Épisodes

  • Managing Retirement Accounts, Cash Strategies, and Roth Conversions | Accessible Finance for Retirement Ep. 86
    Sep 10 2025

    In Episode 86 of Accessible Finance for Retirement, hosts Eric and Rachael Johns address several pressing questions from their listeners.


    Topics include the benefits of opening a Roth IRA in a spouse's name, strategies for placing cash in high-yield money market accounts, understanding the differences between active and passive investment management fees, and guidance on handling tax implications for Roth conversions.


    The hosts provide detailed and practical advice on retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of aligning investment philosophies with financial advisors and understanding the nuances of tax planning. Tune in for insightful discussions and valuable tips for managing your retirement finances effectively.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

    00:25 Question 1: Roth IRA for Spouse

    01:55 Question 2: Best Place for Cash

    03:45 Question 3: Active vs Passive Management

    12:11 Question 4: Roth Conversion Tax Implications

    18:05 Conclusion and Call for Questions


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    19 min
  • Advanced Roth IRA Strategies: Backdoor, Mega Backdoor & Tax-Free Retirement Planning | Episode 85
    Aug 28 2025

    In this final installment of our Roth IRA miniseries, hosts Eric and Rachael Johns take you beyond the basics and dive deep into advanced Roth strategies that can help you maximize your retirement savings. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting to explore Roth accounts, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert tips.

    What you'll learn in this episode:

    -The latest on Roth conversions and how to decide if they're right for you

    -Strategies for high-income earners, including the backdoor Roth

    -How to use Roth accounts for tax diversification in retirement

    -Common mistakes to avoid with Roth IRAs

    -Real-life scenarios and listener questions answered


    Don't miss out on the key takeaways that could make a big difference in your financial future!

    👍 Like this episode? Subscribe for more accessible, jargon-free retirement advice.

    💬 Have questions or want us to cover a topic? Drop a comment below!


    Listen to previous episodes and get more resources at https://equilibriumfp.com/podcast.

    #RothIRA #RetirementPlanning #PersonalFinance #AccessibleFinance

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    25 min
  • Roth IRA Conversions Explained: Optimize Your Retirement Strategy | Episode 84
    Aug 12 2025

    Welcome to episode 84 of Accessible Finance for Retirement! Hosted by Eric and Rachael Johns, this episode dives into Roth IRA Conversions, a powerful strategy for managing taxable income and optimizing your retirement savings. Learn about the fundamentals of Roth conversions, strategic timing, and common pitfalls to avoid. Discover how to leverage Roth conversion ladders, and why deliberate planning can make a significant impact on your long-term financial health. Tune in for expert insights, actionable tips, and a detailed discussion to help you navigate Roth IRA Conversions like a pro.

    00:00 Introduction to Episode 84

    00:32 Overview of Roth Conversions

    01:33 Roth Conversion Fundamentals

    01:59 Tax Implications and Strategies

    04:28 Partial Conversions and Tax Brackets

    05:48 Planning and Calibration

    09:48 Roth Accounts and RMDs

    10:56 Understanding IRA Balances and Growth

    11:18 Strategic Timing for Roth Conversions

    11:50 Roth Conversion Ladders Explained

    12:40 Tax Brackets and Conversion Strategies

    14:17 Medicare and Irma Thresholds

    15:07 Effective Tax Rates and Planning

    18:50 Common Pitfalls in Conversion Strategies

    21:54 Final Thoughts on Roth Conversions

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    25 min
  • Roth IRA Basics: Maximizing Retirement and Tax Benefits | Accessible Finance EP 83
    Aug 4 2025

    Unlocking Roth IRA Secrets: Fundamentals Explained | Accessible Finance Ep 83

    Welcome to episode 83 of Accessible Finance for Retirement! Eric and Rachael Johns kick off a three-part miniseries on Roth accounts, starting with the fundamentals. They discuss the origins of Roth IRAs, basic differences between Roth and traditional IRAs, and key rules and contributions limits. Get to know the significance of Roth 401k options and the vital five-year rules for withdrawals. Tune in for practical tips, insightful comparison, and common questions answered to make your Roth retirement planning seamless. Don't miss out on harnessing the full potential of Roth accounts for a tax-free growth strategy!

    00:00 Introduction to Accessible Finance for Retirement

    00:49 Origins and Basics of Roth IRAs

    01:24 Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA

    04:23 Contribution Limits and Rules

    05:41 Setting Up and Managing Your Roth IRA

    12:06 Roth 401(k) Options

    16:59 Understanding the Five-Year Rule

    17:41 Opening a Roth Account: A Hypothetical Scenario

    18:29 Tax Treatment of Roth Contributions and Withdrawals

    19:48 Understanding the Five-Year Rule

    20:24 Qualified Withdrawals and Special Cases

    22:04 Roth Conversions: Rules and Penalties

    25:03 Tracking Contributions and Conversions

    28:18 Roth Accounts: Key Takeaways and Q&A

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    34 min
  • Retirement Regrets: Avoiding Common Pitfalls | Accessible Finance Ep 82
    Jul 17 2025

    In episode 82 of Accessible Finance, hosts Eric and Rachael Johns delve into retirement regrets and how to avoid common pitfalls. They discuss personal stories from retirees who wish they had started saving earlier, misunderstood Medicare coverage, mismanaged investment strategies, failed to seek professional advice, and avoided important financial conversations with family. The episode emphasizes the importance of early saving, thorough research, balanced investment approaches, engaging professionals, and open family discussions about finances.

    00:00 Introduction to Episode 82

    00:17 Retirement Regrets: Starting Late

    01:56 The Importance of Employer Match and FICA Taxes

    08:18 Medicare Misconceptions and Healthcare Costs

    15:27 The Pitfalls of Conventional Wisdom in Retirement Planning

    17:02 The Impact of Inflation on Bonds and Equities

    20:56 The Importance of Professional Financial Advice

    25:51 The Necessity of Family Conversations About Money

    31:40 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

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    33 min
  • Making Your Retirement Bucket List a Reality: Financial Tips & Strategies | Accessible Finance Ep. 81
    Jul 7 2025

    In episode 81 of Accessible Finance, Eric and Rachael Johns discuss how to create and fund your retirement bucket list without breaking the bank. They share their own bucket list items and emphasize the importance of quantifying costs and setting realistic goals. The episode covers key strategies such as setting up dedicated savings accounts, budget reallocation, and considering side hustles. They also stress the importance of not neglecting core financial principles like maintaining an emergency fund and avoiding debt. Tune in for insights on planning a financially viable and enjoyable retirement.


    00:00 Introduction to Episode 81

    00:17 Discussing Retirement Bucket Lists

    00:42 Personal Bucket List Dreams

    02:46 Funding Your Bucket List

    03:17 Budgeting and Financial Planning

    05:23 Creative Savings Strategies

    07:10 Practical Spending Adjustments

    12:30 Side Hustles and Extra Income

    13:27 Balancing Bucket List and Retirement Plans

    14:00 Avoiding Debt for Bucket List Items

    14:54 Evaluating the Value of Experiences

    16:55 Family Discussions on Vacation Preferences

    20:09 Planning and Saving for Bucket List Items

    25:05 Achieving a Balanced Retirement

    25:27 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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    26 min
  • Top Retirement Questions Answered Rapid Fire | Accessible Finance Ep. 80
    Jun 26 2025

    Welcome to episode 80 of Accessible Finance with Eric and Rachael Johns!

    In this rapid-fire session, Eric answers your most pressing retirement questions without his famous 'It depends' caveat. From the biggest mistakes made before retirement to whether you should downsize your home, we cover it all. Also discussed are Roth IRAs vs. traditional IRAs, how to estimate healthcare costs in retirement, and the safest investments for retirees. Don't miss out on practical, concise advice on these essential topics. Remember, this is for educational purposes only and not financial advice. Tune in now for all the insights!

    00:00 Introduction and Favorite Phrases

    00:45 Rapid Fire Questions Begin

    01:48 Biggest Mistakes Before Retirement

    03:09 Mortgage and Retirement

    04:31 Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA

    04:53 Savings by Age 60

    05:58 Starting Late for Retirement

    06:16 Social Security Timing

    07:21 Reducing Taxes in Retirement

    12:44 Healthcare Costs in Retirement

    14:39 Understanding Medicare Supplement Plans

    15:47 Exploring the 4% Rule for Retirement

    19:07 Working Part-Time and Social Security

    23:57 Avoiding Financial Scams

    26:06 Leaving Money to Heirs

    27:13 Reviewing Your Retirement Plan

    28:57 Conclusion and Disclaimers

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    30 min
  • How to Evaluate Job Offers Beyond Just Salary | Accessible Finance Ep. 79
    Jun 18 2025

    Welcome to episode 79 of Accessible Finance! Join Eric and Rachael Johns as they break down how to compare job offers beyond just the paycheck. Learn what benefits to look for, how to quantify those benefits, and why they matter more than you might think. From healthcare and retirement plans to paid time off and work flexibility, this episode covers everything you need to know to make an informed career decision.

    🎙️ Have a financial question? Email us at podcast@equilibriumfp.com. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

    00:15 Evaluating Job Offers Beyond Salary

    01:05 Understanding Healthcare Benefits

    05:58 The Importance of Retirement Plans

    12:08 Investment Options and Fees in 401k Plans

    13:40 Finding the Summary Plan Description

    14:04 Understanding Plan Fees and Expenses

    14:26 Evaluating Investment Options

    15:06 Advisor Fees and Plan Charges

    17:26 Importance of Quantifying Benefits

    19:31 Red Flags in Compensation Packages

    20:13 Vesting Periods and Retention Tools

    21:53 Transparency in Job Offers

    23:30 Final Takeaways on Compensation Evaluation

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    27 min