The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast

Finding a Side Hustle in Retirement with Nick Loper

Ep 072: We've had clients in the past say to us, "I love being busy and I have a lot to offer – why not get paid while I do it?". The discussions of consulting, part-time jobs, and side hustles then come up as ways to make some money while retiring from our full-time careers. According to an article at Zapier, 40% of Americans have a side hustle in 2022, up from 34% in December 2020. So it’s getting popular, but what do we need to know about side hustles and how to get the right side hustle FOR ME? That's what this episode is about!
Our next guest's entrepreneurial journey began at an early age. In 2013, he started Side Hustle Nation and The Side Hustle Show podcast to begin spreading the gospel of this lower-risk brand of entrepreneurship. Through the blog and podcast, he's helped thousands of readers and listeners earn more money and start businesses of their own. The site is read by 2.2 million visitors a year, and 30,000 listeners tune into The Side Hustle Show each week. (WOW!) Please welcome Nick Loper to The Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Nick Loper! [3:11]
What is a side hustle and what are some popular side hustles out there today? [13:16]
How can someone figure out what they want to do as a side hustle? [18:39]
Looking at side hustle failures, what is it that causes the failure(s)? [25:51]
How can someone build a successful side hustle, but still retain control of their time? [33:12]
How will Nick define a Successful Retirement? [41:45]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [43:23]

Private Equity & Your Retirement - What Should You Know? with Rich Powers

Ep 071: Over the past few years, we've been hearing from our clients that they've heard about private equity and they wonder whether they should consider investing their own money into these sorts of strategies. So what is Private Equity? How does it work? WHO can invest in it? Private Equity is also impacting the state of Maine. During the past few years, we've talked to many business owners in the state and New England that are receiving (and sometimes accepting) offers from private equity funds to buy their businesses and combine them with other national, regional, and/or local businesses. Is this a good trend or should we be suspicious of these pools of money coming into the State? All of these things we'd like to cover in today's show!
Today's guest is the head of Private Equity in Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department. Our guest leads a team of experts responsible for the strategy, marketing, and investment support of Vanguard’s private equity offer. Please welcome Rich Powers to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Rich Powers! [3:10]
What is Private Equity? [13:36]
Who can invest in Private Equity? Why do certain investors like Private Equity so much? [22:26]
What are the stages of how a Private Equity fund works? [30:30]
How is Private Equity changing today and what does the future look like? [41:06]
What is some of the (fair or unfair) criticism of Private Equity? [43:51]
How will Rich find his own Retirement Success? [50:00]
Ben and Curtis conclude the conversation. [51:22]

How has COVID-19 Changed our Retirement Travel Plans with Keri Forbringer Hetherman

Ep 070: We've been having a lot of client meetings lately to discuss how 2022's investment volatility is impacting financial plans. One of the things we're hearing routinely is that our set of retirees can't wait to get back out in the world exploring after being cooped up for a couple of years. Especially for the newly retired! But the world of travel is different with a variety of new wrinkles, roadblocks, and requirements to be aware of. So, what are some tips, tricks, and hacks that allow us to overcome more smoothly some of these roadblocks when they present themselves?
Today’s guest is a Maine transplant, originally from St Louis, Missouri. After studying to be a diplomat, and a brief career as a teacher in Salzburg, Austria, she fell in love with the travel industry and its ability to connect people across countries and cultures. She pursued a Master’s in Tourism Administration with a focus on Sustainable Destination Development. Please welcome BACK to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast for a third time, Keri Forbringer Hetherman!
Chapters:
Welcome back, Keri Forbringer Hetherman! [3:28]
How has the world changed related to travel? [11:24]
What are some possible tips, tricks, and hacks to overcome travel challenges? [16:23]
What is the best way to negotiate airline travel right now? [26:36]
How has multi-generational travel grown as a theme? [31:00]
What are some things Keri’s clients have done to combat rising costs? [39:49]
How does Keri help her clients overcome their “fears” when traveling? [46:35]
How would Keri plan the perfect weekend in Maine for someone who has never been? [51:17]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [54:23]

Reinventing Yourself After Being Forced to Retire Due to Illness with Kim ”Kid” Curry

Ep 069: Disability is something many Americans, especially younger people, think can only affect the lives of other people. Tragically, thousands of young people are seriously injured or killed, often as the result of traumatic events. Many serious medical conditions, such as cancer or mental illness, can affect the young as well as the elderly. What is life really like when something happens to us? How do we reinvent WHO we are and what provides us purpose now that our life has changed due to a change in health status?
At the height of popularity for radio stations and DJs in the 70s and 80s, our next guest blazed a trail for himself as “Kid” Curry. His iconic, “Bed Check” segment, helped propel him to star status in Miami and it followed him during his 20-plus year path to his dream job of Major Market Program Director. Life was on track, but, Multiple Sclerosis had other plans. Our guest dismissed the early signs of the disease and continued with his optimistic outlook until a fateful round of golf led to the diagnosis that halted a lifelong career and extinguished his dreams. Here to tell his story is Kim “Kid” Curry! 
Chapters:
Welcome, Kim “Kid” Curry! [3:00]
What was the progression of Kid’s career in radio? [11:37]
What led to Kid’s sudden retirement and how did Kid approach it? [22:45]
How did Kid and his wife work to recompose their roles in the relationship after Kid’s retirement? [35:14]
What was Kid’s pivot from radio to writing like? [51:00]
How is Kid defining and living his Successful Retirement? [1:00:34]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [1:06:32]

How to Master Blending Your Family with Your Spouse’s Family with Nicole Odom-Hardnett

Ep 068: In its most basic sense, a blended family is one where the parents have children from previous relationships, but all the members come together as one unit.  Consider the statistics: Roughly 17% of people remarry after a divorce or the death of their first spouse, according to the Census Bureau. Adults who remarry later in life are more likely to bring significant assets to the new union, in the form of retirement savings, brokerage accounts, life insurance policies, and real estate. Understanding the basics of a blended family can be essential for ensuring your family can embrace its strengths and work through its differences. Many blended families successfully overcome these difficulties and become strong, supportive family units for every member. But how?
That's what our guest is here to share! She offers family and relationship coaching services as the founder of Talk To Nicole. Specializing in blended family dynamics, Talk To Nicole helps clients to achieve the life they want by building strong relationships and planning for a brighter future. She is the author of multiple books including Blended to Perfection, Dating Made Simple For Women, and the international best-sellers, Mom's Who Boss Up -Post Pandemic, and Cracking the Rich Code Vol 7. Please welcome Nicole Odom-Hardnett to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Nicole Odom-Hardnett! [4:06]
Nicole’s own experience with a Blended Family. [7:50]
What to do, and not to do, in the early stages of blending families. [22:38]
When blending families, what should people keep in mind regarding their assets, both today and in the future (estate planning)? [39:39]
What is Nicole’s personal definition of Retirement Success? [51:54]
Ben and Curtis conclude the episode. [53:26]

A Mother’s Journey Through Her Son’s Mental Illness, Addiction, and Suicide with Barbara Legere

Ep 067: The abuse of prescription opioids is a serious national crisis. While the opioid epidemic has been declared a national public health emergency, in Maine the situation is particularly alarming: Our state’s rate of opioid-related overdose deaths is among the highest in the country. As you may know from listening to our show, we attempt to find experts that look to provide solutions to real problems that our clients face or may face in retirement. So what do we do when our child, grandchild, spouse, or loved one becomes addicted to substances? How do we live with ourselves when a loved one commits suicide? 
When our next guest's son Keven begged her for permission to die, she refused. Keven had spent half his life struggling with addiction while his single mom battled courts, health care companies, rehab facilities, and mental health professionals in an effort to protect him. As their relationship strained and his drug use progressed, she was forced to accept and love Keven as he was in their limited time together—two years before his suicide. In her book, "Keven's Choice: A Mother's Journey Through Her Son's Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide," she tells the story of trying to navigate the dark worlds of her son’s substance use and depression while also addressing her complicated guilt and regret over how she handled it. In the process, she shines a light on the hidden anguish of countless parents taking care of children that society tells them to abandon. Please welcome Barbara Legere to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Barbara Legere! [3:24]
When did Barbara start to see signs of mental illness in Keven? [10:12]
Does tough love work in a situation like Keven’s? [19:39]
How do you manage money in a situation like Keven’s? Does the money help or cause more harm? [27:14]
What kind of barriers did the stigma against mental illness and addiction cause for Keven? [38:41]
What does Barbara think Keven’s lasting legacy is on this world? [49:09]
Ben and Curtis highlight the conversation. [57:56]

Selling Dead People’s Things with Duane Scott Cerny

Ep 066: It’s time to part with our things, or with a relative's things! How do we get the most value from them?  What about the collections that we've obsessed over during our lives, what should we do with those? Isn't that why people have estate sales, to just get rid of things all at once? We decided to seek out an expert in the vintage and antique marketplace to share the tips and tricks we can all use to get the most value from our things. That's the premise of today's show!
In 1988 our guest set off on an antique odyssey. From 1990 to 1998, he and his business partner Jeffrey Nelson operated The Wrigleyville Antique Mall (WAM), one of the first modern multi-dealer vintage stores in Chicago. He then wrote “Selling Dead People’s Things” which documents a slice of those early years of vintage retailing. Today, our guest is an owner of The Broadway Antique Market, home to 75 top dealers. It’s Chicago’s largest multi-dealer shopping destination. Please welcome, Duane Scott Cerny to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Duane Scott Cerny! [1:51]
How should we pre-plan our things in our wills and trusts, or other people’s things that we have inherited, that will allow us to get the most value for them? [14:45]
What are some issues with estate sales, and what can be done to improve them? [27:43]
What resources can people use to get better educated on selling their things and finding out if they have something of value? [32:25]
How have collections performed as an investment for those who have them? [39:31]
What are some items that may surprise people with their value? [51:36]
How will Duane define his personal Retirement Success? [55:00]
Ben and Curtis conclude the conversation. [58:52]

The Ins and Outs of Medicare with Jami Aleksiev

Ep 065: Today we turn 65! What's one thing that every retiree is eligible for when they reach age 65? Medicare, right? Of course, we had to wait for our podcast to be Medicare eligible BEFORE we'd do a Medicare episode. So how do we access Medicare? What are the steps to applying? What are the influences of paying more or less for the benefit?  How do we access Medicare as we age? How do I find the right mixture of Medicare coverages for me? What mistakes do people make when on Medicare? That's the premise of today's show!
Our next guest helps educate the public on how to maximize their Medicare benefits. She is the Community Services Manager at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. She's worked at EAAA since 2018. Before coming to EAAA, she spent 13 years working in the Mental Health field. She strongly believes in EAAA's mission and the work they do within the 4 counties they serve within the State of Maine. Please welcome Jami Aleksiev to the Retirement Success in Maine Podcast!
Chapters:
Welcome, Jami Aleksiev! [2:07]
What is the “experience” of claiming Medicare benefits? [6:41]
What are the differences between Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, and Medigap coverages? How do I know which coverage(s) I need? [15:40]
What questions should people be asking about Medicare? [26:04]
How do people adapt their coverage as they age or as their medical needs change? [28:24]
What has Jami’s experience been, with Mainers, regarding out-of-pocket healthcare costs in Retirement? [41:24]
What are common mistakes people make when they are new to claiming Medicare benefits? [44:20]
What will a Successful Retirement look like for Jami? [45:43]
Ben and Curtis wrap up the conversation. [48:27]