and legacy.

Josh also shares when it might be time to re-evaluate your financial advisor and what to look for in one who specializes in retirement.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with an FSR advisor.

Retirement isn’t a short pit stop anymore, it can last 20 to 30 years or more.

In this week’s episode of The Own Your Retirement Show, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott dig into the evolving realities of retirement planning and why old rules like “the 4% rule” don’t hold up today.

From managing income and taxes to preparing for healthcare and long-term care, Josh explains how planning must adjust to life’s phases — the go-go, slow-go, and no-go years.

The pair also share family stories, book talk, and practical advice for retirees who want to enjoy life now while still protecting their future.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with an FSR advisor.