Mr. Stillman's Opus Podcast By John Stillman cover art

Mr. Stillman's Opus

Mr. Stillman's Opus

By: John Stillman
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Financial and retirement guidance from John Stillman, founder of Rosewood Wealth Management. Serving Durham, Chapel Hill, and the rest of the Triangle. Make sure your finances are designed to deliver you a harmonious retirement.Copyright John Stillman Economics Personal Finance Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Travel-Ready Retiree: Budgeting for Adventure
    May 9 2025

    For a lot of folks, retirement and travel go hand-in-hand, whether that’s taking a trip to Europe or rolling into every Cracker Barrel in the Southeast. But here’s the thing: dreaming is free, but the travel costs aren’t. In this episode, John shares how to build a realistic, flexible plan that supports your travel goals in retirement, whether it’s an RV road trip to national parks or annual international adventures with a passport in hand.

    We’ll also break down how to budget realistically for travel in retirement, including why we often recommend a dedicated travel account funded by interest and dividends, one that can also serve as a backup for long-term care. We’ll also help you define what “travel” really means to you so that you can build a plan flexible enough to match your lifestyle, not just your wish list

    Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

    ✈️ Two types of travel lifestyles

    📈 How to fund your trips using dividends and interest

    🧳 Why your travel account can also protect long-term care needs

    📉 Market drop? Don’t cancel your trip just yet

    Connect with us:

    Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/

    Phone: 919-391-3446

    Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com

    Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

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    8 mins
  • Finding Opportunity in a Market Crisis
    Apr 24 2025

    When the market takes a dive, most people panic. But the most successful investors often see downturns differently. Being able to recognize opportunity in the middle of market uncertainty can help you make critical decisions during difficult market environments. Let’s talk about what steps you can take to strengthen your plan while others sit on the sidelines.

    We'll cover four smart strategies that can work during volatile periods, including increasing savings, timing Roth conversions, reallocating investments, and using the experience as a wake-up call to build a more resilient plan. No matter what stage of life you’re in, taking the time to pause, think, and respond with purpose instead of fear will help you emerge stronger.

    Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

    🔁 Roth conversions during a downturn

    💡 Rebalancing when some sectors fall harder

    🧠 What panic reveals about your plan

    🧾 Learning now to prepare for the next time

    0:00 – Intro

    1:28 – Buying more (if you can)

    3:42 – Roth Conversions

    5:49 – Investment Strategy

    7:37 – Create a buffer

    Connect with us:

    Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/

    Phone: 919-391-3446

    Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com

    Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

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    10 mins
  • Key 2025 Tax Breaks & Adjustment Opportunities
    Apr 11 2025

    Tax season is here, but did you know that filing your 2024 return is only part of the equation? With the 2025 tax changes in place, John breaks down key areas where you may be able to reduce your tax bill. With increased standard deductions and higher retirement contribution limits, now is the time to evaluate how you can plan smarter and potentially put more money toward your future.

    In this episode, we dive into the major tax changes for 2025 and discuss how smart planning now may save you a lot of money and stress later. From updates to the standard deduction to misconceptions about catch-up contributions, John explains what really matters for pre-retirees and retirees.

    Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

    📊 Most people won’t need to itemize, instead they’ll take the Standard Deduction

    💡 Catch-up contributions aren’t “free money,” they require planning

    🏥 The HSA might be your most powerful retirement savings tool

    💸 Adjusting paycheck withholdings can avoid surprise bills or big refunds

    Connect with us:

    Web: https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/

    Phone: 919-391-3446

    Schedule a Meeting: http://meetwithjohn.com

    Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/46RaLvL

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    16 mins
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