Tag: Relax It’s Retirement
How Can You Prepare for the Rising Cost of College? with Dan Cieniewicz (Ep. 23)

How Can You Prepare for the Rising Cost of College? with Dan Cieniewicz (Ep. 23)

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As your children get closer and closer to graduation, that education cheque is slowly becoming your reality. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Dan Cieniewicz aka The College Dude, to discuss all things saving for college. They emphasize the need for parents to come up with a budget and consider sources of funding for college including the FAFSA process and recent changes to it. 

Dan and Josh discuss: 

  • Retirement benefits grandparents can receive through paying for their grandchildren’s education 
  • The challenge of integrating grandparents into the conversation about college funding
  • The importance of scholarships, grants, and choosing the right school for each student
  • The FAFSA Simplification Act and its implications for grandparent-owned 529 plans
  • The four fits and factors you need to consider before choosing a college 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

About our Guest: 

Dan Cieniewicz works with parents of teenage children as they find themselves in a position to strategize to pay for college while also staying on track for retirement. Dan’s goal when working with clients is to explain the complexities of the financial aid & college application process and to strategize to make sure that both parents and children are set up for long-term success. 

Dan was born & raised in Berks County. He attended Albright College, majoring in Economics & Political Science and played on the football team.  Dan has obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. 

Dan is the head girls basketball coach at Warwick High School in Lititz, PA and loves working out and playing basketball. He resides in Lititz with his wife, Carly.  He also became a father in March of 2022, to a beautiful daughter, Stella.

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Practical Tips for Traveling (Ep. 22)

Practical Tips for Traveling (Ep. 22)

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Dreaming of world travel but unsure how to do it safely?

In this episode, Josh Leonard dives into how you can transition into a retirement life filled with safe, intentional travel. Learn how to embrace the excitement of exploring new places while also ensuring your safety, health, and financial well-being.

We’ll cover:

  • Blending in and maintaining a low profile while traveling
  • The importance of having an emergency plan and what it should include
  • The essentials of a travel first aid kit
  • The need for short-term travel insurance and its implications
  • Why digital copies of your important documents are vital and how to securely manage them
  • The pros and cons of solo travel and maintaining connections back home
  • Strategies to stay sharp, alert, and aware, minimizing risks during your travels
  • The significance of an emergency cash stash and how it can be a lifesaver
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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

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

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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

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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Important Life Lessons Learned: Father’s Day Edition With Bill Leonard (Ep. 18)

Important Life Lessons Learned: Father’s Day Edition With Bill Leonard (Ep. 18)

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Father’s Day is a great time of the year to reflect on some of the most important life lessons and skills you have learned over the years.

In this episode, Josh Leonard invites a VERY special guest on the show, his father, Bill Leonard! Together they discuss some of the unforgettable life lessons and mindset-altering moments that made them into the fathers, professionals, and family men they are today.

Josh and Bill discuss: 

  • The mindset each of them was taught about work early in life and how it influenced their work ethic
  • How they curated a lifestyle that allows them to be at most, if not all, their kids’ ball games (and how you can too!)
  • Some advice for new parents and how to discover your child’s unique skills and interests throughout their development
  • Strengthening your family’s structure 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

About Bill Leonard: 

William Leonard founded Leonard Advisory Group to fill in the gaps he saw when helping his mother plan for retirement. Bill focused much of his career on the insurance and annuity industry. As an independent advisor, he helped thousands of retirees and pre-retirees face the financial challenges that lie ahead with confidence. Since 1996, Bill has worked in a variety of capacities, gaining valuable experience with insurance. In 2007, he became an independent consultant, focusing on income protection and retirement planning. Bill was an honorary host of the “Protecting Your Profits” radio show on 94.5 3WS Pittsburgh and a weekly guest on the national broadcast “Financial Safari” radio show heard locally on NewsTalk 104.7 FM. He has also been featured on WISR 680 AM and WORD FM. In his free time, Bill enjoys traveling, boating, skiing, hiking, biking, restoring antique vehicles, and spending quality time with family, friends, and clients. He has been married to his wife, Cindy, for almost 40 years. They have three children: Zach, Josh, and Zoey, as well as a crazy border collie named Sweep. After over 25 years of assisting families transition into retirement Bill is excited to transition himself into retirement at the end of 2022.

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

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

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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:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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Your Recession Survival Guide (Ep. 13)

Your Recession Survival Guide (Ep. 13)

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Have you been in a sticky situation where you needed to pay a large amount of money but did not have liquid assets on hand? With price increases on basic necessary items, it is time to start thinking smarter, not harder. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard outlines a number of saving strategies you can start incorporating into your daily life now, to combat the stressors that come with surviving the current recession. 

Josh discusses: 

  • Some key tips for saving your money while prices hike up
  • Rising along with interest rates – locking in higher retirement rates
  • The 10% rule you can use as a guide for all of your investments in your portfolio
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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