A 2019 WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST SELLER – Job Optional* is a thoughtful and down to earth guide to retirement planning that offers unbiased, commonsense advice based upon the author’s experience as a retirement planning professional. It offers both a primer to the financial world as well as a step-by-step guide to planning your own retirement. It is written in terms that a newcomer to investing … investing can understand while providing all the pertinent information necessary to make informed financial decisions. It acts as a primer that takes a complicated topic and makes it accessible, while not diluting the information.
Interestingly, for a book about money, the first recommended step in financial planning has nothing to do with the stock market or annuities, but the need for an individual to have a life purpose. One’s goal should be to identify this purpose and to create a plan set out to organize your assets in such a way to most efficiently accomplish that end. Once this has been decided, the next step is into the world of finance.
This begins with an analysis of today’s investment risks. Once the risks are understood, specific strategies to overcome them are determined. A plan is created that ends with a final, written product. To do this, requires a solid understanding of the financial world and reading Job Optional makes this possible.
Five chapters deal specifically with financial concepts, strategies, and terms, ordered as an organized outline to the logical steps in retirement planning. These are: purpose-based asset allocation, liquidity planning, income planning, growth planning, and estate planning.
The book is a wealth of information as it describes the many elements and strategies of financial planning. Look here to learn about such things as the 4-percent withdrawal rule; strategies for interest-only, real-income, and guaranteed lifetime income; advice on watching your expenses; information on maximizing your legacy that includes basic IRA strategies; a list of basic documents such as powers of attorney and living wills; what to consider when choosing — or breaking up with — a financial advisor. The information is in-depth, detailed, and complete.
In places, and this is a strong point as this makes abstract financial concepts real and understandable and adds interest and color. The book takes a friendly, conversational, tone as the investment information is intertwined with stories taken from the author’s life, his parents’ lives, and his clients. Retirement brings with it its own set of life changes, challenges, and situations. The sharing of these stories makes financial planning real. It also underscores the book’s message that success isn’t money, but purposeful living, and that good financial planning will allow you to achieve this goal and be a success on your own terms.
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A great road map of helpful tips for a successful retirement. This book covers a wide array of topics, without feeling disjointed. The author, Casey Weade, does a good job of driving home his points and recommendations in a way makes sense, without leaving you feeling confusing. Job Optional left me confident in knowing the next steps I need to take in my transition toward retirement.
A great, straight forward, practical guide to wealth management!
I found Job Optional to have a refreshing look on a well written about topic. Utilizing personal stories that help drive his points and aid in digesting the material better, the author relays how to retire confidently, successful and more securely. Seldom dry, and often inspiring, he takes delves into the often overlooked emotional side of preparing to retire. Whether you’re looking to retire this year or in 10 years, this book is filled with truly great information to help you attain you goals.
This was truly an excellent and informative book that gave me lots to think about! One of the things I liked about this book is the way Weade uses real stories about his grandfather and his own financial decisions to make the book readable and less dry. This book is eminently interesting and packed with useful information.
Personally, I had not thought much about retirement – even though I’m almost 50 years old. This book has put me on a mental track where I’m thinking more about the future. Everything is covered here, from life insurance and annuities to income planning. I found reading this book to be a great investment in itself. It’s definitely worth the five star rating.
Super informative! Filled with sooooo much to think about in terms of retirement and planning. I had some reservations when I first pick it up, as I have a hard time staying focused on materials that are business, finance, or investment based, but by the time I finished this book, I had a better picture of the direction I wanted to go and the steps I need to take to get me there. Pleasantly surprised!
Casey Weade is a true giant in his field. This book is a testament to that. Job Optional is filled with great strategy and tactics to implement a purpose-driven retirement that will be not only extremely rewarding, but enable you to fully reap the rewards of all your hard work and efforts. Thanks Casey.
This really isn’t your typical finance book. The way Casey writes about purpose is truly inspiring and changed my perspective on the meaning of retirement!
I had no idea that my tax strategy now could affect my retirement cash flow. This book should be a must-read for business owners. Highly recommend.
Never thought about starting my retirement planning with figuring out what my purpose would be in retirement. Really lays a great foundation for the rest of the book. Great tips, information, and client stories. Makes it very real. HIGHLY recommend regardless of where you are in your retirement planning….young or young-at-heart…you need to read this!
This book really gave me a lot to consider in terms of what to implement and revise in my plan to retire. It’s coming up and now I have a clearer sense of what and how to accomplish to really feel secure when I transition. I would absolutely recommend this book.
Picked this book up at the airport and gave it a read on the plane. Good info and strategy. Recommend for those looking to retire or already retired.
A very informative book for a person that is thinking about retiring. This is a very simple book and easy to follow and understand. Great content material.
I rally got a lot out of this read. Plenty of good concepts and advise to securing a well-planned and meaningful retirement. Loved the author’s use of personal stories to drive his concepts home, really well done.
This is an amazing read. Love the way how Casey has explained everything with real-life examples. I would recommend to anyone planning to retire or to manage their finances in general. Great read.