In this episode, Ari explores six common oversights in early retirement planning that can create unnecessary stress and limit flexibility in the long run.

• Not establishing a taxable brokerage account to access funds before traditional retirement age
• Overlooking healthcare planning, including available subsidies, which may impact retirement timing
• Missing opportunities for tax efficiency through strategies like Roth conversions or coordinated withdrawals
• Underestimating the importance of physical health when planning for an active retirement lifestyle
• Limiting retirement vision to essential expenses, rather than factoring in meaningful goals and experiences
• Focusing only on finances without considering purpose, routine, or fulfillment during retirement

Submit your questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com for future episodes. Are you sabotaging your early retirement with what I call "head trash"? These are the unnecessary worries that keep you working years longer than you need to - like comparing your finances to neighbors without knowing their full picture.

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Advisory relationships are established only through a signed agreement. Any examples discussed are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes. If client experiences are referenced, no compensation was provided and their experience may not be representative of others. Comments shared publicly are unsolicited and do not reflect the views or experience of all clients. They are not verified and should not be construed as testimonials or endorsements. Root Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Tax planning topics are discussed in the context of comprehensive financial planning and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Watching or listening to this content does not create an advisory relationship. To learn more about Root or to explore working together, please visit www.rootfinancialpartners.com.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Many great savers struggle to switch gears once they retire—unsure how to spend with confidence after decades of discipline. James and Ari reflect on the mindset shift from saving to spending, exploring how to use money and time more intentionally to create a meaningful life now, not just someday.

Prompted by a thoughtful comment from a Root Collective member, they share personal stories and client examples about the “little splurges” that actually matter—upgrading experiences, investing in health, buying back time, and being generous in ways that deepen relationships.

They also walk through five key categories that tend to lead to high-impact, low-regret spending: experiences, time, giving, health, and environment.

Whether you’re already retired or still working toward it, this conversation will help you think more clearly about the value of your money—and how to use it to support the life you truly want to live.

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Advisory relationships are established only through a signed agreement. Any examples discussed are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes. If client experiences are referenced, no compensation was provided and their experience may not be representative of others. Root Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Tax planning topics are discussed in the context of comprehensive financial planning and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Watching or listening to this content does not create an advisory relationship. Comments shared publicly are unsolicited and do not reflect the views or experience of all clients. They are not verified and should not be construed as testimonials or endorsements.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

More Americans than ever before are retiring early due to seven key factors reshaping our approach to work and retirement planning.

• COVID-19 accelerated early retirements with 2.6 million more people retiring during the pandemic than expected
• Average retirement age dropped from 64 in 2019 to 62 in 2022, one of the sharpest declines in decades
• The FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) has grown by 300% in searches between 2018-2023
• Strong market performance created record numbers of 401(k) millionaires
• Remote work flexibility enables 40% of workers to retire 2-5 years earlier than previously planned
• 68% of Americans have reprioritized work-life balance with 47% willing to accept lower income for more freedom
• Health concerns prompted 25% of early retirees to leave the workforce sooner than expected

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Advisory relationships are established only through a signed agreement. Any examples discussed are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes. If client experiences are referenced, no compensation was provided and their experience may not be representative of others. Viewer or listener comments shared publicly are unsolicited and do not reflect the views or experience of Root Financial. We do not verify or endorse any statements made in public forums. Root Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Tax planning topics discussed are considered in the context of broader financial planning and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional tax or legal counsel. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Watching or listening to this content does not create an advisory relationship. To learn more about Root or to explore working together, please visit www.rootfinancialpartners.com.

If you want help with your early retirement, reach out to Root Financial Partners or consider the Early Retirement Academy to access planning tools and resources.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Tax strategy is the most overlooked aspect of financial planning, yet it could save you thousands over your lifetime by minimizing your total tax burden rather than just focusing on this year's bill.

• Roth conversions let you pay taxes at potentially lower rates now to avoid higher taxes later in life
• Asset location matters – keep growth investments in Roth accounts and more conservative assets in brokerage accounts
• Health insurance premium planning can drastically reduce your healthcare costs through ACA subsidies
• Capital gains harvesting allows married couples to realize up to $96,700 in gains tax-free each year
• The standard deduction adds another $30,000 of tax-free money, meaning you could potentially generate $126,700 with zero tax liability

If this was helpful, please reach out at ari@rootfinancialpartners.com. If you'd like a custom strategy, you can apply to work with Root Financial Partners. For those 5-10 years from retirement, check out the Early Retirement Academy for software, courses and tools to help you prepare.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

What actually happens when you work with a financial advisor? At Root Financial, we've built a carefully structured team model to ensure every client gets consistent, exceptional service regardless of which advisor they're paired with.

Unlike products (think identical Honda Civics or iPhones at any retailer), financial advice is inherently personal and can vary dramatically between advisors. We've solved this challenge by creating a four-person service team for every client: a Client Service Associate handling operations, an Associate Financial Advisor supporting and learning, a Lead Financial Advisor delivering personalized recommendations, and a Senior Financial Advisor providing advanced expertise while coaching the team.

This structure isn't just organizational—it's the foundation of our entire client experience. When Associate Advisors take detailed notes, for example, it allows Lead Advisors to be fully present in conversations rather than documenting. As one team member put it: "Taking notes allows me to be fully present in that conversation."

Rather than simply hiring "free agent" advisors with varying approaches, we've developed our own farm system. We carefully select talented professionals with the right character and potential, then develop them through our comprehensive training programs. Each advisor progresses through clearly defined levels with specific requirements—time in role, licensing, CFP designation, and successful completion of Root's investment and planning curricula.

The goal? Creating advisors who've "learned the rules like a pro so they can break them like an artist." This Picasso-inspired philosophy means our team masters the fundamentals, then adapts them creatively to help clients optimize not just for wealth, but for a life well-lived.

This behind-the-scenes structure might seem technical, but it's precisely what allows us to deliver consistent excellence. When you work with Root, you're not just getting one advisor—you're getting an entire team crafted to ensure your experience reflects our core belief: money should be a tool for getting the most out of life.

Want to discover if our approach aligns with your needs? Visit rootfinancial.com and click "see if we're a fit" to start the conversation.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Retirement anxiety is normal and healthy, even for people with solid financial plans—it shows you're taking your future seriously and want to make thoughtful decisions about your life transition.

• Understanding why retirement worry is natural despite having financial security
• How joining a retirement community can provide perspective and reduce anxiety
• Balancing financial needs with personal purpose and meaningful activities
• Learning to differentiate between necessary caution and excessive worry
• Finding comfort in flexibility and dynamic planning during market changes
• Recognizing that uncertainty is normal in major life transitions
• Defining your personal measures of retirement success rather than comparing to others
• Taking action by exploring new ideas from peers rather than just passively consuming content

Join our free retirement planning community to connect with others navigating the same challenges and discover new strategies to improve your retirement confidence.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Healthcare costs shouldn't stop you from retiring early, especially when strategic planning can reduce those expenses from $1,000+ to as little as $50 per month. We explore how proper account structure and withdrawal strategies can save you tens of thousands in healthcare premiums during the critical pre-Medicare years.

• "Superhero accounts" (brokerage/taxable accounts) offer tremendous flexibility for controlling taxable income
• Capital gains from brokerage accounts are taxed more favorably than IRA withdrawals
• Strategic income planning can qualify you for ACA subsidies, potentially saving $70,000+ over five years
• Tax gain harvesting at 0% capital gains rate provides additional opportunities
• Balance healthcare optimization with other goals like Roth conversions
• Most valuable for those within 5 years of retirement

Submit your questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com. I respond to everyone, and if your question would benefit many, I'll make an episode about it.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.

You've run the numbers. You have enough saved. Your spreadsheet says you can retire comfortably. So why can't you pull the trigger and leave your high-stress, high-paying job behind?

This struggle represents one of retirement planning's most challenging psychological hurdles. After spending decades accumulating wealth and building a career identity, many successful professionals find themselves paralyzed when the time comes to actually step away—even when financially prepared to do so.

Our conversation explores this common predicament through the lens of a Root Collective member who knows they're financially ready but can't seem to make the leap. We dive into how our brains process major life transitions, why we tend to see future versions of ourselves as different people, and how this affects our decision-making. Just as starting preschool, college, or a new job feels intimidating, retirement represents a significant unknown that naturally triggers hesitation.

The discussion moves beyond simple financial calculations to examine what we're really sacrificing by postponing retirement. While the opportunity cost of leaving unvested compensation on the table is obvious, the opportunity cost of continuing in a high-stress position—measured in health, time, relationships, and experiences—remains harder to quantify but potentially more valuable. We share perspectives from community members who've successfully made this transition, including practical advice on how to structure your finances and mindset for a fulfilling post-career life.

Connect with our Root Collective community to learn from others navigating similar transitions and discover resources to help make your own retirement decision with confidence. What would your 85-year-old self advise you to do today?

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

“Early Retirement – Financial Freedom” is a podcast produced by Root Financial Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. I may reference planning situations based on real client experiences, but they’ve been simplified for clarity. Always consult your own financial advisor before making decisions.

Listening to this podcast does not create or imply an advisory relationship with Root Financial. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Testimonials and endorsements do not reflect all client experiences and are not compensated. Learn more at our website or by reviewing our Form ADV at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.