Tag: Tax Efficiency
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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Maximizing Charitable Giving in Retirement (Ep. 73)

Maximizing Charitable Giving in Retirement (Ep. 73)

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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:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Connect with Pete Belcastro: 

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Longevity in Retirement: Planning for the Long Haul (Ep. 59)

Longevity in Retirement: Planning for the Long Haul (Ep. 59)

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Are you ready to make your retirement last for the long haul?

In this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro discuss the importance of longevity in retirement. They cover strategies for structuring your assets to ensure they last, the importance of tax planning, and tips for maintaining an active and fulfilling lifestyle throughout your retirement years. Learn about the three-bucket strategy for managing your funds, the importance of tax-efficient planning, and how staying active and socially engaged can enhance your quality of life. 

This episode is packed with valuable tips and real-world examples to help you navigate your golden years with confidence.

Josh and Pete explain: 

  • How to allocate your retirement savings into short-term, income, and growth buckets for long-term stability
  • Why being tax-efficient now can save you more in the future and ensure your money lasts longer
  • The importance of staying physically active and socially engaged to improve your quality of life in retirement
  • How maintaining a routine and engaging in activities can enhance your happiness and longevity
  • And more

By focusing on longevity, tax efficiency, and staying active in this episode, we want to empower you to make smart decisions for a secure and enjoyable retirement. Listen now and take the first step toward a well-planned future!

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

 

Connect with Pete Belcastro: 

 

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How to Maximize Your Tax Savings with Pete Belcastro, CFP®
Don’t Let Taxes Crash Your Party – How to Maximize Your Tax Savings with Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 40)

Don’t Let Taxes Crash Your Party – How to Maximize Your Tax Savings with Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 40)

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Tax time is near. Nobody wants to pay taxes, but we have to, so let’s talk about how we can maximize our tax savings.

In this episode, Josh Leonard and Pete Belcastro, Financial Planner at Leonard Advisory Group, talk about tax planning. They share tips for filing taxes this year and some ways to help reduce taxation in the future and be more tax-efficient. Josh and Pete cover the importance of reporting interest from savings accounts, accurately reporting capital gains from stock sales, and the benefits of qualified charitable distributions. 

Their conversation also includes strategies for making HSA and IRA contributions to reduce taxable income and the significance of conducting a thorough tax analysis for future savings. Additionally, Josh and Pete explore the pros and cons of traditional versus Roth 401(k)s, tax diversification, Roth conversions, and managing capital gains and charitable giving. They also discuss handling sudden income increases and the use of donor-advised funds for tax-efficient charitable contributions.

Josh and Pete discuss:

  • Importance of reporting interest earned on savings accounts and capital gains from stock sales for tax purposes
  • Qualified charitable distributions as a tax-efficient way to donate to charities
  • Tax implications of qualified accounts and making direct contributions to charities from these accounts
  • Opportunity to make HSA and IRA contributions before the tax filing deadline to lower taxable income
  • Benefits of traditional 401(k) versus Roth 401(k) contributions
  • Strategies for managing capital gains and charitable giving as part of comprehensive tax planning
  • Importance of proactive tax planning and practical advice for optimizing tax strategies
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Connect with Pete Belcastro: 

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