Money Talk: The Annex Wealth Management Show - Naples

On Friday morning, news of Israel's strike on Iran greeted most, heightening investor concerns. In line with historical trends, bond yields have dropped, oil prices have climbed, and stock markets have faced declines. In this Week-in-Review, Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen share their perspectives. The program also delves into the rising trend of "gray divorce" among older adults, evaluates the wisdom of including cryptocurrency in 401(k) plans, and examines the Great Boomer Wealth Transfer. Additionally, we offer insights on avoiding retirement letdowns and explain how chasing "rich" might hinder true wealth-building.

The Federal Reserve's Beige Book reported a slight decline in economic activity, a phrase last used in November 2023, which foreshadowed the economic slowdown in Q1 2024. Uncertainty is driving caution among businesses and consumers, impacting growth. Brian Jacobsen discusses this in our Week-in-Review, alongside topics like common financial mistakes by age group, financial planning in the first year of widowhood, the role of a QDRO in divorce proceedings, and debunking myths about millionaires.

In this episode, hosts Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen break down the Week-in-Review. Consumer confidence rebounded in May, boosted by lower tariffs on China, which lifted expectations after hitting a five-year low in April. Despite fluctuating emotions, consumer spending remains steady, supported by stable employment as initial unemployment claims rise to average levels. The episode also explores equity compensation, spousal Social Security benefits, lifestyle creep, and the Annex Wealth Management insurance review process.

Different companies adopt varied strategies in response to tariffs, showcasing the strength of capitalism. However, investors face the challenge that companies absorbing tariff costs may see reduced earnings. In our Week-in-Review, Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen explore this and other key topics. Separately, we examine why more individuals are opting to take Social Security benefits early, with insights from our financial planning team. The show also covers the art and science of cash flow modeling, the value of a financial advisor, and how to prepare for receiving an inheritance.

Q1 earnings season is in full swing, with S&P 500 earnings growth surpassing expectations, rising 13.4% year-over-year against the Street's forecast of 7.0%, as Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen explore in our Week-in-Review. Curious if Annex is right for you, how to avoid retirement disappointment, or what stages lie beyond go-go, slow-go, and no-go? We've got five questions to guide your decision, practical tips to ensure a fulfilling retirement, and insights into the evolving phases of retirement life.

While a UK deal progresses, trade tensions with China take center stage as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent heads to Switzerland this weekend for early talks. We continue Spring Cleaning with Part Two of our Investment series, exploring key questions. Also on the show: What should you do with unused education funds like 529s? Are you prepared to avoid common Retirement Killers? Plus, learn the essential steps for executing Roth conversions effectively.

The first quarter saw gross domestic product (GDP) dip by 0.3% on an annualized basis, translating to a modest quarterly decline of about 0.07%—essentially flat. Meanwhile, Friday's jobs report surpassed expectations. What does this mean for the markets? Join Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen for the Week-in-Review. Plus, it's time for spring cleaning your investments, and we'll share key tips. Curious about whether you need an LLC? We'll explore that. And if you're considering selling your business, we'll outline the essential steps to follow.

Container traffic from China to the US is slowing sharply, and retailers like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot warned of possible empty shelves. The Federal Reserve's Beige Book raised concerns about an economic slowdown, but S&P Global PMIs held steady, though not stellar. Brian Jacobsen breaks it down in our Week-in-Review. We also dive into how Annex Private Client's “high speed, low drag” approach mirrors military efficiency, plus features on Distribution Planning and the Money Lies We Tell Ourselves. 

U.S. retail sales soared 1.4% in March, driven by a 5.3% spike in motor-vehicle purchases as consumers rushed to beat looming 25% auto tariffs and rising costs on other goods. But is this boom a fleeting high? Join Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen for our Week-in-Review as they unpack what's next for the economy. Plus, we're diving into retirement planning for Gen X, sharing 6 key benefits of setting up a trust, and revealing 3 things to tackle early in retirement—and 3 that can wait.

It was a week of superlatives. Heightened volatility, inordinately large swings within the trading day, a massive rally, and nauseating reversals. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about strategies for business owners who are asset rich/cash poor. What is Warren Buffet's estate planning philosophy? Should you listen to 'finfluencers'? And what is Key Person Insurance and what is its role protecting a business? 

In investing, enduring volatility is simply the price of admission for long-term gains. Last week was about buckling up. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn about our Financial Literacy Month series of webinars, planning for medical professionals, prenuptial agreements and more. 

Goods price deflation has turned to mild inflation. That could accelerate, at least temporarily, with tariffs. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. We'll also cover behavioral finance during times of volatility, estate planning roles, and the 4 types of retirees. 

Fed projections had a faint aroma of stagflation. What's that mean for the markets?  Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about Cash Balance Plans, how Annex clients stay sharp in retirement, and why automatic 401k enrollment might be leading to less-than-desirable decisions. 

Big change takes big tools. You can't cut through a thicket with a scalpel. Brian Jacobsen presents our Week-in-Review. We'll look at volatility from a historic standpoint along with an examination of emotional reaction when markets slide. 

Uncertainty does not have to resolve in a bad way. It often resolves positively. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about investment diversification, 6 things you might NOT want to inherit, Annex Private Client and more. 

Consumers feel like jobs are less secure, inflation will rise, and the economy may tip into a recession. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. We'll study Passion Assets and how they fit in an estate plan. What is a HENRY and how can Annex help them? Is the 4% rule a viable retirement calculator? And how can grandparents plan to bless their grandchildren? 

Some businesses have already announced they will hike prices if their costs rise due to tariffs. Some Fed officials seem to think these businesses will be successful. Good luck with that. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about transferring ownership of the family cottage, the Annex portfolio review, how we plan for a client's first year as a widow, and the Annex Experience. 

Usually earnings season grabs the headlines. The media has instead been focused on tariff threats. Earnings growth has been better and broader than expected. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about inheritance planning, remarriage and estate planning, and aging in place. 

It was a busy week. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about financial incompatibility, our Annex Executive program, how to plan for aging parents, and common millionaire myths (that aren't true). 

Chair Powell's attempt to clear up conflicting messaging seemed to make a mess instead. The inflation data will have to do the talking instead. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. We'll cover the Great Baby Boomer Wealth Transfer, insurance coverage (like, how much do you really need?), the role of a Certified Divorce Analyst at Annex, and why you might need an LLC. 

If 2024 was the year of the election, 2025 is the year of earnings. Earnings have been fundamentally improving, but how long can that last and how much can they rise? Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn about Cash Flow Modeling and how our planning team puts it to work. We'll also cover the psychology of spending in retirement, what IS and ISN't financial planning, and how to deal with 'supporting' adult children. 

The 47th President of the United States is going to hit the ground running. What should markets expect? Brian Jacobsen presents our Week-in-Review. Learn more about Key Person Insurance, planning for Generation X, Annex for Business, and the ramifications of inheriting money. 

A good jobs number led to a down day Friday. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen dissect the news as they present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about Roth conversions, questions requiring a 'yes' answer on the way to retirement, and explanation of some common investing terms with Todd Voit, Chief Investment Strategist at Annex. 

The big question for 2025 will be whether inflation continues to slow or if it reaccelerates. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. We'll also cover distribution planning, lifestyle creep, and what's changing for saving and investing in 2025. 

Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen review 2024 and look ahead to 2025. 

The Fed may slow or stop rate cuts in the face of tariffs in 2025. This about-face in approach may be why the market reacted so negatively to the Fed's announcements. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about 'finfluencers' and if they're worth listening to. Gen X is approaching retirement, what's the latest on their status? 

OPEC cut oil demand growth forecasts for this year and next while Biden is considering stepped up sanctions against Russian oil. What's this mean for markets? Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about business succession planning, the stellar Client Service Manager team, and why one bad presentation shouldn't sour your view of a 401k plan. 

Black and Blue Friday? It's never been a great gauge of what holiday shopping will be. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. We'll dive into Warren Buffett's philosophy on WHAT to share about an estate plan, how things aren't entirely terrible for Gen X, how to avoid letdown in retirement, and questions to ask to see if you're a good fit with Annex.  

A decent week of economic data. Brian Jacobsen presents our Week-in-Review. Learn more about trusts and wills, steps to selling a business, and how Annex assess insurance needs for clients. 

Yields fell this week, showing the dollar and Treasury debt are still “risk-off” assets. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. We'll share some thoughts on the value of an advisor with Brandon Lehman, director of Annex Private Client. Who needs an LLC? Maybe you. Wealth Manager Keith Butler fills us in. 

Revenge spending is no longer really a thing, but there could be some relief spending to help growth. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Branch Director Robert Chastain shares some thoughts on behavioral finance. We'll also examine mistakes we make during each decade of our lives and how to prevent them. 

What's in store now that the election is over? Members of our Investment, Retirement, Tax, and Estate Planning teams discuss what we could see in the months and years ahead. 

Meta and MSFT--supply constrained, big spending, still not enough return on AI investment. Apple: China's a drag. Upgrade cycle is a little slow. Earnings are pouring in, so Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen review what's happening during our Week-in-Review. More of our clients are interested in 'phasing into' retirement. How do you do that and what type of planning is needed? Branch Director Robert Chastain takes a look at this hot topic. 

Earnings stories. Remember the "Dow Theory" with transports being a leading indicator? Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Robert Chastain shares a few nuggets of wisdom from Warren Buffet. What are Passion Assets and why do they matter?  

A tale of two chipmakers. ASML whiffed while TSMC hit it out of the park. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. How does Annex aid clients in the 1st year after losing a spouse? What are 7 signs it might be time to retire? And what are money lies we tell ourselves?

Rates are still restrictive, even with a cut. They're easing off the brake, not pushing on the accelerator. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen recap the week. What is and what isn't financial planning? We'll cover that. Robert Chastain reviews 5 things that can happen within your family that'll put a dent in your retirement plans. 

The port strike ends and a healthy jobs report arrives. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present the Week-in-Review. Is there a psychology of spending in retirement?  You bet, and Deanne Phillips breaks it down. Branch Director Robert Chastain reviews 4 RMD mistakes you should avoid. 

The Gross Domestic Income revisions were large. We're at least starting a slowdown from a place of strength. That can help limit downside risks when growth scares flare up. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about Annex Private Client and the role it can play with business owners and entrepreneurs. What are retirement regrets from 70 to 80 year-olds? Robert Chastain, branch director in SWFL has that. 

Now we're at the Monday Morning Quarterbacking phase of the cutting cycle. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about our awesome Client Services Team that dots I's and crosses T's. What is underrated about your 401k? How about key points of a trust? And what's a quick pre-retirement checklist? 

A big cut doesn't have to instill panic. A small cut doesn't have to cause concern. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Our Annex Private Client team discusses surrender squeezes, Robert Chastain covers Gen X, and our financial planning team tackles the question: how much insurance do you need? 

Weak ISM Manufacturing, tepid Services, low hirings rate, softer payroll growth, all sucked the wind out of the market. Brian Jacobsen presents our Week-in-Review. Learn more about our Investment Intel webinar, dealing with volatility, and the ramifications of inheriting money. 

Is Big Tech not as big of a deal as everyone feared? Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. We'll also profile the Annex Investment Committee, Annex for Business, and how remarriage affects estate planning. Branch Director/Wealth Manager Robert Chastain covers tips to get on the same page with a spouse for retirement planning. 

The Fed has three mandates (not two): full employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates. CEO Dave Spano and Chief Economist Brian Jacobsen discuss.

Retail sales looked good but might be superficial. We'll cover it during our Week-in-Review. How does Annex integrate with entrepreneurs and business owners? We'll cover that along with 5 questions to ask to see if we're a good fit for your planning needs. 

Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be bumpy. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen take a look at a volatile week. We'll also cover estate planning roles, the 4 phases of retirement, part-time retirement, and how to approach aging parents who might need additional planning assistance. 

Markets LOVED Powell's signal that cuts are coming, but then the ISM Manufacturing and initial jobless claims numbers heightened the fear that cuts will be too little and too late. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present the Week-in-Review. Ask Annex is back along with a solid segment about aging parents. Robert Chastain covers milestone birthdays that serve as reminders to key retirement planning considerations. 

Companies are reporting....and consumers are pinching pennies. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present the Week-in-Review.  We'll cover 7 money lies we tell ourselves, why a house isn't a great vehicle for wealth transfer, and the role of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst at Annex Wealth Management. 

Call it the Trump trade, small caps over large, value over growth. Learn more about the great Boomer Wealth Transfer, the silver lining of delayed retirement, prenups---and a few interviews from this past week's Republican National Convention. 

A Fed cut in September could make non-US equities attractive for a while.  Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about the value of an advisor, aging in place, QDRO's and divorce, and excuses we use when putting off retirement planning.

What matters for long-term investors is whether fears of a recession become a reality. Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. What are 6 things you might not want to inherit? We've got the list. Learn more about our Investment Committee, remarriage and estate planning, and what IS and ISN'T financial planning. 

Seeking clarity. Did the debate clear ANYTHING up?  PCE came in as expected...what was the market reaction? Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen present our Week-in-Review. Learn more about the 4 types of retirees, what NOT to do when retirement planning, and a look at HENRY's (High Earners, Not Rich Yet). We'll also spend some time with Jeff Pierce, new president and COO of Annex Wealth Management.