See the Forest Through the Trees

See the Forest Through the Trees

@seetheforestthroughthetrees · 85K subscribers · 324 videos · English

Retirement planning, Social Security strategy, Roth conversions, and retirement tax planning are explained clearly for retirees, pre-retirees, and business o…

Episodes

11:15

Are You Secretly Wealthy? Net Worth by Age (Where You Really Rank)

5.4K views · 2d ago · 11:15

How does your net worth compare to other Americans your age? According to the latest Federal Reserve data, the average net worth for Americans ages 65–74 is nearly $1.9 million, but the median is just $431,300. So where do you rank?

Topics: What is Net Worth? · Average vs Median Net Worth · Net Worth Under Age 35 · Net Worth Age 35-44 · Net Worth Age 45-54 · Net Worth Age 55-64

13:52

Social Security at 62 vs 70? The Math Will SHOCK You

44K views · 1w ago · 13:52

Should you take Social Security at 62, wait until 67, or delay until 70? The difference could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout your retirement, but the traditional Social Security break-even calculation might be missing some of the most important factors.

Topics: The Traditional Break-Even Math · Why Waiting Can Still Be Valuable · What If Both Spouses Earned About the Same Amount? · What If You’re Single? · Don’t Forget Age 65 · If You’re Still Working

11:53

Never Leave Money To Grandkids: Instead do This!

8.5K views · 2w ago · 11:53

Leaving money to your grandchildren is one of the greatest gifts you can give, but making the wrong estate planning decisions could leave them with unexpected taxes, legal complications, or an inheritance they aren't prepared to manage.

Topics: Mistake One Confusing the Gift Tax Rule With a Medicaid Rule · Mistake Two Naming a Minor Directly Without a Plan · Mistake Three Treating an IRA Like Ordinary Cash · Mistake Four Adding a Grandchild to the Deed

12:40

When You Retire, Upgrade These 10 Things Before Telling Anyone

18K views · 3w ago · 12:40

Retirement changes more than just your daily routine. Once your paycheck stops, the way you manage your money, taxes, healthcare, and investments needs to change too. In this video, Colin Exelby explains10 important financial upgrades you should make when you retire to help protect your savings, reduce unnecessary taxes, and make your retirement income last longer.

Topics: Your Paycheck · Your Health Insurance · Your Spending Money · Your Tax Strategy · Your Cash · Your Beneficiaries

15:49

The 10 Cheapest States to Live in America in 2026

5.7K views · 1mo ago · 15:49

Which states are the cheapest—and most expensive—to live in America in 2026? In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down the latest cost-of-living rankings, comparing housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other everyday expenses across the country. You’ll see why Oklahoma ranks as the cheapest state, why Hawaii sits at the other extreme, and how a lifestyle costing $60,000 in Oklahoma could cost nearly $133,000 in Hawaii.

Topics: 10th Cheapest State · 9th Cheapest State · 8/7th Cheapest State · 6th Cheapest State · 5th Cheapest State · 4th Cheapest State

11:47

The 50% Social Security Spousal Benefit: Why You Can’t Collect Both

27K views · 1mo ago · 11:47

Social Security spousal benefits can be confusing, especially when you hear that you may be eligible for up to 50% of your spouse’s benefit. But that doesn’t mean you receive half of your spouse’s check on top of your own benefit.

Topics: 50% × Higher Earner's Full Retirement Age Benefit · Current Spouse: Worker Must Be Receiving Benefits · Waiting until 70 does not increase the 50% amount · The early-filing trap: “up to” 50% · Should the higher earner wait until 70? · When the answer may change

12:13

Retirees, Stop Paying Cash for Your Car - The Real Reason

111K views · 1mo ago · 12:13

If you’re retired and thinking about paying cash for your next car, you may want to reconsider before writing that check. Paying cash might feel like the financially responsible choice—no monthly payment, no interest, and no debt. But depending on where that money comes from, paying cash could actually cost you significantly more than you realize.

Topics: Don't Tell The Dealer You're Paying Cash · Negotiate the Car: Not The Payment · Sometime Financing Makes the Car Cheaper · The $50,000 Car Can Turn Into a $70,000 Car · This is Where Retirement Planning Changes the Answer · How I'd Actually Buy the Car

12:38

How Much Should You Be Investing If You Have a Pension?

68K views · 1mo ago · 12:38

If you have a pension, how much do you actually need to invest for retirement? Do you still need to save 15%, 20%, or even 25% of your income—or could your pension mean you're already saving enough? In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains how to look at your pension, Social Security, 401(k), IRA, and other investments as one complete retirement plan.

Topics: Your Pension Has a Value · Your Pension Can Change · Should You Save Less · Why I Still Like Saving Even With a Pension · Could You Save Too Much · The Calculation

7:29

Is the S&P 500 All You Really Need in Retirement?

4.3K views · 2mo ago · 7:29

Many investors believe an S&P 500 index fund gives them all the diversification they need. After all, owning the S&P 500 means owning approximately 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States. But the S&P 500 is market-cap weighted, and its ten largest companies now represent a significant portion of the entire index.

Topics: How The S&P 500 Actually Works · What is Fund Overlap? · What the Fund Data Doesn't Tell You · Analyze Your Fund Holdings · Compare Current vs Intended Allocation · Examine Diversification Within Equities

12:50

6 "Assets" That Are a Complete Waste (Rich Retirees Never Buy These)

4.9K views · 2mo ago · 12:50

Some purchases can make you look wealthy while quietly reducing your financial freedom. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains six purchases that wealthy retirees tend to approach carefully—not because they refuse to spend money, but because they understand the difference between intentional spending and permanent financial obligations.

Topics: Retirement Changes the Question · Vacation Home · Timeshares · High-Fee Annuities · High-Fee Mutual Funds · Luxury Car Leases

14:23

3 Biggest Tax Mistakes Many Retirees Make (Real-World Examples)

1.8K views · 3mo ago · 14:23

A retirement tax strategy can look smart on its own and still create a larger tax bill somewhere else. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains three common retirement tax mistakes: failing to use the 0% long-term capital gains bracket, triggering the Social Security tax trap, and converting too much—or too little—from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Topics: Unrealized Tax Planning Mistakes · Topics Covered In this Video · What is See the Forest Through the Trees? · Mistake #1: Wasting the 0% Capital Gains Rate · Mistake #2: The Social Security Tax Trap · Social Security Taxation Guide

13:18

Your Social Security Check Isn’t Fixed — 5 Ways to Increase It

2K views · 3mo ago · 13:18

Your Social Security estimate may not be as fixed as you think. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains five ways you may be able to increase your Social Security benefit—even if you are already in your 60s or have started collecting.

Topics: 5 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Benefit in 2026 · How social security is calculated · Check your earnings record · Replace zero earning years · Replace low earning years · Change when you claim

6:58

Once You Understand This, You'll Stop Working Past 58

5.3K views · 4mo ago · 6:58

Many people assume the goal of retirement planning is to accumulate as much money as possible. But there comes a point when continuing to work may no longer improve your life—it may simply exchange some of your healthiest years for additional wealth you may never need.

Topics: Once You Understand This, You'll Stop Working Past 58 · The equation changes at 58 · The hidden cost of working longer · Time become more valuable · Retirement isn't just about money · Waiting for the perfect market

9:09

Give Me 10 Minutes and I'll Make You Confident Enough to Retire

5.4K views · 4mo ago · 9:09

If you've ever wondered, "Am I really ready to retire?", this video is for you. Many people don't retire too late because they don't have enough money—they retire too late because they lack confidence in their retirement plan. In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains how to build retirement confidence by stress testing your financial plan, practicing your retirement income strategy, and understanding the key decisions that create long-term financial security.

Topics: Give me 9 Minutes and I'll Make you Confident in Retirement · The one more year trap · Confidence comes from the proof · Stress testing the plan · Practice retirement before you retire · Give your money a purpose

15:48

IRS Releases NEW 2026 Tax Brackets - What Retirees & Seniors Need To Know

86K views · 4mo ago · 15:48

The IRS has released the new 2026 tax brackets, standard deductions, and inflation adjustments that will affect retirees, seniors, and pre-retirees. But understanding your tax bracket is only part of the story. Many retirees accidentally pay more taxes than necessary because they overlook how IRA withdrawals, Roth conversions, Social Security taxation, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and retirement income planning all interact with one another.

Topics: IRS Releases NEW 2026 Tax Brackets · Why Retirement Taxes Are Becoming More Complicated · The New Senior Deduction Could Save Thousands (If You Qualify) · The Hidden Retirement Tax Trap Nobody Talks About · The Social Security Tax Problem · SALT

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