Retirement Planning - Money Not Math

Drew Erickson
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Investing
  • Updated Biweekly

I love to help people have more confidence in their financial future. My mission is to provide the highest quality advice and service possible to my clients. Therefore, I limit myself to 100 active clients or less at all times that I have a fiduciary responsibility to. If you are interested in scheduling a 15-minute call to ask questions and determine if it might make sense for us to work together, please use this link to do so at your convenience, https://form.jotform.com/240425716309151 My core Values are Family, Faith, Finances, Fitness, Friends and Fun.

  1. 6h ago

    The Market Story Nobody’s Talking About Right Now.

    What if the “boring” part of the market is quietly doing the heavy lifting? If you’ve followed financial headlines lately, you might think only a handful of tech-companies matter. But something very different has been happening behind the scenes. The Dow recently touched 52,000 for the first time ever. That move has been driven by steady, everyday companies. Not hype. Not speculation. Just consistent earnings and growth. And that matters more than most people think. When gains are spread across many sectors instead of concentrated in a few names, it can be a sign of a healthier market environment over time. That’s a good reminder heading into the second half of the year. Now here’s a mid-year question worth asking yourself: Is your “extra” cash actually working for you? Many families keep a large amount of cash sitting in traditional bank accounts out of convenience. The reality is those accounts often pay close to nothing in interest. Meanwhile, inflation continues to quietly reduce purchasing power. This is not about taking risks or changing your lifestyle reserves. It is simply about being intentional with dollars that may be sitting idle outside of a plan. And one more thought as summer moves quickly along… When was the last time you looked at your bucket list? Not just thinking about it. Actually reviewing it. Retirement is not one long phase. It evolves over time. The energy you have at 65 is different than the energy you will have later. That means some experiences should not be pushed off indefinitely. The most valuable resource is not money. It is time and health. If you are within a few years of retirement or already there, this is a great time to pause and reflect: • Is your plan built for more than just market headlines? • Is your cash positioned with intention? • Are you actually prioritizing the experiences that matter most? Sometimes small adjustments can make a meaningful difference. If you’d like a second set of eyes on your current strategy or just want to talk through where you stand, feel free to reach out. Disclosures: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please consult with a qualified financial professional regarding your individual situation. #RetirementPlanning #PreRetirement #FinancialConfidence #WealthPlanning #RetirementLifestyle #SmartMoneyMoves #FinancialClarity #InvestWithPurpose #CashFlowPlanning #NearRetirement

    1 min
  2. Can a couple retire at 55 with $2 million?

    Jun 15

    Can a couple retire at 55 with $2 million?

    Can a couple retire at 55 with $2 million? In this episode of Money Not Math, we explore a hypothetical retirement scenario inspired by a common real-life question couples face when they do not agree on whether they are ready to retire. With $1.5M in a 401k and $500K in a Roth IRA, we analyze: • Income potential with no advanced planning • How strategy can increase after-tax income • The impact of allocation, taxes, Social Security, and spending patterns This episode highlights how thoughtful planning can influence both confidence and outcomes in retirement. Disclosure: This episode is for educational purposes only. The example discussed is hypothetical and does not represent any individual. It is not investment, tax, or legal advice. #retirementplanning #financialpodcast #moneynotmath

    20 min
  3. Why Markets Keep Moving and Your Mid-Year Cost Reality Check

    Jun 11

    Why Markets Keep Moving and Your Mid-Year Cost Reality Check

    In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, we cover three timely topics: • Why markets continue to shift based on changing expectations • A simple way to evaluate changes in your cost of living mid-year • How retirement is evolving into a more purposeful and structured phase This episode is designed for individuals approaching retirement or already retired who want a clear, long-term perspective. Follow for weekly conversations focused on clarity, simplicity, and confidence. #RetirementPodcast #FinancialPlanning #PreRetirement #WealthStrategy #FinancialClarity #5MinuteFriday This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

    4 min
  4. How to Increase Retirement Income by $1,300 Per Month Without Saving More

    Jun 8

    How to Increase Retirement Income by $1,300 Per Month Without Saving More

    What if the difference between a good retirement and a great retirement was not how much you saved, but how you structured your income? In this episode of Money Not Math, I walk through a real-life inspired case study using hypothetical names to protect privacy featuring Mr. and Mrs. Back 9 Blueprint. We cover how a couple with strong savings improved their retirement outcome from: • $6,150 to $7,450 per month after tax income • $870,000 to over $1.4 million projected portfolio value This was not about market timing or chasing returns. It was about coordinating key areas like: • Asset allocation • Social Security timing • Tax strategy • Retirement income planning • Glide path and income reserve strategy If you are approaching retirement, this episode will help you think differently about how your income plan should be structured. This is a hypothetical example for educational purposes only. It does not represent actual client results or specific recommendations. Individual outcomes will vary. #RetirementPodcast #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #IncomePlanning #MoneyNotMath

    21 min
  5. Why the Market Feels Uncertain and How to Simplify Your Financial Life

    Jun 2

    Why the Market Feels Uncertain and How to Simplify Your Financial Life

    In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, we cover three timely topics: • Why markets can feel uncertain even when underlying conditions are relatively stable • A simple mid-year approach to reducing financial complexity • How to rethink productivity and purpose in retirement This episode is designed for individuals approaching retirement or already retired who want a more structured, long-term perspective. Follow the show for weekly conversations focused on clarity, simplicity, and confidence. #RetirementPodcast #FinancialPlanning #PreRetirement #WealthStrategy #FinancialClarity #5MinuteFriday This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

    5 min
  6. Episode 187: Protecting Your Portfolio in a Changing Market

    Jun 1

    Episode 187: Protecting Your Portfolio in a Changing Market

    Markets are shifting in ways many investors do not fully recognize. In this episode, we break down recent research on diversification and explain what it means for protecting your portfolio as you approach retirement. You will learn: • Why diversification still works but is evolving • What risks investors often overlook • How to think about portfolio structure in today’s environment This episode is for educational purposes only and is not personalized financial advice. Each financial situation is unique. #MoneyNotMath #RetirementPlanning #Investing

    3 min
  7. New Fed Leadership, Mid-Year Financial Check, and a Smarter Way to Stay Engaged in Retirement

    May 29

    New Fed Leadership, Mid-Year Financial Check, and a Smarter Way to Stay Engaged in Retirement

    In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, we cover three timely topics: • A practical way to think about the new Federal Reserve Chairman • Why a mid-year financial check-in may help keep your plan aligned • How “Citizen Science” is helping retirees stay sharp and purposeful This episode is designed for individuals approaching retirement or navigating their retirement years who want a steady, long-term perspective. Follow the show for weekly conversations focused on clarity, structure, and confidence. #RetirementPodcast #FinancialPlanning #PreRetirement #WealthStrategy #LifeAfterRetirement #5MinuteFriday This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

    4 min

  8. May 26

    Same Inputs. Different Outcomes. Money Not Math Episode 186

    Many investors assume retirement success comes down to saving enough and hoping the market cooperates. In this episode, we explain why asset allocation and glide path strategy often play a much larger role, both while you are working and throughout retirement. Using hypothetical planning illustrations, we cover: • Why target date funds and automatic equity reduction may be inefficient • How glide path decisions impact long term outcomes • The difference intentional planning can make when coordinating investments, Social Security timing, tax strategy, and retirement spending This episode focuses on education and planning concepts, not predictions, and highlights how strategy alignment influences retirement confidence. 🎧 Listen now 🌐 Learn more at https://www.5stonefinancial.com Educational discussion only. Hypothetical illustrations.

    17 min
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About

I love to help people have more confidence in their financial future. My mission is to provide the highest quality advice and service possible to my clients. Therefore, I limit myself to 100 active clients or less at all times that I have a fiduciary responsibility to. If you are interested in scheduling a 15-minute call to ask questions and determine if it might make sense for us to work together, please use this link to do so at your convenience, https://form.jotform.com/240425716309151 My core Values are Family, Faith, Finances, Fitness, Friends and Fun.

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