PODCAST · business
Retirement Reality Podcast
by Mike Kojonen
Weekly financial and retirement planning guidance with Mike Kojenen of Principal Preservation Services. Mike serves western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities areas of Minnesota.
Episodes
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Great Side Gig Ideas for Retirees
For some people, the idea of retiring and then getting another job is detestable. For others, they can’t sit still and have to go find some other job. In this show, we discuss the benefits of taking on side gigs during retirement and explore five practical ideas that can help retirees stay…
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The Five Love Languages of Financial Planning
The five love languages were made popular by author Gary Chapman. If you’re not familiar with them, they include acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, and physical touch. In the spirit of the month of love, let’s take a look at how you may encounter the love languages when…
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Do Smart Investors Really Need a Financial Advisor?
If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question Bob, one of our listeners, sent in. He’s got an MBA, knows the markets well, and has always handled his portfolio solo. So, is working with an advisor just an extra…
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Social Security Claiming Tips for Unique Situations
Social Security claiming strategies can vary greatly depending on family dynamics. This episode explores how different family situations, such as those with a stay-at-home spouse or a blended family, can impact when and how to claim Social Security benefits to maximize your retirement income....
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The Snowbird Retirement: Is a Seasonal Move Right for You?
Winter has a lot of people thinking about warmer weather. For some, that just means an annual vacation down south. But for certain retirees, they choose to live elsewhere through the brunt of winter, becoming “snowbirds.” Is snowbird life for you? Let’s talk about what motivates people to take up...
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Inflation-Proof Your Retirement in 2025
Inflation has been a hot topic in recent years, and its impact on retirement planning is arguably bigger than ever. As prices for everyday goods and services continue to rise, understanding how to effectively manage these changes is essential for securing a comfortable retirement. Let’s explore...
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How To Change Your Money Attitude In 2025
As we kick off 2025, a lot of people consider what they want the year to look like and how to put their best foot forward, especially financially. Think: “new year, new me!” Today, we’ll talk about the financial decisions and habits you’ve maybe had in the past and what changes you can make this...
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How Should You Invest Money That You’ll Need To Use In Three Years?
The majority of the investment planning you do for retirement is aimed at long-term success, but what can you do with the money you’ll need in the next few years? You don’t want to put those funds at risk when there’s a major purchase like a wedding or a new car coming in the near future. So what...
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Retirement Spending Strategies That Will Help You Spend With Confidence
It’s the beginning of a new year – a time when many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. But how often do we resolve to improve the way we feel about our finances? Today, we’re talking about spending with confidence, a surprising challenge for many retirees. Here’s what we discuss in this...
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Are Future Retirement Worries Harming Your Mental Health TODAY?
Join us as we explore the evolving benchmarks for retirement savings, the importance of proper planning over mere goal-setting, and the role of charitable contributions in financial strategies. We’ll break it all down and explore what these new numbers mean for your financial future. Here’s what…
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2024's Best Stocking Stuffers for Financial Freedom
🎄 The holiday season is here! As you're busy stuffing stockings for your loved ones, don’t forget to stuff your own financial stocking with tips that bring you closer to a secure retirement. 🎁 Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:03 – Maxing out contributions 2:04 – Reviewing...
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Most Americans Are Forced to Retire Early - Are You Ready?
Did you know that most Americans are forced to retire early? A little bit more than you might actually realize. The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that 60% of Americans are forced to retire earlier than their planned age. On this show, we're going to talk...
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Retirees Have a Serious Temptation Problem
Retirees face serious financial temptations that can jeopardize their future, but there are smart ways to avoid them. In this episode, we’ll reveal the most dangerous temptations the average retiree faces and share strategies to help you avoid them, or correct your current course, to keep...
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What Financial Advisors Wish Every Investor Knew (Part 2)
Today it’s part two of our discussion about the crucial insights every investor should know before stepping into a financial advisor's office. This week, learn about the importance of comprehensive planning beyond investments, the emotional side of financial decisions, and the value of...
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What Financial Advisors Wish Every Investor Knew (Part 1)
Imagine you could read your financial advisor’s mind before you even walked through the door for the first time. What would they want you to know? In this episode, we bring you the game-changing insights financial pros wish every saver and investor understood. Here’s what we discuss in this...
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Pension & Retirement Plan Contribution Adjustments for 2025
As we rapidly approach 2025, it's essential to stay informed about the latest changes in retirement contribution limits and tax brackets. In this episode, Mike will update you on what adjustments are being made to key pension and retirement plan limits, providing listeners with the knowledge…
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Social Security Shake-Up: How Raising the Retirement Age Could Impact You
Social Security has long been a cornerstone of retirement planning for millions of Americans, providing a crucial safety net in their golden years. However, recent proposals suggest significant changes could be on the horizon, potentially altering the landscape of retirement as we know it. Here’s...
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What Makes Our Financial Planning Approach Unique?
Every firm has distinct principles that guide its approach to financial planning. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes to explore the core values and unique processes that set Principal Preservation Services apart. We’ll walk you through how we get to know our clients on a deeper level,...
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Retirees In Their 70s Regret These 5 Things
A random, retired YouTuber did a simple video exploring the top 5 regrets from other retirees he interviewed (all in their 70s). It blew up to almost half a million views (and counting). Let’s see what regrets made the list and, more importantly, explore what proactive steps you can take to avoid...
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Unusual Fears & Financial Planning: Lessons from the Strangest Phobias
In this episode, we’re exploring some of the world’s most unique and quirky fears—and believe it or not, they have a lot more in common with your financial life than you might think. From the fear of long words to the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth, we’ll navigate…
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Financial Mailbag: Retirement Savings, Life Insurance Claim, Finding an Advisor & More
In this special mailbag edition of the show, Mike answers a wide range of listener questions. From life insurance and alimony to savings and retirement planning, this episode covers many of the financial planning conversations we have with clients every day. Here are some of the questions we’ll...
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How Kids & Grandkids Influence YOUR Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is a complex process that requires careful consideration of various factors, including the needs of your family. In the latest episode, Mike shares valuable insights on how children and grandchildren can significantly impact retirement goals and offers practical advice on how…
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The Top 401(k) FAQs in 2024
Mike gets a lot of questions about 401(k)s and knows they can be tricky to navigate. That's why we're tackling your top questions in one comprehensive episode. From understanding target date funds to adjusting your investments as you near retirement, this conversation will cover a wide range of...
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Can You Retire on $42/Month?
Imagine retiring comfortably on just $42 per month—sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s exactly the assertion you might have seen in the headline of a recent article online. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Is this article clickbait or is there some value to it? Some...
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Clearing Up Some Common Financial Half-Truths
We hear a lot of half-truths in the financial world, not necessarily because people try to make misleading statements, but because sometimes a simple statement just doesn’t quite tell the whole story. Join Mike as he goes over some common financial half-truths to try and help clear some things up...
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Take the Fork: Yogi Berra's Wisdom on Making Financial Choices
In this episode, we’re diving into some famous words by the one and only Yogi Berra. You might know him for his legendary baseball career, but Yogi was also a goldmine of wisdom. So, what can we learn from Yogi about retirement planning? Here are some of the quotes we’ll unpack in this episode…
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Retiree Insurance: The Basics You Must Know
What types of coverage should you be considering for your golden years? What do you need to keep in mind as you prep for the transition? We’re going to walk you through the fundamentals in today's episode, covering health insurance, long-term care insurance, life insurance, and more. Here’s some…
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Mistakes When Choosing A Financial Advisor
In this episode, we’ll uncover the critical mistakes many make when choosing a financial advisor. We're cutting through the noise to highlight what often goes wrong- from misplaced trust in big names to overlooking the fine print. This episode is your essential guide to avoiding those pitfalls…
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Expectation vs. Reality: The Truth About Retirement Planning
When we think of retirement, we often imagine endless days of relaxation, travel, and leisure. But how much of this is a dream versus reality? Today, we'll explore why a realistic approach to retirement, inclusive of financial planning and the potential for unexpected challenges, is crucial.…
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Retirement Questions That Younger Generations are Asking
Each generation is currently navigating a unique part of the retirement planning experience. With many baby boomers preparing for the transition into retirement and the early half of Generation Z taking their initial steps into the career field, these major life events come with a handful of...
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Retirement Questions Every Generation Is Asking (Baby Boomers)
Each generation is currently navigating a unique part of the retirement planning experience. With many baby boomers preparing for the transition into retirement and the early half of Generation Z taking their initial steps into the career field, these major life events come with a handful of...
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How Is Technology Redefining Retirement Planning?
Today we will unpack the toolbox of technology that's promising to redefine retirement planning, but does it deliver? This episode takes a critical look at the wave of innovations, from personal finance management software to online calculators, and questions whether they truly simplify the...
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How One Overlooked Issue Can Sink Your Retirement
In today’s episode, we spotlight some of the single oversights that could send your dreams to the bottom. We'll share key strategies to plug the gaps, ensuring your financial ship stays buoyant and on course. Tune in to protect your future from the one mistake that could derail everything. Here’s...
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Retirement Planning Is Different For Women: Here’s Why
In this episode, we’ll share some eye-opening statistics and actionable advice to empower women in their financial journey. From the persistent gender pay gap to the impact of caregiving responsibilities and higher debt burdens, this is why retirement planning is different for women. Here’s some…
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With Higher Interest Rates, Is “Lazy Money” Still A Concern In 2024?
Is 'Lazy Money' still a concern in 2024's higher interest rate landscape? In this episode, we explore this question, examining how the recent rise in interest rates affects the money sitting in savings accounts, CDs, and conservative investments. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode…
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Will The Economy Boom Or Bust In 2024?
Everyone wants to know. Will the economy boom or bust in 2024? Join us as we explore a range of expert predictions, from the shifting trends in housing prices to the looming question of a potential recession or stock market crash. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Why Mike feels...
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Patience Pays: The Power of Delayed Gratification (Part 2)
Sometimes it’s hard to make financial sacrifices when the reward might not be seen until several years in the future. Today we’ll talk about some of the situations where you might be inclined to take the immediate benefit, when you should really consider the delayed rewards. In part two of our...
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Patience Pays: The Power of Delayed Gratification (Part 1)
Sometimes it’s hard to make financial sacrifices when the reward might not be seen until several years in the future. Today we’ll talk about some of the situations where you might be inclined to take the immediate benefit when you should really consider the delayed rewards. Here’s some of what we...
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Financial Tweaks That Matter: Small Steps, Big Impact
Ever thought that minor tweaks in your financial plan could lead to major wins? In this episode, we're exploring the surprisingly powerful world of simple financial adjustments. From finding the right balance in your cash reserves to consolidating old 401Ks, we're unpacking those seemingly small...
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End of Year Financial Planning For 2023
We're nearing the end of the year, but it's not quite over yet! Join us for a thoughtful episode where we unpack our 2023 edition of key year-end planning strategies for those nearing or embracing their retirement years. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Regularly reassessing and...
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Money Mistakes You’ll Regret and How to Avoid Them
Ever wish you could foresee financial missteps before they happen? On today’s episode explore some real-life stories of regret and arm yourself with the essential dos and don'ts to ensure your money works for you, not against you. Here are the mistakes we’re going to talk through: I regret taking...
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Retirement Planning for High-Net-Worth Individuals
In today's episode, we're taking a close look at high-net-worth individuals - those who have accumulated significant wealth and face unique challenges and opportunities when planning for retirement. Unlike the average person, their financial considerations go beyond the basics. We'll explore the...
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Understanding RMDs: A Guide For Retirees & The Soon-to-Retire
Are you over 55 and pondering retirement? Dive into the world of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) with us. In this episode, we demystify the reasons behind mandatory withdrawals from your retirement savings. Discover strategies to potentially avoid them and understand the risks of not...
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Navigating Finances After Losing a Spouse: Strategies & Mistakes to Avoid
Losing a spouse is an unimaginably tough life event, but the financial implications can add another layer of stress to the grieving process. In this episode, we delve deep into the most common financial issues faced by widows and widowers, from dealing with income gaps to navigating tax changes…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Retirement Reality Podcast have?
Retirement Reality Podcast currently has 175 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Retirement Reality Podcast about?
Weekly financial and retirement planning guidance with Mike Kojenen of Principal Preservation Services. Mike serves western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities areas of Minnesota.
How often does Retirement Reality Podcast release new episodes?
Retirement Reality Podcast publishes regularly with 175 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Retirement Reality Podcast?
You can listen to Retirement Reality Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Retirement Reality Podcast?
Retirement Reality Podcast is created and hosted by Mike Kojonen.
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