In this episode of Watts on Wealth, Barry Watts and Matt Dean discuss retirement lifestyle, travel, and the so-called “magic number” many people believe they need to retire comfortably.

Barry shares stories from his recent trip to Portugal, while Matt talks about upcoming travel plans of his own. Their conversation leads into a bigger retirement planning question: how much money will you actually need to live the retirement you want?

The team explains why a one-size-fits-all number, whether it’s $1 million, $1.46 million, or something else entirely, does not tell the full story. Your retirement number depends on your income needs, Social Security, pensions, investments, taxes, travel goals, healthcare costs, long-term care concerns, and how long your money may need to last. This episode also highlights WealthCare’s “sitting-on-the-porch number,” income planning to age 100, and why working with a retirement designer can help you better understand what your retirement may really require.

???? Want help building your own plan? Call 417-230-500 or text VISIT to get started.

Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM

078. Take the Trip, Make the Memories

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation

In this episode of Watts on Wealth, Amy Sharpe is joined by Barry Watts and Joey Ledford to discuss one of the biggest fears many Americans have about retirement: running out of money. They unpack why longer lifespans, fewer pensions, rising healthcare costs, long-term care expenses, Social Security uncertainty, and taxes can all create pressure on your retirement plan.

Barry and Joey also explain why retirement planning should look beyond simple account balances. The conversation covers income planning to age 100, Medicare and long-term care concerns, Social Security optimization, 401(k) and IRA decisions, and how working with a retirement designer can help uncover strategies people may not know are available.

The episode closes with listener questions about spending in retirement, maximizing versus optimizing Social Security, retiring early, continuing to work, and buying a dream retirement home. Throughout the show, the focus stays on building a plan that helps you understand your numbers, prepare for risks, and move toward retirement with more confidence.

???? Want help building your own plan? Call 417-230-500 or text VISIT to get started.

Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM



- 077. Retirement Tax Shock -

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation

In this episode of Watts on Wealth, Barry Watts, Amy Sharpe, and Jeremy Zickefoose discuss what retirement really means beyond finances alone. From building confidence in your financial future to understanding the importance of purpose, fulfillment, and preparation, this conversation explores both the emotional and practical sides of retirement planning.

The team also dives into retirement income, tax considerations, long-term planning, and why knowing what you’re retiring to can be just as important as knowing what you’re retiring from.

???? Want help building your own plan? Call 417-230-500 or text VISIT to get started.

Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM

- 076. Building Essential Retirement Income -

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation

In this episode of Watts on Wealth, Barry Watts and Jeremy Zickefoose break down what’s really happening with big tech, AI, and the noise surrounding “the end” of tech investing. While headlines try to stir fear, the reality is far more nuanced—and far more relevant to your retirement plan.

They also dive into why cookie-cutter financial advice fails, how true retirement planning should be customized to your life, and the risks of relying on outdated rules like the 4% rule. From Monte Carlo simulations to real-world income planning, this episode highlights the difference between guessing and actually knowing your numbers.

Plus, the conversation shifts to one of the biggest overlooked threats to retirement: healthcare and long-term care costs. With expenses potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, having a plan in place isn’t optional—it’s essential.



If you want clarity on your retirement, your taxes, and whether your current plan actually works, this episode lays out what to look for—and what to avoid.

???? Want help building your own plan? Call 417-230-500 or text VISIT to get started.

Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM

- 075. Healthcare Heist -

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation

In this episode of Watts on Wealth, Barry Watts and Joey Ledford answer real questions from listeners about retirement planning, business ownership, and financial decision-making.

They discuss how to prepare an exit strategy for a business, the difference between owning a business versus owning a job, and what actually makes a company valuable. The conversation also covers common financial concerns, including avoiding scams, evaluating long-term care decisions, and whether rental properties are a reliable source of retirement income.

Barry walks through the firm’s “Six Steps to Retirement Confidence,” explaining how income planning, tax strategy, risk management, and long-term care all work together to create a sustainable retirement plan.

The episode emphasizes the importance of having a structured plan, not just assumptions, and why working with experienced advisors can help uncover risks and opportunities that are often overlooked.

???? Want help building your own plan? Call 417-230-500 or text VISIT to get started.

Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM

- 074. Mailbag Questions -

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation

In this episode of Watts on Wealth, Barry is joined by his personal coach, Bill Kentling, to explore the powerful role coaching plays in both business and retirement planning. With decades of experience and insight, Bill shares why having the right guidance can make all the difference when it comes to navigating major financial decisions.

From tax strategies and Social Security timing to adjusting when life throws the unexpected your way, this conversation highlights how coaching helps turn uncertainty into clarity.

They also touch on the rise of AI in financial advice—and why, when it comes to something as personal as retirement, real experience and human guidance still matter most.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your plan will truly last—or how to move from guessing to confidence—this episode breaks down what’s possible with the right strategy and support.



???? Want help building your own plan? Call 417-230-500 or text VISIT to get started.

Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM

- 073. Coaching for Confidence -

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation

On this episode of Watts on Wealth, Barry Watts, Jeremy Zickefoose, and Amy Sharpe break down what’s really going on with recession fears, inflation, and the constant stream of economic headlines.

They explain why recessions are a normal part of the cycle, what stagflation actually means, and why most people don’t need to panic when the market shifts. The conversation also covers how to think about liquidity, why stopping 401(k) contributions can be a mistake, and how to position your retirement plan to handle uncertainty.

The focus stays on what you can control—your strategy, your risk level, and your long-term plan—rather than trying to predict the next headline.



Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM

- 072. The Retirement Paycheck Predicament -

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation

Bad financial habits are easy to ignore… until they start showing up in your retirement.

On this episode of Watts on Wealth, Amy Sharpe sits down with Barry Watts and Jeremy Zickefoose to talk through the habits that can quietly throw a retirement plan off course, from avoiding a budget and letting lifestyle creep take over to overlooking taxes, fees, and the real cost of waiting too long to plan. Along the way, they break down why confidence matters, how small decisions add up over time, and what it really takes to build a retirement you can actually enjoy.



Be sure to listen to Watts on Wealth with Barry Watts every Sunday at 8:30am on Springfield’s Talk 104.1 FM

- 071. Retirement Income Planning -

J. Barry Watts

Springfield’s WealthCare Corporation