Wed, 27 September 2023
What is the difference between a passion and an interest? Why is it important to have a passion in retirement? In the Bring It On segment with Mark Ross, we’re discussing passions. You’ve probably heard that it is important to have a purpose in retirement, but today you’ll learn how to develop your interests and turn them into passions. You’ll also hear questions about when to stop contributing to pre-tax retirement accounts, what preferred stocks are, and whether QLACS can be used as QCDs. Press play to listen. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 20 September 2023
Is there an ideal mix of before and after-tax retirement accounts? If so, what is it? In this episode, we’ll find out. We’ll also explore a number of other questions that have been eating away at listeners like you. Check out this episode to listen to these listener questions and stick around until the end to hear Kevin Lyle’s relief at no longer having to keep up with the Joneses. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeAndy Panko’s advisor referral list BOOK - Outlive by Peter Attia Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 13 September 2023
What are you doing to make friends in retirement? Mark Ross and I explore this challenge in our Bring It On segment. Listen in to hear how I made a new friend this week and stick around to hear the listener questions and what you could be doing to improve your social life. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeThe Roth series 494, 495, 496, 497, 499 BOOK - A Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 6 September 2023
Did you know that there is another way to borrow money to purchase a home that is not a mortgage? Larry is thinking about using a securities-based line of credit against his after-tax investment account to borrow to buy a house. Discover my opinion on this optimization question on this episode of Retirement Answer Man. Listen in to also hear my August reads and learn about the importance of protein to keep strong as you age. Press play now. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANBOOKS I READ IN AUGUST
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - American Prometheus by Kai Bird BOOK - Outlive by Peter Attia BOOK - The Wager by David Grann BOOK - The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi BOOK - The Big Short by Michael Lewis Episode 502 - Should I Realign My 401K Now That I'm Retired? (with Kevin Lyles) Episode 500 - 500 Episodes and Still Rocking A few episodes in which we discuss retirement - 183, 214, 244, 324, 430 Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 30 August 2023
To really rock retirement you have to have the right mindset. On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Kevin Lyles and I noodle on the power of wonder. You’ll learn why it is important to have a sense of wonder and learn three tips for digging into your own sense of wonder. We also have plenty of listener questions to answer. Press play to hear the answers to questions from listeners like you. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANBRING IT ON WITH KEVIN LYLES
LISTENER QUESTIONS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeEpisode 493 - How Can I Reverse Taking Social Security? BOOK - The Power of Wonder by Monica Parker Get inspired by the Free Range Fun Hogs blog Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Thu, 24 August 2023
Should you use historical or projected returns in your retirement model? One of our listeners asks this question in a very eloquent way. On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, I’ll spend some time on this question and share my thoughts on which type of model you should use. You’ll also hear the answers to several other listener questions before Kevin Lyles and I discuss tips for having successful conversations with your spouse in retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH KEVIN LYLES
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 16 August 2023
Thank you for hanging in with me for 500 episodes! Today’s episode will veer a bit from the norm as I pause to reflect on our journey and commemorate it with this milestone episode. Listen in to hear my reflections and thoughts from listeners about observations and the meaning of these past 500 episodes. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER COMMENTS ON 500 EPISODES
BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeEpisode 479 - Widowed In Retirement: Creating A New You Episode 442 - Can I Count On Average Returns And Inflation For Retirement? (the interview with Amy Bloom) The RV Series Episode 263, Episode 264, Episode 265, Episode 266 BOOK - Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg BOOK - The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 9 August 2023
Do you think the Roth conversion question is an essential part of retirement planning? If you do, you haven’t been paying attention to my podcasts! In this episode of the Retirement Answer Man show, we’ll work through how you can build a framework for deciding whether you should do Roth conversions. If you listened to the Roth conversion series you can’t miss this episode. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - Seveneves by Neal Stephenson BOOK - Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson BOOK - Reamde by Neal Stephenson BOOK - All Quiet on the Western Front by Eric Maria Remarque BOOK - Dead Fall by Brad Thor Episode 495 - The Rules for Roth Contributions Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 2 August 2023
Are you much of a drinker? Studies show that 60% of Americans are, and an even greater percentage of college-educated Americans are. In this episode, Dr. Bobby Dubois and I reflect on the effects of alcohol on retirement. We’ll get into everything: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don’t worry, we’re still exploring Roths this week by answering your questions. All of our listener questions are related to Roths. If you have a question about our recent Roth series or anything retirement-related leave a voice recording or an email here. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodePodcast - Huberman Lab BOOK - Outlive by Peter Attia Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 26 July 2023
After listening to the past two episodes you now know how to make Roth contributions and conversions, that was the easy part. Today we discuss the more complicated Roth rules for making withdrawals. To avoid unnecessary penalties and taxes you’ll want to make sure that you clearly understand the regulations surrounding Roth withdrawals. Listen to ensure that you don’t get caught unaware and needlessly get stuck paying avoidable taxes and fees. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - Outlive by Peter Attia Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 19 July 2023
Many of us have missed the boat on Roth contributions, but we have another tool to get into Roths: Roth conversions. If you have been curious about all the hype about Roths you won’t want to miss this series. This month we dive deeper into Roths. In episode 494 we discussed what Roths are, last week we dove into contributions, and this week we demystify conversions. Listen in to learn how you can use Roth conversions to upgrade your retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeEpisode 494 - Roth Opportunity Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 12 July 2023
So many economic predictions for the year have proved incorrect. Since even the brightest economists don’t have a crystal ball, planning your retirement based on economic, market, or investment predictions can lead you astray. Instead of basing your retirement plan on wishful thinking, learn how to create a strategic retirement plan based on agency. Today, and during this entire Roth IRA series, we’ll see how you can use Roths to enhance your retirement plan. Listen to this episode to hear whether you should be making Roth contributions to help fund your retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH KEVIN LYLES
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 5 July 2023
If you’ve been wondering how Roth IRAs work in retirement you’ve come to the right place. All this month we’ll be exploring Roth IRAs–how they work, the 5-year rule, and the differences between Roth conversions and contributions and Roth IRAs and Roth 401Ks. My goal with this series is to level the playing field so that you can understand the opportunities that Roths provide. On this episode, you’ll learn how you can use a Roth to enhance your retirement. If you are ready to start optimizing your retirement press play. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANBOOKS I READ LAST MONTH
PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeEpisode 487 - The 8 Pillars Of Rocking Retirement: Financial - Resilience And Optimization The Detailed calculator on SSA.gov not My SSA.gov BOOK - Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis BOOK - Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb BOOK - The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 28 June 2023
There are so many questions that come with retirement which is why I focus on answering questions from listeners like you. As you listen to these questions and their answers consider how they fit into your ultimate objective. Listen in to learn why intent matters. In this episode, we’ll explore how to frame retirement questions around your intent, answer listener questions, and in the Bring It On segment you’ll hear a tip about how to rebalance your emotions during stressful conversations. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis BOOK - Stocks for the Long Run by Jeremy Siegel Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 21 June 2023
This podcast was created for you–not me. I’m here to help you think differently about retirement and find a concept or tool that will help you take action to rock retirement. I do this by answering your questions and bringing you content that will open your mind and spur you to get started. If you have a question you would like me to answer, head on over to RogerWhitney.com/AskRoger to leave an audio or written question. Investing in retirement shouldn’t be that complex. The simpler you can keep it the less confusion you’ll have. One listener wonders how she can keep her investments simple in retirement. Find out how to take the complexity out of investing in retirement by listening to this episode. Afterward, you can take action by considering how to simplify your own investments and make them retirement ready. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 14 June 2023
The oldest person is 120 years old, but they probably didn’t have a plan to live that long. Many people don’t have a plan for the decades between 60 and 120. Do you? In this episode of the Retirement Answer Man show, you’ll hear from the CEO of a venture capital firm that funds companies that help people age well, you’ll also hear the answers to several listener questions–including one correction from an incorrect answer last week, and lastly, you’ll hear about developing a learning mindset from Mark Ross in the Bring It On segment. Can you guess which question I answered incorrectly last week? Listen in to find out and to hear it answered correctly. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANAN INTERVIEW WITH ABBY MILLER LEVY
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - This Chair Rocks by Ashton Applewhite Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Tue, 6 June 2023
“If you are looking for someone to believe in, believe in yourself. The only authentic authority is your own original nature.” Vernon Howard Are you ready to start believing in yourself enough to rock retirement? If you have been following this show, hopefully, you are doing the work so that you can build the confidence to lean in and really rock retirement. On this episode, we have a guest that may help guide and empower you to do the work that you need to do to rock retirement. You’ll also hear about what I've been reading, Answers to listener questions, and how to use your toolkit to fit disease from Bobby Dubois in our Bring It On segment. Press play to feel empowered OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANWHAT I’M READING
PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT WITH VERONICA McCAIN
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - My Retirement My Way by Veronica McCain BOOK - Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger BOOK - Limitless Mind by Jo Boaler BOOK - The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman BOOK - The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran BOOK - You Learn by Living by Eleanor Roosevelt BOOK - Metabolical by Robert Lustig Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Thu, 1 June 2023
It’s time to wrap up the eight retirement pillars with the final two non-financial pillars: passion and relationships. In this episode, you’ll learn why happy people always have projects and what you can do to get started building your own passion projects. You’ll also learn why it is so important to develop intentional relationships. Discover these final two non-financial pillars for a rocking retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 24 May 2023
Rocking retirement requires focusing on both the financial and non-financial aspects of retirement. In the previous two episodes we explored the four financial areas that help build a rocking retirement, and today, we begin to examine the non-financial areas starting with energy and mindset. After listening you’ll understand why rocking the non-financial part of retirement starts with building your energy. Learn how to improve your energy and mindset by listening to this episode of Retirement Answer Man. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - Limitless Mind by Jo Boaler Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 17 May 2023
Rocking retirement requires getting your financial and nonfinancial ducks in a row. As we work through the 8 pillars of rocking retirement this month, we’ll explore both the financial and non-financial elements of retirement. This week, we’re reviewing the resilience and optimization stages of the financial side of retirement. If you didn’t listen to the previous episode, make sure to go back and do so first to about the first two financial pillars. In this episode, we’ll be reviewing the next two: resilience and optimization. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANWHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeEpisode 486 - The 8 Pillars Of Rocking Retirement: Financial - Vision And Feasibility Retirement Plan Live episodes with Rosie - 468, 469, 470, 471 Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 10 May 2023
If you don't know where you are going any path will get you there. This is why it is so important to have a vision of where you want to go–you don’t want to end up anywhere! This series is dedicated to teaching you the 8 pillars to rock retirement. In this episode, we focus on creating a vision so that you can create a feasible pathway to get you to your vision. Listen in so that you aren’t wandering aimlessly through your retirement. Press play to learn how to visualize your goal and create a way to get there. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH KEVIN LYLES
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 3 May 2023
This month we’re heading back to basics. All month long we’ll be building your foundational understanding of how to create a rocking retirement. If you’re new to the show, this is a fantastic starting point. If you are a long-time listener you’ll appreciate this review. In this episode, you’ll learn how to solve the essential problems of retirement planning: how to live a life without regret and how to balance squeezing as much out of life as possible today while ensuring that you have enough financial stability so that you won’t be a burden to others in your later years. Listen in to learn how to build a retirement that you can be excited about. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANBOOKS I READ LAST MONTH
PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeLiveWithRoger.com - Join me on May 11 or May 13, 2023, to learn the 4 phases of great retirement planning and to hear more about the Rock Retirement Club! BOOK - Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara BOOK - The Creative Act - Rick Rubin BOOK - The Tiger by John Vaillant BOOK - What Are People For? By Wendell Berry BOOK - Atomic Habits by James Clear BOOK - Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg BOOK - Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky Episode 481 - I’m in My Fifties and Got Laid Off. What Should I Do? Morning Star’s The Long View Podcast - Retirement Planning Is Not Financial Planning Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 26 April 2023
How will Social Security benefits fit into your retirement equation? If you have a spouse, there is an added level of complexity when considering your Social Security claiming strategy. We explore this topic and more through listener questions on today’s episode of Retirement Answer Man. Learn what to consider and how to approach the Social Security question by pressing play. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 19 April 2023
If you are thinking about retiring in the next few years you’re probably wondering what the best tools are to help you plan. Finding the right retirement planning software can not only help you plan retirement but help put your mind at ease so that you can Rock Retirement! One listener asks my opinion on the best retirement software to use. If you are curious about my answer you’ll press play. In this episode, you’ll also hear about the books I read in March, an interview with Steven Chen from the New Retirement Calculator, and learn the benefits of creating horizontal relationships. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANBOOK REVIEWS
LISTENER QUESTIONS
STEVEN CHEN INTERVIEW ON THE NEW RETIREMENT CALCULATOR
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi BOOK - Make Your Bed by William McCraven BOOK - Sea Stories by William McCraven BOOK - Build by Tony Fadell BOOK - Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bonnie Ware Morningstar’s The Long View Podcast - Retirement Planning Is Not Financial Planning LiveWithRoger.com - Register for the webinar on May 11, 2023 to discover the 4 Phases of a Great Retirement Plan Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Tue, 11 April 2023
We continue our focus on you this month as we dive deeper into listener questions. Today we have a range of questions from various aspects of the retirement process. If you have a question you want to be answered, head on over to RogerWhitney.com/AskRoger. You can type in a question or leave an audio recording–those are my favorites! Listen in to learn how to work through the decumulation phase of retirement by developing a withdrawal plan that fits your needs. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 5 April 2023
All month long, I’ll be answering fantastic questions from listeners like you. Today, we’ll explore the steps you should take if you’re in your 50s and get laid off. Have you ever thought about what you would do in this situation? Listen in to find out. In the Bring It On segment, Dr. Bobby Dubois helps us understand the effects of stress and what we can do to combat stress so that we can live longer, healthier lives. You won’t want to miss his four exercises for working through everyday stressors. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 29 March 2023
Reimagining life after widowhood can be challenging. In the beginning, it may seem like something that is impossible to imagine. Even if life seems insurmountable at the beginning, it is crucial to remember that someday you will be able to enjoy life again. Just not yet. Yet is an important word. Yet helps you understand that things will not always be as they are now. Today you’ll learn how to change your mindset from I can’t do this to I can’t do this yet. On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, you’ll hear wisdom from those who have traveled this same journey. They open up and share their financial and nonfinancial experiences. You’ll hear what has helped and what hasn’t, their challenges and triumphs, and how they have learned to power through and begin to create new dreams. Listen in to hear these brave widows share their stories so you can understand that a new life after widowhood isn’t impossible. The power of yet can change your mindset and help you rebuild your dreams. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANWIDOWS LIVING A GREAT LIFE
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - Getting Grit by Caroline Miller Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 22 March 2023
Nobody wants to face life as a widow or widower. However, it is an unfortunate reality that many must face. Successfully navigating widowhood could be easier if you could prepare yourself in advance. In this Widowed in Retirement series, we aim to do just that. Today you’ll learn how you can start life again on your own. Mark Trautman joins me again to discuss his experience moving forward after the death of your spouse. He touches on prioritizing actions to take, setting up a summarized retirement plan, and rebuilding your life as a single person. While we didn’t have time for Listener Questions today, we have a bonus interview with Chris Bentley from Wings for Widows as well as a chat with Lori Mage in our Bring It On segment. Listen in to learn what you can do to rebuild your life and begin again. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT A CHAT WITH MARK TRAUTMAN
A CHAT WITH CHRIS BENTLEY FROM WINGS FOR WIDOWS
BRING IT ON WITH LORI MAGE
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeFoundation for Financial Planning BOOK - The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes BOOK - After the Death of Your Spouse by Mike Piper BOOK - Option B by Sheryl Sandberg Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 15 March 2023
If you are married, chances are you or your spouse will have to suffer through widowhood. The Widowed in Retirement series aims to help you navigate this difficult transition as best you can. Today, Mark Trautman joins me again to discuss how to work through the huge financial changes that result from losing a spouse. There are myriad financial considerations to be aware of during this change, so this may be an episode that you want to bookmark to refer back to later or send to a friend in need. Press play to listen. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - After the Death of Your Spouse by Mike Piper BOOK - Taking Stock by Jordan Grumet BOOK - AARP Checklist for My Family by Sally Balche Hurme BOOK - So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport BOOK - How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci by Michael Gelb Episode 477 - Navigating Life Changes Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
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Wed, 8 March 2023
Even though it is difficult to think about it, at some point, those of us who are married will have to think about one of you transitioning from two to one. This week we’re exploring the nonfinancial impacts of this transition with someone who has walked this journey. Rock Retirement Club member, Mark Trautman shares his personal journey through his life-changing experience. Mark shares the challenges and the tools that have helped him get through this heartbreaking part of his life so that he can move forward and rock retirement on his own. After the main segment, you’ll hear our listener questions and then we’ll Bring It On with Dr. Bobby Dubois. Dr. Bobby will help us understand why sleep is so important and what we can do to improve the quality of our sleep. Don’t miss out on this important episode. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker Leeds sleep evaluation questionnaire BOOK - Taking Stock by Jordan Grumet Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 1 March 2023
If you have been listening to this show for a while, chances are you already know how to rock your retirement. However, this can all change with the loss of a spouse. All of your best-laid plans change in an instant. That’s why this month we are focusing on going from two to one. Learn how to navigate your mindset–transition from this sucks, to how I will work through this, to having a great life. Press play to listen. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH KEVIN LYLES
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeEpisode 310 - The Pie Cake BOOK - Traction by Gino Wickman BOOK - Be 2.0 by Jim Collins BOOK - Rethinking Positive Thinking by Gabrielle Oettingen TV SERIES - SAS Rogue Heroes on MGM streaming TV SERIES - Shrinking on Apple TV Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 22 February 2023
Life is what happens to us when we are busy making other plans. This is especially true during transitions. As I transition to adding a new segment to this show, it’s gotten a bit messy. It’s been a bumpy road and not everything has gone according to plan. Listen in to hear how this applies to retirement planning. While you’re at it you’ll hear how to decide whether to rebalance a portfolio and how to nurture relationships. Press play so that you can start rocking retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH NICK KENNEDY
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodePension or Lump Sum on YouTube BOOK - People Fuel by John Townsend Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 15 February 2023
Do you ever feel like a curmudgeon when you hear about new technology? Listen in to find out what has me putting on my sourpuss hat this week. We have a variety of interesting listener questions this week. Listen in to learn about purchasing brokerage CDs and CDs on the secondary market, how to decide whether to take the pension or the lump sum, and how to determine whether to become a 1099 contractor rather than a W2 employee. In the Bring It On segment you’ll hear about what work looks like in retirement from Mark Ross. Spoiler alert: you can work in retirement! OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANLISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeRoger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 8 February 2023
Recently, we had the finale of the Retirement Plan Live series, so I want to share my observations on what we can all learn from Rosie’s experience. There was a lot to unpack from Rosie’s plan. Before we get to the Listener Questions segment, I’ll share my thoughts with you. Make sure to stick around after the listener questions to hear the Bring It On segment with Dr. Bobby Dubois. You’ll hear about building energy in retirement through your emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Learn how to use these powerful ways to live longer and stay healthier in retirement. My observations on the latest Retirement Plan LIve with RosieRosie recently shared her retirement plan with all of us in our Retirement Plan Live series. This is a very public way to plan for retirement, so she was brave to put herself out there to share her situation openly. Unfortunately, Rosie’s current trajectory is not feasible and she and her husband are on track to run out of money within ten years. Coming to this understanding while live in front of 1000+ people is incredibly difficult, but now she can correct course to get back on track. This wasn’t only a learning experience for Rosie, it was for me as well. Here are a few of my takeaways from this experience. A plan must be feasible and resilientRosie retired in mid-2021 in the middle of a bull market when interest rates were zero. She was working with a financial planner, so there were projections that showed her plan was feasible. However, there was nothing done to make that plan resilient in the face of challenging circumstances. Her withdrawal rate did not match up with the assets they have and nothing was done to compensate when the sequence of return risk reared its ugly head. Without resiliency designed into the plan, it fell apart quickly. They are now in a position where they have to make some tough decisions. A feasible plan is like a lit candle. It can burn; however, a gentle breeze will blow it out. Having a resilient plan is like having a fire. When a wind comes by it won’t go out–it may even gain more strength with the added fuel. An accumulation investment strategy doesn’t work in retirementGoing into retirement Rosie and Dwayne were invested in 75% equities. Since they were already constrained as they approached retirement, they needed to be a bit more conservative. Their monthly systematic withdrawals came directly from selling those equities and they had no decumulation strategy. The result is that they are now underfunded. There is a difference between a financial advisor and a retirement plannerEven though Rosie and Dwayne were using a certified financial planner, they still got blown off course. A financial advisor is similar to a general practitioner in medicine. They are not retirement specialists, so they may not understand how to build resiliency into a retirement plan. A retirement planner goes deeper on how to create a decumulation plan that has resiliency built in. They also understand that selling equities to meet withdrawals doesn’t work in a constrained retirement situation. Communication is crucialIt was clear that there were communication issues between Rosie and her advisor. She assumed there was safe money set aside somewhere while there wasn’t. This incongruence between what she thought and what her advisor understood has also contributed to their current situation. While Rosie had conversations with her advisor, they were surface-level, and she didn’t pose follow-up questions to help improve her understanding of the situation. She didn’t understand the decumulation plan to create her retirement paycheck. This vital detail was missing. One year into retirement and her retirement plan fell apart. They didn’t analyze the opportunities to increase their social capitalBoth Rosie and Dwayne took Social Security early so that they could try and preserve their assets as long as possible. This was always what they had planned, so they never considered anything else. Had they carefully considered a different strategy for filing for Social Security, it may have made a difference in their trajectory. Have you listened to the latest Retirement Plan Live series? Did you attend the results webinar? If you missed it check out the replay. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeThe Retirement Plan Live replay Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 1 February 2023
I’m excited about our newest segment, Bring It On with Kevin Lyles. The Bring It On segment will discuss mindset and other non-financial aspects of retirement. In addition to our newest segment, today you’ll hear about the books I read in January and listener questions. Learn how to calculate a decreased benefit when retiring early, which accounts to draw from to minimize taxes, how to manage 401Ks through a company transition, and what to consider when choosing a financial advisor. Join me for this episode of Retirement Answer Man to explore the latest issues in retirement and beyond so that you can get ready to rock retirement. The latest books I’ve been readingIn January I had the opportunity to finish reading four books. Most are nonfiction, but I threw a fiction book in for good measure. How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson - This book is on stoicism and discusses the qualms we have when contemplating our own death and aging. The fear of death and aging can make us fearful, so by bringing that touchy subject out of the shadows, we can embrace the inevitable and live more fully in the moment. Never Finished by David Goggins - Since this book was written by a Navy SEAL, it has some salty language. However, David is a living example of what you people can endure and do. We have capabilities far beyond what we can imagine. The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham - John Grisham writes formulaic legal thrillers, but his formula works. I enjoyed the history and background that he included of Biloxi, Mississippi. The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter - This is another book about getting outside your comfort zone. Michael Easter completed a monthlong hunt in the Arctic–far outside of his comfort zone. This book was my favorite this month–it will challenge your thinking. Michael explores the idea of stretching yourself by doing something you think may not be possible. If you have any book recommendations for me reply to the 6-Shot Saturday newsletter. Why mindset is so importantMindset is the attitude that you bring to your life and retirement. It drives how you respond to the challenges you face when you’re transitioning and living your life. The mindset you bring to those challenges will make all the difference in the world. There is now more data regarding mindset with the science of positive psychology. Science shows that mindset matters and affects not only how you feel but outcomes. People who seek out the bad see more bad things, those who look for the good in the world see things in a more positive light. What to expect from the Bring It On segmentIn our newest nonfinancial segment, we’ll discuss several nonfinancial issues related to retirement: dealing with boredom, losing status, mindset, attitude, aging, identity, gratitude and so much more. Think about your own attitude about retirement and aging. What are the top five words that come to your mind? Discuss your thoughts with your loved ones. Could your thoughts be improved? Do you need to change your mindset? OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
LISTENER QUESTIONS
BRING IT ON WITH KEVIN LYLES
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeBOOK - Flourish by Martin Seligman BOOK - How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson BOOK - Never Finished by David Goggins BOOK - The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham BOOK - The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter Social Security Detailed Calculator Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 25 January 2023
Retirement can be tricky. There are so many unknowns, so preparing yourself mentally can be a challenge. Mental toughness is the ability to remain positive and proactive in the most adverse situations. Our Retirement Plan Live volunteer, Rosie, is having to rely on mental toughness to stay on target through an extra challenging early retirement. Join Rosie and me today as we discuss the impact that the bear market had on her finances at the start of her retirement. Rosie is trying to get her retirement back on trackRosie and her husband Dwayne didn’t retire in the best circumstances. Inflation and market fluctuations haven’t been on their side. This sequence of returns at the beginning of their retirement is not faring well for their portfolio. Now they are trying to assess whether they are on a feasible path or whether they’ll need to make some adjustments. Simply by walking through this process they are already being proactive. They are assessing the damage and seeing how they can shape a plan for the future to get back on track. It’s challenging to enjoy the go-go years without a safety netWhile Rosie is more risk-averse, her husband Dwayne enjoys researching and investing in individual stocks. He uses about 10% of their total savings to play around in the market investing in his favorite publicly traded companies. Rosie estimates that about 75% of their total portfolio is in stocks and this makes her feel a bit anxious especially since their portfolio is down about 20% from last year. She would like to be enjoying her go-go years, however, without a healthy cash reserve in place, or a long-term care plan, she doesn’t have the security in place to let loose and rock retirement. Without a cash bucket set up, their $8,500 per month is coming from a systematic selling of their investments, but she’s not sure where they should go from here. Don’t miss the culmination of the past four episodesIf your retirement isn’t going to plan, it is important to acknowledge where you are now so that you can mitigate the damages and reset your course. You can’t simply ignore the situation and wait for someone to tell you that everything is going to be okay. You’ll need to understand the nuances of your financial situation to determine the best way forward. Join us on February 2 at 7 pm CST for the grand finale of this year’s Retirement Plan Live. I’ll walk Rosie through her retirement plan and we’ll determine whether or not it is feasible. Then we’ll look for risks and opportunities. As a participant, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and see how the process plays out. After the live meetup, consider joining the Rock Retirement Club. The Club was created to give new retirees a solid framework and trusted tools to use to build a feasible, resilient retirement plan that will give members the confidence to rock retirement. In addition, RRC members have created an amazing, inviting community filled with people on the same journey. Learn more by joining the live meetup. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANRETIREMENT PLAN LIVE
LISTENER QUESTIONS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeJoin the live meetup on February 2 at LiveWithRoger.com Money Guide Pro Elite retirement tool Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 18 January 2023
Take a breath, check yourself, and then observe where things are at. That’s what Rosie and I are doing on this episode of Retirement Plan Live. After the last episode in which Rosie planned out all her hopes and dreams for retirement, today we’re taking a look at her financial picture. We’ll walk through the sources of her social, human, and financial capital to see where she and her husband stand financially. Listen in and create your own plan as we go. Make sure to sign up for 6-Shot Saturday to ensure that you get all the worksheets to work through your own retirement plan with me and Rosie. Sign up for the grand finale on Feb 2, 2023Have you signed up for the live webinar on February 2? This will be the grand finale to this year’s Retirement Plan Live. We’ll see if Rosie’s dream retirement is feasible with her resources. We’ll also identify potential risks and opportunities that she should watch out for. Head on over to LiveWithRoger to register. How will Rosie pay for those retirement dreams?We can never know anything for certain, about our financial future, but we can build a solid framework to build up our confidence in our plan. Last week, Rosie laid out her retirement goals and as she did so she tied those into her values. Our goals are really just a representation of our values. As we walk through Rosie’s finances we analyze three different types of capital: social, human, and financial. Social capital includes guaranteed payment sources. The most familiar example of social capital is Social Security. Rosie and Dwayne don’t have any pensions, but Rosie is collecting $2200 per month from Social Security. Soon Dwayne will also receive $1800 per month from Social Security as well. In about six years they will begin to receive a small annuity payment. Dwayne is the one providing human capital with his flexible part-time work online. This work contributes between $15-20,000 per year. He plans to continue working part-time for about six more years. Their financial capital includes $30,000 in after-tax assets, $680,000 in pre-tax assets, and $55,000 in tax-free assets. Build your net worth statement as you listenListen in to hear what other kinds of assets Rosie and Dwayne have as we walk through building a net worth statement. When was the last time you updated your net worth statement? January is a great time to observe where you are financially so that you can marshall your resources to ensure that you can achieve your goals. As Rosie and I build her net worth statement you can too. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANRETIREMENT PLAN LIVE
LISTENER QUESTIONS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeSSA.gov - overpayment Social Security episodes 228, 229, 230, 231, 232 Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
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Wed, 11 January 2023
Setting big goals is great, but they have to be the right goals or else they could become a trap. Rosie joins us again today to set her retirement goals. In this episode, you’ll hear her financial goals for her needs, wants, and wishes. We’ll discuss her financial expectations for each of these categories and how her goals fit into her values. Don’t miss out on this second episode of Retirement Plan Live. When you finish listening, head on over to LiveWithRoger.com to register for the live meet-up on February 2 where we will break down Rosie’s plan in detail and decide whether or not she’ll be able to live out her retirement dreams. Goals must be driven by valuesIn the previous episode, you met Rosie and learned about her situation and her values. We start each Retirement Plan Live series with values because values are what drive our goals. If you set your goals up too rigidly or shoot for the wrong goals then you are working toward something without really desiring it. Goals are important to have because they framework of what you are trying to achieve. Listen in to learn how Rosie uses her values to drive her goals. What makes a base great life?What does it take to build a base great life? The base great life is the line in the sand that you can’t cross. It is what you need to have in place to secure a basic life worth living. Rosie estimates that it would take about $5000 per month (excluding healthcare costs) to live her base great life. Listen in to hear what she includes in her base great life and why this doesn’t mean eating rice and beans every day. Rosie’s wants and wishesRosie values travel and would love to spend about $24,000 per year for the next 5 years on travel expenses. After that, she estimates that she would continue to travel but would slow down on spending but still spend around $15,000 per year for the following 8 years. Other discretionary expenses would include $10,000 per year on eating out more frequently and spending on loved ones. Adding in these extra wants and wishes would take Rosie and her husband about $117,000 per year. Follow along and create your own agile retirement planThis week, I encourage you to look at your retirement goals with fresh eyes so as not to limit your thinking. Really hone in on what it takes to build your base great life, then add in the layers that build up your wants and wishes. Shed away your inhibitions as you consider your wishes category. As you listen to Rosie’s journey, why not follow along for yourself? Make sure you are signed up for the 6-Shot Saturday newsletter to receive the corresponding worksheets for each episode. Every week during the Retirement Plan Live series we’ll send out a worksheet to help you work through each stage in the agile retirement planning process. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANRETIREMENT PLAN LIVE
LISTENER QUESTIONS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeCollecting Social Security in Canada Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |
Wed, 4 January 2023
Rosie and Dwayne retired in a bear market and now they wonder if they will have enough money to rock retirement. We will explore that question all month long in this Retirement Plan Live. Over the course of the next few weeks, you’ll learn about Rosie and Dwayne and their journey, their goals, their resources, and their investment strategy. Then we’ll wrap up this series together with a live webinar on February 2. Don’t miss out on the exciting finale, sign up at LiveWithRoger.com. Meet Rosie and DwayneRosie and Dwayne live a fairly simple lifestyle. They don’t own a big house or drive flashy cars. They don’t take lavish vacations or eat at fancy restaurants. Although they live simply they do have their own retirement dreams. When Rosie retired a year and a half ago she figured the worst of the Covid debacle was behind her. She had seen the flash bear market, but since then, the markets seemed to be doing well. Unfortunately, within a year of retiring, she watched her assets decrease by 25%. Now she is left wondering if she’ll ever be able to live out her retirement dreams. Rosie and Dwayne both worked in the IT sector before Covid hit. While Rosie was able to work from home, Dwayne was laid off and has since begun flexible part-time work. Working from home simply enticed Rosie to fully dive into retirement. What Rosie loves about retirementRosie loves the time freedom that retirement brings. She has plenty to do to keep busy: spending her days with her grandkids, at the pickleball court, going to exercise classes, and cooking. Rosie is a natural organizer and creates a weekly plan complete with to-do lists. Enjoying the love of family and friends and traveling are what brings her joy and how she desires to spend her time in retirement. Rosie’s fears about retirementWith Covid and the subsequent bear market, Rosie feels that she is missing out on fully enjoying retirement. She is very aware of the passing years and understands that time is precious. She feels frustrated that she may not have enough time to do all the things that she wants to do and go to all the places she wants to go. Her financial situation is much different than it was a year ago although that hasn’t caused her to change her spending habits. She’s trying not to let her emotions drive her decision-making. Rosie understands that she needs a clear mind and that she should stay the course that she and her husband laid out with their financial advisor. While she understands that logically, she is still concerned about their future. Over the course of this series, Rosie is looking for more input and a better understanding of what changes she needs to make to ensure that she can live out her retirement dreams. You can follow along with Rosie by using the Agile Retirement Planning processFollow along over the next four episodes to hear how we use the Agile Retirement Planning process to discover if she and Dwayne are really ready to live out their retirement dreams. As we work through this Retirement Plan Live series you can follow along and participate in your own retirement plan with the same helpful worksheets that Rosie is using to guide you on your way. Make sure that you are signed up for the 6 Shot Saturday email newsletter to get each week’s worksheet delivered to your inbox. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MANPRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT
RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE
LISTENER QUESTIONS
TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT
Resources Mentioned In This EpisodeMorningstar The Long View podcast #186 - Roger Whitney: Retirement Planning Is Not Financial Planning Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center |