Empty Nest Full Pockets Podcast
The Empty Nest Full Pockets Podcast is designed to explore the financial and emotional issues of life's second half. From paying for college to dealing with aging parents, empty nesting, navigating careers, dealing with taxes, and getting ready for retirement, we share experiences, ideas, and a platform to celebrate what we believe is one of the most exciting periods of your life.
Registered Representative of Sanctuary Securities Inc. and Investment Advisor Representative of Sanctuary Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Sanctuary Securities, Inc., Member. SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sanctuary Advisor, LLC., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. PrairieFire Wealth Planning is a DBA of Sanctuary Securities, Inc. and Sanctuary Advisors, LLC.
Empty Nest Full Pockets Podcast
The Retirement Problem No One Talks About: Spending
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Notes:
In this episode of Empty Nest Full Pockets, financial planner Matt Meline tackles one of the biggest — and most overlooked — challenges in retirement: spending with confidence.
After years of saving, many empty nesters still hesitate to enjoy their money. Why? Because uncertainty around taxes, withdrawals, and timing creates fear of making a costly mistake.
Matt introduces the “Permission to Spend” framework — a tax-smart strategy designed to help you turn your savings into reliable income while minimizing unnecessary taxes. Through real-life examples and practical insights, he explains how coordinating your withdrawals across different accounts can actually increase your spending power — and your peace of mind.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really afford to enjoy this?” — this episode is for you.
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Episode Highlights
- Why spending—not saving—is often the hardest part of retirement
- The fear of running out of money
- Real-life case study: $2.5M saved, but hesitation to spend
- The hidden tax problem in many retirement plans
- How a tax strategy can significantly increase annual spending
- What “Permission to Spend” really means
- The three key drivers: income, taxes, and timing
- Why most retirement plans overlook tax strategy
- Understanding the four tax buckets
- Traditional IRAs & 401(k)s (tax-deferred growth)
- Roth accounts (tax-free income strategies)
- Brokerage accounts (flexibility and control)
- Social Security and its hidden tax impacts
- Mistake #1: waiting too long to withdraw IRA money
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and tax spikes
- Mistake #2: missing Roth conversion opportunities
- Mistake #3: triggering unnecessary capital gains
- Final thoughts: turning savings into confident income
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