Excel in Retirement: Financial Stewardship for Lasting Confidence

David Treece
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Financial planner David Treece helps you become a better steward of your finances so you can excel in retirement. By following David’s advice, you can experience greater peace of mind and confidence about your financial future. David’s key framework is called the “Three Roles of Money,” a simple way to understand how each dollar in your plan should work for you. Reach out to David at ClientsExcel.com or call 864 641 7955 so he can help you excel in retirement.

  1. Oct 2

    37. Proverbs 15:22 - The Wisdom of Getting Help

    In this episode, David explores the importance of seeking counsel, humility, and wisdom from Proverbs to avoid pitfalls like pride and isolation, especially in financial and personal decisions. Scripture Foundation: Proverbs 15:22 - "Plans fail for lack of counsel…" Proverbs 12:15 - "The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice." 13:10 - Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. The Core Lesson: Isolation breeds blind spots. Making high-stakes financial choices—like Social Security timing or tax conversions—in a vacuum or based purely on online headlines often leads to avoidable mistakes. Real wisdom isn't about knowing everything yourself; it's about surrounding yourself with a coordinated team (tax, legal, income, Medicare) to help your retirement plan actually succeed. 00:00 Introduction to the importance of advice and humility 00:27 Proverbs The value of many advisors 01:05 The potential risks of isolating oneself and seeking wisdom 02:11 The importance of understanding and avoiding pride 03:33 Lessons from public figures' falls from grace 04:50 The roots of pride in the biblical story of Adam and Eve 05:49 The early signs of pride in human nature 07:02 Challenges of helping prideful clients and the importance of humility 09:14 The value of timing and seeking advice at the right moment 12:37 The risks of isolation and the importance of community 13:46 The biblical view of grace and the concept of a fall from grace 20:29 The story of the financial steward and the fall from grace 21:41 The craftiness of the devil and the importance of staying humble 22:23 How Proverbs can guide daily life and decision-making 23:37 Encouragement to seek advice and build humility in life Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel and Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com Investment advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Clients Excel and CreativeOne Wealth are unaffiliated entities. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency and do not provide tax or legal advice. Licensed Insurance Professional. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice.  Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal. No Investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Insurance and annuity products are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company

  2. Sep 11

    36. Why do people work with Clients Excel?

    Today David shares his unique approach to financial planning, emphasizing the importance of trust, simplicity, and community in retirement planning. Discover how his color-coded money system and focus on long-term relationships can help you achieve confidence and clarity in your financial future. 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:15 The difference between retirement planning and investment management 04:02 The interconnectedness of financial decisions 06:19 The color-coded money system explained 09:01 The importance of simplicity and clear communication 11:24 Trust, verification, and building confidence 13:07 Creating community and ongoing support in retirement 16:19 The power of brand consistency and trust 20:03 The importance of being there for clients throughout retirement 22:30 What Clients Excel really means Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel and Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com Investment advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Clients Excel and CreativeOne Wealth are unaffiliated entities. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency and do not provide tax or legal advice. Licensed Insurance Professional. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice.  Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal. No Investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Insurance and annuity products are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company

  3. Aug 27

    35. What Happens to us when we stop trusting Government & Media?

    In this episode, David Treece discusses the importance of trust in financial decision-making, the impact of leadership failures on public trust, and introduces the BLESSED framework to help you assess and improve your financial health and planning. The BLESSED Retirement Framework B — Budget
What will retirement actually cost? L — Legacy
What do you want to leave behind? E — Estate Planning Strategies
Is everything structured the way you want it? S — Social Security
When and how should you claim? S — Savings & Investments
How should your assets be positioned for retirement? E — Earnings & Income
Where will your retirement income come from? D — Dream Retirement
What are you actually retiring to? Key points:  The decline of trust in government and mediaLeadership failures like Watergate and the financial crisisThe importance of transparency and integrity in financeThe blessed framework for comprehensive financial planningSteps to help overcome cynicism and make informed decisions Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel In Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com Links from the episode Pew Research Center (Public Trust in Government 1958–2024): https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/06/24/public-trust-in-government-1958-2024/Gallup Historical Tracking (Confidence in Institutions & Media): https://news.gallup.com/poll/1597/confidence-institutions.aspxBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Benchmark Revisions Analysis): https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cesprelmod.htmProverbs 21:20 (Principles of Reserve & Stewardship): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21%3A20&version=NIVGeorgia Man arrested for Ponzi schemehttps://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/alleged-mastermind-165-million-cryptocurrency-ponzi-scheme-facing-federal-charges

  4. Aug 20

    34. Did you get a quality Social Security report? (Part 2)

    In this 2nd part of a series on Social Security, David Treece explores the complexities of Social Security, including how taxes, cost of living adjustments, and personal assets impact retirement planning. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your benefits and planning ahead to help you maximize your retirement income. Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel and Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Social Security and Retirement Planning 05:56 The Importance of a Social Security Report 07:03 Using SSA.gov and Navigating Benefits 08:05 Impact of Cost of Living and Inflation 09:00 Role of Assets and Budgeting in Retirement 10:06 Dreaming Bigger in Retirement and Lifestyle Planning 11:10 The Power of Responsible Forecasting and Planning 12:08 Market Volatility and Retirement Strategies 12:59 The Value of a Social Security Report and Personal Decisions 14:10 The Importance of Planning for the Unexpected 14:53 Controlling Perspective and Life Balance 15:59 Understanding Provisional Income and Tax Rules 17:05 The Evolution of Social Security Taxation 18:07 Strategies to Help Minimize Tax Impact on Benefits 19:09 How Long Does a Social Security Report Take? 20:07 The Value of Professional Guidance and Personalized Reports 20:55 Stories of Unexpected Benefits and Peace of Mind 22:02 The Potential Cost of Not Planning and Missing Opportunities 23:02 Encouragement to Take Action and Get Your Report 24:03 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Connect Investment advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Clients Excel and CreativeOne Wealth are unaffiliated entities. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal. No Investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Licensed insurance professional. Insurance and annuity products are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

  5. Aug 13

    33. Did you get a quality Social Security report? (Part 1)

    In this first of two episodes, David Treece shares his insights on ways to help you optimize your Social Security benefits through detailed analysis and strategic planning. Learn how to make informed decisions that could significantly impact your retirement income and peace of mind. Topics covered: Social Security benefit calculation and optimizationTiming strategies for claiming Social SecurityImpact of life expectancy and health on benefitsSpousal and survivor benefits coordinationEffect of potential Social Security solvency issues Takeaways Your Social Security benefit is a variable, not a fixed number, and can be optimized.Claiming benefits early versus delaying can potentially result in thousands of dollars difference over a lifetime.A personalized Social Security report can help you make more informed decisions.Waiting until age 70 can increase your benefits by up to 24%.You can write a check to reset your benefits if you claim early and then change your mind within the first year.Coordinating benefits with your spouse can help you maximize your household income.Understanding your full retirement age and the impact of claiming before or after it is crucial.Future solvency issues may reduce Social Security benefits, so planning for potential cuts is wise. Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel and Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com Investment advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Clients Excel and CreativeOne Wealth are unaffiliated entities. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government Agency. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal. No Investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Licensed insurance professional. Insurance and annuity products are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

  6. Aug 6

    32. What could happen to Social Security in the future?

    In this episode, David Treece discusses the future of Social Security, its funding challenges, and what individuals can do to prepare for potential changes. This is essential listening for anyone planning for retirement and wanting to understand the math and options behind Social Security's sustainability. Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel and Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com Sources:  https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/07/social-security-taxes-benefits/688042/ https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/latest-federal-income-tax-data-2025/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Social Security's Funding Problem 01:05 Why Social Security Is a Math Problem, Not Politics 02:39 Where Has the Money for Social Security Come From? 03:30 The Trust Fund and Its Challenges 05:16 Options for Addressing the Funding Shortfall 09:21 The Role of Taxes and Government Revenue 10:41 Reducing Benefits and Raising Retirement Age 12:00 The Impact of Borrowing and National Debt 16:23 Potential Solutions and Personal Strategies 22:27 How to help maximize Social Security Benefits and Planning 25:16 How to Get Personalized Social Security Guidance

  7. Jul 30

    31. Is Spreading Your Accounts Around Helpful?

    In this episode, David Treece discusses the importance of consolidating and organizing your financial accounts to avoid redundancy, confusion, and inefficiency. He shares practical analogies and strategies to help listeners simplify their financial lives and prepare for a successful retirement. Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel and Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com

  8. Jul 23

    30. How to overcome your family's financial mindset

    David Treece explores the deep-rooted emotional and psychological aspects of money, discussing how childhood experiences, communication, and gratitude influence our financial behaviors and well-being. They share practical insights for fostering healthier money habits and conversations, especially in retirement planning. Google Reviews for David Treece   https://www.google.com/search?q=clients+excel+reviews Excel and Retirement Newsletter https://www.excelinretirement.com Reach out to David hello@clientsexcel.com

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About

Financial planner David Treece helps you become a better steward of your finances so you can excel in retirement. By following David’s advice, you can experience greater peace of mind and confidence about your financial future. David’s key framework is called the “Three Roles of Money,” a simple way to understand how each dollar in your plan should work for you. Reach out to David at ClientsExcel.com or call 864 641 7955 so he can help you excel in retirement.

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