Episode 99: The Real Question Isn’t “When Can I Retire?”—It’s “What Am I Retiring To?”

Thinking About Early Retirement? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Retirement planning often focuses on a single target: age 65. But what if that’s not the only—or even the best—option? In Episode 99 of Last Paycheck, Rob and Archie Hoxton unpack five thoughtful, data-informed reasons you might want to retire early—and just as importantly, how to know if you’re ready.

1. Time Is Your Greatest Asset

Time isn’t just money—it’s freedom. Rob and Archie highlight how early retirement allows you to stop trading hours for income and start investing in what matters most: relationships, personal passions, and health. As Archie notes, “Retiring early is really about taking back your time.”

2. Your Health Has a Shelf Life

Energy wanes with age. Even healthy individuals face slower recovery times and decreased stamina. Waiting too long could mean missing out on the active retirement you envisioned—whether it’s hiking trails, traveling the world, or chasing grandchildren.

3. You May Be More Vulnerable Than You Think

Later in your career, you’re often the most expensive employee—and potentially the most expendable. In today’s volatile job market, Rob and Archie caution that planning for early retirement, even if you don’t take it, offers a security buffer in case of layoffs or corporate restructuring.

4. Your Expenses May Be More Flexible Than Expected

Healthcare is costly, but many retirees offset those expenses by cutting costs in other areas: commuting, business attire, and work-related spending. The key takeaway? Don’t assume early retirement will break your budget. Plan for it, and you may find it’s more feasible than you thought.

5. Phased Retirement Can Ease the Transition

Going from 40+ hours a week to none can be emotionally jarring. A phased approach—consulting, part-time work, volunteering—can provide structure, purpose, and even income during the transition.

But here’s the catch: early retirement doesn’t work unless you retire to something, not just from something. Without purpose, even the best-laid financial plans can leave retirees feeling aimless. That’s why planning emotionally is just as vital as planning financially.

To help you evaluate your position, we’ve created a comprehensive worksheet: “Savings by Age: Are You Where You Want to Be?” It walks you through benchmarking your retirement savings against both national averages and ideal industry targets.

Use it to:

  • Measure your current savings ratio
  • Benchmark against your age group
  • Understand gaps and identify solutions
  • Build a plan tailored to your goals

Download the Worksheet Now

And take 15 minutes to check your progress. Want more personalized advice? Schedule your free consultation with our team today. No pressure—just practical help from a team that wants you to retire and stay retired.
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Episode 98: How to Make Retirement More Meaningful – Smart Giving Strategies

You’ve saved diligently, planned carefully, and finally stepped into retirement. But after the celebrations fade, a deeper question often surfaces: now what?

For many retirees, the missing piece isn’t financial—it’s emotional. It’s the desire to do something more with this chapter of life. In Episode 98 of the Last Paycheck podcast, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals Rob and Archie Hoxton explore how strategic giving—of time, wealth, and wisdom—can turn retirement from a finish line into a new beginning.

More Than Numbers: Why Giving Matters in Retirement

We often think of financial planning as a numbers game. But what if retirement planning could also be about impact, legacy, and joy?

This episode shines a light on how giving back—when done intentionally—can enhance your sense of purpose and satisfaction, without compromising your income or security.

Ask yourself:

  • What causes or communities have shaped my life?
  • Am I giving in ways that reflect my values?
  • Could my charitable actions also benefit my financial plan?

Tools That Make Giving Smarter

Rob and Archie break down several powerful giving strategies that retirees can use to align generosity with financial stewardship:

  • Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): For retirees over age 70½, QCDs allow you to give directly from your IRA to a qualified charity—while reducing your taxable income and satisfying Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
  • Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): These flexible giving vehicles let you make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to charities over time. They’re especially helpful if you’re trying to reduce taxes in a high-income year.
  • Gifting Appreciated Assets: Donating stocks or other appreciated investments can help you avoid capital gains taxes while supporting a cause you care about.
  • Non-Financial Giving: Mentoring, volunteering, or serving on boards can be just as fulfilling as writing a check. Retirement gives you time—and you get to choose how to invest it.

Giving as Part of Your Financial Plan

Integrating generosity into your plan isn’t just about tax benefits—it’s about personal alignment. Giving with purpose adds dimension to your retirement strategy and helps ensure your money reflects your values.

This episode encourages you to revisit your financial goals with a broader lens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave? How do you want to be remembered—not just by your family, but by your community?

Final Thought

The transition into retirement is one of the most personal financial events in your life. And the most successful retirees? They don’t just plan for longevity—they plan for meaning.

If you’re ready to align your wealth with your values, we’re here to help.

Schedule a free conversation at www.hoxtonpm.com/schedule and let’s explore how giving can become one of the most fulfilling parts of your plan.
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Episode 97: Financial Harmony for Couples – Avoiding Money Fights

Every couple handles money differently—but how you communicate about it can make or break your financial future.

In Episode 97 of the Last Paycheck podcast, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals Rob and Archie Hoxton explore one of the most emotionally charged areas of personal finance: managing money as a couple. Whether you’re newly married or preparing for retirement together, learning how to talk openly and plan jointly is key to long-term harmony.

Why Money Fights Happen

Many disagreements over money aren’t really about dollars and cents. They stem from differing values, life experiences, and expectations. One partner might have grown up in a household that viewed money as a source of anxiety or scarcity, while the other saw it as a tool for freedom and opportunity. Without clear communication, those differences show up as tension.

What This Episode Covers

Rob and Archie walk through some of the most common stress points for couples, including:

  • Joint vs. separate accounts: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there does need to be clarity.
  • Dividing financial responsibilities: Who tracks the budget? Who manages investments? These decisions matter.
  • Handling financial disengagement: When one partner checks out, it leaves the other carrying the emotional and administrative burden.
  • Dealing with secrecy: Financial infidelity—like hiding purchases or debt—can erode trust faster than any market crash.

Ask Yourselves:

  • Are we aligned on our spending and saving goals?
  • Do we understand each other’s financial history?
  • When was the last time we had a calm, open-ended conversation about money?
  • Have we scheduled regular financial check-ins as a couple?

Tips for Building Financial Harmony

  1. Schedule a money date each month to review accounts, upcoming expenses, and shared goals.
  2. Create a joint financial vision statement. What are we working toward as a team?
  3. Divide roles clearly—and revisit them periodically to ensure both partners feel confident and included.
  4. Use neutral language. Saying “I noticed” instead of “you always” keeps discussions focused and constructive.
  5. Work with a third party. A financial advisor can create a judgment-free space where both partners feel heard.

This episode isn’t about choosing the “right” way to manage money—it’s about finding the approach that works for both of you, built on trust, communication, and shared purpose.

Final Thought

Financial peace in a relationship doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of consistent conversations, mutual respect, and a clear understanding of what matters most to both of you.

Want help facilitating those conversations or creating a couple-centered financial plan?

Schedule a no-pressure session with our team at www.hoxtonpm.com/schedule and let’s move forward together.
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Episode 96: DIY Retirement Planning – Smart Moves and Big Mistakes to Avoid

Are you managing your own retirement plan? If so, you’re not alone. More investors than ever are taking a hands-on approach to their finances, using digital tools, forums, and spreadsheets to plot their path toward retirement.

It’s empowering—but it’s not foolproof.

In Episode 96 of the Last Paycheck podcast, Rob and Archie Hoxton take a balanced look at do-it-yourself retirement planning. They highlight what savvy DIY investors get right—and what they often miss.

The Appeal of DIY Retirement Planning

There’s a lot to like about going solo:

  • Lower costs with no advisory fees
  • Direct control over decisions
  • A sense of personal accomplishment

If you enjoy learning, analyzing, and staying current on financial topics, the DIY route can feel like a good fit. But confidence without caution can create blind spots—and some are more costly than others.

Where Even Smart DIYers Can Slip

Ask yourself:

  • Do I know when and how to take withdrawals from each account type?
    Drawing from the wrong bucket first—like tax-deferred instead of taxable—can increase your lifetime tax bill.
  • Have I reviewed how my income affects my future Medicare premiums?
    Many investors don’t realize that required minimum distributions (RMDs) or large Roth conversions can push them into higher Medicare brackets down the road.
  • Am I prepared for market downturns in the early years of retirement?
    Sequence-of-returns risk—drawing down your portfolio while the market is down—can derail even well-funded plans if you don’t have a backup strategy.
  • Do I have behavioral guardrails in place?
    It’s easy to stick with your plan when markets are rising. But what about the next 20% drop? How will you react when headlines turn negative and uncertainty sets in?

This episode walks through the most common errors seen in self-managed plans—and how to create systems that mitigate those risks.

The Value of a Check-In

Rob and Archie aren’t saying every DIY investor needs to hire an advisor for life. But they do recommend a periodic check-in with a professional. Sometimes a 60-minute conversation can uncover tax inefficiencies, investment misalignments, or missed planning opportunities that cost far more than a consultation ever would.

Think of it like managing your own business: You still hire a CPA to file your taxes. The same logic can apply to retirement planning.

Final Thought

Doing it yourself doesn’t mean doing it alone. If you’re confident in your ability to manage your plan, great. But every plan deserves a second set of eyes—especially when the stakes are this high.

Want a second opinion on your retirement strategy?

Schedule a free, no-pressure review at www.hoxtonpm.com/schedule. Let’s make sure your plan isn’t just functional—it’s optimized.
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Episode 95: How to Stay Calm in Market Chaos – A Volatility Survival Plan

How should I react when the market drops?
Should I sell my investments now or wait it out?
Am I doing the right thing with my money during a downturn?

These are the exact questions we hear from investors whenever volatility spikes. And if you’re asking them too—you’re not alone.

In Episode 95 of the Last Paycheck podcast, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals Rob and Archie Hoxton tackle the emotional, practical, and behavioral challenges that come with investing through uncertainty. Their message is simple: the market’s movement isn’t the problem—how we respond to it often is.

Why Market Volatility Feels So Personal

We all know the market goes up and down. But when your portfolio starts falling—especially as you approach or enter retirement—it’s not just numbers on a screen. It’s your future, your income, your peace of mind.

That’s why knee-jerk reactions like moving everything to cash or pausing retirement contributions feel tempting. It feels like “doing something.” Unfortunately, those short-term decisions can create long-term consequences.

What This Episode Covers

Rob and Archie outline a clear, level-headed framework for navigating a market pullback. Their volatility survival strategies include:

  • Avoiding panic selling: Selling when the market drops means locking in losses. Recovery often begins before you realize it—and missing those days can significantly lower your long-term returns.
  • Rebalancing with purpose: Market dips can throw your asset allocation out of balance. This is an opportunity to reset your portfolio—not abandon it.
  • Tax-loss harvesting: Down markets present rare opportunities to capture losses and reduce your tax bill—especially for taxable accounts.
  • Maintaining liquidity: Having a short-term cash reserve prevents you from withdrawing from investments during a downturn.
  • Understanding behavior: Investor psychology is often the biggest risk to your plan. Headlines and fear cycles can drive decisions that don’t align with your goals.

Ask Yourself:

  • What are my rules for handling market volatility?
  • Is my portfolio designed to support withdrawals even during downturns?
  • Am I responding to a long-term plan—or reacting to short-term headlines?

Why Staying Invested Matters

Rob and Archie cite studies that show just how damaging it can be to miss the best recovery days in the market. Most of those days happen close to the worst ones. That’s why discipline and planning—not timing—are the keys to success.

Market volatility is inevitable. Reacting emotionally isn’t.

Final Thought

If your portfolio feels like a source of stress instead of confidence, that’s a signal—not a failure. It means it’s time to review your strategy, understand your risk, and make sure your investments are aligned with your long-term goals.

You shouldn’t have to face market chaos alone. You need a plan that’s built to keep working—whether the market is up, down, or sideways.

Want to make sure your portfolio is prepared for whatever comes next?

Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with our team at www.hoxtonpm.com/schedule. We’ll help you build a strategy rooted in clarity, not chaos.
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.