What if the most important number in your retirement plan isn’t your average return but the order of your returns? We dig into the real mechanics of “safe” withdrawals—why the famous 4% rule became a staple, how William Bengen’s updated 4.7% changes the picture, and where a conservative 3% mindset fits for those who value longevity protection over maximum income. Along the way, we translate the math into plain English and show what these percentages mean for an everyday income gap.

We walk through clear examples: how a $40,000 annual gap could require $1.33M at 3%, $851K at 4.7%, or potentially much less capital when using a guaranteed lifetime income solution. Then we tackle the silent threat most people underestimate: sequence of returns risk. Same average, different order, wildly different outcomes. You’ll hear why early losses can set a plan on a path that later gains can’t fix, and how to design around that with cash buffers, flexible withdrawals, and purpose-built guarantees.

This conversation isn’t about picking a single magic percentage. It’s about constructing a resilient system that blends probability and certainty—covering nonnegotiable needs with dependable income and investing the rest for growth to fight inflation. If you’ve ever wondered how much you can really spend without outliving your money, this is your roadmap to smarter withdrawals, steadier nerves, and a plan you can live with for decades. Enjoy the episode, share it with someone planning retirement, and don’t forget to follow the show and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Sources:

Holistic Retirement Planning: Enhancing Outcomes with Insurance Products - By Ernst & Young [URL: https://www.ey.com/en_us/insights/insurance/retirement-insurance-plans-and-products-with-maximum-benefits]

Blackrock Sequence of Returns Risk Chart [URL: https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/insights/retirement-income]

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Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

First paychecks feel like a win… until taxes, rent, and loans show up. We break the noise with a clear playbook for 20-somethings: how to build a budget that actually sticks, why “free money” from your employer match comes first, and when a Roth 401(k) or IRA can set you up for decades of tax-free growth. Along the way, a nostalgic detour through baseball and Pokémon cards shows how small choices today can turn into big regrets—or big wins—tomorrow.

We run the numbers: start at 24 with $500 a month and a modest 6% return, and you could cross seven figures by your mid-sixties. Wait ten years and the result is roughly half. That’s the quiet math of compounding and the real cost of delay. We also map out the pillars of a resilient plan—an opportunity fund with three to six months of expenses, a growth-focused portfolio that matches your long time horizon, and a cap on speculative bets like crypto and private equity so they add spice without burning the foundation.

You’ll hear why boring often beats viral, how to avoid common traps new earners face, and where a seasoned coach can help turn scattered advice into a simple, durable strategy. Whether you’re 22 with your first offer letter or a parent guiding a new grad, this conversation translates financial literacy into practical steps you can take this week: secure the match, automate contributions, favor Roth when it fits, and invest for growth with patience.

If this helped you see money differently, follow the show, share it with a friend who just got paid, and leave a quick review so more young listeners can find smart, no-fluff guidance. Got a topic you want us to tackle next? Send it our way and subscribe for more actionable episodes.

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Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.

Resolutions fade when they rely on motivation. In this episode, we trade hype for design, showing how to build a practical system that links sleep, budgeting, and automated savings into one durable routine for real wellness. Money stress touches everything—health, relationships, even the way we sleep—so we break the cycle by starting upstream and moving step by step toward financial clarity.

We begin with the surprising keystone habit: sleep. With enough rest, willpower matters less and better choices come easier, from skipping impulse buys to sticking with workouts. From there, we walk through a 30-day expense tracking sprint to reveal the truth about where your money goes, then turn that insight into a budget that actually matches your life. No shaming. No gimmicks. Just clear feedback loops and small, repeatable actions.

Then we shift to “financial fitness” thinking. Define your reps—monthly savings, a 401(k) bump, an extra debt payment—and automate them so progress happens on autopilot. Break the year into phases: eliminate high-interest debt in the first half, redirect those dollars into a Roth IRA or emergency fund in the second. Add an annual financial wellness review, the money version of a physical, and elevate accountability by writing a one-page mission you can revisit with an advisor or partner. Along the way, we challenge the comparison game and refocus on a personal plan that reduces stress and improves everyday wellbeing.

If you’re ready to replace fragile resolutions with a plan that works on your worst days, this conversation will give you the steps: sleep well, track honestly, automate relentlessly, review regularly, and ignore the noise.

Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a quick review to tell us your first “rep” for the year!

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Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.