Finishing your degree, landing that first “real” job, and finally getting the paycheck you worked years for can feel incredible… until the student loans, retirement decisions, taxes, and benefit elections all show up at once.

In this episode of Common Curiosities: Retirement, Michael and Jacqueline sit down with Alyssa, a recently graduated Speech Language Pathologist looking for help on navigating her first year in practice while trying to plan for her future.

Instead of turning this into a lecture filled with jargon and spreadsheets, this episode walks through the real questions many early career professionals are quietly asking themselves but often don't get help with.

Topics include:

💭 Understanding the tradeoffs between PSLF and aggressive student loan payoff strategies

💭 Breaking down how you're taxed now that you landed your job

💭 Why keeping too much cash in a traditional savings account may quietly work against you

💭 How SIMPLE IRAs, 401ks, employer matches, pensions, and workplace benefits work

💭 How beginners often get started

💭 Trying to balance living today while still building flexibility for the future

A lot of strong financial habits begin during the messy transition period between school and full professional life. This episode is designed to help make those early decisions feel a little less overwhelming and a little more approachable.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.