What’s Your Number? The Key to Selling Your Business Without Regret (Ep. 27 | Pt. 3)

What’s Your Number? The Key to Selling Your Business Without Regret (Ep. 27 | Pt. 3)

Thinking about selling a business is one thing; knowing what you actually need from it is another. How do you move from guessing a number to having greater clarity about your financial future and lifestyle? In this episode, Dan Reese breaks down Part 3 of the business exit series, focused on defining “your number” through …

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Life After the Sale: Designing Your Next Chapter Before You Exit (Ep. 26 | Pt. 2)

Life After the Sale: Designing Your Next Chapter Before You Exit (Ep. 26 | Pt. 2)

What happens when the title you have carried for decades suddenly disappears? How do you prepare for the emotional shift that comes after stepping away from your business? In this episode, Dan Reese, CFP®, continues the business exit series by focusing on the personal side of transition. He explains why identity, routine, and purpose play …

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Value Acceleration vs. Succession Planning for Business Owners (Ep. 25 | Pt. 1)

Value Acceleration vs. Succession Planning for Business Owners (Ep. 25 | Pt. 1)

Thinking about stepping away from your business someday? The real question is whether you are preparing to leave or preparing to grow. In this episode, Dan Reese, CFP®, kicks off a multi-episode series on exit planning for business owners. He introduces the concept of value acceleration as a proactive alternative to traditional succession planning and …

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What Really Happens Behind the Scenes in a Financial Planning Firm (Ep. 24)

What Really Happens Behind the Scenes in a Financial Planning Firm (Ep. 24)

Most people see one or two meetings a year and assume that’s the whole picture. But real planning is happening year-round, often when no one is sitting across the table. In this episode, Dan Reese, CFP, pulls back the curtain on how an annual service calendar guides financial planning throughout the year. He walks through …

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Roth Conversions for High Earners: Timing, Taxes, and Long-Term Control (Ep. 23)

Roth Conversions for High Earners: Timing, Taxes, and Long-Term Control (Ep. 23)

Retirement tax decisions often feel simple on the surface, but the ripple effects can last decades. The real question is not whether taxes will be paid, but when, how, and by whom. In this episode, Dan Reese, CFP®, walks through how Roth conversions, a taxable event, can fit into a broader retirement and estate plan …

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Are Business Owners Ready for the $14 Trillion Exit Wave? (Ep. 22)

Are Business Owners Ready for the $14 Trillion Exit Wave? (Ep. 22)

Most business owners say they feel prepared to step away, but available data suggests gaps in readiness. In this episode, Dan Reese breaks down insights from the National State of Owner Readiness Report and explains common areas where small and mid-sized business owners may lack preparation for a significant financial transition. With a large portion …

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The Risk of Following TikTok Finance (Ep. 21)

The Risk of Following TikTok Finance (Ep. 21)

Online platforms surface a steady stream of financial content, often from influencers whose guidance is not tailored to individual situations. In this episode of Ramp Up to Retirement, Dan Reese discusses the difference between broad online commentary and fiduciary planning, and how that gap can affect real retirement decisions. He walks through examples involving Roth …

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The $150,000 Gift That Derailed Their Retirement with Brent Oliver (Ep. 19)

The $150,000 Gift That Derailed Their Retirement with Brent Oliver (Ep. 19)

Mark and Susan thought they did everything right: no debt, over a million saved, markets trending up. But one well-intentioned gift to their kids set off a chain of financial consequences they didn’t anticipate. In this episode, Dan Reese is joined by Brent Oliver for a hypothetical case study exploring how using the concept of …

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The $1 Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands in Retirement (Ep. 18)

The $1 Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands in Retirement (Ep. 18)

Did you know that even one extra dollar of income in retirement may trigger higher taxes, Medicare premiums, or health insurance costs? This week, Dan Reese explains common retirement planning situations where a single extra dollar in income can unexpectedly spike your taxes, Medicare premiums, and insurance costs. From IRMAA surcharges to Social Security taxation …

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