Welcome to another insightful episode of Life Isn’t Lived on a Spreadsheet! This week, host
Alec Quaid, Certified Financial Planner dives deep into the essential components of retirement
income planning. Retirement is about more than just financial projections—it’s about living your
best life with confidence and clarity.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of the Retirement Equation, a framework designed to
help you plan for a financially secure future. Alec breaks down critical variables like spending
rates, inflation, and tax planning, offering actionable advice to create a personalized retirement
strategy that works for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
● Spending in Retirement: How to estimate your future lifestyle costs and adjust for
changes like hobbies, travel, or health care.
● Inflation Impact: Why a 2.5% inflation assumption is conservative yet practical for long-
term planning.
● Tax Strategies: The importance of minimizing your lifetime tax bill through Roth
conversions and other innovative techniques.
● Income Stability Ratio: Discover why a 70–75% stable income target is key to a worry-
free retirement.
● Asset Withdrawal Order: Insights on spending down assets efficiently to maximize
growth and minimize taxes.

Have you ever wondered how your financial habits were shaped? This episode of Life Isn’t
Lived on a Spreadsheet unpacks the profound impact of family influences on financial decisions
and how to navigate the complexities of building your financial future. Host Ryan Poterack of
Poterack Capital Advisory shares personal insights, real-life stories, and practical advice for
overcoming generational patterns and fostering financial literacy.

In this episode, we explore:
● The role of family upbringing in shaping financial habits and decision-making.
● Why young people often lack role models in financial planning and how to change that.
● The importance of trust and relationships in seeking financial guidance.
● Real strategies for introducing financial literacy to children and grandchildren.

● Insights into estate planning and having those tough but essential family conversations.

Are you ready to rethink how you plan for retirement? This episode of Life Isn’t Lived on a
Spreadsheet dives deep into why your unique story, values, and objectives matter more than
cookie-cutter financial advice. Join host Ryan Poterack of Poterack Capital Advisory as he
challenges traditional financial planning and explores how behavioral finance and personalized
strategies can empower your golden years.

In this episode, we cover:

● The pitfalls of “one-size-fits-all” financial advice and why your story matters.
● Behavioral finance: How life experiences, biases, and fears shape financial decisions.
● Choosing between buying and leasing cars: A nuanced look at cash flow, flexibility, and
long-term goals.
● Real-world examples of tailoring investment strategies to individual needs, from risk
tolerance to portfolio design.
● The importance of asking the right questions to uncover your true financial objectives.

Gain actionable insights and fresh perspectives to help you approach retirement with
confidence. Whether you're an executive, soon-to-be retiree, or a goal-oriented professional,
this episode is packed with advice that breaks away from traditional approaches to financial
planning.

Being unsure whether to pay off your mortgage or not — that’s a good problem to have! It means you’ve built up significant savings and have options.

While being debt-free is appealing to many, there are practical reasons to consider keeping your mortgage. Let’s take a look at both sides.

Paying Off Your Mortgage

Paying off your mortgage can offer peace of mind, a sense of accomplishment, and a guaranteed return equivalent to your mortgage interest rate.

It may also reduce financial risk by lowering your monthly obligations, which may be especially beneficial as you approach retirement.

Keeping Your Mortgage

Keeping your mortgage might allow you to pursue higher returns through investments, maintain liquidity for emergencies, and enjoy potential tax benefits.

If you’ve locked in a low interest rate, you may prefer to keep that money working for you elsewhere.

Ultimately, your decision depends on your goals and comfort with debt. PCA is in the business to help and would love to discuss your unique situation with you!

This will be a deeper-dive into an essential but often overlooked part of retirement planning — how you’ll spend your time.

Financial security is important, but having a purpose-filled routine is just as vital.

Things to Consider:

• Before you take the leap, try some “test drives” to find your ideal retirement routine.
• Unstructured Days: Try vacation days with no plans; reflect on how you feel about the flexibility.
• New Hobbies and Interests: Experiment with hobbies to find meaningful activities for retirement.
• Social Life Evaluation: Think about how you’ll stay connected post-retirement; consider new groups or clubs.
• Routine Adjustments: Try different daily routines to find what’s energizing.
• Emotional Reflection: Assess your mental state without work obligations to prepare emotionally for retirement.
• Coordinate with Your Spouse/Partner: Plan for both individual and shared time (if part of a couple).

Retirement is more than just free time. Set yourself up for a fulfilling, joyful retirement filled with purpose!

Welcome to Life Isn’t Lived on a Spreadsheet, where we explore the stories behind the numbers and dive deep into the personal side of financial planning. In today’s episode, Ryan Poterack and Charrise McCrorey challenge the traditional view of retirement and offer a fresh perspective on making the most of your golden years.

Whether you’re preparing to retire or simply looking for ways to plan for a fulfilling future, this episode is packed with insights to help you approach retirement in a meaningful way. We discuss why focusing solely on the financial aspects can overlook the bigger picture — your life’s purpose, your goals, and your legacy.

• Why your values, fears, and experiences should drive your retirement planning
• How tax planning and asset allocation intersect with lifestyle choices in retirement
• The importance of embracing conflict in discussions about money and retirement
• Real-life examples of how to balance the practical and personal sides of planning for the future
• Practical tips to build a retirement plan that reflects your unique story and aspirations

By the end of this episode, you’ll gain valuable insights into aligning your financial goals with your personal values and how to make informed decisions that benefit both your wallet and your well-being.

We encourage you to engage with us! Have questions or want to share your thoughts? Reach out on social media or send us an email — we’d love to hear from you!

Tune in and discover how embracing the human side of retirement planning can transform your approach to your golden years.

Welcome to Life Isn’t Lived on a Spreadsheet. This podcast dives into the personal side of financial planning—because your life isn’t just numbers and charts. Today, Alec Quaid, Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Manager at Poterack Capital Advisory, takes us through variable two of the retirement equation: asset allocation.

In this episode, Alec explores:

• Why simplifying retirement income planning is key to clarity and confidence.
• How small changes in assumptions can significantly impact your retirement outcomes.
• The importance of balancing risk and return in your portfolio.
• Why your money must outpace inflation and support sustainable withdrawals.
• Real estate’s role in retirement, from appreciation to rental income.

Learn how a conservative, straightforward approach to financial planning can help you feel prepared for the long term while staying flexible in the short term.

Tune in to discover why proactive, personalized retirement planning is the best way to achieve peace of mind and long-term success. Hit follow to stay updated on future episodes!

How long will your retirement savings need to last? Welcome to “Life Isn’t Lived on a Spreadsheet,” the podcast where we challenge conventional retirement planning. Join Alec Quaid, Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Manager at Poterack Capital Advisory, as he kicks off a deep-dive mini-series on “The Retirement Equation.” Discover a fresh, holistic perspective on retirement that factors in more than just dollars and cents—this is retirement planning that prioritizes you.

In this episode, we tackle one of the most critical variables of the retirement equation: longevity. Alec explains why your life expectancy could make or break your financial security and how to plan wisely so your resources last as long as you do. Learn about strategies, tools, and key metrics that go beyond accumulation and shift focus to securing income stability throughout retirement.

Topics covered include:

• Why longevity is crucial to your retirement plan’s success
• How to choose the right retirement age for financial security and lifestyle goals
• Using life expectancy data to build a sustainable income model
• The impact of working longer—and how it doubles as a financial benefit
• What is the Income Stability Ratio, and how can it safeguard your retirement?

Listen in for actionable insights, expert advice, and a roadmap to confident, secure retirement planning. Don’t miss this essential episode on the role of longevity in retirement!