Tag: Tax Strategy
Making the Most of Holiday Giving in Retirement (Ep. 81)

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

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

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

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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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Spring Cleaning! 10 Tips to Clean up your Finances (Ep. 14)

Spring Cleaning! 10 Tips to Clean up your Finances (Ep. 14)

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As the flowers bloom, the grass gets greener and our worries feel lighter, we know that spring is around the corner. You’re probably cleaning out your closets this spring or your garden beds but we’re going to talk about financial spring cleaning as this is a great time to get organized. It is a process of organizing your finances and reviewing your financial position. It can help find areas to save money, reduce expenses and improve your retirement.

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses 10 different ways you can clean up your finances to get ready for this season and easily transition, helping you feel confident in your portfolio. 

Josh discusses: 

  • How you can calculate and review your expenses 
  • Cleaning up debt and checking your credit report
  • How to approach that junk drawer we all dread going in to 
  • Optimizing your tax strategy to pay fewer taxes in retirement
  • Some strategies on how to operate inactive accounts from prior jobs or student accounts that are no longer in use
  • And more

Resources:

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5 Hidden Year-End Tax Saving Strategies (Ep. 7)

5 Hidden Year-End Tax Saving Strategies (Ep. 7)

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2022 has been a challenging year, to say the least. From the war in Ukraine, inflation and elections to the downward shift in the market, there are a number of factors coming together, causing us to stress about our finances. Thankfully, the year is not over yet and we have a few effective strategies that might save you tax-free money. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses five hidden tax-saving opportunities you may want to take advantage of before year-end.  

Josh dives into: 

  • How to get more tax-free money
  • Making savvy retirement planning moves
  • Being charitable, skipping your RMD, or getting rid of some qualified money
  • Bundling up the deductions as you make big money moves
  • Maximizing the current tax discounts
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

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