Back to Basics: Estate Planning Essentials

Your Retirement Number Might Not Be What You Think

Allie Howard and Katelyn Felker break down the idea of “what is your number” and why retirement planning is about much more than hitting a dollar amount. They walk through how spending, lifestyle goals, healthcare, taxes, and income sources like Social Security all shape what retirement actually requires. The conversation highlights why two people with the same savings could have very different outcomes and encourages listeners to think beyond a target number and instead build a plan that supports the life they want to live.

The Financial Mistakes That Sneak Up Each Decade

Logan Gilland and Allie Howard walk through the most common financial missteps they see from clients in their 20s through retirement. They cover everything from failing to build saving habits early on, to normalizing debt in your 30s, chasing returns in your 40s, missing tax strategies in your 50s, and treating retirement like a finish line instead of an ongoing plan. The conversation highlights how disciplined habits, thoughtful planning, and awareness at each stage can help avoid costly mistakes and build long term financial success.

Medicare Without the Confusion

Logan Gilland and Allie Howard break down the key pieces of Medicare and what you actually need to know as you approach age 65. They walk through Parts A, B, C, and D, explain common mistakes around enrollment timing, and highlight how supplemental coverage and income based adjustments can impact your costs. The conversation focuses on simplifying a complex system and helping listeners make informed decisions that fit into a broader retirement plan.

The One Financial Habit That Keeps You Out of Trouble

Allie Howard and Kaitlyn Felker walk through one of the most important starting points in any financial plan: building and maintaining an emergency fund. They explain why liquidity matters even when markets are performing well, how to think about three to six months of expenses, and why having accessible cash can prevent costly financial decisions. The episode highlights how small planning habits create stability, flexibility, and peace of mind, especially during uncertain market environments.

Back to Basics: Investment Allocation for Retirement

Logan Gilland and Allie Howard discuss another volatile week in the markets, including the impact of rising oil prices, Iran tensions, consumer sentiment data, jobs reports, and what the Fed may do next with interest rates. Then they dive into one of the most important retirement planning decisions: investment allocation. They break down how advisors determine the right mix of stocks and bonds, why risk tolerance matters, how retirement goals shape portfolio strategy, and the mistakes investors make when emotions drive financial decisions.