The Red Zone Retirement Program

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

In football, every great play starts with a solid game plan, and generosity works the same way. Giving feels good, but giving wisely wins championships. Today, John breaks down the playbook for smart, purposeful generosity and shows you how to make every dollar count. Because when it comes to giving, it's not just about moving the ball, it's about leaving a lasting legacy on and off the field.

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

📅 When to Give: Timing your donations for both impact and efficiency

🎁 Non-Cash Giving: Donating appreciated stocks, property, or other assets

💵 How Much to Give: Setting intentional goals without losing flexibility

💰 Tax Efficiency: Making the most of deductions and donation timing

🏦 Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): A tax-smart way to give from your IRA

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Fidelity just released their 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate. The number is staggering: $172,500 for a 65-year-old retiring today. The bigger problem? One in five Americans hasn't even thought about health care costs in retirement. Today, John breaks down exactly what this means, why it matters, and how to prepare. With the right planning, you can make health care just another line item in your retirement budget, not a financial shock.

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

📈 Fidelity's 2025 Report Takeaways: retiree health care costs climb again

⚠️ Gen X Wake-Up Call: many still unprepared for medical expenses

🏥 Medicare Misconceptions: understanding what's covered and what's not

💰 HSA Power Move: using Health Savings Accounts as a retirement tool

🧭 Smart Strategies: how to plan ahead and reduce health care costs

Fidelity Releases 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate:

https://newsroom.fidelity.com/pressreleases/fidelity-investments--releases-2025-retiree-health-care-cost-estimate--a-timely-reminder-for-all-gen/s/3c62e988-12e2-4dc8-afb4-f44b06c6d52e

Learn more about Medicare: https://boomerbenefits.com/

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Retirement isn't just about saving money—it's about strategically planning your withdrawals. In this episode of Red Zone Retirement, we'll take you through our annual "strategic and tactical" fall meetings, showing how smart planning now can prevent massive surprises later.

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

✅ How to make Roth conversions work in your favor ✅ The hidden Medicare penalty most people miss ✅ Guardrails that protect your income when the market dips ✅ How strategic meetings can save you $100K+

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

In this episode, John steps onto the field and reacts to unfiltered takes from viewers, everything from taking Social Security at 62 to the hidden penalty of healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in. These "back of the napkin" plays may look good in the huddle, but we'll break down where the blocking is weak, what gaps are being missed, and how early mistakes can leave you taking a permanent loss on retirement income and survivor benefits.

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

🧾 Taking Social Security early means a permanent cut, not a temporary fix

💊 Healthcare costs before Medicare can derail early retirement dreams

🧠 Retirement planning is 95% psychology and only 5% math

🏠 Singles face unique tax and caregiving challenges

📊 Research shows an advisor's value outweighs the 1% fee

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Think Medicare is free once you hit 65? Not quite. If your income's too high, there's a hidden surcharge that can quietly shrink your Social Security check by thousands a year. It's called IRMAA. And most people don't see it coming. Let's break down who's impacted and how to avoid it.

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

💰 IRMAA is a Medicare penalty based on income—not assets

🔙 It looks 2 years backward to determine your premiums

💥 One-time income events like property sales or Roth conversions can trigger IRMA

🧾 You can appeal the penalty with a simple SSA-44 form

🎯 Strategies like QCDs and tax-aware conversions help reduce exposured

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

In football, one bad play doesn't decide the outcome. A fumble, interception, or blown coverage can rattle a team, but the best players stay calm, adjust, and keep running their game plan. The same lesson applies to your finances. In this episode, John uses football stories from the field to show how to handle financial fumbles without panicking. Setbacks are part of the game. What matters is responding with discipline and perspective so you can stay on track toward your long-term goals.

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

🏈 Lessons from turnovers and comebacks

💰 Why emergency funds are essential

📉 Market drops vs. panic selling

📰 Ignoring scary financial headlines

📊 Diversification as your defensive line

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

When it comes to retirement, the toughest calls aren't always about the market — they're about your life. In this episode, John takes a break from the playbook to field real questions straight from the audience mailbag. Big choices about where to live, how to invest, and when to start Social Security can feel like fourth-quarter pressure, and John's here to help you call the right plays when it matters most.

John explores the pros and cons of renting in retirement, why relying on a "dividends only" strategy can limit your options, and the real story behind claiming Social Security after 70. With clear strategies, relatable stories, and a few laughs from the sidelines, he offers a winning game plan for finishing strong and walking off the field on your own terms. The choices you make today can shape your retirement for decades, so tune in to hear real questions and real answers that matter to people just like you.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 The surprising financial benefits of renting in retirement 📉 Why dividend-only investing may limit your flexibility ⏳ Taking Social Security after age 70 🐦 How "go-go, slow-go, and no-go" years impact choices

0:00 – Intro 1:56 – Renting in Retirement (Pros & Cons) 7:08 – Is Dividend-Only Investing Viable? 11:14 – Social Security Strategy at Age 70+

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Retirement planning isn't about flashy plays- it's about fundamentals. In this episode, John breaks down the "3 Factor Model," an investment strategy backed by decades of academic research. He explains how focusing on market exposure, small-cap stocks, and value companies can give investors a subtle but powerful performance edge over time.

Using football as a framework, John compares successful investing to building a winning team: it's about preparation, sticking to the game plan, and finding hidden advantages. You'll also hear why true diversification goes beyond owning a few mutual funds, and how index investing ("owning the whole haystack") helps reduce risk while increasing consistency. Above all, John drives home that patience, discipline, and smart execution- quarter after quarter- are what win championships in both football and finance.

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

💡 What is the 3 Factor Model?

🏈 Why "just getting in the game" beats sitting on the sidelines in investing

📉 How small companies and value stocks can quietly outperform the big names

🔁 Why proper diversification isn't just holding multiple mutual funds

⏳ How many years it takes to detect a trend

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you're getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let's set the record straight on what's really changing. If you've been hearing wild claims about tax-free retirement or giant write-offs, this conversation may just be the reality check you need.

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

🧾 New Social Security deductions for seniors 65+

💰 Not everyone gets a tax cut, despite the hype

🏡 Estate tax tweaks don't replace actual planning

🙌 Changes to the charitable deduction

💵 Tips under $25K are tax-free… for now

One Big Beautiful Bill Act Summary: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They're now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? In this episode, John tackles the pros, cons, and misconceptions surrounding target-date funds.

We'll break down how they work, why they're so popular, and what you don't know that could be costing you more than you think. We're talking hidden fees, misunderstood risk levels, and why this "set it and forget it" method might be fine at 25, but risky at 50. You'll also learn the real meaning of "glide path," and how it may seriously impact your long-term results.

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

📈 Pros and cons of target-date funds

🤖 The appeal of set-it-and-forget-it investing

📊 Overlap risk: owning the same thing in multiple funds

🎯 Are target-date funds managed?

🧩 Why a one-size-fits-all fund might not fit you at all

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/