This week on Retirement Results, we discuss why retirement should never be a guessing game. Instead of hoping things work out, what if you could see your retirement results in advance?

In this episode, Ford Stokes & Sam Davis explain the importance of building a “results in advance” retirement plan — one that helps you understand your income, investments and overall financial picture before you step into retirement. By doing the work upfront, you can identify potential gaps, stress-test your plan, and make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.

The conversation highlights how coordinating your investments, income strategy and Social Security decisions creates a more predictable and measurable retirement outcome. Rather than reacting to surprises, you can proactively adjust your plan to align with your goals.

As fiduciaries, the Active Wealth team is committed to helping individuals, families and small business owners make data-driven decisions designed to support long-term retirement success.

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

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Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

Recession talk is back for 2026—it may not be in every headline, but the odds aren’t at zero percent. You need to be prepared for the scenario of a possible recession.

Key Points Covered:

• Emergency Funds --- Start by building (or topping off) an emergency fund that covers three to six months of living expenses.
• Picking the Right Budgeting System – Whether old or new, using a budgeting system can help consolidate while keeping stress away.
• Configure your Financial Portfolio – Strategies to ensure your financial portfolio remains in a strong position.

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

--

Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

Retirement.Radio's Matt McClure sits down with Rod Griffin, Senior Director of Consumer Education and Advocacy at Experian, for a practical and timely conversation about emergency savings. With rising living costs, recent holiday spending, and ongoing debt repayment putting pressure on household budgets, many Americans struggle to set money aside for unexpected expenses.

Matt and Rod break down common emergency fund guidelines—ranging from three to six months of expenses or more—while emphasizing that the most important step is simply getting started. Rather than focusing on intimidating savings targets, the discussion highlights the value of small, consistent contributions that build momentum over time.

The conversation also explores actionable strategies for freeing up cash flow, including tracking expenses, reducing recurring bills, and using available tools to identify unused subscriptions or high-cost credit options. Matt and Rod wrap up by connecting emergency savings to long-term financial stability, stressing the importance of automation, protecting credit health, and taking full advantage of employer-matched retirement contributions.

Host: Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure
Guest: Rod Griffin, Senior Director of Consumer Education and Advocacy at Experian

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

--

Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.