The Retirement Huddle

Hosted by Mark Howard

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160

Latest episode

Nov 2026

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About the show

Financial and retirement planning guidance with Mark Howard of the Howard Financial Group in Savannah. Mark has almost three decades of experience in the financial industry, has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Barron's, South Magazine and several other publications. He has also been featured on the Savannah Morning News. In addition to clients in Savannah, Mark also serves Hilton Head, Bluffton, Statesboro, and the rest of the Low Country. To get your own Financial Game Plan, contact Mark today at 888-511-PLAN (7526) or go to HowardFinancialGroup.com

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60 recent

November 5, 202614 min

Take a Bird's-Eye View of Your Retirement Plan

It's easy to get so focused on the next financial decision that you lose sight of where the whole plan is headed. Mark uses a hot-air-balloon analogy to show why retirement planning works better when you step back, look at the bigger picture, and stay flexible when the winds change. He also explains why a strong plan should be built around the life you actually want, not just a collection of isolated financial decisions. Sometimes the clearest way forward starts by getting a little higher above the noise. Here's what we discuss in today's show: 🏰 Build the Foundation: Turn retirement dreams into a plan 🌬️ Uncontrollable Variables: Prepare for changing financial winds 🎈 Adjust Altitude: Adapt without abandoning the destination 🦅 Bird's-Eye View: See how every decision connects 🤝 Start at the Beginning: Start with a simple financial snapshot Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

October 15, 20269 min

Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers: Different Money Challenges

Every generation retires with a different financial story, but uncertainty has a way of showing up at every age. In this episode, Mark looks at how the pressures people face can change over time and why those differences matter when building a financial strategy. Ultimately, good planning is about creating enough confidence and clarity to make choices without constantly wondering whether you can afford them. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 Millennials: Navigate housing and debt pressures 👨‍👩‍👧 Gen X : Balance competing family responsibilities 💼 Pensions: Adjust to greater personal responsibility 📈 Boomers: Manage uncertainty approaching retirement 🧭 Planning: Turn uncertainty into clearer decisions Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

October 1, 202613 min

5 Tax Strategies to Consider Before Year-End

Waiting until tax season to think about taxes is often too late. Many of the best opportunities require planning before the calendar year ends. In this episode, Mark breaks down several strategies that may help reduce taxes over time, including donor-advised funds, SEP IRAs, HSAs, withholding adjustments, RMD planning, and qualified charitable distributions. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💝 Bundle Giving: Donor-advised funds can improve charitable deductions 💼 Use SEP IRAs: Self-employed income may open another tax-saving opportunity 🧾 Check Withholding: Avoid giving the government too much all year 🏥 Use the HSA: Triple tax benefits can be powerful 📆 Plan RMDs Early: Don't wait until December Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

September 17, 202615 min

Mailbag: Social Security Rules, ESG Investing, and REIT Pitfalls

Retirement decisions often get complicated when one rule, product, or investment idea starts driving the entire conversation. Mark answers listener questions about Social Security earnings, ESG investing, and REITs while bringing each topic back to the bigger retirement picture. The common thread is simple: start with the plan, then decide which tools actually belong in it. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Seasonal Work: Social Security earnings rules deserve context 🌱 ESG Investing : Values can limit diversification 🧭 Plan First: Strategy should drive decisions 🏢 REIT Risks : Liquidity and fees matter 🧩 Planning Mindset: Products should serve goals Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

September 3, 202611 min

Retirement Truth Bombs: Your Biggest Financial Blind Spots

Some retirement beliefs sound reassuring simply because they've been repeated for years. Mark challenges several common assumptions and explains why successful retirement planning often requires a closer look at risk, taxes, behavior, and how your portfolio is actually built. Sometimes the biggest improvement comes from questioning what you thought you already knew. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💣 Bond Reality: "Safe" needs more context 🧾 Tax Exposure: Future rates remain uncertain 🧠 Investor Behavior: Emotions influence decisions 🎓 Financial Expertise: Intelligence doesn't always mean specialization ⚠️ Hidden Risk: Diversification can often be misleading Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

August 20, 202611 min

Retirement Lessons from Betty White

Betty White may never have officially retired, but her humor and outlook offer several valuable lessons for anyone planning the next stage of life. Today, Mark explores why retirement readiness involves more than building an investment portfolio. A fulfilling plan should help you prepare for change while continuing to support the people, purpose, and experiences that matter to you. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ❤️ Health and Retirement: Early habits shape later retirement experiences 🩺 Financial Planning: Poor health can redirect retirement spending 🤝 Social Connection: Relationships and purpose matter after work 😄 Humor and Aging: A positive outlook supports fulfilling retirement 🧭 Comprehensive Planning: Retirement requires more than an investment portfolio Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

August 6, 202612 min

The Real Reasons People Keep Working

For some people, continuing to work is a choice. For others, it is a necessity, or simply the result of not knowing whether retirement is truly possible. Mark explores the financial, social, and emotional reasons why more Americans are remaining in the workforce well into their 60s and 70s. Tune in to hear how a strategy can help you determine whether you need to keep working, want to keep working, or are finally ready to step away. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Working Longer: Purpose and connection keep retirees engaged 💰 Financial Necessity: Clear numbers reveal whether work continues 🔄 Life Adjustment: New routines ease the retirement transition 📋 Advisor Guidance: A complete plan builds greater confidence 📞 Next Steps : Review whether retirement is truly possible Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

July 16, 202610 min

Easy Ways To Ruin Retirement

Retirement is often treated like the finish line, but it's really the start of a brand-new phase of life. In this episode, Mark walks through a few common assumptions that can make retirement more difficult than expected and reminds us that retirement takes more than simply reaching a number in your portfolio. A thoughtful plan can help you think through what life may look like after work and how your financial decisions may need to change along the way. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏁 Finish Line: Retirement is just a beginning 🧠 Mindset Shift: Problems may still exist 💵 Spending Habits: Expenses can look different after retirement 🚶 Stay Active: Health shapes retirement, invest in it 📉 Risk Changes: Investing may need adjustment Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

July 2, 202613 min

Retirement Lessons Hidden in Famous Movie Quotes

Can classic movie quotes teach valuable retirement lessons? Mark uses memorable lines from iconic films like The Terminator and A Few Good Men to illustrate timeless financial planning principles. From preparing for market volatility and building a retirement income strategy to avoiding cookie-cutter investment plans, you'll discover that some of Hollywood's most memorable lines have surprising applications to retirement planning. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🌪️ Market Cycles: Preparing for bull and bear markets 👥 Personal Planning: Your retirement isn't your neighbor's ⏳ Future Planning: Preparing for whatever tomorrow brings ⚖️ Honest Advice : Why the truth matters in retirement 💬 Clear Communication: Understanding your financial strategy 🤝 Building Trust: Confidence through personalized planning Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

June 18, 202611 min

How To Travel Without Financial Guilt

In this episode, Mark explains why travel shouldn't be an afterthought in retirement; it should be part of the plan from the very beginning. From annual vacations to RV adventures and bucket-list trips, Mark shares how building a dedicated travel bucket can replace financial guilt with confidence. He also discusses why many retirees are redefining legacy as experiences and memories shared with loved ones today. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧳 Travel Bucket: Build vacations into the plan 🧮 Permission To Spend: Turn trips into line items 🕰️ Go-Go Years: Travel while health is highest 🛟 Financial Guardrails: Replace guilt with confidence 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Living Legacy: Create memories, not just inheritances Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526