We explore how much safe money you should maintain throughout retirement for financial security and peace of mind without sacrificing long-term growth potential. Instead of using cookie-cutter rules, we break down a personalized approach to balancing safety and growth in your retirement portfolio.

• Start with your annual spending needs to calculate your safe money base
• A good starting point is having 5 years of living expenses in safe assets
• Your safe money requirements should decrease as guaranteed income sources (Social Security, pensions) begin
• The 60/40 portfolio rule doesn't work for everyone - your allocation should reflect your specific situation
• As your portfolio grows, the percentage allocated to safe money typically decreases
• Too much safe money risks losing purchasing power to inflation over time
• Consider your emotional "sleep number" - how much safe money you need to feel secure
• Factor in upcoming expenses like healthcare, travel, and home renovations
• Cookie-cutter planning fails because everyone's situation is unique and dynamic

Submit your financial questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com for a chance to have them answered in a future episode.

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.

Dreaming big and being intentional about planning for retirement can be the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving in your post-work years.

• Retire TO something, not just FROM something
• Test-drive your retirement dreams before committing fully, like renting in a new state before buying
• Be honest about how retirement will change your spending habits and social dynamics
• The first few years of retirement are critical – don't be too frugal when you have health and energy
• Spend generously on things you truly value and remain frugal on things you don't care about
• Put your retirement dreams into financial planning software to see if they're achievable
• Consider what would feel worse – spending too much or having regrets at 85 about not spending enough
• Dream big and think intentionally about what will make retirement fulfilling

Before executing any strategy discussed in this episode, please consult with your financial advisor, tax preparer, or estate attorney. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Submit questions at earlyretirementpodcast.com for consideration in future episodes.

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.

James and Ari tackle a great question from the Root Collective: How do you keep things fun when markets—or life—get tough? They break down why “fun” isn’t just about ping pong tables and perks—it’s about being prepared, building trust, and maintaining strong relationships before challenges arise. James shares a personal story from the early Covid days, highlighting how mindset and self-care helped him show up for clients. The takeaway? A great advisor isn’t just there for the good times—they’re prepared to guide you through the tough ones, too.

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.

Financial literacy starts at home, but teaching kids can be challenging when they develop an abundance mindset and spend everything they make. We explore effective strategies for engaging young people with money concepts by connecting to their existing interests rather than lecturing them about financial terms.

• Growing up around money doesn't automatically create financial literacy
• Sharing personal stories of financial mindsets—from abundance to scarcity
• Making financial concepts relevant by starting with what kids already care about
• Demonstrating compound interest visually as "free time" gained by investing early
• Finding personal motivation in finance that resonates
• Creating games and experiences that make financial literacy engaging for young minds
• Connecting investment growth to ownership of companies kids recognize

If you have strategies that worked with your children or teenagers, please share them in the YouTube comments or join our free Root Collective community where we discuss topics like this one.

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.

Fear of retirement often arises from the head trash that clouds decision-making and prevents individuals from taking action. Understanding the valid concerns behind this fear is essential to dispel myths that delay retirement readiness.

- Explaining the concept of head trash and its impact on retirement decisions
- Real-life case study illustrating financial planning for early retirement
- Practical strategies to overcome retirement anxiety and promote sound decision-making

If you’d like to dive deeper into your retirement plans or have specific questions, reach out through our website!

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.

This episode focuses on effectively managing significant one-off financial expenses in retirement and the best strategies for portfolio withdrawals. We explore different sources of withdrawals, tax considerations, and how to balance immediate needs with long-term financial security.

• The impact of one-time expenses on portfolio sustainability
• Analyzing options: taxable accounts, tax-deferred accounts, and Roth IRAs
• The importance of understanding tax implications in retirement planning

Join our community at the Root Collective! It’s free and filled with resources to help you navigate your financial journey.

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.

Understanding how we select financial advisors is crucial for clients and prospective clients. This episode takes you behind the scenes of Root Financial, highlighting our unique approach to hiring and training advisors to ensure consistent client experiences.

• Discusses the importance of advisor alignment with client goals
• Explores the internal training program, Root University
• Addresses the cultural fit in hiring and selecting advisors
• Highlights the investment in advisor satisfaction and success
• Brings up the key differences between Root Financial and other firms

If you're interested in seeing how we help our clients at Root Financial get the most out of life with their money, be sure to visit us at 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.

The podcast explores the complexities of the scarcity mindset in individuals, specifically highlighting the challenges associated with spending even after achieving financial security. Through engaging storytelling and practical insights, we dissect how ingrained beliefs affect spending decisions.

• Introduction of the scarcity mindset and its impact on financial behavior
• Personal stories illustrating the transition from saver to spender
• Discussion of psychological factors influencing spending anxiety
• Client success story showcasing the paradox of wealth and spending fear
• Practical strategies to enjoy spending without guilt
• Encouragement to reassess personal values and money relationships

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.