If you are years away from retirement, it can feel like a finish line that’s hard to imagine ever reaching. And then when you finally get there and decide you can afford to stop working, you discover retirement isn’t a finish line after all. It’s a new set of challenges, new rules to learn, and for many, new things to worry about. In survey after survey, retirees say their biggest fear is running out of money. And with prices rising faster than incomes these days, that’s a re

When enough is enough Show notes: You spend your life trying to earn more money… save and accumulate more… so one day you’ll be able to retire… But how will you know when you get there? How will you know when you finally have… enough? This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services… and head of Brown Family Wealth Advisors… Mike is the best-selling author of Your Way to True Wealth: How to Make It Hap

Last week’s monthly inflation report came in hot – consumer prices are up 3.7% over the past 12 months – higher even than expected. The “core” inflation rate, which excludes food and energy, was up just 2.6%. That’s comforting news for those able to live without eating or driving. This tells us two things. First, prices likely won’t stop rising at accelerated rates as long as the forces driving them higher – namely the war in Iran, the war in Ukraine, and tariffs (see below)

False prophets Show notes: AI is taking over the world… coming for our jobs… and soon we’ll all be enslaved by our computer overlords… Now, where have I heard that before? So-called experts who want to scare us… just like they did our parents and grandparents… and how they got it wrong… in this episode of the Help Me Retire Podcast… This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services… and head of Brown Fa

Some things to consider doing between now and the rapidly approaching year end: If you are retired: 1) make an estimate of your 2026 taxable income; 2) see how close this number is to your next-highest income tax bracket, as well as the next IRMAA surcharge if you’re on Medicare; 3) think twice about taking big IRA distributions between now and December 31, which includes Roth IRA conversions. Need the numbers? We can email you a 2026 Key Financial Data sheet with what you ne

This month, Mike discussed what Medicare is, who is eligible, and how you get. Other questions that Mike answered: Who needs Medicare and when. The two ways to have Medicare – and how to choose. What Medicare costs, and how to mitigate those costs through private insurance. And how to start planning for future healthcare costs. Be a part of the #TrueWealth movement. Follow Brown Family Wealth Advisors on Facebook and LinkedIn.

What’s going on in the bond market? And why should you care? Despite a better-than-expected report on inflation a few days ago, the Fed is still under pressure to push rates higher – and keep them higher for longer. The reason goes beyond inflation. Soaring budget deficits and the mounting federal debt are starting to take center stage now, as government borrowing is increasingly “crowding out” private borrowers. And when the people needing to borrow money outnumber the peopl

Words matter. I know this from having used so many of them, so many times, for so many years. At one time, I even used to make a living with them. Sometimes, words can take on new meanings depending on how you choose to look at things. Let me share three recent examples: Taxes Every year, somewhere around the middle of April, we start getting calls from clients who have just returned from meeting with their tax preparers. All too often, the preparers want their clients to ask

Well, here we are, entering the final quarter of 2026. It’s been a predictably tumultuous year, and with nagging inflation, a prolonged war in Iran, mounting government debt, and a mid-term election to deal with, there’s reason to believe these final three months will continue to be a bumpy ride for investors. A lot of people – especially those still working and building wealth – use this time of year to reassess their goals and expectations going forward. I’ll be sharing sev

Every generation seems convinced it is facing something unprecedented – something so disruptive that the old rules may no longer apply. Today, that something is artificial intelligence. Predictions range from millions of lost jobs to entire professions disappearing. AI is already doing work that once only humans could do: writing, research, data analysis, programming, and customer service. There are legitimate reasons to take the disruption we’re feeling seriously. But histor

We’re heading into a time of year when the weather gets crisp – and often, so does our thinking. It’s a time to reset, regroup, and refocus on getting things done before another year ends. I spend the better part of my time reading and researching the ideas that have helped our clients succeed over the years – literally dozens of articles white papers, and research articles every day. Each week, I cherry-pick the ones I feel are most worthy of your time and share them with yo

It takes both hands to be a stock investor these days. On the one hand, the indexes are hitting record highs with regularity – supported by record corporate earnings and rising profit margins. Beneath it all, we ponder the possibility that we could only be witnessing the early days of the AI boom. On the other hand, there’s persistent inflation, rising interest rates, and a government-spending-inspired national debt crisis that seems to be spiraling out of control. (By the wa

Today, more and more women are involved in – and responsible for – their personal and family finances. It’s more important than ever that women know what could come up financially at every stage of life. This month, Mike discussed the unique financial challenges women face, what questions women should ask, and where to go for help. Be a part of the #TrueWealth movement. Follow Brown Family Wealth Advisors on Facebook and LinkedIn.

It was 1981, my first full year out of college. It was also Ronald Reagan’s first year as president, and I remember him making a big deal out of the fact that the federal debt – the total sum of money owed by the U.S. government – had topped one trillion dollars. That now sounds like a line from an Austin Powers movie. Earlier this month, the federal debt hit 40 trillion dollars. Watching our government live beyond its means was a big deal in 1981, and it’s a big deal today.

Stay in your lane Show notes: When it comes to investing... we’d all like to own what’s working... Today, that might be AI stocks... and before you know it... it will be something else.... In today’s episode of the Help Me Retire podcast... why changing investment strategies too often can leave you frustrated... exposed to more risk... and farther from your destination.... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James

There is a question a few of our clients have asked – and most have probably wondered: “Are my financial advisors using artificial intelligence? And how?” A fair and timely question. We are living in a world that’s constantly changing, often faster than our ability to adapt, which makes us less than comfortable. Every day brings a new headline about AI, automation, robotics, data analysis, or some new technology that promises to make our lives easier, faster, smarter, or more

Today’s uncertain economy and financial markets are posing threats – and creating opportunities. And whether it’s a positive or a negative experience may have a lot to do with what stage of life you are in, as you will read below. Many new college graduates, for example, are having trouble finding a job that suits their talents. Others, by contrast, are becoming entrepreneurs in hopes of controlling their own destinies. Those in mid-life face the dire prospect of not only car

Emergency cash in retirement Show notes: We all know an emergency cash reserve is essential when you’re working and building wealth... But do you still need cash in the bank after you retire? You’re darn right you do... and I’ll explain why in this episode of the Help Me Retire Podcast... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services… and head of Brown Family Wealth Advisors… Mike is the best-sellin

August is typically a sleepy month on Wall Street, when many big stock traders and their money go on vacation. It’s also long been assumed that investment performance tends to suffer in the final full month of summer – but that’s actually a myth – and so far, 2026 is refuting that canard. Stock investors have been reaping the benefits of a massive spending spree on AI infrastructure, which has translated into a surge of earnings growth, especially among the companies making a

Estate planning is the process of organizing and preparing for the transfer of your wealth and assets after you pass away. It is important because it can help make sure that your wishes regarding asset distribution are honored after your death. This month, Mike discussed how estate plans can help provide financial confidence for you and your loved ones and mitigate potential taxes. Be a part of the #TrueWealth movement. Follow Brown Family Wealth Advisors on Facebook and Link