The Knoxville Financial Q&A Show with Paul and Brian

Your Financial Questions Answered

Welcome to the video series where we answer your financial questions. If you would like to have your questions answered, we have created a "Have A Question?" section below. Your privacy is important to us so we will only say your first name when answering your questions.

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Episode 11

August 10, 2026

If you're planning to retire in Knoxville, Tennessee, don't make the mistake of choosing where to live based only on school districts.

Once the kids are grown and you're thinking about retirement, your priorities may look completely different. Do you want to golf every week? Spend your weekends on the lake? Hike the Smoky Mountains? Mountain bike? Enjoy restaurants, breweries, downtown events, and an active social life?

In this episode of the Knoxville Financial Q&A Show, Paul and Brian take a different look at retirement relocation in Knoxville—starting with the lifestyle you want and then considering which areas may fit that lifestyle.

We discuss some of the Knoxville-area communities and locations that may appeal to different retirement lifestyles, including:

🏌️ Golf & Golf Communities — Tellico Village, Fox Den, Avalon, Gettysvue, WindRiver, Tennessee National, and other areas with access to golf.

🚤 Boating & Lake Life — Jefferson Park, Mallard Bay, the Tennessee River, Clinch River, and areas where boating can become part of your everyday retirement lifestyle.

🥾 Hiking & Outdoor Recreation — Townsend, Walland, Maryville, and areas that provide easier access to the Smoky Mountains, hiking, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities.

🚵 Mountain Biking — South Knoxville, Baker Creek, the Urban Wilderness, and the growing mountain biking scene around Knoxville.

🍽️ Downtown & Urban Living — Downtown Knoxville, North Knoxville, South Knoxville, Market Square, Bearden, and other areas where restaurants, breweries, entertainment, and walkable amenities can become part of your retirement lifestyle.

🏈 Sports & Entertainment — Knoxville's sports scene, including Tennessee football, baseball, hockey, and the entertainment development around downtown and the stadium.

We also talk about Farragut and Hardin Valley, two popular Knoxville-area destinations, and why the "best" place to live in retirement isn't necessarily the same place that's best for a family with school-age children.

Most importantly, we connect the conversation back to financial planning for retirement. The lifestyle you choose has financial implications—from housing and property maintenance to transportation, dining, recreation, and other expenses. Your retirement plan should account for the life you actually want to live.

If you're considering retiring in Knoxville, moving to Knoxville, or relocating within the Knoxville area, this episode can help you start thinking about the question differently:

Don't just ask, "Where are the best schools?" Ask, "What do I want my retirement to look like?"

Subscribe to the Knoxville Financial Q&A Show for more conversations about retirement planning, financial planning, investing, and life in the Knoxville, Tennessee area.

#KnoxvilleTN #RetirementPlanning #Retirement #KnoxvilleRealEstate #RetireInKnoxville #TennesseeRetirement #RetirementLifestyle #FinancialPlanning #KnoxvilleTennessee #RetirementRelocation

👍 If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode of the Knoxville Financial Q&A.

Click here for video transcripts.

Episode 10

July 28, 2026

Can AI replace a financial advisor? As tools like ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence platforms become more popular, many people are asking whether they still need a financial advisor—or if AI can handle retirement planning, investing, and wealth management on its own.

In this episode of the Knoxville Financial Q&A, Brian and Paul discuss the strengths and weaknesses of AI in personal finance. While AI can be an incredible resource for learning about investing, retirement accounts, Social Security, and financial planning, there are important situations where experience, judgment, and human relationships still matter.

In this video, we discuss:
✔ Can AI replace a financial advisor?
✔ ChatGPT for financial planning and investing
✔ AI vs. human financial advisors
✔ Retirement planning strategies
✔ Social Security claiming decisions
✔ Managing emotions during market volatility
✔ Fiduciary financial advice vs. AI-generated advice
✔ Privacy concerns when sharing financial information with AI
✔ When AI is a great financial tool—and when it isn't
✔ Situations where working with a financial advisor may save you time, money, and stress

Whether you're investing for the first time, planning for retirement, managing a 401(k), or wondering if AI can build your retirement plan, this episode will help you understand where artificial intelligence fits into your financial future.

👇 Tell us in the comments:
Do you trust AI with your financial planning, or would you rather work with a financial advisor?

👍 If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode of the Knoxville Financial Q&A.

WBIR Story about AI
Click here for video transcripts.

Episode 9

July 10, 2026

5 Biggest Retirement Mistakes to Avoid | Social Security, Taxes, RMDs & Retirement Planning Tips.

Retirement planning can be complicated, and small mistakes can have a major impact on your financial future. In this episode of the Knoxville Financial Q&A Show, Paul and Brian discuss the most common retirement mistakes they see clients make and what you can do to better prepare for retirement.

In this episode, we cover:
✅ Taking Social Security too early — How claiming benefits at the wrong time can affect your lifetime income, taxes, cost-of-living adjustments, and survivor benefits.
✅ Holding too much cash in retirement — Why keeping too much money on the sidelines can create opportunity costs and reduce your purchasing power over time.
✅ Not having a retirement tax strategy — How withdrawing money from the wrong accounts at the wrong time can increase your tax burden and why tax-efficient retirement planning matters.
✅ Failing to plan for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) — How RMDs can increase taxable income, affect Medicare and Social Security planning, and create unexpected retirement tax challenges.
✅ Not updating beneficiary designations — Why your IRA, 401(k), life insurance, and investment account beneficiaries may be more important than your will when it comes to passing on your assets.

Retirement isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. The right strategy depends on your personal situation, including your retirement goals, health, income needs, tax situation, and family circumstances. Whether you are approaching retirement, recently retired, or helping a family member plan for the future, avoiding these common retirement mistakes can help you make better financial decisions.

Subscribe to the Knoxville Financial Q&A Show for more retirement planning, investing, Social Security, tax planning, and wealth management discussions or simply bookmark us at wealthyknox.com . #RetirementPlanning #RetirementMistakes #SocialSecurityTips #RMDs #TaxPlanning #401k #IRA #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #Investing

Click here for video transcripts.

Episode 8

June 29, 2026

In this episode, we break down 10 key financial planning tips for retirement and pre-retirement, with a special focus on living in Tennessee—particularly Knoxville. We explore how Tennessee’s unique tax environment impacts retirement strategies and what newcomers from higher-tax states should know when adjusting their financial plans.

Topics covered include:

- Asset location vs. state tax planning
- Roth conversions and “gap years” before Social Security
- Tax treatment of qualified vs. non-qualified accounts
- Sales tax considerations in retirement spending
- Real estate concentration risk in Knoxville markets
- Tennessee’s lack of estate and inheritance taxes
- Spending behavior changes for retirees relocating to Tennessee
- Multi-state tax considerations for vacation homes and income
- Donor advised fund strategies for tax-efficient giving
- Why focusing on federal tax brackets simplifies planning in Tennessee

We also share a bonus discussion for business owners, including strategies for hiring family members, Roth contributions, and advanced business succession and tax planning concepts. Whether you’re approaching retirement, already retired, or advising clients in Tennessee, this episode offers practical insights into optimizing your financial strategy in a low-income-tax state environment.

Sources:
IRS Publication 590-A (Roth IRA Contributions)
IRS Publication 560 (Retirement Plans for Small Business)
IRS Family Employment Tax Rules

Click here for video transcripts.

Episode 7

June 15, 2026

In this episode of Knoxville Financial Q&A, Paul Ragone and Brian Duncan break down the key differences between these two child savings strategies, including contribution limits, tax advantages, Roth IRA conversion opportunities, college planning, and long-term wealth-building potential.

We discuss:

✅ How the new Trump Account works
✅ The $1,000 government contribution for eligible children
✅ Trump Account contribution limits and investment options
✅ Roth conversion opportunities at age 18
✅ How 529 Plans can now be converted to a Roth IRA
✅ The 15-year and $35,000 Roth rollover rules for 529 Plans
✅ College savings vs. retirement savings strategies
✅ Which account may be best based on your family's goals
✅ Whether parents should choose one account—or both

Click here for video transcripts.

Episode 6

May 26, 2026

On this episode, Paul Ragone and Brian Duncan focus on 3 questions:

Should I pay off my mortgage or invest instead?
Should I buy a rental property or invest in stocks? Especially in Knoxville, TN?
I live in Farragut, TN, make really good money but everything seems to be more expensive. What's the deal?

Click here for video transcripts.

Episode 5

May 14, 2026

On this episode, we discuss if working with a financial advisor can really add 3% to your portfolio returns after fees? Paul Ragone and Brian Duncan breakdown the Vanguard research report "Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha". The section being discussed in this video starts on page 3 of the report.