Have you ever met a 75-year-old who seems 40? How about a 30-year-old who seems 50? Why do some folks seem to age like a fine wine while others settle like a lukewarm wine cooler? On today’s episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes sits down with Dr. Alan Castel to delve into how we might be able to improve our own aging process. A Professor in UCLA’s Psychology Department, he studies learning, memory, and aging and is particularly interested in how younger and older adults can selectively remember important information. If you can recall your son’s assist-to-turnover ratio from last year’s lacrosse season but not the name of the neighbor you’ve been waving to for the past 10 years, find out what kind of retrieval practices might enhance your memory. And if you’ve focused extensively on retirement’s financial implications but neglected the psychological side, Dr. Castel’s lessons might be what you need to increase socialization and harness the knowledge of those who have been in similar situations. Father Time is undefeated, but that doesn’t mean you have to live in fear. Take the steps necessary to increase your odds of getting better with age, and let today’s episode be the first step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans have faced immense financial challenges in the past two-plus decades. The Dotcom Bubble sent stock prices down nearly 50% between 2000 and 2002, the Great Recession and Housing Crisis of 2007-2009 cratered stocks more than 55%, and theCOVID-19 Pandemic and shutdowns sent stocks tumbling 30% in a month’s span and led to massive inflation and high interest rates thereafter. In today’s episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes admits that a sensible retirement strategy while accounting for unknown future world events can feel overwhelming. However, he believes utilizing the foundational principles of the Retire Sooner community can help increase your probability of achieving the financial freedom that many happy retirees enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaspreet Singh’s parents gave him two choices: become a doctor or be a failure. Understandably, he chose medicine, but deep down, he knew it was for all the wrong reasons. People like Jaspreet are born entrepreneurs. They just see the world a little bit differently. He inherently knew he could be happier and make more money doing something else, and he tried just about everything. From drumming to an event planning company to law school to real estate, one thing became clear—he needed more funding. So, he came up with a unique idea: a water-resistant athletic sock. He used this innovative product to raise the capital he needed. When a marketing scam lost him thousands of dollars, he started an educational social media page called The Minority Mindset to help other outside-the-box thinkers avoid making the same mistakes. To his surprise, the YouTube Channel hit 100,000 subscribers, so he put the sock back in the drawer and dedicated himself to making financial education fun and accessible. Today, The Minority Mindset has nearly 2 million subscribers and multiple offshoots, including Briefs Media and the Market Insiders investing education app. Jaspreet’s brand has helped countless people free themselves from debt and start investing. His story reminds us that, though we all make mistakes, with the right mindset and strategies, we can create our own path to financial success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your dreams shouldn’t have an expiration date, even in retirement. In this episode, Wes sits down with Patrice Jenkins, Ph.D., an organizational psychologist, retirement speaker, Founder of Day One Dreams, and author of “What Will I Do All Day?: Wisdom to Get You Over Retirement and On With Living!” Patrice explains how it’s never too late to go after your dreams, but you have to start today, the intricacies of success stories, and details from her book. Additionally, she discusses how thriving has two components, the similarities between thriving at work and thriving in retirement, along with where intrinsic motivation stems from. To wrap up the episode, Patrice talks about figuring out retirement as you go but planning in advance, finding new roles in retirement, and what retirement means to her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation has many investors questioning financial planning and spending decisions, including those making arrangements for a happy retirement. One frequently used concept that can help with retirement spending during times like these lies in the 4% Plus Rule. Listen as Wes Moss explains the math behind the rule during this episode. Wes shares how running out of money is a top fear, why history can help us navigate through budgeting, and lists similarities between budgeting and dieting. He also talks through starting top down as opposed to bottom up when it comes to spending and provides examples of how the 4% and 4% Plus Rules can be used. Later in the episode, Wes discusses safe withdrawal rates, the importance of planning ahead of schedule, and why flexibility is the key in the budgeting process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each generation is different. In fact, some generations are so hard-wired and hardcoded with their own values, that they may overlook the views of others. However, if we understood the generations outside of our own we could better sympathize and empathize with them in our daily lives, workplace, and family life. To help us comprehend each generation, we’re joined by Chris De Santis, organizational behavior speaker, facilitator, consultant, and author of Why I Find You Irritating: Navigating Generational Friction at Work. Chris describes each generation in detail and generalizes the values and beliefs of those generations. He also explains generational differences, defines what it means to be a humanist, and shares why he believes the best teams are complementary instead of competitive. To conclude, Chris reveals details from his book, the key to generational harmony in a business, and how our early years impact our outlook on life’s principles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So you’ve retired. What comes next? Many retirees find themselves lingering within the retirement grey zone as they make their full transition into this new phase of life. But what if there is a second act following your career? One that could check off all the boxes; multiple streams of income, core pursuits, and socialization. Retirement coach and author of Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit From Your Passions During Semi-Retirement, Nancy Collamer, joins this episode to talk through exploring second-act careers and how they can benefit you in the long run. Listen as she provides tips for finding your second act, expert streams of income, and explains why it’s never too early or too late to start your second act in retirement. Nancy also shares how she pinpointed her second act, why trying things you’re interested in can lead to new opportunities, and the top fear of those seeking a second act. To conclude, Nancy describes the concept of a Reinvention R&D Budget, utilizing gig platforms, and Wes shares some insight about finding his core pursuits in life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022 has not been an ideal year for some investors. Tune in to today's episode as Wes Moss explains what considerations to make. Wes walks through how the market has impacted investors for the past few years, his insights on whether or not we are in a recession, and why 2022 still has a strong job market along with a sturdy travel industry. Additionally, he touches on having a disequilibrium when it comes to the consumer and how easy it is for investors to leave when markets get volatile. The episode wraps up with Wes sharing why businesses are the military of the economy and methods for riding through this tough year from an investment standpoint. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if we told you aging like fine wine and fitness go hand in hand? While some seek to kickstart their fitness journey when faced with health issues in their later years, they soon find that their newly discovered lifestyle, combined with a little discipline, can go a long way. James “Jim” Owen, a forty-year veteran of Wall Street, speaker, and author joins this episode to talk through his journey of finding fitness later in life and how it turned things around. Jim shares what started his fitness journey along with when health became a priority. Furthermore, he reveals details from the books he’s written, defines a super ager and what it entails, and lays out why it’s important to start slow and make a commitment to yourself. He later uncovers his own fitness struggles, tips for increasing your health, and explains his 2-day rule accompanied by a secret to motivating yourself to workout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A daunting question has been lingering in the minds of many U.S. investors - Are we in a recession in 2022? Tune in as Wes tackles this question and more during the episode. Listen as Wes talks about how we’re living in a similar economy to the 1950s, what the media declares about being in a recession, and the National Bureau of Economic Research’s role and criteria. Additionally, Wes uncovers political views about a recession and why your long-term retirement plan doesn't have to be impacted. To wrap up the episode Wes reminds listeners that there are more years of spending ahead than you think and describes how the combination of stocks and bonds is important for any investor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us experience anxiety. It’s normal to feel it before a big test, speaking in public, competing in a sporting event, and so on. Though a little bit of anxiety can be a good thing, we must be careful not to let these levels increase beyond the point of becoming a disorder. Dr. Gail Saltz, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, columnist, podcast host, and television commentator joins Wes Moss to explain how anxiety can be alleviated with a little awareness and what happens when happiness and anxiety converge. Dr. Saltz starts the episode by sharing her thoughts on anxiety and how it can go from good to bad, as well as the most generalized anxiety disorder. Dr. Saltz and Wes also discuss how anxiety would have been treated 100 years ago, her favorite book she’s written, and the most common diagnosis in children. To wrap up the episode Dr. Saltz opens up about the most effective way to help people struggling with anxiety, if she believes teletherapy works, where we are in the evolution of helping more people, and provides Wes with key advice for how he can be a better partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever finished a conversation and immediately realized you didn’t remember anything the other person said? Do you sometimes feel as though you have fallen between the cracks of your own thoughts and you can’t seem to focus long enough to connect with others? You’re not alone. Edward S. ("Ted") Brodkin, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and director of the Adult Autism Spectrum Program at Penn Medicine and Ashley A. Pallathra, M.A., a clinical researcher, therapist, author, and doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina, join this episode to discuss how we can improve social connectedness and find attunement. During the episode, the pair share where they met and began their collaboration on the study of connectedness, and walk us through what goes into a neuroscience research study. They also share details from their conducted study on developing a program for adults in the spectrum regarding social functioning, share the framework of their book Missing Each Other: How To Cultivate Meaningful Connections, and define attunement along with its four key elements. Furthermore, Dr. Brodkin and Ashley talk through the importance of listening to yourself and your needs in retirement, summarize mutual responsiveness, and unveil their advice for people going through the transition of leaving the workforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a difference between living the life you think you should live and living a life you want to live. When we follow numerous social norms we can easily lose our true selves in the process of conforming to what we think we are supposed to be. But in adapting to these norms, could we be missing out on a path to living our happiest lives and becoming one of the happiest retirees on the block? New York Times bestselling author, life coach, and speaker, Dr. Martha Beck, drops by this episode to share how to live a life full of integrity and truth. Dr. Beck explains how we are born with a genetic destiny of what makes us happy in life and how we get divided internally early on. She also shares her story and experiences of living outside of her integrity, reveals her journey of becoming a life coach, and discusses longing versus yearning. Additionally, Dr. Beck unveils the lasting cure to happiness and lists the signs if you are lying to yourself and are living out of alignment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to a National Institute on Retirement Security report, 79% of Americans agree that there is a retirement crisis. It also revealed that over half of Americans are concerned they won’t be able to achieve financial security.  Retirement insecurity may be a daunting reality,​ but on today’s episode Wes sets some theoretical parameters to illustrate potential scenarios and how they might positively affect the future. Planning for retirement can be challenging, but Wes points out that with self-discipline, some savings, and time, happiness and financial freedom may be within reach sooner than you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking a trip every once in a while is good for the soul, but have you ever thought about what a life full of traveling experiences could do? Don George, legendary travel writer, editor, and author who has won numerous awards for his work, joins this episode to share what it’s like living a life filled with travel and creating unforgettable memories. Don reveals when he caught the travel bug and got into travel writing, along with the travel piece that changed his career for the better. He also shares some of his traveling experiences and what he’s learned from the culture, an astonishing Mount Kilimanjaro story, and how he considers traveling a religion. Additionally, Don reveals details from his book, “The Way of Wanderlust,” lists his favorite travel destinations, discusses how his dad retired early to travel, and provides advice for other travel writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many qualities that a leader should possess. A good leader has empathy, integrity, and confidence, as well as two important qualities; trust and inspiration. In this episode, Wes sits down with Stephen M. R. Covey, a New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author, writer, public speaker, co-founder and CEO of CoveyLink Worldwide, and former President and CEO of Covey Leadership Center, to discuss leading by trust and inspiration. Stephen shares takeaways from his books and his role in the success of his father’s book, along with the scalable business that came from it. He also explains why we need to become trust and inspire leaders rather than command and control leaders, and how a good leader can help you feel purpose and meaning. Additionally, Stephen reveals why the best relationships are centered around trusting one another, how it’s possible to restore trust if we’re willing to behave our way back into it, and lists some well-known leaders that inspire him. Stephen wraps up by sharing how leadership can be utilized in different companies and in life, as well as the principles that build trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year has gotten off to a rough start, leaving many nervous about what to do with their finances when markets are down, The Fed is raising rates, and inflation is through the roof. To help ease your mind, Wes reveals insights into surviving a bear market and covers what has worked in the market thus far in 2022 during this episode. Listen as Wes analyzes recent consumer sentiment data from the University of Michigan, what areas of the market are working in 2022, and dives into value investing versus growth investing. Additionally, Wes talks about the negative wealth effect and how bear markets typically operate. He also covers the current standing of the market and reveals details regarding the Retire Sooner Podcast summer series. Disclosure: This is provided as a resource for informational purposes and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. The mention of any company is provided to you for informational purposes and as an example only and is not to be considered investment advice or recommendation or an endorsement of any particular company. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. The information provided is strictly an opinion and for informational purposes only and it is not known whether the strategies will be successful. Investment decisions should not be made solely based on information contained herein. There are many aspects and criteria that must be examined and considered before investing. This information is not intended to, and should not, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While our physical health is extremely important, people often overlook exercising their mind. Mental health is the driving force behind the decisions we make; how we live, how we work, and how we love. Dr. Gregory Scott Brown, M.D. board-certified psychiatrist, mental health writer, author, and an affiliate faculty member at the University of Texas Dell Medical School, joins this episode to stress the importance of maintaining your mental health and caring for your mind. Dr. Brown kicks off the episode by defining mental health, touches on the mental health of teens vs. retirees, and talks through how nutrition impacts your mind. He also shares his five essential pillars for mental health that everyone can optimize, why breath work is the most underutilized form of medicine and experiencing burnout. Furthermore, Dr. Brown reveals a great form of therapy for your mind, discusses some of his mental health struggles, and discloses details from his newest book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As human beings, communication is our superpower. Having a conversation can lead to stress relief, the absorption of new information, and personal connection. Celeste Headlee, author, radio journalist, public speaker, and co-host of the weekly series Retro Report on PBS, joins this episode to share how to stop hiding behind emails, text messages, data, and statistics and start having more impactful conversations with one another. Celeste explains how your brain cannot do two impactful things at once, the two ways conversations can be negative and why we should stop pontification during our interactions. She also shares how living your best life is the most powerful way to influence someone else, why follow-up questions are powerful and an important communication tactic. Later in the episode, Celeste reveals why one of the worst things you can say is “I know how you feel,” and how you can work on improving your listening skills. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you had $10,000,000 and the ability to do anything you wanted before you died, what would it be? Star in a television show? Play basketball with the president? Walk the Great Wall of China? Wes sits down with #1 New York Times best-selling author of “What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?”, star of the MTV show The Buried Life, co-founder of The Buried Life movement, and one of the World’s Best Motivational Speakers, Ben Nemtin, to help you unbury those dreams and prepare for creating the ideal bucket list by the time you finish this episode. Ben opens up about his struggles with mental health, what he’s learned and how he’s attained self-worth through his projects. He also reveals that everyone goes through some sort of mental health crisis in their lives and why being true to yourself is important. Ben goes on to share the details of what went into creating The Buried Life along with the initial bucket list for the show, tips for how to generate your own bucket list, and why people regret their inactions more than their actions. Furthermore, Ben shares why accountability is effective for your accomplishments, talks through the categories in The Bucket List Journal that he created to help others, provides bucket list advice for retirees, and uncovers why he believes retirees have the power to change the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Wes Moss talks about a top core pursuit that many happy retirees enjoy, golf. He covers the current controversy of why the US PGA is battling with Saudi Arabia's LIV and the economics of professional golf. Listen as he explains the details behind the LIV Tour and what is being offered to golfers on the tour along with his insight and the insights of fellow golfing colleagues surrounding the subject. Wes also reveals certain controversies behind the rules and regulations of LIV, the differences between European golf and golfing in the United States, and how inflation relates to golf. Lastly, he covers the Amazon split, defines a stock split with examples, and talks through the market psychology that overlays stock splits. This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. There will be periods of performance fluctuations, including periods of negative returns and periods where dividends will not be paid. Past performance is not indicative of future results when considering any investment vehicle. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. There are many aspects and criteria that must be examined and considered before investing. Investment decisions should not be made solely based on information contained in this article. This information is not intended to, and should not, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.  The information contained is strictly an opinion and it is not known whether the strategies will be successful. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traveling is inspiring, exciting, and takes us out of our comfort zone. As funny as it sounds, there are numerous benefits to hopping on a plane to a new, unknown destination. So isn’t it time that you stop putting your travels on hold and start packing your suitcase? Mike and Anne Howard, the World’s Longest Honeymooners and founders of the popular travel site, HoneyTrek.com, join this episode to discuss why you should never put travel on hold. Mike and Anne share how they kickstarted their travel journey with the help of savings from their nest egg, the evolution of their website HoneyTrek.com, along with some of their favorite travel destinations. The pair also shares budgeting resources for booking a stay and finding specific foods when traveling, how they fund their trips, and describe what it means to travel hack. Furthermore, Mike and Anne provide advice for traveling couples, discuss how longer trips deepen your experience, uncover details from their recent book and describe why people should not only retire sooner but travel sooner as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wes dives into the history of stock market recoveries and the DNA behind them during this episode. Wes explains bear markets and recovering markets along with how each is perceived by investors. He also talks about how long it takes markets to recover, reveals the average recovery time for all bear markets, and what percentages of recoveries happen. To wrap up the episode, Wes reveals how it takes 30 days for 30% of market recovery, what to do to avoid missing out on recoveries, and a helpful strategy surrounding dividend investing. Listen to hear more of this original research that the Retire Sooner team was able to find using Bloomberg and historical data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are numerous benefits to practicing meditation and mindfulness. Some may even say that it helps to relieve stress and pain, enhance the connection with your emotions, deepen your thoughts, as well as other positive and powerful perks. But with a practice that reaps so many benefits, where do you start? Sharon Salzberg, New York Times bestselling author, podcast host of the Metta Hour Podcast, meditation teacher, and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, drops by this episode to talk through the advantages of meditation and getting started. Sharon provides advice on how to kick start your meditation practice journey and why you should consider doing so, along with sharing how she got into meditation herself. Additionally, Sharon defines mindfulness, provides an example of meditation leading to increased connectedness, and discusses how meditation can be done from anywhere. To wrap up the episode, Sharon explains how meditation can increase levels of happiness and fluctuate our happiness set point, reveals details from the books she’s written, and lists resources for practicing guided meditation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know that older person who just seems so young. How do they pull it off? Did they hit the genetic jackpot? Or do their lifestyle habits act as a fountain of youth? Doctor Dawn Carr has answers. With a PhD in Sociology and Gerontology, she directs the Claude Pepper Center at Florida State University and is a former researcher at the Stanford Center on Longevity. What I loved about Dawn was that, unlike so many in her field, she has concrete solutions to many of life’s challenges. She doesn’t just identify the problems or hand out vague suggestions. She has a litmus test for determining a person’s social health. How many close friends should we have? How cognitively complex should our daily activities be? Can more sleep help prevent mental decline? Answering her specific questions can help us determine how to maximize the vibrancy of youth while we age. No one has a magic wand. We’re all getting older. But listening to Dawn Carr might help you enjoy the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What impact do your judgments and decisions have on your happiness and fulfillment? Award-winning professor, blogger, author, and teacher of a successful online happiness course on Coursera titled A Life of Happiness And Fulfillment, Raj Raghunathan, has the answer! During the episode, Raj shares the biggest happiness mistakes we make along with how to change this behavior. He also reveals his theory of happiness missing from the list of things that people want, why he started his research and strategies for finding what makes us happy. Later in the episode, Raj explains what a person needs to be happy, how focusing on being the best you can be can take you further in life, the correlation between money and happiness, and what actions to take to boost your happiness level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to finances and investing, we've found that women tend to take a backseat in decision-making while their husband or partner does all of the steering. However, women should be reminded that they are an essential part of the financial equation as well. That said, it’s crucial for women to increase their financial and investing knowledge. Kristin Curcio, Investment Advisor at Capital Investment Advisors, joins Wes Moss to shed light on women and finance. Kristin shares how often she sees financial meetings with only the husband present and why women seem intimidated by the subject at times. She also explains that unexpected circumstances can happen leading to why preparation is key, what women should know about family finances, and why couples need to have important conversations to be on the same page. Kristin and Wes also discuss the financial habits of happy retirees regarding their children, Kristin provides financial advice for single women, brings up women outliving their husbands, and how she plans to help women overcome the fear of being immersed in financial decision making. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People continuously postpone traveling because they presume that the “perfect time” will come, but what if we told you the best time to travel is always now? Wes is joined by Pauline Frommer, The Co-President of FrommerMedia, Editorial Director of Frommer's Guidebooks, author of the best-selling "Frommer's EasyGuide to New York City" and "Frommer's New York City Day by Day", co-host of The Frommer's Travel Show podcast and keynote speaker, to tackle the finer points of traveling. During the episode, Pauline shares her family history in the travel industry, resources for budgeting travel stays along with why travel guides can be useful tools for your trips. Pauline also touches base on COVID traveling regulations and recommends getting travel insurance accompanied with details on the range of coverage. Later in the episode, Pauline weighs in on cruises, utilizing a travel agent, and beautiful places to visit regardless of their outdated exterior. Pauline also reveals tips for getting a good sleep during your venture and why she believes people enjoy traveling so much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The start of 2022 has led the market into a rough patch. As many of us feel the pain of market volatility, we can’t help but wonder if there’s any relief in sight for stocks, bonds, the economy, interest rates, inflation, and additional factors that influence the success of our investment portfolios. In this episode, Wes discusses the market volatility that many investors have faced so far in 2022 and shares his perception of what the rest of the year could look like. He also reveals how a highly diversified, stable portfolio allows you to overcome decline, shares statistics surrounding market volatility, and reviews declines in history to unveil the impact on bonds and stocks. Finally, Wes describes the importance of not selling out to trade short-term relief for long-term regret, weighs in on if he sees another recession on the horizon, and uncovers the best armor as an investor to help families work towards their retirement goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wes is joined by Maggie Doyne, philanthropist, author, Founder of BlinkNow, and 2015’s CNN Hero of the Year Award recipient, to address discovering your philanthropic pursuits and how you can give back. Maggie talks about finding herself in Nepal at a young age, how she felt the urge to make a change in the country based on an eye-opening experience, and her motivation for building a children’s home, women’s center, and school there. She provides updates about raising numerous children in Nepal and their success stories, along with why she believes there is something to be done everywhere in every community. The episode concludes with Maggie revealing tips for finding what gives you purpose and formulating ways to give back based on the change you want to see in the world. She also unveils details from her recent book, “Between the Mountain and the Sky,” her nonprofit BlinkNow, and how listeners can show support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wes Moss sits down with Retire Sooner Podcast Producer, Mallory Boggs, to review the newly updated Money and Happiness Quiz; a short, online quiz designed to provide the insight you need to work toward a happy retirement, as well as several suggestions that might help you tune up your money happiness quotient. During the episode, Mallory reveals her answers to the quiz as Wes breaks down and compares each answer to his research on the happiest retirees. Wes also provides his insight and advice on how listeners can improve their answers with the aim of getting one step closer to landing in the happy retiree camp. Find out if you’re on track to becoming a happy retiree! Take the new and improved quiz here:  Will you retire happy? Take the Money & Happiness Quiz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medicines help to treat illness within the body, but what if we replaced filling a prescription with filling our bags at the farmer’s market with foods that can heal our bodies from the inside out? Dr. William Li, world-renowned physician, scientist, TED speaker, and author of “Eat To Beat Disease," joins this episode to share just how much food can impact our health. Dr. William Li provides his definition of being healthy, tips for kickstarting your health journey, and how there are five health defense systems that are crucial to our bodies. He also explains why we should explore new foods, especially in retirement, and lists foods and beverages that can be toxic to our diet. Additionally, Dr. Li shares an in-depth explanation of angiogenesis and why it’s vital to the maintenance of our body and defending our health. We wrap up with Dr. Li sharing how he takes a scientific approach to unlocking foods' nutrients as medicine and he reveals what the future looks like for discovering these healthy foods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Knowing the fundamental habits of happy retirees can be beneficial. In fact, if we implement those habits into our own lives, we can also become some of the happiest retirees on the block. We’re back with part two of this episode, where Wes Moss introduces the remaining money and lifestyle habits of the happiest retirees that he compiled while researching for his latest book, “What The Happiest Retirees Know." Wes also reviews the money habits of happy retirees from part one and highlights an email from a podcast listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Internationally renowned and best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician, Mitch Albom, joins this episode to talk through the impact of giving to others and discovering your marginal propensity for happiness. Mitch provides details about his book, “Five People You Meet In Heaven,” and how it relates to the life of his uncle, along with his secret for balancing living life without regret. Mitch shares takeaways from his time with Morrie Schwartz and his book “Tuesdays with Morrie,” debunks quitting work to find happiness, explains the concept of marginal propensity to save and spend, as well as how we have a marginal propensity toward happiness. He also shares Morrie Schwartz’s giving makes me feel like I’m living principle and how he’s implemented this into his life. To wrap up the episode, Mitch talks about his experiences from his involvement at the orphanage in Haiti and reveals details about his latest book, “The Stranger In The Lifeboat.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of this two-part podcast, Wes Moss compiles research from his latest book “What The Happiest Retirees Know," to provide listeners with a list of money and lifestyle habits of happy retirees. After all, if we know the fundamental habits of happy retirees, then perhaps we can translate those habits back into the smaller decisions we make on a daily basis; leading us to the ideal balance between retirement and happiness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to a recent Schroders study, just 4% of current retirees say they are “living the dream,” while another 4% report they are “living a nightmare.” On today’s show, Wes lists some primary concerns, including inflation and unpredictable market fluctuations. He then relates it to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, each hitting all-time highs in May 2024, and how market history can possibly serve as a guide for long-term investing. Producer Mallory also stops by to compare and contrast her mom’s happy retiree core pursuits with her dad’s desire to keep working. Wes builds on this by describing a postcard he received from some happy retirees who are currently spending six months at sea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Divorce rates have doubled for those aged 50 and over since 1990, and tripled for those 65 and over. It’s shocking to think what once seemed like your happily ever after, could possibly turn out to be the downfall of your family, finances, and overall happiness. For that reason, many couples are left asking, “How did we get here?” Meredith Shirey, Founder and Practice Director at Meredith Shirey Marriage & Family Therapy, provides her insight on that question and more in this week’s episode. Meredith reviews the biggest catalysts leading to divorce and how marriage is perceived in different cultures and throughout history. Furthermore, she reveals what to consider when divorcing, as well as how this can impact your family and children. Later in the episode, Wes mentions his findings regarding marriage mulligans for Happy Retirees, Meredith dives into the touchy subject of affairs, marrying for happiness, and describes divorce patterns along with how to repair them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Abramowitz and Joel Dean join this episode of Retire Sooner to talk through The Great Wealth Transfer. Dan Abramowitz is a Regional Business Development Manager and Investment Advisor at CIA, and Joel Dean, CFP® is an Investment Advisor and Director of Investment Associates at CIA. During this episode, we discuss how to prepare for The Great Wealth Transfer, as well as why Generation X and Millennials are most likely to benefit and what wealth looks like for these generations in the future. Dan and Joel also touch base on The FIRE Movement and how people are now preparing children for wealth and not their wealth for their children. This episode wrapped up with Wes, Dan, and Joel discussing the spending habits of Happy Retirees, transferring finances into a Donor Advised Fund along with how inflation can impact transferred wealth, and tips for your own Great Wealth Transfer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technology is constantly evolving, but for older generations this can be scary and seeking help can feel paralyzing. In this episode, Wes sits down with Trish Lopez, Founder of Teeniors, a business created to connect tech savvy teens with tech hungry adults and seniors, to discuss mending this digital divide. Trish shares her journey and the history behind Teeniors, her process for hiring employees, making her business lucrative, and the technological learning curve that came with the pandemic. She also addresses the impact of her business on seniors and shares Teeniors success stories. Additionally, Wes and Trish analyze when we start getting “bad” at technology and why it’s important to never stop learning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all heard about housing prices increasing dramatically over the past few years. Several new factors are not only increasing housing prices but impacting the affordability of homes for buyers. In fact, a recent cover story in Barron's shared data from the National Association of Realtors indicating that 1.9 million first-time homebuyers will be shut out of the housing market this year. In this episode, Wes addresses historic fluctuations in the housing economy due to oversupply, undersupply, and the unexpected impact of Covid. He discusses today's housing shortage coupled with increasing interest rates that will continue to rise throughout the rest of this year. He also addresses the advantages of paying off your mortgage, the correlation between paying off your mortgage to levels of happiness in retirement, what homeowners can do to pay down or pay off a mortgage, and what first-time homebuyers should consider when it comes to the reality of buying a home. This episode also wraps up with a few call-in questions that Wes answers from Retire Sooner listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As humans, happiness is important to us all. There are numerous variables that dial into what generates this emotion, but does happiness mimic our growing age? Will we be as happy at 65 as we were at 25, or will we find ourselves even happier? Wes sits down with Professor of Psychology and Public Policy and the Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, Laura Carstensen to discuss the correlation between aging and happiness. In the episode, Laura describes the U-shape of happiness, takes us through the concept of on balance, along with the experience study that showed people feel negative emotions less frequently when they’re older. Laura and her group of colleagues developed the social, emotional, and selectivity theory that accounts for seeing rates of positive emotions staying stable and shares where time horizons come into play. Later in the episode, she stresses why close connections are magic, especially in retirement, and puts a slightly different spin on retiring sooner. To wrap up, Laura reveals variables that contribute to longevity and details on a Stanford project she and her team are working on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wes Moss responds to listener questions and talks through the concept of yield at cost during this episode. He also provides examples of dividend growth, generating retirement income from your investment sources, and why it’s essential to have a plan and investment policy that aligns with your goals. Furthermore, Wes explains how modest yields can turn to significant yields, shares advice for young investors, and discusses the inverted yield curve along with what it means for the economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reaching retirement is one thing, but what happens when you bring aging into the equation? Though it’s a difficult conversation to have, both with aging parents and with yourself, preparing at an early age can make the transition into senior living appear less daunting. Senior Transition Specialist, Founder and President of Lianas Senior Transition Support, and Co-Host of Life Unrehearsed, Matt Del Vecchio sits down with Wes Moss to discuss the importance of preparing for the second half of retirement and having those difficult conversations around senior living. Matt also reveals what aspects of retirement are often overlooked, explains the phases and options of senior transition support, and stresses the need for having these “essential conversations." Additionally, Matt shares what to consider when seeking the ideal senior living facility, advice for managing the guilt of transitioning a parent as well as his favorite piece of financial advice for those heading into retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traveling is back in high gear post-pandemic. Airports are busy and postponed trips are finally taking place as the economy shifts back to normalcy. Though traveling comes with its dangers and uncertainties, it does lead to happiness before and during retirement. Even so, how does one pay for those travel expenses that contribute to a fulfilling life? In this episode, Wes Moss shares the benefits of traveling in retirement and how to create a cash flow from dividend investing that could supplement these trips. He also examines current traveling statistics and headlines, along with the benefits of traveling with groups of friends. Later in the episode, Wes breaks down dividend investing, the concept of yield at cost, answers a question from a listener regarding laddering CDs for retirement, and shares what could be the key to conquering inflation as an investor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re still searching for your core pursuit, this episode may be all the inspiration you need! Award-Winning Journalist, Yoga Therapist, and Fitness Expert, Carol Krucoff joins Wes Moss to examine the world of yoga and its many benefits for all ages. Carol shares her journey to finding yoga and her experiences with teaching to older groups. Additionally, she reveals the numerous varieties of the practice and its benefits for the human body and mind, along with the risks that come with performing yoga as you grow older. Furthermore, Carol unveils details from her books, her thoughts on the correlation between flexibility and longevity, why she believes all yoga should be adaptive, and she runs Wes through a minor yoga exercise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airline tickets have increased, gasoline has skyrocketed, and even the price of milk has shot up. The entire world is on edge with even the smallest mention of inflation. With numbers through the roof, many are left financially perplexed. Though this inflationary period won’t last forever, it’s essential to protect your purchasing power. During this episode, Wes Moss shares what we can do to invest in an inflationary environment. He also reveals the root cause of inflation while analyzing historic examples of economic disequilibrium, stagflation, and growth stocks vs. value stocks. Further, Wes explains the concept of participation vs. perfection in relation to investing and shares examples of elastic and inelastic products, along with the impact the pandemic had on the economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You work hard for your money. But what if your money could work even harder for you? Brian Preston says there’s a way to make that happen. It’s called taking control of your financial freedom, and in his new book “Millionaire Mission,” he makes the case that it’s simpler than you think. I’ve known Brian for a long time. His podcast, “The Money Guy Show,” is incredibly popular. Sure, he’s got a bunch of impressive initials after his name, but what makes Brian so fascinating is how he lives his message. His wealth didn’t come from anything flashy. He built it through saving and investing as a business owner. Brian’s high school economics teacher told the class that if they invested just $100 per month, one day, they’d be millionaires. Brian was listening. While others were daydreaming about a new truck or the big game, his passion for personal finance was ignited. I’m guessing that didn’t make him the most popular kid in school, but much like compounding interest, it sure paid off later. Navigating life’s obstacles as we plan for retirement can feel like a riddle wrapped in an enigma. But Brian’s message can demystify the process and show you the way to build transformative wealth with the tools you already have available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know tax season comes at the same time every year, yet many of us still show up unprepared. Little do we know our secret weapon is to proactively plan, not just for the present, but also for the future and that includes retirement. In this episode, Wes sits down with Financial Planner, Author, and Host of the Stay Wealthy Podcast, Taylor Schulte, CFP® to examine tax preparation. Taylor shares details about his podcast show, opening his fee-only financial planning firm, and why he consistently puts his clients first. Additionally, Taylor reveals common misconceptions about using an advisor, the importance of calculating your total tax bill and proactively tax planning for your future. Lastly, Taylor wraps up the episode by sharing some knowledge that could move you closer to retiring sooner. Call in with your financial questions for Wes to answer: 800-805-6301 Join other happy retirees on our Retire Sooner Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/retiresoonerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Market corrections and downturns are inevitable. Although this is something we can’t avoid, there’s power in utilizing the Dry Powder Principle to fully understand how and why investing in different asset classes can help you sail through difficult times from a psychological and financial planning perspective. During this episode, Wes Moss breaks down the Dry Powder Principle and stresses the importance of calculating your dry powder to prepare for inescapable market corrections. He also explains how the dry powder concept can add cushion to your investment portfolio and reshares a story about his son that reveals how losing money can be tough on anyone regardless of your age. Wes goes on to review historical market corrections, the two principles that dry powder is hinged on, and walks listeners through how to assess their own dry powder using the online calculator tool. To wrap up the episode, Wes is joined by the creator of the dry powder calculator tool and Senior Investment Advisor at CIA, James Lewis ​​CFP®, MBA Use the Dry Powder Calculator to discover how much you have: https://www.wesmoss.com/dry-powder-calculator/ Call in with your financial questions for Wes to answer: 800-805-6301 Join other happy retirees on our Retire Sooner Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/retiresoonerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our world is built on speed. From our lives to the stock market, even retirement, we aim to tackle every task as quickly as possible; but when is it time to reduce speed and pump the brakes? While our first instinct is to hurry, as humans, we must remind ourselves that being slow is not about doing everything as fast as possible but as smart as possible. In this episode, Carl Honoré, Journalist, TED Speaker, and Author of “In Praise of Slow,” joins Wes Moss to talk through the “slow movement” and the importance of finding your inner tortoise. Carl reveals the root of his fast-paced life, taking a slow approach to money, and how slowing down grants us time to reflect. He also touches on ageism, unveils the signs of being stuck in fast forward as well as three tips for slowing down your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices