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Retire Early, Retire Now!Financial Independence vs. Financial Freedom: Why Chasing a Number Could Hurt Your Retirement & How Coast FIRE Creates BalanceSend us a textBalancing Financial Independence and Fulfillment: The Key to a Meaningful RetirementOf Dollars and Data BlogIn this episode of the Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, delves into the nuanced topic of financial independence. Inspired by an article from the Dollars and Data blog, Kelly explores the potential downsides of aggressively pursuing financial independence at the cost of personal fulfillment. He discusses the importance of balancing present enjoyment with long-term financial goals and introduces the concept of Coast Fire as a middle...2025-08-1222 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Taxable Brokerage Accounts: 5 Essential Optimization Strategies for High-Income EarnersSend us a textOptimizing Your Taxable Brokerage Account: Key Strategies for Financial IndependenceIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner and founder of Palm Valley Wealth Management, delves deep into the intricacies of optimizing taxable brokerage accounts. He outlines five crucial strategies for maximizing these accounts, emphasizing the importance of aligning investments with goals and time horizons, understanding the tax implications of trades, optimizing asset locations, focusing on low-cost funds, and planning for rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting. Hunter also provides real-life examples and actionable...2025-08-0525 minRetire Early, Retire Now!5 Money Conversations Every Couple Must Have for a Stronger Relationship and Financial FutureSend us a textEssential Money Conversations for CouplesWelcome back to The Retire Early Retire Now podcast hosted by Hunter Kelly, certified financial planner and founder of Palm Valley Wealth Management. This episode emphasizes the significance of open money conversations for couples at any stage of their relationship. Hunter delves into five crucial money topics that every couple should discuss to avoid future financial stress: understanding each other’s values, creating a game plan for goals like paying off debt or purchasing a home, establishing a system for daily money management, envisioning retirement and fu...2025-07-2926 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Five Crucial Financial Steps Before Leaving Your High Paying JobSend us a textFive Crucial Financial Steps Before Leaving Your High Paying JobIn this episode of 'The Retire Early Retire Now' podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner and founder of Palm Valley Wealth Management, discusses essential steps high-income earners should consider before leaving their jobs. Topics cover maximizing benefits, building a cash buffer, reviewing health insurance options, understanding equity compensation, and running retirement calculations. Kelly emphasizes the importance of planning and consulting professionals to avoid financial missteps and ensure a smooth transition, whether retiring early, starting a new business, or taking...2025-07-2230 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Parenting for Financial Freedom: Why Teaching Kids About Money MattersSend us a textInstilling Money Management Skills in Children for Early Financial IndependenceIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, discusses the importance of teaching kids about money management. He shares personal insights and practical tips on how to instill financial literacy in children from a young age. Hunter explains his approach to implementing Dave Ramsey-inspired strategies, such as the four-envelope system for spending, saving, investing, and giving. He emphasizes the benefits of instilling a strong work ethic through chores and...2025-07-1814 minRetire Early, Retire Now!The Biggest Retirement Planning Mistake High-Income Earners in Their 40s Make — And How to Avoid ItSend us a textAvoiding Hidden Retirement Planning Pitfalls in Your FortiesIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner and founder of Palm Valley Wealth Management, discusses common mistakes high income earners in their forties make while planning for retirement. Kelly provides a step-by-step guide on estimating your retirement needs using simple rule-of-thumb math. He emphasizes the importance of considering not just regular expenses but also large, one-off expenditures like travel, homes, and weddings. The episode also highlights the advantages of working with a financial...2025-07-0817 minRetire Early, Retire Now!5 Financial Habits High-Income Earners Nail (And How You Can Too)Send us a textFive Essential Habits for High-Income Earners: Maximize Your Financial SuccessIn this episode of the Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner and owner of Palm Valley Wealth Management, discusses five critical habits that high-income earners should adopt to achieve financial freedom and reduce stress. He emphasizes leveraging income to accelerate savings, making intentional lifestyle decisions, maintaining strong financial communication with a spouse, minimizing consumer debt, and surrounding oneself with financial experts. Current tax legislation and its implications are also briefly touched upon...2025-07-0120 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Midyear Financial Checkup: 5 Essential Steps to Stay on TrackSend us a textMidyear Financial Checkup: 5 Essential Steps to Stay on TrackIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner and founder of Palm Valley Wealth Management, emphasizes the importance of a midyear financial checkup. He outlines five essential checklist items: 1) reviewing goals and progress, 2) checking cash flow and budgeting, 3) evaluating tax strategies, 4) rebalancing your portfolio, and 5) maximizing retirement contributions. Kelly provides detailed insights and actionable advice for high-income earners to ensure they remain on track to achieve their financial goals. He encourages listeners to...2025-06-2419 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Mastering Financial Independence: Cutting Expenses for Early RetirementSend us a textMastering Financial Independence: Cutting Expenses for Early RetirementIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, offers high-income earners practical strategies to achieve financial freedom and retire early. He emphasizes the significance of prudent money management instead of just high earnings. Hunter identifies and advises on optimizing five key expenses: lifestyle creep, housing costs, dining out, unused subscriptions, and high-interest debt. The episode includes actionable tips like setting spending boundaries, conducting quarterly subscription audits, and implementing debt repayment strategies...2025-06-1719 minRetire Early, Retire Now!5 Ways to Tap Your Retirement Funds Before 59½ (Without Getting Burned)Send us a textHow to Strategize Early Retirement Withdrawals and Avoid PenaltiesIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, discusses strategies to access retirement accounts before age 60 without incurring a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Key topics include the 72(t) rule, the Rule of 55, leveraging HSAs, Roth IRA contributions, and taxable brokerage accounts. Learn which options are the most and least flexible and how to plan tax-efficient withdrawals. Hunter also covers the importance of proper planning and working with a financial advisor to avoid costly mistakes.2025-06-1022 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Social Security Explained for Early Retirees: Taxes, Timing & StrategiesSend us a textIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, discusses everything you need to know about Social Security with a focus on early retirement. The episode covers the basics of Social Security, including how it is calculated and taxed, as well as strategic considerations for maximizing your benefits. Key points include the impact of early retirement on Social Security, the tax implications, planning opportunities for self-employed individuals, and factors to consider when deciding when to start receiving benefits. Listeners also get practical advice on how...2025-06-0320 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Early Retirement : How to Maximize Your Wealth and Minimize Your TaxesSend us a textTax Savings Strategies for Early RetireesIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly delves into tax-saving strategies tailored for high-income earners aiming for early retirement. Hunter discusses the advantages of Roth conversions during low-income years, the benefits of tax-loss harvesting to offset capital gains, the importance of proper asset location, strategic withdrawal sequencing to minimize taxes, and the utilization of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for managing medical expenses before Medicare eligibility. Emphasizing long-term tax planning, he offers valuable insights to help listeners retain more of...2025-05-2724 minRetire Early, Retire Now!5 Fastest Ways to Build Wealth for High-Income ProfessionalsSend us a textIn this episode of the Retire Early Retire Now podcast, hosted by Hunter Kelly, high-income earning professionals are guided through the five fastest ways to build wealth. The strategies covered include automating savings and securing employer matches, investing in equities, increasing income, practicing tax efficiency, and starting a business. The episode aims to assist listeners, primarily in their thirties and forties, who are in the wealth accumulation phase, helping them move towards financial independence or early retirement. Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast with friends and leave a five-star review to help...2025-05-2015 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Retiring Early with a Semi-RetirementSend us a textIn this episode of Retire Early Retire Now, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, explores the growing trend of semi-retirement among older millennials and younger Gen Xers seeking better work-life balance. He highlights the benefits of semi-retirement, such as increased flexibility, financial independence, mental stimulation, and improved health. Hunter shares practical advice on evaluating your financial situation, assessing career options, planning, and considering healthcare. He also celebrates the second anniversary of his firm, Palm Valley Wealth Management, and emphasizes the importance of designing a fulfilling and balanced life.00:00 Introduction to...2025-05-1320 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Maximizing Your Wealth: Why Increasing Income Outweighs Investment ReturnsSend us a textIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, discusses the crucial importance of focusing on increasing income rather than obsessing over the rate of return on investments. Aimed at high-income professionals in their thirties and forties, the episode explores how to boost income through negotiating raises, learning new skills, and starting side gigs. Through real-life examples and actionable steps, Kelly shows how enhancing income can have a significantly larger impact on financial growth compared to achieving slightly higher investment returns.2025-05-0624 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Maximizing Wealth for Early Retirement: Essential Strategies and Key MilestonesSend us a textIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, host Hunter Kelly, certified financial planner, delves into strategies for high-income earners to achieve early retirement in their fifties comfortably and confidently. Key topics include the three essential retirement accounts (employer retirement plans, Roth IRAs, and taxable brokerage accounts), investment strategies balancing growth and stability, diversification, and liquidity. Hunter also discusses tax planning tactics and milestones for those in their thirties, forties, and fifties to stay on track for early retirement. This detailed guide emphasizes the importance of early and aggressive saving, avoiding...2025-04-2931 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which is Right for You?Send us a textTerm vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which is Right for You?In this episode of 'The Retire Early Retire Now' podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, focuses on the importance of life insurance for high-income earners. Hunter discusses the differences between term life and whole life insurance policies, providing insights into which option might be more suitable based on individual circumstances. He highlights the affordability and flexibility of term life insurance, especially for young professionals, while acknowledging certain scenarios where whole life insurance could be beneficial. Hunter also touches on...2025-04-2218 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Target Date Funds vs. Custom Investment Allocation: A Deep DiveSend us a textTarget Date Funds vs. Custom Investment Allocation: A Deep DiveIn this episode of The Retire Early Retire Now podcast, hosted by Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner and owner of Palm Valley Wealth Management, listeners are given an in-depth comparison between target date funds and custom investment allocations. After a two-week hiatus due to a busy review season, Kelly discusses the convenience and benefits of target date funds, such as ease of use, automatic rebalancing, and broad diversification. However, he also highlights the limitations for high-income earners, including lack of...2025-04-1534 minRetire Early, Retire Now!5 Proactive Tax Strategies Every High-Income Earner Should Implement This YearSend us a textIn this episode of The Retire Early, Retire Now Podcast, Certified Financial Planner Hunter Kelly dives deep into five powerful, proactive tax planning strategies designed specifically for high-income earners. Stop treating tax planning as a year-end scramble and start maximizing your financial efficiency all year long.Key Topics Covered:Front-Loading Retirement Contributions:How to strategically maximize contributions to 401(k), 403(b), SEP, and Solo-K accounts.Understanding when to choose pre-tax vs. Roth contributions.Balancing cash flow and securing employer matches.Backdoor Roth IRA Conversions:2025-03-2513 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Pension Lump Sum vs. Monthly Payments: How to Choose the Best Retirement OptionSend us a textNavigating Pension Choices: Lump Sum vs Monthly PaymentIn this episode of the 'Retire Early Retire Now' podcast, host Hunter Kelly, a Certified Financial Planner (TM) from Palm Valley Wealth Management, discusses the crucial decision for those with pensions on whether to take a lump sum or monthly payment. With pensions becoming rare, Hunter examines factors like life expectancy, risk tolerance, investment potential, and tax implications in making this decision. He also shares a real client case study to illustrate the considerations involved. This episode equips high-income professionals with the knowledge t...2025-03-1814 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Are You Ready for Retirement? 5 Money Goals to Reach by 50Send us a textIn this episode of the Retire Early Retire Now podcast, Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner and owner of Palm Valley Wealth Management, discusses the five essential financial benchmarks to achieve by age 50. The episode builds on last week's discussion about financial goals for age 40 and is geared towards high-income earners such as physicians and attorneys. Key areas covered include saving six to eight times your annual income for retirement, eliminating consumer debt, maximizing retirement contributions, diversifying investments, and securing an estate plan. Additionally, Hunter emphasizes the importance of long-term investment strategies amid...2025-03-1125 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Five Financial Benchmarks to Achieve by Age 40Send us a textIn this episode of the 'Retire Early Retire Now' podcast, certified financial planner and Palm Valley Wealth Management owner Hunter Kelly discusses the financial goals high-income earners should aim to meet by age 40. He explores benchmarks such as creating and tracking a financial plan, building an emergency fund, reducing consumer debt, saving three to five times annual income for retirement, and investing outside of retirement accounts. Kelly also offers actionable steps, including automating finances, prioritizing tax efficiency, increasing income, and avoiding lifestyle creep, to help listeners achieve these goals and gain financial flexibility...2025-03-0434 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Maximizing Wealth with Direct Index Investing: A Tax-Efficient Strategy for High-Income EarnersSend us a textIn this episode of 'Retired Early, Retired Now,' Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, introduces a unique investment strategy known as direct index investing. This strategy, historically accessible only to the ultra-wealthy, is now more widely available due to advancements in technology and zero trading fees. Hunter explains how direct index investing allows for significant tax efficiency through tax loss harvesting and customization. The episode elaborates on the criteria for effective use, such as high-income brackets, concentrated stock holdings, and charitable giving, and emphasizes the importance of professional advice for managing the...2025-02-2522 minRetire Early, Retire Now!How US Tariffs Could Impact Your Financial GoalsSend us a textHow US Tariffs Could Impact Your Financial Goals | Retire Early, Retire NowThe latest news on U.S. tariffs has many professionals and high-income earners asking: How will this impact my investments, retirement, and financial future? In this episode, Certified Financial Planner Hunter Kelly explains how tariffs work, their historical role in the U.S. economy, and the potential pros and cons for your portfolio, inflation, and overall market stability. Whether you're an investor, business owner, or just want to stay informed, this episode provides 2025-02-1818 minRetire Early, Retire Now!Smart Car Buying: Financial Tips for Maximizing WealthSend us a textSmart Car Buying: Financial Tips for Maximizing WealthIn this episode of Retire Early Retire Now, Hunter Kelly, a certified financial planner, discusses essential financial strategies for car purchasing. He covers how to avoid lifestyle creep and over-purchasing, setting guidelines like the 20-4-10 rule—putting 20% down, financing for under four years, and keeping total car expenses under 10% of monthly income. Hunter addresses paying cash vs. financing and highlights the importance of maintaining liquidity and saving for investments. Real-life examples and practical advice help viewers make informed decisions about buying cars wh...2025-02-1116 min