See The Forest Through the Trees

Why Retirees With $1 Million Still Feel Broke

A lot of retirees spent decades believing that reaching $1 million would mean financial security. But today, many retirees with $1 million saved still feel financially stressed. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® gives his expertise on why retirement feels different than people expected — even for households that did “everything right.” We’ll discuss: How inflation changed retirement expectations Why $1 million means something very different today The difference between net worth and retirement income Why healthcare, taxes, and insurance costs feel heavier in retirement The emotional side of spending after decades of saving How sequence of returns risk impacts retirement confidence Why many retirees feel “asset rich but cash flow poor” We’ll also look at the psychological shift that happens when your portfolio becomes your paycheck — and why many retirees feel uncomfortable spending money even when they technically have enough. This video is designed for retirees and pre-retirees who want a realistic, calm discussion about retirement income, financial security, and what actually creates confidence in retirement. If you enjoy retirement planning, Social Security strategies, tax planning, and practical financial discussions for retirees, subscribe to the channel for more weekly videos. #RetirementPlanning #Retirement #Millionaire #PersonalFinance #Retirees #FinancialPlanning #retirementincome 00:00-Why Retirees With $1 Million Still Feel Broke 00:58-Reason #1: The Future Suddenly Feels Expensive 03:17-Reason #2: Why Spending Feels So Different In Retirement 05:20-Reason #3: Fixed Costs Are Creating More Stress 07:08- Reason #4: The Emotional Impact Of Market Declines 08:50- Reason #5: The Healthcare Fear Nobody Can Predict 09:50- Reason #6: The Social Comparison Trap 11:55- What Retirees Should Actually Focus On 14:14-Final Thoughts ⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join] Outstanding Personal Finance Tools👇 Budgeting...👇 ★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★ https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM [https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM] Wealth Management...👇 ★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇 https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM [https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM] Bookkeeping...👇 ★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇 https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM [https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM] [About] Colin Exelby is a Certified Financial Planner Professional™ or CFP®. He owns the virtual financial advisory practice Celestial Wealth Management. I provide financial planning for business owners and their families that makes sense. Transformational change is made when you focus on the big picture. My goal is to help you think outside the box about your life, your money, and your health to be the best you can possibly be. We strive to help you: *Optimize Your Cash Flow *Minimize Your Taxes *Build Your Net Worth *Create a Lasting Legacy ➡️ ➡️Free Guide Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️ [https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F] Top Financial Advisor Baltimore. Top Financial Planner Maryland. Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com. Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC. DISCLOSURES Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas. Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments. Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

Retirement Taxes by State: 5 Best and 5 Worst for 2026

Many retirees move to states like Florida, Tennessee, Texas, or Nevada assuming “no state income tax” automatically makes them the best places to retire financially. But retirement taxes are only one piece of the equation. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains the 5 best and 5 worst states to retire in financially as of 2026 based on the full financial picture — including retirement income taxes, Social Security taxation, property taxes, insurance costs, healthcare access, cost of living, estate taxes, and long-term retirement sustainability. Some states that appear retirement-friendly on paper can quietly become much more expensive over time once you factor in housing costs, insurance inflation, and other hidden expenses. We also discuss: states that tax Social Security states with no income tax retirement-friendly tax states high property tax states retirement cost of living estate and inheritance taxes retirement income taxation Florida retirement pros and cons Pennsylvania retirement taxes Iowa retirement tax changes New Jersey retirement taxes California retirement taxes Tennessee retirement costs and how retirees should evaluate the true long-term financial impact of where they live. The goal is not simply finding the “cheapest” state to retire in — it’s understanding how taxes, spending, healthcare, and lifestyle all work together over a 20-30 year retirement. If you are planning for retirement, considering relocating, or trying to understand how state taxes impact retirement income, this video will help you think through the bigger financial picture. 00:00- Retirement Taxes by State: 5 Best and 5 Worst for 2026 00:35-Why Most People Get This Completely Wrong 01:25-The 5 Worst States for Retirement Income 05:45-The 5 Best States for Retirement Income 08:44-The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid 10:28-The Real Decision You Need to Make ⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join] Outstanding Personal Finance Tools👇 Budgeting...👇 ★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★ https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM [https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM] Wealth Management...👇 ★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇 https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM [https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM] Bookkeeping...👇 ★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇 https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM [https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM] [About] Colin Exelby is a Certified Financial Planner Professional™ or CFP®. He owns the virtual financial advisory practice Celestial Wealth Management. I provide financial planning for business owners and their families that makes sense. Transformational change is made when you focus on the big picture. My goal is to help you think outside the box about your life, your money, and your health to be the best you can possibly be. We strive to help you: *Optimize Your Cash Flow *Minimize Your Taxes *Build Your Net Worth *Create a Lasting Legacy ➡️ ➡️Free Guide Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️ [https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F] Top Financial Advisor Baltimore. Top Financial Planner Maryland. Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com. Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC. DISCLOSURES Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas. Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments. Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

How Does Your Social Security Check Compare? (2026)

A lot of retirees know what their Social Security check is...but very few know where that check actually ranks. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains Social Security benefit check rankings, including: what’s considered below average, what qualifies as a top-tier Social Security benefit, and the key decisions that can permanently increase or reduce your retirement income. We’ll cover: Aaverage Social Security benefits in 2026, estimated Social Security ranking ranges, how much the top 10% of retirees receive, why some retirees receive significantly larger checks, how claiming age impacts monthly benefits, how the 35-year earnings calculation works, Social Security strategies for married couples, survivor benefit considerations, and common Social Security mistakes retirees make when claiming benefits too early. I also explain how higher-income retirees often approach Social Security differently and why maximizing guaranteed retirement income can matter more than many people realize. If you are planning for retirement, deciding when to claim Social Security, or wondering whether your benefit is above or below average, this video will help provide context around how Social Security benefits compare across retirees. SSA page with source data: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/progdata/benefits.html [https://www.ssa.gov/oact/progdata/benefits.html] Topics discussed include: Social Security 2026 Average Social Security check Social Security ranking Maximum Social Security benefit Social Security claiming strategies Social Security at 62 vs 70 Retirement income planning Survivor benefits Social Security for married couples Retirement planning #SocialSecurity #RetirementPlanning #Retirement #SocialSecurity2026 #FinancialPlanning 00:00-How Does Your Social Security Check Compare? (2026) 00:34-Where Your Check Actually Ranks 01:35-Why The Gap is so Large? 02:10-The Decision That Changes Everything 03:19-What Higher-Income Retirees Often Do Differently 04:32-The 35-Year Rule Most People Forget 05:37-The Couple Strategy Most Retirees Miss 06:26-The Surprising Part Most People Miss 07:07-The Hidden Mistake That Catches People Off Guard ★☆★Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor Aura to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed.★☆★👇 https://aura.com/cwmwealth [https://aura.com/cwmwealth] ⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join] [About] Colin Exelby is a Certified Financial Planner Professional™ or CFP®. He owns the virtual financial advisory practice Celestial Wealth Management. I provide financial planning for business owners and their families that makes sense. Transformational change is made when you focus on the big picture. My goal is to help you think outside the box about your life, your money, and your health to be the best you can possibly be. We strive to help you: *Optimize Your Cash Flow *Minimize Your Taxes *Build Your Net Worth *Create a Lasting Legacy ➡️ ➡️Free Guide Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️ [https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F] Top Financial Advisor Baltimore. Top Financial Planner Maryland. Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com. Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC. DISCLOSURES Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas. Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments. Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

Vanguard Says You’re Probably Investing Too Aggressively

If you’ve been following the traditional 60/40 portfolio… this may surprise you. Recently, Vanguard released guidance suggesting that many investors—especially those nearing retirement—may actually be taking on too much risk. In some cases, what used to be considered a balanced portfolio (60% stocks / 40% bonds) may now need to be closer to 30% stocks / 70% bonds depending on your situation. But does that mean you should change your allocation? In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains: Why Vanguard is making this shift What it means for retirees and pre-retirees The biggest mistake investors make when reacting to headlines like this And how to think about risk the right way as you approach retirement Because the real issue isn’t just your portfolio allocation… It’s how your retirement income plan is structured. #retirementplanning #investing #vanguard #financialplanning #retirementincome 00:00-Vanguard Says You’re Probably Investing Too Aggressively 01:20-Why Vanguard’s Message Is Making People Nervous 02:15-The Classic 60/40 Portfolio (And Why It’s Been So Popular) 03:15-What Vanguard’s “Time-Varying Allocation” Model Actually Means 05:08-Vanguard’s New Allocation: The Shocking Shift to 30/70 06:15-Why Vanguard Thinks the Average Investor Is Way Too Aggressive 07:06-Vanguard’s 10-Year Forecast: The Real Reason Behind the Shift 08:08-International Stocks: Slightly Better, But Still Not Amazing 08:52-U.S. Value vs U.S. Growth: Vanguard’s Biggest Bet 10:18-Why Vanguard Thinks Bonds Might Be the “New Stocks” 11:05-Vanguard Faced Backlash, So Their CIO Walked It Back 11:54-The Average Investor Is Sitting Around 70% Stocks Right Now 12:40-The Big Question: Should You Actually Change Anything? 13:57-Why Dynamic Investing Sounds Easy... But Fails in Real Life 14:50-Why International Markets Might Be the Quiet Winner 15:30-What Vanguard’s Warning Really Means for Retirees ★☆★Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor Aura to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed.★☆★👇 https://aura.com/cwmwealth [https://aura.com/cwmwealth] ⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join] [About] Colin Exelby is a Certified Financial Planner Professional™ or CFP®. He owns the virtual financial advisory practice Celestial Wealth Management. I provide financial planning for business owners and their families that makes sense. Transformational change is made when you focus on the big picture. My goal is to help you think outside the box about your life, your money, and your health to be the best you can possibly be. We strive to help you: *Optimize Your Cash Flow *Minimize Your Taxes *Build Your Net Worth *Create a Lasting Legacy ➡️ ➡️Free Guide Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️ [https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F] Top Financial Advisor Baltimore. Top Financial Planner Maryland. Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com. Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC. DISCLOSURES Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas. Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments. Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

The RMD Tax Trap: Why Your Taxes May Go UP in Retirement

Most retirees spend decades doing everything right — saving, investing, and building a large retirement portfolio. But what many don’t realize is that success inside tax-deferred accounts can create a hidden problem later on. It’s called the RMD tax trap. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can force you to take income in your 70s and beyond — whether you need it or not. And when that income stacks on top of Social Security, it can trigger: • Higher federal income taxes • More of your Social Security becoming taxable • Increased Medicare premiums (IRMAA) • Loss of tax flexibility in retirement In some cases, retirees can actually end up paying MORE in taxes later in life than they did while working. In this video, I break down: – How RMDs actually work – Why large retirement accounts can create tax issues – How Social Security taxation interacts with withdrawals – Why timing matters more than most people think – Strategies to help reduce the long-term tax impact If you’re approaching retirement or already retired, understanding how these pieces fit together can make a significant difference in your after-tax income. 📌 Watch next: Where Should You Withdraw From First in Retirement? (This is the key to controlling taxes before RMDs begin) #RetirementPlanning #RMD #TaxesInRetirement #FinancialPlanning #SocialSecurity #retirementincome 00:00-Intro 01:10-The Day the IRS Takes Control 02:18-The Growth Problem No One Expects 03:43-Why Your Income Can Rise After Retirement 04:50-The Tax Chain Reaction 06:19-Why This Problem Is Growing 07:03-The Gap Years Opportunity 08:08-The Power of Tax Diversification 09:13-The Legacy Consideration 10:02-The Bottom Line ★☆★Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor Aura to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed.★☆★👇 https://aura.com/cwmwealth [https://aura.com/cwmwealth] ⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/join] Outstanding Personal Finance Tools👇 Budgeting...👇 ★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★ https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM [https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWM] Wealth Management...👇 ★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇 https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM [https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWM] Bookkeeping...👇 ★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇 https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM [https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWM] [About] Colin Exelby is a Certified Financial Planner Professional™ or CFP®. He owns the virtual financial advisory practice Celestial Wealth Management. I provide financial planning for business owners and their families that makes sense. Transformational change is made when you focus on the big picture. My goal is to help you think outside the box about your life, your money, and your health to be the best you can possibly be. We strive to help you: *Optimize Your Cash Flow *Minimize Your Taxes *Build Your Net Worth *Create a Lasting Legacy ➡️ ➡️Free Guide Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/⬅️⬅️ [https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F%E2%AC%85%EF%B8%8F] Top Financial Advisor Baltimore. Top Financial Planner Maryland. Affiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com. Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC. DISCLOSURES Celestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas. Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. Nothing provided here constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments. Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.