Episodes

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s a way to protect loved ones, avoid unnecessary conflict, and honor your wishes. In this episode of License to Spend, Tim Whisler unpacks the importance of having clear legal documents in place before life’s unexpected events occur. From powers of attorney to trusts, Tim explains how these tools reduce stress, prevent family disputes, and keep your legacy intact. With relatable stories and practical steps, he shows why starting the conversation now...

Are you aware of the invisible threat lurking in your retirement planning? Cybercrime isn’t only a menace to tech giants; it’s now a real risk for retirees and pre-retirees too. Tim Whisler sits down with Kirk Hasty, a seasoned professional in cybersecurity and a Certified Ethical Hacker, to discuss the emerging threats in the digital world and how they can impact your financial future. Kirk, with over 20 years in IT and cybersecurity, uncovers the intricate web of scams targeting retirees and s...

Ladies, are you confident in your financial future? Whether married or single, being on top of your finances is crucial. Are you prepared for the unique challenges women face in retirement? Tim Whisler, CRPC®, CLTC® chats about the importance of women’s financial empowerment and understanding retirement planning. Delve into key areas like longevity concerns, the impact of career choices, and vital financial misconceptions that women often encounter. This episode offers a refreshing perspective, ...

Are you ready to face the challenges of transforming your savings into a lasting income stream for your retirement years? This week, Tim Whisler explores the complexities retirees encounter when transitioning from earning a paycheck to generating a consistent income on their own. With valuable insights and practical strategies, he shines a light on the importance of having a written financial plan tailored to individual needs and goals. Key topics Tim discusses include: The fading three-legged ...

What does a fulfilling retirement really look like? In this episode of License to Spend, Tim Whisler invites listeners to explore the psychological shift that accompanies retirement. Tim delves into the compelling story of Jim, a former executive, to illustrate common challenges retirees face and how finding purpose can lead to a fulfilling post-career life. You’ll discover strategies to combat the identity crisis that many retirees experience, learn the importance of structuring your days, and ...

We all age, but some birthdays mean more than just another candle on the cake—they’re critical for retirement planning. This week, Tim Whisler dives into the crucial ages that play a pivotal role in retirement planning, from critical decisions starting at age 50 to the implications of reaching 70 ½ and beyond. You’ll learn how these age milestones can influence your financial strategies, including the importance of catch-up contributions, understanding Social Security benefits, and managing requ...

Changes to the federal tax code could significantly impact your financial planning and retirement strategies. What changes might be coming to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act? How can you prepare for potential tax increases? In this episode of Your License to Spend, Tim Whisler dives into the intricacies of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, exploring its impact on individuals and businesses and the uncertainties surrounding its expiration at the end of next year. Tim sheds light on proactive tax planning stra...

Are you confident in your financial strategy for retirement? Have you ever wondered who can help manage your day-to-day finances when life’s challenges make it difficult to keep up? Tim Whisler is joined by Michelle Brown, a daily money manager from Advocate Money Management, who shares her insights on how daily money management can provide critical support, especially for seniors and those undergoing major life changes. Michelle discusses her personal journey of helping her parents through fina...

Annuities often carry a bad reputation, but could they be the unsung hero of your retirement plan? In this episode, Tim Whisler breaks down the complexities of annuities, offering a comprehensive look at their various types and features. He explains how these financial tools can play a crucial role in generating retirement income. You’ll get a balanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of annuities, helping you make more informed decisions for your financial future. Tim covers: A breakd...

Are you confident that you’ll have enough savings to last through retirement, or does the thought make you uneasy? Tim Whisler emphasizes the vital need for financial literacy early in life and explores how saving discipline and commitment can pave the way for a secure retirement. We discuss both the benefits and strategies for managing 401(k)s, IRAs, and the burgeoning significance of Roth accounts, ensuring you have the right financial plan set for the decades ahead. Tim discusses: Difference...

According to recent studies, using housing wealth strategically can extend your retirement savings by five to seven years. Are you prepared to maximize your home’s potential to secure your financial future? Tim Whistler is joined by Don Graves, President and Founder of the Housing Wealth Institute, to delve into incorporating housing wealth into your retirement income plan through the use of modern reverse mortgages. They explore the fundamentals of reverse mortgages, the benefits of a growing l...

Have you ever wondered if home equity could transform your retirement income? Tim Whistler welcomes Don Graves, President and Founder of the Housing Wealth Institute, to delve into the topic of using housing wealth as part of retirement income planning. Don discusses the concept of the “fourth bucket” represented by home equity and how incorporating it into your retirement strategy can make a significant difference. Tim and Don discuss: Explanation of the three main retirement buckets: income, ...

Are you prepared for financial uncertainty in your retirement? How can you increase your sense of security as you move past your working years? Tim Whisler dives into the importance of preparing for financial uncertainty, addressing how retirees can protect their assets from market volatility, ensure a stable income, and manage unexpected expenses like healthcare. Tim discusses: What is the impact of market volatility on retirement savings Why are reliable income streams important in retirement...

Many believe that retirement planning is all about saving enough money, but there’s so much more to it. It’s also about realizing what you want your retirement to look like and mapping out a path to get there. Join Tim Whisler from the Whistler Agency as he delves into transforming your retirement visions into tangible, fulfilling experiences. Tim invites you to expand your imagination and break free from limitations to create the grandest version of your retirement life. He’ll explore practical...

Are you ready to navigate the shifting landscape of retirement planning? Tim shares insights on this topic from a documentary Tim Whisler dives into the critical shifts in retirement planning, highlighted in the revealing documentary “The Baby Boomer Dilemma” by Douglas Orchard. He explores the importance of protecting assets for retirement income, from defined benefits to defined contribution plans. Tim dives into the dwindling availability of defined benefit plans and the increasing responsibi...

Are taxes posing a threat to your retirement income? Are you prepared for the challenges of retirement planning, including taxation and legislative risks? Tim Whisler sheds light on the significant role taxes play in retirement planning. He emphasizes the importance of having a strategic plan in place to address taxes and how they can impact your retirement income. Tim discusses: How critical is tax planning in retirement Why is it essential to understand the tax classification of retirement as...

How well do you understand required minimum distributions (RMDs) and their impact on retirement planning? Are your plans up to date between the evolving regulations and your own changes in life? Explore the nitty-gritty of required minimum distributions(RMDs) with Tim Whisler and his guest Andy Ives, IRA analyst with Ed Slott and Company. They discuss how recent legislative shifts could shake up your retirement planning strategies, from the CARES Act to the Secure Act’s new ten-year rule. Andy t...

You don’t want to be worrying about money during retirement. How can budgeting today help your financial plan last into retirement? Will your money be safe against potential challenges leading up to retirement? Tim Whisler dives into the idea of a “License To Spend” during one’s golden years, with a focus on the criticality of retirees grasping their incoming funds, outgoings, and the various risks that could arise. Tim shares his wisdom on the financial hurdles that often trip up professional s...

Everyone knows sleep and air are some of the most important things in life. How can you maximize the benefits of breathing when awake and asleep? How can that increase in air improve other aspects of your life? In this episode, Tim Whisler speaks with Dr. Daniel Klauer, the clinical director of TMJ, on the importance of nasal breathing for overall health and the potential obstacles that may hinder it. Dr. Klauer emphasizes the significance of evaluating signs of nasal dysfunction and shares tips...

Are you nearing retirement and want a set of professional eyes to take a look at your plan? Uncertain about part of your current plan? Working with a retirement income planner could provide resources and information you never thought about. In this episode, Tim Whisler shares his process of working with a client from the beginning. He discusses the paperwork involved, the timeline for moving funds, and how they track the progress of pending business, emphasizing the importance of communication a...

You’ve talked with your financial advisor and shared your assets and financials. Now is the time for your advisor to transform that information into the first draft of your retirement plan. In this episode, Tim Whisler dives into the second retirement planning discussion with clients, putting together the information given. He shares the strategies and technology used to build a retirement plan and analyzes various aspects of their financial details, including underperforming funds, market volat...

Change can be a tough process, even if it has the potential to improve our lives, especially when it comes to our finances and retirement planning. But why is this the case? What is the right mindset to adopt when facing these changes? In this episode, Tim Whisler chats about the challenges of adapting to change and why people resist it, specifically in relation to their finances. He shares strategies to overcome resistance to change and his approach to engaging with prospective clients. Additio...

Retirement comes for everyone eventually. How you prepare for it will dictate your life after work. What are pre-retirees focusing on today? In this episode, Tim Whisler shares how his company provides a fiduciary service for clients and his views on financial planning. Tim dives into his views on financial services, from income to the financial house and the questions he asks clients that no one else does. Tim discusses: The difference between you dictating your lifestyle and your portfolio di...

It is no secret that Roth IRAs are popular. How much have you heard? How deep into the information have you considered when thinking about including Roth IRA accounts in your retirement plan? In this episode, Tim Whisler focuses on Roth IRAs, explaining the different aspects of Roth accounts, how they fit within retirement planning and the considerations to consider when choosing to include them within retirement plans. He shares stories about clients who have benefited both from including and e...