Borrowing From the Future: The Hidden Cost of Early Withdrawals

More Americans are tapping their 401(k)s just to get by, and that trend carries consequences many don’t see coming. In this episode, Tony walks through why retirement accounts are increasingly treated like emergency ATMs, how the shift from pensions to 401(k)s changed long‑term planning, and why fi…

The Oscar You Can’t Sell: Who Really Controls Your Retirement Money?

  What if your retirement account isn’t really as “yours” as you think? Using an unexpected Oscar statuette analogy, this episode digs into who actually controls your 401(k), why taxes can quietly reshape your nest egg, and how “paper gains” differ from real-world outcomes. Tony breaks down qualif…

The Biggest Annuity Mistakes Retirees Don’t See Coming

Annuities get labeled a “bad word,” but the real issue is how little people understand what they’re buying. In this episode, Tony Jackson unpacks common annuity misconceptions, why two people can own the same type of product with very different outcomes, and where mistakes often happen before the p…

When Headlines Hijack Your Retirement Decisions

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn’t the market—but your emotions? In this episode of The Real Money Coach Podcast, Tony Jackson unpacks how headlines, fear, and financial “programming” can drive smart people into bad money decisions. From market volatility and FOMO to misconceptions…

Is Retirement Really a Money Problem—or a Confidence Problem?

Many people aren’t facing a retirement shortfall—they’re facing a confidence gap. In this episode, Tony Jackson responds to recent research highlighting why so many Americans feel unprepared for retirement, even after years of saving. The conversation focuses on the importance of having a written p…

The Retirement Assumptions That Can Cost You the Most

The biggest threats to retirement often come from assumptions we don’t even realize we’re making. In this episode of The Real Money Coach, Tony Jackson challenges common beliefs about longevity, health, inflation, markets, and taxes—and explains how those assumptions can quietly undermine retiremen…

Is 10% Enough for Retirement?

Is saving a flat 10% really enough—or even the right question to ask? In this episode, Tony Jackson challenges one‑size‑fits‑all retirement rules and shifts the conversation toward lifestyle, risk, and timing. The discussion explores how saving rates change over a career, why the “retirement red zo…

Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?

Living into your 80s and 90s is becoming common—but planning your money to last that long isn’t. In this episode of The Real Money Coach Podcast, Tony Jackson dives into longevity planning and the real challenges of stretching retirement dollars over decades. The conversation explores sequence of r…

What You Say in Your First Retirement Meeting Matters

Your first retirement meeting isn’t about numbers—it’s about you! In this episode of The Real Money Coach Podcast, Tony Jackson explores why mindset, honesty, and communication shape every financial decision that follows. The conversation looks at what really happens in an initial planning meeting,…

If Social Security Changes, What Does That Mean for Your Retirement?

What happens if Social Security pays less than expected? In this episode of The Real Money Coach, Tony Jackson examines growing concerns around the future of Social Security and what potential funding shortfalls could mean for retirement income. The conversation explores why relying too heavily on …