Financial Focus: Recent Episodes
Jeffrey Bird
Small changes, made over time, can produce significant results. Much like a high performance engine, or an entire orchestra, when even a small part is not doing what it is supposed to do, everything suffers. And the same is true of your finances. This show is dedicated to the small things that make a significant difference.
On this episode, we’ll discuss the news that the U.S. and China are pausing tariffs for 90 days while they negotiate a formal trade agreement.
During this episode, we’ll examine and discuss the different challenges and pitfalls that can get in the way of retirement and how to overcome them.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss common 401(k) mistakes and why it’s important to avoid them.
During this episode, we’re going to consider ways to protect your financial strategy against future inflation and market volatility.
During this episode we’re going to discuss two current financial news stories: The latest round of tariffs and market downturns and 401(k)s.
During this show, we’re going to discuss how you can save money on withdrawals from retirement accounts.
During this episode, we’ll discuss eight signs that could tell you that you’re ready to retire.
During this episode, we’ll examine and discuss tax diversification strategies and how they offer flexibility for funding your retirement.
During this episode, we’ll discuss common retirement expenses that many people don’t prepare for.
On this show, we’re going to discuss items you’ll want to include on your retirement anti-bucket list.
During this episode, we’ll discuss things you need to know about Social Security in 2025.
During this show, we’re discussing possible tax strategies to preserve your savings and assets for retirement.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment increase as well as maximizing your Social Security.
During this show, we’ll begin by looking at the retirement needs of Gen X before broadening out to discuss the retirement needs for workers of all ages.
During this show, we’re going to look at why so many Americans are afraid of retirement and what you can do to avoid that fear.
During this episode, we’re going to examine some of your options for what to do with a retirement account from a previous employer.
During this show, we’ll look at steps and strategies you can take if you want to move your retirement date up.
During this episode, we’re going to highlight the steps you should take in years 10 through five of your 10-year retirement checklist.
During this show, we’re going to look at five possible Social Security steps for couples.
On this show, we’ll discuss retirement magic numbers and what it would mean to retire at 50 with two million dollars saved.
During this show, we’ll discuss the potential fallout if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is allowed to expire at the end of 2025. We’ll also highlight limiting taxes on retirement withdrawals.
During this show, we’ll highlight creating a retirement that balances finances and fulfilment.
In this episode, we look at Social Security survivor benefits. Discover strategies and the different scenarios that may affect your eligibility.
During this show, we’ll discuss some of the most frequently overlooked financial steps and why they’re important.
During this episode, we’ll discuss different types of insurance policies that many people can include in their financial strategy.
During this show, we’ll highlight short-term, medium-term, and long-term financial horizons and how to utilize each of them.
During this episode, we’ll go over common retirement expenses that many people don’t adequately prepare for.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss the silver tsunami — the millions of baby boomers who will be retiring now through 2027 — and strategies to help better prepare.
During this episode, we’ll consider some of the things you should do if you become the executor of an estate.
During this episode, we’ll consider different types of retirement income and what taxes they may be subject to.
During this show, we’ll discuss retirement steps to take when you’re five years and one year from retirement.
During this show, we’ll discuss some of the things current retirees wish they’d known before they stopped working.
During this show, we’re going to discuss essential steps that can provide rainy day financial protection.
During this show, we’re going to break down the New Generation Retirement system and how it can provide value and guidance on the road to retirement.
During today’s show, we’re going to consider what data and historical trends suggest the impact of the 2024 presidential election will be on your finances.
During this episode, we’re going to get deep into the details about Roth IRAs and Roth IRA conversions and how they might benefit your retirement planning.
During this show, we’re going to examine how much retirement has changed in a short amount of time and how you can thrive in a new generation of retirement.
During this episode, we’ll discuss Harnessing the Power of Social Security and its importance to your financial strategy.
On this episode, we’ll discuss some simple but powerful financial steps you can take at ages 50.
During this show, we’ll discuss how you may be able to save money when you begin making withdrawals from retirement accounts.
During this episode, we’ll examine and discuss retirement steps that are unique to women.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the economic factors and changes coming in 2024.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss younger worker’s retirement anxiety as well as retirement preparation at different ages.
During this show, we’re going to examine clear steps people can take to avoid letting their dream retirement stories turn into retirement horror stories.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss the recent news about Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment increase as well as maximizing your Social Security payment.
During this episode, we’ll detail some common financial scams and how you can better protect yourself and your money.
During this episode, we’ll do a deep dive into Social Security, highlighting your options, so you can bolster your retirement strategy.
During this episode, we’ll consider steps you can take to build more, save more, and thrive more.
On this episode, we’ll highlight and discuss year-end steps for your financial strategy and taxes.
During the show today, we’re going to highlight some potential strategies for estate planning that can help you head into fall with a stronger financial strategy.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the steps you can take to get out of debt.
During this episode, we’re examine various types of retirement income and what kind of taxes each of them may be subject to.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss key financial steps designed specifically for women.
During this episode, we’re going to look at commonly held notions about money and which ones are true and false and we’ll also discuss 8 Obstacles to Retirement.
In this episode we discuss harnessing the power of Social Security, which, among other things, means understanding the full retirement age, how when you file can affect your benefit payment, and how Social Security is only a piece of a broad financial strategy.
During this show, we’ll look at some of the common retirement expenses that many people fail to adequately prepare for before they retire.
On this show, we’re going to look at the future of retirement and how in three or four decades from now it will likely look very different than it does today.
In this episode we’re going to discuss retirement steps you may want to take when you’re at two unique moments: 10 years away from retirement and five years away from retirement.
During this episode, we’re going to look at some job ideas for retirees who are looking to work a day or two a week, whether to earn extra money or to just get out of the house and socialize.
During this episode we’re going to discuss the importance of enhanced planning in relation to finances, taxes, and family life.
On today’s program, we’re going to look at some summer vacations that can be enjoyed without blowing up your budget or imperiling your financial strategy.
During this episode, we’ll examine the FIRE, or Financial Independence, Retire Early, movement.
In this episode we discuss some of the steps you can take to build a content and fulfilling retirement.
During this episode, we’re going to examine some of the key things you should know as you move closer to your retirement.
During this show, we’ll highlight some of the financial resources available to people when they turn 50.
During this show, we’re going to highlight and discuss some of the lesser known elements of retiring early.
During this show, we’re going to highlight some potential tax breaks for those older than 50.
During this episode, we’re going to look at financial steps for those who are in the last inning or two of their careers.
During this show, we’ll look at recent news from the Social Security trustees’ report before shifting into a more general conversation about Social Security.
During this episode, we’ll highlight some tips to help you enjoy summer while sticking to your budget and retirement strategy.
During this show, we’ll look at various ways you may be able to save money when it comes time to take your retirement withdrawals.
During this show, we’re going to discuss what you should do if your 401(k) match is suddenly cut.
On this episode, we’ll discuss how maintaining your physical and mental health may help you increase the likeliness that you don’t outlive your assets.
This week we discuss some retirement tips for the coming year that may have you looking ahead to your post-work life with more confidence.
During this show, we’ll discuss how healthy lifestyle habits may help you preserve the assets you need to maintain your preferred retirement lifestyle.
During this episode, we’re going to explore the concept of unretirement and what factors you can use to decide if it’s right for you.
During this episode, we’re going to seek to determine if $1 million is enough to provide yourself with your preferred retirement lifestyle.
In this week's show, we’re going to discuss some of the most popular retirement destinations around the world as well as right here in the United States.
During this episode, we’re going to examine some of the steps you can take to build wealth for retirement.
During this show, we’re going to highlight and discuss some common legacy planning mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss an essential 401(k) issue: the importance of maxing it out.
During this episode, we’re going to examine the cost changes coming to Medicare in 2023.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement as you near retirement, but before that fateful day, it’s important to have a fully fleshed out retirement budget. That’s our topic on today’s show!
During the show today, we’re going to examine some tips that may help you build a financial strategy that can help provide enough cash to see you through your retirement.
Many experienced financial professionals are predicting that we’ll soon be confronted with a recession. On today’s show, we’re going to offer up some tips that may help recession-proof your retirement.
During this episode, we’ll take a high-level look at the recently signed into law Inflation Reduction Act and its potential impact on Medicare recipients and taxpayers.
We are in bear market territory. What do you do when the markets are down? In this episode we give some helpful strategies and tips.
During this episode, we’re going to examine short-term, medium-term, and long-term financial horizons and how you can operate within each.
During this episode, we’ll look at what annuities are, there plusses and minuses, and whether they’re a good fit for your financial strategy.
During this episode, we’ll examine some of the ways that Roth IRAs may be a good fit for certain financial strategies.
During the episode, we’re going to look at some of the ways those 50 and older may be able to utilize several different tax breaks and credits.
During this episode, we’ll examine some of the ways that Roth IRAs may be a good fit for certain financial strategies.
During this episode, we’re going to highlight some of the ways you may be able to boost your monthly Social Security payment.
During this episode, we’re going examine some of the ways you may be able to prevent the kind of retirement wealth gap that keeps you from enjoying your preferred retirement.
During this episode, we’re going to address our current very high rate of inflation and some of the budgetary and spending steps you can take to fight back against it.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the things that Medicare may be able to do to better secure its long-term future.
During this episode we’re going to look at the most essential nuts and bolts of long-term care.
During this episode, we’re going to highlight some of the financial steps you may want to take in the final decade before you retire to potentially ensure your post-work life is secure and happy.
During this episode, we’re going to highlight and discuss some of the things you can do to better ensure that your retirement is not only financially secure but is also full of happiness.
During this episode, we’re going to breakdown some of the critical information you need to know for Medicare in 2022.
During this episode, we’re going to look at some of the ways the semi-retired — rather than the fully retired — lifestyle may be a solid step for not only your financial strategy but for your physical and emotional well-being.
During this episode, we’re going to look at some of the tax filings mistakes and shortcuts that may raise red flags for the IRS.
During this episode, we’re going to examine some of the ways you can prepare yourself – and your financial strategy – for the taxes you may face during your retirement.
During this episode, we’re going to highlight some common financial scams and what you can do to better protect yourself and your money.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the things you may have sitting in your home that your kids and grandkids may want to take off your hands.
During this episode, we’re going to highlight some of the simple but potentially beneficial financial new year’s resolutions you can make before the first day of 2022.
During this episode, we’re going to break down the recent news that Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment will go up by 5.9 percent in January 2022. We’ll also look at some other Social Security strategies.
This episode will highlight that a frugal retirement doesn’t mean a retirement without many of the hobbies and activities you enjoy. You can be frugal and happy.
During this episode, we’re going to look into how you can build a retirement that’s full of the kind of adventure you didn’t have time for during your working years.
During this episode, we’re going to look at some of the ways you can get rid of some of your stuff and simplify your life to enjoy your retirement.
During this show, we’re going to examine some of the common financial follies that befall many Americans.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the financial insights and lessons you’ve learned during your life and how you can put that information to work helping your kids and grandkids make their own financial strategies stronger.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss the current inflation news and then examine ways you can build a budget and a retirement strategy that may offer some degree of protection against inflation.
During today’s episode, we’re going to discuss some of the common preferred retirement lifestyles and what you can do to make one of them a reality for you.
During today’s episode, we’re going to illuminate some of the ways you can have fun and travel the world in a way that truly lets you explore while also keeping you within the parameters of your financial strategy.
During this episode, we’ll discuss smart financial decisions during two critical chapters of your life: your 20s and 30s and your 50s.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the critical questions you should ask a financial services professional you’re considering working with.
During this episode, we’re going to get into the swing of the baseball season by highlighting some of the best final seasons in baseball history while also discussing steps people should take in their final year at work before retirement.
During this episode, we’re going to illuminate some potentially surprising facts and figures about retirement. And, to make things a little more fun, we’re going to intersperse some fascinating facts about some of our most beloved movies.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss the benefits of buying a home as well as the benefits of not buying a home.
During this episode, we’re going to really break down 401(k) so that listeners can gain a deeper understanding of their importance.
During this episode, we’re going to examine financial statistics that may surprise you, scare you, or inspire you to readjust your own financial strategy.
During this episode, we’re going to do a comprehensive analysis of the recently passed American Rescue Plan and what it means for people of all ages as well as business owners.
During this episode, we’ll discuss some potential tax breaks for people who are in their 50s and 60s and the self-employed.
During this episode, we’ll present financial advice for young workers. The tips in this episode may help steer workers who are still in their 20s toward a more secure and confident financial future and retirement.
During today’s episode, we’re going to analyze what steps you should take if 2021 (or a year shortly thereafter) is your year to retire.
During today’s episode, we’re going to discuss financial new year’s resolutions that may help you enjoy more financial security in 2021.
During today’s episode, we’re going to look at ways you can adjust your financial strategy and strategies to make 2021 a great year.
During this episode, we’re going to look at some of the common financial fears that people nearing retirement often experience and how they can be overcome.
During this episode, we’re going to discuss jobs that are currently in-demand for older workers, typically those who are 62 and older, who are near retirement or already retired.
During this episode, we’ll be discussing how you can build an legacy plan or adjust your current plan to better reflect your needs during the coronavirus pandemic. We’ll also look at some more general financial steps you may want to take during the pandemic.
During this episode, we’ll look at the steps people who are very close to retirement may want to take to ensure their financial strategies are as solid as possible, so they leap into retirement with optimism and confidence.
During this episode, we’re going to examine some of the financial changes coming to Medicare in 2021, as well as some general insights and advice into this essential retirement tool.
During this episode, we’ll discuss how you may be able to use Black Friday to your advantage when it comes to buying big-ticket items and holiday gifts. We’ll also examine ways you can better prepare your finances for the holidays.
During this episode, we’ll discuss how fall is the perfect time to assess your current finances to determine if your current budget is meeting your needs.
Do you have questions about Medicare? This episode looks at each of the different parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B.
During this episode, we’ll be taking a close look at annuities to help you understand what they are, how they work, how much they cost and how to determine if they may fit your overall financial strategy. While an annuity may be able to provide lifetime income, there’s plenty of nuance, as well as risks, that you should be aware of.
During today’s show, we’ll be discussing how you should go about developing a strategy for retirement after you’ve gone through a divorce. Divorce is a reality for millions of Americans, and there are steps you can take that can make a big difference when it comes to your financial well-being.
During this episode, we’ll be examining tips and strategies that may be helpful if you’re likely to retire as a single person. Though there are some challenges to taking a solo retirement adventure, there are also plenty of exciting and rewarding opportunities, too. And, with the right strategy and commitment, you can enjoy a solo retirement with the lifestyle and experiences you’ve always wanted.
During our episode today, we’re going to discuss specific steps you can take in each of the last five years before retirement to help better position yourself to enjoy the rewarding and comfortable retirement you’ve always wanted.
During our episode today, we’re going to dig into just how important it can be to conduct a financial checkup. Have your circumstances changed during the coronavirus economy? Some simple budgeting adjustments may help you get through this economic volatility a little easier. Additionally, we’ll examine some retirement strategy mistakes you should avoid during the current pandemic.
If you are fortunate enough to have a defined benefit pension, you will likely be given the opportunity to take a lump sum payment at some point in your retirement. What are the things you should consider? What are the benefits and challenges that come with a lump sum payment? This episode examines some things you may want to keep in mind.
During this episode, we’ll discuss some of the critical things that life insurance beneficiaries should know, including what happens if a policy has lapsed and when you can expect to receive your payout. Additionally, we discuss the pros and cons of both permanent and term life insurance.
When you’re planning for retirement, it can be easy to think of your retirement date as the ultimate goal. But the reality is, your plan should address your retirement lifestyle. After all, your retirement could last 20 or 30 years, so you should have a strategy for things like your health and fitness, socialization and travel. A comprehensive strategy can help to better position you to enjoy the kind of retirement you’ve always wanted.
For many people, regular travel during retirement is one of their dreams. But travel can often be very expensive, especially for people on fixed incomes. In this episode, we discuss numerous ways you can enjoy a retirement full of travel without completely wiping out your retirement nest egg.
Looking toward retirement should be a time of optimism and excitement for couples. But in reality, there are numerous traps and obstacles standing between couples and a fulfilling retirement. Yet, with some honest conversations and comprehensive strategizing, couples can view their impending retirement with confidence.
For many people, going through the estate planning process can seem overwhelming. But by being proactive, and keeping the process simple, you can ensure that your assets are distributed in the manner that you envision. And that means your loved ones can grieve without worrying about paperwork.
Women face different hurdles in retirement from men. We break down three of the most common issues.
Are you about to make a financial decision? Does it make you nervous? Do you feel pressured? How do you know you’re making a good decision?
Where do you even start when looking at Medicare? This episode serves as a potential beginner’s guide to Medicare. This can be a confusing subject. There are so many parts, rules and regulations. We break some of those parts, rules and regulations down for you.
Working to and during retirement is seemingly becoming more and more popular. But it doesn’t work for everyone. What are some of the reasons working in retirement isn’t an option? What should you consider you may encounter in the future? This episode answers those questions and more.
A rainy day can ruin your mood, a downturn in investments can make you want to panic. Here’s strategies to help avoid both.
This show examines some potential mistakes to avoid when it comes to your 401(k)-retirement account. 401(k) plans are one of the most common retirement products. But what are they really? What are some common mistakes to avoid?
Congress is proposing some big changes to Independent Retirement Accounts. What are some of these changes? How might they impact you? What is a Stretch IRA and how does it function? This episodes looks at all of these questions and more.
Many people make assumptions. Especially about retirement. This episode looks at some potentially dangerous misconceptions that could impact your retirement. How can you avoid these misconceptions and protect your retirement strategy?
We all have hopes and dreams for our retirement. But those don’t truly become goals unless you have a plan on how to achieve them. This episode looks at some steps you can take to turn those retirement wishes into goals.
The Federal Reserve has cut rates again in a move designed to help bolster the economy. But how does this impact you, the American consumer? This episode looks at some of the potential dominos that can fall after the Fed cuts rates.
There are a few things that you can do in light of COVID-19 that will help you understand your path to retirement better and can help you do something besides worry.
Market volatility often feels like a rumbling volcano that could erupt at any time. It’s time to make sure your Market Volatility Emergency Plan is in place.