Keen On Retirement™

Feeling happy? That could be because spring has finally sprung here in the Midwest. Or, more specifically, it could be because you're part of the Keen Wealth audience right here in Overland Park! A recent report by WalletHub ranked the 182 "Happiest Cities in America." The researchers evaluated 29 “key indicators of happiness, including depression rates, income growth, and average daily leisure time.” Fremont, California topped the list, and half of the top ten were cities in sunny California and Arizona. But the Midwest had a strong showing, too. Bismarck and Fargo, North Dakota both made the top five. And coming in at number six was ... Overland Park, Kansas! While it's certainly gratifying to see well-deserved recognition for our city, I've always felt grateful to be living and working here. Yes, the reasonable cost of living, centrality for travel to other parts of the country, and variety of outdoor activities are all wonderful. But the sense of community here is really special. My team at Keen Wealth experienced that firsthand recently when the Keen Wealth Foundation and Charitable Impact Committee, led by my wife Carissa, had the honor of serving as the entertainment sponsor for "Kids Night Out," a massive gala that raised $3.5 million for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. Taking care of each other, in our communities and in our homes, is one of the most direct ways that a financial plan can boost your spirits. On today's show, we answer questions from two listeners who are thinking about how different generations of Americans can help each other enjoy more security and happiness in retirement.

It's "a tradition unlike any other." The $1.50 pimento cheese sandwich. Every year at the Masters, you'll hear TV commentators wax nostalgic about what makes the world's most famous golf tournament unique: the course, the history, the cell phone ban. And those sandwiches, which, at the very first Masters in 1934, cost just $0.30. If the pimento and cheese had kept pace with the rate of inflation since then, today it would cost $7.50. But the $1.50 price tag has stuck since 2003. Other than Costco hot dogs ($1.50) and Arizona Iced Tea ($0.99), there aren't many other examples of products whose prices have stayed flat over time. In the past couple of years, we've all had to cope with costs that have risen a little faster than we're used to, not just at the grocery store but at the pump and on our utility bills. As we discuss on today's show, protecting your nest egg against inflation and other variable costs is an important part of a comprehensive financial plan, especially once you retire.

When I think about the start of spring, I think about spending the Easter holiday with my family, the colors returning to our green spaces, a little more sunshine, and maybe a shower or two. Hail the size of baseballs? Not a part of my vision! But that’s what a massive storm brought to Kansas City a few weeks ago. Like so many folks, I'm still fixing broken windshields and dents on my family's cars and having my roof checked out. Of course, none of us can control the weather. But we can prepare for the unexpected by buying insurance, keeping some emergency cash in our savings, and making home upgrades that protect our most valuable assets. And, as we discuss on today's show while answering three timely listener questions, the same principle applies to financial planning. We can't control what's happening in the world or how the markets react to the news of the day. But we can be proactive about how we weather the storms of inflation and volatility.

The 2026 news cycle is spinning at a dizzying pace. Technology is rapidly upending how we work and live. With midterm elections on the horizon, our leaders in Washington are sharpening their visions for the future and policy proposals. And geopolitical tensions across the globe are giving investors something new to react to -- and worry about -- on a daily basis. On today's show, we unpack some of the major stories we're monitoring and give you a clear-eyed perspective on the current economic outlook.

Matt Wilson, Keen Wealth’s Chief Investment Officer and President, recently hosted an excellent webinar on Tax Planning Through the Four Stages of Retirement. In addition to providing a thorough overview of the tax issues that seniors should be prepared for, Matt also wanted to remind folks that the best time to ask questions about retirement is before you retire. And I’m glad that several of our webinar attendees took Matt up on that offer! On today’s show, we discuss three follow-up questions to Matt’s webinar that touch on not just taxes but also the value of working with a financial advisor on a holistic plan for retirement.

According to the most recent available data, the IRS collected $5.1 trillion in taxes in 2024. Just ten years earlier, it collected $3.1 trillion. We all grumble about paying the government this time of year. And gathering all our forms and statements while we're in the middle of a partial shutdown isn't going to make Tax Day 2026 any more pleasant. But those trillions are also signs of a healthy economy that continues to grow and generate wealth, which is good for your long-term financial planning. Still, just because the government needs our tax dollars to provide essential services doesn't mean you should pay one dollar more than you're legally obligated to pay -- this year, next year, or over the course of your lifetime. On today's show, we discuss some trends and best practices for both tax planning and tax prepping and why I believe that having a professional financial team in your corner is more important than ever.