Mr. Stillman's Opus

John Stillman
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Financial and retirement guidance from John Stillman, founder of Rosewood Wealth Management. Serving Durham, Chapel Hill, and the rest of the Triangle. Make sure your finances are designed to deliver you a harmonious retirement.

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Slow Growth Wins (Even if It’s Boring)

    Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment ☎️ 919-391-3446   John takes an everyday problem—keeping plants alive—and uses it to explain why slow, steady wealth building actually works better than chasing quick wins. He breaks down why “fake growth” never lasts and why mastering money in small doses matters far more than sudden windfalls. If you’ve ever wished your wealth would grow overnight, this episode politely reminds you it won’t.   Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🌧️ The Rainwater Analogy: real growth vs. the stuff that just “looks” like growth 🪣 Collecting the Good Stuff: why shortcuts don’t deliver the nutrients your finances need 💸 Wealth Lessons Hidden in Gardening: real wealth, the slow kind, is what actually lasts   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Phone: 919-391-3446 Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    3 min

  2. NOV 28

    Mailbag: Big Raises, Gifting Rules & Social Security Timing

    Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment ☎️ 919-391-3446 What should you do first when your income suddenly skyrockets? Is waiting until age 70 for Social Security always worth it? In this episode, John answers a fresh round of listener questions, each one highlighting the real-life financial decisions people wrestle with every day. The truth is, even simple questions deserve careful thinking and a strategy built around your unique situation. Good planning is always personal, never one-size-fits-all. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💸 Managing a big income jump: avoiding lifestyle creep and planning for taxes 🎁 Gifting to adult children: understanding annual limits and estate rules 🧓 Social Security timing: why “wait until 70” isn’t always the right advice   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Phone: 919-391-3446 Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    14 min

  3. NOV 14

    Why You Shouldn’t Bet Everything on One Investment

    Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment ☎️ 919-391-3446   John’s okra plants usually thrive, but this year nearly every seed failed to sprout. In this short episode, John shares how his gardening mishap illustrates one of the most important principles in investing — diversification. Whether it’s okra or your portfolio, balance and variety are what help you grow something that lasts. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Overconfidence Risk: The danger of assuming past success guarantees future results 🏢 Company Stock Trap: Why loading up on your employer’s stock can backfire 📊 Diversification: How spreading risk helps protect your long-term financial goals 💬 Simple Advice: Don’t go all in on one seed—or one stock   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Phone: 919-391-3446 Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    3 min

  4. OCT 31

    (Almost) Everything You Need to Know About Medicare

    Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment Medicare can feel like alphabet soup—Part A, Part B, Part D, Advantage, Supplement—how do you make sense of it all? John talks with Ryan Nutter of Cornerstone Senior Advisors, one of the most knowledgeable Medicare specialists in the country. Together, they cut through the confusion to explain how the system really works, what each part covers, and how to choose between Advantage and Supplement plans. Medicare doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you understand how the pieces fit together. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🧩 Breaking Down Medicare: the difference between Parts A, B, C, and D 💸 “Free” Isn’t Free: why you’ve already paid for Part A 🧾 Supplement vs. Advantage: which plan design fits your lifestyle 💊 Drug Coverage Details: understanding Part D and the Inflation Reduction Act changes 📈 Rate Increases Explained: why premiums are rising and what to expect in 2026   Get in touch with Ryan at Cornerstone Senior Advisors: Website: https://advisemedicare.net Email: office@advisemedicare.net Phone: 316-260-3331   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Phone: 919-391-3446 Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    36 min

  5. OCT 3

    Take Your Hands Off Your Nest Egg

    Sometimes the best lessons come from the most ordinary places, like the chicken coop. A simple thing like farm-fresh eggs can teach a powerful lesson about investing. Here’s the scoop: farm-fresh eggs can sit safely on your counter for weeks because of a natural protective coating called a “bloom.” But wash that coating off, and suddenly they spoil fast and need to be refrigerated. Your investments are a lot like those eggs. Over-handling can shorten their shelf life and hurt long-term growth. Instead, patience and restraint usually pay off. Just like eggs last if you leave them alone, your portfolio can thrive if you trust the protective power of time, diversification, and sound strategy. Pre-retirees and retirees, take note: sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to do absolutely nothing. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🚫 The financial danger of over-handling investments 📉 Why market dips rarely need a panic response 🥚 What farm-fresh eggs can teach us about financial planning ⏳ How time and patience protect growth   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Phone: 919-391-3446 Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    3 min

  6. SEP 19

    The Economics of College with Kristin Heimstra

    Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment ☎️ 919-391-3446 For decades, families have been told college is the only ticket to success. But with skyrocketing costs, shifting job markets, and the rise of AI, the economics of higher education are more complicated than ever. Career and college coach Kristin Heimstra joins John to break down how parents and students can navigate these choices with clarity and confidence. Kristin shares her perspective on when a private school may be worth the price, why community colleges are an overlooked gem, and how to think critically about degrees, ROI, and career fit. She also explores the growing role of trade schools and hands-on careers that AI can’t replace. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance cost, value, and opportunity when it comes to higher education—or how to help your kids or grandkids make smarter choices—this conversation is for you. The bottom line: it’s not just about where you go, it’s about knowing yourself, your goals, and the return on your investment. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🎓 Rethinking the “college or bust” mindset 💰 When private education can be worth the cost 🔧 Trade school opportunities in an AI-driven world 🏫 Community college as a launchpad for success 🤝 Building networks and connections that matter   Get in touch with Kristin: Art of Potential website: https://www.artofpotential.com/ Email: Kristin@artofpotential.com   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Phone: 919-391-3446 Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    21 min

  7. SEP 5

    Should You Downsize in Retirement? The Emotional Vs. Financial Debate

    Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment ☎️ 919-391-3446 Deciding where to live in retirement is about more than just money; it’s about lifestyle, family, and long-term comfort. In this episode, John explores the often-emotional decision of keeping the family home, downsizing, or relocating entirely. He shares real examples of weighing the memories tied to a house against the reality of upkeep, property taxes, and shifting housing markets. John explains why there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. For some, hiring help for maintenance makes more sense than selling. For others, equity in a large home is essential to funding their retirement income plan. And sometimes, the desire to live near children and grandchildren trumps both cost and convenience. With rising interest rates and changing property values, the math isn’t always straightforward. This conversation will help you think about both the numbers and your emotions, so you can feel confident about your next move.   Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 The emotional vs. financial sides of deciding where to live in retirement 📉 Why “downsizing” doesn’t always save you money 👨‍👩‍👧 Lifestyle questions to ask before making a move 💵 How property taxes and interest rates factor into your decision 🔑 Balance lifestyle with financial security   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    10 min

  8. AUG 22

    Don’t Plant Your Tomatoes Next to Your Potatoes (or Your Roth Next to a CD)

    Ready to grow your wealth with confidence? Let’s talk! 👉 https://www.rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/schedule-an-appointment ☎️ 919-391-3446 If you’ve ever dabbled in gardening, you know that some plants thrive together while others fight for resources. Tomatoes and potatoes? Terrible neighbors. But tomatoes and basil? That’s a match made in salad heaven. The same principle applies to your money. Certain accounts and investments simply don’t belong side by side. In this episode, John explains how the concept of companion planting—pairing crops that help each other grow—mirrors smart financial strategies. Just like tomatoes thrive when planted near basil, your retirement plan flourishes when your investments, tax strategies, and income sources are designed to work together instead of competing for resources. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🪴 Gardening wisdom for retirement planning 🥔 Why “taters and maters” don’t mix in finance 🚀 Roth IRAs need growth, not safety 🌿 Designing a healthy, balanced financial garden   Connect with us: Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/ Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

    3 min
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5
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About

Financial and retirement guidance from John Stillman, founder of Rosewood Wealth Management. Serving Durham, Chapel Hill, and the rest of the Triangle. Make sure your finances are designed to deliver you a harmonious retirement.

Information

  • Creator
    John Stillman
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright John Stillman
  • Show Website
    Mr. Stillman's Opus