In this listener Q&A episode, Mark answers some of the questions that keep people up at night, from long-term healthcare without the monthly drain to how much to actually have in your emergency fund. We walk through strategies like Roth conversions, qualified charitable distributions, and alternative ways to cover long-term care costs, all with the goal of keeping more money in your pocket and building a retirement plan that works for your life.

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

📉 How to shrink your future RMD tax bill

💸 Emergency fund strategy: 3 months, 6 months, or more?

🛡️ Smarter alternatives to traditional long-term care insurance

🔍 Why your unique situation drives your financial strategy

🧭 Planning retirement with purpose and vision

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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

For many, the dream of retiring before the traditional age of 65 is appealing, but it comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. In this episode, Mark explores the nuanced challenges of early retirement, from financial preparedness to managing longevity risk and the often-overlooked emotional aspects of leaving the workforce.

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

🏥 Healthcare before 65 is one of the biggest planning hurdles

📉 Sequence of returns risk can derail early retirees without proper planning

🎯 Retiring is one thing—staying retired with purpose is another

🔥 The F.I.R.E. strategy: How some retire in their 40s (frugal lifestyle and eating a lot of rice and beans)

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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

Monopoly, Battleship, Risk, and even Candyland. All of these are board games that you may have played with your family or friends at some point or another. But did you know they also hold valuable lessons for your financial life?

From avoiding emotional attachment to your investments to managing risk, these games can teach us a lot about making smart money moves. Tune in as Mark connects the dots between your favorite board games and a winning financial strategy!

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

📊 Not getting too attached to any one fund or stock in your portfolio.

📅Why comprehensive retirement planning is critical.

🤦️Avoiding the overconfidence that can lead to poor decision-making.

📉 Managing risk in your portfolio.

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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

In ​retirement ​planning, ​there ​are ​a ​lot ​of ​things ​that ​are ​completely ​out ​of ​your ​control. ​Fortunately, ​the ​things ​that ​you ​can ​control ​allow ​you ​to ​deal ​with ​those ​things ​that ​you ​can't. With so many variables out of our control, it’s essential to focus on what we can manage to ensure a peaceful and financially secure retirement.

This show will cover topics like market risks, lifetime income streams, tax strategies, and the role of Social Security in a comprehensive retirement plan. Join us to discover how to create a solid financial strategy that helps give you confidence for a long retirement.

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

• We do an analysis of your portfolio to find out how much risk you’re taking.
• You can’t control longevity so how do you plan for income streams that will last?
• Managing your investments to control how much you’ll be taxed in the future.
• We want to treat Social Security as a playcheck rather than a paycheck so that you’re not really relying on it.

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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

We’re excited to bring a new mailbag episode to the show! We have two great questions to tackle in today’s episode. First up, Becky asks if it would be crazy to buy a bigger house in retirement to accommodate her kids and grandkids and what factors she should consider before making that decision.

Next, Donovan asks what he should focus on now at 45 to prepare for retirement at 60, given that his primary investment is his business and he doesn't have a 401(k). Tune in to hear Mark discuss these important retirement planning questions and offer valuable insights!

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

• The financial and practical impact of upsizing a home before retirement
• Assessing your lifestyle goals in retirement
• How a small business owner can prepare for retirement without a 401(k) plan

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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

Today we’re going have a little fun by playing a game of Overrated, Underrated, or Rightly Rated. We’re going to present some financial products or ideas and Mark will tell us which category he thinks they fall into.

Join us as we discuss the importance of financial planning for retirement, including the benefits of setting up a Roth IRA and making consistent contributions. We’ll also explore the overrated and underrated aspects of various financial concepts, such as tax refunds, mortgage payoff strategies, and variable annuities.

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

• Why getting a tax refund is overrated.
• What does Mark think about the movie ‘Gone With The Wind?’
• Should you pay your mortgage of early or wait?
• Why Mark feels like variable annuities are overrated.
• The opinions on Roth IRAs can swing in both directions.

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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

Today we’re going to have a little fun on the show by tackling the risks and realities of retirement planning by playing a game called ‘Two Truths and a Lie.’

We’ll challenge common beliefs about inflation, interest rates, and emergency funds by explaining what’s true and what is actually a myth.

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

• Bonds don’t do as well in an inflationary environment.
• Rising interest rates actually help savers.
• You don’t want to have any risk when it comes to your emergency fund.
• Market crashes can present great buying opportunities.
• Will Social Security ever just go away?

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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

At times in life, we are presented with tough situations. While we can’t always control the situations that are handed to us, we can control how we respond to them. Today, we’ll discuss some challenging financial situations- such as market crashes, capital gains taxes, and even job loss- and instead of dwelling on the negatives, we’ll focus on finding the silver linings!

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

• What opportunities can exist in the event of a market crash
• Capital gains taxes mean you made a lot of money
• How interest rates work in two different directions
• Finding yourself and taking a moment to reset after losing a job

Want to get in touch with Mark?

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