FOMO, YOLO, and the Joy of Missing Out in Retirement

What if missing out is actually the goal? In this episode of Michigan’s Retirement Coach, Mike Douglas explores how FOMO, YOLO, and the rising idea of JOMO—the joy of missing out—show up in retirement decisions. The conversation looks at how emotional mindsets shape spending, saving, investing, and…

Start at the End: Rethinking Retirement Before It Starts

What if retirement planning worked more like a Quentin Tarantino film—starting at the end and building backward? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Michigan’s Retirement Coach Mike Douglas explores the idea of beginning with the end in mind and how assumptions about longevity, hea…

The ABCs of Estate Planning Most Families Get Wrong

Most estate planning problems don’t come from what people forget to do—they come from what they assume is already done. In this episode of Michigan’s Retirement Coach, Mike Douglas breaks down the ABCs of estate planning, starting with assets, beneficiaries, and coordination. The conversation cover…

Gold Is Soaring—Should You Be Nervous or Confident?

Gold and silver are surging—but does that mean they belong at the center of your retirement plan? In this episode of Michigan’s Retirement Coach, certified financial planner Mike Douglas breaks down why precious metals are in the headlines, what’s driving today’s demand, and how gold and silver act…

When Market Volatility Meets Retirement Reality

Market volatility doesn’t just rattle portfolios—it can expose gaps in retirement income planning. In this episode of Michigan’s Retirement Coach, pulled from this past weekend’s radio show, Mike Douglas breaks down why diversification means more than stocks and bonds. The discussion explores incom…

The Retirement Expense Nobody Plans For—Until It Hits

One surprise expense can throw a retirement budget into chaos—and it’s rarely the one you expect. Michigan’s Retirement Coach Mike Douglas breaks down why unplanned costs are so common in retirement and how they quietly disrupt even well‑built plans. From home repairs and medical issues to liquidit…

Retiring in 2026? The Decisions That Matter Now

If 2026 is your retirement year, the clock just got louder. From this past weekend’s radio show, Michigan’s Retirement Coach Mike Douglas walks through the decisions that matter most when retirement is close enough to touch. The conversation covers shifting from investing to income, building a fina…

Should You Use Your 401(k) to Buy a House?

Should buying a home come at the expense of your retirement future? In this episode of Michigan’s Retirement Coach, Mike Douglas tackles the growing idea of tapping a 401(k) to purchase a house and why it’s more complicated than it sounds. The conversation explores rising home prices, shrinking sta…

The Retirement Red Zone: Why “Winging It” Can Backfire

Retirement can sneak up like a downhill skier with no brakes. In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Michigan’s Retirement Coach Mike Douglas uses sports analogies, real client stories, and market history to explain what happens when retirees enter the “red zone” without a plan. The c…

The Real Difference Between Wealth and Confidence

Having more money doesn’t automatically bring more certainty. Mike Douglas explores why financial confidence often has less to do with account balances and more to do with understanding how money works in retirement. Using high-profile examples and everyday scenarios, this episode focuses on educat…