Solving The Financial Puzzle

Many Americans were able to build up their savings accounts during COVID and now have extra cash at their disposal. With inflation on the rise, sitting on cash isn’t the best long-term strategy so what should you do with this extra money? Dan Cuprill will share nine different ways to use your cash and explain the pros and cons for each.   Key points on this episode: 2:26 – Spend it 3:24 – Put it in the bank   5:02 – Buy annuities   6:03 – Address an exposure you have in your plan 8:13 – Invest in an iBond 8:59 – Take advantage of discounted stocks/bonds 9:44 – Pay off debt 10:21 – Give it away 10:58 – Ask yourself this question   For more financial resources, visit us online: http://moneyandclarity.com 

No matter where you look, there’s very little positive financial news right now. Inflation is soaring. Markets are tumbling. Supply chain issues continue. You’re probably wondering if this time is different. Let’s take a look at this current investing environment and share a few of the things we’re telling our clients.   Get additional financial tools here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    What we discuss in this episode:  2:15 – Markets dropping isn’t a bad thing 4:10 – Markets aren’t linear 6:27 – Like a difficult medical procedure 8:31 – This is factored into your plan 10:00 – Moments like this are normal

Real estate prices have been soaring over the past few years and that has plenty of people worrying about a bubble coming. Rather than stressing over something that may or may not happen, take time to enjoy the rising home values. Let’s talk about how you can do that and why we think this is a great thing.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    Today's Key Points:  2:02 – Not happy about high prices? 3:40 – Is this a bubble? 5:17 – Tangible asset 5:56 – Rise in value is a good thing 7:40 – Emotions drive decisions 8:53 – What you need to understand 10:12 – What you can do now

We’ve all been keeping an eye on the events happening in Ukraine and many people have been asking us what it might mean to the economy in the near term and the long term. Today we’ll share an article we came across recently that looked at some of the biggest news events over the past few decades and how markets reached right after.   Read the article: https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2022/02/24/how-stocks-performed-after-11-global-shocks/    Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    What we discuss in this episode:  0:33 – Background on the article 3:24 – Events of the 1980s and 1990s 6:58 – Events of the 2000s 8:20 – Market reactions 10:35 – How will this affect you? 11:52 – Question on Social Security

Having to handle the estate of a loved one can be a difficult time because of the emotional ramifications that come along with making these financial decisions. We found an interesting article that explored the author’s personal experience with having to oversee his mother’s estate and everything that came along with that.     Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/   What we discuss in this episode:  0:56 – Conflict in Ukraine 2:08 – The article we’re referencing 3:29 – Estate taxes 4:22 – Giving assets away before death 5:52 – Pros to giving away assets now 7:56 – Step up cost basis 9:38 – Irrevocable trust 10:51 – The biggest issue in the article 11:50 – Final thoughts

It’s impossible to ignore the rising costs in everyday expenses right now and it’s clear that inflation will need to be incorporated into planning moving forward. Today we’ll explore the impact inflation is having on retirees and pre-retirees and discuss the things you should be considering with your financial plan.   Read more and get additional financial resources: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    What we discuss in this episode:  0:35 – Why we rebranded the podcast 1:28 – Examples of price increases 6:20 – Two reasons for the recent inflation rise  7:00 – Used cars prices  9:45 – Look at your home value  11:48 – Real negatives to inflation 13:29 – Inflation adjustments in planning 16:59 – Inflation’s evil twin brother, taxation  18:54 – Being too conservative is actually aggressive 21:23 – Closing thoughts

The SECURE Act, when rolled out in 2020, was some of the most significant retirement legislation in years, but the government is already discussing further changes. Let’s run through the list of proposals and find out how they might impact planning in the future.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/07/ep-166-secure-act-2-0-what-you-need-to-know/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:02 – Summer update 2:55 – Background on the SECURE Act 3:46 – RMD age increase even further 6:17 – Auto-enroll into 401k 8:00 – Catch-up contributions could increase 10:11 – Matching contributions on student loan payments 12:18 – National 401k database 

The statements we’ll run though on the show today are basic common sense that nearly everyone would agree with, but our behave often doesn’t line up. Today look at these straight-forward approaches and explain what keeps us from following them.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/06/ep-165-learning-through-uncommon-sense/    What we discuss on this episode: 0:55 – Life without masks 4:22 – Buy Low and Sell High 6:59 – Don’t pay more in taxes than you have to 9:39 – Keep costs low 11:59 – Don’t put all your eggs in one basket   14:03 – Market timing is virtually impossible

On today’s show, we’re going to be talking about financial planning in President Biden’s America. We’re past his 100th day in office, so let’s take a look at the impacts in financial planning and the markets.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/05/ep-164-financial-planning-in-bidens-america/    What we discuss on this episode:  3:17 – Taxes 7:50 – Infrastructure 14:15 – Capital gains 17:37 – Climate

Comprehensive planning takes care of every aspect of retirement, but without it there are areas that could quickly become a calamity. Today we’ll identify five key areas where people don’t pay enough attention and end up flirting with disaster.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/04/ep-163-flirting-with-financial-disaster/   What we discuss on this episode:  2:24 – Out of date legal documents 7:21 – Incorrect beneficiaries 10:15 – Ticking tax time bomb 14:43 – Long-term care expenses 19:12 – The 60/40 portfolio

If you’re getting prepared to file your 2020 taxes and looking ahead to the changes that might be coming this year and beyond, we’ll run through some of the key items from a very unique and challenging last 12 months.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/02/ep-162-tax-tips-for-2021/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:45 – Stimulus payments 5:31 – Tax brackets 7:55 – Extra deductions for charity 10:36 – Required Minimum Distributions 12:55 – Home office deductions 15:14 – Filing advice 17:54 – State specific changes 18:34 – How our team assists with tax planning

As we kick of the new year, let’s talk about what statistics tell us about retirement. We found five specific stats that will surprise you and make you realize that financial planning needs to be a priority in 2021.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/01/ep-161-5-important-retirement-statistics-worth-your-time/    What we discuss on this show:  1:51 – Have clients been nervous about the start to 2021? 3:10 – Breaking down five important statistics 3:52 – Only 17% of American workers are confident they’ll have enough in retirement. 7:30 – The average 65-year-old woman has an average life expectancy of 20.7 more years. 9:28 – Some issues that come up for women later in life 12:30 – 16.5% of country is over age of 65 17:09 – The average retiree will spend $295,000 on out-of-pocket medical expenses during retirement. 21:57 – 90% of people over 60 say a written plan is important but only 20% have one.

Dan Cuprill is back on the show today to help us sort out the economic impact the election will have as we move into a new year. With talk of the Green New Deal, student debt forgiveness, and tax changes, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about what’s next for investors. Today we’ll try to ease your mind and provide some clarity.   Read more and get additional financial planning resources: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/12/ep-160-economic-outlook-following-the-election/    What we discuss on this show:  0:42 – Dan Cuprill back with us today 2:13 – What does the election mean for investors right now? 7:15 – Dan’s advice to everybody 9:04 – Unexpected bad news is what impacts the market 11:56 – Over time it doesn’t really matter 13:31 – This is why diversification is so important 14:33 – Possible economic policies of new administration 18:16 – Preparing for increased taxes 22:00 – What can we be doing right now as investors? 23:48 – Dan’s outlook for 2021 25:50 – Stay positive 26:57 – How to

Much like technology becomes outdated each year, retirement planning strategies begin to lose their effectiveness over time. Today we’ll look at five different planning ideas that have been used quite a bit before but might not have the same impact in today’s economy and market conditions.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/09/ep-159-obsolete-retirement-planning-ideas/    What we discuss on this show:  3:09 – Let’s start with the 4% Rule 6:55 – The 10-5-3 Rule   8:40 – Move from stocks to bonds as you get older 11:20 – Get to $1 million in your retirement account and your ready for retirement.   13:17 – You’ll need less income in retirement than you needed while working.   15:56 – What’s the process for someone wanting to meet and work on these items?  

Like it or not, there are certain financial challenges that women are more prone to face. Why is that? What can you do about it?   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/08/ep-158-what-financial-challenges-do-women-face-more-often/    On today's show: 1:06 - What financial issues are particularly challenging for women? 1:47 - What level of engagement do most women have in their financial plan? 4:06 - Why do so many retired women find themselves in difficult financial situations? 6:15 - What specific challenges are faced by widowed women? 7:39 - What should a husband do to prevent a mess being left behind for his wife? 8:44 - How has Nikki helped women facing retirement and financial stress alone?

We often find that people are clinging to certain ideas or beliefs that end up giving them a sense of false hope about their retirement. It’s a dangerous position to be in. Let’s explore some of the faulty thinking that ultimately leaves people underprepared for retirement.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/07/ep-157-retirement-ready-are-you-clinging-to-false-hope/    Today's show schedule:  0:56 – How’s life in Ohio right now? 2:48 – What we’re talking about today. 3:36 – The mindset that you’ll be ready to retire when you hit a certain number. 8:15 – Belief that your income needs are going to decrease when you retire.  10:40 – Assuming that an inheritance will make up for any shortfalls in retirement. 13:27 – You’re going to ‘just figure it out’ in retirement.    14:23 – Assuming that the income estimate on our 401k statement is accurate.  16:53 – Take us through the Money & Clarity for crafting a plan.

Maybe you know you need to contribute somewhere or you’ve always contributed to a traditional IRA but have been wondering about the Roth. Nikki explains the similarities and differences between the two and explains the long-term benefits. Show Notes & Resources: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/?p=27798 Timestamps: 1:11 - Nikki shares what her family is up to. 2:39 - There are a lot of differences between the traditional and Roth IRA. 4:00 - When you pay taxes on the Roth IRA and why that matters. 4:40 - What do the Roth IRA and traditional IRA have in common? 6:43 - Why have people have contributed to traditional IRAs instead of a Roth IRA? 9:13 - Why can a Roth IRA be so powerful? 11:34 - When is a Roth IRA a better choice? 12:48 - When should you contribute to a traditional IRA? 14:31 - Your advisor should be able to help determine which is best every year.

As investors, we’re always looking out ahead towards our goals in retirement so we’re constantly striving to move forward. But doing that can lead to us forgetting about the importance of managing what we already have. Let’s look at the important assets in our portfolio that might get overlooked and why it’s important to be evaluating your positions.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/05/ep-155-are-you-paying-enough-attention-to-your-largest-assets/    Today's show schedule:  0:59 – How is Nikki dealing with the pandemic.  2:37 – Maybe the most overlooked thing is an old 401k. 3:25 – A surprising stat that shows we’re not in tune with our investments. 6:04 – Your house and considerations you should be making about this asset. 8:57 – Social Security - what should you be thinking about here? 11:21 – Improving your future savings potential 13:28 – Should you combine your smaller accounts? 15:09 – Diversifying is important but many times clien

Over the past month, we’ve seen financial markets react to potential economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and it’s happened at an unprecedented pace. But how surprised should we be by this significant reaction? Dan Cuprill joins the show as we talk about the lessons we’ve learned from history, what this latest crash has taught us, and where we might go from here financially.   Read more and get additional resources here: http://moneyandclarity.com    Today's rundown:  0:46 – We’re joined by Dan Cuprill once again. 1:22 – Every 100 years there seems to be a new pandemic. 2:32 – This is affecting us all in many different ways but it’s taught us one important lesson. 5:11 – You can use history to see how markets react. 6:38 – Be calm because this is typically an investing opportunity. 7:44 – Bad news happens but you have to ask yourself this question to determine how markets will react. 8:15 – Watching cable news 24/7 isn’t going to help anybody. 10:12 – Panic starts to set in and trying to

No one could predict how much of an impact the coronavirus would have on the market, but it’s been a rough month for everyone. Nikki will share her thoughts on this unprecedented time and talk about the conversations they’re having around the office. With all the speculation and uncertainty, now is a great time to revisit the financial truths that should be guiding your financial planning.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/03/ep-153-coronavirus-and-solid-financial-truths/    Today's rundown:  0:53 – It’s an unprecedented time in the world right now. 2:45 – The economic side of the Coronavirus has already had a huge impact on many people. 4:34 – Everything has happened so quickly and unexpectedly. 6:36 – What conversations are happening in the office right now with clients? 9:53 – Let’s shift to our main conversation on solid financial truths. 10:38 – The first truth: TV can be our biggest enemy. 13:46 – The second truth: You rarely make good financi