See The Forest Through the Trees

About See The Forest Through the Trees

Retirement planning, Social Security strategy, Roth conversions, and retirement tax planning are explained clearly for retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners. Hosted by Colin Exelby, CFP®, founder of Celestial Wealth Management and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), this podcast focuses on helping people make smarter retirement and financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies. Episodes cover topics including: • Social Security claiming strategies • How Social Security is taxed • Roth conversion planning • Retirement income strategies • Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) • Medicare IRMAA premiums • Retirement withdrawal sequencing • Tax-efficient retirement planning • Retirement mistakes and planning tradeoffs • Financial planning for business owners and retirees The goal is not fear-based financial media or generic investment commentary. The goal is helping people simplify complex retirement decisions and better understand how taxes, income planning, and long-term financial choices interact over time. Designed for people approaching retirement, already retired, or seeking greater financial clarity around Social Security, taxes, retirement income, and wealth planning. New episodes released regularly.

Publisher

Celestial Wealth Mgmt

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jan 2025

Latest episode

3 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

84 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Oct 2026

   When You Retire, Upgrade These 10 Things Before Telling Anyone

   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.From creating your own retirement paycheck and choosing when to claim Social Security to managing Roth conversions, reviewing insurance policies, and updating your estate plan, these are decisions that can have a major impact on your financial future.Complete Social Security Claiming Strategy Guide ➡️ https://celestialwm.com/social-security-guide/Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.#RetirementPlanning #RetirementTips #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #RetirementStrategy #SocialSecurity #RothConversion #RetirementSavings #RetirementTaxes #RetirementAdviceTopics covered regularly include:• Social Security claiming strategies • How Social Security is taxed • Roth conversion timing • Retirement withdrawal strategies • Tax-efficient retirement income • IRMAA and Medicare premiums • Retirement mistakes to avoid • Survivor planning strategies • Retirement planning for business ownersNo fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.00:00-Intro00:20-Your Paycheck01:41-Your Health Insurance02:30-Your Spending Money03:36-Your Tax Strategy04:45-Your Cash05:48-Your Beneficiaries06:58-Your Insurance07:55-Your Estate Plan08:43-Your Social Security Plan09:52-Your Survivor Plan➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/ ⬅️⬅️⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/joinRecommended Financial Planning Tools👇Budgeting...👇★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWMWealth Management...👇★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWMBookkeeping...👇★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWMAffiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.DISCLOSURESCelestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment and planning strategies discussed in this video and should understand that statements re

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   The 10 Cheapest States to Live in America in 2026

   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. We’ll also look at surprising results from states like Florida, Texas, and Maryland and explain why your location can have such a major impact on your retirement plan.More New Yorkers Are Moving to Philadelphia Than Any Other City, According to New Report: https://philadelphia.today/2026/09/new-yorkers-are-moving-to-philadelphia/#Retirement #CostOfLiving #RetirementPlanning #BestStatesToRetire #CheapestStates #RetirementTips #PersonalFinance #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #retiresmart 00:00-Intro01:22- 10th Cheapest State01:57- 9th Cheapest State 02:29- 8/7th Cheapest State 03:09- 6th Cheapest State 03:42- 5th Cheapest State 04:19- 4th Cheapest State 04:42- 3rd Cheapest State 05:05- 2nd Cheapest State 05:42- 1st Cheapest State 09:10- 5th Most Expensive State10:15- 4th Most Expensive State10:41- 3rd Most Expensive State11:09- 2nd Most Expensive State12:06- 1st Most Expensive State13:04- Cheapest vs Expensive State Side by SideColin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.Topics covered regularly include:• Social Security claiming strategies • How Social Security is taxed • Roth conversion timing • Retirement withdrawal strategies • Tax-efficient retirement income • IRMAA and Medicare premiums • Retirement mistakes to avoid • Survivor planning strategies • Retirement planning for business ownersNo fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/ ⬅️⬅️⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/joinRecommended Financial Planning Tools👇Budgeting...👇★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWMWealth Management...👇★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWMBookkeeping...👇★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWMAffiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.DISCLOSURESCelestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the p

3. 

   23 Sept 2026

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

   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.In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains how the 50% Social Security spousal benefit actually works, how your own benefit factors into the calculation, what happens if you claim early, and why delaying until 70 doesn’t increase the maximum spousal benefit. We’ll also look at how couples can coordinate their filing decisions and consider the impact on future survivor benefits.➡️ ➡️ Check out my comprehensive Social Security Guide: https://celestialwm.com/social-security-guide/00:00-Intro00:52-50% × Higher Earner's Full Retirement Age Benefit03:24-Current Spouse: Worker Must Be Receiving Benefits04:18-Waiting until 70 does not increase the 50% amount05:25-The early-filing trap: “up to” 50%06:38-Should the higher earner wait until 70?09:16-When the answer may change10:08-The five numbers to check before filing#SocialSecurity #SocialSecurityBenefits #SpousalBenefits #SocialSecuritySpousalBenefits #RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #SocialSecurityTips #RetirementStrategy #RetirementTips #SocialSecurity2026Colin Exelby, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, founder of Celestial Wealth Management, and creator of See the Forest Through the Trees (STFTTT), an educational platform focused on retirement planning, retirement tax strategies, Social Security analysis, Roth conversions, and financial planning for retirees and business owners.This channel focuses on helping retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners make smarter financial decisions through tax-aware planning, long-term thinking, and real-world retirement strategies.Topics covered regularly include:• Social Security claiming strategies • How Social Security is taxed • Roth conversion timing • Retirement withdrawal strategies • Tax-efficient retirement income • IRMAA and Medicare premiums • Retirement mistakes to avoid • Survivor planning strategies • Retirement planning for business ownersNo fear-based financial media. No hype. Just clear explanations and practical retirement planning frameworks.➡️ ➡️Free Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Here: https://celestialwm.com/ptpebook-go/ ⬅️⬅️⭐Support the Channel by Becoming a Community Member⭐ 👇https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13s0hQVkEv-azgzhOe8QXA/joinRecommended Financial Planning Tools👇Budgeting...👇★☆★ Rocket Money (originally called as TrueBill) ★☆★https://rocketmoney.sjv.io/CelestialWMWealth Management...👇★☆★Personal Capital ★☆★👇https://personalcapital.sjv.io/CelestialWMBookkeeping...👇★☆★Gusto Bookkeeping★☆★👇https://gusto.pxf.io/CelestialWMAffiliate Link Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy at celestialwm.com.Celestial Wealth Management LLC receives compensation from YouTube for the presence of advertising before, after, and during this video content. Celestial Wealth Management LLC does not control the content or presence of any advertisements. The presence of any advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the ad, company, entity, or product by Celestial Wealth Management LLC.DISCLOSURESCelestial Wealth Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser in the State of Maryland and Texas.Neither the information nor any opinion constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.This video is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person.Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments a

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

5,356,255

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

32

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

32

Contact See The Forest Through the Trees

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about See The Forest Through the Trees