Investor Coaching Show – Paul Winkler, Inc

Social Security is a complex topic and can be confusing to navigate. Today's episode of the investor coaching show is our annual Social Security Webinar.    If you want to see all the visuals that go along with this presentation or watch it on our website, go to: paulwinkler.com/ss.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

A common question Paul hears about this younger generation is: Isn't it worse for us now? With wage stagnation and tough housing markets, it could be very easy to assume it is harder. After all, houses were for sale for $30,000 fifty years ago. Paul and Evan expand the question by including the concept of quality of life. Was the average single-family home in 1960 the same quality as the average single-family home in 2010? Did it have the same amenities? Was it larger or smaller? Listen along to hear these advisors explain why cost of living and quality of life work together to paint a more optimistic picture for younger generations.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

It's easy to look at wealthier investors and think they know more about money and investing. Today, Paul and Evan explain some critical differences between wealthy investors and average-income investors and why comparing yourself to wealthy investors can lead to many investing mistakes.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Paul and Evan talk about a trap that educated investors don't fall into around interest rates. Last week, we saw interest rates change, which may bring about a rise in return in fixed income assets, like bond and CD rates, and a short-term drop in stock prices. Listen along to hear these two investors explain why a diversified portfolio historically beats responding to these trends and why even 10-year returns aren't a long enough time horizon to see what is going on in stocks.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Inflation is pushing the value of the dollar down, but markets can be volatile, and it can be difficult to pull money out for income when stocks are down. Today, Paul talks about an asset mix that has historically been a great income solution for properly diversified investors.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn't, pays it." This quote is often attributed to Albert Einstein and is the driving force behind the new Invest America Act proposed by Sen. Ted Cruz in early May, which would give each American born $1,000 at birth in an investment account that could be added to over the years and taken out of when they are an adult. This idea has been praised by many, and Paul even admits it is a tempting proposition, but there is a problem with the bill that few are talking about. With the government investing billions of dollars into large U.S. companies each year through this law, would the government be able to use its investment to gain leverage over and coerce companies by threatening to invest elsewhere?   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul talks about how to overcome some of the first challenges around saving and investing. Listen along to hear Paul cover the mindset shift that helps many go from living paycheck to paycheck to saving and making their first investments. Paul spends the second half of the episode helping those newer to investing get educated about the most common strategies that get sold and why those strategies leave investors' money more at risk than a properly diversified portfolio.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul reflects on the work of Jonathan Clements, an author and former writer for The Wall Street Journal, who has not stopped trying to leave a legacy amid a terminal cancer diagnosis. Listen along as Paul explains why it is so important to have voices like these in the investing world and why the concept of market efficiency is the foundation that you build many other investing concepts on top of.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Paul and Evan open the show talking about how tax law changes have affected the way you take an income from certain investments over the last 50 years. They then pivot into a conversation around tariffs and changes in global trade that could create new opportunities and challenges for jobs as we see technology change the way that businesses innovate and operate.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul and Evan talk about a tax bill the Trump administration is calling the “Big Beautiful Bill” and share some details about certain tax increases and credits that are likely to be included. Listen along as the advisors share an honest and level-headed discussion about these items and why they are not encouraging the public and investors to get too excited or scared about it, because legislation can always be changed and isn't the determining factor in relaxing about money.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

If you search the internet for the average return of the S&P 500, you'll likely get some very different answers. If the average return of your portfolio is off by even 1%, you end up with very different incomes in retirement. Today, Paul and Evan cover this topic at length and share why looking at the 30-year periods of the market will make the picture clearer. They also explain how we can use this kind of information to see that properly diversified portfolios outperform both large U.S. funds and total market funds.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Searching your symptoms online can be a frightening experience, often leading you to seek professional medical advice. Similarly, Paul Winkler and Evan Barnard discuss how investors can be misled by unreliable or biased information online, resulting in a misdiagnosis of their financial situation. Listen along to hear these investors talk about how the internet as a whole paints a skewed picture of markets and how AI is making it even more difficult for investors to navigate.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

In the world of investing, there are multiple ways to engage in the trap of market timing. Today, Paul and Evan talk about how flexible markets and capitalism can be and then segue into a conversation about why trying to pay all of your taxes now, when your income is higher, can make a “tax-free” retirement more expensive in the long run. Listen along to hear why these kinds of ideas are more about advisors trying to get new clients than they are about you reaching your income goals in retirement.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Companies have spent countless amounts of money convincing investors that investing is getting out before the market goes down and picking the companies that are going to have the best returns. Paul and Evan share that the financial industry can be such a hard place to navigate because investors have been trained to believe that advisors and fund companies can give them something that doesn't exist. Listen along as these advisors explain that the alternative to the messages in these marketing campaigns is an academic approach backed by a century of data and Nobel Prize-winning strategies.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul and Evan offer a wider perspective on market crashes and address an almost ubiquitous phrase from people worried about markets: “I know markets have rebounded, but this time it's different.” Listen along as these two advisors talk about what we can learn from the full century of data available on market crashes and why, even though the specific events we live through today have never occurred, the market has experienced similar conditions through the chaos of the last 100 years.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul and Evan talk about two different financial topics that are not what they seem. After DOGE chose to make some changes to social security offices and policy, pundits declared that the program is in trouble and Americans should be scared. After gold had some better returns in the short term, pundits declared that tariffs are killing the U.S. Dollar and that gold is on the rise. Listen along to hear why neither of these stories is what they seem and why confident investors tune out the 24/7 financial news outlets.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul explains that many people don't want to do their homework before hiring a financial advisor. We love to trust word of mouth, or worse, the marketing materials of an advisory firm. Paul reminds investors that you don't buy a car without doing some research or a home without having a proper inspection. The financial consequences of going 30 years of saving and investing without vetting your advisor can be dire. Listen along as Paul shares how to do the research and end up with the right planner.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Paul shares three examples of conversations where clients were operating with some old information about their financial situation and were looking for advice. In those situations, you can either tell clients what you think they should do or empower them to learn about finances and make a decision that feels best for them. Listen along as Paul shares some common misconceptions investors face and why you want an advisor who teaches you how to think through your own decisions.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

When you work with a financial advisor, you are hiring someone to work for you and you should expect them to be qualified. Today, Paul asks: Do you know what financial advisors are supposed to be doing? And do you know how to vet an advisor to make sure they are the right fit? Listen along as Paul answers both of the questions and addresses things to be on the lookout for when you search for a good advisor.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

The financial industry is working hard to convince investors that everyone should be dialing back the risk in their portfolios due to tariffs. Paul asks: Isn't this just market timing? Listen along as Paul shares why making changes to a diversified portfolio means opening yourself up to inflation risk, losing out on upside potential, and ultimately engaging in market timing. Paul explains the real effect tariffs have on markets and why we have every reason to believe that stocks will continue to provide the same kinds of returns we have seen over the last 100 years.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

In today's episode, Paul discusses investor fear about changes due to the shifting economic climate. It is so easy to hear how the media talks about what is happening and assume we are close to a complete system failure, but that is not true. Listen along as Paul shares the many self-correcting mechanisms that exist in a free market economy and illustrates how uncertainty can create more rewards for investors and stabilize markets.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Paul explains the U.S. graduated tax rates for income taxes and shares the changes coming to both the rates and standard deduction that could leave most people paying more in income taxes. Listen along as Paul shares what the rates currently are and what they could look like in the near future if the government decides not to revisit these laws.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul invites Evan onto the show to talk about how PWI is growing to help more people in the Murfreesboro area relax about money and what tools they use to help clients. It could be easy to think that financial planning only involves buying, selling, and managing the assets in a portfolio. Listen along as these two advisors talk about the many different parts of your financial life and how the systems and software can help you go from feeling overwhelmed to relaxing about money.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul highlights three phrases to be wary of in a financial advisor's disclosure document (ADV Part 2): "fundamental analysis," "technical analysis," and "tactical asset allocation." He explains what these terms really mean and how they can be detrimental to your retirement. He also talks about the positive impact of diversification on a portfolio, especially during uncertain economic times.  For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul invites Michael Sharpnack onto the show to talk about some common misconceptions about how to take an income in retirement. Listen along to hear why diversification becomes even more important in retirement because the purpose of your investment changes from accumulating assets to taking an income.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.  

Today, Paul invites Michael Sharpnack onto the show, where the two talk about their trip to the Murfreesboro office and about some of the common misconceptions that get thrown around during downward market volatility that keep investors afraid of investing. Listen along to hear these two advisors expose how financial companies and media use investors' fear and paint an unclear picture of what is happening in markets right now.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.  

Today, Paul invites Dan Hill on the show to talk about the growth that Murfreesboro has seen over the years and two town hall meetings coming up to support investors in that area better. The two advisors talk about the many wonderful tools that have been developed over the years that PWI uses to address investors' biggest concern: Is all this saving and investing really going to keep me from running out of money in retirement? For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

So many people are talking about tariffs and trade negotiations and trying to make sense of it all. Today, Paul explains how tariffs work in a free market economy and also shares a few examples of where financial news pundits are getting it wrong. The bottom line with the news right now is this: Don't get roped into the emotional side of this and let fear or greed lead you into making changes right now. Education is the best way to understand what is going on and get out of the emotions that are driving financial institutions and investors.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Paul talks about how managing taxes in your financial plan is much more complex than most people realize. Listen along as Paul provides some education about the kinds of taxes you need to think about when investing and why paying taxes in retirement may actually be more advantageous than paying them during your highest earning years.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Many investors want to know that they will have enough money saved for car and home purchases and their retirement incomes. Today, Paul discusses how much of financial planning is about being able to track your goals and make sure you are reaching the milestones that will help you accomplish those goals. Listen along as Paul talks about the philosophy of tracking financial goals and shares some helpful tips for people who are taking an income in retirement and still need to save for larger purchases.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Dan Hill joins Paul on the show to discuss how current tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding large U.S. stocks are causing a mild panic in the world of investing. Dan shares how investor education has impacted his clients, and the two advisors dive into a conversation about diversification and downside market volatility.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul addresses the reactions of markets and financial news to the announcement of a new round of tariffs at the beginning of the month. Listen along as Paul explains why market downturns are not massive “sell-offs,” are not indicators of the economy, and are not a good time for you to reevaluate the risk level of your portfolio.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call. 

Today, Paul talks about how congressional budgets carry a lot of hope or frustration that can work itself into short-term market trends. When you take a closer look, you'll notice that the programs that promise big revenue for the government or the programs that seem likely to balloon the national debt don't actually have real outcomes that live up to the hype. Listen along as Paul shares his thoughts about the Congressional Budget Office.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Giving daily market updates or outlooks, providing tactical investment advice, and speculating about how companies will respond to current events are all just coded language for market timing. Today, Paul shares some advice he heard given on a trusted investing show by a professional who represents a large management company. The problem is that the advice is just flagrant market timing. Listen along to hear how the investment industry has been taken over by a market timing epidemic and tried to hide it with different language. Later in the episode, Paul talks tariffs and addresses the question: “Is America anti-European?”   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul talks about how the current political climate is favoring international companies and the bad advice that is coming from large management companies and pundits. Listen along as Paul explains how markets get priced and why confident investors should be unfazed by seeing sectors performing differently against one another over time. Later in the episode, Paul talks about an insurance company that got dragged to court for offering a fixed-index annuity with proprietary indices.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul explains that most of the investing industry treats income in retirement with a product approach, but he encourages confident investors to take a process approach instead. Listen along as Paul shares what he looks at with clients to help them understand what their income will be in retirement.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Did you know that 50% of people in the U.S. don't inherit anything from friends or family? Today, Paul talks about why waiting for an inheritance is not a financial plan and why some people who believe they are getting an inheritance are in for a rude awakening when they realize how some older investors are investing in CDs and annuities and using other head-scratching strategies.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

For years investment experts have touted the power of the Magnificent Seven, the seven largest U.S. companies that dominate funds and portfolios, until in March we saw a sharp decline in the prices of this segment of the market. These experts have quickly pivoted to rebrand these companies as the "Maleficent Seven.” Today, Paul talks about why diversification can feel boring when these companies seem to be soaring, but why it is better for investors in the long-term.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul talks about a common philosophy for choosing investments that rarely works. It's easy as an investor to look at the trends or technology that we believe will drive earnings in the future and invest in those first. But who made more money during the gold rush, the people looking for gold or the people selling pickaxes? Listen along as Paul explains why AI investments are more likely to line the pockets of trading companies than pad your retirement account. Later in the episode, Paul debunks an article that claims Social Security is failing and speculates about how the government might consider privatizing the program.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul provides a market update after three months of markets being unexpectedly disrupted by politics. Listen along as Paul shares why people who predict market returns are left in a state of turmoil, hoping or waiting for certain news to drop and unable to make any consistent predictions. “America First” investors are watching U.S. markets go down, but diversified investors still get to relax about money. Later in the episode, Paul shares one of the most ridiculous market indicators he's ever heard of and how market timers will grab onto anything to make predictions.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul and Evan talk about growing old together and the unique challenges that arise when two people age differently and develop separate medical needs. Listen along as these two advisors share how difficult but important it can be for people to consider and plan for their long-term care needs instead of putting them off until they can't avoid them any longer.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

With more and more major retailers making their way into the retail investment craze, it's important to realize that investing is becoming more and more like gambling every day. Paul and Evan talk about an article that describes how sports bettors are getting pulled into the investing world and have the ego to believe that investments are easier to bet on than sports. Listen along as the two advisors break down how profitable this is for these companies and why this cultural shift around investing will create a lot of financial hurt moving forward.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Paul and Evan share an insider's look at a recent conference they attended and get into a great conversation about how evidence-based investing protects their clients from risk. They address a common problem that sucks people into working with large investment firms: The firms sound like they are evidence-based, but they are really engaging in market timing. Listen along as these two advisors talk about how these companies use terms like "rebalancing" and how their performance data doesn't actually have anything to do with the quality of their investments.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Paul and Evan begin by discussing an opportunity Paul had to invite the band Essex County to the office this week. Paul shares how assisting others with their business and financial needs can create valuable connections and opportunities to appreciate individual talents and passions. Then, Paul and Evan pivot to talking about a rough month for large U.S. companies as tariffs have changed the game for many companies, causing undiversified investors to lose trillions of dollars. Listen along as these advisors talk about why being properly diversified between international and U.S. companies should always be a priority. For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul talks about a dropped lawsuit that the SEC filed against Robinhood and walks through a shameless plug that touts Robinhood's superior “engineering” and “offerings.” Paul wants investors to not fall for companies like this that seem advanced and new. The truth is Robinhood is successful because it's good at selling investments to people, not because investors are becoming successful on their platform. Listen along as Paul outlines the risks and problems with trading companies like these.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

What moves the market? It's unpredictable events and information, much like the tense meeting between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office last week. Today, Paul talks about some of the psychological aspects of those meetings and why news events like these leave both sides more entrenched in their beliefs than before through something called confirmation bias. Listen along as Paul tries to bring some perspective to an emotionally charged event and explains why any number of unexpected events could come along, shaking up markets and completely ruining market timers' plans.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

It's easy to help investors who have been hurt and are unsure what to do next but don't want to blindly trust the investment industry any longer. It's much more difficult to help someone who is living in their own little investment paradise, watching their portfolio go up, and not realizing that they are much closer to disaster than they realize. Today, Paul talks about how you can train yourself to look inside your portfolio to see if you have investments that can weather the storm or if you're actually pretty close to getting stranded on your financial island paradise.    For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul talks about how mainstream investing philosophies push all investors into fear around money. It all revolves around the idea that your effort and knowledge of markets can give you a competitive edge and lead to better outcomes. This belief leads to constantly tracking news and markets and never truly being able to relax about money. Listen along as Paul shares why this method doesn't work and how it's even made its way into schools, financial institutions, and news organizations. Later in the episode, Paul shares why success and returns can actually harm investors and make it harder for them to get out of risky situations.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

You work hard for your money. So shouldn't you be entitled to keep some of it? Today, Paul talks about saving as a habit and a mindset around respecting the work you do and the money you earn. Listen along as Paul explains how you can practice saving at any amount and what you can do with the money to keep yourself from dipping into it because you have easy access to it. Later in the episode, Paul shares an interview where an annuity salesperson convinced investors to substitute bonds in the portfolio for fixed-index annuities and why investors should run, not walk, away from people who offer investment “hacks” like this.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

The biggest fear of investors is running out of money during retirement. Imagine this: You've been retired for years, the market is down, and you can't go back to work. Suddenly, a salesperson appears, offering a "safe" investment. In this episode, Paul explains why products like CDs and annuities can actually increase the risk of you outliving your money and why you shouldn't believe you're too old to survive another market downturn.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Today, Paul and Charles Alexander continue their conversation about having purpose in a world that loves to be busy. Listen along to hear a long-time business owner and a business coach talk about how to discover what is most effective about your business and give some practical tips to see if you're spending time on the things that matter most.   For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.