Financial concerns arise at every stage of life, and to help navigate them, financial expert Barry Bigelow joins Good Morning Northland each week to answer viewer questions and offer valuable insights on everything from investing to retirement planning.

While Barry primarily works with retirees, he stresses that financial planning is crucial for everyone. “If you’re 22 years old and want to get off to a good start, call the office, get in, and get some education on your personal situation,” he advises. “Helping people is what advisors should be doing, regardless of whether they work with them or not.”

One of the biggest concerns Barry hears is whether people can afford to retire. “It’s not a saving problem—it’s knowing how to turn savings into a sustainable income,” he explains. Many people struggle with replacing their paycheck after retirement, making it crucial to budget and use a 4% withdrawal rate as a guideline.

For those looking to learn more about investing, Barry suggests The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, Investopedia, and even AI tools like ChatGPT. “AI can help break down complex financial terms in a way that makes sense to you,” he says. “It’s a great resource for learning at your own pace.”

Have a financial question for Barry? Send it our way via email or message us on Facebook, and we’ll try to answer it in an upcoming segment.