Retirement Pathfinder

Let’s explore some of the things you should be thinking about and checking on as we wrap up 2020 and begin 2021. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

In the retail world, the old saying is that “the customer is always right.” But when it comes to financial planning, it’s probably not wise to subscribe to that idea. What’s the point of having a financial coach if your advice is better than your coach’s advice? Let’s talk about some statements you might hear from clients that might require you to push back because the customer isn’t always right. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our listeners! We are so thankful to each of you who tune into the podcasts regularly. Your feedback and input is invaluable. On this episode, Barbara and Phil will assess the country's debt and tax situation as we wrap up 2020 and discuss why right now, before the end of the calendar year, might be the best time to do a Roth conversion. Make sure to listen to this episode right away in case you need to take action before Dec 31st. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Today's podcast is dedicated to answering questions that have come in from our listeners. A few topics we cover are long-term care policies, worries about the market, passing money down, and much more! Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

On this episode, we present you with five commandments that are worth of being written on stone tablets in your retirement plan. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

The S&P 500 has risen on strong growth from large cap stocks but is it too good to be true? You might be feeling like you're missing out on these investments but maybe you aren't. Let's talk about whether it's a good investment moving forward and what we've learned from previous market data. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Illinois voters will soon be deciding on an issue impacting the state’s financial future as well as their own bank accounts. This fair tax proposal has been a hot topic of conversation across the state but also with our clients. Today we'll break down the proposal to help you better understand exactly what this means for you. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Everyone has read blogs, watched shows, and listened to people talk about all the key ways to improve or succeed in retirement. But what about how you can mess it all up? Let’s tackle five easy ways to ruin your retirement (then just do the opposite of these things and you’ll be fine). Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Many financial issues impact us all the same. But, of course, other challenges have varying impacts from person to person because our situations are all unique. Let’s take a look at some of the financial and retirement challenges that are unique to women. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

On this mailbag edition of the podcast, we'll talk about whether it's a good idea to invest in bonds or REITs, what services you should expect from your financial advisor, and whether or not you should pay off your mortgage. We'll also get Phil's take on the current state of student loan debt and whether or not colleges should be held accountable. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

So, we’ve all experienced what a market crash feels like in recent memory. If you had forgotten what it felt like in 2008, then 2020 should have been a sobering reminder of what it’s like to experience that sudden market drop. Now, we don’t know when the next market crash will come. Will rising virus cases now or a resurgence in the fall cause another one? Will the lead up to, or result of, the election cause turbulence? We just don’t know what factor is going to come along and serve as the catalyst for the problem. But what we can do is follow some basic rules to ensure we don’t lose our shirts next time the arrow on the graph tumbles down. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

On today's show, we answer questions that have come in the mailbag. We discuss if it's worth paying a penalty fee on a variable annuity, letting your children know about their inheritance, how to budget for travel, and if incorporating a trust in your plan is a good strategy. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

There is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic caused major turmoil in the stock market, but it seems that the stock market has continued to go up since the big dip that initially happened. Some people are skeptical of this trend and do not think that the market will recover quickly, while others remain optimistic. Barbara and Phil will explain why this trend has been happening and where they think the economy is headed. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Dave Ramsey has earned a lot of respect among savers and investors over the years as evidenced by his enormously popular radio show, books and sold out performance venues when he speaks. But is all of his advice worth following? Is it possible that some of the things he professes will actually hurt you financially? Let’s take a look at some of Dave’s most popular advice and see if and when it makes sense for retirees and pre-retirees to disagree. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

We've had a lot of great listener questions come in, so we decided to make them the focus of this episode. Beverly asks if she is properly diversified given the large number of mutual funds in her portfolio. Amber is curious if she is on track to retire with the amount of money she has saved at age 55. Barbara and Phil tackle these questions and much more. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Barbara and Phil will provide an update on conversations they've had with clients about the Coronavirus and then move into a discussion on where you're getting financial advice from. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Congress recently passed the CARES Act to try and help alleviate some of the financial impacts that the Coronavirus has had on the country. Barbara and Phil will run down the main points of this bill and discuss their overall thoughts of this new piece of legislation. We will also answer a few mailbag questions in the second half of the show. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

A lot of things in the financial landscape have an “it depends” resolution. It can be frustrating when things are so fluid and vary person to person. So, let’s discuss some financial truths that we can state with confidence and see what we can learn from them. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

The Coronavirus and other economic forces have caused the stock market to crater and experience some wild ups and downs the past few weeks. It has a lot of investors feeling emotional and worried about their retirement plans. Barbara and Phil will give their opinions on the down market and the advice they are currently giving their clients. We will also break down what a backdoor Roth IRA is and discuss the differences between active and passive management styles. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

We talk all the time about how people need to give their dollars purpose or set goals for their retirement and even specifically for certain investments. But let’s dive deeper into what different goals look like for various folks approaching retirement. How do you determine if a goal is realistic or out of reach? We’ll tackle that conversation with plenty of examples on this episode. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact: http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/