Money Sense

Most people have an idea of when they'd like to retire, but life doesn't always follow the timeline we have in mind. Health concerns, job loss, workplace changes, burnout, or family caregiving responsibilities can all lead to retirement happening earlier than expected, making preparation for the unexpected an important part of retirement planning. This week on Money Sense, Nik Kibardin, CFP®, and Amy Bremmer, CFP®, Wealth Advisors at Ellenbecker Investment Group, discuss how to prepare for retirement on your own terms rather than being forced into it by circumstances beyond your control. They explore four common reasons people may leave the workforce earlier than planned and how today's retirement can look very different from previous generations.

The conversation also outlines seven steps that can help you prepare for greater flexibility in retirement, from creating a personalized financial plan and diversifying retirement income to developing a tax strategy, maintaining your employability, and planning for family responsibilities. Whether retirement is years away or quickly approaching, thoughtful preparation can help you navigate the unexpected with greater clarity and confidence.

Episode Highlights:

0:38 | Why retirement may happen earlier than expected

3:03 | Four common reasons people are forced into early retirement

6:25 | Workplace changes, burnout and career disruption

7:41 | How caregiving responsibilities can change retirement plans

9:41 | The changing face of retirement today

10:13 | “Light switch or dimmer?” Rethinking the transition into retirement

12:51 | Seven steps to help you retire on your own terms

13:15 | Building a personalized retirement plan

14:52 | Preparing financially for the unexpected

17:09 | Diversifying your sources of retirement income

17:44 | Creating a tax strategy for retirement

18:36 | Investing in your skills and future employability

20:33 | Planning for family and caregiving responsibilities

23:38 | Choosing the right financial professional

24:16 | Final thoughts on preparing for the retirement you want

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management services for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable organizations. EIG's planning-first approach helps clients align their financial decisions with their values, goals, and long-term vision for the future.

Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to specific products, services, legislation, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group. Before making financial, tax, or estate planning decisions, consult with qualified professionals familiar with your individual circumstances.

Financial information can be valuable, but understanding how it fits into your bigger financial picture is what makes it meaningful.

In this installment of the Money Sense series, Behind the Scenes at EIG, Brett Engelking, Director of Systems, Operations and Investments at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Christina Schnuckel, Director of Client Experience. Together, they explore how EIG helps clients stay informed and engaged through consolidated reporting, technology, ongoing meetings and educational resources.

Brett and Christina also discuss how technology has changed financial services while EIG's personalized approach has remained. From the value an advisor provides beyond investment performance to the growing role of artificial intelligence, they share how technology can create efficiencies while human connection and collaboration remain at the center of the client experience.

Episode Highlights:

0:27 | Continuing Behind the Scenes at EIG with a closer look at client reporting and technology

1:12 | Why monthly investment statements may not tell the complete performance story

2:28 | EIG's Consolidated Asset Summary and Total View portal

3:43 | Accessing financial information through the EIG mobile app

4:08 | Seeing the complete household financial picture

4:35 | The difference between EIG's investment and tax portals

5:36 | Ongoing client meetings and reviewing investments, taxes, cash flow and retirement projections

7:16 | How technology has transformed financial services and the EIG client experience

9:52 | Why EIG doesn't take a one-size-fits-all approach to investing

11:08 | The value of a financial advisor beyond investment performance

13:07 | Incorporating tax strategy, charitable giving and risk management into financial planning

14:05 | The human side of financial planning

14:48 | Client education, seminars and financial resources

16:48 | Preparing for the transition into retirement

17:28 | Artificial intelligence in financial services

18:14 | How EIG is using AI behind the scenes

19:47 | Navigating financial information and advice online

20:30 | Why AI can't replace human collaboration and professional coordination

22:00 | What's ahead in the Behind the Scenes at EIG series

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP

Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management services for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable organizations. EIG's planning-first approach helps clients align their financial decisions with their values, goals, and long-term vision for the future.

Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to specific products, services, legislation, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group. Before making financial, tax, or estate planning decisions, consult with qualified professionals familiar with your individual circumstances.

Financial planning is about more than choosing investments. A thoughtful financial plan considers where you are today, where you want to go, and the many pieces of your financial life that need to work together to help you get there.

In the first installment of a new Money Sense series, Behind the Scenes at EIG, Brett Engelking, Director of Systems, Operations and Investments at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Christina Schnuckel, Wealth Advisor and Director of Client Experience. Together, they pull back the curtain on the EIG client experience, from determining whether a client and advisor are the right fit to developing a holistic financial plan before investment recommendations are made.

The conversation explores EIG's planning process, team-based approach, estate and tax planning, and investment philosophy. Brett and Christina also discuss the importance of diversification, risk management, transparent fees and building an investment strategy designed for both strong and challenging markets. Along the way, they share some of the "aha moments" clients experience when they begin to see how investments, taxes, estate planning and other financial decisions work together as part of a bigger picture.

Episode Highlights:

0:30 | Introducing Behind the Scenes at EIG, a new Money Sense series exploring the people, processes and philosophy behind Ellenbecker Investment Group

1:24 | What makes someone an ideal EIG client and why the right fit is about more than investable assets

2:41 | Why financial planning isn't only for people who already have significant wealth

3:15 | The Wealth Seed and helping people build a strong financial foundation at the beginning of their financial journey

4:10 | Why emergency savings, estate planning and financial protection come before investing

6:15 | What prospective clients can expect from EIG's multi-meeting financial planning process

6:48 | Why understanding a client's full financial picture is essential to making recommendations in their best interest

7:13 | The discovery meeting and the questions that help shape an individualized financial plan

8:34 | Why EIG builds the financial plan before focusing on investment management

9:36 | Estate planning as a foundational part of a comprehensive financial plan

11:23 | EIG's team approach and the roles of wealth advisors, advisor associates and operations associates

12:57 | Creating continuity so clients don't have to tell their financial story over and over again

14:39 | Shifting behind the scenes to EIG's approach to investing

15:02 | What diversification really means and why owning different stocks doesn't necessarily mean you're diversified

16:59 | Diversification as a core component of EIG's investment philosophy

17:13 | The risk of choosing investments based primarily on past performance

17:57 | Why investors may unknowingly own more of the same companies they already hold through mutual funds

18:42 | Chasing market performance and the danger of moving toward the latest "hot" investment

19:57 | How investment models help create diversified portfolios based on risk and return objectives

20:29 | Balancing the desire for growth with protection during down markets

22:11 | EIG's five pillars of investment philosophy: high-quality dividend-paying stocks, diversification, efficient and transparent fees, income protection and tax planning

23:46 | How newer in...

Saving for retirement is one thing. Making the most of your workplace retirement plan is another.

This week on Money Sense, Jamie Williams, CFP®, Wealth Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Jean Range, Senior Wealth Advisor at EIG, for an in-depth discussion on how to maximize the value of a 401(k). From employer matching contributions and investment selection to Roth versus pre-tax contributions, they break down the key decisions that can significantly impact long-term retirement success.

Together, Jamie and Jean explore common mistakes employees make with their retirement plans, the importance of starting early, how to navigate market volatility, and why your 401(k) should be viewed as part of your overall financial picture. They also discuss retirement distribution strategies, beneficiary designations, and the role professional guidance can play throughout every stage of your retirement journey.

Episode Highlights:

0:26 | Introduction to 401(k)s and why understanding your retirement plan matters

2:08 | Defined contribution plans versus traditional pension plans and how retirement has evolved

3:10 | Why 401(k)s have become a cornerstone of retirement planning

3:46 | The power of starting early and maximizing your employer match

4:51 | Understanding vesting schedules and what happens to employer contributions when you change jobs

5:43 | Dollar-cost averaging and how consistent contributions can benefit long-term investors

7:15 | Common 401(k) mistakes, including pausing contributions and failing to review investments

7:45 | Auto-enrollment and how employers are helping employees save more effectively

8:53 | The time value of money and the significant advantage of starting young

10:24 | The "latte factor" and how small spending decisions can impact long-term savings

11:57 | Navigating investment options and avoiding common allocation mistakes

12:35 | Understanding target-date funds and how they work

14:39 | Market volatility, emotional investing, and the dangers of trying to time the market

16:27 | When target-date funds may be appropriate and when investors may benefit from more customized allocations

18:54 | Why contributing enough to your 401(k) should be a top financial priority

19:21 | Roth 401(k) versus traditional pre-tax contributions and how to evaluate the right fit

20:49 | How tax planning influences retirement savings decisions

22:01 | 2026 contribution limits, catch-up contributions, and new opportunities for older savers

23:55 | Viewing your 401(k) as part of your total investment portfolio

25:34 | How comprehensive financial planning goes beyond investment management

26:14 | The risks of remaining in stable value funds and being overly conservative

27:29 | The importance of diversification and managing portfolio risk

28:24 | Rebalancing strategies and how often you should review your 401(k)

29:18 | Aligning your investment allocation with your risk tolerance and retirement timeline

30:07 | What to do when your employer changes 401(k) providers

30:50 | A common misconception: your 401(k) provider is not selecting investments for you

32:29 | Additional retirement plan mistakes to avoid

32:51 | Transitioning from saving for retirement to spending in retirement

33:20...

In today’s digital world, shopping has never been easier. With targeted advertising, social media influencers, one-click purchasing, and endless sales promotions, it's easy to make purchases before we've had time to consider whether we truly need them. While these conveniences can save time and introduce us to useful products, they can also lead to overspending, clutter, financial stress, and unintended environmental consequences.

This week on Money Sense, Amy Bremmer, CFP®, Wealth Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Tammy Niemann, ChFC®, Wealth Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, for a conversation about "de-influencing" in a swipe-now culture. Together, they explore practical strategies for resisting impulse spending, discuss how consumer habits impact long-term financial goals, and examine the connections between overconsumption, mental well-being, and environmental sustainability.

Amy and Tammy share personal experiences, actionable techniques for becoming a more mindful consumer, and thought-provoking insights into how small spending decisions can affect everything from retirement preparedness to household clutter. They also discuss lessons from the Netflix documentary Buy Now and the growing movement toward intentional consumption.

Episode Highlights:

0:18 | Introduction to de-influencing and the impact of modern marketing on spending habits

2:12 | Determining whether a purchase is a true need or simply a want

3:21 | How implementing a 24- to 48-hour waiting period can reduce impulse buying

4:34 | Why unsubscribing from marketing emails can help limit unnecessary spending

6:19 | Using social media algorithms intentionally by following de-influencers and minimalist creators

7:57 | "Breaking up with your phone" and reducing mindless scrolling that leads to spending

9:44 | How spending habits affect long-term financial goals and retirement readiness

11:00 | Why understanding your spending is one of the most important parts of financial planning

13:12 | The relationship between consumerism, clutter, and mental health

15:25 | Five practical rules for becoming a more mindful consumer

16:22 | Calculating purchases in "life energy" by measuring them in hours worked rather than dollars spent

17:52 | Asking whether a purchase will simplify or complicate your life

18:00 | The dangers of buying for an aspirational lifestyle instead of your current reality

18:45 | The sunk-cost mindset and why people struggle to part with unused purchases

19:16 | Exploring the environmental effects of overconsumption

20:13 | Surprising statistics about plastic recycling and the concept of greenwashing

21:35 | Fast fashion, textile waste, and the unintended consequences of clothing donations

24:04 | The growing popularity of thrifting and secondhand shopping among younger generations

25:20 | Electronic waste, recycling challenges, and what happens to discarded technology

26:12 | Defining what "enough" means and aligning spending with personal values

26:40 | Final thoughts on mindful consumption, financial well-being, and intentional living

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP

Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management services for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable organizations. EIG's planning...