Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

Chad Smith, CFP® and Mike Eklund, CFP®
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

When considering retirement, do you wonder what financial opportunities you may be missing? Busy lives take over and years pass without taking advantage. In this retirement podcast, Chad Smith and Mike Eklund unveil financial opportunities, to help you balance enjoying today so you are ready to retire later. By day, they are fiduciary fee-only financial advisors who answer questions about tax savings, investment decisions, and how to save more. If you’ve been putting off your financial to-do list or are just not sure what you’ve been missing, subscribe to the show and learn more at www.financialsymmetry.com. Financial Symmetry is a Raleigh Financial Advisor, proudly serving clients in the Triangle of North Carolina for over 20 years.

  1. 3D AGO

    Breaking Down the Big Beautiful Bill with Grayson Blazek, Ep #243

    Tax season may feel far off, but with sweeping legislative changes just passed, proactive financial planning starts now. In this episode, we’re sharing our accessible, in-depth breakdown of the new Big Beautiful Bill, highlighting ten key tax provisions that every taxpayer should understand. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Summarizing the latest major legislation in 10 key tax provisions. [04:59] Be mindful of income limits for a taxpayer deduction. [08:05] Consider collating deductions into a single year to maximize tax benefits due to the temporary higher SALT limit. [11:44] Starting in 2026, non-itemizers can claim a permanent below-the-line deduction for charitable donations. [14:24] Many individual clean energy credits are being repealed. [18:16] Certain income isn't subject to federal tax, but deductions vary by filing status. *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to ensure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    22 min

  2. JUN 24

    The Opportunity Cost of Holding Too Much Cash, Ep #242

    When is enough, enough? Many investors have recently found solace in growing their cash reserves, whether in their checking accounts, savings accounts, or certificates of deposit (CDs). With attractive yields and recent market turbulence still fresh in mind, it’s easy to assume that loading up on cash is a safe strategy. But there’s a hidden cost to keeping more money than you need. Not only does excessive cash limit your growth potential, but it can erode your long-term wealth, all because of a mix of emotional biases, historical events, and overlooked risks. Outline of This Episode [03:56] Artificial anchoring and recency bias can lead to overly cautious investing decisions. [09:14] Cash underperforms stocks and bonds long-term. [11:30] Market timing is risky; missing the 10 best days can significantly reduce returns. [15:10] Optimize cash flow through strategic sales while considering tax efficiency. [19:50] Maximize equities in a portfolio for high returns. [20:39] Focus on planning goals for the next 5 to 7 years. *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to ensure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    22 min

  3. JUN 11

    Creating a Pipeline of Growth and Purpose to Create a Better Client Experience, Ep #241

    At Financial Symmetry, our internship program has become a core pillar of our growth, innovation, and client experience. Over time, our program grew from simply filling resource gaps to a foundational development engine, helping to shape the services Financial Symmetry offers and the team culture itself. What has emerged from these iterations is the recognition that our best chance of success comes from integrating interns directly into the firm’s core wealth management processes. This hands-on approach creates a feedback loop where interns don’t just complete busywork; they contribute valuable perspectives and even shape workflows that staff rely upon to this day. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Financial Symmetry’s influential internship program, with insights from Heather Gudac. [04:13] Refining processes through internships. [06:42] Internship growth and uniqueness. [12:06] Intern assessment and development process. [14:50] Empowering interns through engagement. [17:49] Internship planning and goal setting. *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to ensure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    21 min

  4. MAY 20

    When Should You Claim Social Security? 3 Decisions to Consider, Ep #240

    Claiming Social Security as soon as you become eligible at age 62 is a common choice for Americans. While understandable, this decision can have significant, and often underappreciated, long-term consequences. For many, the urge to claim early may stem from financial necessity, lack of other income sources, or simply a desire to “get what you’ve paid for.” However, claiming early can reduce your benefit by as much as 30% compared to waiting until your full retirement age (typically around 67). If you are in the fortunate position of having other income sources, such as a pension, 401(k), brokerage accounts, or IRAs, delaying Social Security becomes a viable strategy. This moves the decision away from immediate need and toward maximizing lifetime income, building multigenerational wealth, and supporting charitable or legacy goals. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Most Americans claim Social Security at 62 due to a lack of other income, but those with additional resources or financial advice might delay claiming for long-term wealth planning. [04:16] Consider life expectancy in financial planning, especially for married couples. [08:56] Evaluate claiming benefits at different ages to optimize long-term financial outcomes, considering life expectancy and age gaps between spouses. [11:38] Social Security benefits, combined with other income, affect your tax bracket. [16:00] It’s important to integrate Social Security decisions into your broader retirement plan, considering income sources, tax liabilities, legacy goals, and timing. [17:18] Retirement tax decisions are complex, involve varying tax rates, and impact Social Security timing strategies. *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to assure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    20 min

  5. MAY 6

    Navigating Market Volatility with Mike Eklund, Ep #239

    Chad and Mike break down the major moves in US and international markets from the past quarter, revealing why diversification works unexpectedly. They chat through the impact of recent tariff news, what those headlines might mean for the economy and your portfolio, and share evidence-based strategies for taking action (or not!) when markets get rocky. Outline of This Episode [0:00] Major moves in US and international markets from the past quarter [4:22] The benefits of diversified portfolios  [9:15] Trade deficit and tariffs explained [9:54] Tariffs impact product prices, and consumer costs increase  [13:03] Historic tariff surge of 22% shocks the stock market [16:27] Top Tech Chart Insights [20:39] Interest rates are expected to decline, making equities better for long-term growth *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to assure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    27 min

  6. APR 22

    Your Market Volatility Survival Playbook, Ep #238

    Market volatility is never comfortable, but with the right mindset and a thoughtful plan, you can face downturns not as a victim, but as an opportunist. On this episode of the Financial Symmetry Show, we’re sharing our advice on managing your finances amid turbulent markets and giving you a helpful checklist to guide your decision-making when headlines make your stomach flip. Outline of This Episode [0:00] We discuss the importance of planning, reviewing its steps, and controlling expectations during unforeseen events. [4:29] Evaluate income, expenses, job security, income sources, and potential risks in financial planning. [7:14] Consider delaying major purchases or expenses if income is uncertain. Assess whether postponing could increase costs or cause issues. [12:53] Prepare for significant financial events that may impact your portfolio, like downsizing a home or receiving a large sum. [14:17] Evaluate your portfolio by considering your stock choices. [17:32] Avoid panic selling stocks, which often leads to long-term financial regret. [22:50] Take informed action for peace of mind; mindset and planning are key. *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to assure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    25 min

  7. APR 9

    5 Ways to Transform Tax Season into an Opportunity with Grayson Blazek, Ep #237

    Tax planning might not top everyone's list of leisure activities, but in the middle of tax season there’s a hidden opportunity. What if, instead of seeing it as a mere logistic hurdle, we embraced it as a moment to refine our financial strategy?  *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to assure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    25 min

  8. MAR 25

    How Longevity Could Impact Your Retirement, Ep #236

    What if your retirement lasts much longer than you anticipated? Increasing life expectancies have reshaped our understanding of retirement and financial planning in recent years, and we’ll likely become more concerned about effectively managing financial resources throughout a potentially very long life in the future.  In this episode, we’re sharing some insights gleaned from a recent industry conference focused on the impacts of longevity on retirement planning. There's a growing need to rethink how long you'll need your savings to last and how you approach your investment strategies to accommodate potentially decades more of life.  We’re discussing the intriguing idea of a 150-year lifespan and the emergence of cutting-edge longevity research and how this thought-provoking information challenges our traditional views on aging and needs us to rethink traditional financial planning strategies.  Whether it's reimagining retirement careers or evaluating the future of medical advancements, we have to align our wealth span with a potentially extended health span. Join us as we unravel the financial implications of living longer and healthier lives. *********** 📰 See the full show notes here 🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to assure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

    24 min
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4.6
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

When considering retirement, do you wonder what financial opportunities you may be missing? Busy lives take over and years pass without taking advantage. In this retirement podcast, Chad Smith and Mike Eklund unveil financial opportunities, to help you balance enjoying today so you are ready to retire later. By day, they are fiduciary fee-only financial advisors who answer questions about tax savings, investment decisions, and how to save more. If you’ve been putting off your financial to-do list or are just not sure what you’ve been missing, subscribe to the show and learn more at www.financialsymmetry.com. Financial Symmetry is a Raleigh Financial Advisor, proudly serving clients in the Triangle of North Carolina for over 20 years.

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