Most business owners say they feel prepared to step away, but available data suggests gaps in readiness.

In this episode, Dan Reese breaks down insights from the National State of Owner Readiness Report and explains common areas where small and mid-sized business owners may lack preparation for a significant financial transition. With a large portion of many owners’ net worth tied up in their business, exit planning often involves business, personal, and financial considerations.

Dan walks through common elements often associated with readiness, including understanding business value, identifying wealth gaps, and planning considerations for life after the business following a transaction.

Dan discusses:

• The role small and mid-sized businesses play in the U.S. economy
• The commonly referenced three legs of exit planning: business, personal, and financial considerations
• The role formal business valuations can play in exit planning
• The wealth gap and how lifestyle expectations may affect a transition
• And more

Resources:

• Carson Wealth Retirement Readiness Quiz

Connect with Dan Reese CFP®:

• Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Dan Reese

Online platforms surface a steady stream of financial content, often from influencers whose guidance is not tailored to individual situations.

In this episode of Ramp Up to Retirement, Dan Reese discusses the difference between broad online commentary and fiduciary planning, and how that gap can affect real retirement decisions. He walks through examples involving Roth conversions, Social Security timing, and investment choices that are sometimes framed too broadly in short-form content.

What to expect:

• How social algorithms can pull you into financial advice content
• Possible motivations behind influencer content
• What fiduciary standards require (and what they do not)
• How personalized planning can help you assess decisions and potential tradeoffs
• And more!

Converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a taxable event.

Resources:

• Carson Wealth Retirement Readiness Quiz

Connect with Dan Reese CFP®:

• Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Dan Reese

Gold is in the headlines again.

Prices are higher this year, we see gold ads on TV, and fear-based marketing may be convincing more retirees to convert their savings into precious metals. But is gold truly as safe as it’s perceived to be, or are investors falling for glitter over substance?

Dan Reese delivers a calm, factual look at the emotional and financial realities of gold investing. From physical bars to ETFs, Dan explains the pros, cons, and costly surprises many people overlook, especially when they’re acting out of fear.

Here’s what to expect:

• The emotional appeal of gold and how it’s used in marketing
• Why physical gold may cost more than you think to buy, sell, and store
• How gold ETFs could offer a simpler, lower-cost option
• Why timing, taxes, and diversification matter more than hype
• And more!

Resources:

• Carson Wealth Retirement Readiness Quiz

Connect with Dan Reese CFP®:

• Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Dan Reese