The Exit Nobody Talks About: What It Actually Takes to Leave a High-Paying Career at 51

The Exit Nobody Talks About: What It Actually Takes to Leave a High-Paying Career at 51

He spent 28 years climbing to CFO of a publicly tradedcompany, and nearly 20 of them quietly planning his exit. At 51, Mike Pettit iswalking away. Not because he hit a magic number, but because he finally is prioritizing the one thing executives never put first… their time. In this conversation, Mike reveals why his original retirement projections were wrong, the overlooked account that makes leaving in your 50s actually possible, and the "buffet trap" that keeps high earners clocking in long after their house payment stops mattering. If you've ever wondered whether you could afford to walk away, and what it takes, don’t miss this episode.

3 Things you need to do to Plan for an Early Retirement

Have you been dreaming about leaving corporate Americabefore 55? You're not alone, and it's more doable than you might think. But before you talk to your boss, there are a few things you'll want to have figured out. Listen to this week's teaser episode to get a glimpse into Matt’s conversation with Mike Pettit, former CFO of Wabash, who just made his own early exit. Ready to start planning yours? Head to choosebalance.com to schedule a call with our team!

"Shining a Light on a Woman's Journey to Financial Wellness" with Heather Ettinger

62% of women leave meetings with their financial advisor more confused than when they walked in.  80% of high-net-worth women either don’t have an advisor or don’t like the one they’ve got. Matt sits down with Heather Ettinger — 37-year industry veteran, founder of Luma Thrive, and author of Lumination, to expose why the industry keeps failing smart, successful women and exactly what to demand instead: an advisor who helps you manage your life, not just your money.If you’ve ever nodded through a jargon-filled meeting and left with more questions than answers, this episode hands you the playbook, including the questions to ask before you ever hire (or fire) an advisor.

Empower yourself to find the Right Financial Advisor for YOU

Most people never fire their financial advisor — even when that advisor has never once asked what they actually want out of life. In this episode, we break down three questions almost nobody thinks to ask when choosing (or vetting) a financial advisor, why “are you a fiduciary?” is the wrong question if you don’t already work in finance, and why executives with equity compensation need someone who’s actually handled RSUs and stock options before — not someone learning on your dime. Plus: a preview of our next conversation with author and advisor Heather Ettinger, and a statistic about advisor relationships that may change how you think about your own.

The Classes Your Kid Picks This Spring Will Follow Them to Every College Application

The classes your kid picks this spring — right now — will shape which colleges say yes senior year. College counselor Rhett Rybarczyk returns to reveal what actually moves the needle on a transcript, why “just take all the APs” can backfire, and the one document (the school profile) that quietly frames how colleges read your child’s entire record.