When considering retirement, do you wonder what financial opportunities you may be missing? Busy lives take over and years pass without taking advantage. In this retirement podcast, Chad Smith and Mike Eklund unveil financial opportunities, to help you balance enjoying today so you are ready to retire later. By day, they are fiduciary fee-only financial advisors who answer questions about tax savings, investment decisions, and how to save more. If you've been putting off your financial to-do ...
…
continue reading
Financial Symmetry Podcasts
1
Seven Essential Stages of Tax Planning with Grayson Blazek, Ep #249
21:50
21:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:50
Tax planning often slips to the bottom of our financial to-do lists—until a surprise bill or missed opportunity crops up. But behind the scenes, the right process for an ongoing tax strategy can put you leagues ahead, reducing uncertainty and helping you capitalize on changes. On the show this week, we'll walk through the seven stages of tax planni…
…
continue reading
1
Use Non-Obvious Thinking to Improve Your Retirement Readiness, Ep #248
21:10
21:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:10
Planning for retirement isn't just about hitting your savings targets and hoping for the best. It's about getting creative, asking new questions, and challenging your own assumptions. We follow the retirement planning journey of a fictional couple, Dwight and Angela, who are three to five years from retirement, using the SIFT framework shared by Ro…
…
continue reading
1
Smart Strategies for Funding Your Child's College Education with a 529 Plan, Ep #247
9:35
9:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:35
Planning for your child's college education can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with skyrocketing tuition costs and countless savings options. This week on the show, we're discussing the question of exactly how much you should save in a 529 college savings plan. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Decide your college funding goal before saving…
…
continue reading
1
Should You Add Private Equity, Real Estate, or Bitcoin to Your 401k? Ep #246
20:41
20:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:41
Recently, an executive order has set the stage for 401 (k) providers to potentially start offering investments like private equity, private real estate, digital assets (think bitcoin), commodities, and more—options typically reserved for pension funds and institutional investors. But what does this really mean for everyday savers? We break down the…
…
continue reading
1
Which Roth Account Is the Right Scoop for You? Ep #245
20:00
20:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:00
Are you taking advantage of all your Roth opportunities? We break down the differences between the Roth IRA, Roth 401(k), or the Mego Backdoor Roth 401(k). by comparing your choices with another favorite summer treat - ice cream. We break down the basics, benefits, and ideal life stages for each account type—whether you're just scooping your first …
…
continue reading
1
Making Sense of 2025's Market Surprises, Ep #244
16:38
16:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:38
The second quarter of 2025 was anything but dull in the financial world. But despite the turbulence, both US and international stocks finished the first half of the year up over 10%. Over the last 12 months, markets have performed robustly, returning 14-19%. Bonds have also held their own, with 6% returns over the last year. Investors have endured …
…
continue reading
1
Breaking Down the Big Beautiful Bill with Grayson Blazek, Ep #243
21:55
21:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:55
Tax season may feel far off, but with sweeping legislative changes just passed, proactive financial planning starts now. In this episode, we're sharing our accessible, in-depth breakdown of the new Big Beautiful Bill, highlighting ten key tax provisions that every taxpayer should understand. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Summarizing the latest ma…
…
continue reading
1
The Opportunity Cost of Holding Too Much Cash, Ep #242
22:16
22:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:16
When is enough, enough? Many investors have recently found solace in growing their cash reserves, whether in their checking accounts, savings accounts, or certificates of deposit (CDs). With attractive yields and recent market turbulence still fresh in mind, it's easy to assume that loading up on cash is a safe strategy. But there's a hidden cost t…
…
continue reading
1
Creating a Pipeline of Growth and Purpose to Create a Better Client Experience, Ep #241
20:30
20:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:30
At Financial Symmetry, our internship program has become a core pillar of our growth, innovation, and client experience. Over time, our program grew from simply filling resource gaps to a foundational development engine, helping to shape the services Financial Symmetry offers and the team culture itself. What has emerged from these iterations is th…
…
continue reading
1
When Should You Claim Social Security? 3 Decisions to Consider, Ep #240
20:02
20:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:02
Claiming Social Security as soon as you become eligible at age 62 is a common choice for Americans. While understandable, this decision can have significant, and often underappreciated, long-term consequences. For many, the urge to claim early may stem from financial necessity, lack of other income sources, or simply a desire to "get what you've pa…
…
continue reading
1
Navigating Market Volatility with Mike Eklund, Ep #239
26:45
26:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:45
Chad and Mike break down the major moves in US and international markets from the past quarter, revealing why diversification works unexpectedly. They chat through the impact of recent tariff news, what those headlines might mean for the economy and your portfolio, and share evidence-based strategies for taking action (or not!) when markets get roc…
…
continue reading
1
Your Market Volatility Survival Playbook, Ep #238
25:04
25:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:04
Market volatility is never comfortable, but with the right mindset and a thoughtful plan, you can face downturns not as a victim, but as an opportunist. On this episode of the Financial Symmetry Show, we're sharing our advice on managing your finances amid turbulent markets and giving you a helpful checklist to guide your decision-making when headl…
…
continue reading
1
5 Ways to Transform Tax Season into an Opportunity with Grayson Blazek, Ep #237
25:11
25:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:11
Tax planning might not top everyone's list of leisure activities, but in the middle of tax season there's a hidden opportunity. What if, instead of seeing it as a mere logistic hurdle, we embraced it as a moment to refine our financial strategy? *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist…
…
continue reading
1
How Longevity Could Impact Your Retirement, Ep #236
24:11
24:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:11
What if your retirement lasts much longer than you anticipated? Increasing life expectancies have reshaped our understanding of retirement and financial planning in recent years, and we'll likely become more concerned about effectively managing financial resources throughout a potentially very long life in the future. In this episode, we're sharing…
…
continue reading
1
10 Myths That Exist Around Women's Wealth, Ep #235
25:18
25:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:18
We're spotlighting women's wealth in honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. Join us as we dig into some of the stats surrounding women's financial empowerment. From the rising number of women controlling wealth as they outlive their spouses to tackling stereotypes that hinder women's earning potential, this episode addresses …
…
continue reading
1
Navigating Your Options as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary, Ep #234
19:59
19:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:59
Four categories are recognized under current regulations to qualify as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary (EDB). These include the surviving spouse, minor children of the decedent, a disabled or chronically ill individual as assessed at the time of the decedent's passing, and other individuals who are no more than ten years younger than the decease…
…
continue reading
Investing can often feel like riding a rollercoaster of exciting highs and daunting lows. This week, we're digging into the intricacies of the financial planning process, focusing particularly on the importance of understanding market trends and the role diversification plays in safeguarding your wealth. Outline of This Episode (03:08) Investing wi…
…
continue reading
Retirement, often portrayed as a glorious era of freedom and relaxation, has its own set of challenges beyond the financial arena. This week, we're exploring the psychology behind retirement and discussing the four phases retirees go through. Vacation/Honeymoon Phase: The initial euphoria of not having to set an alarm. Loss Phase: Often associated …
…
continue reading
1
How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Gifting Money to Family, Ep #231
22:03
22:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:03
As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves thinking about gifts. While gifts can come in many forms, monetary gifts often cause the most confusion. In this episode of Financial Symmetry, hosts Chad Smith and Grayson Blaszak discuss the intricacies of financial gifting. Financial gifting generally involves transferring assets, such …
…
continue reading
1
Retirement Roadblocks You May Encounter, Ep #230
24:03
24:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:03
Have you ever been in the middle of a road trip, and you come upon a roadblock where unexpected traffic adds a half hour or more to your journey? Similar frustrating circumstances pop up in the years just before and just after retirement. During this new life transition, you are forced to confront retirement roadblocks, and if you don't know how to…
…
continue reading
1
The Early Retiree's Guide to Health Insurance with Grayson Blazek, Ep #229
24:11
24:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:11
Early retirement has unique financial planning challenges, particularly regarding health insurance and tax strategies. For people who retire before age 65, the challenge of finding affordable and adequate health insurance adds another layer of complexity to their financial plans. *********** 📬 Download your Free Retire On Purpose Guide here. 📰 See …
…
continue reading
1
Navigating the Updated Inherited IRA Rules with Grayson Blaszek and Matthew Schulman, Ep #228
24:27
24:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:27
An inherited IRA is essentially an IRA received by a beneficiary after the original owner passes away. Whether it's a spouse, child, or another loved one, the key characteristic of an inherited IRA is that it transitions ownership upon death. As Grayson Blaszek explains, the funds are transferred intact, but the way you handle and withdraw these fu…
…
continue reading
1
Are You Living This Retirement Horror Story? Ep #227
18:20
18:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:20
Investing can feel like a battle between two polar opposites within us, the rational and the emotional, just like the classic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This week, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are our model investors, and we're talking you through the spooky story of the risks, emotions, and rational strategies involved in long-term investing. **…
…
continue reading
1
The Evolution of your Emergency Fund, Ep #226
21:47
21:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:47
Reaching your financial goals builds confidence and peace of mind, which are essential for making informed decisions that benefit your entire family. In this episode, we're following a fictional pop culture couple from newlywed to pre-retirement, to demonstrate how their thought process around an emergency fund could evolve with their changing circ…
…
continue reading
1
How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Your Retirement Withdrawal Strategy, Ep #225
28:50
28:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:50
Retirement, a phase many of us anticipate for a long time, comes with its own set of financial intricacies. Specifically, how do you effectively withdraw funds from your savings to ensure a comfortable, sustainable, and tax-efficient lifestyle? A well-crafted retirement blueprint is essential. This plan should outline your long-term goals and the s…
…
continue reading
