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You know how many years remain until your final flight. But do you know whether your savings can support what comes next? For airline pilots approaching 40, 50, or 60, a bigger paycheck or a growing 401(k) balance tells only part of the story. Your retirement target depends on what you plan to spend, the income available to cover it, and whether your plan leaves room for flying to end earlier than expected. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss how much airline pilots should have saved by ages 40, 50, and 60. Host Casey Smith and Financial Planning Associate Grace Pavel explore the planning priorities at each milestone, why salary-based benchmarks can miss the mark, and how to connect retirement savings with actual spending needs. Related Podcast Episodes: Ep 350. Can a Pilot Retire at 55? Running the Real Numbers Ep 322. How Airline Pilots Can Make the Most of Their Profit-Sharing Bonus Related Financial Education Videos: The Five Money Moves Every Pilot Should Know Will New Aircraft Technology Boost Pilot Pay? Other Links: Big City Brian Wright Debt Worksheet Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

“Leave everything equally to the kids” sounds straightforward until the inheritance includes a vacation home nobody agrees on, retirement accounts with tax consequences, or years of financial help that one sibling receives and another does not. The dollar amounts are only part of the decision. How assets pass, who manages them, and what beneficiaries understand can matter just as much. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, discuss how to pass down wealth without passing down problems. Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, joins Estate Planning Attorney Arun Gupta to explore the family dynamics, beneficiary preparation, and estate planning decisions that shape an inheritance. Related Podcast Episodes: Ep 314. The Simple Estate Planning Error That Could Hurt Your Family Ep 346. Estate Planning Coordination: How Your Attorney, CPA, & Financial Advisor Work Together Related Financial Education Videos: How to Reduce Capital Gains When Selling Real Estate Does inheritance count as income? Other Links: AG Law Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

ChatGPT can explain what is in a portfolio, spot funds that overlap, and help you ask better questions about investment costs. But what happens when you ask it specifically about what to do with your retirement savings? In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith and Financial Advisor William Medcalf, CFP®, CBDA discuss how ChatGPT handles an investment question, what changes when it receives more details, and where its analysis still needs human judgment. Related Podcast Episodes: Ep 272. Why should I pay a financial advisor to invest in low-cost ETFs? Ep 118. What to Look For in a Financial Advisor Related Financial Education Videos: Warning Signs of a Bad Financial Advisor Why Financial Planning is Different for Pilots Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Retirement does not always happen on the same timeline for both spouses. One person may feel burned out and ready to leave a demanding career, while the other still enjoys working. That difference affects more than a retirement date, it can reshape household cash flow, healthcare coverage, taxes, Social Security decisions, and the way a couple imagines life together. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss what happens when one spouse wants to retire while the other continues working. Casey Smith and Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, explore both the financial calculations and personal conversations that help couples decide whether retiring at different times fits their shared plan. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 353. Is $2 Million Enough to Retire? What about $3 Million? Ep 293. Retirement for Business Owners: Selling Your Business or Passing It On Related Financial Education Videos: Financial Habits to Avoid in Retirement How Much Risk Should You Take in Your Retirement Portfolio? Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Estate planning for a blended family is rarely as simple as deciding who receives each asset. The harder questions involve timing, control, changing relationships, and what happens after one spouse dies. A plan may look complete on paper while leaving room for outcomes no one intended. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, and Estate Planning Attorney Arun Gupta, discuss estate planning for blended families. They explore how family dynamics, asset ownership, beneficiary designations, trusts, and financial powers of attorney can affect whether an estate plan works as intended. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 346. Estate Planning Coordination: How Your Attorney, CPA, & Financial Advisor Work Together Ep 314. The Simple Estate Planning Error That Could Hurt Your Family Related Financial Education Videos: What is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust? What is a QTIP Trust and Who Needs One? Other Links: AG Law Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Crypto regulation in the United States has been caught in a gray area for years. The industry continues to grow, financial institutions are showing more interest, and blockchain technology is finding new uses, but companies still face basic questions about who regulates what and which rules apply. The CLARITY Act is designed to address some of those uncertainties, but its failure would not necessarily mean the end of crypto. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith is joined by Robert Swarthout, founder and CEO of Teton Crypto Capital, to discuss what could happen if the CLARITY Act does not pass. They look at why the crypto industry wants clearer rules, how the SEC and CFTC could respond, why regulatory uncertainty may push development overseas, and how blockchain technology could extend far beyond buying and selling individual coins. *The episode was recorded on August 25th, 2026, before the Senate action discussed in the conversation, so the timeline reflects what is known at the time of recording.* Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 344. What Are the Real Uses for Crypto? Ep 331. Crypto, Retirement, and Taxes: What’s the Strategy? Other Links: Teton Crypto Capital Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Long-term care can shift from a distant concern to an immediate financial decision faster than many families expect. It can begin with a few hours of help at home and progress to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, or around-the-clock support. Each stage brings different costs, care needs, and family decisions. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith and Grace Pavel break down what long-term care can actually look like and how families can prepare for it. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 276. How to Make Sure You're Ready for Retirement Ep 245. Strategies for Early Retirement and Long-Term Security Related Financial Education Videos: How to Plan for Long Term Care Without Breaking the Bank Long-Term Care Insurance Explained Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Debt tends to get treated as either a financial tool or a financial trap. The reality is more complicated. Borrowing can help someone buy a home, expand a business, or acquire an income-producing asset, but the same leverage can become a burden when the payment strains cash flow. The important distinction is not simply whether debt exists. It is whether the debt improves your financial position without exposing you to more risk than you can reasonably manage. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith and Financial Advisor Michaela Dowdy, CFP®, go over the difference between productive debt and expensive financial mistakes. They examine all variations of debt while asking, What are you actually getting in exchange for taking on the debt? Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 298. America's Balance Sheet: A Financial Advisor's Deep Dive into National Debt Ep 107. Get Rid of Debt Before You Retire Related Financial Education Videos: Is Wedding Debt Worth It? The Long-Term Financial Impact Couple Ignore Honest Review for True Link Debit Card Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Making more money does not automatically mean keeping more of it. For high-income couples, taxes often become more complicated as compensation rises, investment income grows, employer benefits expand, and multiple tax rules begin interacting at the same time. The challenge is not finding a loophole that makes taxes disappear. It is understanding which planning decisions are available and how those decisions fit into a household’s broader financial picture. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA®, and Financial Advisor William Medcalf, CFP®, CBDA, break down practical tax-planning strategies high-income couples may want to consider. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 331. Crypto, Retirement, and Taxes: What’s the Strategy? Ep 308. The Silent Tax: How Inflation Erodes Your Retirement Related Financial Education Videos: Second Home Considerations: Tax Implications of Multiple Residences What is Tax-Loss Harvesting? Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

A 30% stock market decline gets attention quickly. Account balances fall, headlines become more alarming, and investors may feel pressure to make an immediate change. But a market downturn does not automatically mean your long-term financial strategy needs to change. In many cases, the more important question is whether anything about your personal financial situation has changed. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss how instead of reacting to the market itself, investors can focus on the elements they can control: liquidity, diversification, portfolio allocation, taxes, contributions, and their long-term financial plan. Related Podcast Episodes:  284. Fear, Greed, and the Markets: Mastering Emotional Investing (Part 1) 285. Fear, Greed, and the Markets: Mastering Emotional Investing (Part 2) Related Financial Education Videos: What is the difference between stocks, bonds, and mutual funds? Does lump sum investing beat dollar cost averaging? Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Reaching a retirement portfolio of $2 million or $3 million may feel like crossing a definitive finish line. However, an account balance alone does not determine whether someone is financially prepared to retire. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss how two households can enter retirement with the same amount of savings and experience very different outcomes. Retirement age, annual spending, taxes, healthcare costs, debt, income sources, and account types all influence how long a portfolio may last. The more useful question is not simply, “How much have I saved?” It is, “How much does my retirement plan require from my portfolio each year?” Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

The word “budget” often brings to mind complicated spreadsheets, spending guilt, and tracking every coffee purchase. While that level of detail can be helpful for some households, it may become unnecessary once saving, debt management, and cash flow are consistently under control. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss how to determine whether a traditional budget still serves a purpose in your financial life. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 291. How is Financial Planning Different for Entrepreneurs Ep 152. 10 Tax Planning Strategies for High Net Worth Individuals Related Financial Education Videos: High Yield vs Traditional Savings: How to Make Your Cash Work Harder How to Boost Cash Reserves During Retirement Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Giving money to your children can be an incredibly meaningful way to support them while you are still here to see the impact. You may want to help with a home purchase, pay for college, support a growing family, or begin transferring wealth before it eventually passes through your estate. However, the biggest risk is not always giving too much. Problems often arise when parents give the wrong asset, at the wrong time, without the right documentation or legal structure. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Senior Financial Advisor Shawna Theriault, CFP®, CPA, CDFA® and Estate Planning Attorney Arun Gupta explain how to give money to your children in a way that is generous, intentional, and less likely to create tax or family complications. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 346. Estate Planning Coordination: How Your Attorney, CPA, & Financial Advisor Work Together Ep 314. The Simple Estate Planning Error That Could Hurt Your Family Related Financial Education Videos: Piggy Banks to Paychecks: How Kids Learn About Money Can You Transfer or Repurpose a 529 After Graduation? Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Many people dream of becoming an airline pilot, while many pilots eventually dream of retiring early. Retiring at 55 offers more time for family, travel, hobbies, or a new chapter outside aviation, but it is not simply an age decision. It is a financial and lifestyle decision. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss what pilots need to consider before leaving the cockpit 10 years before mandatory retirement. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 259. What Pilots (& Others) Should Consider 5 Years Before Mandatory Retirement Ep 322. How Airline Pilots Can Make the Most of Their Profit-Sharing Bonus Related Financial Education Videos: Will New Aircraft Technology Boost Pilot Pay? What Would a Change in FAA Retirement Age Mean for Pilots? Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...

Over the next two decades, an estimated $124 trillion is expected to pass from one generation to the next. For many people, receiving an inheritance can feel overwhelming. The first challenge usually is not deciding how to invest the money. It is knowing what to do next. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, we discuss the first steps to take after receiving an inheritance, the common mistakes to avoid, and why it is important to pause before making major financial decisions. An inheritance often comes during a difficult season of grief, family responsibility, and emotional decision-making, which makes having a clear plan even more important. Related Podcast Episodes:  Ep 283. How to Manage a Sudden Money Windfall: IPOs, Business Sales, or Inheritance Ep 278. Avoid These Common Mistakes After Receiving a Large Inheritance Related Financial Education Videos: What is the stepped up basis loophole for inherited assets? Inheriting a Property: Keep, Sell, or Rent? Learn More: Founded in 2001, Wiser Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions. Have questions about your financial plan? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom. We are local to Atlanta, but can meet with you virtually from wherever you are.  Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, and the tax impact on inheritance, and more! Stay Connected: Follow Wiser Wealth Management on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Subscribe to A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel for more financial education videos and podcast episodes. This podcast was produced by ...