Power Your Retirement

Steve Smit

Hosted by Steve Smit, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and founder of Powerhouse Financial Advisors, this podcast is designed to help employees of large publicly traded utility companies take control of their retirement planning. Steve, author of Power Up Your 401(k), shares insights on maximizing 401(k) options, navigating self-directed brokerage accounts, and creating a secure financial future. Tune in for practical advice, helpful resources, and strategies to power up your retirement! Subscribe and never miss an episode! Also available in video format on YouTube. For more information about Power Your Retirement, visit PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors.com or call 775-266-8867.

  1. 3h ago

    Bueller... Bueller... Financial Planning?

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html It's been 40 years since Ferris Bueller skipped school, borrowed a Ferrari, and became one of the most quoted characters in movie history. Turns out, a lot of what he said applies just as well to your financial life. Ferris didn't wait around wondering if today was worth enjoying — he just made sure it was. Steve sees the same lesson in financial planning: enjoy life, plan wisely, and be intentional about what your money is actually for. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ⏳ Life Balance: Save without missing the present 🏎️ Accumulation: Avoid building wealth without purpose 📰 Distractions: Don’t let headlines drive decisions 🎯 Intentionality: Tell your money where to go 🧭 Purpose: Give every dollar a job 🤝 Planning: Connect money with life goals Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

  2. Oct 15

    The Honor and the Headache of Being an Executor

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Being named the executor of someone's will can feel like an honor. It can also feel like a lot of pressure. It's more than handing out inheritances. It's paperwork, accounts, taxes, property, creditors, and sometimes family dynamics, stretched out over months or even years. Today, Steve talks through how he can help. He’s not an estate attorney, and he’s not trying to be. But when a client is staring down this role for the first time, having someone who can help them make sense of it makes a real difference. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📋 Executor Role: Understand what the job involves 🗂️ First Steps: Gather documents and death certificates ⚖️ Professional Help: Coordinate legal and financial guidance 🏦 Asset Distribution: Move accounts through proper channels 🚫 Common Mistakes: Avoid rushing distributions too early 🧾 Tax Matters: Keep final obligations organized 📚 Future Planning: Prepare before the role begins Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

  3. Oct 8

    Picking a Retirement Date

    Send us Fan Mail  📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html "When can I retire?" might be the question we get asked more than any other. Some people are chasing an age. Others are chasing a number. Today, Steve is breaking down what actually determines the answer. The date on the calendar or the number in the account might feel like the finish line, but neither one tells the whole story. That's what the planning process is actually for. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🖩 Lifestyle Costs: Calculate what life really costs 🧠 Emotional Barriers: Address fear around leaving work ⚡ Utility Employees: Coordinate pensions and other assets 📊 Stress Testing: Pressure-test the plan before retiring 🏖️ Retirement Goals: Build lifestyle into the numbers Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

  4. Oct 1

    60, Retiring Soon, and Wondering About Roth Conversions

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html "I'm 60, probably retiring in 5-6 years, and I just learned about Roth conversions. Is this something I should be doing?" This is a listener question we hear a lot, and the honest answer is: it depends. Steve digs into what it actually depends on. Roth conversions aren't right for everyone, and they're not wrong for everyone either. The only way to know is to run the numbers on your specific situation, not someone else's. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ⏰ Early Conversions: Using time before retirement 📈 RMD Concerns: Reducing future forced withdrawals ✂️ Cash Needs: Paying conversion taxes separately 🎯 Good Candidates: Identifying when conversions may fit 📊 Gradual Strategy: Converting smaller amounts over time ⚠️ Tax Risks: Avoiding oversized conversion mistakes Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

  5. Sep 24

    Filing Cabinet or Fire Box? Sorting Out Your Financial Paperwork

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Somewhere in a drawer, a filing cabinet, or a shoebox in the closet, most of us are holding onto financial paperwork we don't actually need. And we’re probably missing a few things we do need. Steve helps sort out what stays, what goes, and where it all belongs. Nobody loves paperwork, but a little bit of organization now saves a lot of scrambling later for you and for whoever has to help sort it out someday. When in doubt, ask us before you shred it. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧾 Tax Records: Knowing how long to retain W-2s and supporting documents 📊 Statements: Keeping investment records organized without creating unnecessary clutter 🪪 Identity Records: Safeguarding birth certificates, Social Security cards, and passports 💍 Marriage Records: Keeping documentation that establishes important legal relationships 🏦 Loan Documents: Holding onto the original terms of mortgages, auto loans, and other debts 🗑️ Safe Disposal: Shredding sensitive paperwork instead of simply throwing it away ☁️ Digital Storage: Using secure backups and cloud storage to make records easier to access Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

  6. Sep 17

    The High Shoulders Theory & What It Means for Your Money

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html A post about a father, a baseball tryout, and a bad summer went viral this spring — and buried in it is a framework that applies just as much to money as it does to relationships. Today, Steve’s borrowing it. Bloom's recap of the concept is simple: stand tall, bend down, lift, repeat. That's not a bad description of what a good financial relationship should feel like either. If your current one isn't doing both, it might be worth asking why. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧭 Financial Direction: Knowing where you are, where you want to go, and how to connect the two 📚 Education vs. Action: Why learning more doesn’t automatically mean making progress ⚠️ High Pressure: How big expectations without a clear plan can create anxiety 🤝 Best Quadrant: Why high expectations and high support are worth building toward ✅ Accountability: The value of having someone willing to challenge and support you 🔄 Ongoing Planning: Why financial plans need to change as life changes The High Shoulders Theory  https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter/the-high-shoulders-theory Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

  7. Sep 10

    What Does "Safe Money" Actually Mean?

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Everyone says they want their money to be "safe." Almost nobody defines it the same way. Today, Steve breaks down what safe money really means and whether your version of safe holds up to reality. "Safe" feels like a simple word, but it means something different for everyone. The only way to know if your money is actually safe is to look at it closely, not just call it that and move on. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛡️ Defining Safety: Everyone sees risk differently 🪣 Investment Buckets: Diversification creates different roles 📉 Cash Risk: Inflation quietly reduces purchasing power 📊 Risk Tradeoffs: Higher returns require more risk 🧠 Money Blueprint: Past experiences shape decisions 🧩 Whole Picture: Consider every income source 📋 Financial Planning: Context creates greater confidence Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Millionaire-Mind-Mastering-Wealth/dp/0060763280  Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

  8. Sep 3

    Why People Keep Working In Their Retirement Years

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html More people in their 60s and 70s are staying on the job than ever before, and it's not always about the money. Today, Steve digs into the real reasons retirees keep showing up to work. Working longer isn't automatically the wrong call. Sometimes it's exactly right. The real question is whether it's a choice or a fallback. That's worth figuring out before you assume the answer. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🤝 Social Connections: Work provides built-in community 🧬 Work Identity: Careers can shape self-image 😟 Money Worries: Fear can delay retirement 🏠 Home Adjustment: Retirement changes daily dynamics 📋 Doubting Your Plan: Uncertainty keeps people working 🧭 Retirement Choice: Know why you’re staying Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

About

Hosted by Steve Smit, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and founder of Powerhouse Financial Advisors, this podcast is designed to help employees of large publicly traded utility companies take control of their retirement planning. Steve, author of Power Up Your 401(k), shares insights on maximizing 401(k) options, navigating self-directed brokerage accounts, and creating a secure financial future. Tune in for practical advice, helpful resources, and strategies to power up your retirement! Subscribe and never miss an episode! Also available in video format on YouTube. For more information about Power Your Retirement, visit PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors.com or call 775-266-8867.

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