In this episode, Ari explores six common oversights in early retirement planning that can create unnecessary stress and limit flexibility in the long run.

• Not establishing a taxable brokerage account to access funds before traditional retirement age
• Overlooking healthcare planning, including available subsidies, which may impact retirement timing
• Missing opportunities for tax efficiency through strategies like Roth conversions or coordinated withdrawals
• Underestimating the importance of physical health when planning for an active retirement lifestyle
• Limiting retirement vision to essential expenses, rather than factoring in meaningful goals and experiences
• Focusing only on finances without considering purpose, routine, or fulfillment during retirement

Submit your questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com for future episodes. Are you sabotaging your early retirement with what I call "head trash"? These are the unnecessary worries that keep you working years longer than you need to - like comparing your finances to neighbors without knowing their full picture.

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Advisory relationships are established only through a signed agreement. Any examples discussed are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes. If client experiences are referenced, no compensation was provided and their experience may not be representative of others. Comments shared publicly are unsolicited and do not reflect the views or experience of all clients. They are not verified and should not be construed as testimonials or endorsements. Root Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Tax planning topics are discussed in the context of comprehensive financial planning and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Watching or listening to this content does not create an advisory relationship. To learn more about Root or to explore working together, please visit www.rootfinancialpartners.com.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Many great savers struggle to switch gears once they retire—unsure how to spend with confidence after decades of discipline. James and Ari reflect on the mindset shift from saving to spending, exploring how to use money and time more intentionally to create a meaningful life now, not just someday.

Prompted by a thoughtful comment from a Root Collective member, they share personal stories and client examples about the “little splurges” that actually matter—upgrading experiences, investing in health, buying back time, and being generous in ways that deepen relationships.

They also walk through five key categories that tend to lead to high-impact, low-regret spending: experiences, time, giving, health, and environment.

Whether you’re already retired or still working toward it, this conversation will help you think more clearly about the value of your money—and how to use it to support the life you truly want to live.

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Advisory relationships are established only through a signed agreement. Any examples discussed are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes. If client experiences are referenced, no compensation was provided and their experience may not be representative of others. Root Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Tax planning topics are discussed in the context of comprehensive financial planning and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Watching or listening to this content does not create an advisory relationship. Comments shared publicly are unsolicited and do not reflect the views or experience of all clients. They are not verified and should not be construed as testimonials or endorsements.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

More Americans than ever before are retiring early due to seven key factors reshaping our approach to work and retirement planning.

• COVID-19 accelerated early retirements with 2.6 million more people retiring during the pandemic than expected
• Average retirement age dropped from 64 in 2019 to 62 in 2022, one of the sharpest declines in decades
• The FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) has grown by 300% in searches between 2018-2023
• Strong market performance created record numbers of 401(k) millionaires
• Remote work flexibility enables 40% of workers to retire 2-5 years earlier than previously planned
• 68% of Americans have reprioritized work-life balance with 47% willing to accept lower income for more freedom
• Health concerns prompted 25% of early retirees to leave the workforce sooner than expected

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Advisory relationships are established only through a signed agreement. Any examples discussed are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes. If client experiences are referenced, no compensation was provided and their experience may not be representative of others. Viewer or listener comments shared publicly are unsolicited and do not reflect the views or experience of Root Financial. We do not verify or endorse any statements made in public forums. Root Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Tax planning topics discussed are considered in the context of broader financial planning and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional tax or legal counsel. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Watching or listening to this content does not create an advisory relationship. To learn more about Root or to explore working together, please visit www.rootfinancialpartners.com.

If you want help with your early retirement, reach out to Root Financial Partners or consider the Early Retirement Academy to access planning tools and resources.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.