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Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

By: Chad Smith CFP® and Mike Eklund CFP®
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About this listen

When considering retirement, do you wonder what financial opportunities you may be missing? Busy lives take over and years pass without taking advantage. In this retirement podcast, the Financial Symmetry advisors unveil financial opportunities, to help you balance enjoying today so you are ready to retire later. By day, they are fiduciary fee-only financial advisors who answer questions about tax savings, investment decisions, and how to save more. If you’ve been putting off your financial to-do list or are just not sure what you’ve been missing, subscribe to the show and learn more at www.financialsymmetry.com. Financial Symmetry is a Raleigh Financial Advisor. Proudly serving clients in the Triangle of North Carolina for over 20 years. Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Smart Strategies for Funding Your Child’s College Education with a 529 Plan, Ep #247
    Sep 9 2025

    Planning for your child’s college education can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with skyrocketing tuition costs and countless savings options. This week on the show, we’re discussing the question of exactly how much you should save in a 529 college savings plan.

    Outline of This Episode
    • [00:00] Decide your college funding goal before saving in a 529 account.
    • [02:06] An overview of college costs.
    • {02:35] Advantages of the 529 Plan.
    • [03:54] Weighing college savings vs. retirement savings.
    • [05:31] What happens if I save too much?
    • [07:35] Expanded legislation as part of the OBBB.

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    📰 See the full show notes here

    🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to ensure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

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    10 mins
  • Should You Add Private Equity, Real Estate, or Bitcoin to Your 401k? Ep #246
    Aug 26 2025

    Recently, an executive order has set the stage for 401 (k) providers to potentially start offering investments like private equity, private real estate, digital assets (think bitcoin), commodities, and more—options typically reserved for pension funds and institutional investors. But what does this really mean for everyday savers?

    We break down the differences between traditional 401k offerings and these new alternatives, discuss the risks and potential rewards, and share questions you should ask yourself before making any changes to your investment lineup.

    Outline of This Episode
    • [00:00] Exploring 401k alternative assets.
    • [05:56] 401k market shift & fee impact.
    • [06:57] Potential high returns vs. risks.
    • [11:06] Private equity and closed-end funds.
    • [13:59] The differences between public REITs and private real estate.
    • [16:34] Private investments and evaluating portfolio fit.

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    📰 See the full show notes here

    🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to ensure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

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    21 mins
  • Which Roth Account Is the Right Scoop for You? Ep #245
    Aug 12 2025

    Are you taking advantage of all your Roth opportunities? We break down the differences between the Roth IRA, Roth 401(k), or the Mego Backdoor Roth 401(k). by comparing your choices with another favorite summer treat - ice cream.

    We break down the basics, benefits, and ideal life stages for each account type—whether you’re just scooping your first vanilla cone with a Roth IRA, adding some flavor with a Roth 401(k), or going all-out Neapolitan with the Mega Backdoor Roth.

    We also share smart tips on tax brackets, income planning, and how to maximize your options for a sweeter financial future. If you’re looking to optimize your retirement savings and want more flexibility, this episode is the perfect treat.

    Outline of This Episode
    • (00:00) Roth IRA Overview.
    • (04:00) Mid-career Roth 401(k) strategy.
    • (06:42) 401(k): Traditional vs. Roth Benefits.
    • (11:08) Optimizing retirement savings strategies.
    • (12:57) Tax strategies for retirement flexibility.
    • (18:04) Retirement tax flexibility insights.

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    📰 See the full show notes here

    🌐 Sign up here to receive a detailed pre-retirement checklist to ensure you are positioned to experience your ideal retirement.

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    20 mins
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