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Retirement Reality Podcast

Retirement Reality Podcast

Hosted by Mike Kojonen

Episodes

172

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Weekly financial and retirement planning guidance with Mike Kojonen of Principal Preservation Services. Mike serves western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities areas of Minnesota. He's the co-author of Momma's Secret Recipe for Retirement Success and will impart financial wisdom each week on this podcast.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
June 8, 2026Episode 17128 min

Accumulation vs Distribution

June 1, 2026Episode 17028 min

60/40 Risk

December 15, 2025Episode 16928 min

Tax Implications for Rollovers

March 6, 2025Episode 16811 min

Great Side Gig Ideas for Retirees

For some people, the idea of retiring and then getting another job is detestable. For others, they can’t sit still and have to go find some other job. In this show, we discuss the benefits of taking on side gigs during retirement and explore five practical ideas that can help retirees stay engaged and financially secure. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:52 – Consulting 2:43 – Teaching 3:48 – Selling Items Online 5:30 – Pet Sitting 7:03 – Retail 8:40 – How it impacts planning   Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/ Phone: (855) 987-8888 Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/   Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/ Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

February 27, 2025Episode 1679 min

The Five Love Languages of Financial Planning

The five love languages were made popular by author Gary Chapman. If you’re not familiar with them, they include acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, and physical touch. In the spirit of the month of love, let’s take a look at how you may encounter the love languages when it comes to financial planning. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:22 – Acts of Service 2:55 – Quality Time 4:16 – Words of Affirmation 5:33 – Gifts 7:19 – Physical Touch   Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/ Phone: (855) 987-8888 Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/   Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/ Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

February 20, 2025Episode 16611 min

Do Smart Investors Really Need a Financial Advisor?

If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question Bob, one of our listeners, sent in. He’s got an MBA, knows the markets well, and has always handled his portfolio solo. So, is working with an advisor just an extra expense, or could it actually add real value? In this episode, we break down when and why even experienced investors might benefit from professional guidance and when they’re probably fine on their own. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:23 – Today’s question 3:01 – How advisors provide value 4:18 – Financial blindspots 6:24 – Help managing a portfolio 8:43 – Why you work with an advisor   Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/ Phone: (855) 987-8888 Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/   Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/ Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

February 13, 2025Episode 16513 min

Social Security Claiming Tips for Unique Situations

Social Security claiming strategies can vary greatly depending on family dynamics. This episode explores how different family situations, such as those with a stay-at-home spouse or a blended family, can impact when and how to claim Social Security benefits to maximize your retirement income. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:26 – Single-income households 3:53 – Coordinating claiming strategies 6:39 – Blended families 9:33 – Disabled family members 11:09 – Mike’s advice for claiming   Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/ Phone: (855) 987-8888 Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/   Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/ Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

February 6, 2025Episode 1649 min

The Snowbird Retirement: Is a Seasonal Move Right for You?

Winter has a lot of people thinking about warmer weather. For some, that just means an annual vacation down south. But for certain retirees, they choose to live elsewhere through the brunt of winter, becoming “snowbirds.” Is snowbird life for you? Let’s talk about what motivates people to take up temporary residence elsewhere, where they go, and if it’s worthwhile. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:50 – How common is this? 3:10 – Trying it before retirement 4:30 – What you need to know 6:24 – How a financial advisor helps   Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr

January 30, 2025Episode 16311 min

Inflation-Proof Your Retirement in 2025

Inflation has been a hot topic in recent years, and its impact on retirement planning is arguably bigger than ever. As prices for everyday goods and services continue to rise, understanding how to effectively manage these changes is essential for securing a comfortable retirement. Let’s explore strategies for inflation-proofing your retirement and share a look into how we address this in our planning. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:32 – How inflation changes planning 3:04 – Inflation rate average 4:15 – Inflation’s impact over time 6:08 – Investment strategies 7:51 – Client story   Our website: https://principalpreservationservices.com/ Phone: (855) 987-8888 Contact our team: https://principalpreservationservices.com/wisconsin-minnesota-financial-services/   Get your exclusive first chapter of Mike’s books: https://principalpreservationservices.com/books/ Check out our downloadable guides: https://principalpreservationservices.com/useful-financial-guides/   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6RRiWvkInUm_E3lg38T2g

January 23, 2025Episode 16212 min

How To Change Your Money Attitude In 2025

As we kick off 2025, a lot of people consider what they want the year to look like and how to put their best foot forward, especially financially. Think: “new year, new me!” Today, we’ll talk about the financial decisions and habits you’ve maybe had in the past and what changes you can make this year to embrace the new you. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:20 – Overspending 3:29 – Saving to a fault 5:28 – Not knowing what you have 7:30 – Pausing your investing 9:47 – Not having a plan   Text RETIRE to 21000 to Begin Building Your Retirement Reality Roadmap Learn more about Principal Preservation Services: https://principalpreservationservices.com Schedule an Initial Meeting with Mike: https://calendly.com/ppservices/60-minute-initial-meeting Watch Retirement Reality on Demand: https://bit.ly/40VIByr

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