Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 549 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA, a comment on one of our YouTube videos sparks a dialogue between Joe and Big Al on the 4% rule vs. the "guardrails" withdrawal strategy. Joe at the Beach is managing his ~$6M portfolio on his own, but wants the fellas’ take on his upper limit for yearly spending, so he can keep drinking his old-fashioneds. Can Joe Ko in Virginia afford to bridge the gap between retiring at 67 and taking Social Security at 70? Plus, "Harold and Maude" have nearly $7M saved. Should they accelerate Roth conversions into high-tax brackets before moving from low-tax Colorado to high-tax California? And how much more than their current annual spend can they afford for family vacations and travel?

Free Financial Resources in This Episode: 

https://bit.ly/ymyw-549 (full show notes & episode transcript)

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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:50 - What About the Guardrails Withdrawal Strategy? (Bill, YouTube)

04:13 - I’m 69 with $5.7 Million Saved. What’s the Max I Can Spend in Retirement? (Joe at the Beach)

15:12 - 63 and 58 With $1.85M Saved. How Much Can We Spend from 67 Until Social Security at 70? (Joe Ko, VA)

21:30 - We’re 61 and 69 with $7.6 million. Can We Increase Our Retirement Spending? How Should We Do Roth Conversions? (“Harold and Maude”, Durango, CO)

33:49 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Wendy and Joe in Colorado ran the numbers, and their financial planning software says they'll have over $10 million when they pass. Wendy's wondering if they should continue converting to Roth while working, despite their high tax bracket. But has the software lulled them into a false sense of security? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 548 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, which is smarter for "Kurt and Courtney" in New York: aggressively paying down their mortgage, or putting their extra money to work in the market before Kurt retires early in 20 years? Finally, when does it stop making sense for high-earners "Tim and Faith" in Boston to contribute to their Roth? The fellas duke it out on this one (and we figure out, based on our earliest musical interests, which era we’re each children of.)

Free Financial Resources in This Episode: https://bit.ly/ymyw-548  (full show notes & episode transcript)

Pay Off the Mortgage?

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Apple Podcasts: leave your honest reviews and ratings

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast
01:11 - Financial Software Says We’ll Have $10M. Should We Continue Converting to Roth While Working, Despite Our High Tax Bracket? (Wendy, Loveland, CO)
16:35 - Watch 4 Hard Truths About Retirement You Need to Face on YMYW TV, Download the Retirement Readiness Guide
17:37 - What Are the Pros and Cons of Paying Off Our Home Before I Retire Ear

A YMYW listener from Missouri and his wife are retired at 69 and 67, with less than $2 million dollars. Should they continue converting retirement savings to Roth for the tax-free growth? What should they do about long term care insurance? More importantly, is our listener’s name (Cousy) pronounced "Cuzzy" or "Koozy"? Speaking of Roth conversions, must “Peggy Hill” wait five years to withdraw her conversion money, or only its earnings? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 547 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, is Skipper’s retirement payout plan the killer deal he thinks it is? How can Jeff in Dallas pay less capital gains tax on his 3 million dollar single stock, million dollar 401(k), and potential eBay income? Is selling on eBay still a thing? Does Dolly in Tennessee need to empty her inherited IRA within the next 10 years due to the SECURE Act? And finally, HSA vs. HRA: how should Larry in Rhode Island navigate switching from his current employer’s health savings account to his future employer’s health reimbursement arrangement?

Free Financial Resources in This Episode: 

https://bit.ly/ymyw-547 (full show notes & episode transcript)

5 Year Rules for Roth IRA Withdrawals

2025 Key Financial Data Guide (newly updated with One Big Beautiful Bill changes)

10 Steps to Improve Investing Success

What to Do When the Stock Market Gets Crazy - YMYW TV

Financial Blueprint (self-guided)

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional)

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We heard your feedback, and today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 546, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA are spitballing retirement for the not-so-fat wallets: Joe and Masako in Washington state and Reid in Indiana have less than a million saved. Can they still accomplish their retirement goals in their 60s? Mr Buckeye in Ohio and Old Macdonald in Maine have less than a million saved, and Curt in Pennsylvania has less than $1.5 million saved. Can they retire early - in their 40s and 50s?   

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-546

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast
00:36 - We’re 59 and 65 with Less than $1M. Can We Still Accomplish Our Retirement Goals? (Joe and Masako, WA state)
08:18 - We’re 33 with $200K. Can We Retire at 65 and Spend $159K/Year? (Reid, IN)
15:58 - Calculate your Free Financial Blueprint
16:32 - We're Early 40s With $795K. Can We Retire at 55? (Mr Buckeye, OH)
28:38 - Watch Going Solo: Navigating Your Financial Future Single YMYW TV, Download the Going Solo Guide
29:25 - I'm 43 With $50K and a Paid Off House. Can I Retire ASAP? (Old MacDonald, Limington, Maine)
37:35 - I'm 35 With $1.4M. Can I Retire at 45 and Spend $75K/year? (Conshohocken Curt, PA)
49:04 - Next Week on the YMYW Podcast
49:23 - YMYW Podcast Outro

One Big Beautiful Bill is now law. How does it impact your Roth conversion strategies and other financial decisions? Plus, you may have seen or heard other advisors talking about their strategies for getting your retirement savings into tax-free Roth accounts. How are these different from a good ol’ Roth conversion, and what do Joe and Big Al think of them? Find out today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 545 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Also, why is Ed Slott, CPA, the man known to many as "the IRA guru," such a fan of permanent cash value life insurance? Finally, an attempted correction from a YMYW YouTube viewer turns into a rousing game of death trivia, and we’ll share some of your opinions from the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey, which just closed. (Congratulations Larry, for being the randomly-chosen winner of the $100 Amazon e-gift card, just for completing the survey!)

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-545

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You’ve heard Joe and Big Al talk about the benefits of tax diversification in retirement. That is, having money in tax-deferred, tax-free, and taxable accounts. But what should you do if this tax triangle of yours is lopsided? Joe and our special guest co-host, Marc Horner, CFP®, spitball on this quandary for Rae and Roy in Central California, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 544. Plus, do Rae or Roy need to get a part-time job? Also, "Elwood Blues" in Illinois would like to retire in two years, but is willing to go for 3 more to make his retirement plan work. Joe and Marc spitball on when "Elwood" can really put down that harmonica.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-544

Complete the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey by 5pm Pacific on August 31, 2025, for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw)

WATCH 15 Maneuvers to Duck an Unplanned Early Retirement Knockout on YMYW TV

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Marc Horner, CFP®

00:49 - Our Tax Triangle is Lopsided. Should One of Us Get a Part-Time Job? (Rae and Roy, Central CA)

12:03 - Watch 15 Maneuvers to Duck an Unplanned Early Retirement Knockout, Calculate your Financial Blueprint, Schedule a Financial Assessment

13:11 - I'd Like to Retire in 2 Years. Willing to Work 3 More to Make it Work (Elwood Blues, IL)

27:10 - Next Week on YMYW Podcast: The One Big Beautiful Bill + More

27:40 - YMYW Podcast Outro

Is it possible, common even, to spend a lot early in retirement to celebrate your financial freedom? How do Roth conversions and withdrawals work if you do plan to call it quits around age 57, and spend big early on? Should you convert retirement funds to tax-free Roth after you stop working? Joe Anderson CFP® and our special guest co-host, Marc Horner, CFP® spitball on these topics for "Beavis and Daria" in Texas and "Clark Kent" in Pennsylvania, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 543. Plus, the sooner 56-year-old "Tony Soprano" in New Jersey can retire, the better. What tips do Joe and Marc have for him? By the way, Marc is one of the newest principals here at Pure Financial Advisors. He’s the founder of Fairhaven Wealth Management, which has just become the newest Pure Financial Advisors Chicagoland office in Wheaton, Illinois - so help us welcome him for his YMYW debut.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-543

Complete the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw)

DOWNLOAD the Withdrawal Strategy Guide for free

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

01:00 - Spending Higher Earlier in Retirement to Celebrate? How to Convert? Where to Withdraw? (Beavis & Daria, TX)

12:30 - Watch Withdrawal Trap Doors on YMYW TV and Download the Withdrawal Strategy Guide for free

13:36 - Can I Retire at 57 Even With a High Draw Down Rate? Should I Convert After Retirement? Should I Consider an Annuity? (Clark Kent, PA)

28:23 - Complete the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw)

29:09 - When Can I Retire? The Sooner the Better. (Tony Soprano, NJ)

37:43 - Next Week on the YMYW Podc

"Rubble and Skye" in Minnesota want to spend $65,000 a year in retirement, and they’ll have $67K in annual fixed income. Are they cutting it too close? "Atouk and Tala" in New Jersey will have retirement money, Social Security, and “Lumpy,” their lump sum pension - will they be okay? We’ll find out today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 542 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, should David in Redondo Beach California use his Roth money to buy a home? And what do the fellas think about "Charlie Pepper" in Colorado using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) for retirement spending, instead of living off of pre-tax money?

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-542

DOWNLOAD the Investing Basics Guide

WATCH Financial Boot Camp on YMYW TV

COMPLETE the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw)

ASK Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis

SCHEDULE your Free Financial Assessment

LEAVE YOUR HONEST RATINGS AND REVIEWS on Apple Podcasts

SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW on your favorite podcast app

JOIN THE CONVERSATION on YouTube

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:43 - $250K Saved, $67K Fixed Income, $65K Spending. Are We Cutting Retirement Too Close? (Rubble & Sky, MN)

05:20 - We Have a $700K Pension, $335K Retirement, Plus Social Security. Will We Be OK? (Atouk and Tala, NJ)

13:14 - Watch Financial Boot Camp on YMYW TV, Download the Investing Basics Guide

14:03 - Should I Use My Roth Money for a Home Purchase? (David, Redondo Beach, CA)

21:03 - Complete the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw)

22:01 - HELOC vs. Pre-Tax Account for Retirement Spending (Charlie Pepper, CO)

34:23 - Next Week on YMYW Podcast: Guest Co-Host Marc Horner, CFP®

34:53 - YMYW Podcast Outro

Pam and Jim in Phoenix are 38 and 41 and want to retire at 59 and 62. Matt and his wife in Pennsylvania are both 39 and want to retire at 57. Are these millennials on the right financial path, or have they brunched and YOLO’d away their retirement dreams? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 541 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, do Roth conversions make sense for Will and Jane in New York, given their high income and high tax bracket? Which pension option is best for their circumstances? Finally, the fellas spitball for Juan’s mother in Florida on how long-term capital gains on the installment sale of her company will be taxed.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-541

Complete the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw)

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Download The Money Makeover Guide before this Friday, August 8, 2025!

WATCH Complete Money Makeover on YMYW TV

ASK Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis

SCHEDULE your Free Financial Assessment

LEAVE YOUR HONEST RATINGS AND REVIEWS on Apple Podcasts

SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW on your favorite podcast app

JOIN THE CONVERSATION on YouTube

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:44 - We’re Millennials. Have We Brunched and YOLO'd Away Our Retirement Dreams? (Pam & Jim, Phoenix, AZ)

12:10 - We're 39 With $840K. Can We Retire at Age 57? (Matt, PA)

22:57 - Complete the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card!

23:53 - Do Roth Conversions Make Sense Given Our High Income and Tax Bracket? What Pension Option is Best? (Will and Jane, NY - voice)

37:04 - Watch Complete Money Makeover on YMYW TV, Download the Complete Money Makeover Guide before Friday, August 8, 2025!

37:46 - How Will Long Term Capital Gains on the Installment Sale of My Company Be Taxed? (Juan's Mother, FL)

47:50 - YMYW Podcast Outro