The Retirement Huddle

Hosted by Mark Howard

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150

Latest episode

Jun 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

June 4, 20269 min

The Financial Reality of Losing a Spouse

Losing a spouse is one of life's most difficult experiences, and for many people, it also creates a wave of financial questions and uncertainty. Today, Mark discusses the challenges widows and widowers often face after the loss of a spouse, and things you can do to make the road feel a little less overwhelming. With comprehensive planning, a difficult transition can become much more manageable. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💔 Initial Concerns: Fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming decisions 📖 Real Stories: How planning creates confidence 🧩 Comprehensive Planning: More than investment management 🛡️ Financial Stability: Regaining confidence after loss Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

May 21, 202610 min

Desire to Retire: Are You Really Ready?

Some people never want to retire. Others want to walk out tomorrow. Today, Mark breaks down the different "levels" of retirement desire and explains why each mindset requires a different planning conversation. Clarity and preparation can dramatically change the way people think about retirement, and this may help you figure out where you really stand. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎯 Retirement Desire: Different mindsets toward retiring 💼 Still Love Work: Planning still matters 🤔 Uncertain Timing: Lack of retirement clarity 📋 Customized Planning: Goals drive the strategy ⚠️ Emotional Decisions: Avoid rash retirement moves Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

May 7, 202612 min

Investing for Geniuses: How Smart Retirees Plan for the Unexpected

What does it really mean to invest like a genius? Mark breaks down the traits that actually matter, and it's not about being smarter than everyone else. Mark focuses on how successful investors think, and why the right strategy isn't about predicting the future, it's about being prepared for it. Because you don't need to be a genius… you just need the right approach. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🔄 Stay Adaptable: Plans should adjust as life changes 📚 Learn from Others: Experience doesn't have to be yours 🧠 Know Your Limits: Confidence without ego matters 📉 Expect Volatility: Markets shift quickly 📊 Have a Plan: Strategy creates stability Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

April 16, 202615 min

The 5 D's of Retirement Planning

Retirement is a big journey, and navigating it successfully requires more than just a solid savings plan. Today, Mark reveals five game-changing principles that can make all the difference between a stressful retirement and a confident, fulfilling one. Mastering these "D's" will empower you to handle whatever comes your way, without losing sleep over market swings or unexpected costs. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Diversification in Retirement: Spread risk across assets to protect against market shifts ⏳ Duration: The length of time you'll need your portfolio to last plays a crucial role 🛡️ Downside Protection: Have strategies in place to protect from major market downturns 💸 Discretionary Income: Account for unexpected expenses that might affect your lifestyle ⚖️ Drag in Portfolios: Understand and minimize portfolio drag to improve returns Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

April 2, 202610 min

Can You Retire Yet? The 5 Stages of Retirement Readiness

Retirement isn't just a financial decision; it's an emotional one. In this episode, Mark walks through the five different mindsets people have when thinking about retirement and how clarity and planning all play a role in determining when retirement becomes realistic. Whether you love your work or are ready to be done tomorrow, this conversation highlights why knowing your numbers can give you confidence and control. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Never retiring: Even those who love work still need a backup plan 📈 Enjoying work: Financial clarity creates the freedom to choose ❓ No plan: Uncertainty often comes from a lack of structure and direction 🔄 Retirement appeal: Perspective shifts as retirement becomes more realistic 🚨 Urgency stage: Emotional decisions can lead to rushed retirement choices 🧭 Planning clarity: A defined plan turns uncertainty into confidence Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

March 19, 202610 min

What Your March Madness Bracket Can Teach You About Investing

Every year during March Madness, millions of fans fill out their tournament brackets with confidence, only to watch them fall apart after the first round of upsets. Mark uses the NCAA tournament as a metaphor for financial planning and retirement investing. Just like in basketball, life throws unexpected curveballs. The key isn't predicting every upset. It's building a flexible financial plan that can adapt when surprises happen. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏀 March Madness & Financial Planning: Predicting outcomes is hard in sports and investing 🔄 Adapting to Life's Curveballs: Flexible plans help when unexpected changes happen 📊 Investing Objectively: Diversification prevents overexposure to one company or idea ⚖️ Risk vs Reward: Taking some risk is fine, but going all-in can backfire 🛡️ Retirement Risk Management: As retirement nears, protecting assets becomes critical Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

March 5, 202614 min

Mailbag: DIY Planning, Mortgage Payoff, and Long-Term Care Decisions

In this week's mailbag, Mark covers three decisions that can quietly shape your retirement outcome. From knowing when strategy matters more than DIY investing, to weighing the emotional and financial impact of paying off your home, to navigating rising long-term care premiums, these are real-world questions many families face. The common thread? Timing and structure matter more than impulse. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📘 Blueprint for Planning Early– Plan 10–15 years ahead 🔄 Advisor Transition – When a professional strategy trumps DIY 🏠 Mortgage Decision – Cash flow vs peace of mind 🛑 LTC Rate Hikes – How to evaluate policy options carefully Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

February 19, 20269 min

How Your Childhood Shapes Your Money Mindset in Retirement

Why do two people with the same income make completely different financial decisions? In this episode, Mark explores how the economic conditions you grew up in quietly shape your money mindset today. Early influences often show up in retirement planning conversations and understanding them can change how you think about how you plan for the future. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Economic Imprints: How early experiences shape money beliefs 🏚️ Scarcity Mindset: Lasting habits from growing up poor 💼 Wealth Exposure: Why money doesn't guarantee discipline 🗣️ Family Conversations: How silence shapes financial behavior 🧭 Holistic Planning: Connecting mindset to long-term strategy Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

February 5, 202611 min

What Snow Days Teach Us About Money

There's something special about a snow day… unexpected, memorable, and a break from routine. In this episode, Mark borrows a few classic snow-day moments to explain what a strong financial plan really provides. When your plan is solid, you can handle the hard parts, enjoy the good ones, and stay steady when conditions change. Snow days don't last forever, but the freedom they create is worth planning for. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ❄️ Financial Foundations: How preparation creates flexibility 🛷 Snow Day Analogy: Why planning feels hard before it feels fun ⛄ Building Momentum: Letting savings and strategy compound 🚦 Storm Readiness: Staying safe during market volatility 🎉 Enjoying Retirement: Freedom to embrace unexpected moments Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526

January 15, 202611 min

Timeless Quotes From the Greatest Investors

Discover the mindset secrets behind legendary investors and learn how to conquer fear and risk. Today, Mark reacts to powerful quotes from some of the most respected voices in investing and explains why their lessons matter even more as retirement approaches. If headlines, volatility, or recent market gains have you questioning your strategy, he offers a timeless perspective on what can quietly derail even well-funded retirement plans, and what to do about it. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Market Composure: Why emotional control matters more than intelligence 📉 Fear vs. History: How fear drowns out decades of market evidence ⚖️ Risk Reality: You can't eliminate risk, only choose which one you carry 🛡️ Retirement Readiness: Positioning portfolios to survive real-world stress 🌱 Market Humility: Learning lessons only experience can teach Want to get in touch with Mark? https://retirementhuddle.com/ mark@howardfinancialgroup.com 888-511-7526