Retire Sooner with Wes Moss

We live in a 21st-century world, and our brains haven’t quite caught up. They’re designed to look out for the Saber-toothed tiger, not a million dings and beeps from smartphones. It’s no surprise that anxiety is a massive problem in modern-day life. But Dr. John Delony says anxiety isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just an alarm system to keep us safe, and we can learn to tweak the settings. John is a two-time bestselling author, holds two PhDs, spent over twenty years working in crisis response, and now hosts The Dr. John Delony Show on Dave Ramsey’s network. John says that despite the good intentions of innovation, we’ve designed a world we just weren’t meant to live in. Trucks do the heavy lifting, air conditioners keep us cool, and algorithms decide what we experience. Our ancestors had to adjust to life’s challenges, and that’s what kept them healthy and connected. It’s easier to become overweight when you don’t have to move. And it’s harder to form a community when you can sit inside alone all day. Many of us are less happy and more anxious, and John knows how to help change that. He helps people navigate tough decisions, improve their relationships, and accept that they are worthy of happiness. I know I could use some of that. And I’m pretty sure you could, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Wes is joined by Producer Mallory Boggs. They brainstorm the idea of holding a “Retire Sooner Conference” and answer some of the questions the attendees might ask the panel. Using his retirement calculator, Wes explores what constitutes a solid retirement plan and how much inflation needs to be considered. Then, combining his Retire Sooner Team’s research with analysis from The Ramsey Network’sDr. John Delony about the burden of debt, Wes answers whether people should or should not pay off their mortgage at retirement age. Next, he runs through how people can plan for their savings to last the duration of retirement, emphasizing how critical it is to become a tomorrow investor. Finally, he suggests that saving alone is like pushing a manual mower, while investing is like riding a John Deere Lawn Tractor. Which one would you rather use to get the job done? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd and Cynthia Staton’s retirement plans were on track. Then, the 2008 Financial Crisis hit. Their careers disappeared, their home lost its value, and their savings plummeted. Realizing recovery was unlikely, they needed to come up with a Plan B. And boy, did they ever. In 2010, they moved to Cuenca, Ecuador. Don’t worry, they didn’t know where that was, either. But now they love it! They live in a 3,000-square-foot penthouse apartment, have a housekeeper, eat out frequently, never worry about health care costs, and walk to their favorite yoga studio. And they aren’t the only ones. According to the Social Security Administration, the number of retirees drawing Social Security outside of the U.S. surged 40% between 2007 and 2017. Edd and Cynthia are now seen as expat experts in retirement, traveling, and health and wellness. They’ve authored three Amazon #1 best-selling books, are regularly featured in major media, and run their own online program called Retirement Reimagined! They believe the key to finding retirement happiness is not having to worry about money. As that becomes more challenging in the U.S., they may be saying hello to a lot more expat neighbors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s show, Wes is joined by Producer Mallory to elaborate on the pitfalls of fleeing the market during turbulent times. They comment on the shell shock of the Covid-19 lockdowns back in 2020 and how tempting it was for fearful investors to yank their money out of the market. Wes empathizes with the temptation but explains that letting the dog chase the tail rather than trusting in a balanced, diversified portfolio can have disastrous ramifications. Wes reveals that time in the market typically beats timing the market, and participation usually trumps perfection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know aging comes with cognitive challenges, but how early do they start? Sometimes, I forget my email password or where I put my car keys. Should I be worried? Dr. Nicole Byers came by to give us some fascinating answers, including the magical age when it can be beneficial to consume MORE calories. With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and a dissertation focused on the aging brain, she’s written extensively about brain health for Psychology Today. A neuropsychologist, TEDx speaker, and CEO of Rocky Mountain Neurosciences in Calgary, Canada, her passion is helping women in leadership rewire the unhelpful brain defaults that keep them stuck so they can take significant steps in their careers without getting in their own way or burning out. We all want to know how to keep our brains healthy for as long as possible. Who better to ask than someone who has dedicated her life to the topic? Stick around for some pearls of wisdom from Dr. Nicole Byers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of Wes’ favorite takeaways from Morgan Housel’s bestselling book, The Psychology of Money, he teams up with Producer Mallory to discuss the power of tail events, the misconception of money and respect, the illusion of wealth, the simple act of saving, how reasonable is greater than rational, expecting the unexpected, leaving room for error, financial bubbles, the seduction of pessimism, the lure of appealing fiction, and money confessions. They wrap it all into a profound exploration of how our behaviors, beliefs, and backgrounds shape financial decisions and ultimately move us toward a more thoughtful, contented, and independent life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can’t say the word “midlife” without imagining a crisis. An aging bald guy who cheats on his wife and buys a sports car to fill the void. But Chip Conley says we’re looking at it all wrong. The midlife age range has been unfairly branded, and he’s on a mission to change it. He co-founded MEA, the Modern Elder Academy, in 2018. The world's first ‘midlife wisdom school’ has a campus in Baja, California, and a new one is opening in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They help folks navigate midlife with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. They have teachers you’d recognize, like Dan Buettner of Blue Zones fame—a favorite of ours on the Retire Sooner podcast. As if that weren’t enough, Chip is a New York Times bestselling author, the former Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy at Airbnb, and a 2023 TED talk speaker. He wants to help people understand the upside of this often misunderstood life stage. I think he makes a pretty compelling case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Wes is joined by producer Mallory for part one of their discussion about the biggest takeaways from Morgan Housel’s bestselling book The Psychology of Money. They cover concepts such as the influence of personal history, the freedom money can offer, luck and risk, knowing how much is enough, the power of compounding, getting wealthy vs. staying wealthy, and unexpected outcomes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Wes explains the generosity component of the Retire Sooner podcast and welcomes Chris Anderson to the show. Chris is the curator of TED, a nonprofit media organization that leverages the power of ideas to make a better future, perhaps more well-known for its TED Talks Series. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller TED Talks and has overseen the introduction of TEDx, TED-Ed, TED Fellows, and the Audacious Project, a new form of collaborative philanthropy. Chris describes his new book, Infectious Generosity, as his way of fighting against the increasingly divided world and how the internet and social media platforms have contributed to it. He makes his case for shifting the conversation from a negative outlook to one that dreams about positive possibilities. He wants people to look for and amplify the good in online interactions. Wes then describes how Chris’s lessons can help give people an enduring sense of gratitude and guidance in finding outlets for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, we ponder the question, “Can money buy happiness?” The answer might surprise listeners, and Wes borrows the words of best-selling author Morgan Housel to help discuss the positive and negative psychological effects money can have on retirees. Wes then uses his own “Bucket System” analogy to explain income investing and how three keys can help folks sleep well at night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Wes sits down with Steve Tarr, a Fellow at the Drucker School of Management, to discuss how difficult the retirement transition can be for busy and successful people. Using the SOAR Program as a guide, they analyze the positive effects of discovering new pathways to meaning, community, and purpose and how they can lead to retirement happiness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Capital Investments Advisors Wealth Analyst Jeff Lloyd joins Wes to discuss the excitement around the market finally recouping its 2022 losses and forging into bull market territory. Then, they delve into the hidden market strength of dividends and what retirees need to know about the opportunities they can provide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of the Retire Sooner podcast, Wes welcomes back Mary Beth Franklin. This time, she takes on the herculean task of simplifying Medicare. They get into the differences between Medicare A, B, C, D, Advantage Plans, Gap Plans, and Supplemental Coverage. Mary Beth lays out which options might suit which people, depending on their lifestyles. She flags when it could be ideal to pay for the more expensive plan and when the cheaper selection could suffice. She gets into the weeds on age, tax requirements, and how to avoid penalties. She tells Wes what Medicare looks like for American citizens living abroad, sets the record straight on Medicare vs. Medicaid, and explains why paying FICA payroll taxes all those years doesn’t make your retirement coverage free. As always, Mary Beth keeps Wes on his toes. Listen and find out why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Retire Sooner, Wes welcomes Happiest Retirees podcast host Ryan Doolittle to discuss college football legend Nick Saban’s recent retirement. They delve into his famous coaching process, looking for helpful financial and life-planning tips. Using Saban’s specific principles, they lay out the case for focusing on the process rather than the outcome to achieve a happy retirement. What are Coach Saban’s own chances for a happy retirement? Listen and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social Security can be an essential stream of income for retirees on a fixed income. Unfortunately, the seemingly endless rules and regulations can overwhelm even the most informed applicants. In today’s Retire Sooner episode, Social Security ace Mary Beth Franklin joins Wes to bring listeners the most up-to-date information and context about avoiding pitfalls and maximizing benefits. In a dynamic conversation, Wes channels the questions of many Americans. He even puts Mary on the hot seat about whether or not Social Security funds will last for future generations. You may be surprised by her opinion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of the Retire Sooner podcast, Wes is joined by Capital Investment Advisors Co-Chief Investment Officer Connor Miller. They discuss the possibility of 2024 ushering in “A Whole New World” for markets, investors, and retirees. They reiterate that purchasing power is a perennial goal for the happy retiree. Inflation lay nearly dormant from 2009 to 2020 as if it were a prehistoric beast frozen deep inside an Arctic glacier. Unfortunately, the government’s post-pandemic monetary tidal wave reawakened it. Because of that, folks may need to adjust in 2024 to stay ahead of the curve. Wes and Connor run through recent and long-term history and search for the clues that could determine what’s to come in the year ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone in the Retire Sooner family knows how passionate Wes is about the 4 Percent Rule—William Bengen’s rule of thumb that originally discovered retirees who draw down 4 percent of their portfolio in the first year of retirement and then adjust this amount yearly for inflation would likely see their money outlive them, assuming a 50 to 75 percent allocation in stocks. On today’s episode, Wes discusses Dave Ramsey’s recent controversial statements about doubling the number to 8 percent. You read that correctly—8 percent! Wes runs Ramsey’s claims against data from Robert Shiller, an economist at the Yale School of Management, and attempts to set the record straight on how much people can safely expect to spend during retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arguably the most recognized male figure skater in the world, Scott Hamilton has won seventy titles, awards, and honors, including an Emmy nomination, induction into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame, and the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. He later became a fan-favorite analyst/commentator, performer, producer, and best-selling author. He even shared the big screen with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler in the classic comedy Blades of Glory. As fierce as the competition was in the skating rink, he’s experienced even more challenges off the ice. Scott lost his mother to cancer and survived four separate rounds of it in his own life. Now, he makes sure his actions are meaningful physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Otherwise, he says, it’s as unbalanced as sitting in a three-legged chair. Now married with four children, Scott is an activist, having launched the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation (Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship). He also founded several education and survivorship programs, events, and galas designed to fund research into cancer treatments that spare patients harm. Scott believes in the adage that courage is fear that’s said its prayers. We tend to think bad things only happen to other people, but once we accept reality, we can take responsibility for our own longevity and get to work changing our lives for the better. Scott believes the only true disability in life is a bad attitude. And now, the man famous for his backflips is fully committed to moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, Wes points out that the population of mini-millionaires is growing and that society’s perception of them isn’t always very accurate. Producer Mallory Boggs joins to discuss this latest variant of what authors Thomas Stanley and Bill Danko originally coined, The Millionaire Next Door. They elaborate on five habits that this cohort tends to follow. And Wes points out that although investing is often a critical step to becoming a millionaire, it’s perhaps even more essential in the pursuit of staying a millionaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Wes sits down with a woman who has dedicated her life to finding ways to protect retirement assets. As the director of victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network, Amy Nofziger has nearly two decades of experience in fraud prevention and victim support. A certified fraud examiner, she’s worked with the Wall Street Journal, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and Dr. Phil, among others, to shed light on consumer exploitation. The heinous nature of fraudsters is matched only by their cunning methods. Amy’s seen everything from business impersonators to LinkedIn scams to Crypto gift cards. There was even a guy named the Tinder Swindler who used romance to con unsuspecting women. Amy says fraud happens to people of all ages, but because older folks tend to have more money, they are bigger targets. $8.8 billion was reported lost last year, and due to underreporting, that number might be ten to twenty times higher. Sadly, most people never see their money again. Our best weapon to protect our finances is awareness. Learn from Amy so you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices