In this episode of Something More with Chris Boyd , Chris and Russ Ball unpack the political drama surrounding the Federal Reserve and its embattled Chair, Jerome Powell. From historical power struggles to current-day maneuvering by the president, they explore how monetary policy, interest rates, and central bank independence shape the economy- and your portfolio. With echoes of Nixon-era stagflation and Volcker’s radical reforms, this episode offers a compelling look at why the Fed matters more...
Aug 22, 2025•31 min
5 Questions to Answer Before Retiring Early Thinking about retiring early? Before you hand in your notice and book that dream vacation, make sure you have asked yourself the right questions. In this episode of Something More with Chris Boyd, Chris, Jeff Perry, and Russ Ball explore critical considerations that can make or break your early retirement plans. From financial readiness to lifestyle planning, this conversation is packed with practical insights and candid advice. Listen now and make su...
Aug 18, 2025•35 min
Alternative Assets in Retirement Plans: Good or Bad Idea? In this episode of Something More, Chris Boyd is joined by Jeff Perry and Russ Ball to unpack the hidden world of private equity and private credit. Following President Donald Trump signing an executive order that clears a path for alternative assets to be added into 401k’s, the trio discuss how these off- exchange assets differ from familiar public stocks and bonds highlighting the trade-off between potentially higher returns and the pit...
Aug 15, 2025•30 min
Boomers, Benefits & the Budget: What’s Next for Social Security? In this timely and informative episode of Something More with Chris Boyd, Social Security expert Marcia Mantell (see link below) returns and joins Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry to unpack recent legislative changes, dispel common myths, and offer practical guidance for retirees, widows, and public employees navigating the evolving Social Security landscape. Highlights from this episode include: -The surprising passage of the Social ...
Aug 11, 2025•48 min
Taxes, Tech & Tangents- A Financial Mishmash-n this eclectic and engaging episode of Something More with Chris Boyd, Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry cover a wide range of timely topics- from nostalgic movie favorites to serious financial planning insights. Topics include: -A preview of the upcoming webinar on managing your digital footprint and estate planning in a tech-driven world (see link below to register). -A timely reminder about National Financial Awareness Day and six smart steps to impro...
Aug 08, 2025•36 min
Long-term Care Insurance: One size does not fit all Linda Thalheimer of Long Life Planning (see website link below) joins Jeff Perry and Russ Ball to dig into the topic of long-term care insurance. The podcast begins with a detailed discussion of who needs long-term care insurance. Linda answers questions regarding how these policies work, what they cover, and typical limits. The conversation shifts to an in-depth conversation about new and hybrid policies that can work in certain circumstances....
Aug 04, 2025•35 min
Mail Bag: Avoiding beneficiary IRA taxes, OBBB, tax deductions, and 529 planning Jeff Perry and Russ Ball tackle questions from listeners and clients. To start this episode, Jeff and Russ discuss options for beneficiaries of IRAs who wish to avoid income taxes. Next up is a series of questions resulting from the passage of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill’ to include how the new senior tax deduction works and the details on the changes to taxes on tips and overtime. The episode ends wit...
Aug 01, 2025•31 min
Portfolio Pitfalls: 5 Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make – Timing the market, lack of international equity exposure, taking on too much investment risk, attempting to predict the movement of interest rates, and lacking protection against inflation are just some of the mistakes many investors can make. Chris Boyd, Jeff Perry, and Russ Ball offer advice on these issues and others as they explore how common portfolio mistakes can derail retirement plans. See below a link to a related Morningstar art...
Jul 28, 2025•37 min
Memories Over Money: A New Take on Wealth Transfer – Chris Boyd, Russ Ball and Jeff Perry dig into a wide variety of issues and conflicts concerning how people plan and spend, or don’t spend their accumulated wealth. Topics include funding a college education, paying for long-term care, or simply treating your family with gifting; there are plenty of ways to use your hard-earned wealth. In the context of a comprehensive financial plan, the trio offers advice and best practices to ensure your des...
Jul 25, 2025•32 min
When to Buy Municipal Bonds – Municipal bonds are debt securities issued by governmental entities to finance public projects like schools, highways, or water systems. For investors seeking stability and tax advantages, municipal bonds can be an appealing component of a diversified portfolio. However, as with any investment, they are rarely a good choice as their suitability depends on individual circumstances, risk tolerance, and broader market conditions. Senior Portfolio Manager Brian Regan jo...
Jul 21, 2025•28 min
OBBB Is Law, So What’s In It? – Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry get into the weeds of the One Big Beautiful Bill recently signed by President Trump. The episode begins with a broad overview of the Trump agenda that was included in the OBBB, including additional funds for the military, border security, and an extension of the tax cuts. Jeff highlights that many provisions of the OBBB are favorable towards the low and moderate income workforce, such as reforms to taxes on tips, overtime, families with c...
Jul 14, 2025•37 min
Focus on the 2nd Half – As we enter the second half of 2025 with the stock market at record high levels, Senior Portfolio Manager Brian Regan joins Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry for a detailed review of the first half of the year and an outlook for the remainder of 2025. With a focus on valuation metrics, Brian offers general commentary on the stock market as well as specific sectors, including utilities and semiconductors. Brian also provides thoughts on the importance of “AI” relative to the growt...
Jul 11, 2025•35 min
Taxes, Timing, and Total Wealth – A Holistic Approach In this insightful episode of Something More with Chris Boyd , Chris and Russ Ball explore the critical role of integrated financial planning—where tax strategy, investment management, and life goals come together to create a truly comprehensive approach to wealth. What you’ll learn: Why tax planning is more than just filing—it’s about lifetime strategy The importance of tax diversification: tax-deferred, taxable, and tax-free accounts How Ro...
Jul 07, 2025•25 min
2025 At The Half – A Mid-Year Market Check-In As we hit the halfway mark of 2025, Chris Boyd and Russ Ball of the AMR team at Wealth Enhancement take a thoughtful look at the year’s financial journey so far. From market volatility and tariff tensions to geopolitical shifts and AI-driven optimism, this episode dives into the key forces shaping the investment landscape. Get insights on: Market performance across major indices and asset classes The impact of global trade negotiations and political ...
Jul 03, 2025•31 min
The Purpose Code – Worried about your purpose? Most people are. But no one has to be Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry welcome Dr. Jordan Grumet, M.D. (see website link below) for a lively discussion about Dr. Grumet’s self-improvement book “The Purpose Code” which shows how to make your mark and how to set goals in life without falling into the anxiety traps of conventional success principles books. Dr. Grumet shares his own compelling personal story of why he gave up practicing medicine full-time. The...
Jun 30, 2025•32 min
Climbing the Wall of Worry – In the context of the endless news cycle of significant political, economic, and geo-political events, Chris Boyd, Jeff Perry, and Russ Ball discuss what an investor should do with all the external market risks, while at the same time, we are reaching record high levels for several market indices. Topics covered include tariffs, debt-ceiling, Iran, immigration, and the Big Beautiful Bill. While there is some disagreement on the politics, the trio discussed the value ...
Jun 27, 2025•44 min
Time to Open the Mailbag – Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry open the Mailbag and answer listener and client questions. The episode opens with a listener question asking, I have multiple IRAs, how many RMDs do I need to take each year? Chris and Jeff next answer what is the Rule of 25? The next topic is one based on television and radio commercials selling Home Title Lock Insurance – Chris and Jeff explain what it is and what it is not. Finally, Chris and Jeff answer what appears to be a simple question...
Jun 23, 2025•30 min
IRA Age Milestones – If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), are you aware of the many key age milestones? Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry take you through a chronological timeline from childhood to your mid- seventies as they discuss twelve key ages and relatively unknown opportunities related to your IRA that could boost your savings and reduce your income taxes. Click the link below to register for our upcoming webinar, “Don’t leave a digital mess.” https://register.gotowebinar.com/regi...
Jun 20, 2025•33 min
Things to consider before buying a second home – Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry are joined by Britta Ferguson CFP®, CEPA® who is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor with Wealth Enhancement to explore the pros and cons of owning a second home (vacation home). The discussion begins with “try before you buy” advice and the distinction between an investment property that you may use part-time compared to a true second home that is unoccupied when you are not using it. The “math” of owning a second...
Jun 16, 2025•33 min
Targets of Fraud – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15 and according to the World Health Organization, one in six people 60 years and older experience financial fraud or abuse each year. Elder fraud reports to the FBI’s Crime Complaint Center have risen by 14%, with an average loss of $34K (see link below). Chris Boyd, Jeff Perry, and Russ Ball dig into the statistics and discuss the most common types of fraud. The trio also shares practical advice how to avoid scams and fraud and what to...
Jun 13, 2025•23 min
Best Books? – Chris Boyd opens this episode with a story from his most recent trip to the dentist where the hygienist was asking for financial planning book recommendations and advice as to how she should go about finding a financial planner who is willing to work with someone who has a modest income and assets. Chris and co-host Jeff Perry suggest a wide variety of books for people at various stages of their financial journey. The dialogue shifts to the challenges of finding a financial planner...
Jun 09, 2025•29 min
5 Biggest Stealth Retirement Costs – Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry review a recent article from Kiplinger’s magazine (linked below) as they discuss the “Five Biggest Stealth Costs in Retirement.” The conversation begins with the notion that most people planning for retirement have a basic understanding of their future cash flow needs. Chris and Jeff dig into the costs that many people make incorrect assumptions about or ignore all together. Included in the conversation are unexpected health care cos...
Jun 06, 2025•36 min
Don’t Assume – Chris Boyd, Jeff Perry, and Russ Ball explore several financial planning assumptions people sometimes make that are often not true. The episode begins with Russ Ball outlining a new “super catch-up” for workers ages 60-64, which leads to an overall review of retirement account limits and special catch-up opportunities. Jeff shares clients’ stories where two public employees incorrectly assumed they would not be eligible for Social Security. Chris brings up other topics not to make...
Jun 02, 2025•27 min
One Big Beautiful Bill – Chris Boyd, Jeff Perry, and Russ Ball dig into the recently passed House of Representatives Budget Bill known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The trio discusses the key items in the Bill, including making the Tax and Job Act income tax reductions permanent, eliminating taxes on overtime and tips, and increases in border and military spending. Jeff notes that the promises of significant reductions in Federal spending were not achieved in the House Bill. Chris and Russ of...
May 30, 2025•32 min
Navigating Economic Waves: A Portfolio Strategy - Brian Regan joins Chris Boyd and Jeff Perry to discuss a recent article Brian authored (see link below) which suggests that staying calm and ensuring that investment strategies are robust and adaptable, one can weather the economic “storms” triggered by tariff policy and related economic news. Brian comments that, “Just like a well-prepared vessel can withstand the might of the Atlantic, a thoughtfully managed portfolio can endure and thrive amid...
May 26, 2025•23 min
IRA Beneficiaries: Who Inherits What and When? – Just back from the Ed Slott Conference, Chris Boyd shares his in-depth commentary on how the Secure Act changed rules for distributing assets from an inherited IRA. Chris is joined by co-host Jeff Perry as they explore the sometimes confusing and technical rules of the three distinct categories of IRA beneficiaries. Chris outlines the basic rules as he points out that there are exceptions to be aware of. Jeff highlights the need for financial advi...
May 23, 2025•27 min
Mail Bag – Jeff Perry and Russ Ball dig into the Team AMR Mail Bag and answer questions from listeners. Included in this episode are, “I have read that my household expenses will go down when I retire, but I don’t understand why.” “I know that I need a Will, but don’t know who in my family I should choose to take care of my estate. Who should be my Personal Representative/Executor?” “I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement - what should I do?” Listen in as Jeff and Russ offer thei...
May 19, 2025•35 min
College Planning – As it is the time of year for high school and college graduations, Jeff Perry and Russ Ball discuss a wide variety of topics regarding planning for college. The conversation begins with the use of 529’s as the foundation for most families to save for future educational expenses. Jeff outlines the basics of how a 529 plan operates and the benefits of using one. Jeff & Russ next explore the factors that go into making the choice of which college is right for your student. Fi...
May 16, 2025•33 min
BUFFETT! – With the recent retirement announcement from Warren Buffett, Chris Boyd, Jeff Perry, and Brian Regan reflect on the amazing life and the many financial lessons of Warren Buffett. Brian leads the conversation with a brief biographical summary of Buffett’s early years and reflections of how Buffett influenced his views on investing. Jeff weighs in with Buffett’s dislike of using leverage and specifically credit cards. Chris ends the episode discussing how Buffett plans to distribute his...
May 12, 2025•41 min
Yellin & the News – After attending the CFA Society of Boston Annual Market Dinner, Chris Boyd offers his thoughts from Janet Yellen’s keynote speech. Chris reviews Yellen’s negative views on broad-based tariffs and other policies of President Trump. Jeff Perry joins the conversation as it shifts to other items in the news including more on tariffs, the Federal Reserve interest rate decision, new employment data, corporate earnings and a lack of guidance from CEO’s. The episode ends with tho...
May 09, 2025•54 min
