Simplify Your Retirement

Stephen Stricklin, CFP®
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In the Simplify Your Retirement podcast, Stephen Stricklin, CFP®, president and founder of Wise Wealth shares wisdom to help individuals and couples plan for a peaceful and enjoyable retirement. Stephen, with his years of experience and expertise in retirement income planning along with guest experts, will help you achieve “First Wisdom, Then Wealth!” For more information about Wise Wealth visit www.WiseWealth.com or email our team of professionals at info@wisewealth.com.

  1. 2025-08-21

    Aging Well: Legal Planning You Can’t Afford to Ignore with guest, Aaron Love

    Planning for retirement is about more than just finances—it’s about protecting your future, your health, and your peace of mind. In this episode of the Simplify Your Retirement Podcast, host Paul Brock welcomes Aaron Love, Elder Care Attorney at Love Law Group, to discuss what it truly means to age well and prepare for life’s uncertainties. Together, they break down the critical difference between legacy planning (death planning) and incapacity planning (living planning), while highlighting the essential legal and financial steps you should take today to avoid crisis tomorrow. In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why incapacity planning is just as important as estate planning. The essential documents you need in place Common mistakes with “do-it-yourself” online legal documents—and how they can fail when you need them most. The importance of planning ahead vs. crisis planning, and what options remain if families wait too long. Why communication and a clear senior planning checklist can bring peace of mind for loved ones. And more! Whether you’re approaching retirement yourself or helping aging parents, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and practical steps to simplify your planning. Contact Love Law Group: planning@lovelawgroup.com LoveLawGroup.com 816.554.3330 Contact Wise Wealth: info@wisewealth.com WiseWealth.com 816.246.WISE (9473)

    50 min

  2. 2025-08-07

    Aging Well by Staying Right at Home with Brian Cook

    In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Cook, owner of Right at Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. With nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare administration, Brian offers valuable insight into aging, long-term care, and how families can support loved ones in staying at home safely and comfortably. As financial advisors, we understand that one of the biggest threats to a retirement plan is the rising cost of long-term care. Brian’s work directly supports families in managing that risk — not just financially, but emotionally and practically — by helping seniors age in place with dignity and independence. His organization focuses on helping clients age in place by providing non-medical home care services, including assistance with daily activities, transportation, and companionship. They are dedicated to improving the quality of life for aging adults while also being a trusted resource for families navigating the challenges of caregiving. Equally important is the financial side of care — knowing how to plan for it and how to ensure your loved ones are protected. It all starts with a conversation. Whether you’re preparing for your own future or helping aging parents, there’s no better time to plan than now. Contact Wise Wealth: www.wisewealth.com/contact-us, by email at info@wisewealth.com, or by phone at 816.246.WISE (9473) Right at Home (816) 277-0837 www.rightathome.net/lees-summit

    27 min

  3. 2025-07-03

    The Key to Aging Well with Senior Advocacy Expert, Christina Wilkins

    Are you prepared for the “Silver Tsunami”? In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Christina Wilkins, Chief Operating Officer of Advocates for Seniors, who reveals how their unique paralegal firm helps seniors navigate the complex challenges of aging. From managing finances when a spouse passes away to coordinating medical care during life transitions, Christina shares how their team provides critical “boots on the ground” assistance for seniors who either don’t have children nearby or need specialized legal, health, and financial support. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Beyond Financial Planning: Discover why retirement planning must extend beyond finances to include preparation for the “go-go years,” “slow-go years,” and “no-go years” of retirement. • Advocates for Seniors: Learn about this unique paralegal firm that provides comprehensive support in three critical areas: legal, health, and financial matters for aging adults. • Crisis Prevention: Understand why establishing a relationship with advocates before a crisis occurs can make all the difference in your retirement journey. • Real Support Services: Christina explains how her team provides hands-on assistance – from paying bills and attending doctor’s appointments to helping with transitions to assisted living. Christina and her team serve as trusted advocates for seniors who may not have family nearby or whose spouse handled finances before passing. Whether you’re planning for your own retirement or caring for aging parents, this episode provides valuable insights on preparing for the later stages of life. www.advocates4seniors.com 913.200.4008 To learn more about Wise Wealth, visit our website at www.wisewealth.com. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to our team and we will schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation with one of our qualified financial advisors.

    34 min

  4. 2025-05-08

    How To Get To The 0% Tax Bracket with special guest, David McKnight

    If you’re like many Americans, the bulk of your retirement savings likely sits in tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. But when tax rates rise—as many experts predict they will—how much of your hard-earned money will you actually get to keep? With the national debt growing at an unsustainable pace and entitlement programs placing increasing pressure on the federal budget, significant tax increases appear inevitable. In this episode, we’re honored to welcome David McKnight—nationally renowned tax expert and bestselling author of The Power of Zero, Tax-Free Income for Life, and The Guru Gap. David draws from years of experience and collaboration with leading tax authorities, including insights from his documentary film The Power of Zero: The Tax Train Is Coming. America has made financial promises it simply can’t keep. With the national debt projected to hit $62 trillion by 2034, no combination of tax hikes or spending cuts appears capable of reversing the course. The “tax train” is coming—and retirement savers must prepare. One of the most powerful tools for protecting your retirement income is converting tax-deferred accounts to Roth IRAs. Doing so—particularly within favorable brackets like the 24%—can dramatically reduce your long-term tax exposure. But it must be done strategically to avoid unnecessary tax consequences. In this episode, we explore: Rising Taxes as a Retirement Risk Strategic Tax Planning for Retirement Strategic Roth Conversions Why Timing – especially before 2034 – is critical As an independent & full-service financial planning firm, Wise Wealth gives truly objective advice. If you want a retirement plan tailored to your goals and your future, we’re here to help. 📞 816.246.WISE (9473) 📧 info@wisewealth.com 🔗 www.wisewealth.com/contact-us

    46 min

  5. 2025-03-28

    Season 6 Episode 12 Answering Your Top Retirement Questions: FAQs from Our Listeners

    Stephen Stricklin, Founder and President of Wise Wealth, LLC is joined by COO, Paul Brock to answer frequently asked questions from clients and podcast listeners. They cover common concerns such as: How often do you make changes or rebalance my portfolio? Do you watch the market and move assets out based on short-term volatility? How does my savings or retirement plan compare to others at this stage of life? Stephen and Paul discuss the importance of rebalancing portfolios, which they typically do once a year to maintain the desired asset allocation and capitalize on buying low and selling high. While portfolio managers adjust for short-term market trends, clients should stay disciplined and stick with their long-term plan, as short-term volatility shouldn’t dictate investment decisions. Trusting the plan and remaining invested is key to achieving the desired rate of return over time. They also explain how investor behavior, such as trying to time the market, often hinders success more than market fluctuations themselves, as missing just a few of the best market days can drastically affect returns. The key is sticking with a long-term plan, trusting portfolio manager, and remaining disciplined regardless of short-term market volatility. The key is understanding your time frame and risk tolerance—investing in the market should align with your long-term goals. The episode also addresses the idea of “comparing” your savings and retirement plan to others. The truth is, your plan should be tailored to your unique goals, income needs, and lifestyle choices. Everyone has their own “number,” which represents what they need to achieve their goals in retirement, and the only way to determine this is through a personalized plan. Ultimately, your retirement plan’s success isn’t about comparing it to others but ensuring it meets your individual needs and goals. True success is measured by the peace of mind and financial freedom it provides, allowing you to fully enjoy life in retirement. Ready to take the next step? www.wisewealth.com/contact-us info@wisewealth.com 816.246.WISE (9473)

    40 min

  6. 2025-03-14

    Season 6 Episode 11 Preparing for the Unexpected: How to Handle a Nursing Care Crisis

    In this episode, Stephen Stricklin, Founder & President of Wise Wealth, is joined by Paul Brock, Vice President. They discuss the importance of having a comprehensive financial plan, focusing on key components such as a liquid plan, an income plan, and a growth plan. One major risk for retirees is long-term care, which should always be addressed in any financial plan. Additionally, the concept of short-term care is becoming increasingly relevant in retirement planning. Paul Brock, an insurance expert with over 21 years of experience, explains the differences between short-term and long-term care. Short-term care typically lasts up to a year, while long-term care extends beyond that, with each serving different healthcare needs. Despite Medicare covering a range of healthcare services, it does not cover either long-term or short-term care, making it crucial to understand these distinctions when planning for retirement. Tune in to the full episode and learn more about: Medicare vs. Skilled Care Conditions for coverage Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare with a Supplement Short-term care insurance Policy types & underwriting For more information on this topic or to explore any other questions you may have, contact the Wise Wealth team at 816.246.WISE (9473) or by email at info@wisewealth.com. Visit us at www.wisewealth.com.

    36 min

  7. 2025-02-27

    Season 6 Episode 10 The Blockchain Breakdown: Understanding Cryptocurrency

    In this episode of The Blockchain Breakdown: Understanding Cryptocurrency, we explore the importance of understanding digital assets and cryptocurrency as they become mainstream. Digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, are emerging as a new asset class with unique risks and opportunities for diversification. Tune in as we discuss key terms such as Bitcoin, tokens, NFTs, and share our insights on how to incorporate digital assets into a well-diversified portfolio While investing in digital assets, like Bitcoin, can add significant potential upside to a portfolio, it should be a small allocation (around 1%) using only funds set aside for high risk. It’s also important to treat it as a long-term investment (5+ years) and be prepared for the possibility of losses. The key to successful investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies is having time and discipline, rather than acting on fear or greed. A well-balanced, thoughtful strategy with small allocations (1-5%) and a long-term horizon (5+ years) is essential. Ultimately, investing should provide peace of mind, fit within your broader financial plan, and free you to focus on life’s most important priorities. If you want to learn more about Wise Wealth and our Retirement Freedom Plan™ feel free to contact our team. One of our experience financial advisors will be happy to answer any questions you have! Contact Us: www.wisewealth.com/contact-us info@wisewealth.com 816.246.WISE (9473)

    47 min

  8. 2025-02-04

    Season 6 Episode 9 High Yield Savings: Making an Impact with Your Cash

    Today, we’re joined by Starla Hendricks, Vice President of Intermediary Sales at KEEP by Stone Castle. With over 30 years in financial services, Starla works closely with RIAs and wealth managers to help them navigate the cash and deposit landscape, providing solutions like KEEP—a high-yield, FDIC-insured cash account that offers protection and a better rate than typical savings accounts at local banks. We’re excited to dive into how KEEP can provide clients with a secure, higher-yield alternative to traditional banking. • KEEP by Stone Castle offers a unique advantage by providing up to $100 million in FDIC insurance on a single account, compared to the typical $250,000 limit at a local bank. Unlike local banks, where individuals with larger sums must spread their funds across multiple institutions to maintain FDIC coverage, KEEP allows clients to consolidate their funds into one account with full protection, all under a single tax ID. • It’s crucial for individuals to fully understand the limits of FDIC insurance. If you have more than $250,000 in a single bank account, any amount over that is not protected if the bank fails. Many people don’t realize that, for example, if they inherit money or have accumulated significant savings, they could be leaving a large portion of it uninsured. With over $7 trillion currently sitting above the FDIC limit, much of it earning zero interest, it’s essential to stay informed and ensure your funds are properly protected and earning a competitive return. • KEEP not only offers higher returns but also makes a positive impact by investing in community banks and credit unions, particularly those serving underserved populations. Through the Keep Impact initiative, funds are directed to minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions, helping to fund housing, minority-owned businesses, and other vital community projects. It’s important to note, this is an option and there are other products to consider. As a fiduciary advisor, it is our responsibility to consider all options available and determine what products are a good fit based on the individual needs and goals of every client. Let’s create your Retirement Freedom Plan™, starting with the “Clarity Conversation”. Reach out to us at 816-246-WISE or email info@wisewealth.com to start the journey toward freedom. 📅 SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION: 816.246.WISE (9473) info@wisewealth.com www.wisewealth.com

    30 min
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About

In the Simplify Your Retirement podcast, Stephen Stricklin, CFP®, president and founder of Wise Wealth shares wisdom to help individuals and couples plan for a peaceful and enjoyable retirement. Stephen, with his years of experience and expertise in retirement income planning along with guest experts, will help you achieve “First Wisdom, Then Wealth!” For more information about Wise Wealth visit www.WiseWealth.com or email our team of professionals at info@wisewealth.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Stricklin, CFP®
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Simplify Your Retirement All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Simplify Your Retirement