Mr. Stillman's Opus

The Beauty of Simplicity When Planning For Retirement

Retirement planning doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly complicated. It certainly doesn’t have to be as complicated as some people make it.
In this episode, we unravel the unnecessary complexities often woven into the fabric of retirement advice. We’ll debunk some myths, simplify strategies, and uncover the beauty of simplicity and straightforward retirement planning. If you’re looking for more simplicity within your financial plan, we’ll even provide a few steps you can take today to move in that direction.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:13 – The cause for complexity
5:09 – Steps to simplify things
8:33 – Simplifying investments
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

Rollover IRA: Should you do it if your old account is performing well?

What should you do with an old 401k that you’re still holding onto from an previous employer? Does that answer change when the market is performing well and your account is generating strong returns? 
Let’s take a closer look at the rollover IRA and whether it’s something that you should be doing with your old 401k accounts. The primary reason someone uses a rollover is to gain more flexibility and control over that money so let’s talk about how the current investing environment impacts that decision. We’ll share our approach with clients when we’re helping them manage their portfolio and help you get a better idea of whether a rollover is a strategy you should utilize.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro and today’s question
1:12 – The reason to rollover your money
4:18 – The investment options
5:44 – Tax considerations
7:40 – Can you do this on your own?
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

Investment Planning: Should you sell while taxes are lower?

No one has a crystal ball that will tell them what will happen with tax rates in the future and we certainly can’t predict what will happen, but the expectation for many people is that rates will only be going up from where they are right now.
With that in mind, does it make sense to sell investments off ahead of those possible tax increases in order to take advantage of the lower rates? We’ve been talking to our clients at Rosewood Wealth Management about tax planning strategies that will position them better over time but does it make sense in this specific situation? We’ll break that down in this video.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro on tax rates
1:32 – Today’s question
4:13 – Charitable giving strategies
9:32 – Capital gains taxes
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

An IRS Update for IRAs in 2024

The IRS first made significant changes to the stretch IRA with the introduction of the SECURE Act in 2020, and they’ve since made a few updates. Now the IRS has tweaked things even further for 2024 and we’re going to fill you in on what you need to know in this video.  
We’ll discuss the implications of the recent changes made by the IRS, including the new rules for inherited IRAs and the importance of having a well-thought-out plan for withdrawals.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro and background on the stretch IRA
4:00 – The update for 2024
5:58 – Is this significant?
 
Read more about the change here:
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/irs-waives-required-withdrawals-from-some-inherited-ira-for-2024.html
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

Is It Okay to Sell Your House and Rent in Retirement?

The housing market remains strong in North Carolina and throughout much of the country, which creates an interesting option for many people moving in retirement. Should you go ahead and sell your home to take advantage of the current home values and rent until you’re ready to buy your next place?
Today we’ll tackle a question that came in to us recently and asked about this same scenario:
The housing market in my neighborhood is still really good right now and I’m tempted to put our house on the market and get top dollar for it. We’re going to retire in 2-3 years and would be moving at that time anyway. Of course, I’d need a place to live for those next 2-3 years after selling; would it be dumb to rent something for that period?
Find out why we think most people are going to be better off owning their home in retirement and how renting could play into that process in a positive way.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:29 – What we’ve seen
6:20 – Interest rates
7:09 – Lifestyle consideration
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

What You Need to Know if You Plan to Retire Early

Are you in your early 50s and dreaming of retiring early? It’s a feasible goal with the right financial planning but there are milestone ages that you need to take into account.
Retiring early means different things to different people. For some, it's bowing out before the traditional retirement age, while for others, it's about clocking out permanently while still in their fifties. But regardless of how you define 'early,' there are certain financial considerations that are pivotal in the planning process.
We’ll lay out the ages you need to know about and the planning that needs to take place as a result.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:05 – Age 65
4:36 – Age 62
7:10 – Age 59.5
10:45 – Get a jump on planning
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

Does Retirement Lead to Additional Stress?

The idea of retirement is one that’s filled with plenty of rest and relaxation, but the reality is stress doesn’t go away. From losing the structure of a daily routine to the challenges of socializing and finding a new purpose, the pitfalls of retirement can certainly increase the stress you’re feeling.   
We heard from someone recently who had this concern about their upcoming transition so we want to address the unexpected stresses that come with leaving the workforce.  Here’s the scenario John will discuss:
I heard someone talking the other day about how stressful life has been for her since she retired. Maybe I'm missing the point of retirement because I thought the idea was to reduce stress. But now I'm second-guessing my plans to retire in about six months. What am I missing?
Whether you're six months or several years away from retirement, this topic could change the way you approach your golden years.
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

Is Now a Good Time to Buy Gold?

We’re just a few months away from another election and everyone anticipates it being another year, so what does that mean for your investments? When uncertainty starts to increase, there’s often a strong marketing push for buying gold, but is now a good time to do that?
Today we’ll answer that question with a discussion on the role of gold in your portfolio as we prepare for election year madness. Uncover the truths behind gold's historical performance and whether it truly is the investment armor against volatile markets.
This isn’t just a question for election years so let’s break down the truth behind gold as an investment.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:19 – Gold’s return over time
3:50 – The marketing behind buying gold
5:51 – Apocalypse preparation
7:39 – ‘This time is different’
 
Connect with us:
Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 919-391-3446

Should You Move Your Money To Cash?

As you approach retirement or begin that next stage of life, the financial goals shift to protecting what you’ve saved. There are different ways to accomplish that goal, but with the volatility we’ve seen from the market, does it make sense to move to cash to be safe?
Here’s the question we’ll tackle in this video:
I haven’t decided on a specific retirement date yet, but hopefully it will be sometime in the next four years. With all of the recent market volatility, should I just move my retirement savings to cash until everything blows over?
We’ll provide context for this conversation by looking back at the market in the past few years and then explain how we help people answer this question.

Should I Take Out a Big Life Insurance Policy to Protect My Spouse?

A common situation that many couples have to face is one spouse being older than the other and worrying about how to protect them financially should something happen. What’s the best way to ensure they are taken care of after you’re gone? Is a big life insurance policy a good option?
In this video, John will weigh in on this scenario and answer a question that we recently received:
I’m not planning on dying anytime soon, but my wife is nine years younger than me and I want to be sure that she’s taken care of when I’m gone. Should I take out a big life insurance policy on myself?
Find out how to determine if life insurance makes sense and what type of policy you might need.