Inflation has skyrocketed this year. In fact, inflation jumped to a 40-year high of 8.5% in March 2022. So why are Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) losing money? What are TIPS exactly? And do they belong in a retirement portfolio? If you want answers to these questions, you’re going to love today’s episode. On the hunt for a retirement + tax planning expert? 👉 Learn more about getting a Free Retirement Assessment™ . To grab the links mentioned in today's episode, head over to the ...
Jun 09, 2022•11 min•Ep. 154
Today I’m sharing three (3) big retirement planning mistakes and how to avoid them. Actually, that’s not true... I was inspired to add a fourth retirement mistake at the last minute after a recent client meeting. So be sure to stick around to the very end. ;) On the hunt for a retirement + tax planning expert? Learn more about getting a Free Retirement Assessment™ . To grab the links mentioned in today's episode, head over to the show notes page here ....
Jun 07, 2022•25 min•Ep. 153
The markets are off to the worst start since 1939! Given that, I’m answering three (3) BIG questions from listeners today: Why are stocks AND bonds down at the same time + what should investors be doing right now to protect their portfolio? How can we improve our mindset and gain optimism in the face of negative economic outlooks? What is the correct order of operations when withdrawing money in retirement? If you're asking similar questions and concerned about the current state of the markets, ...
May 25, 2022•25 min•Ep. 152
Today I’m sharing details about a (new) popular financial scam. To help you stay safe, I’m also sharing 3 ways to stay safe and protect yourself in retirement. (Hint: your "complex" password may not be as secure as you think. 😲) If you want to learn about this sophisticated financial scam + tips for protecting your family, this episode is for you. Need Retirement & Tax Planning help? Click here to learn more about our Free Retirement Assessment™. For the episode show notes and links, click ...
May 04, 2022•16 min•Ep. 151
Today I’m talking about investing. Specifically, I’m joined by data scientist and author, Nick Maggiulli, and we’re talking about: How to invest in high inflationary environments Why you shouldn't “buy the dip” A unique formula for investing during market drawdowns If you’re ready to dive into data and get answers to some of the biggest investing questions, this episode is for you. 👉 Click here to learn more about our Free Retirement Assessment For the episode show notes and links, click here ....
Apr 19, 2022•37 min•Ep. 150
Inflation jumped 8.5% through March. This is the highest reported level since 1981. 😬 It was also the biggest monthly jump in prices since 2005. However...there are some tentative signs that inflation may be slowing. I share more in this episode + provide thoughts on how retirement savers might respond. 👉 Learn more about our Free Retirement Assessment For the episode show notes and links, click here ....
Apr 14, 2022•7 min•Ep. 149
Today I'm tackling part two of our series on Roth conversions. Specifically, I'm sharing: How to determine if a Roth conversion makes sense A Roth conversion case study Common mistakes + pitfalls to avoid If you're ready to master Roth conversions and take control of your tax bill, you're going to love today's episode. Need retirement + tax planning help? 👉 Learn more about our Free Retirement Assessment For the episode show notes and links, click here ....
Apr 05, 2022•25 min•Ep. 148
Today I’m kicking off a 2-part series on Roth conversions . Specifically, here in part one, I’m breaking down: What a Roth conversion is How a Roth conversion works Why Roth conversions are so popular If you’re ready to master the basics of Roth conversions, today’s episode is for you. Need tax and retirement planning help? 👉 Learn more about our Free Retirement Assessment For the episode show notes and links, click here ....
Mar 23, 2022•14 min
Today I'm addressing inflation (again), war, and the risk of a recession. Specifically, I'm sharing: An update on the recent inflation report Why my previous inflation comments were wrong The probability of a recession + what retirement savers should be doing If like most investors, you’re nervous about the current environment and looking for guidance, today’s episode is for you. Need tax and retirement planning help? 👉 Learn more about our Free Retirement Assessment For the episode show notes ...
Mar 15, 2022•15 min•Ep. 146
Today I’m talking about Roth conversions. But instead of talking about why they’re so great... ...I'm sharing 5 reasons why you might NOT do them. To help, Steven Jarvis, CPA, joins me. Together, we share a handful of often-overlooked reasons that might make you pause. If you’re ready to learn why you might pass on Roth conversions (today or in the future!), today’s episode is for you. 👉 Click Here to Access Show Notes and Links for This Episode...
Mar 01, 2022•26 min•Ep. 145
Today I’m sharing what the recent spike in inflation will do to your tax bill. Why? Because the higher inflation is, the more uneven its impact is on taxes owed by retirement savers. And nobody likes it when Uncle Sam catches them off guard! If you want to know the 6 ways inflation might impact your taxes this year, you're going to love this episode. 👉 Click Here to Access Show Notes and Links for This Episode...
Feb 22, 2022•17 min•Ep. 144
Today I’m talking about inflation . In 2021, consumer prices rose 7%... the largest increase in 39 years . Is this good news or bad news? What does this mean for retirement investors? How should our investment strategy change in response? I’m answering these questions and more! If you’re ready to address common inflation myths + learn how to take action, today’s episode is for you. 👉 Access the Show Notes for This Episode...
Feb 09, 2022•13 min•Ep. 143
Today I’m discussing the current stock market volatility . As of a couple days ago, U.S. stocks were off to their worst start since 2016. Bonds are also in negative territory. And inflation is at its highest level in 39 years. Many retirement investors are [understandably] worried about the current state of the financial markets. If you want to learn why + how to respond as a smart investor, you'll love today's episode. 👉 Click Here to Access Show Notes for This Episode...
Feb 01, 2022•17 min•Ep. 142
Today I'm tackling part 2 of our life insurance in retirement series. To help, friend and fellow financial planner, Stephanie McCullough stops by. Together, we cover three main things: An academic use case for permanent life insurance to create retirement income A step-by-step process for evaluating an existing policy Tips and resources for getting conflict-free help We also break down 1035 exchanges + how you can help family members with old insurance policies . If you're ready to get into the ...
Jan 25, 2022•28 min•Ep. 141
Today I'm kicking off our two-part series on life insurance. Specifically, I'll be tailoring these episodes to those who are in retirement or close to it . Here are a handful of the things I'll be covering: What are the different types of life insurance (+ pros and cons) How to determine the need for life insurance What are the costs and tax considerations How to analyze an old insurance policy Where to buy life insurance without getting ripped off If you're FINALLY ready to understand life insu...
Jan 18, 2022•22 min
A near-record number of tech stocks have fallen by 50% or more from their one-year highs. Is this the beginning of tech bubble 2.0? If so, how will other asset classes behave? How should retirement savers prepare? One of our listeners , John H., recently reached out with these (great) questions. If, like John, some of the recent headlines around tech & growth stocks have you concerned, you'll enjoy this listener mailbag episode....
Jan 11, 2022•7 min•Ep. 139
Today I'm talking about market forecasts and predictions . Why? Unlike the core principles that create a successful investment outcome, the financial + economic environment is always changing . And the current environment drives a lot of our assumptions and decisions about the future. While I think investors should ignore most pundits , I do believe thoughtful forecasts are valuable. If you want to learn more about how to approach stock market forecasts (which there is no shortage of right now!)...
Jan 05, 2022•14 min•Ep. 138
Two weeks ago, my wife and I came home to a major water leak . We’ve been bouncing around between Airbnb’s with three kids and a dog since then. Fortunately, the $50,0000 (and counting!) in damages are being covered by insurance. But I learned that’s not always the case. I learned that some VERY large insurance companies have recently stopped covering this type of loss . If you want to learn more about my current situation + how you can ensure your home is properly protected , this episode is fo...
Dec 21, 2021•12 min•Ep. 137
The Social Security program currently pays more in benefits than it collects in revenue. If no changes are made, Social Security will become insolvent by the year 2034... ...and all beneficiaries (regardless of age or income) will face a sudden 22% benefit cut. Even more, some proposals to fix Social Security include stripping 100% of benefits from high-income retirees . This has led a lot of retirement savers to ask: "Should I include Social Security in my retirement planning projections?" If y...
Dec 07, 2021•10 min•Ep. 136
Today I’m sharing key findings from a 22-year study on investing in real estate . In general, there are three primary ways you can invest in real estate: Direct ownership Listed real estate Unlisted real estate Most investors agree that allocating to real estate is prudent . But they don't always agree on the best investment vehicle to use. If you continue to wrestle with how to invest in real estate , you’ll enjoy the recent results I’m sharing from a 22-year study on this popular asset class. ...
Nov 30, 2021•10 min•Ep. 135
Today I’m sharing 11 surprising facts about tax planning, investing, and retirement. For example, if you: Retired in the year 2000 with $1 million, invested all of it in the U.S. stock market, and withdrew $50,000 (adjusted for inflation) per year... ...you would have been out of money by 2018! If you want to learn how that could be + have some educational fun with retirement/investing statistics, today’s episode is for you. 👉 Click Here to Access Show Notes and Links for This Episode...
Nov 23, 2021•18 min•Ep. 134
Today I'm clearing up some confusion from a prior episode. I'm also tackling part 2 of our equity compensation series. Specifically, I'm sharing: How ESPP Lookback Periods Work Qualifying vs Disqualifying Dispositions Tips for Offsetting an RSU Tax Bill If you want to better understand the tax implications of equity compensation, you're going to love today's episode. 👉 Click Here to Access Show Notes and Links for This Episode...
Nov 16, 2021•22 min•Ep. 133
In 2018, GE stock traded at $7/share—an 85% drop from its all-time high. Who was hit the hardest? Company retirees...including former factory workers who used equity compensation packages to save for retirement. In part one of our equity comp series, I'm breaking down: What it is Why it exists How to manage the risks Friend and fellow planner, Odaro Aisueni , also drops by to share his wisdom and expertise. If you want to better understand equity compensation + learn about the overlooked risks o...
Nov 02, 2021•23 min•Ep. 132
Today I'm talking about inflation. While inflation has historically averaged ~3%, the most recent CPI report showed an annual rate of 5.4% . 😲 But I’m going to share why that number doesn't tell the whole story. I'm also sharing how some people are using the recent CPI report to try and scare you before Halloween even starts. Finally, I'll be providing tips for how retirement investors can improve their portfolios if moderately high inflation persists. If you want to know what the current infla...
Oct 26, 2021•17 min•Ep. 131
Today I'm talking about preferred stocks . Why? One of our listeners, Gene, was recently concerned about the low yields he was getting on bonds & cash. And he was wondering if preferred stocks would be an appropriate alternative . In addition to answering Gene's great question, I'm also breaking down: What preferred stocks are Why you might invest in them How to spot little-known risks If you're ready to learn all about preferred stocks (in plain English!), today's episode is for you. 👉 Cli...
Oct 19, 2021•10 min•Ep. 130
Today I'm talking about the U.S. National Debt which currently sits at ~$28 trillion . While that is a GIANT number, I'm sharing why current debt levels are not as big of a problem as most think. If you want to learn why (in plain English!), you're going to love today's episode. 👉 Click here to access show notes for this episode
Oct 05, 2021•10 min•Ep. 129
Today I’m talking about the benefits of Market-Cap-Weighted index funds (e.g., Vanguard Total Stock Market). Why? Last week, I made a brief comment that there were some benefits to owning them ...and a number of you reached out asking what those were. If, like these other listeners, you’re also curious about the benefits of market-cap-weighted funds, you’re going to love today’s episode! 👉 Click here to access show notes for this episode...
Sep 28, 2021•11 min•Ep. 128
The average interest rate for savings accounts is 0.06%. National home prices just reported their highest one-year gain in history . The U.S. stock market is up ~700% since March 2009. When everything seems risky and overbought , what do retirement savers do? How do you earn a healthy 7-8% return over the next 10-20 years? I break it all down in this week's episode. 👉 Click here to access show notes for this episode...
Sep 21, 2021•16 min•Ep. 127
Today I'm sharing the hot off the press results of the annual "Mind the Gap" study. Once again, over the last 10 years, investors earned ~ 2% per year less than the funds they invested in. (Hint: It's not because of fees or taxes.) If you want to learn... Why this return gap exists What asset classes are most at risk And how you can improve your returns ...you'll love this episode. 👉 Click here to access show notes for this episode...
Sep 14, 2021•8 min•Ep. 126
Today I’m talking about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Specifically, I'm sharing: How RMD withdrawal rates can creep up to 12% Why they can cause you to overpay the IRS How to use an RMD-based approach to create retirement income When RMDs can put you at risk of over withdrawing What you can do to reduce your RMD tax bill If you want to get a quick Masterclass on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and take control of your tax bill, this episode is for you! 👉 Click here to access show...
Sep 07, 2021•12 min•Ep. 125
