Coffee with Your Retirement Coach

Randall Yeomans, Nicholas Yeomans & Aaron Calhoun
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Investing
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Your Retirement Coach based in Marietta, Georgia. This platform is solely for informational purposes and is not offering advisory services or sales of securities. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Comments by viewers or recognitions are no guarantee of future investment outcomes and do not ensure that a viewer will experience a higher level of performance or results. Public comments posted on this site are not selected, amended, deleted, or sorted in any way. If applicable, certain editing of personal identifiable information and misinformation may be deleted. The opinions expressed herein are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

  1. Sep 9

    Top 10 Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid (Before It's Too Late)

    Estate planning mistakes can create serious problems for families. Outdated documents, beneficiary forms, and missing plans can leave loved ones dealing with unnecessary complications. In this episode, Aaron and Nic count down ten common estate planning mistakes and share real-life examples of what can go wrong. They also cover several areas people often overlook, including digital assets, taxes, and long-term care.  ⸻  ⏱️ Episode Timeline & Highlights  [01:53] – #10 Not having a will: How dying without a will leaves state law in control.  [03:39] – #9 Relying only on joint ownership: How joint ownership can affect who inherits your property.  [06:53] – #8 Not communicating your wishes with your family: Why family meetings can prevent confusion later.  [09:16] – Honorable mention: The "I love you" letter: How a personal letter can explain your estate planning decisions. [10:59] – #7 Failing to maintain beneficiary designations: Why beneficiary forms can override your will.  [14:46] – #6 Not planning for incapacity: Why you need someone legally able to make decisions for you.  [17:05] – #5 Failing to fund a trust: Why creating a trust is only part of the process.  [19:18] – Digital assets and accounts: Why online accounts and digital assets need to be included in your plan.  [21:02] – Ignoring taxes: The different taxes that can affect your estate.  [24:48] – #4 Not planning appropriately for long-term care: How long-term care can quickly reduce your wealth.  [27:12] – #3 Assuming equal is fair: Why dividing assets equally may not always be the best choice.  [30:46] – #2 DIY documents without legal review: Why estate documents should be properly reviewed by an attorney.  [32:51] – #1 Waiting too long: How delaying your estate plan can create problems when circumstances change.  ⸻  Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com • Website: meritfinancialadvisors.com/about/locations/marietta-ga/  ⸻  Closing Thoughts  If today's episode resonated with you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe. It helps us reach more families who need to get their estate planning right.  If one of these mistakes hit a little too close to home, reach out at connect@meritfa.com. We'd love to help. Stay coachable!  ___________________ Disclaimer! Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

  2. Aug 26

    Your Power of Attorney Might Already Be Useless

    Most people sign a power of attorney once and never think about it again. But a document that sat in a drawer for ten years, was drafted in another state, or is missing one critical clause could leave your family completely powerless in a crisis, and you'd never know until it's too late. In today's conversation, Aaron and Nic break down why so many powers of attorney fail when they're needed most, and what to do about it before life forces the question. ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Timeline & Highlights [01:14] – What is a financial power of attorney? Cutting through the confusion around types and titles. [01:52] – The durable language problem: Why most POAs fail at the exact moment they're needed most. [03:50] – Story time,  The sibling scenario: What happens when two people show up to the bank with different POAs for the same person. [07:23] – Stale bread and stale documents: Why powers of attorney expire, and how often you need to update them. [08:15] – The 3 to 5 year rule: The simple calendar reminder that could save your family from living probate. [09:44] – State lines matter: Why your Georgia POA may be useless the moment you cross into another state. [10:56] – The California story: A real client's stroke on vacation and the nightmare of navigating an out-of-state incapacity. [12:13] – Nic's motorcycle accident: A personal near-tragedy that shows exactly why having these documents in place is non-negotiable. [15:09] – The IRA trap: Why being a primary beneficiary means nothing if your spouse is incapacitated but still alive. [17:41] – Business owners beware: Why an LLC or S Corp without a solid POA is a ticking time bomb. ⸻ Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com • Website: https://meritfinancialadvisors.com/about/locations/marietta-ga/ ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's episode resonated with you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe, it helps us reach more people who need to hear this before it's too late.   Stay coachable!   Disclaimer: Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

  3. Aug 12

    How to Know If You Have "Enough" Money to Retire

    The most important retirement question isn't how much you've saved; it's whether what you have can actually fund the life you want. Too many people spend years working toward a number they never defined, and even more spend years past their finish line not knowing they already crossed it. In today's conversation, Nic and Randy tackle the question every pre-retiree is really asking, "Am I good?", and break down what it truly takes to retire with clarity, confidence, and a plan that holds up in any market. ⸻ Episode Timeline & Highlights [00:00] – Meet David and Suzanne: $3.2 million saved and one burning question: Are we good?  [01:20] – Two kinds of retirees: The overconfident and the under-confident, and why both get it wrong.  [03:21] – The five-year myth: Why "I'll retire in five years" is often just a number people picked out of thin air.  [04:42] – You Inc.: How to think about retirement like running a business with a budget and a strategy.  [06:44] – Eating the elephant: Why breaking retirement obstacles into small pieces changes everything.  [08:54] – The power of options: What knowing your numbers actually gives you, and it's not just money.  [13:17] – The Bob story: A retired military client's tearful reminder that time is the one thing you can't get back.  [15:41] – The spending plan conversation: Why your financial advisor should help you spend, not just save.  [17:19] – Travel, kitchens, and legacy: How to build a budget for the life you actually want right now.  [20:34] – The mission: Marrying the quantitative and qualitative sides of retirement to live with real purpose. ⸻ Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com  • Website: https://meritfinancialadvisors.com/about/locations/marietta-ga/ ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's episode resonated with you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe; it helps us reach more people who are ready to stop waiting and start living.  Stay coachable! _______ Disclaimer:  Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.

  4. Jul 16

    Pre-Retirement Planning Done Right: Faith, Legacy, and Knowing When It's Time.

    Retirement without a destination isn't freedom,  it's just stopping. The most fulfilled retirees don't just walk away from a career; they walk toward something bigger, more purposeful, and deeply intentional. In today's conversation, Nic sits down with Mark and Diane Adams,  a faith-driven couple approaching retirement, to explore what thoughtful pre-retirement planning actually looks like. From estate planning and tax strategy to legacy, generosity, and knowing when it's time to make the leap, this episode is essential listening for anyone approaching that next chapter. ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Timeline & Highlights [00:00] – Meet Mark & Diane: Almost 40 years of marriage and one granddaughter who runs the show.  [05:15] – First money memory: An $84,000 house, six months into marriage and two very different opinions.  [08:57] – Faith and finances: Why you can't out-give God and the funnel, not a bucket mindset.  [13:00] – Advice to their younger selves: Be content in the season you're in.  [15:30] – The "have to, should do, could do" framework for retirement thinking.  [18:39] – Money and marriage: The spending conversation every couple needs to have.  [23:40] – The three pain points: Taxes, estate planning, and retirement income.  [28:29] – What they look for in an advisor: Shared faith, shared values, right questions.  [32:00] – The donor advised fund: A giving strategy that changed everything.  [34:18] – On the edge of retirement: Gather the facts, then listen to the Holy Spirit.  [40:10] – Building the right team now: Why finding a doctor mirrors finding a financial advisor.  [43:00] – Final words: Plan ahead, be proactive, and don't leave a mess for your kids. ⸻ Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com  • Website: meritfinancialadvisors.com/about/locations/marietta-ga/ ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's conversation resonated with you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe,  it helps us reach more people who are ready to retire with purpose, not just a plan.   Are you approaching retirement and wondering what the right questions are? Reach out at connect@meritfa.com — we'd love to have that conversation with you. Stay coachable! ________   Testimonial Disclosure This client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. ________   Disclaimer Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

  5. Jul 1

    Real Retirement Success: How 18 Years of Wise Counsel Tripled One Couple's Net Worth

    Some people talk about doing retirement right. Nancy Martin is living proof of what it actually looks like. A Marietta native, 30-year-plus educator, and pillar of her community, Nancy brings 18 years of shared history with the coaches and a story full of wisdom, generosity, and hard-won financial confidence. In today's conversation, Nic and Randy sit down with Nancy to explore her remarkable journey from frugal saver to financially free, and what it means to steward wealth with purpose, faith, and a brand new kitchen. ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights [01:25] – First money memory: The grocery money stolen from her purse while teaching at Marietta High, and why it still stings.  [02:50] – A Marietta legacy: How Nancy's father became the first veterinarian in Cobb County and built a practice that lasted generations.  [04:19] – 30 years in the classroom: From Marietta High to Marietta Middle School and why teaching was always a calling, not just a career.  [05:03] – How Nancy and David built wealth: Coupons, frugality, and a whole lot of CDs at 15% interest.  [06:07] – The 2008 turning point: Why a financial crisis and a trusted friend's referral led them to their first retirement coach.  [09:22] – What they were looking for and what happened instead.  [10:40] – 18 years of confidence: Why Nancy's biggest win wasn't a number,  it was trust.  [11:46] – Faith and finances: How First Baptist Marietta, the Salvation Army, and St. Jude's became part of their legacy plan.  [13:52] – The kitchen moment: The story of what happens when you finally know your numbers, and what Nancy did with that freedom.  [15:04] – Who needs a retirement coach? Nancy's advice for savers who need guidance, not just growth.  [16:08] – Final words of wisdom: "Start early. Don't put it off. And seek wise counsel from people who've been down that road." ⸻ Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com  • Website: meritfinancialadvisors.com/about/locations/marietta-ga/ ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's conversation encouraged you, please rate, follow, share, and review the podcast. It helps us reach more people who are ready to take that next right step. Stay coachable!   Disclaimer!!! Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

  6. Jun 17

    Don't invest in SpaceX IPO until you watch this, (Don't Ignore)!

    Everyone is talking about SpaceX. But before the excitement makes the decision for you need to understand that FOMO is not an investment strategy. In today's conversation, Nic and Randy break down what SpaceX actually is, what history tells us about IPO investing, and why the masses are usually wrong. ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Timeline [00:29] – What is SpaceX? The five business segments beyond the rocket ships. [03:08] – Excitement is not a plan: Why emotional investing leads to the wrong move. [07:28] – IPO history lesson: What Facebook, Uber, and Amazon looked like post-IPO. [09:24] – The $10,000 minimum: Why this IPO's accessibility is actually a red flag. [10:10] – Buy the dip: What it really means and why nobody can time it perfectly. [13:49] – Firm risk: Why one person's decisions can take down innocent shareholders. [17:38] – The Buffett rule: Why greed and fear are the enemy of smart investing. [18:22] – Who should actually consider an IPO? The financial profile that makes it viable. [21:22] – The index fund play: Why you may end up owning SpaceX anyway — without the IPO risk. [25:32] – The Cindy story: Why wise counsel always beats FOMO. ⸻ Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com • Website: meritfinancialadvisors.com/about/locations/marietta-ga/ ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's episode resonated with you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe to help us reach more people who want smart, steady guidance over shiny distractions. There will always be another opportunity; the question is whether you have the right plan to act on it wisely. Reach out at connect@meritfa.com and stay coachable! _____________ Disclaimer! Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

  7. Jun 11 ·  Video

    This Couple Cracked the Code to a Happy Retirement: A client success story

    Most people wonder what a retirement done right actually looks like. John and Melanie McGriff are living the answer: ten grandchildren, fly fishing in Wyoming, and the freedom to pour into the people and causes they love most. In today's conversation, Nic and Randy sit down with longtime clients John and Melanie for an honest, heartwarming look at what it truly means to retire to something, not just from something, and what a decade of intentional planning made possible. ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights [01:38] – John and Melanie's story: How a Tuesday night Bible study became a love story neither of them planned. [04:31] – Two careers, one retirement: From Exxon stations and ministry to 30 years at Piedmont Healthcare. [05:52] – The identity trap: Why Melanie struggled to leave nursing, and what finally made retirement feel right. [08:15] – First money memories: Selling peaches door to door and babysitting for $0.25 an hour. [10:17] – The Ageless Explorer: Why John and Melanie are the poster couple for retiring to something, not from something. [11:20] – Retiring to what? Ten grandkids, travel, adventure, and pouring into younger couples. [14:08] – What they looked for in a financial advisor: Trust, relationship, and someone to do life with. [18:30] – Their biggest win: Portfolio growth that exceeded expectations, and the confidence to actually enjoy it. [20:18] – Estate planning in a blended family: Why the 10% club matters and what a family meeting really protects. [29:34] – The Yeomans to Merit Financial transition: Why the relationship never changed, only the name did. [33:38] – Final words of wisdom ⸻ Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com • Website: meritfinancialadvisors.com/about/locations/marietta-ga/ ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's conversation inspired you, please rate, follow, share, and leave a comment, it helps us reach more people who are ready to take that next step with confidence. Stay coachable! ___________ Disclaimer!!! Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

  8. May 20

    Social Security Facts: What It Means for Your Retirement

    Most people know Social Security exists, but very few understand where it came from, what it was actually designed to do, or why the math behind it looks the way it does today. Before you make any decisions about when to file, you need to understand the full picture. In today's conversation, Nic and Randy clear the table on all things Social Security. From its origins in 1935 and the generational math that's quietly straining the trust fund, to the real trade-offs between filing at 62 versus waiting until 70. This episode is designed to replace fear and confusion with clarity and confidence. ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights [00:35] – The origin story: How Otto von Bismarck's walk through the streets of Europe gave birth to the concept of Social Security. [01:25] – The design problem: Why Social Security was never meant to be a pension, and how we turned it into one. [03:01] – The generational math: 72 million Baby Boomers drawing down. 29 million Gen Xers paying in. Why don't the numbers add up? [06:37] – The Millennial factor: Why 80 million Echo Boomers may be the unlikely heroes of the Social Security story. [08:10] – Filing at 62: When taking Social Security early is actually the right decision, and why no one should guilt you out of it. [10:39] – Waiting until 70: The case for an 8% guaranteed compound growth rate that almost nothing else can match. [13:45] – The trust fund reality: What depletion between 2033 and 2034 actually means, and why 70 to 75% of benefits are still projected to be paid by 2070. [14:50] – Beyond retirement: Why Social Security also matters for widows, survivors, and disability benefits. ⸻ Links & Resources Mentioned • Email: connect@meritfa.com • Website: meritfinancialadvisors.com ⸻ Closing Thoughts If today's episode resonated with you, please rate, follow, share, and leave a comment, it helps us reach more people who deserve clarity over confusion when it comes to Social Security. If you don't have a Social Security filing plan or you're unsure when and how to file based on your situation, reach out at connect@meritfa.com. We'd love to help you make the right call,  on your terms, not out of fear. Stay coachable! Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

See All (66)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to Your Retirement Coach based in Marietta, Georgia. This platform is solely for informational purposes and is not offering advisory services or sales of securities. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Comments by viewers or recognitions are no guarantee of future investment outcomes and do not ensure that a viewer will experience a higher level of performance or results. Public comments posted on this site are not selected, amended, deleted, or sorted in any way. If applicable, certain editing of personal identifiable information and misinformation may be deleted. The opinions expressed herein are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Information

You Might Also Like