Money can be confusing, especially when thinking about the future. Many people wonder how to save, invest, and make their money last after they stop working. To get answers, we sat down with Shawn Maloney, the founder and CEO of Retire Wise.

Shawn has spent years helping people make smart choices about their finances. In our conversation, he shared some valuable tips and advice on planning for retirement and avoiding common money mistakes.

How Shawn Maloney Got Started

Shawn’s love for finance started early. In 8th grade, he played a stock market game and did so well that he knew he wanted to work with money when he grew up. Over the years, he worked for big financial firms, learning how to help people manage their savings. Eventually, he started his own company, Retire Wise, to give people independent, honest financial advice.

What Worries People About Money?

Many people in our community have big concerns about money, especially when it comes to retirement.

Shawn explained the top three worries people face:

• Stock Market Changes
  • Some people are scared to invest because they worry about losing money when the market goes up and down.
• Running Out of Savings
  • Retirees often fear they won’t have enough money to last the rest of their lives.
• Waiting Too Long to Save
  • Many don’t start saving for retirement until their 50s, which can make things stressful.

Big Money Mistakes to Avoid

Shawn has seen many people make the same mistakes with their money. The biggest ones include:

• Putting Off Saving
  • Many spend on homes, cars, and education but forget to save for retirement until it’s almost too late.
• No Clear Plan
  • Without a structured plan for how to use their savings, people often run out of money too soon.
• Too Many Accounts with No Strategy
  • Some people have different retirement accounts but no plan to make them work together.

Advice for Young Professionals & Business Owners

Shawn believes that good financial habits should start early. Here are his top three tips for young professionals and business owners:

• Save a Little Each Month
  • Even small savings add up over time.
• Make Savings a Monthly Bill
  • Treat it like rent or utilities to build a habit.
• Don’t Rely on One Investment
  • Spread out your money so that no single problem can wipe out your savings.

Helping the Community Learn About Money

Shawn is passionate about teaching people how to handle their money. He hosts seminars, speaks at churches, and offers workshops on budgeting, retirement planning, and debt management.

He warns that while there’s lots of financial advice online, not all of it is trustworthy. Talking to a professional can help avoid costly mistakes.

Final Words of Wisdom

Before wrapping up our conversation, Shawn shared three important reminders:

• “Think of savings as the key to your dreams, whether that’s buying a home, traveling, or retiring comfortably.”
• “Every financial decision has a cost—think about what you might be giving up when making big purchases.”
• “Stay away from ‘get-rich-quick’ schemes—real financial success takes patience and planning.”

For those looking for guidance on their financial future, Shawn and his team at Retire Wise are ready to help.

Visit retirewisepro.com to learn more and start planning for a secure future today.