Retirement Reality Podcast
Weekly financial and retirement planning guidance with Mike Kojonen of Principal Preservation Services. Mike serves western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities areas of Minnesota. He's the co-author of Momma's Secret Recipe for Retirement Success and will impart financial wisdom each week on this podcast.
Episodes
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
Jun 8, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
Dec 15, 2025
Oct 3, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
11 min
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
Feb 27, 2025
Feb 27, 2025
9 min
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
Feb 20, 2025
Feb 20, 2025
11 min
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
Feb 13, 2025
Feb 13, 2025
13 min
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