The Red Zone Retirement Program

As we kick off 2025, a lot of people consider what they want the year to look like and how to put their best foot forward, especially financially. Think: "new year, new me!" To figure out what the new "you" is all about, sometimes it helps to reflect first on what you've done in the past and what you want to change moving forward.

Today, we'll talk about the financial decisions and habits you've maybe had in the past and what changes you can make this year to embrace the new you.

From overspending to understanding your net worth, John provides insights and real-life examples to help you rethink your financial strategies. Whether you're struggling with spending habits or unsure of your investments, this episode will help you change your money mindset in a positive way this year.

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

0:00 – Intro

1:57 – Overspending

6:49 – Reluctance to spend in retirement

10:05 – Take inventory of your portfolio

14:45 – Staying invested

20:24 – Planning

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

Do ​you ​rebalance ​at ​the ​end ​of ​the ​year, ​beginning ​of ​the ​new ​year, ​or ​when ​something ​happens ​in ​life? Rebalancing is an artform of sorts, and it's a crucial part of maintaining your financial health as you approach retirement. Let's explore this concept and why it's often more complex than you'd expect.

John will describe how periodic adjustments—whether calendar-based, threshold-based, or triggered by life events—help maintain desired risk levels and asset allocation. Rebalancing isn't about market timing but sticking to a disciplined approach, especially in volatile markets. Learn how to buy low, sell high, and keep your investments on track to ensure long-term financial health and a secure retirement.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

3:53 – What is rebalancing?

5:57 – Calendar based rebalancing

8:43 – Threshold based rebalancing

11:23 – Rebalancing after life events

12:47 – Rebalancing due to market conditions

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

Did you know most Americans retire earlier than planned, often due to unexpected health issues, job changes, or financial surprises? These challenges can force people out of work early, leaving them unprepared for decades of retirement.

In this episode, we'll explore recent research highlighting the importance of planning for early retirement, even if it's not in your current plans. Discover how unexpected health issues, job loss, and organizational changes can force early retirement and learn about the small adjustments you can make to ensure a successful transition.

Tune in for practical advice on managing your retirement strategy, including Social Security and healthcare considerations, and hear real-life case studies that highlight the importance of adaptability.

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

0:00 – Intro

1:16 – Retirement stats

2:40 – Most aren't prepared

4:03 – Client story

6:59 – Biggest factors

10:00 – How to prepare

16:15 – Retirement happiness

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

It's a mailbag edition of the show this week as we'll tackle questions about inherited IRAs and investing in 401k. Plus, John's football season as a head coach has come to an end and it taught him a valuable lesson about diversification.

We appreciate all the recent visitors to our channel and the feedback they've provided, which is why we wanted to take some time to answer the questions that you've asked us. So we'll talk about the nuances of inherited IRAs and provide some guidance for beneficiaries. Then we'll get into 401k contributions and tax strategies to help you better understand when to take full advantage of this retirement account and when to start scaling back.

Tune in to learn how to approach your retirement planning with the precision and strategy of a championship-winning team.

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

0:00 – Intro

1:12 – Football lesson on diversification

4:09 – What to do with an inherited IRA?

7:54 – Should I stop putting money into the 401k?

12:07 – Final thoughts

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

Social Security is the backbone of retirement for millions of Americans, but big changes may be coming. There's plenty of speculation about what actions the government will take to extend the life of the program, but now we have a few more specifics of what it could potentially look like.

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

0:00 – Intro

2:31 – The question asked to the Congressional Budget Office

5:39 – David Walker

7:32 – Early retirement

9:25 – CBO proposal would only put a dent into the math problem

13:17 – Raising the wage base

15:01 – Planning for change

18:26 – Two-minute drill

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: https://mearsmoneymanagement.as.me/schedule.php

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

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

You wouldn't necessarily expect Mike Tyson, Kim Kardashian, and Snooki to dispense valuable insights about financial planning matters. In fact, you'd probably expect the opposite. But with a little bit of creativity, we can get some financial planning pearls of wisdom from even the most unlikely of sources.

Join John as he breaks down some quotes from some of the most recognizable celebrities and uncovers how these well-known sayings can actually relate to financial planning. From reality stars to successful athletes, we'll have a little fun on today's show. Tune in as we break it all down and see what we can learn!

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

0:00 – Intro

2:25 – Lindsay Lohan

4:49 - Snooki

7:42 – Charles Barkley

11:05 – Mike Tyson

14:03 – Shaquille O'Neal

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: https://mearsmoneymanagement.as.me/schedule.php

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

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

A video with the simple premise of exploring five regrets from retirees blew up to more than a half-million views on YouTube, and it doesn't surprise us that people are worried about being ready for retirement. It's actually great to see that much interest in avoiding mistakes in retirement.

Let's dive into the video and see what regrets made the list and, more importantly, explore what proactive steps you can take to avoid having the same regrets when you retire. John will share his insights on each of these and provide personal anecdotes about what he's seen from clients.

Discover stories of financial planning, health maintenance, and the importance of hobbies to ensure a fulfilling retirement (like a 95-year-old client who is still in a weekly bowling league!)

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

0:00 – Intro

3:00 – Wishing they had retired earlier

7:48 – Wishing they spent more earlier in retirement

9:56 – Wishing they had taken better care of their health

13:18 – Wishing they had taken up a hobby

15:38 – Wishing they had traveled more

17:34 – Mailbag

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: https://mearsmoneymanagement.as.me/schedule.php

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

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

Remember the thrill of shaking a Magic 8 Ball to get answers to your childhood questions? Would we ace that math test? Would we be famous someday? Well, today, we're bringing a bit of that magic back. But instead of asking about pop quizzes and playground crushes, we're turning to the Magic 8 Ball for advice on something much more important: your retirement planning!

What would the Magic 8 Ball have to say about these common retirement questions if it had the wisdom of a financial advisor? Tune in to find out!

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

0:00 – Intro

1:57 – Is a million dollars enough to retire?

5:27 – Can I rely on Social Security?

7:52 – Is it wise to have multiple sources of retirement income?

9:21 – Should I review my retirement plan annually?

10:59 – Will my retirement be affected by future tax changes?

12:58 – Should I consider working with a financial professional?

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage episode

https://redzoneretirement.libsyn.com/what-the-heck-is-a-hecm

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: https://mearsmoneymanagement.as.me/schedule.php

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

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

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period will be here before we know it! But what does this mean for you? How does the process work, and who should be paying close attention? In this episode, we'll break down everything you need to know about navigating this crucial period.

Open enrollment, running from October 15 to December 7, allows those already enrolled in Medicare to make changes. Whether you're considering switching plans, adjusting your prescription drug coverage, or simply reviewing your current plan, understanding the ins and outs of open enrollment is vital. Join John as he shares invaluable insights on how to navigate the complexities of Medicare and make informed decisions during the open enrollment period.

By understanding your options, avoiding penalties, and seeking professional guidance, you can ensure a smooth transition and secure the best possible plan for your needs.

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

0:00 – Intro

1:48 – Key open enrollment dates

4:22 – Finding assistance to answer your Medicare questions

7:16 – Things to consider when shopping through open enrollment

8:50 – What to do if you miss open enrollment

11:07 – Inflation Reduction Act

12:22 – Planning ahead

13:42 – Mailbag

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: https://mearsmoneymanagement.as.me/schedule.php

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

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

Remember when you were a kid, always asking 'How do you know?' about everything, like why the sky is blue or where the sun goes at night? That curiosity doesn't go away as we get older; it just turns into different questions, like the ones we face when planning for retirement. Today, we're digging into the 'How Do You Knows' of retirement planning.

This is a topic we care a lot about because John is always encouraging his children to be curious. It's important to foster that sense of curiosity in our kids as well as our clients as well. We encourage questions and would rather you ask them than to just wonder what the answer might be.

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

0:00 – Intro

2:02 – How much income will you need?

6:09 – How much risk do we need to have?

11:34 – How long do we need our savings to last?

14:06 – When to turn on Social Security

17:26 – Listener question

Book an appointment with us: https://mearsmoneymanagement.as.me/schedule.php

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

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