Perfect Game Retirement

Big Beautiful Bill Myths Debunked

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Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you’re getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let’s set the record straight on what this new bill didn’t actually do. In this episode, Ryan sets the record straight on some of the most misleading claims surrounding the new “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
⚠️ Six big myths people might believe about the Big Beautiful Bill
📉 Tax cuts aren’t universal, income limits and phaseouts still apply
🤔 What sounds like a benefit, might not be a benefit to everyone
🚗 Car loan interest deduction is real, but let’s look at the fine print
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Phone: (470) 508-0508
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What The “Big Beautiful Bill” Means for Your Retirement Plan

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A new tax bill has officially passed (you’ve probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, we’re focused on what it means for your retirement. The choices you make in the next year or two could have a significant impact on how much you keep and how much goes to Uncle Sam. In this episode, Ryan unpacks the key changes and why they matter for your retirement.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🌆 Good news for high-property-tax states
💵 Tax brackets extended, but don’t call them permanent
💰 “Senior Bonus” deduction… is this a good thing?
🧮 Social Security still taxed, despite misleading headlines
🔁 Roth conversions still alive, with no new limits, no income cap
 
Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/
Phone: (470) 508-0508
Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/
Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/
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Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

The 4 Things You Can Control in Retirement

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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. In this episode, Ryan breaks down the key areas where retirees actually do have control, and how leaning into those can make all the difference.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Why risk consistency matters more than averages
💸 Income streams you can count on
📊 How tax buckets change everything
🧠 Control Social Security’s role in your plan
 
Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/
Phone: (470) 508-0508
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Should You Gift Money While You’re Alive or Leave A Legacy?

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You’ve worked hard, saved well, and now you’re thinking about giving back—maybe to your kids, your grandkids, or a cause you care about. But should you wait and pass that wealth on later, or give while you’re still around to enjoy the impact? Let’s talk about how to make that decision with confidence.
In this episode, Ryan walks through the key considerations for making smart, intentional choices with your wealth, including understanding gift tax rules, weighing the emotional impact, and making sure your own financial foundation is solid before giving anything away.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
✨ $19,000 Gift Tax Exclusion
👀 See the Impact Now: enjoy watching loved one's benefit while you're here
🎓 Tuition gifting tip to avoid using gift limit
❤️ Clarify your “why” and what truly matters to you
💸 Smarter RMD strategies
 
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Phone: (470) 508-0508
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Retirement Breaking News: The 4% Rule Gets a Makeover

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The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? In this episode, Ryan breaks down what this new 4.7% number really means—and more importantly, what it doesn’t.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💸 Why the 4% rule isn’t dead—but it’s not magic either
📊 What the “new” 4.7% rule actually changes
🧾 Why income matters more than your nest egg
🛠️ How to personalize your withdrawal strategy
🎯 Why Ryan never leads with percentages in planning
 
👉Investor’s Business Daily article “The 4% Rule For Retirement Gets An Update. Here's The New Formula:” https://www.investors.com/etfs-and-funds/retirement/four-percent-rule-for-retirement-new-withdrawal-rate/ 
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Phone: (470) 508-0508
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The Lazy Way to Retire? Let’s Talk Target-Date Funds

Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? These funds promise convenience and automatic adjustments, but with so much riding on a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s worth asking—are they really helping you, or just keeping you on autopilot?
In this episode, Ryan explains how target-date funds work, why they’ve become so popular, and the hidden pitfalls that many investors miss.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💰 What $4 trillion in target-date funds means for investors
🗺️ Why "set it and forget it" may lead you off course
🎢 How risk and returns can vary wildly between fund providers
⏳ The danger of getting too conservative too soon
🔍 Smarter strategies as you near retirement
 
Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/
Phone: (470) 508-0508
Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/
Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/
Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://toolkit.blackoakam.com/podcast-toolkit.html 
Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Financial Lessons Parents & Grandparents Can Teach A New Graduate

Graduation season is an exciting milestone, not just for the grads, but for parents and grandparents who have supported them along the way. Today, Ryan wants to share practical ways you can help your graduate make smart financial decisions early, along with actions that could have a lasting impact on their future. Join us as we discuss ways families can pass on more than just good wishes.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🎓 Celebrate with wisdom, not just gifts
🏦 Teach saving vs. investing (and early!)
💳 Credit cards: tools or traps?
🧾 Roth IRAs and the magic of starting young
 
Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/
Phone: (470) 508-0508
Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/
Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/
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5 Ways Wishful Thinking Can Damage Your Retirement

A little hope is good for the soul, but when it comes to retirement planning, wishful thinking can lead to serious financial mistakes. Today, Ryan walks through five common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly damage your retirement and how you can build a plan that protects your future instead of relying on luck.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🏦 The myth of living off interest alone
📉 Why future tax rates might surprise you
🧓 Assisted living planning mistakes
🍽️ Retirement spending isn't always lower
🧳 The danger in counting on “just working longer”
 
Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/
Phone: (470) 508-0508
Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/
Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/
Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc
Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Market Strategy for Type A Investors: Why Doing Less Might Be Your Best Move

Today we’re talking about Type A personalities. If you’re driven, competitive, and goal-oriented, then you’re part of the club that often struggles during difficult markets. When things get tough, your instinct is to work harder, push more, and fix the problem. But in investing, that instinct can sometimes backfire. In this episode, Ryan explores how Type A investors can unintentionally sabotage their own success by overreacting to market swings.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💼 Why Type A traits clash with smart investing
📉 When doing less actually protects your portfolio
🧠 The psychology behind “fix-it” thinking
🧪 How stress testing your plan calms market panic
👥 Why working with the right advisor matters more than ever
 
Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/
Phone: (470) 508-0508
Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/
Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/
Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc
Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Why Your Emotions May Matter More Than Math

Most people believe financial success comes down to numbers, but the truth is your emotions and mindset may play an even bigger role than any spreadsheet ever could. In this episode, Ryan unpacks key lessons from Morgan Housel’s best-selling book The Psychology of Money, revealing how behavior, beliefs, and background shape our financial choices.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧠 Why no one’s crazy when it comes to money
💸 The danger of always chasing “more”
🤝 Why reasonable beats rational in real life
🏠 What paying off your mortgage early can reveal about emotional security
🛟 How to build margin for error into your plan
 
Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/
Phone: (470) 508-0508
Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/
Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/
Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc
Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI