The Red Zone Retirement Program

Hosted by John Mears

Business Investing

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Episodes

116

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

In football, the Red Zone is where a team has to make small adjustments to ensure victory. As you approach retirement, you also need to make small adjustments to ensure success. Join John Mears of Mears Money Management each episode as he helps you understand the most important strategies that will help lead you to financial and retirement success. John has more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive planning services to families throughout the Santa Clarita, California area. On this show, he'll breakdown the essential facets of tax planning, investing, retirement concerns, and much more. If you have a 401(k), IRA, Roth, pension or any other type of retirement account or savings vehicle then this is the show for you. Understand your savings and have some fun along the way with John Mears! Contact John at http://mearsmoney.com or by calling 661-775-3704.

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60 recent

August 20, 202617 min

What Does "Safe Money" Actually Mean?

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Everyone says they want their money to be "safe," but almost nobody defines that word the same way. Today, John is joined by special guest Tim Higgins, CFP®, CPA, Managing Partner at North Point, to break down what safe money really means and whether your definition of "safe" holds up in the real world. "Safe" sounds simple, but when it comes to retirement, the real question is whether your money is positioned to do what you need it to do. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛡️ Defining Safe : Many people equate safety with simply avoiding losses 📊 Evidence Matters: Research can provide a stronger foundation than chasing individual investments 💵 Sustainable Income: True safety includes knowing whether your money can support your lifestyle 🚧 Guardrails: Flexible spending rules can help a retirement plan adapt when markets change 💰 Cash Risk: Holding too much cash can create long-term purchasing power problems 💬 Clear Communication: Good planning starts with listening, questions, and shared expectations More about Tim Higgins, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CGMA https://northpoint-wealth.com/meet-our-partners/tim-higgins/ Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

August 6, 202613 min

An Oscar-Nominated Film About Retirement That's Worth 7 Minutes of Your Time

There's a 7-minute animated short that got nominated for an Oscar this year called Retirement Plan . It's free on YouTube, narrated by Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, and it follows a middle-aged man named Ray who spends his days listing everything he plans to do once he finally retires. John reacts to the film's mix of humor and emotion, noting how easily viewers can recognize themselves in Ray's plans, delays, and excuses. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎬 Film Reaction: Seven minutes deliver humor and emotion ✈️ Travel Plans: Enjoy meaningful experiences while physically able 🎁 Giving Wisely: Generosity can also remain financially efficient ⚖️ Yes And No: Protect time through intentional decisions 📍 Stay Present: Do not sacrifice today for tomorrow Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

July 23, 202616 min

The 4% Rule vs. the 8% Rule: What's the Right Withdrawal Rate for You?

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Dave Ramsey has built one of the most recognized brands in personal finance. Millions of people have followed his advice out of debt and into savings. But when it comes to how much you should pull from your retirement accounts each year, Ramsey takes a position that some financial professionals find hard to get behind. Today, we break it down: what Dave says, what the research says, and what John actually thinks. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Eight Percent: Simple math overlooks major risks 📉 Market Reality: Strong averages hide uneven returns 📊 Volatility Matters: Withdrawal plans need clear guardrails ✅ Practical Suggestion: Match withdrawals to actual needs Ramsey's 8% Retirement Rule Sounds Nuts At First https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ramsey-8-retirement-rule-sounds-170209842.html Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

July 2, 202623 min

What To Sell Before Retirement – Reacting to YouTube's Most Watched Retirement Video

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Over the past year, one retirement video on YouTube pulled in 3.7 million views. The title: "Sell These 5 Things Before You Retire." We thought it was worth a conversation, not to tear it apart, but to react honestly. Does John agree? Let's get into it: 3.7 million people watched this video for a reason. It touches something real. Retirement isn't just about what you've accumulated. Sometimes it's about what you're willing to let go of. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏡 Downsizing : Is a smaller home better? 👨‍👩‍👧 Adult Children: Helping without sacrificing retirement 🚤 Expensive Hobbies: When passions become burdens 🚗 Second Car: Do you really need it? 🪪 Work Identity: Finding purpose after retirement ⚖️ Life Changes: Trade-offs create opportunities Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

June 18, 202617 min

The IPO Buzz- What Hopeful Retirees Actually Need to Know

SpaceX. OpenAI. These and other names have been dominating the headlines. The IPO market is heating up, and clients are asking questions. Today we're keeping it simple. What do retirees and pre-retirees need to understand about IPOs before they get caught up in the excitement? Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🚀 IPO Basics – Understanding how companies go public 💰 Why Companies IPO – Raising capital and rewarding early investors 📈 SpaceX Hype – Why investors are paying attention 😨 FOMO Factor – The emotional side of investing ⚠️ Volatility Risk – Why IPOs can be unpredictable 🧩 Fun Money Strategy – How speculative investments can fit responsibly Get in touch: Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

May 28, 202615 min

Protecting What You Care Most About

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net Nobody likes talking about death, insurance, or estate planning, but avoiding those conversations can create even bigger problems later. John discusses why protecting the people and things you care about most goes far beyond just investing and retirement accounts. Having a clear plan in place can make life much easier for the people you love when the unexpected happens. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛡️ Life Insurance: Protection creates financial stability 💰 Insurance Strategies: More than just a death benefit 📋 Beneficiary Reviews: Small mistakes become costly ⚖️ Estate Documents: Legal preparation matters deeply 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Protection: Planning reduces future burdens Get in touch: Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

May 14, 202622 min

From Intro Call to Full Retirement Plan: Inside John's Process

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net John pulls back the curtain on what it actually looks like to build a long-term relationship with a financial advisor. He walks through the process from the first conversation to creating an evolving retirement strategy built around your goals, values, and concerns. Tune in for a practical look at how thoughtful financial planning is designed to grow and adapt alongside your life. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🤝 Relationships Matter: Strong planning starts with trust and communication 🗂️ Process Creates Clarity: A structured onboarding experience reduces confusion 📋 Planning Comes First: Investments should support goals—not drive them 🧩 Everything Connects: Taxes, income, investing, and lifestyle decisions all interact 📞 Ongoing Support Counts: Great plans evolve as life changes over time Get in touch: Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

April 23, 202619 min

My Investments Underperformed the Market - Should I Fire My Advisor?

We got a great question from a listener: "My investments didn't do as well in the last 12 months as the overall market has done. Should I be re-evaluating my advisor based on this lack of performance?" It's a question a lot of people ask at some point in their investing lives, and John breaks down the answer today. Turns out, if your portfolio is doing what it was designed to do, that's the scorecard that matters. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📊 "The market" isn't a single benchmark—comparison matters 🎯 Your portfolio's purpose matters more than performance ⏳ One year is not enough time to judge results ⚖️ Diversification means you won't match any one index 🛑 "Wait it out" is not a complete strategy Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

April 9, 202619 min

Volunteering: The Best Investment You Might Make In Retirement

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), let's talk about why volunteering is an important part of life, especially in retirement. Retirement isn't just about stepping away from work. It's an opportunity to step toward the things you've always cared about, with more time and freedom than you've had in decades. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🌟 Finding purpose after retirement through volunteering ⛹️‍♂️ Opportunities in sports (e.g., coaching, equipment management, and more) 🏠 Volunteering with organizations supporting youth aging out of foster care 🛠️ How you can use your talents, such as teaching or event planning, to give back 💰 Using your financial resources to support charitable causes Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

March 26, 202623 min

What People Really Google About AI and Retirement (and What's True)

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net AI headlines are everywhere right now, mostly bold predictions about how artificial intelligence will reshape the economy. Instead of reacting to the noise, John steps back and looks at what the data actually suggests about AI and the workforce. He also walks through the top questions people in their 50s and 60s are Googling about AI and retirement, giving clear, practical answers. The searches reveal what you're worried about, but John shares what you should actually do about it. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏈 Don't Panic: Headlines aren't a game plan ⚠️ Job Disruption Reality: Change is coming, but not overnight 📊 Portfolio Exposure : AI is already baked into markets 🧠 AI As A Tool: Great for data, not decisions 🎯 Planning Wins: Strategy beats fear every time Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/ Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/