Your Money, Your Wealth

40 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Your Money, Your Wealth

Making fun of finance. A US News & World Report "Top 9 Personal Finance Podcast" (2025) and "Top 12 Retirement Podcast" (2023). One of the "10 Best Personal Finance YouTube Channels" (CardRates, 2023). "Best Retirement Podcast With Humor" (FIPhysician, 2020-2024). Learn strategies that can help you retire successfully. Financial advisor Joe Anderson, CFP® and certified public accountant Big Al Clopine, CPA answer your money questions and spitball on your 401k, IRA, Roth conversions and backdoor Roth IRA, how to pay less taxes, asset allocation, stocks and bonds, real estate, and other investments, Social Security benefits, capital gains tax, 1031 exchange, early retirement, expenses and withdrawals, and more money a...

✂️ Clip this podcast
Can You Afford Early Retirement AND Millions for Your Kids?
Can You Afford Early Retirement AND Millions for Your Kids? episode artwork
#605
Today at 11:00 AM

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on how to build your own retirement AND support your kids financially, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 605. Lloyd and Diane in Montgomery County are 50 with $8.4 million. Can they retire early and still be generous with their kids? E and T in Missouri are 34 and 31 with $255K, and hopefully some big inheritances in the future. Can they fund the kids' college, and help them buy their first homes, AND retire early? Ke...


Is 4% Too Conservative? How Much You Can Really Spend in Retirement
Is 4% Too Conservative? How Much You Can Really Spend in Retirement episode artwork
#604
10/20/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

How much can you actually spend in retirement without running out of money? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 604 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Longtime listener E-Dog built a fifty-year backtest spreadsheet to call out Big Al and prove the famous four percent rule is way too cautious. Hot stuff “Donna Summer” wonders if her biggest problem with her $13 million dollar portfolio is going to be the distributions she’ll be required to take from it and how...


Is a $400K Roth Conversion at Peak Income a Mistake?
Is a $400K Roth Conversion at Peak Income a Mistake? episode artwork
#603
10/13/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

George and Louise in Queens bring in $600,000 a year. Should they keep working just to do Roth conversions? Cher and Sonny in Oregon wonder if they can retire in a couple years at 59 and 60, and whether the mega backdoor Roth belongs in their plans. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball retirement planning and Roth conversion strategies for them, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 603. Plus, Michelle in Vienna, Virginia, is 56 and ready to retire, but what about he...


Should You Do Roth Conversions in a Down Market?
Should You Do Roth Conversions in a Down Market? episode artwork
#602
10/06/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA are spitballing on whether Roth conversions actually pay off as part of your retirement tax strategies, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 602. “Ozzie and Harriet” in Lafayette, Louisiana are 67, and Ozzie's spreadsheet says converting from their $7 million IRA costs more than just taking the RMDs. He challenges the fellas to change his mind. They also address BondBeer’s many YouTube comments telling them that their favorite guidance to convert when the market drops is...


Can You Retire Early? With $475K at 42, You Need a Gap Plan
Can You Retire Early? With $475K at 42, You Need a Gap Plan episode artwork
#601
09/29/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

How do you know if you're really on track to retire, especially if you're hoping to get out early? Fred and Wilma in Denver are 33 and 31, earning a small fortune, but sitting on nearly two million dollars in debt. Should they focus on paying it down faster or saving more? Jeremy, in Summerville, South Carolina, is 42 with a hefty military pension. Is that his green light to go all-in on stocks for the next 20 years? And finally, Saver and Spender in Saratoga...


Retirement Withdrawal Strategy: Is $100K a Year at 63 Wrong?
Retirement Withdrawal Strategy: Is $100K a Year at 63 Wrong? episode artwork
#600
09/22/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

63-year-old Kevin in Denver is pulling $100K a year out of his portfolio. What’s the tax-smart way for him to structure these retirement withdrawals? Tim in Pennsylvania was forced into early retirement, and his wife Jill may be facing a layoff. They have over $2.5M saved, but what about health insurance? And Rocky and Adrian in Tucson have $4M in pre-tax at ages 68 and 69. If they convert to Roth, are they just picking up nickels in front of a steamroller? But fi...


Retirement vs. House Down Payment: Are You Getting the Timing Wrong?
Retirement vs. House Down Payment: Are You Getting the Timing Wrong? episode artwork
#599
09/15/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

How do you buy a house as a young person, without wrecking your long-term retirement plan? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 599, as Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for 35-year-old Gord in New York City. He's got $300,000 saved, and a home purchase is coming soon thanks to a new relationship. Should he liquidate his brokerage account and pull the trigger? Carrie Bradshaw in California is 33 and wants to buy a roughly $1.5M home. When should she...


Can You Retire with $1M at 42? The Early Retirement Lie
Can You Retire with $1M at 42? The Early Retirement Lie episode artwork
#598
09/08/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 598, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball early retirement planning for Shua in Phoenix, who has a million dollars saved at age 42. Can he stop saving right now, coast until age 55, and still spend $170,000 a year in retirement? But first, Michael in Texas is a stay-at-home dad who does the stock market. His wife wants out of her job at age 47. Will their $5 million last through retirement? And then Homer and Marge in No...


We Have $12 Million. Should We Do Roth Conversions?
We Have $12 Million. Should We Do Roth Conversions? episode artwork
#597
09/01/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA are spitballing Roth conversions from every angle today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 597. John in Oklahoma is 75, sitting on a million dollars in traditional IRAs, and he's got a whole list of reasons NOT to convert to Roth. Is he right? Is it worth it as part of his retirement strategy? Jonathan and Jennifer in Phoenix have over six million dollars in tax-deferred accounts. How much should they convert, and where should th...


4 Retirement Questions That Expose Real Money Risks
4 Retirement Questions That Expose Real Money Risks episode artwork
#596
08/25/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Each of the questions Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA are spitballing today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 596 has a real retirement risk attached to it. Philip and Elizabeth in DC have $7M. Philip's dying to quit a job he hates, but he's loading up on bonds to protect the nest egg. At 56, could playing it too safe be his real risk? Mr. Mojo Risin wants to retire in three years, but $1.7M of his nest egg is riding on...


When to Claim Social Security and Why Full Roth Conversion Might be a Mistake
When to Claim Social Security and Why Full Roth Conversion Might be a Mistake episode artwork
#595
08/18/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 595, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for Eeyore and Nurse Kathi: retired in Orlando, both 65, and they swear they've never heard this one on the show before: is a full Roth conversion strategy the way to go, or is there a point where you should stop? Harry and Sally in New York potentially moving to Florida, have been living off their brokerage for retirement account withdrawal for two years, and Sally is...


He Has $10M and Can't Spend It. Here's Why.
He Has $10M and Can't Spend It. Here's Why. episode artwork
#594
08/11/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 594, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball retirement planning for high net worth couples: Gary in Pennsylvania is 54 with $10 million, and get this, he still can't decide whether he can walk away or if he needs to grind out a few more years. What is up with that? But before we get to Gary, Frida and Diego are 54 and 52 in California with $5.3 million, itching to start their go-go years. Can they both re...


Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) at $275K Income: What's the Right Move?
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) at $275K Income: What's the Right Move? episode artwork
#593
08/04/2026

Paul and Angela in Florida are 52 and 45. What's the earliest the two of them can walk away from work at the same time, so Paul can spend a whole lot more time in the boat? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth podcast number 593. Then the fellas spitball for Mike in Riverside. His mom inherited his dad's IRA at age 84. Can she still roll it into her own? Edward in Illinois is watching his bond funds lose value even while they pay him interest, and he's wondering if treasuries are the fix. "Blanche Devereaux" in California is 55 with $1.1M...


We Reverse-Engineered Their $6.5M Retirement. Here's What We Found
We Reverse-Engineered Their $6.5M Retirement. Here's What We Found episode artwork
#592
07/28/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://purefinancial.com/lp/free-assessment/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=free-assessment&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep592-description-free-assessment

Michael, K & J, and Tracy all need retirement spitballs and Roth conversion plans, but they didn't share one of the most important numbers in retirement planning: how much they actually want to spend. Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 592, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA reverse-engineer their spitballs to back into what might be the same numbers missing from your own plan. Plus, Sean wa...


Roth Conversions and RMDs: Are You Ready to Retire?
Roth Conversions and RMDs: Are You Ready to Retire? episode artwork
#591
07/21/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://purefinancial.com/lp/free-assessment/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=free-assessment&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep591-description-free-assessment

B and S in Maryland are in their mid-40s with $425,000 and a couple of rental properties. Can they retire early at 62? Vee in Oregon came to the US as a refugee with nothing and built a three and three-quarter million dollar portfolio from the ground up. Is his Roth conversion plan solid? And finally, Chandler and Monica in Texas are sitting on $1.4 million and hope they can...


Got a Pre-Tax Fortune? Nobody Warns You About the Retirement Tax Bomb
Got a Pre-Tax Fortune? Nobody Warns You About the Retirement Tax Bomb episode artwork
#590
07/14/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 590, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for people with a small fortune sitting in pre-tax accounts turning into a tax bomb. We’ll find out how Roth conversions and careful tax liability management can optimize their retirement income strategy. Eric in California is 72 with nearly four million dollars in pre-tax accounts. How much should he transfer in Roth conversions? Is borrowing against his own house to pay the tax bill brilliant or bonk...


Retirement Margin Loans: Is Buy, Borrow, Die Worth the Risk?
Retirement Margin Loans: Is Buy, Borrow, Die Worth the Risk? episode artwork
#589
07/07/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

The margin loan debate continues today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 589. Jack and Jill recently moved from the UAE to Australia and want a sanity check on using margin loans (AKA pledge loans) to build and live off their portfolio. Joe and Big Al spitball whether borrowing against stocks and never paying tax on the gains, the Buy Borrow Die strategy, is smart, or a fast way to blow yourself up. They also recap the spicy comments on the episode 585 m...


$500K Income, $900K Saved: Will FIRE at 55 Work?
$500K Income, $900K Saved: Will FIRE at 55 Work? episode artwork
#588
06/30/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for three people planning for early retirement and wondering, can I really pull this off? How much risk can you take, and how much do you really need to? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 588. Dr. Kickass Seabass and his wife are both 41 and they got a late start on savings. Can they still hit FIRE - that is, financial independence, retire early - by 55? Get your salt shakers ready. Aang...


Roth Conversions vs. RMDs: Which Tax Bill Hurts More? - 587
Roth Conversions vs. RMDs: Which Tax Bill Hurts More? - 587 episode artwork
#587
06/23/2026

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

11 rapid-fire spitballs today from Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA, on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 587, on everything from Roth conversions and RMDs to whether a guy named Wayne can finally treat himself to a seventy-five-thousand-dollar Audi. Aaron in Syracuse just hit a million bucks in his 401(k) and realizes he needs a spitball on keeping his RMDs low. Do new Roth conversions restart the 5-year clock? 72-year-old Mike in Texas wants to know. Marion inherited a not-yet-five-year-old Roth, and an IR...


Roth Conversions: When to Pay Taxes NOW
Roth Conversions: When to Pay Taxes NOW episode artwork
#586
06/16/2026

Schedule a free financial assessment with an experienced professional at Pure Financial Advsiors: https://purefinancial.com/lp/free-assessment/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=free-assessment&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep586-description-free-assessment

“Walter and Skyler” in Iowa ask if they’re on track to retire early, or if they’re just "cooking up overconfidence?" And how aggressively should they convert their retirement savings to tax-free Roth money before the pension and Social Security kick in? California Dreamin’ has it down to one decision: convert to the top of the 22 percent tax bracket, or push into the 24? “Mike and Carol” in Fl...


Don't Overcomplicate Retirement: Margin Loans, Whole Life, Roth Mistakes
Don't Overcomplicate Retirement: Margin Loans, Whole Life, Roth Mistakes episode artwork
#585
06/08/2026

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Free Financial Resources in This Episode: https://bit.ly/ymyw-585 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 585, Joe and Big Al spitball for folks who are already winning and thinking about getting fancy with it. Reno in Oregon is 50, and his pension is so big he's not sure how to invest or why he would need to convert to Roth. Michael is considering taking out a half-million-dollar margin loan to juice investment returns. What do the f...


These Tax Strategies Let You Spend More in Retirement
These Tax Strategies Let You Spend More in Retirement episode artwork
#584
06/02/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Heidi from the Space Coast of Florida found a money-saving tidbit in a past episode that completely changed how she thinks about her financial advisor's fee. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA expand on the strategy, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 584. Laverne and Shirley have four million bucks, Roth conversion questions, annuity questions, and a retirement plan so detailed it may require a diagram. Finally, Bess and George from Pure Michigan are already retired, already on Social Se...


$1.6M in One Stock? Here's How to Get Out Without Getting Crushed
$1.6M in One Stock? Here's How to Get Out Without Getting Crushed episode artwork
#583
05/26/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for people sitting on life-changing gains who are just one wrong move away from handing a third of it to the IRS. How should they diversify their concentrated stock positions? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth podcast number 583. First up, Walter's a software engineer who got lucky 15 years ago. Now he's got $1.6 million in company stock, and a retirement clock ticking down in six years. Richard from Staten Island listened to his...


Safe Withdrawal Rate Debate: How Much Can You REALLY Spend in Early Retirement?
Safe Withdrawal Rate Debate: How Much Can You REALLY Spend in Early Retirement? episode artwork
#582
05/19/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 582, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA address something a not-insignificant portion of this audience has been complaining about for years: their so-called 'absurdly conservative' safe withdrawal rates for early retirement. Rand and Elayne from Ohio are here to gripe about it directly with a thought experiment: a million bucks at age 36 and a three-year sabbatical in France. When, if ever, would Joe and Big Al say they should cut it short and go...


Roth Conversions, Pension Lump Sums & Annuities: Is Bigger Always Better?
Roth Conversions, Pension Lump Sums & Annuities: Is Bigger Always Better? episode artwork
#581
05/12/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

June in Washington State is 62 with $2.5 million saved and a $350,000 pension on the table. Should she take the lump sum or the monthly check for life? Spoiler alert: there's a 3-to-1 vote in the studio, and Big Al is the one, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 581 with Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, how aggressive should “Homer and Marge” get with Roth conversions, and is it smart to pay the conversion tax from an inherited IRA RMD? P...


You Have Enough to Retire Before 60. Why Are You Still Working?
You Have Enough to Retire Before 60. Why Are You Still Working? episode artwork
#580
05/05/2026

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:

https://bit.ly/YMYWassessC

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 580, Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA, are spitballing for some folks who've done the work, hit the numbers, but aren’t sure if they can really walk away yet. Martha in DC is 44 and says her soul is being sucked out of her body by her employer. When can she stop working full-time and foster puppies instead? “Bandit” is bullish on his company stock in archeology instruments, but not so much on his work...


Too Much 401k Money? The $3M Roth Conversion Problem
Too Much 401k Money? The $3M Roth Conversion Problem episode artwork
#579
04/28/2026

Saving into Roth instead of traditional accounts to bring down required minimum distributions in retirement, and whether retiring early is in the cards: that's today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 579 with Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Brian in New York and "Todd and Margo" in Utah each have over $3 million in their pre-tax accounts. What should their Roth conversion strategies look like, and can Todd retire this year? But first up, should "Captain Morgan" go Roth to avoid RMDs and can he retire in a couple of years? Should "Klo Jopine" contribute to Roth instead of...


The Retirement Question Every Couple Asks: Can We Afford It?
The Retirement Question Every Couple Asks: Can We Afford It? episode artwork
#578
04/21/2026

"Chase and Ryder" are 56 and 55 with $5 million saved and huge pensions the day they retire. So why are they so nervous about pulling the trigger? That's today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 578 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. "Andy and April" are 46 with $2.4 million saved and 10 years until they want to retire. Can they get there, and do they need a trust? "Burt and Sally" are in their late forties with solid pensions and a retirement dream, but is the math close enough to make it work? Finally, does "Dolly" have any options for sq...


This Early Retirement Strategy Could Be a Huge Mistake
This Early Retirement Strategy Could Be a Huge Mistake episode artwork
#577
04/14/2026

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on whether a popular early retirement strategy could actually blow up your financial plan, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 577. Red and Kitty from Wisconsin are burned out at 40 and wonder if retiring at 45 using the 72(t) tax election to take substantially equal periodic payments, or SEPP, is a smart bridge strategy. Jiminy Billy Bob in North Carolina is also considering a 72(t). How should he structure his withdrawal order, and does he need to shift into bonds before downshifting his career? Plus, Steve and Sharon in Minnesota ha...


When Roth Conversions Don't Make Sense (And When They're a No-Brainer)
When Roth Conversions Don't Make Sense (And When They're a No-Brainer) episode artwork
#576
04/07/2026

Are Roth conversions worth it? We'll find out, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 576. TJ in PA is gonna have huge capital gains. Joe and Big Al spitball on whether it's worth it for him to convert. Rebels Without a Gauze in New England are over 70. Is it too late for them to convert? How much should Biking Barnsey convert from his tax-deferred accounts to Roth each year, and are there any single ladies in the YMYW audience that would like to help him spend his retirement money? Finally, the fellas spitball on whether Zisi and his w...


Die With Zero: Are You Giving Your Kids Too Much?
Die With Zero: Are You Giving Your Kids Too Much? episode artwork
#575
03/31/2026

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on how to build your own retirement AND support your kids financially, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 575. "Lloyd and Diane" in Montgomery County are 50 with $8.4 million. Can they retire early and still be generous with their kids? E and T in Missouri are 34 and 31 with $255K, and hopefully some big inheritances in the future. Can they fund the kids' college, and help them buy their first homes, AND retire early? Kent in Kansas City is 73 with 12 million bucks and $2 million in life insurance. Do Joe and Big Al...


When Should You Take Social Security? (Don't Screw This Up)
When Should You Take Social Security? (Don't Screw This Up) episode artwork
#574
03/24/2026

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA focus on Social Security claiming strategies as part of the retirement spitballs, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 574. Bijou Plutus and her husband in Massachusetts are 62 and 64 with about a million dollars. Can she retire at 65, and should he claim Social Security early? Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde in the Twin Cities have about the same at 51 and 49, plus big pensions and high spending. Can they afford to retire early, and when should they claim Social Security? Diggler and Roller Girl in Tennessee are 57 and 58 with about $600K, and Di...


Could You Retire Tomorrow If You Had To?
Could You Retire Tomorrow If You Had To? episode artwork
#573
03/17/2026

Juan and Mary in Brooklyn are 49 and 48 with $2.2 million saved. Can Juan afford to retire early, or just walk away if he gets fired? And if they get divorced, yikes - but does the math still work? That's today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 573. But first, "Reuben Sailing Shoes" is 68, single, retired, and has $1.6 million saved, but he's never had a budget in his life. How much can he actually spend? "Leslie and Ben" are federal retirees in their seventies with great pensions and a mix of pre-tax and Roth savings, and "Mork and Mindy" in Delaware a...


Could You Lose Half Your Retirement Income to Taxes?
Could You Lose Half Your Retirement Income to Taxes? episode artwork
#572
03/10/2026

"Carl and Jane" have eight million bucks, and their advisor is suggesting a 130/30 long-short investing strategy. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on whether this is a smart tax move or unnecessary complexity - and whether they would do it themselves, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 572. Plus, Tyrone and Tova think they may never even need their retirement accounts, so do they really need to bother with Roth conversions if the kids are going to inherit the money anyway, or could skipping the conversions mean losing half their retirement income to taxes? Mark in...


Retire Early in Your 40s or 50s: Green Light or Reality Check?
Retire Early in Your 40s or 50s: Green Light or Reality Check? episode artwork
#571
03/03/2026

If you plan to punch the clock for the final time decades before "standard" retirement age, you need a financial strategy that goes beyond just saving. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball five different early retirement plans to see whose numbers are tight and who is ready to go for it, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 571. George in South Carolina wants to retire in 8 years at 53. Does he have enough in his brokerage account to bridge the gap to Social Security? Joe in Massachusetts is saving a staggering $200,000 a year, but will his high-spending li...


Retirement Planning for Aging Parents - and Can You Retire Early?
Retirement Planning for Aging Parents - and Can You Retire Early? episode artwork
#570
02/24/2026

Joe and Big Al spitball two sides of the retirement equation, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 570. Daniel in Texas is 40 and worrying about how to support Mom and Dad if their money runs out. Can he build some kind of financial safety net for them without ruining his own retirement? Jemma's 82-year-old mom is drawing down her portfolio. Is locking in guaranteed income with an annuity a smart move, or could that create new problems down the road? Plus, "Cookie and Gerry" want to walk away from work before 50 with a big brokerage account and a p...


Retirement Changes at These 5 Major Financial Crossroads
Retirement Changes at These 5 Major Financial Crossroads episode artwork
#569
02/17/2026

When you're standing at a major financial crossroads, the timing of your decisions can mean the difference between success and failure. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on the "when" of five retirement decisions, today on Your Money, Your Wealth podcast number 569. We'll kick things off with a whale of an email: "Fine and Dandy" is 42 years old with a multimillion dollar private equity offer on the table. Should he sell his business now or hold out for a second bite of the apple later? He also wonders if it's crazy to spend more on his v...


Tax-Smart Investing at Every Age: Starting Young or Catching Up
Tax-Smart Investing at Every Age: Starting Young or Catching Up episode artwork
#568
02/10/2026

John Q. Taxpayer is in the home stretch of his career, looking for the best way to catch-up and build his tax-free bucket. Meanwhile, a pair of young financial nerds in Omaha are already strong savers, but they're wondering whether a simple "VOO for life" strategy is enough to help them reach multimillionaire status in retirement. Also, Janine retired unexpectedly. Can her remaining savings support a European retirement lifestyle? From Jonas Grumby's "glitch in the matrix" tax strategy to the potential tax nightmare of Dolly's literal sack of inherited gold coins, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 568, Joe A...


Rising Costs and Retirement Unknowns? Here's What to Do - 567
Rising Costs and Retirement Unknowns? Here's What to Do - 567 episode artwork
#567
02/03/2026

Should Al and Peggy in Illinois keep hammering pre-tax retirement savings or should they pivot to post-tax Roth for better tax diversification? Which pension option is best for their early retirement plans? Long-term care insurance premiums are going up endlessly for Eloise in Connecticut. Is she walking into an insurance industry trap? How do Eric and Tami in Baton Rouge help their kids with college without blowing up their own retirement, and when do student loans make sense? Finally, should Lana and Sterling harvest capital gains or prioritize Roth conversions before moving to a much higher-tax state? The basic...


High Net Worth Pre-Retirees Share Their Biggest Fear (Here's How to Calm It)
High Net Worth Pre-Retirees Share Their Biggest Fear (Here's How to Calm It) episode artwork
#566
01/27/2026

"Mr and Mrs Smith" have nearly $850,000 saved at age 43, but they're very concerned about retirement. "Lucy and Desi" are 58 and 64 with nearly $7 million saved, but they still lie awake wondering if it's enough for their high-expense life. "Tony and Carmela" are in a similar boat with millions saved at 61 and 59, but they're worried their asset allocation won't get them through their retirement. No matter the numbers, the fears sound exactly the same: will you run out of money in retirement? Turns out overcoming that fear is not about hitting a magic number. We'll find out what it's all about...