Retire Sooner with Wes Moss

What does it really take to retire sooner and enjoy the years you’ve worked so hard for? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase tackle listener questions about retirement planning, investing, taxes, retirement income, and the pursuit of a happier life after work.

· Examine the idea of building a retirement life map around what matters most to you.

· Discover what Aristotle can teach us about retirement happiness, purpose, and fulfillment.

· Confront spending anxiety and why letting yourself enjoy your savings can be surprisingly difficult.

· Consider when it might be time for a change of scenery—and what a move may mean for your finances.

· Compare **cost-of-living **calculators when sizing up potential retirement destinations.

· Analyze strategies for untangling concentrated stock positions, diversification, and the potential tax tradeoffs.

· Explore the Rule of 55 and when it may provide penalty-free access to certain 401(k) funds.

· Experience the Retire Sooner Method, from the Money & Happiness Green Zones and Core Pursuits to relationships and sleep.

· Break down the 4% rule of thumb, withdrawal rates, and the fear of running out of money.

· Weigh a HELOC versus IRA withdrawal while considering taxes and potential Roth conversions.

· Walk through listener scenarios involving retirement readiness, withdrawal strategies, and investment allocation.

Retirement is about more than hitting a number—it’s also about figuring out what you want those years to look like. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for more educational conversations about the money and life behind a happier retirement.
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When should you claim Social Security? Should you pay off your mortgage before retirement? And how do you balance saving for retirement while helping pay for college? Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase on this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast as they tackle listener questions and explore practical perspectives on retirement planning, retirement income, taxes, pensions, and planning for a more fulfilling retirement.

planning for a more fulfilling retirement

• Compare Social Security claiming approaches and the factors that may influence your decision.

• Consider how health, longevity, your spouse, and taxes may shape your retirement plan.

• Explore the research behind Core Pursuits and why they may play an important role in retirement satisfaction.

• Balance retirement savings and college funding while weighing different education-planning options.

• Evaluate pension survivor benefits, cash reserves, and mortgage payoff as part of your broader financial picture.

• Access preorder bonus information for The Retire Sooner Method, no matter where you purchase it, including your favorite local bookstore.

Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for more educational conversations about retirement planning, Social Security, retirement income, investing, taxes, and financial independence—and discover new ideas to consider as you prepare for retirement.

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Retirement planning isn't just about the numbers—it's also about trying to create a life you'll enjoy living. Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase on this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast as they tackle listener questions, share fresh retirement planning perspectives, and explore the habits that may help shape a more fulfilling future, including sleep!

• Discover The Retire Sooner Method, including the Money & Happiness Green Zones, the Retirement Superpower, and the role Core Pursuits may play in retirement.

• See how sleep, net worth benchmarks, liquid investable assets, income, and mortgage payoff may influence long-term retirement planning.

• Hear practical discussions about long-term care, IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), healthcare before Medicare, and managing short-term cash.

• Compare the bucket strategy, retirement account consolidation, fixed annuities, and structured notes while weighing flexibility, liquidity, and risk.

Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast with Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase for engaging and educational conversations about retirement planning, retirement investing, retirement income, and financial independence.

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What does it really take to build a happy retirement? Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase on this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast as they blend retirement planning research with listener questions to explore the financial and lifestyle choices that may help shape life after work.

• Learn how the five-step Retire Sooner Method brings together the financial and personal sides of retirement planning.

• See how retirement "green zones" may help you think about savings, income, liquidity, and mortgage decisions.

• Explore why core pursuits, strong friendships, and even better sleep have been linked to greater retirement satisfaction.

• Hear practical conversations about written financial plans and other habits that may help reduce money-related stress.

• Get answers to listener questions about AI financial tools, Roth conversions, bond funds versus money markets, spousal IRAs, retirement income, paying off a mortgage, reverse mortgages, and annuities.

Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for more educational conversations about retirement planning, retirement investing, and personal finance.

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Retirement is about more than growing your nest egg; it’s also about building friendships, finding purpose, and making informed financial decisions along the way. Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase on this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast as they blend listener questions, new research, and practical conversations about retirement planning, retirement investing, and personal finance.

• Hear an inspiring listener story about trading everyday life for a full-time adventure aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean.

• Discover new research on how long it may take to build close friendships and why those relationships may matter throughout retirement.

• Learn why making new friends often gets tougher with age—and what may help create more meaningful connections.

• Explore how The Retire Sooner Method encourages balancing financial security with purpose, relationships, and the experiences often associated with making retirement meaningful.

• Explore portfolio diversification, pensions, liquidity, and how stocks, bonds, and cash may work together in a retirement portfolio.

• Compare working with a financial advisor versus DIY investing, including what research suggests about each approach.

• Review how financial planning may extend beyond investing to include tax planning, estate planning, and family priorities.

• Consider ways to balance retirement savings, mortgage payments, and emergency cash reserves when extra income comes your way.

• Understand portfolio rebalancing during market volatility and what Treasury notes and yield to maturity mean for fixed-income investors.

Whether you're counting down to retirement or already there, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives to help you navigate the road ahead. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for more conversations about retirement planning, investing, and living well in retirement.

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