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

Dave Ramsey has built one of the most recognized brands in personal finance. Millions of people have followed his advice out of debt and into savings. But when it comes to how much you should pull from your retirement accounts each year, Ramsey takes a position that some financial professionals find hard to get behind. Today, we break it down: what Dave says, what the research says, and what John actually thinks.

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

⚠️ Eight Percent: Simple math overlooks major risks

📉 Market Reality: Strong averages hide uneven returns

📊 Volatility Matters: Withdrawal plans need clear guardrails

✅ Practical Suggestion: Match withdrawals to actual needs

Ramsey's 8% Retirement Rule Sounds Nuts At First

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ramsey-8-retirement-rule-sounds-170209842.html

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

Over the past year, one retirement video on YouTube pulled in 3.7 million views. The title: "Sell These 5 Things Before You Retire." We thought it was worth a conversation, not to tear it apart, but to react honestly. Does John agree? Let's get into it: 3.7 million people watched this video for a reason. It touches something real. Retirement isn't just about what you've accumulated. Sometimes it's about what you're willing to let go of.

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

🏡 Downsizing: Is a smaller home better?

👨‍👩‍👧 Adult Children: Helping without sacrificing retirement

🚤 Expensive Hobbies: When passions become burdens

🚗 Second Car: Do you really need it?

🪪 Work Identity: Finding purpose after retirement

⚖️ Life Changes: Trade-offs create opportunities

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/

SpaceX. OpenAI. These and other names have been dominating the headlines. The IPO market is heating up, and clients are asking questions. Today we're keeping it simple. What do retirees and pre-retirees need to understand about IPOs before they get caught up in the excitement?

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

🚀 IPO Basics – Understanding how companies go public

💰 Why Companies IPO – Raising capital and rewarding early investors

📈 SpaceX Hype – Why investors are paying attention

😨 FOMO Factor – The emotional side of investing

⚠️ Volatility Risk – Why IPOs can be unpredictable

🧩 Fun Money Strategy – How speculative investments can fit responsibly

Get in touch:

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

Nobody likes talking about death, insurance, or estate planning, but avoiding those conversations can create even bigger problems later. John discusses why protecting the people and things you care about most goes far beyond just investing and retirement accounts. Having a clear plan in place can make life much easier for the people you love when the unexpected happens.

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

🛡️ Life Insurance: Protection creates financial stability

💰 Insurance Strategies: More than just a death benefit

📋 Beneficiary Reviews: Small mistakes become costly

⚖️ Estate Documents: Legal preparation matters deeply

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Protection: Planning reduces future burdens

Get in touch:

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

John pulls back the curtain on what it actually looks like to build a long-term relationship with a financial advisor. He walks through the process from the first conversation to creating an evolving retirement strategy built around your goals, values, and concerns. Tune in for a practical look at how thoughtful financial planning is designed to grow and adapt alongside your life.

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

🤝 Relationships Matter: Strong planning starts with trust and communication

🗂️ Process Creates Clarity: A structured onboarding experience reduces confusion

📋 Planning Comes First: Investments should support goals—not drive them

🧩 Everything Connects: Taxes, income, investing, and lifestyle decisions all interact

📞 Ongoing Support Counts: Great plans evolve as life changes over time

Get in touch:

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/

We got a great question from a listener: "My investments didn't do as well in the last 12 months as the overall market has done. Should I be re-evaluating my advisor based on this lack of performance?" It's a question a lot of people ask at some point in their investing lives, and John breaks down the answer today. Turns out, if your portfolio is doing what it was designed to do, that's the scorecard that matters.

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

📊 "The market" isn't a single benchmark—comparison matters
🎯 Your portfolio's purpose matters more than performance
⏳ One year is not enough time to judge results
⚖️ Diversification means you won't match any one index
🛑 "Wait it out" is not a complete strategy

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 honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), let's talk about why volunteering is an important part of life, especially in retirement. Retirement isn't just about stepping away from work. It's an opportunity to step toward the things you've always cared about, with more time and freedom than you've had in decades.

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

🌟 Finding purpose after retirement through volunteering

⛹️‍♂️ Opportunities in sports (e.g., coaching, equipment management, and more)

🏠 Volunteering with organizations supporting youth aging out of foster care

🛠️ How you can use your talents, such as teaching or event planning, to give back

💰 Using your financial resources to support charitable causes

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

AI headlines are everywhere right now, mostly bold predictions about how artificial intelligence will reshape the economy. Instead of reacting to the noise, John steps back and looks at what the data actually suggests about AI and the workforce. He also walks through the top questions people in their 50s and 60s are Googling about AI and retirement, giving clear, practical answers. The searches reveal what you're worried about, but John shares what you should actually do about it.

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

🏈 Don't Panic: Headlines aren't a game plan

⚠️ Job Disruption Reality: Change is coming, but not overnight

📊 Portfolio Exposure: AI is already baked into markets

🧠 AI As A Tool: Great for data, not decisions

🎯 Planning Wins: Strategy beats fear every time

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/