Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor (and Lawyer!)
For most of us, financial planning and investing are intimidating and overwhelming subjects. There are so many elements to consider and so much information from a seemingly endless sea of voices. What if you could cut through the confusion to finally feel confident and in control of your finances? It’s time to get smart about money. In this podcast, you will hear Mike and Maddie have honest conversations about financial concepts and situations you might be facing right now, rules and best practices for you to follow, and how to make sense of the financial media - what you really need to know. You will also hear local Yardley and Bucks County businesspeople talk about their businesses, their successes, and their challenges.
Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor (and Lawyer!)
Ep. 76 Why Retirement Planning Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
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In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Mike and Madison take a closer look at one of the biggest questions in retirement planning: should you save in a traditional retirement account, a Roth account, or both? Inspired by a recent Wall Street Journal article, they unpack the popular “50/50 split” strategy and explain why the right answer depends far more on your personal tax situation, income trajectory, and retirement timeline than on any universal rule of thumb.
Mike shares why he believes many investors — especially high earners — may be getting overly simplified advice when it comes to Roth versus pre-tax contributions, and how factors like future tax brackets, retirement age, and withdrawal timing can dramatically change the outcome. The conversation also explores how retirement planning has evolved for younger generations, who now have more Roth options and more investment choices than ever before.
The episode also dives into the growing movement to introduce private equity and private credit investments into 401(k) plans, raising important questions about fees, liquidity, and complexity. To wrap up, Mike shares practical advice sparked by a recent Fidelity account glitch that serves as a reminder of why keeping physical copies of financial records still matters in a digital world.
WSJ article: https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/traditional-roth-retirement-accounts-best-112e31a1
NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/your-money/401ks-and-similar-plans/401k-private-credit-crypto.html
