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

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

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

Once you’re on a fixed income in retirement, it can be difficult to open the checkbook to pay for major expenses. Emotion and logic both play into the decision, and many spouses can feel apprehensive about spending large sums of money without a paycheck still coming in. So how do you determine if you can afford that home renovation you’ve always wanted and what’s the best way to convince your partner it’s going to be okay long-term?

We’ll highlight three potential scenarios regarding that cause someone to have reluctance to spending: emotional resistance, logical miscalculations, or a valid conclusion that the expense isn’t feasible. We want to approach these discussions openly and honestly, ensuring that both partners feel heard and understood. So let’s walk through the process for determining whether the concern is justified and show how knowing the numbers can help alleviate fears and make informed decisions.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

2:51 – Logical reasons

4:53 – How we help

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

There’s a lot of anxiety out ​there ​right ​now ​about ​the ​market ​and ​the ​current ​economy ​that ​we're ​experiencing. ​People are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding Social Security, DOGE, tariffs, and more. So ​I ​wanted ​to ​get ​on ​here ​and ​try to ​dispel some of the ​myths, ​talk ​about ​what's ​actually ​happening, ​and ​then ​drill ​down ​specifically ​to ​what ​you ​should ​be ​doing ​yourself.

Here’s some of the things we’ll cover:

📉 Market Volatility Explained – What’s really causing the recent swings?

🗳️ Political & Economic Factors – Tariffs, policy shifts & investor panic

💰 Social Security Myths – Why it’s likely not going away anytime soon

🚀 Managing Market Anxiety – Why less news = better financial health

0:00 – Intro

1:31 – Social Security fears

3:27 – DOGE

4:52 – What’s causing the volatility

7:16 – What should you be doing?

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

What’s the average age that people retire? While that question can give you an idea of what most Americans do, it’s best to understand why people choose the specific ages they do. This video will explain the key ages that influence retirement decisions to help you identify the factors that might affect your timeline.

We’ll tell you why the milestone ages begin at 59.5 and what ages are most important for Social Security and Medicare. Most of our clients at Rosewood Wealth Management tend to retire between the ages of 65 and 68, but there is a wide spectrum of retirement ages based on individual circumstances and goals. Plus, there’s a wildcard that you need to know about if you’re a state employee.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:56 – Age 59.5

1:52 – Age 62

2:44 – Age 65

4:20 – Age 66/67

5:52 – Wildcard for state employees

7:11 – Our clients’ retirement age

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

What happens when you get remarried and want to create a new will and estate plan with your new spouse? Do you have to change all of your previous beneficiaries or will the new will override those existing designations? That’s the question we’re answering in this week's show.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:51 – Beneficiaries override the will

2:32 – Estate planning challenges with second marriages

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

With Halloween on the horizon, we’re rolling out a themed edition of the show today by tackling some of the trick or treat decisions of the financial planning world. We’re going to present John with four different products that have risen in popularity recently and find out whether he would characterize them as tricks or treats.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:20 – Home equity line of credit

5:18 – Infinite banking

8:12 – Buying gold

10:17 – No closing cost mortgage

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