
Hosted by Alex Neri · EN

In this episode of Roadmap to Retirement, I sat down again with Jason Grover to talk about how financial planning shouldn’t only revolve around the vague idea of “retirement someday,” especially for younger people who need more motivating, near-term goals. We discussed common “pipe dream” goals like buying a cottage or lake house and even retiring early, and why those goals are often achievable if you’re willing to make the sacrifices and turn them into a date-specific, dollar-specific plan. Jason emphasized that retirement planning still has to come first, particularly for young parents who want to prioritize their kids’ education. The key point: if you neglect your own retirement, you risk becoming financially dependent on your children later. We talked about how some families get into trouble by financially supporting adult children—sometimes without the adult kids realizing the debt or financial strain it creates—and how bringing multiple generations into the planning conversation can improve transparency and behavior. Jason and I explored why “I want to retire” isn’t enough—asking “why” helps uncover what someone actually wants, whether that’s purpose-driven work, more freedom, time with family, travel, or passion projects. When it comes to early retirement and the FIRE movement, Jason framed it as less about the size of your portfolio and more about the lifestyle you choose and how you’ll sustain it over decades, including inflation. We discussed the broader issue of limited financial education and how debt can set people up for long-term challenges. To end the episode, there was the idea that goals are achievable when you’re serious: write them down and stay flexible enough to pivot when reality requires it. Come back soon for another episode.

Welcome back to the Roadmap to Retirement podcast. In this solo episode, I discuss two key topics. First, the challenge some retirees face of having ‘too much money,’ a situation often resulting from decades of diligent saving and conservative spending habits. I explore strategies for making meaningful use of these funds, such as gifting to adult children or supporting charities, and also suggest indulging in personal bucket list experiences. Second, I address the temptation and pitfalls of debt, particularly low-interest debt, urging listeners to be cautious of lifestyle creep and to consider the true cost of financing items like cars. Finally, I propose a crucial question for anyone meeting a financial advisor: ‘How long have you been an advisor, and how long do you plan to continue?’ This helps ensure you find a knowledgeable advisor who can support you long-term. Tune in for practical financial tips and strategies to supercharge your retirement savings. Thanks for listening, come back soon for another new episode!

In our latest episode of Roadmap to Retirement, we dive into the interplay between accountants and financial advisors with Jordan Stealey, EA at Redwood Tax and Accounting. We discuss the importance of collaboration in financial planning and tax preparation, especially around tax season. Topics include the misperceptions surrounding Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), the nuances of handling RMDs, and strategies for business owners to save effectively for retirement. Jordan also shares insights on recent changes in tax law, including the senior enhanced deduction and new rules around social security and tax deduction on car loans. We touch on the practicalities of budgeting and how financial behavior plays a critical role in retirement planning. The episode is packed with invaluable advice to help you streamline your financial future by leveraging the unique strengths of both your accountant and financial advisor. Come back next week for another episode!

Welcome to The Roadmap to Retirement, this episode I am flying solo. As a way to kick off the new year, let’s talk about financial planning best practices, tips and smart money moves. Learn about the Mexican fisherman story, and the importance of financial goals aligning with one’s desired lifestyle rather than merely accumulating wealth. I want to caution against relying on market predictions, and stress the importance of a well-thought-out investment philosophy that can withstand market fluctuations. Practical advice for managing your investments includes aligning risk with your life stage, adopting a conservative approach for short-term goals, and avoiding the pitfalls of frequently checking investment performance. This episode is also a discussion towards the emotional impact of losing money through different scenarios like gambling, stock investments, and accidental loss, highlighting the psychological aspects of financial decision-making. Lastly, I want to introduce the concept of our client communication schedule to ensure proactive and meaningful interactions between financial advisors and their clients, helping to stay ahead of any issues and making informed decisions. Tune in to secure your financial future and enable a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. As always, thank you for listening. We have exciting plans for 2026 – more solo sessions and some with new topics and guests!

Welcome back to the Roadmap Retirement Podcast! I was recently joined by Liam Hanlon, the Head of Insights at Jump, a leading AI meeting assistant in the financial advice sector. Liam explains how Jump leverages unique and powerful data to aid advisors and make their work more efficient. During our discussion, we delve into the adoption of AI in financial advisory, its impact on time management, and how advisors can use this technology to reclaim significant amounts of time—up to 250 hours per year. We also tackled common barriers to adopting new tech, including concerns about client reactions and the learning curve associated with new tools. Liam shared insights from studies, revealing shifts in AI utilization in the financial sector, from a mere 25% adoption rate to two-thirds of advisors now using AI tools. We discussed how AI not only saves time but can also optimize client interactions by predicting successful conversational patterns and keeping advisors ahead of trending topics. As we wrap up, we reflect on the future of financial advisory, particularly the role AI will play amid the ongoing great wealth transfer and increasing demand for financial advice. The key takeaway? AI isn’t just about saving time—it’s about maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of that saved time to better serve clients and grow advisory businesses. If you would like to contact Liam about Jump, click HERE for his LinkedIn.

In this episode of Roadmap to Retirement, I am joined by Ryan Andrew from AP Professionals of Rochester! This week’s episode is a little different from financial planning because we are going to talk about how to negotiate a raise whether it is with your current employer or during your interview process! Key Takeaways: – How can people negotiate a better salary with their current employer/next employer? – Big mistakes to avoid during an interview – How to stand out during the interviewing process – Interviewing: Harder on zoom vs. in-person? – Great employee, bad interviewer – how can we help? – Feeling stuck in their career – when to take that leap of faith – Salary isn’t everything: what other compensation/benefits do you see candidates asking for in the negotiation process? – When does it make sense to work with a recruiter? For employer or employee – Income expectations when moving back to a place like Rochester from a larger city – BONUS: How to talk to your kids about money?