Retirement isn’t just about reaching a certain age — it’s about having the means and the plan to retire with confidence.

In Part 2 of our Retire-In-Mint Condition series on Your Bread & Butter™, we break down the true cost of retirement, what expenses may decrease, what tends to increase, and how to think through the big question:

👉 “When can I retire?”

We also walk through the major retirement milestones (59½, 62, 65, 66–67), and how to build a smart retirement income strategy using both fixed and flexible income sources—while staying as tax efficient as possible.

✅ What may get cheaper in retirement (debt payments, commuting, taxes, clothing)✅ What may get more expensive (healthcare, Medicare, out-of-pocket costs, home repairs, inflation)✅ Retirement milestones by age:• 59½ – Qualified retirement account distributions• 62 – Social Security eligibility• 65 – Medicare• 66–67 – Full Social Security✅ The FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early)✅ How to generate retirement income:• Fixed sources: Social Security, pensions, annuities• Flexible sources: 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth accounts, brokerage accounts, cash✅ Staying tax efficient: knowing what income to pull—and when

Summary:

✔ Have the resources (no do-overs)✔ Have a vision✔ Create a plan

🌐 Learn more: www.privatefinancialdesign.com🎙 Subscribe to Your Bread & Butter™ wherever you get your podcasts.

What will retirement really look like for you?

In this episode of Your Bread & Butter™, we introduce the idea of the “Someday Window”—a simple way to uncover what your retirement lifestyle may naturally become once work obligations disappear. From travel and dining out to hiking, pickleball, and art classes, your “someday” priorities often become your biggest retirement spending drivers.

We also break down what tends to get cheaper in retirement (commuting, work meals, payroll taxes) and what often gets more expensive (healthcare, home repairs, inflation). Plus, we discuss the Retirement Spending Smile—why spending usually rises early in retirement, dips in the middle years, then rises again later due to medical costs.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ The Someday Window + Activity Map✅ What retirement spending actually looks like✅ Work, stop work, or phase out?✅ “Doughphobia” (fear of spending your own savings)✅ What gets cheaper vs. more expensive in retirement✅ Tax-friendly living (“Taxile Living”)✅ The Retirement Spending Smile + Moneymoon Phase✅ A lifestyle cost exercise you can do today

📌 In Part 2, we’ll answer the big question: How much do you need to fund your retirement lifestyle?

🌐 Learn more: www.privatefinancialdesign.com🎙 Subscribe to Your Bread & Butter™ wherever you get your podcasts.

Is “Made in America” making a real comeback—or is it more policy than practice?

In this episode of Your Bread & Butter™, Andrew R. Beaudry, CFP® and Ryan T. Cummings, CFP® break down the modern U.S. reindustrialization movement and what it means for investors. From AI-driven infrastructure buildouts to reshoring critical pharmaceuticals and semiconductor manufacturing, we explore where capital is actually flowing—and where expectations may be overstated.

Key topics covered:

• The historical roots of “Made in America” and its modern resurgence

• Government reshoring strategies: incentives, tariffs, and national security priorities

• Why AI and semiconductors are driving the largest U.S. industrial buildout in decades

• Major U.S. expansion plans from companies like NVIDIA, Apple, TSMC, AstraZeneca, and Hyundai

• The role of data centers, energy infrastructure, and industrial backlogs

• Why reshoring is likely to remain selective rather than universal

• What investors should understand about long-term reindustrialization trends

This conversation provides context—not hype—around how policy, geopolitics, and technology are reshaping U.S. investment landscapes.

🎧 Listen to Your Bread & Butter™ wherever you get your podcasts
🌐 Learn more: www.privatefinancialdesign.com

⚖️Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you die—it’s about protecting yourself and your loved ones while you’re alive.

In this episode of Your Bread & Butter™, Andrew R. Beaudry, CFP® and Ryan T. Cummings, CFP® break down why legal documents like wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies matter long before end-of-life conversations ever begin. We explore common myths (“I’m too young,” “I’m not rich”), the real-life benefits of planning ahead, and how these documents preserve your choices when you can’t speak for yourself.

What we cover in this episode:

💠Why legal documents are for the living—not just for death

💠What a will (last testament) actually does—and a brief history from ancient Rome to modern probate

💠What probate means today and how the process works

💠When assets do not have to go through probate

💠Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA): what it does and when it applies

💠Health Care Proxies vs. Living Wills—what’s the difference?💠How proper planning can reduce stress, confusion, and conflict for loved ones

Key takeaway:

Legal documents are about empowerment, not fear. Planning ahead helps ensure your wishes are honored and your family is protected—before a crisis ever occurs.

🎧 If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who’s been putting off their planning.

📍 Learn more at www.privatefinancialdesign.com

🎙️ Subscribe to Your Bread & Butter wherever you get your podcasts.

Bitcoin used to feel like a novelty. Now, it’s part of many serious investment discussions — and it raises big questions for everyday investors: Is crypto an investment… a gamble… or something in between?In this episode of Your Bread & Butter™, we break down cryptocurrency in plain English, explore why it attracts so much attention, and discuss where (and whether) it may fit inside a thoughtfully built portfolio.What we cover:✅ Crypto Basics: What cryptocurrency actually is and how blockchain works✅ Coins vs. Tokens: What’s the difference — and why it matters✅ The Investment Case: Why some investors see potential (and why others stay cautious)✅ Portfolio Fit: The “satellite” approach and common allocation ranges✅ Ways to Get Exposure: Direct ownership vs. ETFs/funds vs. blockchain-themed investments✅ Risk & Behavior: Volatility, emotional decision-making, and how to stay disciplined✅ What’s Next: Institutional adoption, regulation, smart contracts, and tokenizationBottom line: Crypto can be exciting — but it’s also complex and volatile. If you’re considering it, the goal isn’t to “strike it rich.” It’s to understand the risks and decide whether it belongs in your broader financial plan.🎧 Subscribe to Your Bread & Butter™ wherever you get your podcasts!💬 Share the podcast with your friends!

The holidays are meant to be joyful—but for many people, they also bring financial stress, overspending, and regret. In this episode of Your Bread & Butter, Andrew R. Beaudry, CFP® and Ryan T. Cummings, CFP® walk through practical, realistic ways to enjoy the holiday season without blowing your budget or damaging important relationships.Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, or all of the above, this conversation focuses on avoiding common “money minefields” tied to family expectations, personal traditions, friendships, and professional obligations.In this episode, we discuss:▪️Why your **budget—not your credit card limit—**should guide holiday spending▪️How to evaluate family traditions (past and present) that impact your financesSmart personal spending strategies, including:▪️Setting and sticking to per-person budgets▪️Avoiding impulse purchases and misleading holiday “deals”▪️Shopping early, shopping around, and making intentional trade-offs▪️Choosing homemade, handmade, or experience-based gifts▪️Thoughtful gifting considerations for friends, including Hanukkah traditions and meaningful gift ideasNavigating holiday expectations in your business and career, including:▪️Client gifting▪️Centers of influence▪️Office coworkers▪️Best practices for gifting vendors and service providers while managing appropriateness and liabilityKey takeaway:The most meaningful part of the holidays is time spent with the people you care about—not the price tag attached to the gifts. The solution is simple but powerful: make a plan.

In Episode 49, we’re diving into a topic everyone can benefit from: how to lower your expenses intentionally, consistently, and without feeling deprived.

Just like a good haircut, trimming your spending works best when it’s done regularly. Andrew and Ryan walk through smart, practical, and realistic ways to save money across the major categories that impact your budget most:

💰 What We Cover in This Episode:

🏠 Housing

▪️Ways to negotiate rent

▪️When refinancing makes sense

▪️How to evaluate moving, downsizing, or adding a roommate

🛒 Food & Household Essentials

▪️Bulk buying strategies

▪️Saving big with digital coupons & loyalty programs

▪️Batch cooking & reducing impulse purchases

🚗 Transportation

▪️What to consider when car shopping

▪️How to lower auto insurance costs

▪️Fuel-saving hacks and maintenance tips

⚡ Energy & Utilities

▪️Thermostat settings that actually save money

▪️Weatherproofing your home

▪️Small changes that reduce your monthly bills

🩺 Healthcare

▪️Comparing cost of care

▪️Saving on prescriptions

▪️Using HSAs/FSAs effectively

🏦 Banking & Credit Cards

▪️Avoiding hidden fees

▪️Smart use of alerts, rewards programs & autopay

▪️Improving your credit without extra effort

🎯 Plus: rapid-fire savings tips for subscriptions, clothing, libraries, warranties, and more.

If you’re looking for practical ways to free up cash—without overhauling your lifestyle—this episode is for you.

👉 Listen to “Your Bread & Butter” anywhere you get your podcasts!

🌐 Learn more: www.PrivateFinancialDesign.com

Hiring a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you can make for your long-term financial success — but how do you know what to look for?

In Episode 47 of the Your Bread & Butter Podcast, Andrew Beaudry, CFP® and Ryan Cummings, CFP® break down the essential qualities, criteria, and planning philosophies that set great advisors apart. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to elevate your long-term wealth strategy, this episode gives you the clarity you need.

What We Cover in This Episode

🔹 1. Balancing Lifestyle With Financial Reality

We discuss how a strong advisor helps translate your income, expenses, and goals into clear, actionable insights — revealing whether you’re living within your means and how to shift from debt-focused to asset-focused planning.

🔹 2. Setting Clear Mid- & Long-Term Goals

A great advisor helps connect your dreams — homeownership, retirement, business growth, legacy planning — with real numbers and real strategies.

🔹 3. Managing Taxes With a Plan

Taxes can erode your wealth more than you think. We break down the importance of balancing current lifestyle needs with forward-looking tax strategies.

🔹 4. Legal & Estate Planning Fundamentals

From wills and trusts to powers of attorney, we explain why proper legal structures are non-negotiable in any solid financial plan.

🔹 5. Ongoing Education & Awareness

Financial planning isn’t one-and-done. We talk through how an advisor should keep you informed about evolving laws, markets, and global changes that affect your money.

Why It Matters

A holistic financial plan connects lifestyle, goals, taxes, legal protections, and education. The right advisor brings all these pieces together to create clarity, confidence, and long-term success.

Listen to the Full Episode:

🎧 Your Bread & Butter Podcast

Available wherever you get your podcasts!

🌐 www.privatefinancialdesign.com