Financial Flight Plan Podcast

What's Changing in 2026 (And Why It Matters to Your Money)

What’s new in 2026 for retirees & pre-retirees? From Social Security and Medicare to tax breaks and retirement contributions, this year brings several updates that could quietly impact your cash flow, taxes, and savings strategy.
 
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

What White Christmas Teaches Us About Retirement

Before you rewatch White Christmas this season, remember that buried in the songs and snowstorms are some surprisingly good retirement lessons. Let’s pull a few gems from Bing Crosby and the gang.
 
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

What Thanksgiving Traditions Teach About Retirement

From the Macy’s parade to carving the turkey, Thanksgiving traditions can teach us a lot about what makes a great financial plan. Let’s match some of the most loved parts of the holiday with the money lessons they represent.
 
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

Retirement Health Care Costs Just Jumped Again (2025 Update)

Fidelity just released their 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate. The number is staggering: $172,500 for a 65-year-old retiring today. The bigger problem? One in five Americans haven’t even thought about health care costs in retirement. Today we’ll break down what this means, why it matters, and how to prepare.
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

The Hidden Medicare Penalty You Might Be Paying

Think Medicare is free once you hit 65? Not quite. If your income’s too high, there’s a hidden surcharge that can quietly shrink your Social Security check by thousands a year. It’s called IRMAA. And most people don’t see it coming. Let’s break down who’s impacted and how to avoid it.
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

If I Won’t Live to 90, Should I Claim Social Security Early?

If your parents passed away relatively young, it’s only natural to wonder whether you’ll follow the same path. And from a financial standpoint, does that change how you should approach things like retirement planning and when to draw Social Security benefits? We’ll answer a listener’s question on this exact topic on today’s episode.
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

Gen X, It's Your Turn to Think About Retirement

Cue the mixtape of Nirvana, Madonna, and Prince… Gen X, it’s your turn to get ready for retirement. And the stakes are high. You were the first 401(k) generation, hit by two major market crashes, and now you’re entering retirement with more financial uncertainty than the Boomers before you. But you also have something else: resilience. If you're in between your mid-40s and early 60s, it’s time to get serious about what retirement will look like for your generation.
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

Control the Controllables

Markets crash. Taxes shift. Congress waffles on Social Security. You can’t control any of that. And stressing over it won’t help. What will? Focusing on the four things that actually move the needle in retirement.
 
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

Tactile Management vs Passive Management: What's Right for You?

If you’ve ever felt uncertain about what your investment strategy should look like, especially in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape, you are absolutely not alone. One of the most common questions Brie hears from clients is: “Should I just invest in index funds and ride it out?” or “Should someone be adjusting my portfolio as the market shifts?” Today’s episode is going to help you answer that question.
 
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402

Looking Back at Past Market Meltdowns

It's been a volatile month. And if you’re feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. But how we respond in moments like this often has roots in the crashes we’ve lived through before. In this episode, we look at how past market meltdowns shaped investor psychology, how today’s chaos might be leaving its own mark, and what lessons we can take with us to navigate what’s next.
 
Important Links:
Website: https://www.estesfinancial.net/
Call: 817-444-8402