Stage Ready Financial Planning

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Stage Ready Financial Planning

Fee-only wealth management for Dayton and Southwest Ohio retirees, designed to handle the math so you can enjoy the music.

Stage Ready Financial Planning provides fee-only wealth management for retirement savers over age 50 and retirees in Dayton and Southwest Ohio. You’ve spent decades saving and preparing for this stage of life, but as retirement nears, the "noise" of complicated tax codes and market volatility can feel overwhelming. You shouldn't have to be your own full-time analyst. Stage Ready Financial Planning

believes that a great retirement plan isn't just about the accounts you own; it’s about how they work together. As a fee-only fiduciary, my focus remains solely on you. Stage Ready Financial Planning specializes in helping Dayton and Southwest Ohio families orchestrate their wealth. I don't just "manage accounts"; with the help of your CPA and Attorney, I coordinate your taxes, investments, and goals into a single, high-performance plan. From tax-efficient withdrawal strategies to risk-tuned portfolios, I provide the steady hand needed to ensure every financial move stays in step with your vision. Stage Ready Financial Planning handles the math, so you can enjoy the music. JOSEPH A ECK, CFP®
Owner & Financial Planner

Since 2015, I have helped families in Dayton and Southwest Ohio harmonize their financial resources with their retirement dreams. Before founding Stage Ready Financial Planning, I served as a Financial Planner at a large firm, where I realized that retirees deserved a more personal partnership—one that orchestrates a plan to stay "in step" with their lives. With a background in music education and over a decade of experience in financial planning, I believe a confident retirement begins with understanding. I don’t just manage portfolios; I "handle the math" and teach the strategies behind it so you can make informed, great decisions about your future. My mission is to combine my love for teaching with a passion for financial freedom, ensuring your investments are tuned to support your lifestyle. In addition to my years of experience, I've earned degrees from Wright State University, and the University of Houston, along with an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Xavier University. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and a member of the XY Planning Network and NAPFA,
I am committed to the highest fiduciary standards. My wife Kristen and I live in Oakwood with our dachshund pups, Lily and Henry. When I’m not "at the podium" helping clients, you can find me enjoying music, fitness, the ocean, grilling with friends, and spending time with my family.

06/22/2026

How much should I be savings if I want to retire in Ohio at 65 with a gross annual income of $100,000?

Let's assume a married couple expects about $50,000 a year in combined Social Security benefits. To cover the remaining $50,000 gap, they'll need a portfolio in the ballpark of $1 million by the time they retire.

Assuming their investments are earning an average 7% return, how much they need to save really depends on when they start saving.

- Starting with $0 at age 20: $292/mo (3.5% of income)

- Starting with $0 at age 30: $603/mo (7.2% of income)

- Starting with $0 at age 40: $1,318/mo (15.8% of income)

- Starting with $0 at age 50: $3,316/mo (39.8% of income)

Those targets at age 40 and 50 can look pretty intimidating. But you're probably not starting your retirement savings journey at that point in life.

You’ve accumulated a balance in your 401(k), built up some home equity, and have a company match doing a chunk of the heavy lifting for you. So if you're feeling behind, don't panic. Just assess where you are and what might help get you closer to where you want to be.

I just published an article that breaks down when you should start planning your retirement based on your age, and how to identify your next best step.

👇 Link in the comments

06/15/2026

You’re in your mid-50s or early 60s and your kids have finally moved out. Your income is the most comfortable it's ever been and your tax bracket is also the highest it's ever been.

You're thinking seriously about retirement, but are you taking full advantage of what the IRS lets you contribute and deduct after age 50?

In 2026, the basic 401(k) contribution limit is $24,500. If you're 50 or older, you can make an extra $8,000 catch-up contribution. And if you're between 60 and 63, the Secure Act 2.0 lets you bump it to $11,250.

Also, if you have a Health Savings Account, you can save an extra $1,000 starting at age 55.

When you pay down your debt and the college tuition bills stop, it's tempting to redo your kitchen, get that new car you've wanted, and take some extra trips. And you absolutely should use your money for things that bring you joy.

But don't look past tax-savings and retirement-boosting opportunities if you aren't fully confident you're on track for your ideal next stage. 🎻

I just broke down a checklist of what to focus on in your 50s versus your 60s to transition smoothly into a predictable retirement paycheck.

👇 Link in the comments

06/08/2026

I was talking with a client recently who was kicking herself because of a Roth conversion she did a few years ago.

She was pretty convinced she’d handed herself a life sentence of permanent, high Medicare premiums because that conversion spiked her income.

And then we talked about this bit of education that changed her outlook: IRMAA isn't a life sentence. 🎉

Medicare re-checks your income every single year. So yes, she’ll have to pay the surcharge in 2026 because of that 2024 conversion. But now that she's retired and has less income, those surcharges will eventually fall off.

I hate seeing people feel guilty for making smart long-term moves like Roth conversions just because of a short-term Medicare rule. As a former teacher, I love helping people find peace of mind by just explaining how the game is played.

I just finished a guide that breaks down exactly how these recalculations work and what you can (and can't) appeal.

⬇️ Link in the comments

06/01/2026

Over the past few weeks, I've been helping an awesome client move a small taxable account away from a local bank that was hitting her with high fees and had over 20 expensive mutual funds. 🛑

We moved the money to Altruist and I really wanted to sell everything and reinvest it in Vanguard ETFs.

BUT... she's right on the cusp of Medicare IRMAA. If I sold all those funds, the capital gains would push her over the cliff. She’d save some investment fees, but her health premiums would spike in two years.

Even though I really wanted to fix her investments, I'm glad I slowed down.

Medicare premiums for 2026 are based on what you made in 2024. If your income was over $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint), you pay more for the exact same insurance, basically like an extra tax.

IRMAA isn't the end of the world and it's not permanent, but I think it’s worth avoiding if the math says you can.

I just finished a guide on 8 ways to manage or appeal these surcharges.

👇 Link in the comments

05/25/2026

Dayton & Southwest Ohio - I’m a pretty private person, and it seems like many of my clients are too...

Which is why it's important to understand that if you rely only on a Will for your estate plan, your private business eventually becomes public record. 🎉

When your Will hits the probate court in your county, it’s an open book. Anyone can see what you owned, who you owed money to, and exactly who's getting your stuff.

This is a big reason I recommend talking to an attorney about a Trust to the families I serve who really value privacy. Unlike your Will, a Trust stays off the public record and skips the court process entirely.

I just finished a side-by-side comparison of Wills vs. Trusts in my latest blog article.

👇 Link in the comments

05/18/2026

Dayton & Southwest, Ohio - Did you know that if you spend $2,500 on a beautifully drafted Trust to save your family stress and time, and don't actually move your accounts into it (or name it as a beneficiary), it’s just an expensive stack of paper? 🤔

I run into this situation pretty regularly:

Someone works hard to get a trust drafted, signed, and notarized. They put the huge binder the attorney gave them on their shelf and are thankful to have that task checked off the list.

But they've left out the most important part... retitling their house, cars, bank accounts, etc....or even just making the trust their beneficiary.

If your accounts and property are still in your name when you pass away, they’re probably heading to probate court....which is exactly what you paid the attorney to avoid.

If you have a trust, do yourself a favor and double check that things are actually titled in the name of trust. Or at least just make sure you've named the trust as your beneficiary.

I know it's boring and tedious, but it’s the only way your estate plan actually works. 🎻

For more helpful estate planning ideas, check out my latest blog article. Link in the comments ⬇️

05/11/2026

Plan on regularly traveling outside of Southwest Ohio in retirement? ⛰️

A lot of my clients in Dayton lean toward Medicare Advantage plans because of the $0 premiums and extra perks like dental coverage.

But If you want to visit your grandkids in California or go hiking in the Pacific Northwest, you might find yourself out-of-network for anything other than an emergency. In 2026, some of these bundled Advantage plans charge as much as 50% of the cost for out-of-network care.

Traditional Medicare works with any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. You don't have to check a network map before you leave town.

If you're working with a retirement healthcare consultant, be sure to tell them about your travel plans before you sign up!

I've recently published an article about how to plan your retirement healthcare strategy.

👇 Link in the comments below

05/04/2026

When I meet with families in Southwest Ohio who want to retire in their late 50s or early 60s, some version of this question usually comes up:

"Joe, how on earth am I going to pay for health insurance until I hit 65?" 🛡️

The fear of a $1,500 monthly premium is the only thing keeping them at their desk when they want to leap into retirement.

The good news is that you have a couple of different ways to find affordable health coverage before Medicare kicks in:

1️⃣ Spousal Coverage: Joining a spouse’s plan is usually the most cost-effective move if they're still working.

2️⃣ COBRA: You can keep your current employer coverage for 18 to 36 months. You’ll pay the full premium plus a small fee, but it keeps your doctors and deductibles in place.

3️⃣ Government Stipends: I regularly walk through specialized health options for my clients in OP&F, OPERS, STRS, SERS, and FERS.

4️⃣ ACA Marketplace (healthcare.gov): This is where your investment strategy matters. In 2026, if you can keep your reportable income under certain thresholds by pulling from brokerage or Roth accounts, you can qualify for significant tax discounts on your premiums.

I’ve recently broken down the 2026 retirement healthcare planning rules and common enrollment pitfalls in my latest blog article.

👇 Link in the comments

04/20/2026

If you’re hunting for a retirement home this spring, think about your 20-minute radius.📍

I really love living in Dayton. Between a Dragons game and an evening at the Schuster Center, our town has so much to offer and it’s easy to get around.

If you want to relocate in retirement, I'd suggest mapping at least these three things within about 20 minutes of your front door:

✅ A great hospital or medical facility: Proximity becomes more important as we age.

✅ Your favorite places and people: Your family, your library, a golf course, or a coffee shop where people know your name.

✅ A nearby airport: You want to be able to zip to the airport for frequent travel.

If you’ve lived here, you know that the Midwest is built for this. Shorter commutes and less congestion mean you can spend your time enjoying life rather than sitting in traffic.

04/13/2026

Dayton & Southwest Ohio - Maybe it’s just me, but after a long stretch of gray skies since November, the sun is finally back. The Easter flowers are blooming, and there’s a real sense of optimism in the air. 🌷☀️

For many of my retired clients, January through March is the hardest part of the year. I hear it all the time in our meetings: "Joe, we really want to snowbird in retirement."

But then life gets in the way. Or they worry about the cost. Or they just never quite pull the trigger.

In 2026, the median home price in Ohio is about $100,000 less than the national median. Staying in a lower-cost market like ours can help generate more than enough income to fund a two-month rental in a warmer climate.

You can keep the friendly community and world-class doctors of the Midwest for ten months, and still see the sun in February.

A good plan should give you the permission to head south before the gray skies become too much. How have you built that travel into your retirement strategy?

Address

1 Oakwood Avenue, Unit 694
Dayton, OH
45409

Website

https://www.stagereadyfp.com/

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