In this episode of Empty Nest Full Pockets, financial advisor Will Schroeder shifts from fears to action - sharing practical strategies families can use to reduce the cost of college and make smarter financial decisions.

While there’s no magic solution to make college free, Will breaks down real, actionable ways to lower expenses - from maximizing scholarship opportunities to exploring alternative education paths. Drawing from his own experience, he highlights common mistakes students make (and how to avoid them), while offering insights that can save families thousands over time.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the college planning software Prairie Fire Wealth Planning uses to help families estimate true costs, uncover financial aid opportunities, and identify potential funding gaps - so you can plan with clarity instead of guesswork.

If you’re looking for practical ways to make college more affordable, this episode is packed with strategies you can start using today.

Digital Asset

Get Free Access to the PFW College Money Plan
https://prairiefirewealth.com/areas-of-focus/empty-nest-planning/

Episode Topics Covered

• Why Scholarships Matter More Than You Think
• A Costly Mistake: Not Taking Scholarship Applications Seriously
• Tip #1: Apply for Every Scholarship Opportunity
• Tip #2: How to Appeal Your Financial Aid Offer
• When Appealing Financial Aid Can Make a Big Difference
• Tip #3: Lower-Cost College Pathways (Community College & 3-Year Degrees)
• How Community College Can Cut Costs Significantly
• Accelerating Graduation with a 3-Year Degree Path
• Earning College Credits in High School to Save Money
• Tip #4: Saving on Textbooks and Education Materials
• Avoiding Unnecessary Expenses on Course Materials
• Inside the College Cost Planning Software
• How to Estimate the True Cost of Different Schools
• Understanding Financial Aid, Grants, and Scholarships
• Identifying Your College Funding Gap
• Comparing High-Cost vs. Lower-Cost School Options
• How Academic Performance Impacts Scholarship Opportunities
• Planning How to Cover the Remaining Cost of College
• Key Takeaways from Empty Nest Full Pockets
• Why Community College Can Be a Strategic Financial Decision

I sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you for being part of our podcast journey. If you haven’t already, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating the college planning process.

Let’s stay connected:
🌐 Web: https://www.prairiefirewealth.com/
📧 Email: info@pfwplanning.com

—

I sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you for being a part of our podcast journey. If you haven't already, please subscribe to stay updated with the latest episodes. Your subscription means the world to me!

I’d love to hear from you; here are some ways to connect:

Web: https://www.prairiefirewealth.com/

Email: info@pfwplanning.com

Get a copy of my book: Empty Nest, Full Pockets: How to Emotionally and Financially Prepare for Your Family’s Future at https://amzn.to/3PovUWM

In this episode of Empty Nest Full Pockets, financial advisor Will Schroeder dives into one of the most pressing concerns for parents today: how to plan for college without feeling overwhelmed - or financially stretched too thin.

With college costs rising at an alarming rate, many families are left wondering how they’ll afford one of the biggest expenses of their lifetime. Will breaks down why affordability is the #1 fear for parents and walks through what “good” college planning actually looks like - starting earlier than most families expect.

From setting clear expectations with your child to understanding the true return on investment of a college education, this episode offers practical guidance to help you approach the process with clarity and confidence. Will also introduce the PFW College Money Plan and the tools available to help families build a personalized strategy - so you can make smarter decisions without sacrificing your financial future.

If college planning feels overwhelming, this episode will help you move from uncertain to prepared.

Digital Asset

Download the PFW College Money Plan (Free Access)
https://prairiefirewealth.com/areas-of-focus/empty-nest-planning/

Episode Topics Covered

• Why College Affordability Is the #1 Concern for Parents
• Welcome to Empty Nest Full Pockets
• Introduction to the PFW College Money Plan Course
• What Good College Planning Looks Like
• Setting Expectations Early with Your Child
• When to Start the College Planning Process
• The Importance of College Visits (and Timing Them Right)
• Having a Decision Before Senior Year
• The 3 Biggest Fears Parents Have About College
• The Rising Cost of College (and Why It’s Accelerating)
• Real Cost Projections for Public vs. Private Schools
• Why Early Planning Is Critical for Families
• Navigating the Transition from Parent to Mentor
• Setting Communication Expectations with Your College Student
• Managing Independence and Family Connection
• Understanding Return on Investment (ROI) for College
• Balancing Cost vs. Career Earnings Potential
• The Intangible Value of College (Growth, Relationships, Life Skills)

I sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you for being part of our podcast journey. If you haven’t already, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone preparing for or navigating the college planning process.

Let’s stay connected:
🌐 Web: https://www.prairiefirewealth.com/
📧 Email: info@pfwplanning.com

—

I sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you for being a part of our podcast journey. If you haven't already, please subscribe to stay updated with the latest episodes. Your subscription means the world to me!

I’d love to hear from you; here are some ways to connect:

Web: https://www.prairiefirewealth.com/

Email: info@pfwplanning.com

Get a copy of my book: Empty Nest, Full Pockets: How to Emotionally and Financially Prepare for Your Family’s Future at https://amzn.to/3PovUWM

In this episode of Empty Nest Full Pockets, financial planner Matt Meline breaks down a powerful concept that can transform how you experience retirement: the “Permission to Spend” framework.

After years of disciplined saving, many empty nesters still struggle to enjoy their money. Instead of feeling freedom, they feel hesitation — constantly questioning whether they’re spending too much, too soon.

Matt explains how this mindset often comes from a lack of structure, not a lack of savings.

Using a simple yet impactful example, he compares two retirees with identical portfolios—one without a strategy and one with a tax-smart withdrawal plan. The difference? Hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime taxes… and a dramatically different retirement experience.

This episode walks through how coordinating income sources, managing tax brackets, and timing withdrawals can help reduce tax burdens and create clarity around what you can safely spend.

The result is a plan with guardrails — giving you the confidence to enjoy your retirement without second-guessing every decision.

If you’ve been playing it safe but wondering if you could be living more fully, this episode will help you rethink what’s possible.

Digital Asset

Download the Empty Nest Success Checklist
https://prairiefirewealth.com/areas-of-focus/empty-nest-planning/

Episode Highlights

• The “Permission to Spend” mindset
• Why retirees often still feel financial scarcity
• Example: two retirees with identical portfolios but different outcomes
• The cost of not having a tax strategy
• How strategic withdrawals can reduce lifetime taxes
• What the Permission to Spend framework solves
• Building spending guardrails (high vs. low ranges)
• Coordinating income sources, taxes, and timing
• Using Roth accounts to manage tax brackets
• Why asset location matters for tax efficiency
• Tax diversification for flexibility in retirement
• “Bracket-busting” strategies explained
• Roth conversion opportunities (ages 60–73)
• Capital gains harvesting strategies
• Charitable giving and tax efficiency
• Reviewing your tax return for planning opportunities
• Creating a retirement tax plan
• Adjusting spending during market volatility
• Final thoughts: building confidence through planning

April's LIVE Webinar

Kickstart Your College Planning Journey with The PFW College Money Plan
📅 Wednesday, April 15
🕚 11:30am CST

Planning for college doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In this webinar, we’ll walk you through a smarter, more strategic way to approach college funding — without sacrificing your retirement goals.

👉 Register here: https://prairiefirewealth.com/webinar/

—

I sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you for being a part of our podcast journey. If you haven't already, please subscribe to stay updated with the latest episodes. Your subscription means the world to me!

I’d love to hear from you; here are some ways to connect:

Web: https://www.prairiefirewealth.com/

Email: info@pfwplanning.com

Get a copy of my book: Empty Nest, Full Pockets: How to Emotionally and Financially Prepare for Your Family’s Future at https://amzn.to/3PovUWM