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Can I Retire Now?
Welcome to the Can I Retire Now? Podcast!
Where savvy financial insights meet relatable wisdom. With almost two decades in the industry, Nick and his wife, Becky, bring a dynamic perspective to help you navigate your unique financial landscape.
Join us as we decode the intricacies of your financial world, offering tailored strategies for dream retirement plans and protection against life's storms.
Discover what truly matters in your financial life, gain insights on relationships and money, and…
Episodes
Can I Retire Now?Why Emergency Savings Are Your Retirement's Best Friend (Ep. 53)
With market volatility and rising living costs making headlines, people often focus on chasing returns, leaving behind a foundational piece of their wealth…
Can I Retire Now?AI and Retirement: Friend, Foe, or Financial Planner? (Ep. 52)
With AI dominating conversations everywhere from schools to doctor's offices, it's no surprise that more people are turning to chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude…
Can I Retire Now?Trump Accounts and The Secret Child Rollover Strategy for Retirement (Ep. 51)
When planning for a child or grandchild’s future, most people naturally jump straight to 529 college plans or standard custodial accounts. But a newly created…
Can I Retire Now?Is That Really Your Bank? Personalized Scams and AI Imposters (Ep. 50)
With AI getting smarter by the day, financial scams are no longer just obvious emails from international princes. Today, bad actors are using personalized and…
Can I Retire Now?Emergency Savings and Student Loan Matches in Your 401(k) (Ep. 49)
Government legislation might not sound like standard weekend listening, but the latest changes could reshape how you save and spend your money. Today’s episode…
Can I Retire Now?What the New RMD and Roth Rules Mean for Your Money (Ep. 48)
Navigating government legislation shouldn't feel like decoding a foreign language. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky sit down to break down…
Can I Retire Now?How to Use the 0% Capital Gains Tax Rate in Retirement (Ep. 47)
Could you be paying taxes in retirement that you didn't actually have to pay? Many retirees spend years focusing on saving money, only to discover that how…
Can I Retire Now?The Retirement Readiness Checklist You Shouldn’t Ignore (Ep. 46)
Retirement gets a lot more real when the calendar starts counting down. Questions around healthcare, taxes, income, routines, and timing can suddenly feel…
Can I Retire Now?Suitcases Packed, Budget Intact: Summer Travel Without Overspending (Ep. 45)
Summer travel is exciting…until the costs start piling up before you’ve even packed a bag. Between rising prices, group trips, and social pressure to “upgrade”…
Can I Retire Now?Midterm Volatility and Smarter Investment Strategies for Uncertain Markets (Ep. 44)
Uncertainty in the market can make even the most experienced investors question their decisions. How should you respond when headlines, politics, and…
Can I Retire Now?Long-Term Care Planning: What Most People Miss Until It’s Too Late (Ep. 43)
Most people avoid thinking about future care needs until it suddenly becomes real. What happens when everyday tasks become difficult, and how does that impact…
Can I Retire Now?Financial Planning vs Retirement Planning: What Most People Get Wrong (Ep. 42)
Many people think saving for retirement is the same thing as financial planning. But are they really the same? And could focusing on one while ignoring the…
Can I Retire Now?How Much Car Can You Afford? (Ep. 41)
Buying a car can feel exciting, but the payment can quietly shape your financial future. Are you thinking about what that monthly number means for your…
Can I Retire Now?Understanding Disability Insurance: Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset (Ep. 40)
What happens if your paycheck suddenly stops, not because you lost your job, but because you can't work? Most people never consider this possibility until it's…
Can I Retire Now?Optimizing Your 401(k) for Maximum Growth and Returns (Ep. 39)
Are you making the most of your retirement savings? Many people contribute to their 401(k) without understanding how to truly maximize its potential. In this…
Can I Retire Now?ROImance: How Couples Should Handle Finances (Ep. 38)
Should couples keep their finances separate or merge everything together? What happens when money meets commitment? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky…
Can I Retire Now?Why 80% of New Year’s Resolutions Fail (and the Simple Fix That Works) (Ep. 37)
Do your New Year's resolutions fade by mid-January? Are you ready to approach goal-setting in a way that actually works for you? In this episode, Nick Russell…
Can I Retire Now?The Truth About Health and Longevity with Dr. Ara Suppiah (Ep. 36)
Health is the foundation that allows every financial plan to matter because if you can’t enjoy your wealth, what’s it really for? In this episode, Nick Russell…
Can I Retire Now?Your Year-End Financial Checklist: Smart Moves Before 2026 (Ep. 35)
The end of the year brings more than just holidays. It’s also a key moment to make tax-efficient moves that can shape your financial picture for the next year…
Can I Retire Now?How to Budget for the Holidays and Avoid Overspending (Ep. 34)
The holidays bring joy, but they also bring financial pressure that can leave you dazed come January. What if you could enjoy the season without the…
Can I Retire Now?The Big Four Hidden Taxes in Retirement (Ep. 33)
Taxes don’t stop when you retire; they just get sneakier. From Social Security surprises to Medicare premium surcharges, retirees face more hidden taxes than…
Can I Retire Now?Even Dying Requires Paperwork: Estate Planning and Legacy Management (Ep. 32)
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s about giving your loved ones clarity and control when it matters most. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky…
Can I Retire Now?Small Businesses, Big Retirements: Choosing the Right Plan (Ep. 31)
Running a business means wearing many hats, but retirement planning doesn’t have to get lost in the shuffle. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner…
Can I Retire Now?Planning Through the Decades: Money Habits for Every Stage of Life (Ep. 30)
Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner break down what retirement planning really looks like at each stage of life. From the first savings habits in your 30s, to…
Can I Retire Now?Divorce and Money: Financial Lessons You Can’t Afford to Miss (Ep. 29)
Nick and Becky open up about a deeply relevant topic: divorce and finances. Drawing from both personal experience and professional perspective, they highlight…
Can I Retire Now?Marriage and Money: What Every Couple Needs to Know (Ep. 28)
Marriage isn’t just about romance. It’s also one of the most impactful financial partnerships you can form. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner mix…
Can I Retire Now?The Most-Asked Financial Questions of 2025 (Ep. 27)
From geopolitical conflicts to viral financial trends, there’s no shortage of worries bombarding investors daily. But how much of it matters for your money?…
Can I Retire Now?Poker and Planning: What the Cards Can Teach Us About Investing (Ep. 26)
What do poker and smart investing have in common? More than you think. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner explore how strategies from the poker…
Can I Retire Now?The Truth About Life Insurance (Ep. 25)
Life insurance isn’t just about death, it’s about what happens to the people you care about most. How much coverage is enough? What kind of policy should you…
Can I Retire Now?Social Security 101: Understanding Your Retirement Benefits (Ep. 24)
Social Security is one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement planning, but understanding it can make a big difference. What does it take to qualify…
Can I Retire Now?What Market Volatility Really Means (Ep. 23)
Volatility gets a bad reputation, but is it really something to fear? Is the market truly unpredictable, or are we just reacting to the wrong signals? What if…
Can I Retire Now?Nutrition, Supplements, and Plant-Based Diets with Dr. Ara Suppiah - Part 2 (Ep. 22)
Want to know the truth about nutrition and supplements? Are you confused by all the conflicting information out there? Find out as Nick Russell continues his…
Can I Retire Now?How Health Impacts Wealth with Dr. Ara Suppiah Pt. 1 (Ep. 21)
Money may fund your dreams, but your body is what allows you to chase them. What if feeling tired, stressed, or “off” wasn’t just aging but something fixable?…
Can I Retire Now?Choosing a Financial Advisor: 7 Key Questions to Ask Before You Decide (Ep. 20)
Selecting a financial advisor can shape your financial future, so asking the right questions is vital. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner discuss…
Can I Retire Now?Understanding Annuities: Breaking Down the Basics (Ep. 19)
Annuities can be a confusing financial topic, often met with strong opinions and misconceptions. What are they, how do they work, and who should consider them?…
Can I Retire Now?In-Service Distributions: The Hidden Opportunity in Your Retirement Plan (Ep.18)
Financial decisions can be daunting, especially when they involve understanding complex options like in-service distributions. How can you make sure your…
Can I Retire Now?Retirement Catch-Up Contributions: Time Travel and Condiments (Ep. 17)
Retirement planning doesn’t have to be daunting, even if you feel like time has slipped away. With a little strategic action, you can still make significant…
Can I Retire Now?Retirement and Investing Cheat Codes (Ep. 16)
Managing finances for retirement doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Learn straightforward strategies that can help simplify your financial planning! In this…
Can I Retire Now?Financially Smart Holiday Celebrations (Ep. 15)
Holidays bring joy but often come with hidden financial pressures. Balancing festive cheer and budgeting is crucial for long-term financial health. How can you…
Can I Retire Now?Tax Loss Harvesting: Turning Setbacks into Savings (Ep. 14)
Ever wondered how you could save money on taxes by losing money? What if those past financial losses could actually be a blessing in disguise? In this episode…
Can I Retire Now?Should I Stay or Should I Go? Deciding Between Moving or Renovating (Ep. 13)
Should you invest in renovating or find a new home altogether? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner share their recent whirlwind experience of…
Can I Retire Now?The Election Cycle and Your Investments: A Non-Partisan Financial Approach (Ep. 12)
What role does the election cycle play in your financial future? Should political shifts influence your retirement planning? In this episode of Can I Retire…
Can I Retire Now?Navigating Mortgage Decisions in Retirement (Ep. 11)
Are you nearing retirement and wondering if you should pay off your mortgage first? Is downsizing or relocating a good idea upon retirement? Nick Russell and…
Can I Retire Now?How 529 Plans Can Set Your Kids Up for Financial Success (Ep.10)
Saving for your kid’s college doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your own financial security. Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner explore the ins and outs of 529…
Can I Retire Now?Demystifying the Federal Reserve: Who is the Fed? (Ep. 9)
Ever wonder who controls the rise and fall of interest rates and how it impacts your financial life? Join Nick and Becky as they delve into the role of the…
Can I Retire Now?Redefining Yourself in Retirement (Ep. 8)
Have you ever wondered how you'll introduce yourself once you retire? Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner explore the often-overlooked challenge of identity after…
Can I Retire Now?What Do I Do Now? Turning Hobbies into Happiness (Ep. 7)
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to retirement is finding something to replace the time you would be spending working. The question "What are you…
Can I Retire Now?Financial Literacy Insights on Investment Returns and Risk Management (Ep. 6)
Think you can just 'set it and forget it' with your retirement plans? Think again! Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner dive into the key factors that impact your…
Can I Retire Now?Understanding the Tax Triangle (Ep. 5)
Are your savings smartly diversified to beat the tax man in retirement? Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner delve into the intricacies of taxes and retirement…
Can I Retire Now?Exploring the Basics of Retirement Accounts (Ep. 4)
Did you know that over 60% of people don't understand the differences between various retirement accounts? Are you ready to decipher the mysteries of…
Can I Retire Now?The Art of Money Management (Ep. 3)
How much are you spending on eating out and “treats”? If you add up the miscellaneous costs, would it equal less than your monthly pay? Nick Russell and Becky…
Can I Retire Now?Follow the Money to Financial Savings (Ep. 2)
Are you feeling lost in the maze of your finances and dreaming about retirement? Imagine how changing one small habit could transform your financial future…
Can I Retire Now?Unveiling Retirement Realities with 'Can I Retire Now?’ (Ep. 1)
Have you ever wondered if retirement is just a dream or a feasible reality? What’s holding you back from starting your retirement planning journey? Join Nick…