Nelson Financial Planning

09/03/2026

Almost nobody plans for the thing retirement spending by age data actually shows: your spending goes down as you get older, not up. Average spending falls roughly 19% by age 75 and about half by 95 — and retirees who assume the opposite spend their best years guarding money they were never going to need. Joel Garris and Zach Keister take apart the 4% rule and explain what to do instead.

09/01/2026

There is no single correct retirement withdrawal rate — and being rigid about 4% may be quietly costing you the trips, the visits, and the years you actually saved for. Joel and Zach walk through why the number moves, what the research says about how much can I spend in retirement, and the one document project that matters more than any withdrawal formula.

There is no single correct retirement withdrawal rate — and being r...

08/31/2026

How much can you really spend in retirement — and how do you prepare your family for the future? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris and Zach Keister discuss retirement income, the 4% rule, national debt, and the importance of organizing your financial life before it’s needed.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/don-t-panic-plan-ahead-national-debt-retirement-spending-your-financial-death-box--74739825

08/28/2026

Financial planning for caregivers almost never starts with a plan. It starts with a ride to a doctor's appointment, help sorting out medications, a few errands — and then, as Joel puts it, the entire routine changes.

Financial planning for caregivers almost never starts with a plan. ...

08/25/2026

The Wall Street Journal just reviewed nearly 50 hours of TikTok videos across more than 200 financial accounts. Joel walks through what the analysis actually found and why roughly a third of financial advice on social media is genuinely educational — and how to tell that third from the rest.

08/24/2026

Caregiving is a role many people step into gradually — and often before they feel fully prepared. In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris shares practical tips for staying organized, building a support team, reviewing important documents, and reducing stress along the caregiving journey.

Listen to the full podcast episode here: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/tiktok-financial-advice-medicare-costs-caregiving-tips--74470320

08/21/2026

How much of your portfolio should be conservative in retirement? Most people are told 40% or 50% — and Joel and Rob explain why that number may be costing you growth you can't afford to give up. With inflation running and everyone living longer, over-weighting cash and bonds carries its own risk.

How much of your portfolio should be conservative in retirement? Mo...

08/20/2026

A scarcity mindset says there isn't enough — not enough money, not enough time, not enough opportunity, not enough security. It produces worry, fear, and reactive decisions. An abundance mindset isn't wishful thinking and it doesn't mean ignoring risk; it means treating money as a tool you can work with rather than a problem you're losing to. Joel and Rob walk through what the shift actually looks like, and the five habits that get you there.

Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset — most people have never nam...

08/17/2026

Your money mindset can shape the way you save, spend, and plan for the future. In this Dollars & Sense segment, Rob and Joel talk about shifting from scarcity to abundance and building greater financial confidence—one small step at a time.

Listen here: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/market-optimism-investor-caution-better-money-decisions--74005847

08/14/2026

In 2025 a record $464 billion went into annuities — the fifth straight record year — and most buyers never hear the entire story before they sign. Joel opens the contract, then turns to the retirement conversations couples keep postponing and the tax surprises that arrive years after the paycheck stops.

Should you buy an annuity? In 2025 a record $464 billion went into ...