How Money Works

In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, each person the main character meets help him understand his life in a new way. Today, Craig and Jennifer talk about the five people you should meet before retirement, people who can guide your next chapter and help you retire with confidence, and purpose. After all, retirement isn’t just about money, it’s about strategy, mindset, and having the right people in your corner. Craig and Jennifer reveal the essential allies you’ll want by your side before you retire, people who can help you avoid costly missteps, protect what you’ve built, and design a future that fits your life. You’ll also meet the “bonus sixth person,” a relationship that may just bring the most lasting fulfillment of all. If you're looking to retire on your terms, don’t miss this insightful episode. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧭 Why you may want a retirement income specialist 📜 Estate planning mistakes you definitely want to avoid 📋 How insurance planning prevents retirement surprises 💸 Differences between tax planning and tax preparation 🏋️‍♂️ The role a fitness instructor plays in retirement vitality   Contact Maestro Wealth: Web: https://maestrowealth.com/ Email: info@maestrowealth.com Phone: 336-448-1086

Retirement planning isn’t always a smooth ride, and sometimes it can feel more like spinning a wheel or picking a mystery box. In this playful but practical episode, Craig and Jennifer turn retirement planning into a game show, using iconic formats like The Price is Right and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? to unpack the real-life financial decisions people face every day. Underneath the fun lies serious wisdom. Craig and Jennifer discuss why focusing only on “the pile of money” misses the bigger picture, how the timing of your pension or Social Security benefits can make or break your plan, and why cash flow, not just account balances, is what truly matters. You’ll also hear their take on simplifying your strategy so it works for you in real life, and not just on paper. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎯 Why your “magic number” might be misleading 🏦 The real cost of pre-tax retirement savings 🧮 Social Security timing tricks that boost payouts 🧠 How to simplify your plan 🧾 What game shows can teach us about income planning   Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ [https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/]  Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin [https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin]

Retirement planning comes with no shortage of conventional wisdom, but how much of it is actually true? In this eye-opening episode, Craig and Jennifer go full-on mythbusters mode to take down some of the most common financial planning myths that could seriously derail your future. From the illusion of simplicity ("all I need is a will") to dangerous assumptions about income, inheritance, and investment strategies, they expose how outdated thinking can cost you, sometimes for generations. It’s a candid look at what real planning requires, especially if you’re a business owner or navigating a complex life transition. With decades of experience, Craig and Jennifer guide you through the truth behind the myths, and the smarter steps you can take now to protect your lifestyle and legacy.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Why most business owners don’t really retire 🧾 Is a financial analysis just as good as a plan? 🛑 Why “my spouse will be fine” could be a costly assumption 🧠 Learn from others' financial mistakes, without living them yourself ⚖️ Debunking common “rules” and what to consider instead   Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ [https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/]  Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin [https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin]

When the market takes a dip—or just feels unpredictable—it’s natural to want to do something. But when it comes to your retirement plan, sometimes the smartest move is actually to pause. In this episode, Craig and Jennifer share a calm, methodical approach to navigating difficult markets without panicking, overreacting, or making costly mistakes. Tune in if you’ve been looking at your portfolio lately and wondering, “What should I do now?” You’ll learn why the duo recommends a “bucketing” strategy to separate near-term needs from long-term growth, how to think about volatility in real dollars (not just percentages), and what questions to ask if you're worried about whether your plan can hold up. Plus, Craig explains how sensitivity analysis helps you stress-test your portfolio so you can stop guessing and start planning with clarity. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Why the worst reaction to market drops is overreaction 🧺 How “bucketing” your money may protect your peace of mind 🧠 Why emotional investors often derail their own plans 📊 What a sensitivity analysis tells you about your portfolio 💵 The real danger of needing money from volatile investments   Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ [https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/]  Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin [https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin]

Plenty of people have concerns about stock market volatility, a potential recession on the horizon, and fears for the economy right now. Retiring in a down market can feel like stepping onto a shaky bridge, but with the right structure, it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Craig and Cameron unpack strategies for financial stability and peace of mind- like smart diversification and tuning out the media noise- even when the headlines are shouting panic. They cover how to build a resilient portfolio using the “three-bucket” strategy, how to plan for consistent income even if the market drops, and why risk, volatility, and media noise don’t have to define your retirement. You’ll also hear a powerful real-world example of how sequence-of-return risk can derail a plan and what to do instead.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 The real risk of retiring during a downturn 📊 Understanding the risk in your portfolio 🧠 Control what you can and ignore the noise 🛡️ Real-world strategies for building a resilient income plan   Get additional financial resources: https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/ [https://maestrowealth.com/how-money-works-podcast/]  Schedule a meeting: https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin [https://timetoseemaestrowealth.as.me/ReadytoBegin]