What does "Living Greater" actually look like for you? In episode two of the Retirement Readiness Journey, the VLP team moves from the numbers to the lifestyle. Learn how to translate your retirement dreams into an actionable plan that accounts for everything from healthcare needs to "super fun" travel goals.

Key Topics Covered:

• Retirement Goal Setting: Move beyond the "beach" cliché to define the who, what, and where of your next chapter.
• The "Dimmer Switch" Strategy: Why a phased retirement or scaling back is often more successful than a "hard stop" from a demanding career.
• Needs, Wants, and Wishes: How to prioritize essential expenses like healthcare while still "solving for fun".
• Financial Modeling: The importance of using "what-if" placeholders for big-ticket items like second homes or boats.
• Managing Disconnects: How to adjust your "champagne taste" to reality by pulling the right financial levers.

Visit vlpfa.com to download resources or schedule a complimentary consultation to begin your personalized Retirement Readiness Journey.

Before you can plan your future, you must establish a clear baseline of your current financial health. In this kickoff episode of the Retirement Readiness Journey, Rose Price, CFP®, and Chris Mellone CFA, CFP®, AIF® explore the essential steps to take ten years before your target retirement date. From analyzing asset location to auditing your debt, learn how to prepare your portfolio for the long haul.

Key Topics Covered:

• Calculating Net Worth: Learn how to organize diverse assets including 401(k)s, TSPs, real estate, and unique collectibles.
  
  
• Strategic Debt Management: Understand the difference between "good" debt like mortgages and "bad" high-interest liabilities.
  
  
• Asset Location & Taxes: Why your 401(k) shouldn't be your only bucket and how to utilize Roth options for better tax flexibility.
  
  
• Cash Flow Tracking: Move beyond digital spending to understand your true cost of living and identify "lifestyle creep".
  
  
• Optimizing Savings: Discover systematic ways to redirect pay raises and "found money" into wealth-building investments.
  
  

Visit vlpfa.com to download resources or schedule a complimentary consultation to begin your personalized Retirement Readiness Journey.

In this special "Year in Review" episode, the team at VLP Financial Advisors dives into the biggest accomplishments, market reflections, and firm growth of 2025. They also look ahead to 2026, sharing major initiatives like a new office and an exciting new podcast series. Don't miss this candid conversation about the market's volatility, the impact of legislative changes, and the core values driving the firm's success.

Key Discussions and Takeaways:

• Firm and Podcast Growth: Review the significant growth in 2025, including the firm adding over 30 new client households and surpassing 1300 YouTube subscribers.
• Podcast Achievements: Highlights include reaching episode 42 and the success of "short form" content, such as the video on "Financial Scams in the World of AI" (over 7,000 views) and the top short with nearly 30,000 views.
• 2025 Market & Legislative Reflections: Discussion on the market's quick changes, the impact of "Liberation Day," and the "Big Beautiful Bill," which affected taxes, particularly the SALT cap.
• Firm Awards and Recognition: Highlighting awards such as the Investment News Top Places to Work (won again in 2025) and being named to the watchlist for fastest-growing female-led advisory firms.
• Looking Ahead to 2026: Exciting plans include a new office move off of Pinnacle Drive and the launch of a new "Retirement Readiness Journey" podcast series in January.

The team attributes their success to the continued trust and referrals from their clients, partners, and team. Gain valuable insight into how this growing firm manages volatile markets and leverages technology like AI and new social platforms, such as their new Instagram account (@vlpfinanciadadvisors), to better serve their clients.

Your questions and feedback drive the conversation! If you have topics or financial questions that come up during the holidays, please share them with the VLP team to inspire future episodes.