Should I Buy Gold at Costco? 🤔
An unexpected item has made its way into Costco 🛒. Gold bars! Yep. You can now find one-ounce gold bars for sale online at Costco. Mike and Kristen discuss whether or not it’s a wise move to hedge against economic uncertainty and explore the pros and cons of investing in physical gold. The ru…
BETTER (Not Scarier) Alternatives to Annuities
🎃 After some fall 🍂 and creepy Halloween chat 👻 (courtesy of Mike's kids), we discuss various “safe” money options that may be on your radar, and which might be best for YOU! Retirement planning can feel like a daunting task, especially when the economic landscape seems uncertain. With interes…
Why a Roth Conversion Is NOT For Everyone
As we approach retirement, financial decisions become increasingly crucial. One is whether to convert your traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. Based on a recent live event attendee's question, Mike and Kristen discuss the complexities of Roth conversions and help you understand whether it's …
How a Written Financial Plan Helps You RETIRE BETTER
Did you know that writing out your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them? 🤔 This week Mike explains the significance a written financial plan can have on your future. Whether a physical document or digital, a written plan helps you analyze thoughts, set clear goals, and outline solution…
Soaring Mortgage Rates & Your Advisors Role
It’s no secret that mortgage rates have surged to the highest levels they’ve been in more than 20 years. Mike explains the impact this could have on soon-to-be and current retirees AND the role a financial advisor should play in your life if you’re thinking about taking out a loan for a new 🏠 or v…
The Mechanics of Your Retirement Money
This week Mike explains the transition from receiving a regular paycheck from your job to begin tapping into your retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions when you stop working. Listen to find out how money flows from these accounts to your bank, what role taxes play, and if you can pul…
The Areas a Financial Advisor Should Bring Value (Besides The Obvious)
If you’re paying a financial advisor a fee to manage your money, what else should they be able to help you with? Mike shares his ✅-list based on the countless questions he’s been asked about investing and retirement in general during the last 2-plus decades as an advisor. 🚨Spoiler alert: Income P…
Finding The Right Financial Advisor & Not a Crook
After Mike straightens Kristen out on a “fun fact” that he thinks is a “false fact” about the summer heat ☀️, we discuss a concern many Americans ponder: ❓How do we make sure we’re not going to be taken advantage of when it comes to our money for retirement? After Bernie Madoff became a househo…
The “Talonomics” of “Bidenomics” & Your Money
This week Mike’s degree in economics from 🐊The University of Florida and being a fiduciary pay off, because some of the “nomics” we’re hearing don’t make sense. If you’ve been scratching your head lately about America's numbers, wall street, and things just feeling off… It’s not just you. Mike exp…
“Deal Days” 📦 Marketing vs. Real Value
Regardless of the tax bracket, many Americans seek ways to save money and not pay full price. Made-up marketing holidays such as Amazon Prime Day 📦 on July 11th & 12th (along with competitors such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target following suit in some fashion) seem to make that desire to save “ea…