Fiscal Fitness

Instead of a housing market crash during the COVID-19 recession, median home prices are up a staggering 24%. And as every 7 year-old in the world knows, all bubbles burst, 100% of the time. Will such an event be good news, bad news or no news for you?

While some Financial Advisors are diligent, thoughtful, and thorough, others are lazy as hell. Here are 7 smart questions to ask who you have hired or are thinking of hiring.

Star stock picker Cathie Wood is betting on “innovation” at the same time Michael Berry (who predicted the subprime mortgage crisis) bet big against her fund. Join us to see what this may mean to you.

Congress did something good. Now 401(k) plan sponsors have a green light for offering investments that provide guaranteed income for life. Join us to see how annuities can become a major power tool to helping you plan your financial success.

August is often the most negative volatile month in the year. In the final 3 months of all bull markets since 1970, 4 sectors have performed the worst. Now is the time to be prepared.

Instead of a housing market crash during the COVID-19 recession, median home prices are up a staggering 24%. And as every 7 year-old in the world knows, all bubbles burst, 100% of the time. Will such an event be good news, bad news or no news for you?

The U.S. could well be following other countries bracing for the Delta variant impact. Tune to discover what's scaring our medical experts now and how to keep you and your loved ones safe

The U.S. could well be following other countries bracing for the Delta variant impact. Tune to discover what's scaring our medical experts now and how to keep you and your loved ones safe

Expert will reveal how employers are working to overcome today's most common recruiting and retention challenges. See how you can apply the takeaways to fill skill gaps in your own organization.

Does this sound familiar to you? · 71% worried about the rising costs of healthcare · 67% worry about rising costs of living · 66% afraid market downturns will affect their savings · Only 1/3 have broached the subject with their advisor Tune in to put light on the subjects!

You will undoubtedly hear in the news about The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City hosting a modified, in-person program for this year's Economic Policy Symposium, “Macroeconomic Policy in an Uneven Economy,” in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, August 26-28, 2021. Dozens of central bankers, policy makers, academics, and economists from around the world will be in attendance. I mention this for two reasons; the papers will be available at kansascityfed.org as they are presented. More significantly, we won't be in attendance but we are interviewing my friend Lacy Hunt, Ph.D. who could have been Chairman of the Federal Reserve and you will have access to him at our show

Lumber prices have experienced one of their biggest and quickest plunges in history. Futures contract dropped more than 40% in 25 trading sessions. That current plunge is a bearish sign for stocks. August through October tend to be weak months and are riper for seasonal crashes. Prepare for wealth transfer today.

The federal government's foreclosure moratorium is ending later this month. We'll look to see if that portends foreclosures are about to come roaring back.

Business giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple were once just ideas. Contemporary ideas coming from the minds of people hold equal potential to influence the world order. The only difference is in the realization and execution. Tune in for bright ideas you can use for your successful business.

During the 2018-19 school year, students received $41.3 billion in federal grant aid alone to help pay for college. Scholarships and grants aren't completely free money for college-you must compete for them- but they can save students and their families from debt.

So many Americans are terrified over the time yet to come. Meet students who show us why we can enjoy the present as we look forward to a compelling future.

It is reasonable to believe that there will soon be a significant increases in Americans filing for divorce. Unfortunately too many people rely on their friends for advice. Since upwards of 90% settle it's a good idea to see how to play the game with a new attitude.

Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 which qualifies them for Medicare health coverage. Many applicants don't understand Medicare so they make costly mistakes as a result.

Central banks would have you believe stimulus will always make the economy grow no matter what. With a rising U.S. population between 1964 and 2000, labor hours employed per capita rose by a robust 40%. Since 2000, however, labor hours employed per capita have declined by nearly 9%.

There was an astonishing surge in leverage in late 1999 that peaked March 2000. A similar gush peaked July 2007, three months before the market peak. This interesting indicator is worthy of watching.

Join us to learn why this question is a hot google search. We'll also reveal the 50 areas that may bust first.

Did you know margin debt often precedes market volatility, like 2000 and 2008? Margin debt reached new highs 12/20 as more investors borrowed against their portfolio usually to buy more stock. Throwing darts in the dark can become devastating with a margin call.

Are you planning on leaving your family money or are you believing you are going to be left money? Either way, the investments can be depleted due to long term care costs.

What's an investor to do? The extreme demand for portfolio hedges suggest that all is not well for the U.S stock bull run, which is on shaky ground between rising Treasury yields and extended lockdowns.

Life is so busy and complicated many Americans never get around to planning for their financial success.  But the government could make the job a lot easier by making auto-enrollment a requirement at work.

Instead of spend, baby spend, many households plan to “save” their next stimulus checks. Before your check shows up, what do you plan on doing with the money?  In one survey we find that Bitcoin is more popular than stocks among those receiving stimulus money.

Private landlords do not always see that they are earning lower returns on their investment.  Many fail to count taxes, rent control, ordinary expenses, and changing weather conditions. No one expects rising prices and rents to be any different from recent history.

We all know the old adage, “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”  While the pandemic helped the richest people, the recovery for many could take over a decade.  Tune in to discover what can be done to remedy the gap of income and wealth inequalities.

In fantasy land stock prices are reasonable because rates will stay the lowest you have witnessed forever. Set that fantasy aside and the rationale collapses like Humpty Dumpty.  What's an investor to do if sub-par returns persist in the years ahead?

Created consistently since 1953, China just completed their 14th policy blueprint for 2021-25.  With our trademark, ‘The proof is in the planning', and our belief that luck is not a strategy, let's be inspired to draft your family plan.

iIf The Market Drops Driven by the 3 ‘Rs,' Are You Ready? Bank of America was ringing the alarm bells over equities recently.  BofA submits that the “3R's of rates, regulation, redistribution are historic catalysts that end bull market & bubbles.”  In other words, BofA warns that a correction is looming. If such headwinds take hold, discover how investors can stay their course.

Stocks are seeing huge moves daily thanks to short-term traders doing all things possible to maximize immediate profit.  Join us to discover ways you may keep your balance before you get sick on the market roller-coaster ride. Now is the time to prepare for what's next.

“Finished off the year with the highest Stock Market in history. Setting records with your 401's, just like I said you would. Congratulations to all!” That was Former President Donald Trump on Twitter, 12/31/20.  Let's take a look at  the record for the Dow Jones performance with Trump, Obama, George W. Bush and Clinton

The majority of Americans did not expect Georgia to break blue for both the White House and the Senate. That's because most of us have not learned how to study demographic changes.  So, we are left to speak from the perspective of history. Which may leave us unprepared for the unforeseen. Join us with Atlanta Executive Coach, James Rodgers, PH.D., FIMC, to discover why Jim said on 11/3/20 he expected Republicans to lose both the presidency and two Senate seats.

Thanks to the pandemic, business bankruptcies are set to rise dramatically. At the same time Congress streamlined the rules for small businesses hoping to use bankruptcy to make a fresh start, the increase in Americans starting businesses surged to a 13-year high.

Join us to put some light on three significant subjects: Carl Icahn says he's well hedged for a correction, are you? America First? Why China Will Become #1 World Economy by 2028 Size Doesn't Matter: The Universal Problems With Pensions

There are few 7-session stretches that are better for the stock market than the last 5 days of the year and the first 2 days of the New Year.  In fact, if history is any guide, the average gain for that period of time is 1.5%, per Bloomberg.   Investors are worried about the market's ability to maintain its historic melt-up and exuberant valuations as the COVID-19 pandemic reminds the world it is far from finished. Join us as we discuss the polarization that isn't toxic only in politics, it's evident on Wall Street as well.  The last time we saw Wall Street traders so polarized was at the February 2020 market top.  Ladies and gentlemen, put your tray tables in the upright and locked position.

No one knows when the coronavirus sell-off will end and a new uptrend emerge.  But we do know what to do to keep your assets from being handed to you.  While investors wonder when Apple, Amazon, Tesla, and Microsoft and other leaders will eventually rebound and a new stock market uptrend will begin, start by looking at volume.  And don't miss what the addition of Tesla might portend for the market.  Buy the lows?  Maybe, but we are likely to witness several head fakes before we get a true and sustainable rebound in the market.  Savvy investors will want to avoid getting suckered back into the market too early.

Just suppose the market will test new lows in 2021. After the 20% loss 4th quarter 2018, and the 35% decline Ist quarter 2020, is it possible the first leg down next year could be 40%? Last month, the Dow posted its best month since 1987, and both the Dow and the S&P 500 ranked the best November since 1928. Now before you sing, Happy Days are Here Again, remember that the 1920's lead off with the Roaring 20's and ended with a bust. In fact, the 1928 “best November” happened before the market crash of 1929. We don't predict the future. We prepare. Join us with Michael Gayed, CFA, Portfolio Manager, Toroso Asset Management. The award winning author and publisher will explain what he does to keep investor assets from being handed to them when the grits hit the pan.

While some Americans can afford the luxury of working from home, other workers put their lives in peril every single day, just doing their jobs. Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native people had an age-adjusted COVID-19 hospitalization rate about 5.3 times that of non-Hispanic white people, according to data from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Black people and Hispanic or Latino population were both about 4.7 times the rate of non-Hispanic white people. After controlling for age, sex, and mortality rates over time as to the likelihood to die, Asians were 53% more likely, Black Americans were 37% more likely to die than Whites, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, 26%more likely, and Hispanics, 16% more likely to die. Join us for Herman Williams, MD, MPH, MBA, Managing Director and Chief Physician Executive of the BDO Healthcare Advisory Practice, who is also African-American and author of the book Clear! Living the Life You Didn't Dream Of.

While the pandemic is a disaster of epic proportions, “No other rich-world country is experiencing the same rise in entrepreneurship,” according to The Economist, October 10, 2020.  Our panel of experts will share ideas for what it takes for old business as well new businesses to survive and thrive.   Andrea Roschke, CPA, Roschke & Wall CPAs Incl,  will identify what you need to do to enjoy all of the tax breaks so that your firm avoids the focus of the IRS.   Attorney Robert Wynner, Shareholder, Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC advises companies on negotiating and structuring companies so that they command top dollar when poised for sale.   Bob Charney, Founder & Owner, RSC Marketing & Advertising, delivers insightful and effective advertising strategies that fit the budget and increase the bottom line.   John Grace and Daniel Medina will highlight the changes put in place by various states that requires small businesses to offer retirement access to businesses.

Yields on traditional income investments have been declining for over a decade. This requires individual investors to adapt their income strategy by moving up the risk spectrum leading to potentially large drawdowns to today's low yield environment through alternative sources. Listen in as we discuss the benefits of investing in real estate to help provide income and potentially reduce volatility compared to traditional income investments. Bluerock created the Total Income+ real estate fund to invest predominately in institutionally managed private real estate funds which has only been accessible by the largest institutions, endowments and pensions for the past 40+ years. Total Income+ dynamically manages and invests across various real estate sectors throughout the United States.

The generational spending cycle peaked in 2007. Now, the technology cycle is peaking very close to 90 years after the infamous 1929 bubble peak—and that creates the most powerful 90-year cycle for stocks. No one can see the future and just suppose, “That peak provides a very strong indicator that we are about to see the greatest stock crash since 1929–1932. The leading Nasdaq 100 bubble either peaked on September 2 or will soon after the election,” wrote Harry Dent, Dent Research to subscribers November 4, 2020.  Over the last 41 years we have learned that savvy investors seem to hate losses more than they love gains.  Join us and our guest speaker, Jonathan Taylor, CFA, City National Rochdale to discover how to design and implement your exit strategies before the grits hit the pan. Again.

5 legal tips with aging parents during difficult times. On top of the pandemic, it's that time of year again: first Thanksgiving, and then the winter holidays.  With fewer distractions these days, this is the time when families are most likely to get together with older parents, one way or the other. Getting together can't be often enough and more families are concerned about an older relative's health or safety or well-being.  It's never easy to have “the talk” but this is a good time to plan as you “get things in order”.  Terri Hilliard Olson, Esq., attorney, author, mediator, Dementia Care Practitioner will empower you in addressing these common aging and caregiving concerns.

For many parents, one of the hardest questions to answer is How are we going to pay for college for our children? For many parents, plan A is to get a full scholarship. What about plan B? On 11/4/20 John and Daniel will discuss how parents should frame the college cost conversation with their kids. They will also have Nancy Paul, of Three Wishes College Strategies, who will talk to us about how you can save on college and empower your student for a bright future...even if you earn too much for financial aid...and even during a pandemic.

John was encouraged by his colleagues to write a book for investors. “Making Finance Makes Sense: Striving to Win” just became available via paperback and the Kindle version at Amazon. For those who write or call in with questions on the show, “Fiscal Fitness with John Grace & Daniel Medina” will receive the Kindle version of the book for Free. On 10/28/20 John and Daniel will go over the material in the book to include, You Can't Read the Economy by the Headlines, A Millennial Calamity Will Become America's Headache, Ready for a Correction? Probably Not, Our Economic Ponzi Scheme May Cause the Next Crash, how The 4% Rule Should Not be Treated Like Newton's Law of Physics, and Investors Can Prepare for the Good, the Bad, and the Unforeseen. As John is fond of saying, “It's not about the prediction, it's always about the preparation.” Join us!

Technology has made it easier than ever to invest in low cost funds and Exchange Traded Funds. Some platforms even allow you to invest for free. But, not all free or no-load platforms are equal. Some free investing platforms are severely limited, while others remain passive as share prices, and account values, disappear like the Titanic. An increasing number of investors are evaluating newer platforms that are more robust for what they need. Sometimes consumers get exactly what they pay for. We will explore the differences so that you can determine what's the right approach for you, your risk, and your goals.

What's the Difference Between Active vs. Passive Investing? Compare active management with indexing to discover which one, or what combination, is the right road for you to take. The best position to take will depend upon the individual investor's circumstances, investment objectives, and income requirements. The managers of many mutual funds and index funds try to mirror the returns of the index it follows by purchasing (all or nearly all) of the holdings in the index. Actively managed portfolios we like to employ have the ability to move from holding shares to cash for safety during nasty drawdowns and back into risk assets from investor money market accounts when it looks safe to enjoy market upturns.

A lot of people own life insurance. But the majority may not be aware that they don't have enough life insurance coverage on themselves or the other breadwinner in the same household in the event of premature death. We will address how to determine if life insurance is needed, how much is sufficient, and what type of coverage might serve the best purpose. Those who are divorced or planning for divorce can not afford to miss this discussion.

While Hollywood is often said to be tough on women, the world of finance is another high profile, big money industry where women and people of color have been historically underreprsented. In the various echelons of financial mangement and investment services, women and minorities. Harvard Business School studies paint an arduous picture for women. Among senior roles in venture capital and private equity, women held just 9% and 6% of the positions, respectively. Out of 100 banks in the U.S. only 6 are headed by females. By the way, down from 7, there are only 4 black CEOs in the Fortune 500, as of 7/21/20. Only 2 black women led an S&P 500 company, per Bloomberg. In the financial planning community there was a 12% increase in the number of Latino and black CFPs, the highest increase ever per the CFP board, but there are all of 3,259 as totoal, Black at 2700 and Latino at 1500 CFPs, making up 4% of the 86,378 CFPs in America 2018. As Andy Sieg, President at Merrill Lynch said, “T

A lot of people own life insurance. But the majority may not be aware that they don't have enough life insurance coverage on themselves or the other breadwinner in the same household in the event of premature death. We will address how to determine if life insurance is needed, how much is sufficient, and what type of coverage might serve the best purpose. Those who are divorced or planning for divorce can not afford to miss this discussion.