This Thanksgiving-themed episode dives into the powerful role gratitude plays in retirement planning. Hosts Nick Nauta and Cole Williams discuss everything from practicing gratitude in financial planning to historical perspectives on retirement. Plus, hear their personal stories of thankfulness and why focusing on the positives can shape a healthier, more intentional retirement. https://youtu.be/EVtiTnnkNtQ Key Topics Covered: The Power of Gratitude: Research-backed benefits of gratitude practic...
Nov 27, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 43
What does Warren Buffett’s latest financial move mean for your retirement portfolio? This week, we’re unpacking the headlines surrounding Buffett’s portfolio adjustments. With $365 billion in cash at Berkshire Hathaway’s disposal, Buffett’s strategy has sparked speculation. Is he gearing up for a financial crisis, or simply staying true to his principles as a value investor? We’ll explore Buffett’s recent stock sales (including major holdings like Apple and Bank of America), his cautious approac...
Nov 25, 2024•18 min•Season 3Ep. 42
In this episode, we explore the potential impact of recent political developments on retirement planning and market trends over the next four years. With Dave on vacation, Cole Williams, our associate advisor, steps in to discuss the implications of the presidential election and the upcoming sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We also touch on tariffs and their potential economic ramifications. https://youtu.be/GGUpKS18eOs Key Topics Covered Impact of the Presidential Election The role of the e...
Nov 19, 2024•Season 3Ep. 41
We read the news so you don’t have to! Welcome to your October roundup of retirement headlines—a month bursting with insights and strategies that could redefine your retirement planning. Whether you’re a retiree navigating the nuances of financial security, or an investor seeking to fortify your portfolio against market fluctuations, this month’s compilation offers a wealth of information. We’ve meticulously curated topics ranging from savvy investment options like ETFs to essential cost-of-livi...
Nov 15, 2024•Season 3Ep. 40
Join us for an insightful conversation with Shane Topping, a senior at Michigan State University and an intern at Shotwell Rutter Baer (SRB). In this episode, we explore the unique experience of interning at a financial advisory firm, the lessons learned from working in a smaller team environment, and the importance of adaptability and innovation in financial services. https://youtu.be/IqmAv4PBTdg Key Discussion Points Internship Experience : Shane shares how he discovered the internship opportu...
Nov 11, 2024•Season 3Ep. 39
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the intriguing concept laid out in Bill Perkins’ book “Die With Zero ,” which challenges traditional notions of retirement savings and spending. Join us as we discuss whether you should aim to spend your money before you die, and the mindset shift required to turn your savings into lifelong enjoyment. https://youtu.be/HiUaq15G_XE Key Topics Discussed: Mindset Shift : We examine the prevalent industry focus on accumulating a large retirement fund and ...
Nov 04, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 38
In this episode, we dive into the key developments in the markets during the third quarter of 2024, along with an update on the current economic environment. Join us as we discuss how stocks surged across the globe, inflation continues to cool, and the Federal Reserve’s pivotal decision to lower interest rates in September. Despite a slightly weaker labor market, overall economic indicators remain positive. https://youtu.be/Y2W3rAD7ZD4 Key Takeaways: Stocks have shown strong performance across a...
Oct 25, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 37
In this enlightening episode, we take a deep dive into Dr. Peter Attia’s compelling book, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity . Join us as we explore the intersection of healthspan and lifespan, unpack Attia’s vision of Medicine 2.0 and 3.0, and discuss the four horsemen of chronic disease. All of this ties seamlessly into retirement planning, highlighting how crucial it is to not just live longer, but to live well. https://youtu.be/Bn3dwClgpgw Key Points Covered Understanding Healthspan v...
Oct 14, 2024•Season 3Ep. 36
We’re back with another round of retirement planning headline news reviews. As we like to say, we read the news so you don’t have to. Although, maybe you will want to after you hear us talk about them. Our goal is to at least help point you to what we think matters. Below is a list of the articles we discuss in this episode, along with our notes and thoughts about each one. https://youtu.be/40PJLUUJc64 When Interest Rates Go Down, the Hucksters Spring Up Jason Zweig at WSJ runs down a scam These...
Oct 08, 2024•Season 3Ep. 35
In this episode we explore the latest developments in retirement planning, focusing on the implications of recent Federal Reserve actions and how they affect cash strategies for retirees. Join us as we break down the key points and provide practical advice for navigating these changes. https://youtu.be/u6EUjgp20tM Key Points Covered Interest Rate Changes Federal Reserve Rate Cut : The Federal Reserve has reduced interest rates by half a percent, marking a significant shift after a prolonged peri...
Sep 24, 2024•Season 3Ep. 34
In this episode, we tackle the alarming rise of investment fraud targeting retirees. Cole Willams joins us again to discuss the increasing prevalence of scams, driven by economic hardships and advanced AI technologies, and offer practical advice on protecting your finances from fraudulent schemes. https://youtu.be/YYx4DuWWkBg Key Points Covered Introduction to Investment Fraud The Internet age has brought numerous types of scams and fraud. Retirees are targeted more frequently than other demogra...
Sep 19, 2024•Season 3Ep. 33
In this episode, we tackle the complex world of student loans and how to help your kids make informed decisions about their educational financing. From the intricacies of different loan types to the pressing issue of loan forgiveness, join us as we break down what every parent and student should know. Cole Williams, our newest associate advisor joins Nick to lend his unique perspective. https://youtu.be/zBYZcoSJ2D4 Introduction Newsworthy Topic : Student loans have been a hot topic due to discus...
Sep 09, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Welcome back to another installment of Retirement Headlines with your hosts, Dave and Nick! In this episode, we provide an overview of the articles we’ve been reading, offering insights to help listeners understand what’s happening in the retirement landscape. https://youtu.be/YD9N_G8JGos 1. Wall Street Journal Article on Umbrella Insurance Overview : Insurance coverage is changing, particularly with umbrella insurance. Key Points : Umbrella insurance is personal liability insurance that covers ...
Sep 05, 2024•Season 3Ep. 31
Introduction Welcome to another episode of the Kitchen Table Finance Podcast! In this episode, Dave and Nick are joined by our newest associate advisor, Cole Williams. Today, we’re diving deep into making smart housing decisions during retirement—a topic that’s crucial for anyone looking to secure their financial future. https://youtu.be/xOidCd80wm4 Key Points Covered: 1. Current and Historical Housing Market Overview Comparison of current interest rates with those from the 70s and 80s. Analysis...
Aug 28, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Welcome to another episode of Kitchen Table Finance! Today, we have a very special guest, Scott de Varona, Division Director at Mi ABLE 529(a) Disability Savings Program & Student Loan Repayment Division. We discuss the groundbreaking MiABLE 529 disability savings program. If you’re curious about how this program can help individuals with disabilities achieve a better life experience, you’re in for a treat. https://youtu.be/jM0Q1zol3n4?si=hMHWvJzFJ23s-IAS Key Points Covered What is ABLE? ABL...
Aug 20, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Join Dave and Nick as they explore strategies to manage market volatility during retirement. Drawing on behavioral finance principles, they provide practical advice to help you stay the course in turbulent times. Key Topics Discussed Market Volatility : The episode begins by discussing recent shifts in market sentiment, highlighting a 6.5% drop in the S&P 500. The hosts explain how quickly investor attitudes can change and the role media plays in amplifying these emotions. Retirement Prepare...
Aug 13, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Welcome back to our much-anticipated June 2024 edition of “Retirement Planning Headlines,” where we save you the hassle of combing through endless financial articles. Sometimes even our listeners chime in with topics for our deep-dive discussions. https://youtu.be/v182Ah4aRPA Articles Discussed in this Episode Lessons From Another ‘Faux-tirement’ Christine Benz on using her sabbatical six weeks to see what retirement might be like The Money Habits I Learned From My Parents—for Better or Worse Le...
Jul 29, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 27
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of target date funds—a topic we’ve touched on before but never explored in-depth. Inspired by a recent article that sparked some frustration, we discuss the pros and cons of these investment tools. https://youtu.be/SY1rkeJxeK0 Here are the main points we cover: Overview of Target Date Funds : Target date funds are investment tools designed to optimize your retirement savings by automatically adjusting the asset allocation as you approach your r...
Jul 22, 2024•23 min•Season 3Ep. 26
In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the market trends and economic indicators of Q2 2024, along with our outlook for Q3. We discuss the overall market performance, the impact of tech stocks, bond market stability, and the intriguing dynamics of the international stock market. Additionally, we explore the implications of unemployment rates, inflation, and consumer behavior on the economy. Key Points Discussed Market Overview : The overall market has shown strong performance in 2024 so fa...
Jul 15, 2024•23 min•Season 3Ep. 25
In this insightful episode, we explore the four fundamental principles to consider when planning your retirement investments. We break down the essential steps to ensure your financial security and peace of mind as you approach retirement. You can survive when the market twists and turns and throws you loose and you think that things are coming apart. Watch on YouTube HERE Key Highlights 1. Expect a Balance Between Extremes Key Point : The worst-case and best-case scenarios are equally unlikely....
Jul 08, 2024•17 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Maximizing College Savings with Diane Brewer of Michigan Education Trust Episode Summary In this episode, we sit down with Diane Brewer, the Executive Director of the Michigan Education Trust (MET), to discuss the ins and outs of Michigan’s prepaid 529 college savings plan. Diane shares her invaluable insights from over two decades of experience helping families prepare for the financial challenges of higher education. From understanding the benefits of MET and MESP to exploring how these plans ...
Jul 01, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 23
In this episode, we explore various strategies to create a steady income stream in retirement, tailored to your unique financial situation and goals. We discuss when to take Social Security and dive into investment strategies that can help you maintain financial stability during your retirement years. Watch on YouTube HERE Key Points Social Security Timing Varied Advice : There is widespread advice online suggesting taking Social Security at 62, but this isn’t always the best strategy. Advisor P...
Jun 25, 2024•Season 3Ep. 22
Welcome back to our much-anticipated May 2024 edition of “Retirement Planning Headlines,” where we save you the hassle of combing through endless financial articles. This month, we’ve even had listeners chime in with topics for our deep-dive discussions. Watch on YouTube HERE Articles Discussed in this Episode How Much Should You Spend on Vacation? 5-10% of take-home pay on Vacations Never go into debt to pay for vacation Beware of luxury creep and entitlement creep Don’t get caught up in Instag...
Jun 17, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Episode Summary In this episode, we tackle the pressing issue of rising insurance rates with our special guest, Ben Rathbun. Ben is the President and CEO of Rathbun Insurance Agency, an independent agency with over 68 years of history. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help us understand what’s happening in the insurance market and why rates are going up. Watch on YouTube HERE Key Discussion Points Introduction to Ben Rathbun and the Rathbun Agency Understanding the current insur...
Jun 03, 2024•Season 3Ep. 20
Welcome to another episode of Kitchen Table Finance, where we dive deep into financial strategies to help you make the most out of your retirement. In today’s episode, we’re tackling a common question: “Should I put everything into CDs or bonds when I retire?” Watch on YouTube Episode Highlights The Common Misconception Many retirees think, “I’m retiring, so I should put everything in CDs or bonds to avoid risk.” While CDs and bonds are safer investments, there’s a more strategic way to use them...
May 28, 2024•Season 3Ep. 19
Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Kitchen Table Finance podcast! In this episode, Dave and Nick dive deep into the intricate world of relocating during retirement, examining how recent economic shifts have impacted this significant life decision. Key Discussion Points: Changing Landscape of Real Estate : Nick and Dave discuss how the real estate market has evolved post-pandemic. While interest rates were historically low, they have since risen, creating a unique set of challenges an...
May 20, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Welcome back to our much-anticipated April 2024 edition of “Retirement Planning Headlines,” where we save you the hassle of combing through endless financial articles. This month, we’ve even had listeners chime in with topics for our deep-dive discussions. Watch on YouTube HERE Articles Discussed in this Episode 5 Investing Mistakes Anyone Can Make | Morningstar “Do as I say Not as I do” by Christine Benz Where she falls short of following the advice she knows and often gives Too much cash, too ...
May 13, 2024•Season 3Ep. 17
Join Nick and Dave as they discuss concerns around geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, inflation, corporate earnings, and other issues that have led to a market decline, pushing the VIX index of stock market volatility to its highest level in six months. Watch on YouTube HERE After a historically strong start to the year, markets have now pulled back 2.5% to begin the second quarter. In times of market stress, investors need to maintain perspective on critical issues and not overreact to h...
May 06, 2024•Season 3Ep. 16
In this episode, we kick off with a warm welcome and jump straight into our Q1 quarterly review followed by the Q2 outlook. Despite entering the year on a shaky start, Q1 turned out exceptionally well, building on the achievements of a strong 2023. Watch on YouTube HERE Q1 Highlights: The beginning of January began forgettable, raising concerns given the adage “as January goes in the market, so goes the year.” However, the market quickly rebounded, defying early gloom. Major indices including th...
Apr 29, 2024•Season 3Ep. 15
Welcome to our latest episode where we explore the complexities and considerations behind diversification of investment portfolios, particularly during retirement. In this in-depth discussion, we lay out compelling market analyses, historical comparisons, and thought-provoking strategies for investors looking to optimize their financial planning. Watch on YouTube HERE Whether you’re just starting to think about retirement or are actively re-balancing your portfolio, this episode is packed with i...
Apr 15, 2024•19 min•Season 3Ep. 14
