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Retirement Planning

Retirement planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our blog offers down-to-earth guidance on everything from saving and investing to Medicare, taxes, and Social Security. Whether you’re planning ahead or already retired, you’ll find practical advice to help you feel more confident about your next chapter.

life planning v financial planning

S5E6 – Life Planning vs. Traditional Financial Planning

https://media.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/content.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/Kitchen_Table_S5_ep6.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Dave and Nick break down the difference between traditional financial planning and life planning, and why that distinction matters more than most people realize. Traditional financial planning focuses on numbers, projections, and optimization. It answers questions like: […]

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MSU Retiree Health Insurance

S5E5 – MSU Retiree Health Insurance Guide

https://media.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/content.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/Kitchen_Table_S5_Ep_5.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadHealth insurance is one of the most confusing parts of retirement planning, especially for Michigan State University employees approaching retirement. In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, David Shotwell and Nick Nauta walk through the basics of how retiree health insurance works for MSU […]

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Economic Uncertainty

Why Economics Is More Like Spaghetti Than Physics

Economics isn’t a neat equation — it’s more like a bowl of tangled spaghetti. Learn why predictions so often miss the mark and how a strong financial plan helps you navigate uncertainty. We Treat Economics as Science We are daily bombarded with economic numbers, and our brains want them to […]

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Lifeboat Drills Financial Planning In The Good Times

Lifeboat Drills: Financial Planning in the Good Times

This article was also published in TheStreet.com Overall, the stock and bond markets have been very strong since late 2022, and as I write this in early 2025, the economy and the stock market are not showing signs of impending doom. However, when markets go on an extended run there […]

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identity theft in retirement

S3E46 – Preventing Identity Theft in Retirement

https://media.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/content.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/Kitchen_Table_S3_Ep46.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIdentity theft and fraud can pose significant risks to retirees, especially as scammers adapt their methods to exploit those aged 60 and above. This episode addresses how identity theft impacts retirees, the common scams targeting them, and actionable steps to safeguard your financial security […]

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Gratitude for Your Retirement Plan

S3E43- Gratitude For Your Retirement Plan

https://media.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/content.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/Kitchen_Table_S3_E43.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThis Thanksgiving-themed episode dives into the powerful role gratitude plays in retirement planning. Hosts Nick Nauta and Cole Williams discuss everything from practicing gratitude in financial planning to historical perspectives on retirement. Plus, hear their personal stories of thankfulness and why focusing on the […]

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Warren Buffet and the Market

S3E42- Does Warren Buffett Think You Should Change Your Retirement Allocation?

https://media.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/content.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/Kitchen_Table_S3_Ep42.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhat does Warren Buffett’s latest financial move mean for your retirement portfolio? This week, we’re unpacking the headlines surrounding Buffett’s portfolio adjustments. With $365 billion in cash at Berkshire Hathaway’s disposal, Buffett’s strategy has sparked speculation. Is he gearing up for a financial crisis, […]

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the marker over the next four years

S3E41 – Retirement and Markets Over the Next Four Years

https://media.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/content.blubrry.com/kitchen_table_finance/Kitchen_Table_S3_Ep41.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we explore the potential impact of recent political developments on retirement planning and market trends over the next four years. With Dave on vacation, Cole Williams, our associate advisor, steps in to discuss the implications of the presidential election and the […]

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Year End Checklist For Your Retirement Portfolio

Year-End Checklist For Your Retirement Portfolio

Updated for 2025 Checklist for What-Issues-Should-I-Consider-Before-The-End-Of-The-Year-2025 (1) I’ve barely gotten used to writing 2024 when I put the date on something, and we’re already well into the year’s fourth quarter. We’re already making Thanksgiving plans and talking about Christmas travel. Here in northern Michigan, the weather has turned very November, […]

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