Best Benjamin Brandt Podcasts (2024)

1
Permission to Spend in Retirement, Ep #363 24:46

1h ago24:46

24:46

In retirement, retirees make the big switch–drawing on savings rather than contributing to them. This is often when the trouble comes–the psychological hurdle comes when it’s time to start spending your hard-earned savings. In this episode, you’ll learn how to understand the mental barrier that comes with the big switch and learn strategies to over…

1
How Do You Know It’s Time to Retire? Ep #362 20:54

3h ago20:54

20:54

Knowing when to retire is not just an economic decision; it’s highly personal. In an era where your work is with your identity, deciding when to retire can feel monumental. So how do you know when the time is right? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s episode. In addition to discussing this retirement headline, Bret Mulvaney joins the show again t…

1
My CPA has no idea...what do I do next? Ep. 71 18:55

7d ago18:55

18:55

In this episode Ben and Steven share stories about everyone's favorite Office couple "Jim and Pam" and some of the tax situations they can find themselves in. More specifically they talk about what you can do when you have a CPA who is unwilling or unable to help you. They both share examples of how this situation can come about and what you can do…

1
Tightwads vs Spendthrifts, Ep #361 18:32

8d ago18:32

18:32

Do you feel pain when spending money? Or perhaps it’s the opposite, and you spend a little too freely without much thought, pain, or remorse? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article on how to make the most out of retirement by trying to land somewhere in the middle of the spending spectrum. Whether you find yourself to …

1
5 Common Portfolio Mistakes, Ep #360 21:50

16d ago21:50

21:50

It’s easy to make mistakes in your investment portfolio, but as you get closer to retirement, it becomes more important than ever to make sure you are maximizing your financial health so that you can achieve your long-term goals. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at an article written by Christine Benz which highlights s…

1
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Ep.70 19:16

12d ago19:16

19:16

Steven and Ben are back sharing their insight on real world tax situations they have personally helped clients deal with. First, they discuss the unfortunate (but all too common) scenario when two professionals are providing you with different opinions. Ben shares his first-hand experience dealing with this as one of those two professionals and wha…

1
Super-Savers Confidence Score, Ep #349 16:12

15d ago16:12

16:12

What would you say your retirement confidence level is? If you’re like many super-savers, it may be surprisingly low. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Investment News that dives into a phenomenon where wealthier Americans who are confident in their money management skills still feel shaky about retirement an…

301
How to Avoid This IRS Penalty, Ep # 358 15:40

22d ago15:40

15:40

We may think of many things when it comes to rising interest rates, but often we fail to understand how that could lead to rising IRS penalties. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at an informative article from the WSJ about how to avoid rising IRS penalties. Make sure to stick around for the listener questions segment wh…

1
My Ex Has Your Inheritance… Ep # 357 17:45

2M ago17:45

17:45

When was the last time you checked your beneficiaries on your retirement account? After listening to today’s episode, I guarantee you’ll be logging in to verify. In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll check out a Yahoo Finance article titled ”They Broke Up In 1989, But Now His Ex-Girlfriend Is Inheriting His $1 Million Retirement Account After …

1
Triple Tax Advantage Ep.69 19:02

1M ago19:02

19:02

In this episode Ben and Steven share insight on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) specifically prompted by listener questions. In addition to covering the basics of what everyone should know about contributing to, investing in and using an HSA, the guys also cover some more unique situations that come up with HSAs. In particular they give you the run …

1
I Just Retired. Why Am I Unhappy? Ep #356 23:05

1M ago23:05

23:05

While, for some people, the transition to retirement goes perfectly smoothly, that’s not the case for everyone. Most of us are counting the days until retirement. We’re excited by all the prospects this new stage in life will bring. However, some people struggle with the change. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll look at a common iss…

1
Semi-Retire to Spend More $$$?! Ep #355 15:08

1M ago15:08

15:08

It’s no secret that I want you to spend more money in retirement. Why? Because you’ve worked for it! Retirement is about living the life that you have saved for all these years, so I’m looking for any way I can find to help you get out there and enjoy it. One way that has been gaining popularity in recent years is semi-retirement. In this episode o…

1
IRS Dirty Dozen Ep.68 18:50

2M ago18:50

18:50

Once again (this is their third year!) Ben and Steven are giving you the highlights of the IRS Dirty Dozen, an annual list of frauds, schemes and scams to be on the look out for. This episode is not meant to scare, just make you aware. Steven and Ben share insight on what's out there and what you can do to help protect yourself from bad actors and …

1
How To Spend Your Money To Maximize Happiness, Ep # 354 17:38

2M ago17:38

17:38

We’ve all heard the saying, “Money can’t buy happiness.” However, research suggests that while money may not buy lasting joy, it can certainly enhance our lives if spent wisely. The key lies in how we spend our money. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a recent article on spending money to maximize your happiness. Stick aroun…

1
Your AI Retirement, Ep #353 22:04

2M ago22:04

22:04

By now, we’ve all heard of AI, but many people still have mixed feelings about this revolutionary tool. Since I’ve been using it in my life on a daily basis, I have been wanting to share how you all can use AI to help with retirement planning. When I came across this article from Business Insider, I knew I found my opportunity. Even if you’ve never…

1
Your questions answered Ep.67 20:20

2M ago20:20

20:20

Summary: In this episode Steven and Ben are back together and answering questions sent in by great listeners like you. Covering a variety of topics Ben and Steven take the time to give specific answers to these situations along with broader insight that will benefit everyone listening in. Stay tuned to the end as Steven and Ben talk about tax filin…

1
Social Security's 'Biggest Myth' & Jury Duty Scams, Ep # 352 25:33

2M ago25:33

25:33

Many factors should come into play when deciding when to take your Social Security benefit but doomsday headlines shouldn’t be one of them. On this episode, you’ll hear how Social Security’s biggest myth is costing retirees a lot of money. Don’t get caught unaware! Make sure to stick around until the end to hear about a jury duty scam that even I h…

1
Is the 4% Rule Too Safe? Ep #351 21:45

3M ago21:45

21:45

The 4% rule is the “golden rule” of retirement planning. Everyone is familiar with it and it’s easy to work out for some quick, back-of-the-napkin math. Since it is so easy to calculate and implement, many use it as their retirement withdrawal rule. However, this approach may be overly conservative. While using a significantly higher withdrawal rat…

1
It's on my return, but what does it mean? Ep.66 19:36

3M ago19:36

19:36

Continuing the theme of sharing lessons learned from recent client conversations, Steven and Ben share common things they see on tax returns that are just as commonly areas for confusion and questions. The tax code can feel like a mystery but with a little help it can be less intimidating. The guys share some of the things they regularly see, like …

1
Gold and Groceries, Ep #350 16:33

3M ago16:33

16:33

Did you know that you can buy gold at your local Costco? However, just because it’s easy to buy doesn't mean it’s easy to sell. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’re exploring gold and its role in your retirement portfolio. To do that, we’ll take a look at a retirement headline from WSJ and i’ll share my thoughts on the latest gold rush…

1
Risk Management: Spring Client Meetings, Ep #349 29:13

3M ago29:13

29:13

Risk is what is left over after you think you’ve thought of everything. – Carl Richards Getting to financial independence is job #1, but staying financially independent comes a close second. To do so you’ll need to be aware of the risks that could empty your accounts. Being vigilant of these risks and having a plan to work through or avoid them cou…

1
I haven't filed my taxes...now what? Ep.65 18:33

4M ago18:33

18:33

In this episode our dynamic duo is back for more tax fun as Ben wrapped up his spring surge and Steven is passed the tax filing deadline. Fresh off of so many client meetings they both have stories to share and questions to answer. This episode's discussion focuses on what to do if you (or someone you know or are responsible for) haven't filed your…

1
Spend More Money! Ep #348 17:13

3M ago17:13

17:13

There are two ways you can ruin your retirement: running out of money and dying with regret. If you are listening to this podcast, chances are, you’ve been a diligent saver and probably aren’t in danger of the first one. That’s why, today, we’re exploring an article from the White Coat Investor on ways to spend more money. Don’t risk ending your da…

1
Medicare Mistakes, Ep #347 20:06

3M ago20:06

20:06

It can be easy to forget your age as the birthdays roll around. However, when you’re about to turn 65 you’ll know. Medicare and all of their relevant service providers won’t let you forget. You may feel inundated with the amount of mail, emails, and even phone calls and text messages, but rather than ignoring all the excess information, it’s import…

1
What the heck is "tax resolution"? with Kristine Stevenson Ep. 64 28:55

4M ago28:55

28:55

In a special episode this week Steven is joined by a tax professional who doesn't do any tax preparation. Kristine Stevenson is an Enrolled Agent who previously worked for the IRS and now specializes in tax resolution work. Steven and Kristine talk about what tax resolution work includes and when it might be something a taxpayer needs to pursue. Th…

1
The Four Unique Risks in Decumulation, Ep #346 21:00

4M ago21:00

21:00

You’ve been accumulating your savings your entire life, but when the time comes to draw down your investments, there are new risks. In this episode, we’ll discuss four risks that come with the decumulation phase of retirement. Press play to learn how to avoid these risks in retirement. Are you looking for a new advisor? One of our listeners is look…

1
More Muscles = Better Retirement, Ep #345 16:10

4M ago16:10

16:10

A lot of us are looking to get in shape in retirement. This is a good thing since part of living an even better retirement is looking after your health and muscle mass. Staying healthier and more active longer will ensure that you are making the most out of your retirement. In addition, maintaining a healthy muscle mass is a huge part of keeping yo…

1
Index Funds Have Officially Won, Ep #344 16:27

4M ago16:27

16:27

Do you have index funds in your portfolio? Chances are you do! Our retirement headline today describes the rise of index funds over active funds and why that’s important. Discover how index funds connect with my investment philosophy by pressing play now. Outline of This Episode [1:22] Index funds have grown exponentially over the years [2:23] What…

1
Psychology and Taxes with Ashley Quamme Ep.63 29:56

5M ago29:56

29:56

This week's episode is a special one in that Steven is not being joined by a CPA or CFP. Steven's guest this week, Ashley Quamme, is actually a Fractional Financial Behavior Officer (don't worry, they talk about what that is) and specializes in helping financial planning firms go beyond the numbers and understand how their clients think, feel and d…

1
The 529 to Roth IRA Rollover, Ep # 343 17:45

4M ago17:45

17:45

Recent legislation has made everyone’s favorite college savings plan a little more flexible. Funds in a 529 plan aren’t as locked up as they used to be now that your children’s unused college funds can be rolled into a retirement account. In this episode, we’ll discuss an article from the White Coat Investor which explores how the 529 can be rolled…

1
The 4 Phases of Retirement, Ep #342 19:49

4M ago19:49

19:49

It may be easy to define success in your working career, but defining success in retirement can be more difficult. What does success look like in retirement? What will you do daily or weekly to get the most out of your retirement? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a TEDx talk about the 4 phases of retirement that many (but n…

1
It's April! What should I be doing about taxes? Ep.62 20:01

5M ago20:01

20:01

Benjamin Brandt is back on the join this week and rejoins Steven Jarvis to talk tax topics that are relevant in April. Whether you've already filed your return or still need to get it across the finish line the guys have some great information for you. They also dive into what it means to file an extension and when it makes sense to do just that (s…

1
A Short History of the 60/40 Portfolio, Ep #341 23:26

5M ago23:26

23:26

Due to last year's poor market returns, you’ve probably seen the headlines that the 60/40 portfolio is dead. But is that really the case? This week’s retirement headline explores the history of this classic retirement investment strategy. After we tackle the headlines, Bret and I team up to consider the best places to move in retirement. Listen in …

1
8 Ways to Become Poor in Retirement, Ep #340 20:58

5M ago20:58

20:58

There are many ways that could threaten your financial security in retirement. Knowing the common issues can ensure that you don’t fall into the traps. Today’s financial headline comes from Yahoo Finance and is called 8 Ways Baby Boomers Become Poor in Retirement. Listen in to learn what they are so that you don’t drive yourself into the poorhouse.…

1
Understanding Your Tax Return: Part 3 Ep.61 19:45

6M ago19:45

19:45

In this episode resident "Least Boring CPA" Steven Jarvis wraps up his walkthrough of a 1040 providing insight and information to make sure you understand your tax return. Steven covers both technical details as well as reminders on what might be most relevant to you and changes to watch out for from year to year. This is as "hands on" as a podcast…

1
More Than Half of Americans Want to Retire Gradually, Ep #339 21:59

5M ago21:59

21:59

We all want to retire, but have you considered how you would like to transition to retirement? This week’s retirement headline article shares some interesting statistics on phased retirements: who is thinking about them, who is utilizing them, and what people think about them. Listen in to learn the findings. Then stick around for our listener ques…

1
The Retirement Crisis That Wasn’t, Ep #338 16:49

5M ago16:49

16:49

Once upon a time, there was a prediction that the baby boomer generation would face a retirement crisis. So how did this gloom and doom projection turn into the wealthiest generation in history? Listen in to find out. Make sure to stay tuned for the listener question: What is the best way to fund a large expense without a large tax bill? Outline of…

1
Understanding your tax return: Part 2 Ep.60 18:33

6M ago18:33

18:33

In this episode resident "Least Boring CPA" Steven Jarvis continues taking you through the first part of a 1040 providing insight and information to make sure you understand your tax return. Steven covers both technical details as well as reminders on what might be most relevant to you and changes to watch out for from year to year. This is as "han…

1
Using Guardrails For The 4% Rule, Ep #337 22:33

6M ago22:33

22:33

You’ve heard of the 4% rule, and if you’ve listened to this podcast before, you’ve heard of Guyton’s guardrails strategy. But have you ever heard of using them together? Today’s retirement headline explores this idea. Overall, the article highlights the importance of considering sequence-of-returns risk in retirement planning and adopting flexible …

1
The Challenges of Retiring from a High-Powered Job, Ep #336 19:34

6M ago19:34

19:34

Is it possible to suddenly step away from a high-powered job and into a life of leisure? This may not be the best idea for your retirement if you work at the executive level. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Harvard Business Review that outlines several pitfalls that could come with retiring from a high-powe…

1
Understanding your tax return: Part 1 Ep.59 19:16

6M ago19:16

19:16

In this episode resident "Least Boring CPA" Steven Jarvis takes you through the first part of a 1040 providing insight and information to make sure you understand your tax return. Steven covers both technical details as well as reminders on what might be most relevant to you and changes to watch out for from year to year. This is as "hands on" as a…

1
5 Expenses Retirees Wish They Spent More Money On, Ep # 335 22:37

6M ago22:37

22:37

There are two ways to mess up retirement: run out of money or die with regret. Oftentimes, people in the retirement space only focus on the running out of money part. In an effort to help you live an even better retirement, today’s retirement headline discusses the regret part. Join me to learn five expenses that retirees wish they had spent more m…

1
2 Social Security Mulligans, Ep # 334 17:34

6M ago17:34

17:34

If you want to spend more money in retirement you’ll want to understand how to maximize your Social Security benefits. Many people think that there is no going back once you’ve decided to collect your Social Security benefits. However, today’s retirement headline discusses two options in case you’d like a do-over. In our listener question segment, …

1
The internet wouldn't lie to you, would it? Ep.58 17:51

7M ago17:51

17:51

In this episode your favorite "least boring" tax podcast hosts are back to sort out the truth on the internet. Sharing some recent tax articles they read, Steven and Ben dive into a specific example of when the internet gets it wrong and some general advice on how to make sure you know what is actually true online. This isn't about dragging anyone …

1
Save Money with These Tax Tips, Ep #333 20:44

7M ago20:44

20:44

Tax season is here so when I found this article from Morning Star to share some tax tips for you. Your tax bill will be the largest bill you pay in retirement. If you want to reduce it, make sure to press play. Helping clients save money on taxes and avoid common investment mistakes is an important task for financial planners. If you don’t have a f…

1
A Tax Break Worth the Hassle, Ep # 332 18:10

7M ago18:10

18:10

Some tax breaks aren’t worth the hassle of pursuing them, however, today’s example is definitely worth the hassle! If you are charitably minded you’ll want to listen to learn about the advantages of making qualified charitable distributions. Discover how to increase your standard deduction while enjoying charitable tax benefits. Stick around for th…

1
We Need to Talk About Your Retirement Spending, Ep #331 17:49

7M ago17:49

17:49

Planning retirement spending is tough to do since there are so many unknowns. Many people tend to take a fear-based approach and rely on the 4% rule. Some even take a step further and spend less of their nest egg. Today’s Retirement Headline urges you to take a different approach. Listen in to hear what the article advises and my thoughts on the ma…

1
Tax Potpourri Ep.57 17:43

8M ago17:43

17:43

In this episode your Least Boring Tax Podcast hosts cover a variety of tax topics including unusual ways to use the IRS's 60-day rollover rules on IRAs. As always Ben and Steven pull from real experiences serving real clients to share ways you can better understand your own tax situation and proactively plan for the future to sand the rough edges o…

1
I Don’t Want To Be Old When I Am Old, Ep # 330 16:09

7M ago16:09

16:09

I don’t know about you, but I want to stay active and healthy for as long as possible. That’s why when I saw this Forbes article I knew I wanted to share it with you. If you want to learn how to age gracefully and maintain your vitality, you won’t miss this episode. Then, stick around to hear my answer to the question: why do some people have a har…

1
Lessons Learned from Fall Tax Meetings, Ep #329 19:39

8M ago19:39

19:39

As you probably know by now, Bret and I are here to help you spend more money and spend less in taxes so that you can live an even better life in retirement. This week we’re helping you do that by sharing some lessons that we learned from our clients’ fall tax meetings. If you enjoyed our Lessons in Estate Planning episodes last spring, you’ll love…

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