Retirement Reality Podcast

Great Side Gig Ideas for Retirees

For some people, the idea of retiring and then getting another job is detestable. For others, they can’t sit still and have to go find some other job. In this show, we discuss the benefits of taking on side gigs during retirement and explore five practical ideas that can help retirees stay engaged and financially secure.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:52 – Consulting
2:43 – Teaching
3:48 – Selling Items Online
5:30 – Pet Sitting
7:03 – Retail
8:40 – How it impacts planning
 
Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/
Phone: (855) 987-8888
Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/
 
Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/
Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/
 
Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

The Five Love Languages of Financial Planning

The five love languages were made popular by author Gary Chapman. If you’re not familiar with them, they include acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, and physical touch. In the spirit of the month of love, let’s take a look at how you may encounter the love languages when it comes to financial planning.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:22 – Acts of Service
2:55 – Quality Time
4:16 – Words of Affirmation
5:33 – Gifts
7:19 – Physical Touch
 
Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/
Phone: (855) 987-8888
Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/
 
Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/
Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/
 
Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

Do Smart Investors Really Need a Financial Advisor?

If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question Bob, one of our listeners, sent in. He’s got an MBA, knows the markets well, and has always handled his portfolio solo.
So, is working with an advisor just an extra expense, or could it actually add real value? In this episode, we break down when and why even experienced investors might benefit from professional guidance and when they’re probably fine on their own.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:23 – Today’s question
3:01 – How advisors provide value
4:18 – Financial blindspots
6:24 – Help managing a portfolio
8:43 – Why you work with an advisor
 
Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/
Phone: (855) 987-8888
Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/
 
Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/
Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/
 
Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

Social Security Claiming Tips for Unique Situations

Social Security claiming strategies can vary greatly depending on family dynamics. This episode explores how different family situations, such as those with a stay-at-home spouse or a blended family, can impact when and how to claim Social Security benefits to maximize your retirement income.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:26 – Single-income households
3:53 – Coordinating claiming strategies
6:39 – Blended families
9:33 – Disabled family members
11:09 – Mike’s advice for claiming
 
Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/
Phone: (855) 987-8888
Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/
 
Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/
Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/
 
Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

The Snowbird Retirement: Is a Seasonal Move Right for You?

Winter has a lot of people thinking about warmer weather. For some, that just means an annual vacation down south. But for certain retirees, they choose to live elsewhere through the brunt of winter, becoming “snowbirds.” Is snowbird life for you? Let’s talk about what motivates people to take up temporary residence elsewhere, where they go, and if it’s worthwhile.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:50 – How common is this?
3:10 – Trying it before retirement
4:30 – What you need to know
6:24 – How a financial advisor helps
 
Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap
Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com
Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting
Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr

Inflation-Proof Your Retirement in 2025

Inflation has been a hot topic in recent years, and its impact on retirement planning is arguably bigger than ever. As prices for everyday goods and services continue to rise, understanding how to effectively manage these changes is essential for securing a comfortable retirement. Let’s explore strategies for inflation-proofing your retirement and share a look into how we address this in our planning.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:32 – How inflation changes planning
3:04 – Inflation rate average
4:15 – Inflation’s impact over time
6:08 – Investment strategies
7:51 – Client story
 
Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/
Phone: (855) 987-8888
Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/
 
Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/
Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/
 
Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

How To Change Your Money Attitude In 2025

As we kick off 2025, a lot of people consider what they want the year to look like and how to put their best foot forward, especially financially. Think: “new year, new me!”
Today, we’ll talk about the financial decisions and habits you’ve maybe had in the past and what changes you can make this year to embrace the new you.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:20 – Overspending
3:29 – Saving to a fault
5:28 – Not knowing what you have
7:30 – Pausing your investing
9:47 – Not having a plan
 
Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap
Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com
Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting
Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr

How Should You Invest Money That You’ll Need To Use In Three Years?

The majority of the investment planning you do for retirement is aimed at long-term success, but what can you do with the money you’ll need in the next few years? You don’t want to put those funds at risk when there’s a major purchase like a wedding or a new car coming in the near future.
So what can you do with that money to keep it from being stagnant in the interim? This show will discuss the pros and cons of traditional banking, money markets, fixed annuities, and structured notes.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:10 – Putting money in the market for a short-term investment
3:06 – Are small returns good enough?
4:53 – Annuities and structured notes
6:29 – The decision-making process
7:49 – Another note on structured notes
Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap.
Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com
Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting
Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr

Retirement Spending Strategies That Will Help You Spend With Confidence

It’s the beginning of a new year – a time when many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. But how often do we resolve to improve the way we feel about our finances? Today, we’re talking about spending with confidence, a surprising challenge for many retirees.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:19 – Why the reservations?
4:20 – Easing spending fears
5:59 – Overconfidence
8:00 – Spending strategies
 
Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap.
 
Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com
 
Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting
 
Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr

Are Future Retirement Worries Harming Your Mental Health TODAY?

Join us as we explore the evolving benchmarks for retirement savings, the importance of proper planning over mere goal-setting, and the role of charitable contributions in financial strategies. We’ll break it all down and explore what these new numbers mean for your financial future.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:28 – Is there a universal retirement benchmark?
2:41 – Charitable giving
4:23 – The fear of never being able to retire
5:30 – Average 401k contribution
7:11 – Target date funds
8:44 – Roth 401ks
10:24 – Taking care of yourself in the present
 
Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap.
Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com
Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting
Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr