Don't Retire...Graduate!
Don't Retire...Graduate!

Don't Retire...Graduate!


Don’t Retire… Graduate! Is the podcast that asks what you want to be when you grow up so you can graduate into retirement with a passion and a purpose. Hosted by Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, Eric Brotman, this show will explore different methods for saving money, paying down debt, raising financially literate children, growing your wealth, and reaching financial independence–whether you’re 35 or 65. Retirement is not the absence of work, but the absence of needing to work. So join us while we talk to award-winning, best-selling authors, finance experts, influencers, and people with amazing money stories to help you set and reach financial goals, discover your passions, and make a plan for what you want to be when you reach the point where work becomes optional. Plus, between full episodes we’ll answer listener questions about personal finance, investing, retirement readiness, taxes, and more. Topics covered include: budgets, credit, debt, emergency funds, balancing expenses, health savings accounts, insurance and risk management, financial advisors, mortgages, retirement savings, social security, money management, spending, fintech and finance apps, employee benefits, and the FIRE movement.
Don't Retire... Graduate! Trailer
19 December 2024
Don't Retire... Graduate! Trailer

Welcome to Don’t Retire… Graduate!—the podcast that’s here to challenge the way you think about retirement. I’m your host, Eric Brotman, Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, and I’m excited to guide you in transforming retirement from a final destination into a new beginning—a graduation into the next great chapter of your life.
Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from a career; it’s about stepping into a life that’s filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Whether you’re counting down the days to retirement or just starting to plan, we’re here to help you not just survive, but thrive in your post-career years.
In every episode, we’ll explore how you can make the most of this exciting time by setting new goals, pursuing passions that light you up, and building a legacy that truly reflects who you are. You’ll hear from award-winning authors, financial experts, influencers, and everyday people with inspiring stories. Together, we’ll uncover strategies for achieving financial independence, managing your wealth, and making decisions that support your dreams.
We’ll cover everything from personal finance and investing to retirement readiness, taxes, and more. And it’s not just about the money—we’ll dive deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement too. How do you maintain your mental and physical health, nurture relationships, and stay connected to your community? We’re here to help you design a lifestyle that keeps you engaged, curious, and excited about the future.
And don’t forget to check out our bonus content every other week, where you’ll get to meet the incredible team of financial advisors at BFG Financial Advisors. We’ll share real stories from the frontlines of financial planning and give you insider tips on how to make your retirement dreams a reality.
Retirement is not the absence of work—it’s the absence of needing to work. So, why not graduate into a life of purpose, passion, and financial freedom? Tune in to Don’t Retire… Graduate! and let’s make these years the best ones of your life.
Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app and join us as we turn the page on traditional retirement and step into a life of limitless possibilities. I’m Eric Brotman—let’s get you graduated.
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Breaking Financial Stereotypes: Money Attitudes and Behaviors in a Diverse World with Cara Macksoud
24 August 2023
Breaking Financial Stereotypes: Money Attitudes and Behaviors in a Diverse World with Cara Macksoud

Welcome to a very special episode of Don't Retire... Graduate!: our finale. After five seasons, we're graduating from the podcast in order to take financial literacy education into a new format, with a new edition of the Don't Retire... Graduate! book releasing soon and our new financial wellness program taking off.
Rounding out the show with a bang, we have Cara Macksoud of Money Habitudes here to talk about her journey from Wall Street trader to leading a company that helps people identify their financial biases and make positive changes in their habits. We'll explore the importance of being open-minded and empathetic towards clients with different attitudes and behaviors, as well as the gradual nature of habit change.
Key takeaways:

Financial security is important for a comfortable retirement transition. It involves having a certain level of income and assets to maintain a desired lifestyle.

It's crucial to understand your money habits and attitudes, as they play a significant role in your financial decision-making. The Money Habitudes assessment helps individuals gauge where they fall along six domains and identify biases or areas for improvement.

Money is relational and tied to associations such as family, culture, and community. Understanding the non-verbal messages and influences around money can help shape healthy money habits and attitudes.

Giving and philanthropy can bring joy and satisfaction, and it's important to align your philanthropic efforts with your values and passions. Incorporating philanthropy into your financial plan can bring both status and personal fulfillment.


Thank you to everyone who has supported this show over the last five years and allowed us to be part of your personal finance journey. Also, a special thank you to our executive producer Sara Lohse and our audio engineer Russ Riba for making this podcast happen.
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Love and Money: Financial Planning for Newly Weds
10 August 2023
Love and Money: Financial Planning for Newly Weds

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On today's episode, we're getting personal and bringing in a member of the BFG family. Financial advisor Cody Niedermeier recently got married and is sharing his experience and advice for handling financial conversations before and after saying "I do."
Even as a financial advisor, it can be hard to handle conversations around money within a relationship. Cody talks about dropping a whopping $15 on her plastic engagement ring (on top of the diamond one, of course), how he proposed, and the plans they have for the future.

Communication and transparency are key when it comes to financial planning for couples. It is important to have open conversations about joint accounts, bill payments, and beneficiary designations to ensure that both partners are on the same page and have a clear understanding of their financial goals.

When planning a wedding, it is advisable to save for the engagement ring rather than borrowing money. Using a credit card to purchase the ring means that the spouse is essentially paying for it, leading to unnecessary debt.

The cost of weddings can vary greatly. It is crucial for couples to financially plan for their wedding and manage expectations. By understanding their budget and prioritizing expenses, couples can prevent financial strain and focus on what matters most to them.

Geography plays a significant role in financial and legal matters. Couples should ensure that their estate planning documents are done in the state they are living in, as state laws differ. It is also important to consider insurance policies and beneficiary designations, especially when moving between different states.

The importance of comprehensive financial planning cannot be overstated. From consolidating old retirement accounts to adjusting employee benefits, couples should seek guidance from financial advisors to help them navigate this complex process. This includes finding professionals for tax planning, legal matters, and other important areas to ensure a solid financial foundation for their marriage.


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From College to Covid to Recession: Navigating Finances in Changing Times with Hassan Thomas
27 July 2023
From College to Covid to Recession: Navigating Finances in Changing Times with Hassan Thomas

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On this episode we’re joined by Hassan Thomas, the creator of the FYI FLI (For Your Information Financial Literacy and Investing) app and host of the FYI FLI podcast. 

He is here to share his story of beginning his entrepreneurial journey during a global recession, having to pivot a future after an injury, and growing a brand focused on teaching personal finance. 

In this episode we’ll talk about:

• Understanding your goals and finding someone who can help you achieve them is crucial.
• Building a comfortable and goal-oriented working relationship with a coach is essential.
• The internet has made information more accessible, allowing for self-education and learning new skills.
• During times of economic uncertainty, having multiple income sources and financial literacy is important.
• The current generation faces more financial challenges, with the need for multiple jobs and side hustles to support a family.
• Financial education and applying knowledge can have an immediate and positive impact on personal finances.
• Establishing an emergency fund (or peace of mind fund) in a high-yield savings account is an excellent starting point for financial stability.
• Continual learning and progress in financial education can lead to life-changing opportunities and success.
• Having a plan, taking action, and being prepared are key factors in progressing and achieving financial goals.
• Understanding how recessions impact individuals and their finances is essential for making informed financial decisions.

Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode.

About Hassan Thomas:

Hassan R. Thomas: the new face of emerging FinTech and the Founder of a new APP called FYI FLI (For Your Information, Financial Literacy & Investing), and the CEO of HRT Enterprises LLC. 

@ceosanni @fyifli
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Building Financial Confidence: Knowing Your Numbers and Unlocking Your Best Life with Marika Stimac
13 July 2023
Building Financial Confidence: Knowing Your Numbers and Unlocking Your Best Life with Marika Stimac

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On this special 100th episode, we’re joined by Marika Stimac, a life coach dedicated to helping people improve their financial literacy and achieve their financial goals. Marika, who has written a book called "Keys to Financial Confidence: Unlock Your Best Life," shares valuable insights and actionable steps to create a positive financial legacy.

Marika talks about the importance of bringing awareness to the impact of one's financial situation and shifting to a more positive mindset about money, highlighting that financial legacy is not just about leaving behind a large sum of money but also about the mindset and values that are passed down. 

Join us to learn how you can be mindful about money and how your actions and words can influence others. 

In this episode we’ll talk about:
•Actions and words around money influence others in your life.
•Shifting to a positive mindset about money can create a financial legacy.
•Being mindful of how you handle money can potentially help others in their lives.
•Financial legacy is not just about the amount of money one leaves behind, but also the mindset.
•Leaving a financial legacy involves creating meaningful connections and thoughtful gestures.
•Legacy is about leaving gifts of opportunity, experience, and influence for children, not just material possessions.
•Mindset and habitual practices play a significant role in financial behaviors.
•Identifying and understanding the origin of money stories can lead to healthier financial behaviors.
•Overcoming money drama and reframing mindset is crucial for financial success.
•Personalized investing aligned with your passions and goals can lead to meaningful financial growth.

Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode.

About Marika Stimac:

I became a life coach with the intent of helping people unlock their best lives but quickly recognized how many people are held back by their financial insecurities. Now I am dedicated to empowering individuals to improve their financial literacy and feel confident in their ability to achieve their financial goals and live the life they desire.

@thefinancialconfidencecoach 
www.linkedin.com/in/marikastimac
www.facebook.com/marikastimac
www.pinterest.ca/thefinancialconfidencecoach/
www.thefinancialconfidencecoach.com
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The One Number Budget: Simplifying Financial Planning for Retirement with John Crane
29 June 2023
The One Number Budget: Simplifying Financial Planning for Retirement with John Crane

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! On this episode we’re joined by John Crane, a financial advisor and author of The One Number Budget. 

In the episode, Eric and John share their dislike of traditional budgeting—which Eric less-than-affectionately calls the “B-word”—and go through John’s exercise of finding the “one number” you need for this new budgeting concept.

In this episode we’ll talk about:
•Budget shaming and why it’s harmful
•Taking a lifetime approach to budgeting
•What it means to find your number and how to do it
•Importance of financially funded retirement
•Avoiding financial vampires
•Figuring out how to use accumulated wealth, create income, manage taxes, and avoid running out of money before running out of oxygen
•The concept of human life value and why it matters
•How Target has perfected the art of being a financial vampire and driving impulse purchases
•spending for love and how it can hurt your finances
•long term care insurance and how it can impact multigenerational planning

About John Crane:
Author, financial advisor, and retirement income planner John W. Crane has spent more than a decade providing personalized financial guidance to business professionals, corporate executives, and medical specialists, utilizing a comprehensive planning process to identify each client’s unique goals. He’s a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and has received top honors from the premier association of financial professionals, MDRT. A lifelong learner himself, John shares his expertise with students at hospitals and high schools throughout Washington, D.C.

www.cranefinancial.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/johncrane/
Visit dontretiregraduate.com for a full transcript of this episode.
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