What if your fortune cookie actually held financial wisdom? In this fun and insightful episode, Mark cracks open a few "financial fortune cookies" and translates their mysterious messages into practical retirement lessons. Mark shares how these bite-sized philosophies, like staying calm in a volatile market and knowing when to protect what you've built, can guide smarter decision-making.

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

📝 How having a plan removes emotion from investing

⚖️ When it's time to shift from growth to preservation

🧘 "Accept what you cannot change" and focusing on what you control

🧠 Why logic beats emotion in financial planning

🏆 How having a trusted advisor keeps your plan on track

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

The first year of retirement is a major milestone, one that can feel both exciting and intimidating. In this episode, Mark unpacks what really happens once the paychecks stop and the portfolio withdrawals begin. For many retirees, those early "go-go years" are when the bucket list calls, travel, hobbies, and experiences you've been waiting decades to enjoy. But striking the balance between spending freely and protecting your nest egg is often harder than expected.

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

💸 The Psychology of First Withdrawals

⚖️ Avoid Becoming the "Richest Person in the Cemetery"

📅 Create your own "retirement paycheck" with purpose

🎯 Retire TO something, not just FROM something

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

It's been 60 years since Beatlemania took America by storm. But beyond the screaming crowds and legendary performances, some of their lyrics still carry timeless wisdom, even when it comes to your financial life. In this episode, Mark takes a magical mystery tour through classic Beatles songs and uncover what they can teach us about retirement planning.

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

🎸 Let It Be: avoid emotional moves when markets get volatile

🕰️ Why planning "yesterday" makes all the difference

🔄 Get Back: life setbacks happen, but you can return to your plan

👋 Hello, Goodbye: saying goodbye to work, hello to retirement

🤝 Retirement success means coming together with a strategy

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

Conventional wisdom sounds safe, but it can be deceiving. "You can't go wrong with real estate." "A mortgage is good debt." "If your investments aren't working, just try something else." Sound familiar? In retirement planning, these rules of thumb can be misleading, or even dangerous. In this episode, Mark unpacks common money myths and shows how blindly following them could derail your retirement strategy.

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

🏠 Real estate is not always a guaranteed win

🏦 Paying off the mortgage vs keeping it

💤 Retirement without purpose can lead to boredom

📉 Why chasing new investments can backfire

🗺️ Custom planning beats one-size-fits-all advice

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

What do restaurants and retirement planning have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Mark uses memorable restaurant stories—from the days of smoking vs. non-smoking sections to "pick two" menu rules—to explain some of the most important lessons in investing. You'll never look at a menu, or your portfolio, the same way again.

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

🚭 How "secondhand smoke" from one sector can damage your portfolio

📊 The trade-off between growth, safety, and liquidity—and why you can only pick two

🍱 What restaurant menus can teach about diversification

🧭 Why your investing style should change as you approach retirement

🥗 How a balanced "menu" of investments can give you clarity and confidence

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

📱 Have questions about your retirement strategy? Connect with Mark to get personalized guidance: 👉 https://retirementhuddle.com/#contact

Remember those high school superlatives? "Most Likely to Succeed" or "Best Hair?" Well, Mark is handing out his own class superlatives… for the financial world. In this episode, Mark names the best and worst performers when it comes to financial tools and strategies. He dishes on the "Most Underrated," the "Most Likely to Disappoint" (sorry, variable annuities), and the "Most Overrated" (crypto fans, brace yourselves).

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

🎢 Crypto volatility

🍗 Target-date funds = the Costco rotisserie chicken of investing

⏳ Market Timing… where does it land on the list?

💸 The most underrated financial tool you need to know about

😂 Reunion moment: Mark's real-life "Most Hair Lost" award

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

📱 Have questions about your retirement strategy? Connect with Mark to get personalized guidance: 👉 https://retirementhuddle.com/#contact

You've heard them your whole life, classic proverbs like "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" or "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." But did you know these old sayings can teach you a lot about how to prepare for retirement? In this episode, Mark shares timeless truths and what they reveal about financial planning.

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

🔍 Real diversification vs. Wall Street diversification

🌊 "A rising tide lifts all boats"—until it doesn't

🧺 "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" (and why that basket may not be protected)

🪙 Custom financial plans > cookie cutters

🧠 Math, logic, and wisdom you can start applying today

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

Are you losing sleep over your retirement plan? You're not alone, and this episode breaks down the most common financial pain points keeping retirees up at night. Mark shares the five biggest fears he sees in his own practice, from outliving savings to the crushing cost of long-term care. But more importantly, he offers clear, realistic strategies to turn worry into confidence and overwhelm into action.

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

🚫 Avoiding running out of funds in retirement

🧾 Smart tax planning = more money in your pocket

🏥 How long-term care could drain your savings

💲 The fear of walking away from a steady paycheck

📉 How market crashes can hurt your retirement (and what to do about it)

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526