630.993.8200
Episode 001:
You Deserve to Thrive in Retirement: Welcome to The Retirement Equals Freedom Podcast!
04.29.22
Watch the video version
(audio version is below)
Listen to the audio version
Or listen using your favorite podcast app!
Don't see your favorite app above? No problem! Open your favorite podcast app and search for Retirement Equals Freedom. We'll be there!
New to the world of podcasts?
We put together a short video walking you through how to easily find our podcast! Click the button below and the video will pop-up.
What is Episode 001 All About?
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Retirement Equals Freedom Podcast!
The name pretty much spells it out: We’re here to help people understand how to use smart strategy and planning to secure – and enjoy – the retirement of their dreams.
Along with his sidekick Dave Schmidt, Josh Bretl will be sharing his insights as a certified public accountant with nearly two decades of experience building tax-focused plans that are all about freedom – the ability to do what you want to do, when you want and with whomever you want!
In this episode you’ll meet the co-hosts, learn a bit about their backstories and a universal truth about retirement. Even with the right resources in place, it’s a transition.
That’s why Josh plans to share interviews with clients and experts, trusted advisory insight, recommended reading – as well as a good portion of fun and personal perspective.
Tune in to find out what’s in Josh’s toolkit – tips and tricks he’s acquired over nearly 20 years of helping people from all walks of life go out and squeeze the very best out of their golden years!
Click here if you’d like to learn more about or listen to previous episodes of the Retirement = Freedom Podcast.
If you haven’t already, please sign up for all the news you can use (+ lots of fun) below for the Retirement Equals Freedom podcast newsletter. You might also want to join the conversation at our private Facebook group, which you’ll find here.
Click here to explore the services that FSR Wealth Strategies offers and schedule a discovery call with Josh. When it comes to living your best life, it’s never too early to get started!
Talking Points
Josh introduces himself and his sidekick, Dave Schmidt, a longtime friend with stories to share (and the inside track on all things Bruegger's Bagels!)
About the podcast’s name which might not be artsy, but is definitely crystal clear.
Josh shares a bit about the journey his client Scott, a former Green Beret, has taken while transitioning into retirement. It’s a passage that can be far more challenging than you might expect.
A Tale of Two Dads:
- Scott Bretl, Josh’s dad, founded FSR 30 years ago and has been a trusted advisor to generations of clients. He could be retired, but loves his work too much to give it up altogether.
- Josh’s father-in-law, on the other hand, worked all his life on a railroad. He was more than happy to set down his hammer when the time came!
- Retirement invariably includes a period of adjustment unique to each person’s experience and expectations. What’s universal is the shift in thinking that needs to occur.
Because we’re taught from early on to work hard and squirrel away money, it can feel unnatural – even uncomfortable – to move into a retirement life that is about spending rather than saving. The lens is completely different!
Dave shares a story about being recruited by the Green Berets. Truth of fiction? You decide.
Josh recommends one of his favorite books on financial planning for retirement: "The Psychology of Money," by Morgan Hausel.
Looking to the Future: Josh has designed The Retirement = Freedom Podcast to be a source of tips and tricks to help people optimize both planning for and the enjoyment of retirement. There will be interviews with clients and advisors, best practices, wisdom from Josh’s dad and much, much more.
Quotable Quotes
“ ‘What you want to do, when you want to do it’ is word-for-word how I describe retirement to people.” (Josh)
“You’re taught to save. You’re told to save. And then you have this pile of money … and the concept of stopping work and trusting somebody else as you spend that money is a weird thought.” (Josh)
“To stop saving and start spending is not a natural thought process for people.” (Josh)
“The freedom that we all want to achieve can still be scary and a tough transition.” (Josh)
“As you think about retirement, the thought process has to change. It’s not the same ‘Save’ and ‘Don’t spend your paycheck.’ You really have to think about a lot more things that come into it.” (Josh)
“We’re going to have some fun and talk about freedom, retirement and all that it means to be able to spend your money and have the life that you’ve always dreamed of!” (Josh)
Episode Extras
- "The Psychology of Money," by Morgan Hausel.
- Are you ready to take a first step toward reaching your financial goals? Meet FSR Wealth Strategies.
- R=F's new private Facebook group. Come hang out!
About your Co-Hosts
A certified public accountant, Josh Bretl has spent the past two decades growing FSR Wealth Strategies into a firm that specializes in tax-focused retirement planning. Because taxes have the single biggest impact on how much you can spend in retirement, Josh is dedicated to developing individualized financial plans that extend and grow his clients’ retirement savings. Based in Elmhurst, Illinois, FSR Wealth strategically preserves and maximizes resources through tax-efficient strategies designed to fulfill retirement dreams.
Apart from producing and co-hosting The Retirement Equals Freedom Podcast, Josh's longtime friend Dave Schmidt is marketing director at FSR. He’s also a content provider and marketing adviser to local businesses and nonprofits. He’s also an advocate for t-shirts, all things 90s (especially the music), short walks and long naps.
Standard Disclaimer:
FSR Wealth Management is a registered investment advisor located in Elmhurst, Illinois. Information and opinions contained in this audio have been arrived at by FSR Wealth advisors. All information herein is for informational purposes and should not be construed as investment advice. It does not constitute an offer, a solicitation or recommendation to purchase any security. FSR is not providing legal, tax, accounting, or financial planning advice in this audio. These views are as of the date of this publication and are subject to change.
Be the First to Know About New Episodes!
We'll email you every Thursday afternoon with details on the new episode! We're also thinking of producing exclusive content just for our podcast email club. You definitely don't want to miss out!
"*" indicates required fields
