NorthStar Capital Advisors

05/28/2026

4 Years to Liftoff: The Ultimate 2030 Retirement Checklist

Are you planning to cross the retirement finish line in 2030?

In rocket science, the final years before launch aren't about building a brand-new rocket from scratch -- they’re about rigorous stress testing, stabilizing systems, and calibrating the trajectory. The exact same rules apply to your wealth.

On the latest episode of Retirement Isn't Rocket Science, we break down a crucial 5-step mission checklist to ensure a flawless transition from accumulating wealth to safely spending it.

(Podcast link is in the comments)

Image Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

05/14/2026

12 Good Years? That's all you have in retirement?

Most retirement calculators solve for a 30-year mission. But there’s a biological reality many diligent savers ignore: The 12-Year Window.

Data shows that for most retirees starting at age 60, your years of peak physical capacity -- the "Go-Go" years -- typically begin to shift by your early 70s.

In this week's show, Dr. Chris Mullis dives into this provocative "12 Good Years" concept. The takeaway? Don’t treat your 60s as a rehearsal for your 80s.

Key Insights for Your Mission:

• The Spending Peak: Research shows spending actually peaks around age 75. It’s rarely about money; it’s about physical imitations.

• The Deferral Trap: Diligent savers often spend their highest-energy decade being overly cautious, effectively saving for an 85-year-old version of themselves who can no longer make the trip to Japan or New Zealand.

• Income is the Outcome: By structuring your nest egg into a predictable "retirement paycheck," you gain the confidence to say "YES" to the adventure now, while the sun is still shining.

Stop counting the pennies and start counting the weeks. You have roughly 624 weeks of high-capacity life left. How are you going to use them?

(Podcast link is in the comments)

Image Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

04/30/2026

Is a "Lazy" Rule Grounding Your Retirement Dreams?

For decades, the 4% Rule has been the gold standard for retirement spending. But in the "Briefing Room" this week, we’re challenging the status quo.

As a former scientist, Dr. Chris knows that if you don't use your fuel efficiently, you don't make it home. Retirement is no different. If you’re a supersaver with a 7-figure nest egg, sticking to a rigid 4% withdrawal might actually be your biggest risk.

Why? Because it often leads to two outcomes we hate:

#1 -- Running out of fuel.
#2 -- Ending the mission with a giant pile of cash you were too afraid to spend during your healthy "Go-Go" years.

We’re diving into new research that explores dynamic spending strategies -- like the "Endowment Method" and "Guardrails" -- that could safely boost your starting withdrawal rate to 5.7% or even higher.

The Mission Objective: Use "Mission Control" data to replace gut-feeling fear. You’ve done the hard work of saving; now give yourself the mathematical permission to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Tune in to RETIREMENT ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE to master your money and explore the mysteries of universe along the way.

(Podcast link is in the comments)

Image Credit: CTIO/NSF NOIRLab/AURA/H. Stockebrand

04/23/2026

We received this great audio question from listener Brett in LA regarding the Iran War and what we need to be doing in our portfolios.

Tune in to Episode #15 of RETIREMENT ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE to learn what you should be thinking with your investments to be ready and resilient.

And if you've got a retirement or financial question you'd like us to answer on the show, call Mission Control at 704-234-6550.

(Podcast link is in the comments)

04/16/2026

Is Avoiding Probate a Mission-Critical Necessity -- or a Myth?

In rocket science, we work tirelessly to eliminate friction. In retirement planning, most people view Probate as the ultimate source of friction -- something to be escaped at all costs.

But as we discuss in Episode #15, probate isn't necessary a planning failure. In fact, sometime you *want* probate. It provides a finality to creditor claims and clear guardrails for families who don't always see eye-to-eye.

Even "perfect" estate plans that don't need probate in up in court! Why?

(1) The Late Arriver: A new vacation home or account not titled in the trust’s name.
(2) The Refund Check: A tax or insurance refund made out to you personally after you pass.
(3) The Digital Ghost: Bitcoin or social media accounts without clear transfer paths.

Tune in to RETIREMENT ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE to master your money and explore the mysteries of universe along the way.

(Podcast link is in the comments OR search "Retirement Isn't Rocket Science")

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Mack (STScI), and J. Madrid (Australian Telescope National Facility)

04/10/2026

Ask Mission Control: Selling the Vacation Home Without the Tax Burn-Up

Justin asked a question many of our listeners face: "I’m selling my out-of-state vacation home. Which state gets the capital gains tax?"

The answer involves a bit of "tax gravity." Here is how you navigate the multi-stage launch of a property sale:

• The Law of Situs: The state where the dirt actually sits always gets the "first bite of the apple." They provided the roads and the emergency services; they want their cut.

• Stage 1 (Source State): You’ll likely file a non-resident return in the state where the property is located.

• Stage 2 (Home State): Your resident state generally taxes all income, but don’t panic—most states offer a credit for taxes paid to other states so you aren't double-taxed.

• Heat Shielding your Gains: Every receipt for that new roof, the deck expansion, or the kitchen remodel increases your cost basis, protecting your profit from being burned up by the IRS.

Pro Tip: Unlike your primary residence, vacation homes don't qualify for the $250k/$500k exclusion. This is a pure investment asset. If you’re facing a massive tax bill, it’s time to look at tax-loss harvesting or donor-advised funds to offset the gain.

Tune into to Episode #14 for the details.

04/02/2026

Is Your Rental Property a "Golden Goose" or a Part-Time Job?

Many diligent savers love real estate because they can touch the bricks. But in retirement, "passive income" often starts feeling like a high-maintenance mission.

In our latest episode, we break down why your "boring" brokerage account might actually be a more efficient engine for your retirement than a deed:

* The 3 AM Test: Your S&P 500 index fund will never call you because a pipe burst. At 65, do you want a return on investment, or a Return on Life?

* Concentration Risk: Having a massive chunk of your nest egg in one zip code or geography isn't diversification—it's a mission-critical vulnerability.

* The Data: From 1992–2024, the S&P 500 averaged ~10.4% annually, while the US housing market grew at ~5.5%. When you factor in realtor commissions, insurance and property taxes, the "juice" might not be worth the "squeeze."

Whether you're managing a multimillion-dollar portfolio or deciding the fate of a long-held vacation home, these insights are designed to help you navigate the "tax gravity" and "market nebula" with confidence.

(Podcast link --> search "Retirement Isn't Rocket Science")

Image Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA

09/25/2025

If you’re nearing retirement, ask yourself: - What costs could spike without warning? - Could you absorb them without changing your lifestyle? Here are some ideas for how to prepare.

How unexpected costs reduce retirees' savings.

09/18/2025

Shortfall in retirement isn’t always from bad investing. Often, it’s from life happening differently than planned. See how to build flexibility into your plan so you can adapt with more confidence.

How nest eggs shrink and how to protect yours.

09/11/2025

Your retirement plan might account for housing, health care, and hobbies. But what about helping adult children, surprise tax bills, or rising everyday costs? Learn the blind spots that catch many retirees off guard.

What most people miss about retirement expenses.