My Retirement Clarity with Lee Perkins

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
What should you do when extra money, competing priorities, or a major life transition creates a financial decision you weren’t expecting? In this mailbag episode, Lee answers listener questions covering several common situations that can affect families before and during retirement. The right answer often depends on much more than a single account or financial rule. Looking at each decision within the context of the bigger plan can help prevent an easy choice today from becoming a regret later.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🏢 New Office: Lee shares an update on the new office and media room
🎓 Family Inheritance: Extra gifts can support college, retirement savings, or other family goals
💳 Managing Debt: Debt can be useful when the cost and overall strategy make sense
💵 Extra Cash: Bonuses can strengthen savings, investments, and future flexibility
🔄 401(k) Rollovers: Convenience isn’t always the best reason to combine retirement accounts
🎓 College vs. Retirement: Parents should be careful about sacrificing their own retirement
🏠 Downsizing: A smaller house doesn’t automatically mean a cheaper or better retirement option
Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

We have an exciting episode for you today! Lee sits down with Brian Roper to share the vision behind J.L. Perkins Wealth Management’s new space and how it will reshape the client experience. From expanded educational opportunities to creating more ways for clients to connect, the team is building with the future in mind. They also discuss upcoming workshops, thoughtful growth, and why financial planning should ultimately help people make the most of their next phase.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🏢 The vision behind the new office and what the expanded space makes possible🎓 More opportunities for financial education through the new Summit Center💰 Helping the next generation build stronger money habits earlier in life🤝 Creating deeper client connections through education, events, and community📈 Preparing for intentional growth while maintaining a comprehensive approach to planning
 Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

This week's episode is a little different.
Rather than discussing investments or retirement strategies, Lee takes a moment to reflect on gratitude, opportunity, and the perspective that shapes the way we experience life. Recording from his new office for the first time, he shares what the building truly represents: another opportunity to serve others and continue building something meaningful.
Lee also explores how gratitude can transform the way we view our circumstances and what makes America so unique despite its imperfections. As Independence Day approaches, this conversation serves as a reminder to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy, the people who sacrificed to protect them, and the countless opportunities available to each of us.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🏢 New Beginnings: Reflecting on growth and purpose
🙏 Gratitude: Perspective shapes your reality
🌟 Opportunity: The freedom to pursue your dreams
🇺🇸 American Freedom: Appreciating what we often overlook
🎖️ Those Who Serve: Honoring sacrifices for our freedom
 Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

Financial information has never been more accessible, yet many people are more confused than ever about what to do with their money. Lee explores why having access to endless opinions, headlines, podcasts, videos, and AI tools doesn't necessarily lead to better financial decisions. He also explains how retirees can cut through the noise and avoid getting stuck in a cycle of constant research without action.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💡 Information Overload: Knowledge doesn't equal wisdom
📱 Social Advice: Bad information spreads fast
🤖 AI Reality: Helpful tool, imperfect guide
🧠 Bias Bubbles: Algorithms reinforce beliefs
🧊 Analysis Paralysis: Research delaying decisions
🚫 DIY Danger: Don't do it alone
🎯 Stay Focused: Prioritize goals over headlines
Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

Summer's here. And somewhere between the excitement of planning a big trip and the anxiety of what it costs, a lot of retirees end up doing something that surprises us… they feel guilty about it. They worked hard, they saved, they planned for decades, and then they second-guess a beach vacation. Today, let's talk about how travel fits into a real retirement plan and how to enjoy it without guilt.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
✈️ Retirement is the time to enjoy the experiences you've spent decades planning for.
💰 Creating a dedicated travel fund can make spending feel intentional instead of stressful.
🧠 The psychology of spending often becomes more challenging once the paycheck stops.
🌎 Most retirees travel more in the early years of retirement and gradually slow down over time.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Many retirees are choosing experiences and family travel over simply leaving larger inheritances.
 
 Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
We're doing something a little different today. Three listeners wrote in with variations of the same question- am I ready to retire in 2026? Same question, three very different situations, three very different answers.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
📉 Why scary headlines can derail smart retirement decisions
🧠 The emotional side of retirement most people ignore
🏥 Medicare gaps and pension timing considerations
📺 How media fear impacts investor behavior
📋 Why a retirement plan helps prevent costly mistakes
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
If you want unfiltered financial advice, don’t just read a book, scroll the comments. Spend five minutes on Reddit or YouTube, and you’ll find people being brutally honest about what they wish they had done differently with money. Today, Lee breaks down some of the biggest financial regrets younger adults face and why small decisions early in life can quietly shape your future. The earlier you recognize these habits, the easier it becomes to build confidence, flexibility, and long-term financial stability.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💸 Start Early: Compounding rewards consistency💳 Credit Card Trap: Minimum payments create long-term debt🏦 Too Much “Safety”: Inflation quietly erodes cash🎁 401(k) Match: Free money gets ignored🧭 No Real Plan: Lifestyle creep steals opportunity
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
You spend decades building your savings, then retirement comes, and spending it feels harder than expected. Lee dives into why that shift is so difficult and what’s really going on beneath the surface. He looks at the real reasons people hold back. Without a plan and the right mindset, it’s easy to miss out on the retirement you worked so hard to build.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
⚠️ Fear of Running Out: Drives hesitation at any wealth level
🔄 Habit Problem: Saving mindset doesn’t turn off
🧠 Emotional Barriers: Past experiences shape behavior
💸 Guilt Factor: Legacy goals can limit enjoyment
📊 Plan Creates Confidence: Clarity makes spending easier
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
Your annual financial review might be the most important hour of your financial life, but only if it’s done right. In this episode, Lee breaks down what a great review should actually look like and why it should go far beyond just investment performance. The goal isn’t to check a box once a year; it’s to make sure your plan is still aligned with your life.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
📅 Annual Reviews Matter: One of the most valuable financial meetings you’ll have
💬 It Starts With You: The best reviews begin with what’s on your mind
📊 Beyond Performance: It’s not just about returns and benchmarks
🧾 Full Planning View: Taxes, income, goals, and life changes all matter
🤝 Advisor Value: A good advisor focuses on your life, not just your portfolio
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
There was a surprising retirement announcement tucked inside the State of the Union, one that could impact millions of Americans without access to employer-sponsored plans. In this episode, Lee shares his early reactions to the proposal, which introduces a government-managed retirement account with a potential federal match. He also shares a special announcement about his firm.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🏛️ Federal Match Idea: New proposal for $1,000 match
🧾 Plan Details: Government-run retirement account concept
🧠 Behavioral Reality: Free money doesn’t guarantee action
📊 Real Impact: May not move the needle for many
🎓 Next Gen Workshops: Teaching kids real-world money skills
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com