Tag: Investing

Putting Time on Your Side in Retirement (Ep. 68)

Putting Time on Your Side in Retirement (Ep. 68)

Time can still be on your side even in retirement!

In this episode, Josh dives into the fascinating dynamics of time and retirement planning. You’ll learn how to maximize your retirement years by leveraging the power of compounding interest, making strategic investment decisions, and using financial tools like annuities and HSAs to ensure your money lasts. Join us as we explore practical strategies to make the most of this new chapter in your life.

Josh discusses: 

  • 03:28) The importance and impact of time and compounding interest in retirement
  • (06:07) How to manage finances effectively with Cash, Income, and Growth Buckets
  • (09:18) Utilizing financial tools like HSAs and annuities to maximize benefits
  • (16:57) Adapting to market volatility without making hasty decisions
  • (21:18) Making the most of your newfound time, hobbies, family time, and volunteering
  • And more

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FOMO in Retirement Planning, Explained (Ep. 56)

FOMO in Retirement Planning, Explained (Ep. 56)

Are your financial decisions driven by a fear of missing out (FOMO)?

Get ready to conquer your retirement planning with confidence and ease.

Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro discuss retirement planning with a focus on overcoming the fear of missing out (FOMO) and making informed decisions for a secure financial future. They explain why staying true to your disciplined investment strategy is crucial, especially in the face of trending financial fads like meme stocks and cryptocurrency.

Josh and Pete talk about: 

  • FOMO’s impact on retirement planning and investment decisions
  • The dangers of letting FOMO guide your investment decisions
  • The allure and risks of jumping onto hot investment trends, including meme stocks
  • How setting realistic expectations and goals is the foundation of sound retirement planning
  • Why diversification and discipline are key to navigating market unpredictability
  • The importance of setting realistic goals and expectations for retirement savings and investments
  • And more

Remember, it’s not just about financial planning; it’s about building the future you’ve always envisioned. Tune in to learn why a steady and informed approach is your ally in achieving a secure and fulfilling retirement.

Resources:

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Are Behavioral Biases Affecting Your Retirement Planning & Investment Decisions? (Ep. 42)

Are Behavioral Biases Affecting Your Retirement Planning & Investment Decisions? (Ep. 42)

Have you ever found yourself making financial decisions based on instinct rather than informed choices? 

In this episode, Josh Leonard talks about five common behavioral biases that can influence financial decision-making. He addresses loss aversion, confirmation bias, herd mentality, overconfidence, and anchoring bias, illustrating each with real-world examples. He also discusses the influence of laziness and habit on decision-making and suggests a four-step approach to counteract biases: recognition, education, professional advice, and informed decision-making.

Josh discusses: 

  • Loss aversion and its impact on investment decisions
  • Confirmation bias and its influence on perceptions and decision-making
  • Herd mentality and the potential financial risks associated with following the crowd
  • Overconfidence and its role in guiding risky financial decisions
  • Anchoring bias and its impact on decision-making and perceptions of value
  • Four steps to outsmarting behavioral biases
  • And more

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Retirement Success Through Discipline and Goal-Setting with Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 41)

Retirement Success Through Discipline and Goal-Setting with Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 41)

In a world filled with distractions and temptations, discipline stands as a beacon of consistency and success, guiding us toward our goals and aspirations. Whether in financial planning, health routines, or personal growth, discipline forms the foundation for long-term achievement and fulfillment.

Today on Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh and Pete Belcastro, CFP®, talk about discipline in various aspects of life, drawing parallels between maintaining financial discipline and personal habits. Using personal anecdotes, they emphasize the importance of setting realistic goals, committing to long-term strategies, and seeking professional guidance to achieve financial success in retirement. They discuss the three-bucket approach to retirement planning, emphasizing the significance of consistent contributions and staying invested for long-term growth. 

The conversation touches on the value of discipline in navigating market fluctuations and resisting short-term impulses. The episode concludes with insights on the positive impact of discipline in achieving financial goals and the benefit of seeking professional advice for retirement planning.

Key topics include: 

  • The concept of discipline in various aspects of life, including health decisions and financial planning for retirement.
  • Why setting realistic expectations, consistent behavior, and long-term goals to achieve success is important.
  • Discipline’s role in investing, and the need for a disciplined approach to navigate market volatility and achieve financial goals.
  • How discipline can help achieve financial security for retirement.
  • Negative connotations associated with discipline and how it can actually lead to positive outcomes and personal growth.
  • The challenges of maintaining discipline and the benefits of setting disciplined goals
  • And more

Resources:

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Meet the Newest Member of Our Team: Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 27)

Meet the Newest Member of Our Team: Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 27)

Get to know another puzzle piece that intertwines perfectly in the Leonard Advisory Group’s growing team…

In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Pete Belcastro, Financial Planning Consultant at Leonard Advisory Group. Pete shares his journey from cold calling to becoming an investment banker and then a Certified Financial Planner. Pete also discusses his passion for outdoor activities and his dedication to community service. 

Josh and Pete chat about: 

  • Pete’s personal background, including being a Pittsburgh native and a sports fan
  • Pete’s career journey into the world of financial planning and investments
  • The importance of comprehensive financial planning
  • His other certified hat: a father and husband
  • His involvement in the Reading is Fundamental program, which promotes literacy among elementary school students in Pittsburgh
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Pete is a seasoned Financial Planning professional with over 15 years of diverse experience in financial, business, sales, and marketing domains. Presently, Pete serves as a financial planner, specializing in helping clients make decisions that align with their current and future financial requirements. His extensive career includes roles as an independent advisor, a registered assistant, and a licensed banker, providing him with a broad spectrum of financial expertise.

Pete’s belief in the value of a multifaceted background is rooted in his conviction that it enables him to offer clients a distinctive and ultimately more effective perspective when it comes to future planning and goal setting. He firmly believes that a comprehensive understanding, not just of financial matters but also of clients and their individual needs and desires, is the cornerstone of a robust financial plan. This holistic approach underscores his commitment to delivering the strongest financial solutions for his clients.

5 Reasons to Ignore the Market When You Retire (Ep. 19)

5 Reasons to Ignore the Market When You Retire (Ep. 19)

Are you worried about the market affecting your retirement plans?

In this episode, Josh Leonard talks about five reasons to ignore the market when you retire. He explains each reason and emphasizes the importance of the corresponding retirement planning steps. But ultimately, it’s all about sticking to a long-term plan. Just like climbing a mountain, reaching the peak doesn’t mean you’re done. Your investments need time to grow. So, relax and tune in to learn more about creating a solid financial plan so you can ignore the market.

The 5 reasons Josh discusses: 

  • You still have a long timeline
  • You have planned for your retirement income
  • You can reduce market risk with a proper tax plan
  • Planning for market corrections
  • You have an ample emergency fund

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Transitioning into Retirement with Jerome Myers (Ep. 17)

Transitioning into Retirement with Jerome Myers (Ep. 17)

Getting stuck doing the things that you’ve always done just because you’ve always done them is one of the biggest atrocities of life. We have an opportunity each day to make something new and you should make the most of it.

In this episode, Josh Leonard brings on Jerome Myers to talk about one of the biggest lifetime transitions, transitioning into retirement. Jerome goes over the key areas of finding your next chapter in life and explains the significance of an “and” instead of an “or” lifestyle, the importance of prioritizing authenticity, how you can find your next mission in life, and how silence can help you find clarity.

Jerome discusses: 

  • Why he started to help people with exit planning and transitioning into retirement
  • The key areas of finding your next chapter 
  • The significance of an “and” lifestyle instead of an “or” lifestyle
  • Why it’s important to prioritize being your true, authentic self in all aspects of your life
  • How he helps people discover their next mission in life
  • How finding silence and peace can help you find clarity
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Jerome Myers is an award-winning engineer, investor, mentor, and business strategist who helps founders navigate their Exit Paradox through his masterminds and coaching programs.  

Prior to leaving his corporate leadership position, Jerome built a $20 million, 175-person division of a Fortune 550 company from scratch.  He now uses his project management, engineering, and business expertise to advise business leaders on key areas such as leadership strategy, process improvement, sales and data analytics in real estate, financial services, business services, and health care to help his clients double their revenue, time off and charitable giving.

Jerome is also a general partner in a multifamily real estate portfolio and serves on the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. 

In 2022, Jerome won the prestigious alumni achievement award for the North Carolina A and T State University College of Engineering where a fully endowed scholarship has been created in his family’s name.  A noted media expert, Jerome has been featured in Business Insider, Black Enterprise, Entrepreneur, Biznow, CBS, ABC, and Fox.

Jerome has interviewed numerous newly exited operators (NEOs) on his top-ranked Dreamcatchers podcast which provides inspiration, education, and direction to his audience of founders who are building companies to sell after they exit the “Matrix”.

Protecting Yourself from a Bank Collapse: Silicon Valley Case (Ep. 15)

Protecting Yourself from a Bank Collapse: Silicon Valley Case (Ep. 15)

After the Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, a lot of people panicked and started doubting the stability of their own banks where they hold accounts.

What is the difference between investing in a bank and depositing in it? Are my deposits insured? What can I do if I fear that my bank will collapse?

In this episode, Josh Leonard addresses the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, what happened, and how it affected their clients and investors. He talks about how FDIC insurance works for our deposits, and what we can do to protect ourselves if our bank fails. Additionally, Josh explains high-yield savings accounts and how they give us good returns with our unused funds.

Josh discusses: 

  • The collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the factors leading to their failure
  • The difference between investing and depositing in a bank
  • How FDIC insurance can help protect your deposits
  • The importance of finding a diversified bank
  • High-yield savings accounts and some options for earning more interest on our unused money
  • And more!

Resources:

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