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

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

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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:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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

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

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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:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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)

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

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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:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Connect with Pete Belcastro: 

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Capital Loss Harvesting vs. Capital Gain Harvesting: What’s Right for Your Retirement? (Ep. 69)

Capital Loss Harvesting vs. Capital Gain Harvesting: What’s Right for Your Retirement? (Ep. 69)

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Are you maximizing the potential of capital gains and losses in your retirement planning?

This week, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro dive into the often-overlooked strategies of capital gain and loss harvesting. You’ll learn the essential differences between capital loss and capital gain harvesting, why timing and tax brackets play a crucial role in your financial planning, and how these strategies can help minimize your tax liability, particularly in retirement. 

Join us for an informative discussion that could significantly influence how you manage your investments for a more secure financial future.

Josh and Pete discuss: 

  • Exploring Capital Loss vs. Capital Gain Harvesting: Understanding the fundamental principles and their implications for your tax strategy
  • Timing is Everything: Why the fourth quarter is critical for reviewing and adjusting your tax planning strategies
  • Tax Brackets: How these affect your decision-making on selling assets and realizing gains or losses
  • Retirement Focus: Tailoring these strategies to optimize tax savings and maintain financial health in your golden years
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Connect with Pete Belcastro: 

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The Three-Bucket Strategy for Retirement Planning with Pete Belcastro
The Three-Bucket Strategy for Retirement Planning with Pete Belcastro (Ep. 37)

The Three-Bucket Strategy for Retirement Planning with Pete Belcastro (Ep. 37)

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Is your financial plan secure enough to last until retirement? How could dividing your income into separate groups help ensure your retirement income will last?

Check out this episode as Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro from the Leonard Advisory team explore the essential elements of retirement preparation. They delve into the “three baskets” strategy, which includes the cash, income, and growth categories. Emphasizing the necessity of an emergency reserve, they discuss allocating funds for predictable costs through secure investments and the importance of long-term growth strategies to manage significant future expenses such as healthcare.

Josh and Pete discuss: 

  • Why is comprehensive retirement planning important
  • What are the three baskets in retirement planning
  • How do stable investments ensure a steady income stream during retirement
  • What role do different financial buckets play in providing insulation and protection for retirement savings
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Connect with Pete Belcastro: 

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