The Infinite Income Podcast

What happens to your retirement plan when the stock market suddenly drops 20%, 30%, or even more?
For retirees, a market crash can feel very different than it did during the working years. You're no longer simply watching your investments fluctuate—you may be depending on that portfolio to help pay your monthly expenses. And one emotional decision during a major downturn could have consequences that last for years.
In Episode 107 of The Infinite Income Podcast, George Mayfield, The Dividend Doctor, and Autumn Bennett discuss 7 questions every retiree should answer before the next market crash arrives.
We look at how much money you may need over the next few years, whether your portfolio is taking more risk than you can emotionally handle, where your retirement paycheck will come from when stocks are falling, and what you should do if your portfolio suddenly drops 20%.
We also discuss flexible retirement spending, true diversification, sequence-of-returns risk, cash reserves, and why having a written market-crash plan can help prevent fear from taking control of your investment decisions.
Most importantly, this episode isn't about predicting the next crash. It's about preparing your retirement so you don't have to predict one.
Plus, George shares a simple bonus strategy that costs nothing and could help prevent one of the most expensive emotional mistakes an investor can make during a market downturn.
The Infinite Income Podcast helps everyday investors simplify retirement planning, investing, passive income, and wealth-building so they can make better financial decisions with greater confidence.
New episodes every Friday.
Invest wisely, retire confidently, and keep building your Infinite Income.

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? The Numbers, the Emotions, and the Hidden Trade-Offs | Episode 106
Should you enter retirement completely debt-free?
Or would your money be better invested elsewhere?
It's one of the most common questions retirees ask, and the answer isn't always as straightforward as you might think.
In this episode of The Infinite Income Podcast, George Mayfield, The Dividend Doctor, and Autumn Bennett explore one of retirement's biggest financial decisions: whether paying off your mortgage before retirement is the right move.
You'll learn why this decision involves much more than interest rates and monthly payments. George and Autumn discuss the emotional benefits of owning your home outright, the financial arguments for keeping a low-interest mortgage, and the hidden trade-offs many retirees overlook.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why paying off your mortgage isn't simply a math problem
When keeping a low-interest mortgage may make financial sense
How opportunity cost affects retirement planning
Why liquidity and cash reserves matter
The questions every retiree should ask before making this decision
This week's George's Golden Rule
A practical action step to help you evaluate your own situation
Retirement isn't about following someone else's financial blueprint.
It's about building a plan that supports the life you want to live.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Infinite Income Podcast so you never miss another conversation designed to help you invest wisely, retire confidently, and keep building your Infinite Income.

What's the biggest financial fear most retirees have?
It's not market volatility.
It's not inflation.
It's the fear of running out of money.
In this episode of The Infinite Income Podcast, George Mayfield, The Dividend Doctor, and Autumn Bennett tackle one of the most important questions in retirement planning: How much can you safely spend without outliving your savings?
You'll learn why the answer isn't found in a magic percentage, why the traditional 4% rule is only a starting point, and how a flexible spending strategy can help you enjoy retirement with greater confidence.
George and Autumn discuss the emotional challenge of transitioning from saving money to spending it, the importance of creating a retirement paycheck, and why your spending plan should reflect your values and priorities rather than someone else's retirement strategy.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why retirees often struggle to spend the money they've spent decades saving
What the 4% rule really means—and its limitations
How to separate essential expenses from discretionary spending
Why flexibility is one of the most valuable retirement skills
How guaranteed income can increase confidence
This week's George's Golden Rule
A practical action step to help you build a more effective spending plan
Retirement isn't about preserving every dollar.
It's about using your money wisely to create the life you've worked so hard to build.
If you found value in today's episode, be sure to follow The Infinite Income Podcast so you never miss another conversation designed to help you invest wisely, retire confidently, and keep building your Infinite Income.

Should You Downsize in Retirement? The Financial and Emotional Decision That Could Change Everything | Episode 104
For many retirees, one of the biggest questions isn't about investing—it's about where to live.
Should you keep the family home? Downsize to something smaller? Move closer to family? Or stay right where you are?
In this episode of The Infinite Income Podcast, George Mayfield, The Dividend Doctor, and Autumn Bennett explore one of retirement's biggest decisions from both a financial and emotional perspective. Downsizing isn't simply about saving money. It's about creating the lifestyle you want for the next chapter of your life.
George draws on his years as a real estate broker and investor to explain the hidden costs many people overlook, why downsizing doesn't always save money, and how to know if moving is really the right decision for you.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why downsizing isn't automatically the right answer
The hidden costs many retirees overlook
How to evaluate the true financial impact of moving
The emotional side of leaving the family home
Alternatives to downsizing you may not have considered
This week's George's Golden Rule
A practical action step to help you evaluate your own situation
Whether you're thinking about moving next year or simply beginning to ask the question, this episode will help you make one of retirement's biggest decisions with greater confidence.
If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Infinite Income Podcast so you never miss another episode designed to help you invest wisely, retire confidently, and keep building your Infinite Income.

The Biggest Retirement Mistakes That Can Cost You Thousands (And How to Avoid Them) | Episode 103
The biggest threats to your retirement may not be a stock market crash or a bad investment. More often, they're the small mistakes that quietly compound over time.
In this episode of The Infinite Income Podcast, George Mayfield, The Dividend Doctor, and Autumn Bennett discuss the most common retirement mistakes they see—and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.
You'll learn why retiring without a written plan can create unnecessary stress, why inflation remains one of retirement's greatest hidden risks, how emotional decisions can derail even the best investment strategy, and why purpose, health, and communication are just as important as your portfolio.
Whether you're planning to retire in the next few years or you're already enjoying retirement, this episode will help you make smarter decisions and build greater confidence for the years ahead.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why hope is not a retirement strategy
The planning mistakes that can quietly cost you thousands
Common Social Security and cash reserve mistakes
Why emotions often do more damage than market downturns
The importance of having a purpose after retirement
How communication can strengthen both your retirement plan and your marriage
George's practical steps for avoiding costly financial mistakes
If you've enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Infinite Income Podcast so you never miss future conversations designed to help you invest wisely, retire confidently, and keep building your Infinite Income.

One of the biggest questions retirees ask is surprisingly simple:
"How much cash should I keep in retirement?"
Some retirees keep almost nothing in cash because they want every dollar working in the market. Others keep so much cash that inflation quietly erodes their purchasing power over time.
So...what's the right answer?
In this episode, George Mayfield and Autumn Bennett explain why cash isn't just about earning interest—it's about creating confidence. You'll discover why cash plays a unique role in retirement, how it can help you avoid emotional investing decisions during market downturns, and why the "right" amount of cash depends on your personal retirement plan.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why cash has a completely different job than your investment portfolio• The difference between an emergency fund and a retirement cash reserve• How the Bucket Strategy helps retirees navigate market volatility• Why sequence-of-returns risk matters after you retire• Where to keep your retirement cash, including high-yield savings accounts, money market funds, CDs, and Treasury bills• Why George believes "Cash buys time."
Bonus Tip: George shares why cash shouldn't be measured by the interest it earns—but by the financial mistakes it helps you avoid.
Question of the Week:How much cash helps you feel financially confident? Are you holding too little, too much, or are you still trying to figure out the right balance?
If today's conversation helps you, please share this episode with someone who's preparing for retirement or already enjoying it. It could give them a whole new perspective on one of the most overlooked parts of retirement planning.
And if you found value in today's episode, be sure to follow The Infinite Income Podcast so you never miss a future conversation.
Next Week: The Biggest Retirement Mistakes That Can Cost You Thousands (Episode 103).

Episode 101: When Should You Take Social Security? The Decision That Can Change Your Retirement
Last week we asked, "Can you afford to retire?" This week we're taking the next logical step by tackling one of the biggest retirement decisions you'll ever make:
When should you start taking Social Security?
Should you claim benefits at age 62? Wait until your Full Retirement Age? Or delay until age 70?
The answer isn't as simple as picking the age that pays the biggest monthly check.
In this episode, George Mayfield and Autumn Bennett explain the factors that really matter, including your health, retirement income, spouse, taxes, longevity, and overall retirement goals. You'll discover why the "best" claiming age is different for everyone and why this decision should be part of a complete retirement plan—not made in isolation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• The advantages and trade-offs of claiming at age 62, Full Retirement Age, and age 70• Why Social Security is only one piece of your retirement paycheck• How working in retirement can affect your benefits• Why taxes deserve a place in your Social Security planning• How spousal and survivor benefits may influence your decision• George's practical approach to making this important retirement choice
Bonus Tip: George shares one simple habit that can help you make better financial decisions—not just with Social Security, but throughout retirement.
Question of the Week:If you're already retired, what influenced your decision about when to claim Social Security? If retirement is still ahead of you, what's your biggest question about claiming benefits?
If this episode helped you, please share it with someone who's approaching retirement. It could help them make one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.
And if you found value in today's conversation, be sure to follow The Infinite Income Podcast so you never miss a future episode.
Next week: How Much Cash Should You Keep in Retirement?

We're celebrating Episode 100 of The Infinite Income Podcast! Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or this is your very first episode, we're grateful you're here.
One of the biggest questions people ask as retirement approaches isn't, "How much money do I have?" It's a much more important question:
Can I actually afford to retire?
In this special 100th episode, George Mayfield and Autumn Bennett walk through the seven essential questions everyone should answer before making one of life's biggest financial decisions.
You'll learn:
• How to estimate what retirement will really cost• Where your retirement paycheck should come from• Why inflation can quietly threaten your retirement plan• How to prepare for market downturns after you retire• Why healthcare planning matters more than most people realize• The importance of retiring to something—not just from work• Why honest conversations with your spouse or family are essential before retirement
Along the way, George shares real-life experiences, practical retirement strategies, and one powerful bonus tip that could change the way you prepare for retirement.
Whether retirement is twenty years away or just around the corner, this episode will help you approach the future with greater confidence.
Question of the Week:Which of the seven questions challenged your thinking the most?
If you found value in this episode, please follow The Infinite Income Podcast and share this episode with someone who's planning for retirement. It really helps us reach more people who are looking for practical financial guidance.
100 episodes. Countless conversations. One mission: Helping everyday investors make better financial decisions with greater confidence.
Thank you for being part of The Infinite Income Community. Here's to the next 100 episodes.

Retirement isn't the finish line—it's the moment your portfolio begins doing the job you've spent decades preparing it to do.
In this episode of The Infinite Income Podcast, George Mayfield, The Dividend Doctor, and Autumn Bennett tackle one of the biggest questions every investor eventually faces:
How do you actually turn your retirement portfolio into a dependable paycheck?
You'll learn how successful retirees build multiple income streams instead of relying on a single source, why dividend income, Social Security, and growth investments can all work together, and how strategies like maintaining a cash reserve and using a simple bucket approach can help you navigate market downturns with greater confidence.
George also explains Sequence of Returns Risk in plain English, shares lessons learned from years of helping investors prepare for retirement, and offers practical ideas that can help you stop worrying about your portfolio—and start enjoying the retirement you've worked so hard to earn.
Whether retirement is just around the corner or still years away, this episode will help you understand how to build a retirement income plan that is designed to last.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why retirement is an emotional transition—not just a financial one
How to build multiple retirement income streams
Monthly income ETFs vs. dividend-growth ETFs
Why growth still matters in retirement
How cash can buy you time during market downturns
A simple Bucket Strategy for retirement income
George's biggest lesson about living confidently in retirement
🎙 New episodes of The Infinite Income Podcast drop every Friday. Be sure to follow the show so you never miss a conversation designed to help you make better financial decisions with greater confidence.

Most investors think the biggest threat to their financial future is a stock market crash.
But what if the real danger is something far less dramatic—and far more persistent?
In this episode of The Infinite Income Podcast, George Mayfield and Autumn Bennett explain how inflation quietly erodes your purchasing power over time and why it's one of the greatest challenges facing both investors and retirees.
Financial freedom isn't just about growing your portfolio.
It's about making sure your money can continue to support the lifestyle you've worked so hard to build.
Join us as we discuss one of the most overlooked topics in personal finance—and how you can position your portfolio to stay ahead of inflation.