Empower Your Retirement

Hosted by Frank and Frankie Guida

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Episodes

250

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Empower Your Retirement podcast, your trusted companion on the path to retirement prosperity. As the cornerstone of financial security for families and individuals, we're dedicated to making your retirement dreams a reality. Dive into insightful discussions led by the Guida family, renowned for their decades of experience in financial planning and wealth management. Tune in to our podcast as we share actionable insights, insider tips, and expert advice to navigate the complexities of retirement planning. Whether you're aiming to maximize your savings, minimize risks, or optimize your investment portfolio, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Join us at A Better Way Financial, where your retirement success is our priority. Follow or subscribe now and embark on the path to a brighter financial future. Learn more about A Better Way Financial here . Connect with us on social: Facebook , LinkedIn and YouTube .

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 20269 min

5 Retirement Tax Traps You Might Not See Coming

Are hidden tax traps quietly impacting your retirement income? In this episode, Frankie Guida breaks down five common tax pitfalls retirees may face. The discussion covers how Social Security can be taxed, the impact of required minimum distributions, Medicare surcharges, and the role of withdrawal timing across different accounts. He also explores how income levels and account types can influence tax exposure over time, highlighting why understanding these factors can play a key role in structuring a retirement strategy.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 9, 202614 min

Turning Savings Into a Retirement Paycheck

How do you turn a lifetime of savings into a paycheck that actually supports your retirement? In this episode, Frankie Guida breaks down the key questions behind creating a reliable income strategy. The discussion highlights how to determine sustainable spending, coordinate multiple income sources, and why relying on rules of thumb like the 4% rule may fall short. He also explores withdrawal strategies, sequence of returns risk, and how taxes and healthcare costs can impact income, offering insight into building a structured approach for retirement cash flow.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 2, 20269 min

Why “I’ll Plan Later” Can Cost You

Think retirement is still years away? That mindset could quietly shape the decisions you’re making today. In this episode, Frankie Guida discusses how delaying planning can create challenges as retirement approaches. The conversation highlights the importance of starting early, evaluating investment options, and adjusting strategies over time. Using real-life scenarios, he explores how portfolio structure, tax considerations, and risk management may influence retirement outcomes. It’s a look at how preparation—and timing—can impact the transition from working years into retirement.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 202613 min

What Happens If You Leave Your Legacy to Chance?

What if your estate plan is less about money and more about the legacy you leave behind? In this episode, Frank and Frankie Guida discuss how estate planning goes beyond distributing assets, focusing on aligning your financial decisions with your family’s unique needs and goals. They explore common oversights like missing beneficiaries, probate costs, and lack of planning for blended families, while emphasizing the role of communication and personalization. The conversation also highlights how retirement income, lifestyle choices, and legacy intentions all connect when shaping a thoughtful, efficient estate strategy.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 19, 202613 min

IRA vs. 401(k): What Are You Really Working With?

Think an IRA is just another retirement account? The differences between IRAs and workplace plans can change how you manage your money over time. In this episode, Frankie Guida walks through how IRAs work, how they compare to 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and why having access to more investment options matters. He also discusses rollovers, tax treatment, and considerations for adjusting risk and consolidating accounts as retirement approaches   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 12, 202611 min

Is Your Retirement Plan Due for a “Spring Cleaning”?

When was the last time you “aired out” your retirement plan to see what’s really inside? In this episode, Frank and Frankie compare spring cleaning to a portfolio review—breaking down why it’s important to revisit your investments regularly. They cover how to evaluate risk, returns, and hidden fees, plus the importance of tax efficiency and income planning. You’ll also hear a real-life example of how adjusting a strategy can impact long-term retirement income and risk exposure.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 5, 202612 min

Not All Financial Advisors Are the Same—Here’s Why It Matters

Not all financial advisors do the same job—and assuming they do can create real retirement blind spots. In this episode, Frank and Frankie Guida explain common misconceptions about financial advisors and why specialization matters as you move toward retirement. The discussion explores the differences between accumulation-focused advisors and retirement-focused fiduciaries, real-world scenarios involving annuities and fees, and why advice that worked earlier in life may not align with retirement priorities. The goal is to better understand how planning approaches, compensation structures, and areas of focus can shape retirement decisions.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 28, 202614 min

Why Retirement Feels More Complicated Than It Should

Why do so many people reach retirement feeling unsure about their finances despite years of hard work and saving? In this episode, Frankie Guida shares his personal path into financial planning and explains why retirement planning often feels overwhelming for individuals trying to navigate it alone. The discussion highlights the lack of financial education, the behind‑the‑scenes realities of the profession, and how thoughtful planning can change the way people view spending, taxes, and long‑term decisions. Frankie also discusses the motivation behind educating families and helping them better understand their options as they approach retirement.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 21, 202614 min

What Rising Country Artists Say About Staying Grounded

Success often comes from staying grounded when things start moving fast. In this episode, Frank and Frankie Guida share behind‑the‑scenes conversations from Nashville with rising country artists Jett Jurgensmeyer and Garrett Bradford. The episode explores how family, work ethic, and staying authentic shape careers in music, acting, and life beyond the spotlight. Through candid stories about balancing multiple paths, learning from hard work, and seizing unexpected opportunities, listeners get a closer look at how long‑term perspective and personal values continue to guide creative journeys both on stage and off.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 14, 20269 min

Lessons on Life and Retirement from a Nashville Storyteller

What happens when creativity, money, and purpose all collide? In this episode, Frankie Guida sits down with songwriter and entrepreneur Stokes Nielsen for a wide‑ranging conversation on focus, financial discipline, faith, and life after peak career moments. From lessons learned at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville to personal stories about family, retirement, and long‑term purpose, Stokes shares how surrounding yourself with the right people and planning ahead shapes both finances and fulfillment. The discussion blends music, money, and mindset into a thoughtful look at preparing for whatever chapter comes next.   Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial   Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here!   Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.”   Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success"   CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops.   Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.