Episodes

Retirement isn’t just about finances. It’s about creating the calm, joy, and fulfillment you want in your later years. In this episode, David Koren shares how inner peace, gratitude, and purpose shape a more meaningful retirement. Through meditation, spirituality, and focusing on lifestyle before money, David explains how to create a life filled with clarity and joy. He also shares personal experiences that shaped his approach to helping others live with intention. Key takeaways: The importance...

Could your reaction to the market be a bigger risk to your retirement than the market itself? In this episode, David speaks with Rick Wedell, Chief Investment Officer at RFG Advisory, about the fundamentals of managing money for retirement. They explore the importance of understanding risk capacity versus risk tolerance, the difference between public and private markets, and how to tune out sensational media noise when making long-term investment decisions. Rick also shares why liquidity matters...

What does pickleball have to do with retirement? More than you’d think! Join David Koren from RVA Wealth Management as he dives into the vibrant community of pickleball, a growing sport that’s perfect for retirees. Special guest Jon Laaser, COO & Co-Founder of Performance Pickleball, shares why this sport is taking off and how it nurtures social connections and physical health for retirees. Explore why pickleball could be your new favorite retirement hobby and how it’s impacting communities: Di...

What happens when staying at home isn’t the safest option anymore? How do you navigate elder care and senior living decisions? Join David Koren, Founder and Wealth Manager, MBA, ChFC®, CLU®, as he chats with Jen Dowda from Dowda Senior Consultants. Jen’s firm in Richmond offers all-encompassing support for seniors and their families, from aging in place to transitioning into senior living communities. Learn how they tackle everything from listening to personal stories with empathy to managing lo...

Is it possible to financially help your adult children without jeopardizing your retirement? The short answer is yes, you can. But what financial boundaries need to be set? In this episode, David is joined by guest Mike Smith to dive into the intricacies of supporting adult children financially. They discuss the impact on your retirement savings, when parental support may be beneficial, and how to set up clear financial boundaries. Plus, David and Mike offer practical steps to empower your child...

What does retirement really look like? Join us as we explore the various phases of retirement that people embark on, focusing on how to make those dreams a reality. In this episode, David Koren, Founder and Wealth Manager at RVA Wealth Management, dives into the “go-go,” “slow-go,” and “no-go” years of retirement, emphasizing the importance of planning at each stage to ensure a fulfilling and secure retirement journey. Listen as David shares real client experiences that highlight the diversity a...

Planning your distributions for retirement is essential to maximizing your retirement income and fulfilling your goals for this new phase of life. By planning properly, you can avoid any financial setbacks and ensure you live the life you desire. David and Mike cover the essentials of planning your retirement distributions. From deciding when to take Social Security benefits to understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), they break it all down. Discover strategies for maximizing retirem...

How can political shifts influence your investments? In this episode, David welcomes back Mike Smith to navigate the murky waters of a post-election financial landscape and dissect the implications of the recent political power shift. With both the Presidency, Senate, and House now under one party’s control, the duo explores what this means for the markets, tax laws, and investors’ portfolios. David and Mike dive into a conversation that’s sure to enlighten retirees and investors alike, touching...

What does the upcoming presidential election mean for your portfolio? Join David Koren from RVA Wealth Management for Episode 25 of the Unleash Your Retirement podcast as he delves into the dynamics of the current election cycle and its potential impact on your investments. David provides a refreshing perspective, emphasizing why the broad market fundamentals and your risk tolerance should guide your investment decisions – not transient political events or election outcomes. In this episode, Dav...

AI is transforming industries at a rapid pace—and it’s impacting your investments more than you might think. Join David Koren as he sits down with colleague and seasoned portfolio manager Mike Smith to dissect the 2024 mid-year market update. With insights into the performance of the S&P 500, bond market, and the heavy influence of tech giants. Gain a better understanding of current market dynamics, the profound impact of burgeoning sectors like AI on future trends, and more! David and Mike disc...

Selling and moving on from a family home can be an emotional process. However, later in life, downsizing can offer you a better lifestyle and give you more options in terms of freedom. Join David Koren alongside special guest Gordon Laroussini, a Seniors Real Estate Specialist for a discussion about the current real estate market and options for seniors looking to downsize. Learn about the process of downsizing, the past and present state of the market, and how to navigate the emotional and prac...

Do you ever feel like your home is too cluttered? Perhaps you are downsizing and with every room you enter, you realize how much stuff you have accumulated over the years and don’t know what to do with it all. Listen as Amanda Scudder joins David Koren to dive into the business of decluttering, especially as it relates to downsizing later in life. Amanda, a certified professional organizer with a wealth of experience in tackling hoarding situations, shares her insights on overcoming the clutter ...

Uncover the full potential of 529 plans for helping your family’s educational and financial future! This week on Unleash Your Retirement David Koren jumps into the intricacies of 529 education savings plans with Caleb Vaughan, RVA Wealth Management’s in-house 529 expert. Listen to gain insights into how these plans work, the benefits they offer, and the strategies for maximizing their use—all aimed at supporting educational aspirations and the financial well-being of up-and-coming generations. D...

Are you ready to explore the world in retirement but unsure where to start? Join David Koren this week as he dives into the exciting world of travel planning with special guest, Shawn Cordle from AAA Travel. This episode covers the joys of travel in retirement and the importance of making memories through exploring new destinations and experiences. Shawn shares her insights on travel planning, the benefits of group tours, and the transformative power of creating lasting memories through explorin...

Looking to explore how mortgage interest rates impact your home-buying decisions? Join David Koren as he and Russ Nash from George Mason Mortgage share valuable insights on navigating mortgage interest rates for primary, vacation, and investment properties. Gain a deeper understanding of construction loans, refinancing strategies, and how to optimize your home-buying decisions. David & Russ discuss: Mortgage interest rates Refinancing strategies Investment properties Construction loans Asset de...

Despite strides in equality, many women still face unique challenges when it comes to managing their finances and planning for retirement. In the latest episode of Unleash Your Retirement, David Koren sits down with his colleague and friend, Robin Colton for a candid conversation about the barriers female clients often face within the financial industry. By addressing the importance of education and finding advisors who respect women’s unique financial needs, this podcast serves as a beacon for...

Considering getting a financial advisor but don’t know if it’s worth it? We feel like we’re family here at RVA Wealth, and when a client comes in, we become a part of their family too, and that’s a very important aspect of being an effective wealth manager. This week on Unleash Your Retirement, David Koren and Michael P. Smith, CFP®, discuss financial advisors’ important role in wealth management. They explore the importance of establishing a strong, long-term relationship with clients, and disc...

2023 was quite an eventful year, and it unexpectedly finished with strong market returns. But what were the major contributors? And more importantly, what can we expect moving forward? Let’s reflect on these questions with David Koren, MBA, ChFC®, CLU®, and Michael P. Smith, CFP®. Together, they explore the key factors shaping the financial landscape for 2024, highlighting both opportunities and concerns. David and Mike discuss: Recent trends for stocks, bonds, and the US economy The potential ...

Two crucial components for managing your financial future are retirement and estate planning. With proper planning, you can navigate financial complexities and enjoy your golden years with more confidence. In this episode, David explores the complex topic of retirement and estate planning by explaining what is required for you to work towards meeting financial goals for you, and future generations. He covers topics including but not limited to budgeting, cash flow management, investment accounts...

Cashflow management may sound intimidating, but it is simply knowing where you spend and how to make sure you spend wisely. Join David as he talks about why budgeting and cash flow management are important, especially in retirement. He highlights the necessity of understanding where money is coming from and where it’s going and provides tips on tracking expenses and income. He also discusses the challenges of variable income and the stress often associated with holiday spending. Gain insight as ...

Protecting your loved ones comes in many forms, and setting aside the right financial resources for yourself in your retirement is one of them! In this episode, David Koren invites Caleb Vaughan, Financial Planning Strategist at RVA Wealth Management, onto the show to discuss risk mitigation and insurance in retirement. Together they highlight the importance of various types of insurance, including disability income insurance, life insurance, health insurance, and property and casualty coverage....

Can investments be both growth-oriented and risk-averse? In the latest episode of Unleash Your Retirement, David Koren is joined once again by Michael P. Smith to close out their 3-part investment series. This episode will help you uncover the balance between seeking growth and minimizing risk in your investment portfolio. Their conversation offers a wealth of insights, including: Decoding risks in investments from company troubles to market trends Why spreading your investments is crucial Grow...

Lost in the maze of Annuities, Mutual Funds, and ETFs? Let us simplify it for you. While visions of a relaxed retirement dance in your head, the journey there requires careful planning. Navigate the nuances with David Koren of RVA Wealth Management as he teams up with Mike P. Smith to unravel the complexities of the investment world. Throughout the episode, David and Mike unpack: What are the hidden pitfalls and surprising perks of mutual funds? How intricate layers, tax traps, and a pro’s advi...

Investing in stocks and bonds can be a battle of risk and reward if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why we’re here to help. David welcomes back his fellow colleague Michael P. Smith to continue their conversation about investing. They narrow their conversation from retirement investing to investing in stocks and bonds. With a background in the stock exchange, Mike explains the concept of bond pricing and yield, the importance of understanding bond ratings, and the impact of interest rat...