Financial Advisor – Relax, It's Retirement Podcast

Making the Most of Holiday Giving in Retirement (Ep. 81)

By Relax, It's Retirement | December 17, 2024

Giving is a joyful part of the holiday season, and retirement offers unique opportunities to make it meaningful.

How can retirees balance financial, personal, and charitable giving during the holidays? How can creative and intentional choices enhance the spirit of giving?

In this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro discuss strategies for embracing the joy of giving in retirement, including financial tips, creative gift ideas, and charitable contributions. From smart tax planning to handmade gifts, this episode is packed with practical advice for a thoughtful and budget-friendly holiday season.

They Discuss:

The emotional and personal rewards of giving during retirement, including the value of sharing time and handmade gifts
Creative and budget-conscious gift ideas, such as shared experiences and handmade items, to add meaning without overspending
Charitable strategies like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and donor-advised funds to maximize the impact of financial giving
The importance of holiday traditions and how simple, shared activities can create lasting memories
Year-end financial planning tips, including Roth conversions and tax-efficient
And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Pete Belcastro:

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What Kills a Bull Market? Factors that Could Trigger the Next Recession (Ep. 80)

By Relax, It's Retirement | December 10, 2024

What happens when market emotions take over your retirement planning?

Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro tackle the rollercoaster ride of market trends and how you can prepare for those inevitable twists and turns. They explore the intricacies of bull and bear markets and how these fluctuations impact your financial strategies for retirement. They discuss critical indicators that can predict a market downturn and reason why, despite multiple alarms, a recession hasn’t hit.

Josh and Pete discuss:

(00:50) The current bull market scenario and what it means for your investments
(04:53) Recession indicators – what they are and why we haven’t hit one yet despite all the signs
(07:29) The role of consumer spending in sustaining market confidence
(09:13) How inflation and interest rates have shaped current market conditions
(12:42) The impact of credit ratings and monetary policies on global economies
(21:16) Behavioral responses in market bubbles – understanding FOMO and the fallout
And more

Don’t miss out on understanding these significant market behaviors that could affect your retirement planning.

Resources:

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Connect with Pete Belcastro:

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The Best Moments: Top Retirement Insights from The Relax, It’s Retirement Podcast! (Ep. 79)

By Relax, It's Retirement | December 3, 2024

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but the right strategies can make it smooth and intentional.

How do you structure finances to ensure your money lasts while enjoying the lifestyle you want?

This episode compiles the best retirement advice moments from Josh Leonard and his team, covering vital tips to plan your golden years with confidence.

From managing taxes to healthcare planning, they explore practical solutions for long-term stability.

Key Highlights:

How to prepare for longer retirements by factoring in family history and careful planning
The “three-bucket system” for managing cash, steady income, and long-term growth
Proactive ways to minimize healthcare expenses through HSAs and yearly drug plan reviews
Tax-saving approaches, such as Roth IRA conversions and efficient withdrawal strategies
Creative retirement paths, including passion projects, part-time work, and minimalist lifestyles
And more!

Resources:

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Know What You Owe: Essentials for a Secure Retirement (Ep. 78)

By Relax, It's Retirement | November 26, 2024

Are you aware of what you truly owe, and more importantly, own in your financial portfolio?

Join us in this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement, where Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro dive into the nitty-gritty of financial awareness and planning.

Do you really understand how balancing debts and assets can pave a way for a secure retirement?

They explore the significance of knowing your financial landscape, including debts like car loans and mortgages, and how they weigh against your assets.

They discuss:

The importance of financial awareness: Recognize your current financial position and plan accordingly
Differentiating debts: Understanding car loans versus mortgages and their impact on your credit
Strategies for debt repayment: Prioritizing high-interest debts like credit cards
Asset knowledge: Understanding different investment types—stocks, bonds, life insurance, and annuities—to make informed decisions
And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Pete Belcastro:

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5 Key Tax Opportunities to Capture Before Year-End! (Ep. 77)

By Relax, It's Retirement | November 19, 2024

Are you making the most of your year-end tax planning?

In this episode, Josh Leonard dives into effective year-end tax planning strategies to maximize your savings. Prepare for an insightful discussion on Roth conversions, tax loss harvesting, and charitable giving.

Learn how to navigate potential tax pitfalls and make informed financial decisions before the calendar flips to a new year.

Josh covers:

Roth conversions and their tax advantages
Tax loss harvesting to offset gains
Charitable giving strategies, including QCDs and donor-advised funds
Maximizing deductions for medical expenses
Adjusting withholding for accurate tax planning
And more!

Resources:

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How to Safeguard Your Identity in Retirement (Ep. 76)

By Relax, It's Retirement | November 12, 2024

Are you protecting yourself from the growing threat of identity theft, especially as you near retirement?

This week on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard sits down with Angela Ferrante, Leonard Advisory Group’s in-house expert on identity theft, to shed light on this pressing issue. They delve into the methods used by scammers to target older Americans and discuss practical steps you can take to safeguard your personal information.

Josh and Angela explore:

How identity theft commonly occurs
Red flags that might suggest your identity has been compromised
The importance of credit monitoring and how to set it up
Steps to take if your identity has been stolen
Best practices for password and device security
And more!

Resources:

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About our Guest:

Angela Ferrante is a 1987 graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in Economics and Finance. She started with Equitable Life as an insurance representative 2 weeks after graduation selling life and disability insurance to the medical community. By 2005 she was supervising 165 representatives in 4 states and running the brokerage side of the office which included the opening of accounts, research, trade placement, cashiering of upwards of $2 million per month, as well as her own client base. Angela became an Accredited Investment Fiduciary in 2015. Angela and Mark live in Somerset County where she enjoys skiing, hiking, biking and gardening.

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Managing Job Loss on the Path to Retirement (Ep. 75)

By Relax, It's Retirement | November 5, 2024

What happens when an unexpected job loss disrupts your retirement plans?

In this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro delve into strategies for navigating the economic and emotional turbulence of being laid off near retirement.

They offer essential tips on managing finances, addressing healthcare needs, and maintaining a positive outlook during this challenging transition. Additionally, they bring insightful stories from their experience.

They discuss:

Recognizing and managing emotions post-layoff
Filing for unemployment and understanding severance packages
Healthcare options post-employment
Evaluating financial standing and the sustainability of retirement plans
Finding purpose and connection through hobbies and community involvement
And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Pete Belcastro:

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Financial Planning Strategies to Avoid Costly Mistakes (Ep. 74)

By Relax It's Retirement-Podcast | October 29, 2024

Feeling empowered in retirement requires careful planning to avoid unnecessary costs and maximize enjoyment.

Are you prepared to handle debt, taxes, and big life changes in retirement?

Learn how financial strategies can help you manage taxes, pay down debt, and even enjoy your golden years worry-free.

In this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro dive into the world of financial empowerment through careful planning and smart tax strategies. They explore real-world scenarios, including helping clients navigate unexpected credit card debt and embrace the freedom of spending wisely in retirement. Learn how tailored planning can lead to a worry-free retirement, allowing you to focus on living your life to the fullest.

They discuss:

How comprehensive tax planning can significantly reduce unnecessary expenses
The benefits of using a structured, three-bucket strategy for financial security
Real-life success stories demonstrating financial empowerment through planning
Strategies for maximizing income in retirement while minimizing potential financial stressors
And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Pete Belcastro:

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Maximizing Charitable Giving in Retirement (Ep. 73)

By Relax It's Retirement-Podcast | October 22, 2024

Charitable giving can be a powerful part of your retirement, and it’s about more than just donations—it’s about making a lasting impact with your finances.

How do you ensure your giving is intentional and efficient? What strategies can help you make the most of your contributions without incurring unnecessary taxes?

Join Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro as they dive into the fulfilling world of charitable giving and how it can play a critical role in your financial planning.

Learn about the impact of charitable contributions, the importance of a personalized giving strategy, and efficient ways to manage generosity through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), donor-advised funds, and stock gifting.

They discuss:

How Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can benefit your taxes and your favorite charities
How donor-advised funds offer a strategic approach to managing philanthropic efforts and tax planning
The benefits of gifting appreciated stock to family or charities to reduce potential capital gains tax
Inspiring stories about the impact of efficient giving on individual lives and overall financial health
And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Pete Belcastro:

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Key Strategies to Maximize Your Medicare Benefits (Ep. 72)

By Relax It's Retirement-Podcast | October 15, 2024

When was the last time your reviewed your Medicare plans?

In this episode of *Relax It’s Retirement*, host Josh Leonard sits down to discuss the ins and outs of Medicare open enrollment. As the leaves turn and the air gets crisper, it’s the perfect time to cozy up and ensure you’re prepared for the year ahead. With open enrollment running from October 15th to December 7th, this discussion is essential listening for anyone looking to navigate Medicare.

Josh discusses:

Understanding Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D and their benefits.
Key dates for enrollment and why they matter.
The importance of reviewing and possibly switching your drug plan to save costs.
The differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and why it matters for your health coverage.
And More!

Join us as we dive into these topics and more on ensuring your healthcare needs are met without unexpected costs in retirement. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights that will help you make informed decisions for your health and wallet. Subscribe and get ready to retire with intent!