One For The Money

Jonny West
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Investing
  • Updated Biweekly

Listen to hear Jonny break down the tips, tricks, and strategies he uses to help clients retire early. This is the "easy button" when it comes to early retirement because everything you want and need to know is right here. Jonny will lay it all out in plain English so you can get the details on the actions you can do to put yourself on the best path to early retirement. He'll also interview top real estate, tax, and estate planning and other professionals to provide a comprehensive approach to your retirement planning. Nobody builds wealth by accident. Listen to find out how you can do it on purpose.

  1. Oct 15

    Healthcare Planning is a Must - Ep #120

    Episode 120: Health Care Planning Health care is something everyone needs to plan for. Whether you are still in the workforce or already retired, you need to have a plan. In this episode, I’ll explain the important factors to consider with health care planning at each stage of life. And in the Tips, Tricks, and Strategies segment, I’ll explain why FSAs and HSAs can be powerful tools for health care planning. Key Points: • Health care planning matters at every stage of life—whether you are working, retiring early, or already on Medicare. • Review your health insurance options each year during open enrollment rather than automatically renewing last year’s plan. • Compare premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, prescription coverage, provider networks, and anticipated medical needs. • Health care costs can create substantial financial stress, especially when medical events coincide with lost income or reduced ability to work. • A taxable brokerage account can provide income flexibility in early retirement and may help manage ACA premium costs. • Review Medicare coverage annually because premiums, deductibles, formularies, provider networks, and plan benefits can change. • Consider working with a specialized Medicare professional to help evaluate coverage choices. • FSAs are employer-sponsored accounts best suited for expected near-term health expenses, while HSAs are portable, individually owned accounts that can serve as both a health care spending and long-term retirement-planning tool.

  2. Oct 1

    Early Retirement Requires Different Planning - Ep #119

    Episode 119: Five Strategies for Retiring Early Early retirement requires a different playbook. In this episode, I explain five strategies for bridging the gaps before Social Security and Medicare, managing taxes, and funding your lifestyle with greater flexibility. In the tips and tricks segment, I share how Roth IRA contributions can provide an additional source of penalty-free funds before age 59½. Key points • Build a taxable brokerage account • Maximize your HSA • Use pre-tax 401(k) contributions strategically • Establish a dedicated cash reserve • Understand early retirement-account access • Use Roth IRA contributions for added flexibility before age 59½

  3. Sep 15

    Building a More Satisfying Retirement - Ep #118

    Episode 118: Building a More Satisfying Retirement What does a successful retirement really look like? In this episode, Jonny explores why retirement satisfaction depends on more than just the size of your portfolio. Research shows that four factors play an important role: income, savings, health, and social connection. You’ll learn why a comprehensive retirement plan should go beyond investments and include thoughtful planning for healthcare, relationships, purpose, and the lifestyle you want to enjoy. In This Episode The four key drivers of retirement satisfactionWhy health and social connection can be as important as financial securityHow to avoid sacrificing well-being solely to build a larger nest eggWhy many retirees report being more financially comfortable than they expectedThe ongoing role of Social Security, Medicare, and lower work-related expenses in retirement Key Takeaway A successful retirement is not just about having enough money to stop working. It is about having the financial confidence, health, relationships, and purpose to enjoy the life you have built.

  4. Sep 1

    Social Security Claiming Strategies - Ep #117

    Episode 117: Social Security Claiming Strategies and Tips for Married Couples In this episode of One for the Money, we take a close look at one of the most important retirement decisions you can make: when to claim Social Security. While the timing can have a meaningful impact on your lifetime retirement income, too many people still make this choice without a clear strategy. We break down the key claiming ages, the tradeoffs between claiming early or delaying, and why the right decision should be based on your goals, income sources, life expectancy, and overall retirement plan. We also explore research showing why delaying benefits can often create more long-term value than claiming early and investing the difference. In the Tips, Tricks, and Strategies section, we discuss how married couples should think about spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and how to coordinate claiming decisions to support long-term retirement income. Key topics covered: When to claim Social Security and why timing matters.How claiming at 62, full retirement age, or 70 changes your benefit.Why many retirees leave money on the table by claiming too early.Research on the value of delaying benefits.Social Security strategies married couples may want to consider.How to think about survivor benefits and spousal coordination. Why listen: If you want a clearer framework for deciding when to claim Social Security, this episode offers practical guidance, planning considerations, and a few strategies that can help you make a more informed choice.

  5. Aug 15

    The Alphabet Soup of Employee Benefits - Ep #116

    Episode 116 – The Alphabet Soup of Employee Stock Benefits Why employee ownership can be a powerful wealth-building toolOverview of ESOPs, ESPPs, RSUs, and the NUA tax strategyHow ESOPs and ESPPs give you company stock through contributions or discounted purchasesHow RSUs work, when they’re taxed, and why they often lead to concentrated employer stockWhat NUA is and when it can reduce taxes on appreciated company stock in a 401(k)Key risks of single‑stock exposure and why diversification is crucialPractical RSU tip: when it can make sense to sell vested shares and reinvest or pay down debtHow to think about these benefits as part of an overall financial and tax plan If you’d like help reviewing your equity compensation and overall plan, schedule a free introductory meeting at betterplanningbetterlife.com. This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

  6. Aug 1

    The Art of Spending Money - Ep #115

    In this episode of One for the Money, I revisit author Morgan Housel—best known for The Psychology of Money—and explore his newer, even more impactful book, The Art of Spending Money. I share why building wealth is only half the equation and why learning to spend that wealth intentionally, in line with your values and life experiences, is its own crucial skill. You’ll hear practical ideas for using money as a tool to create freedom, deeper relationships, and meaningful memories, rather than simply chasing a bigger account balance. Episode 115 – The Art of Spending Money (Morgan Housel) Follow-up to episode 13 on The Psychology of MoneyFocus: Morgan Housel’s new book The Art of Spending Money and how to use money to live better, not just build wealth Key Themes Money success is more about behavior than intelligenceBuilding wealth is one skill; spending it wisely is a separate skillMoney should be a tool for happiness and freedom, not a status scoreboard Spending and Personal Experience No one-size-fits-all formula for spending; it must reflect your values and life story“Post-traumatic broke syndrome”: people who grew up with scarcity may struggle to spend even when they’re financially independentGood planning and projections help clients see what’s safe to spend, reducing fear of running out Time, Relationships, and Happiness Life moves in phases; time with family is finite and irreplaceableAt the end of life, what matters most are stories and relationships, not account balancesAs income rises, core joys often stay the same: family time, meaningful conversations, simple shared experiences Practical Takeaways (Tips, Tricks, Strategies) Main drivers of happiness: strong relationships, health, meaningful work, rest, and purposeSpend intentionally on what truly matters; cut ruthlessly what doesn’tGuiding rule: “Spend extravagantly on the things you love—only if you are equally disciplined in cutting the things you don’t.” This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

  7. Jul 15

    The Case for Concern - Part 2 - Ep #114

    Debt, Deficits, and Your Financial Future In this episode of One for the Money, Jonny zooms out: yes, we’re living in the most prosperous era in human history—but America’s debt and spending habits are a growing reason for concern. In this episode: How Washington turned the U.S. into a “transfer society” and why interest on the debt now rivals defense spendingWhat trillion‑dollar deficits really mean (using a simple time analogy)Practical ways to protect yourself from future tax hikes: Roth strategies, HSAs, defined benefit plans, tax‑gain and tax‑loss harvestingWhy voter choices—and new technologies like AI—could still shift us toward a more abundant, fiscally responsible future Listen in to understand the stakes, then learn concrete steps you can take now to strengthen your own financial plan.

  8. Jul 1

    The Case for Optimism - Part 5 - Ep #113

    One for the Money — Episode 113 The Case for Optimism (5th Annual) Each July, the One for the Money podcast makes the case for optimism — and this year's edition may be the most compelling yet. Despite an unsettling headlines landscape that includes the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran and persistent political dysfunction, the data tells a different and far more hopeful story. This episode is your annual reminder of just how remarkable a moment in history we are living through. In This Episode Why 2026 — turbulence and all — is the best time in history to be aliveAmerica at 250: the Declaration of Independence and the outsized global contributions the U.S. has made in technology, medicine, economic growth, education, and democratic idealsWhy freedom, protected by checks and balances, produced the most prosperous society in human historyThe paradox of low happiness despite record prosperity — and what's really driving itClimate fear vs. climate data: what the numbers actually showGlobal progress by the numbers, courtesy of HumanProgress.orgBoomers vs. Millennials: what the data says about who actually had it harderAI anxiety in historical context — and why Chicken Little keeps getting it wrongWealth inequality: where we are, where we've been, and the rise of billionaire philanthropyA personal note on becoming an American citizen Key Takeaways Extreme poverty has fallen from over 80% of the world two centuries ago to under 9% todayU.S. GDP per capita is now 40% higher than Western Europe and 60% higher than Japan — and growing three times faster since 2020Natural disaster deaths in 2024 (16,753) were well below the 20-year average of 65,566 — a 90% decline over the past centuryPolitical division is nothing new: from Aaron Burr to four presidential assassinations, America has always had turmoil — and always moved forwardMillennials now have a higher average net worth at comparable ages than Boomers didEvery major wave of technological disruption — steam, electricity, the internet — created more opportunity than it destroyed Tips, Tricks & Strategies Spend money on travel. As Mark Twain put it, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." Whether it's Yosemite, Crater Lake, the Grand Tetons, or a trip to Thailand or Costa Rica, the conversations and memories you make along the way are among the highest-return investments you can make. Travel doesn't just broaden your perspective — it deepens your gratitude. Remember — a better life is a result of better planning.

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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Listen to hear Jonny break down the tips, tricks, and strategies he uses to help clients retire early. This is the "easy button" when it comes to early retirement because everything you want and need to know is right here. Jonny will lay it all out in plain English so you can get the details on the actions you can do to put yourself on the best path to early retirement. He'll also interview top real estate, tax, and estate planning and other professionals to provide a comprehensive approach to your retirement planning. Nobody builds wealth by accident. Listen to find out how you can do it on purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonny West
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jonny West
  • Show Website
    One For The Money

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