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Flat-Fee Financial Advisor for DIY Investors
Create Sustainable Retirement Income, Optimize Social Security, and Reduce Retirement Taxes
Building a Resilient Retirement Income System
Practical guidance for DIY investors approaching or living in retirement—covering retirement income, taxes and healthcare, portfolio construction, and the risks that can derail a retirement plan.


Portfolio Diversification: Building a Truly Diversified Portfolio
Many DIY investors confuse the number of funds (or stocks) they own with true diversification, leaving them exposed to hidden concentration risk. True diversification requires assets that respond differently to economic shifts—owning investments that zig when others zag. Discover the critical difference between asset quantity and asset correlation, learn how alternative assets like managed futures shield wealth, and explore three actionable portfolio models built for long-ter

John Macy
Sep 15
Widow's Tax Trap: How Taxes Can Rise in Retirement
When a spouse passes away, household income often drops—but their tax bill can unexpectedly skyrocket. Discover why the hidden "widow's tax trap" catches so many retirement-age couples off guard and how proactive wealth management can shield your surviving partner.

John Macy
Aug 22


Building a Retirement Plan That Withstands Market Crashes
Retirement isn't about predicting the future—it's about preparing for it. This capstone article in the Retirement Risk Management Series brings together the key lessons from the previous eight articles into a practical framework for building a resilient retirement system. Learn how secure income, diversified investing, flexible withdrawals, tax planning, insurance, and healthy living work together to strengthen long-term retirement security.

John Macy
Jul 26


Best U.S. Dividend ETFs for Retirement Income and Growth
Looking for reliable retirement income? Simply chasing the highest dividend yield can be a costly mistake. In Part 1 of our dividend series, we analyze 10 top domestic dividend ETFs—including SCHD, DGRO, and VYM—using a professional multi-variable scoring model. Discover how to balance current cash flow, long-term growth, and risk to build a resilient, low-volatility portfolio tailored to your unique financial goals.

John Macy
Jul 15
How to Safely Withdraw More Than 4% in Retirement
Tired of the rigid 4% rule forcing you to work years longer? Discover how flexible spending strategies like Guyton-Klinger and Vanguard can safely boost your retirement withdrawal rate to 5%–6%. Learn how a guaranteed income floor acts as a lifestyle shock absorber, allowing you to retire earlier with a smaller nest egg or spend more during your peak active retirement years.

John Macy
Jun 17
How to Build a Secure Retirement Income Foundation
Don’t let market volatility dictate your peace of mind in retirement. Learn how the safety-first "Income Floor" strategy secures your essential living expenses with reliable, guaranteed income streams like Social Security, TIPS ladders, and immediate annuities—leaving you free to enjoy your discretionary wealth without the fear of running out.

John Macy
Jun 15
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