Tag: Retirement Strategies

FEATURE
Retiring Abroad: How Glenda Cole is Living Her Storybook Life in Portugal (Ep.14)

Retiring Abroad: How Glenda Cole is Living Her Storybook Life in Portugal (Ep.14)

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A lot of us spend time planning for our retirement from a financial perspective, which I will never tell you is a bad thing. However, how much thought have you given to HOW you will spend your retirement?

Everyone deserves to Retire to a Life You Love®, and today’s guest has done just that! Glenda Cole shares what it’s like living her storybook life in Portugal including details surrounding what led her to choose to leave the US. She gives insight and helpful tips about living abroad including the relaxed lifestyle, and affordable cost of living.

Gain insight into living abroad as Glenda shares:

  • Her journey of retiring to Portugal and what led her to this “leap of faith” decision
  • The perks and drawbacks of living abroad including tax implications
  • How she maintains her relationships in the United States
  • A day in the life of a retiree in Portugal (Yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds!)
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

Connect with Glenda Cole: 

About Glenda Cole: 

Glenda Cole’s career culminated as the Vice President of Marketing and Sponsorship for a U.S. developer of luxury shopping malls.  She managed a team of just under 100 professionals and a budget of over $60 million.  She was responsible for the marketing strategy for some of the most prestigious malls in the U.S., including upscale properties in most of the major markets in America.  She was awarded the prestigious International Webby Award for internet excellence and two Silver Caddys for copywriting.  

Glenda was the company spokesperson for marketing and was featured in television, radio, internet, and print interviews.  She created partnerships with many brands, including Disney’s Frozen, Fox Studios Ice Age, the Broadway show Wicked, Microsoft, and American Express.  Glenda is most proud of being recognized as the “most inspirational executive” in the company.  Since retiring to Portugal, Glenda has written a column in the Portugal Resident and has been the Social Secretary for the Casa social club.  She currently writes, creates internet content, and appears as a speaker for International Living magazine.  

FEATURE
Top Takeaways from 2023 (Ep.13)

Top Takeaways from 2023 (Ep.13)

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A new year provides opportunities for growth and self-improvement, and this extends to your finances too! 

But before we look too far ahead, let’s revisit a few 2023 episodes of Retire To A Life You Love® for the top takeaways that you can carry into the new year.

Gain insight as Michelle highlights practical reminders and nuggets of financial wisdom like:

  • The value of understanding and implementing tax strategies for your retirement
  • Tips for your Roth 401(k), Roth 403(b) including converting pre-tax money  
  • Benefits of a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) strategy
  • Key issues for estate planning for yourself but also your aging parents

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner:

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her client’s interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

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5 Signs It’s Time To Fire Your Financial Advisor (Ep.11)

5 Signs It’s Time To Fire Your Financial Advisor (Ep.11)

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In today’s world of relationships, if you are ignored, you’re being ‘ghosted.’ 

Basically, the person doing the ghosting has decided that they no longer care about you.

Do you feel this way about your financial advisor? If they don’t regularly communicate, share market advice or insights, or return your calls, you are likely being ghosted.

Is it time to fire your financial advisor? 

Join Michelle Gessner, CFP® as she lists the 5 Signs that you need to fire your financial advisor. Feel assured you’re making the right decision as Michelle emphasizes your right to regular communication, personalized financial planning, and having shared values with the professional that manages your investments.

Heed this as a warning that it’s time to move on as Michelle covers:

  • The importance of regular communication whether by phone, email, or in-person
  • Credential concerns; Are they a fiduciary or have financial certifications?
  • Aligning your investment goals and philosophies with your advisor
  • Warning signs that they may not be a good fit for you and your planning needs
  • How to fire your financial advisor
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her client’s interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm.

FEATURE
The Importance of Personal Risk Management with Ryan Kaiser (Ep.10)

The Importance of Personal Risk Management with Ryan Kaiser (Ep.10)

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If you go outside when it is raining, you take an umbrella to keep you from getting wet.

When you ride in a car, you put on your seatbelt to keep you safe.

But what do you do to safeguard your finances?

Taking proper precautions for the safety of your assets and finances is just as important as protecting yourself from harm which is why Ryan Kaiser, Personal Risk Specialist at USI Insurance Services joins Michelle for this release of Retire To A Life You Love®.

Join them as they talk about the importance of understanding both your physical and financial risks by sharing real-life scenarios that will have you questioning if your current coverage is enough. 

Gain insight as Ryan and Michelle discuss: 

  • Umbrella coverage; the benefits and how you can protect your assets
  • Examples of exposures you may want to know about
  • The importance of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
  • Rising premium costs and why the insurance market is struggling with supply and demand
  • Why you should consider adding cyber coverage to your policy 
  • And more

Connect with Ryan Kaiser:

Connect with Michelle: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her client’s interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

About Ryan Kaiser:

Ryan Kaiser is a Personal Risk Specialist at USI, and he and his team provide wealth protection by conducting comprehensive risk assessments, educating clients on potential exposures and risk mitigation practices, and transferring risk through the placement of insurance.  Ryan is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and has been in the insurance industry since 2011. Having spent a portion of that time in claims, he has helped thousands of customers recover from loss and understands the importance of having adequate coverage. 

His firm, USI, has over 150 years of consulting and brokerage experience, 10,000 employees, and 200 offices, and is a unique insurance industry leader in property & casualty, employee benefits, and personal risk.  

FEATURE
How to Avoid Common Retirement Planning Mistakes (Ep.9)

How to Avoid Common Retirement Planning Mistakes (Ep.9)

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Planning for your retirement is not black and white. It’s not cookie-cutter, or one-size-fits-all. 

And because there is no universal template when it comes to retirement planning, it’s important that your plan is tailored to your lifestyle and how you envision your post-work life. 

In this episode, Michelle provides ten strategies to help you avoid common retirement planning mistakes. Listen in as she stresses the importance of having an adequate emergency fund, not selling investments during market downturns, and what you should know about holding too many scattered accounts, or holding too much of one company’s stock. 

Gain insight as Michelle discusses: 

  • How to build an emergency fund using modern-day strategies and tools
  • Diversifying your investments and how to avoid concentration risk
  • Misconceptions about renting versus owning a home
  • The importance of paying yourself first while eliminating any debts
  • Benefits of having your investments and accounts managed by one advisor 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michelle: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her client’s interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

FEATURE
The Client Experience with Michelle Gessner, CFP® (Ep. 2)

The Client Experience with Michelle Gessner, CFP® (Ep. 2)

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In this episode, Michelle Gessner, CFP® delves into the client experience at Gessner Wealth Strategies. Listen as she shares her expertise and provides valuable insights into how you can properly save for a comfortable and secure retirement. 

Plus, hear real-life examples about how she and her team have helped clients with tax errors made by CPAs, uncovered unknown social security benefits they were entitled to, and helped clients save on their investment expenses.

Join Michelle as she discusses:

  • How to ensure you have enough money to Retire To A Life You Love®
  • What you can do to take advantage of tax laws in the most tax-efficient way
  • The benefits of having a low-cost investment plan and understanding the cost of investments, including advisor fees and other charges
  • And more

Connect with Michelle: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston, and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 

FEATURE
Introducing the Retire to a Life You Love® podcast (Ep. 1)

Introducing the Retire to a Life You Love® podcast (Ep. 1)

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Are you ready to start planning for the retirement of your dreams? 

Welcome to the Retire to a Life You Love® podcast, where host Michelle Gessner, CFP® shares her expertise and strategies to help you achieve the freedom you deserve.

In this inaugural episode, we get to know Michelle, the founder of Gessner Wealth Strategies, and how she intends to help people plan for a successful, and prosperous retirement. 

Listen in as Michelle discusses:

  • How her firm helps guide clients through the retirement planning process.
  • Her love of hiking, reading, and animals.
  • Why she believes you should trust professionals to do their job.
  • How living abroad caused her to learn new customs, habits, and languages.
  • And more!

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle:

 As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston, and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm.