What do smoking sections, kids' menus, and combo meals have to do with retirement planning? More than you might think! In this episode, Eric serves up financial wisdom using a creative "retirement restaurant" metaphor. He explains how appearances can be deceiving when it comes to diversification, why some strategies that helped you build wealth may not be the same ones that preserve it, and how oversimplified financial plans can leave retirees underprepared for life’s curveballs.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🍽️ What an old restaurant teaches us about investing

🚬 Smoking vs. Non-Smoking = Diversification myths

📦 Why mutual funds often overlap more than you think

🥗 Liquidity, safety, and growth- pick two

📊 Adapting your financial strategy as you get closer to retirement

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Should you use your emergency fund, dip into your IRA, or just finance a new car in retirement? How can someone fresh out of college start saving for the future without putting life on hold? And is $500,000 really enough to retire comfortably at 65? In this listener mailbag episode, Eric dives into three real-world questions that highlight the complexity and nuance of personal financial planning.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🚗 Considerations for funding a new car in retirement

🎓 Saving tips for young workers balancing life and the future

💰 The myth of the $1 million retirement target

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

In this mailbag episode, Eric answers real questions from listeners navigating big life transitions. First up, a soon-to-be retiree wants to take the whole family to Disney World, but how do you plan a big trip like that without derailing your retirement timeline? Eric breaks down how to stress-test your retirement plan for one-time expenses and offers tips for budgeting a major vacation while keeping your future goals intact.

Next, Eric tackles two more questions that hit close to home for many: how to turn a $500,000 nest egg into reliable retirement income, and what to do when you're leaving a job with benefits to go full-time self-employed.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎢 Budgeting for a big Disney trip without derailing retirement

💸 Creating reliable monthly income after retirement

📉 The role of annuities and CDs in income planning

🏥 Navigating health coverage when leaving a job with benefits

💻 Where to explore affordable individual insurance options

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

DIY works great for fixing up the house or building a bookshelf, but does it hold up when you're planning your retirement? In this episode, Eric unpacks the pros and pitfalls of do-it-yourself financial planning, especially as you transition from the "saving" years to the "spending" years. It's one thing to manage your portfolio when you're working and have time to bounce back from a mistake. But once that paycheck stops, the financial game changes fast.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🛠️ Why DIY works during the accumulation phase

⚠️ The hidden risks of doing it alone in retirement

📉 How poor timing and emotion can wreck a solid plan

📊 What most DIYers miss when it comes to taxes

🎯 The importance of a Retirement Readiness Review

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Turning 62 isn’t just another birthday, it’s a milestone that kicks off some big retirement decisions. In this episode, Eric breaks down what reaching this age really means, from deciding when (or if) to claim Social Security to navigating income limits that could reduce your benefits. We’ll also explore how your health, family longevity, and lifestyle goals should influence that decision.

Beyond Social Security, you’ll hear strategies for covering the tricky gap before Medicare kicks in at 65, why this is the perfect time to review your legal documents, and more!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

⏳ Should you claim Social Security at 62 or wait?

💼 How working in retirement impacts your Social Security benefits

🩺 Bridging the gap to Medicare with affordable health insurance

📜 Why updating legal documents and beneficiaries is critical at this stage

🧠 Using early retirement as a chance to reduce future tax burdens

Resources for this episode:

Ehealth Calculator: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/resources/affordable-care-act/subsidy-calculator

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Most of us have a junk drawer stuffed with random odds and ends we forgot about. But what about your financial junk drawer? Old insurance policies, dusty 401(k) statements, outdated wills, or savings bonds from decades ago could be sitting forgotten, and they might be costing you money or missing opportunities. In this episode, Eric opens the drawer on common financial items people stash away and forget to revisit.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🗂️ Old life insurance policies that might still have value

📜 Wills and estate documents that need updating (or replacing!)

🧾 Forgotten 401(k)s and missing Social Security records

💸 Unclaimed savings bonds and lost checks hiding in plain sight

📋 How cleaning your “financial junk drawer” helps prep for retirement planning

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

In today’s world, information is everywhere, but not all of it is helpful. When it comes to financial planning, too much research or the wrong kind of advice can do more harm than good. In this episode, Eric tackles the overwhelming flood of financial content people consume through news articles, websites, AI tools, and so-called “money experts.” While it feels empowering to Google your way to a decision, Eric warns that many of these sources use emotional triggers to sell products instead of offering real guidance.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧠 The illusion of empowerment: When research creates confusion

💻 The internet’s hidden agendas

🚨 Why financial “entertainers” are rarely fiduciaries

📉 Real risks of falling for viral advice and newsletters

🤝 How a personalized, transparent process beats online noise

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Retirement isn’t just about financial spreadsheets, it’s about preparing your whole life for a new chapter. In this episode, Eric uses the clever framework of The Five People You Meet in Heaven to explore the five types of professionals and relationships that can shape your retirement journey. From legal guidance to physical wellness, these people can help protect what you've built and ensure you're actually able to enjoy it.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🔒 The importance of protecting assets

📜 The surprising benefits of speaking with an estate planner

💊 Medicare, insurance brokers, and avoiding one-size-fits-all advice

🪴 Personal growth and mentorship still matter after you retire

Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/