Rob Berger

In this video the host walks through a comprehensive “Ultimate Retirement Checklist” of 20 essential steps—including securing health‑care coverage, understanding Medicare and IRMAA, tracking expenses and burn rate, optimizing guaranteed income, designing tax‑efficient withdrawals, simplifying accounts and investments, planning for large purchases, home‑equity use, estate documents, and safeguarding online accounts. By following these actionable items and using the linked resources and planning tools, viewers can confidently prepare for a secure and financially free retirement.

.In this episode of Five Question Friday, host Sandy tackles five viewer‑submitted investment queries—including whether the growing concentration of the “MAG‑7” stocks makes a three‑fund portfolio riskier, how to adjust asset allocation as you near retirement, whether you should max out retirement accounts before putting money in a taxable brokerage, the pros and cons of self‑insuring long‑term care, and how a non‑working spouse can contribute to a Roth IRA. He explains that while concentration risk exists, a simple, diversified three‑fund (or small‑cap‑enhanced) plan can still work, recommends maximizing tax‑advantaged accounts first, suggests careful planning for long‑term care rather than special fund transfers, and clarifies the spousal IRA rules.

.In this FiveQ Friday episode, host answers five viewer questions—whether you can “restart” the 4 % rule during retirement, how Morningstar Investor and Empower compare for portfolio tracking, how to allocate monthly 401(k)/IRA contributions across a three‑fund mix, whether retirees should add commodities or crypto to their holdings, and which is a better bond option: Vanguard’s intermediate‑term Treasury ETF (VGIT) or the broader BND fund. The key takeaways are that you can re‑evaluate the 4 % withdrawal rate each year, Snowball Analytics is the closest tool for automatic transaction‑level tracking, automated fund contributions work but periodic rebalancing is advisable, commodities/crypto are generally unnecessary for most retirees, and either VGIT or BND can serve your bond needs based on personal preference for diversification.

In this video, the host provides a comprehensive seven-step guide to evaluate your investment portfolio as 2025 wraps up, emphasizing the importance of asset allocation, simplification, and performance review. Viewers will learn practical strategies for rebalancing investments, assessing fees, and considering tax implications to enhance their overall financial health.

In this episode of Five Question Friday, we explore the best options for parking cash in today's market, especially after the Fed's recent interest rate changes. We cover a range of topics including investment vs. student loan repayment, the effectiveness of Schwab's target date retirement funds, and the strategy of using TIPS ladders in retirement portfolios.

In this live Q&A, the host shares five transformative money books, including his own, "Retired Before Mom and Dad," and classic texts like "Your Money or Your Life" and "Atomic Habits." Tune in for insights on financial freedom and strategies to enhance your relationship with money while engaging with audience questions.

In this episode of Five Question Friday, we explore the impact of Federal Reserve rate cuts on bond funds, investment strategies when stocks are off the table, and the tax implications of mutual fund sales. Additionally, we discuss the role of annuities in a balanced portfolio and whether to choose a Roth IRA or a brokerage account for retirement savings.

In this episode, the host discusses adopting a "good-enough" retirement strategy, emphasizing that aspiring for perfection in retirement planning may not be necessary. He shares insights from viewer questions on topics like Roth conversions and withdrawal strategies, encouraging a practical approach to achieving a confident retirement without stressing over minor details.