Episodes

  • Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age

    Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age
    Jun 12 2026
    In this episode, retirement planning can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this episode of Retirement Planning: Let’s Make Sense Of This Sh*t, we cut through the jargon, fear, and endless fine print to show you exactly how to build a plan that actually works for your real life, not some idealized spreadsheet version of it.

    You’ll hear straight talk on the biggest mistakes people make with 401(k)s, IRAs, and Social Security, plus simple moves that can add years of financial freedom without requiring a finance degree or a six-figure salary. We break down when to start, how much is “enough,” and the sneaky ways taxes and fees can quietly drain your future if you’re not paying attention.

    Ready to stop guessing and start planning with confidence? Hit play, then subscribe so you never miss an episode that helps you get your retirement shit together.
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    9 mins
  • Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age

    Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age
    Jun 7 2026
    In this episode, we cover Roth decision. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward.

    Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Shit. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. The thing is age changes the math in clear ways. A decision tree helps sort it out with dollar examples instead of guesswork. Take someone age forty eight earning eighty thousand dollars. Putting four thousand dollars into a traditional account saves nine hundred sixty dollars in taxes this year at a twenty four percent rate. That same amount in a Roth means paying the tax now but keeping every withdrawal free of tax after age seventy two. By age fifty eight this point shifts because required minimum distributions start later and Medicare premiums enter the equation. We walk through each b

    Subscribe for weekly explainers — no guru fluff, just tactics you can apply this week.
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    8 mins
  • Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age

    Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age
    Jun 7 2026
    In this episode, we cover Roth decision. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward.

    Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Shit. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. The thing is age changes the math in clear ways. A decision tree helps sort it out with dollar examples instead of guesswork. Take someone age forty eight earning eighty thousand dollars. Putting four thousand dollars into a traditional account saves nine hundred sixty dollars in taxes this year at a twenty four percent rate. That same amount in a Roth means paying the tax now but keeping every withdrawal free of tax after age seventy two. By age fifty eight this point shifts because required minimum distributions start later and Medicare premiums enter the equation. We walk through each b

    Subscribe for weekly explainers — no guru fluff, just tactics you can apply this week.
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    6 mins
  • Social Security at 62 vs 67: Break-Even Math in Plain Numbers

    Social Security at 62 vs 67: Break-Even Math in Plain Numbers
    Jun 6 2026
    In this episode, we cover Social Security. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Many people reach their early sixties and face one choice that shapes decades of income. Should they start Social Security benefits at sixty two or hold off until sixty seven. The difference adds up because each option changes the monthly check and the total dollars received over time. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward.

    Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Shit. I'm Elena. Many people reach their early sixties and face one choice that shapes decades of income. Should they start Social Security benefits at sixty two or hold off until sixty seven. The difference adds up because each option changes the monthly check and the total dollars received over time. However the break even math shows where the lines cross. Someone claiming at sixty two receives a reduced amount right away. Waiting until sixty seven brings a higher payment but requires five extra years without those checks. Because the reduction stays permanent the later start only pays off after a certain number of years. Meanwhile a simple decision tree helps sort the options. Start with your full retirement age amount then apply the early claim cut. Compare that reduced monthly figure against the higher amount at sixty seven.

    Subscribe for weekly explainers — no guru fluff, just tactics you can apply this week.
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    6 mins
  • 401(k) Limits 2026: Catch-Up Rules If You're Over 50

    401(k) Limits 2026: Catch-Up Rules If You're Over 50
    Jun 5 2026
    In this episode, we cover 401(k) limits. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. I'm Elena. Many listeners over age fifty wonder exactly how the two thousand twenty six four oh one k limits will affect their catch up contributions. The standard limit rises each year yet the extra room for older savers stays fixed in its own category. Therefore checking the projected figures now helps you decide whether to increase payroll deductions before the new year begins. In Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward.

    Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Shit. I'm Elena. Many listeners over age fifty wonder exactly how the two thousand twenty six four oh one k limits will affect their catch up contributions. The standard limit rises each year yet the extra room for older savers stays fixed in its own category. Therefore checking the projected figures now helps you decide whether to increase payroll deductions before the new year begins. In other words you can map a quick decision tree using your current pay and age. Start with the base employee contribution then layer on the catch up amount. For example a fifty two year old earning eighty thousand dollars might reach a total of thirty one thousand dollars once the internal revenue service releases final numbers. However that total changes if you also fund an IRA on the side. Meanwhile your withdrawal sequence later depends on how

    Subscribe for weekly explainers — no guru fluff, just tactics you can apply this week.
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    6 mins
  • Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age

    Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age
    Jun 5 2026
    In this episode, we cover Roth decision. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward.

    Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Shit. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. The thing is age changes the math in clear ways. A decision tree helps sort it out with dollar examples instead of guesswork. Take someone age forty eight earning eighty thousand dollars. Putting four thousand dollars into a traditional account saves nine hundred sixty dollars in taxes this year at a twenty four percent rate. That same amount in a Roth means paying the tax now but keeping every withdrawal free of tax after age seventy two. By age fifty eight this point shifts because required minimum distributions start later and Medicare premiums enter the equation. We walk through each b

    Subscribe for weekly explainers — no guru fluff, just tactics you can apply this week.
    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age

    Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age
    Jun 5 2026
    In this episode, we cover Roth decision. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward.

    Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Shit. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. The thing is age changes the math in clear ways. A decision tree helps sort it out with dollar examples instead of guesswork. Take someone age forty eight earning eighty thousand dollars. Putting four thousand dollars into a traditional account saves nine hundred sixty dollars in taxes this year at a twenty four percent rate. That same amount in a Roth means paying the tax now but keeping every withdrawal free of tax after age seventy two. By age fifty eight this point shifts because required minimum distributions start later and Medicare premiums enter the equation. We walk through each b

    Subscribe for weekly explainers — no guru fluff, just tactics you can apply this week.
    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age

    Retirement 101: Roth vs Traditional — Decision Tree by Age
    Jun 5 2026
    In this episode, we cover Roth decision. The conversation opens with: Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. Listen for the key context, practical takeaways, and the most important points to carry forward.

    Welcome to Retirement Planning : Let's Make Sense Of This Shit. Many listeners hit their mid forties or fifties and still face the same fork in the road with every 401k or IRA contribution. Should the money go into a traditional account that cuts your taxes now or a Roth that shifts the tax bill later. The thing is age changes the math in clear ways. A decision tree helps sort it out with dollar examples instead of guesswork. Take someone age forty eight earning eighty thousand dollars. Putting four thousand dollars into a traditional account saves nine hundred sixty dollars in taxes this year at a twenty four percent rate. That same amount in a Roth means paying the tax now but keeping every withdrawal free of tax after age seventy two. By age fifty eight this point shifts because required minimum distributions start later and Medicare premiums enter the equation. We walk through each b

    Subscribe for weekly explainers — no guru fluff, just tactics you can apply this week.
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins