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Power Your Retirement
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.
Episodes
45 episodes
The Beatles Retirement: All You Need Is A Plan
It’s been 60 years since Beatlemania took America by storm. But beyond the screaming crowds and legendary performances, some of their lyrics still carry timeless wisdom, even when it comes to your financial life. In this episode, Steve takes us...
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15:42
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Retirement Planning Pop Quiz: Can You Score 5/5?
The kids may be heading back to class, but it’s also a great time for adults to brush up on retirement planning. In this episode, Steve walks through some key concepts that can make or break your retirement readiness. Test your knowledge with t...
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12:59
The 4% Rule Rewrite (And What It Means For Your Retirement)
The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now,
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14:57
Target-Date Funds: Pros, Cons & What You Need To Know!
Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice or just the easiest one? I...
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15:10
Hiring Your Spouse & Kids: Big Opportunities and Costly Mistakes to Avoid
Today, we’re answering a smart question from a viewer about hiring a spouse or children in a family business. When structured properly, this strategy can create meaningful tax deductions, help a spouse build Social Security benefits, and even g...
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14:04
Decoding Wall-Street Jargon: Financial Terms Everyone Should Know
Financial terms get thrown around all the time- crash, correction, high yield, equities, fiduciary- but do you really know what they mean, and why the wording matters? In today’s episode, Steve breaks down common financial terms you hear all th...
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17:58
The Psychology of Money Says Your Emotions Matter More Than Math
Today, we’re kicking off our new Financial Book Club with The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. This isn’t just a book about financial strategies- it’s about the why behind the decisions we make with money, even when they ...
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22:21
Are You Over-Saving For Retirement?
Are you saving so much for retirement that it’s squeezing your life today? In this episode, Steve’s answering a smart viewer question about finding the right balance between preparing for the future and living fully in the present. Steve dives ...
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18:12
The Five Love Languages of Financial Planning
The five love languages were made popular by author Gary Chapman. If you’re not familiar with them, they include acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, and physical touch. Let’s think about how you may encounter the love la...
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15:19
Can Real Estate Boost Your Retirement Plan?
Thinking about using real estate to strengthen your retirement plan? From generating income to offering financial flexibility or emergency access to cash, real estate offers a wide range of possibilities. But not every option is the right fit f...
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19:44
Mailbag: Saving Dilemmas, Severance Packages & Retirement Rules
Today, Steve answers three thoughtful listener questions from viewers like you! Is saving 15% of your income truly necessary or just a rule of thumb that doesn’t fit everyone? What should you consider if you’re unexpectedly offered a severance ...
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11:56
Mailbag: What Should I Do with My Old 401k?
If you’ve ever left a job and wondered what to do with that old 401k account, you’re not alone, and today’s episode is for you! In this listener mailbag edition, Steve answers a question from William, who’s trying to decide whether to leave his...
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14:51
Understanding Financial Advisor Fees: What Are You Really Paying For?
Welcome to our final installment of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!Let’s be real. Nobody wants to talk about fees, but everyone wants to know if they’re getting a fair ...
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13:13
Keeping Your Retirement Plan Flexible
Welcome to part 6 of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!Change is the name of the game! Career shifts, unexpected life twists—whatever it is, your retirement plan has to ke...
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11:01
Is 2025 A Bad Time To Retire?
Plenty of people have concerns about stock market volatility, a potential recession on the horizon, and fears for the economy amidst federal layoffs and tariffs. What if you’ve had 2025 marked on the calendar for a while as the year you plan to...
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17:12
Cash Balance Pension vs. Traditional Pension Explained
If you’ve been in your utility job for years and still don’t understand how your pension works, you’re not alone. In this episode, Steve takes a listener question from Lisa. She’s been working for 15 years and asked a commonly misunderstood que...
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18:23
Am I On Track For Retirement?
Wondering if you're actually on track for retirement? That’s the question Alex, a utility worker with 22 years of service, asked, and it sparked this helpful breakdown. Whether you’re early in your career or closing in on retirement, knowing wh...
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15:10
Inside the Advisor’s Office: Top Concerns Among Financial Planning Clients
Ever wonder what other people talk about with their financial advisors? A new survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors reveals the biggest concerns, challenges, and financial goals their clients are facing today. From retirement planning and h...
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17:35
What Do Proposed Tariffs Mean For Your Portfolio?
The day President Trump took office, he announced plans to implement a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Additional tariff conversations have exploded since that day. How might this impact your personal finances and the economy...
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13:03
Understanding Managed Portfolios: Should You Consider Them?
Welcome to part 5 of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors! Imagine this: your retirement portfolio is growing steadily, adjusting to market shifts, all without you lifti...
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18:47
How Past Market Meltdowns Are Influencing You Right Now
It’s been a volatile month. And if you’re feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. But how we respond in moments like this often has roots in the crashes we’ve lived through before. In this episode, we look at how past market meltdowns shaped in...
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25:29
4 Questions to Ask Yourself During a Market Drop
The headlines are loud, the markets are messy, and your gut might be telling you to do something - anything- right now. But what should you actually do when your portfolio takes a hit? Whether you’re feeling calm or full-on panicked, this conve...
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16:19
Key 2025 Tax Breaks & Adjustment Opportunities
Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025- before the year gets away from youWith higher standard deductions, increased retir...
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17:23
Beliefs That Fool Retirement Savers The Most
April Fool’s Day is all about jokes and pranks, but when it comes to retirement planning, getting fooled can cost you real money. Today, we’re uncovering the beliefs that fool retirees and pre-retirees into making bad financial moves. We’ll cov...
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18:38
March Madness and Stocks: The Risky Game of Picking Winners
March Madness is here, and just like filling out a bracket, picking individual stocks can feel like a thrilling gamble. But the odds of winning big are slim. In fact, history shows that most stock picks, like most brackets, end up busted.
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19:53