Solving the Financial Puzzle

Many Americans were able to build up their savings accounts during COVID and now have extra cash at their disposal. With inflation on the rise, sitting on cash isn't the best long-term strategy so what should you do with this extra money? Dan Cuprill will share nine different ways to use your cash and explain the pros and cons for each.   Key points on this episode: 2:26 – Spend it 3:24 – Put it in the bank   5:02 – Buy annuities   6:03 – Address an exposure you have in your plan 8:13 – Invest in an iBond 8:59 – Take advantage of discounted stocks/bonds 9:44 – Pay off debt 10:21 – Give it away 10:58 – Ask yourself this question   For more financial resources, visit us online: http://moneyandclarity.com 

No matter where you look, there's very little positive financial news right now. Inflation is soaring. Markets are tumbling. Supply chain issues continue. You're probably wondering if this time is different. Let's take a look at this current investing environment and share a few of the things we're telling our clients.   Get additional financial tools here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    What we discuss in this episode:  2:15 – Markets dropping isn't a bad thing 4:10 – Markets aren't linear 6:27 – Like a difficult medical procedure 8:31 – This is factored into your plan 10:00 – Moments like this are normal

Real estate prices have been soaring over the past few years and that has plenty of people worrying about a bubble coming. Rather than stressing over something that may or may not happen, take time to enjoy the rising home values. Let's talk about how you can do that and why we think this is a great thing.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    Today's Key Points:  2:02 – Not happy about high prices? 3:40 – Is this a bubble? 5:17 – Tangible asset 5:56 – Rise in value is a good thing 7:40 – Emotions drive decisions 8:53 – What you need to understand 10:12 – What you can do now

We've all been keeping an eye on the events happening in Ukraine and many people have been asking us what it might mean to the economy in the near term and the long term. Today we'll share an article we came across recently that looked at some of the biggest news events over the past few decades and how markets reached right after.   Read the article: https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2022/02/24/how-stocks-performed-after-11-global-shocks/    Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    What we discuss in this episode:  0:33 – Background on the article 3:24 – Events of the 1980s and 1990s 6:58 – Events of the 2000s 8:20 – Market reactions 10:35 – How will this affect you? 11:52 – Question on Social Security

Having to handle the estate of a loved one can be a difficult time because of the emotional ramifications that come along with making these financial decisions. We found an interesting article that explored the author's personal experience with having to oversee his mother's estate and everything that came along with that.     Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/   What we discuss in this episode:  0:56 – Conflict in Ukraine 2:08 – The article we're referencing 3:29 – Estate taxes 4:22 – Giving assets away before death 5:52 – Pros to giving away assets now 7:56 – Step up cost basis 9:38 – Irrevocable trust 10:51 – The biggest issue in the article 11:50 – Final thoughts

It's impossible to ignore the rising costs in everyday expenses right now and it's clear that inflation will need to be incorporated into planning moving forward. Today we'll explore the impact inflation is having on retirees and pre-retirees and discuss the things you should be considering with your financial plan.   Read more and get additional financial resources: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/podcasts/    What we discuss in this episode:  0:35 – Why we rebranded the podcast 1:28 – Examples of price increases 6:20 – Two reasons for the recent inflation rise  7:00 – Used cars prices  9:45 – Look at your home value  11:48 – Real negatives to inflation 13:29 – Inflation adjustments in planning 16:59 – Inflation's evil twin brother, taxation  18:54 – Being too conservative is actually aggressive 21:23 – Closing thoughts

The SECURE Act, when rolled out in 2020, was some of the most significant retirement legislation in years, but the government is already discussing further changes. Let's run through the list of proposals and find out how they might impact planning in the future.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/07/ep-166-secure-act-2-0-what-you-need-to-know/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:02 – Summer update 2:55 – Background on the SECURE Act 3:46 – RMD age increase even further 6:17 – Auto-enroll into 401k 8:00 – Catch-up contributions could increase 10:11 – Matching contributions on student loan payments 12:18 – National 401k database 

The statements we'll run though on the show today are basic common sense that nearly everyone would agree with, but our behave often doesn't line up. Today look at these straight-forward approaches and explain what keeps us from following them.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/06/ep-165-learning-through-uncommon-sense/    What we discuss on this episode: 0:55 – Life without masks 4:22 – Buy Low and Sell High 6:59 – Don't pay more in taxes than you have to 9:39 – Keep costs low 11:59 – Don't put all your eggs in one basket   14:03 – Market timing is virtually impossible

On today’s show, we’re going to be talking about financial planning in President Biden’s America. We’re past his 100th day in office, so let’s take a look at the impacts in financial planning and the markets.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/05/ep-164-financial-planning-in-bidens-america/    What we discuss on this episode:  3:17 – Taxes 7:50 – Infrastructure 14:15 – Capital gains 17:37 – Climate

Comprehensive planning takes care of every aspect of retirement, but without it there are areas that could quickly become a calamity. Today we’ll identify five key areas where people don’t pay enough attention and end up flirting with disaster.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/04/ep-163-flirting-with-financial-disaster/   What we discuss on this episode:  2:24 – Out of date legal documents 7:21 – Incorrect beneficiaries 10:15 – Ticking tax time bomb 14:43 – Long-term care expenses 19:12 – The 60/40 portfolio

If you’re getting prepared to file your 2020 taxes and looking ahead to the changes that might be coming this year and beyond, we’ll run through some of the key items from a very unique and challenging last 12 months.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/02/ep-162-tax-tips-for-2021/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:45 – Stimulus payments 5:31 – Tax brackets 7:55 – Extra deductions for charity 10:36 – Required Minimum Distributions 12:55 – Home office deductions 15:14 – Filing advice 17:54 – State specific changes 18:34 – How our team assists with tax planning

As we kick of the new year, let’s talk about what statistics tell us about retirement. We found five specific stats that will surprise you and make you realize that financial planning needs to be a priority in 2021.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2021/01/ep-161-5-important-retirement-statistics-worth-your-time/    What we discuss on this show:  1:51 – Have clients been nervous about the start to 2021? 3:10 – Breaking down five important statistics 3:52 – Only 17% of American workers are confident they’ll have enough in retirement. 7:30 – The average 65-year-old woman has an average life expectancy of 20.7 more years. 9:28 – Some issues that come up for women later in life 12:30 – 16.5% of country is over age of 65 17:09 – The average retiree will spend $295,000 on out-of-pocket medical expenses during retirement. 21:57 – 90% of people over 60 say a written plan is important but only 20% have one.

Dan Cuprill is back on the show today to help us sort out the economic impact the election will have as we move into a new year. With talk of the Green New Deal, student debt forgiveness, and tax changes, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about what’s next for investors. Today we’ll try to ease your mind and provide some clarity.   Read more and get additional financial planning resources: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/12/ep-160-economic-outlook-following-the-election/    What we discuss on this show:  0:42 – Dan Cuprill back with us today 2:13 – What does the election mean for investors right now? 7:15 – Dan’s advice to everybody 9:04 – Unexpected bad news is what impacts the market 11:56 – Over time it doesn’t really matter 13:31 – This is why diversification is so important 14:33 – Possible economic policies of new administration 18:16 – Preparing for increased taxes 22:00 – What can we be doing right now as investors? 23:48 – Dan’s outlook for 2021 25:50 – Stay positive 26:57 – How to discuss further with Dan

Much like technology becomes outdated each year, retirement planning strategies begin to lose their effectiveness over time. Today we’ll look at five different planning ideas that have been used quite a bit before but might not have the same impact in today’s economy and market conditions.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/09/ep-159-obsolete-retirement-planning-ideas/    What we discuss on this show:  3:09 – Let’s start with the 4% Rule 6:55 – The 10-5-3 Rule   8:40 – Move from stocks to bonds as you get older 11:20 – Get to $1 million in your retirement account and your ready for retirement.   13:17 – You’ll need less income in retirement than you needed while working.   15:56 – What’s the process for someone wanting to meet and work on these items?  

Like it or not, there are certain financial challenges that women are more prone to face. Why is that? What can you do about it?   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/08/ep-158-what-financial-challenges-do-women-face-more-often/    On today's show: 1:06 - What financial issues are particularly challenging for women? 1:47 - What level of engagement do most women have in their financial plan? 4:06 - Why do so many retired women find themselves in difficult financial situations? 6:15 - What specific challenges are faced by widowed women? 7:39 - What should a husband do to prevent a mess being left behind for his wife? 8:44 - How has Nikki helped women facing retirement and financial stress alone?

We often find that people are clinging to certain ideas or beliefs that end up giving them a sense of false hope about their retirement. It’s a dangerous position to be in. Let’s explore some of the faulty thinking that ultimately leaves people underprepared for retirement.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/07/ep-157-retirement-ready-are-you-clinging-to-false-hope/    Today's show schedule:  0:56 – How’s life in Ohio right now? 2:48 – What we’re talking about today. 3:36 – The mindset that you’ll be ready to retire when you hit a certain number. 8:15 – Belief that your income needs are going to decrease when you retire.  10:40 – Assuming that an inheritance will make up for any shortfalls in retirement. 13:27 – You’re going to ‘just figure it out’ in retirement.    14:23 – Assuming that the income estimate on our 401k statement is accurate.  16:53 – Take us through the Money & Clarity for crafting a plan.

Maybe you know you need to contribute somewhere or you’ve always contributed to a traditional IRA but have been wondering about the Roth. Nikki explains the similarities and differences between the two and explains the long-term benefits. Show Notes & Resources: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/?p=27798 Timestamps: 1:11 - Nikki shares what her family is up to. 2:39 - There are a lot of differences between the traditional and Roth IRA. 4:00 - When you pay taxes on the Roth IRA and why that matters. 4:40 - What do the Roth IRA and traditional IRA have in common? 6:43 - Why have people have contributed to traditional IRAs instead of a Roth IRA? 9:13 - Why can a Roth IRA be so powerful? 11:34 - When is a Roth IRA a better choice? 12:48 - When should you contribute to a traditional IRA? 14:31 - Your advisor should be able to help determine which is best every year.

As investors, we’re always looking out ahead towards our goals in retirement so we’re constantly striving to move forward. But doing that can lead to us forgetting about the importance of managing what we already have. Let’s look at the important assets in our portfolio that might get overlooked and why it’s important to be evaluating your positions.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/05/ep-155-are-you-paying-enough-attention-to-your-largest-assets/    Today's show schedule:  0:59 – How is Nikki dealing with the pandemic.  2:37 – Maybe the most overlooked thing is an old 401k. 3:25 – A surprising stat that shows we’re not in tune with our investments. 6:04 – Your house and considerations you should be making about this asset. 8:57 – Social Security - what should you be thinking about here? 11:21 – Improving your future savings potential 13:28 – Should you combine your smaller accounts? 15:09 – Diversifying is important but many times clients aren’t overlapping investments. 16:32 – How does Nikki and the team help clients manage these investments?

Over the past month, we’ve seen financial markets react to potential economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and it’s happened at an unprecedented pace. But how surprised should we be by this significant reaction? Dan Cuprill joins the show as we talk about the lessons we’ve learned from history, what this latest crash has taught us, and where we might go from here financially.   Read more and get additional resources here: http://moneyandclarity.com    Today's rundown:  0:46 – We’re joined by Dan Cuprill once again. 1:22 – Every 100 years there seems to be a new pandemic. 2:32 – This is affecting us all in many different ways but it’s taught us one important lesson. 5:11 – You can use history to see how markets react. 6:38 – Be calm because this is typically an investing opportunity. 7:44 – Bad news happens but you have to ask yourself this question to determine how markets will react. 8:15 – Watching cable news 24/7 isn’t going to help anybody. 10:12 – Panic starts to set in and trying to time the market will really hurt you.  12:39 – Here’s what concerns Dan within the industry. 14:49 – This is where good financial advisors earn their keep.  15:59 – How does Dan see this playing out over the next few months. 18:11 - Don’t make actions that turn out to be irrevocable in hurting you. 19:41 - A deal to make with your grandchildren. 21:21 - Over a period of time this will look normal, which is why you stick to a plan.

No one could predict how much of an impact the coronavirus would have on the market, but it’s been a rough month for everyone. Nikki will share her thoughts on this unprecedented time and talk about the conversations they’re having around the office. With all the speculation and uncertainty, now is a great time to revisit the financial truths that should be guiding your financial planning.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/03/ep-153-coronavirus-and-solid-financial-truths/    Today's rundown:  0:53 – It’s an unprecedented time in the world right now. 2:45 – The economic side of the Coronavirus has already had a huge impact on many people. 4:34 – Everything has happened so quickly and unexpectedly. 6:36 – What conversations are happening in the office right now with clients? 9:53 – Let’s shift to our main conversation on solid financial truths. 10:38 – The first truth: TV can be our biggest enemy. 13:46 – The second truth: You rarely make good financial decisions when you act emotionally.   16:53 – The third truth: The market always moves in cycles. 18:40 – The fourth truth: You aren’t as risk tolerant as you think you are. 20:43 – The fifth truth: There’s no magic bullet. 22:53 – Nikki shares a message to listeners regarding the current state of the market.

After a short break, the podcast is back with some news! Dan Cuprill has handed the baton to Nikki Earley and she’s taking over the show moving forward. Today we’ll introduce you to the Certified Financial Planner and get to know who she away from the office. We’ll also talk about the future of the show as we make the transition to a new host.     Check out the show notes and get additional resources here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2020/02/ep-152-meet-the-new-host-nikki-earley/    Today's show rundown:  0:57 – The podcast might sound a little different today as Nikki Earley is taking over hosting duties from Dan Cuprill. 2:03 – Nikki updates news from around the office and the reason behind the name change. 3:09 – Nikki tells the story about how she and Dan originally met. 6:52 – What do you enjoy most about what you do at Money and Clarity? 8:15 – Did you make any new year’s resolutions this year? And how’s your progress going? 8:51 – Dan gave her a new book recently about organizing your life called The Bullet Journal Method 10:47 – What do you like best about working in Cincinnati and living in Dayton?   13:00 – What does a typical weekend look like for Nikki? 14:48 – Nikki has a cooking background so what dish is she best known for? 15:45 – Bengals fan? Who else do you pull for? 16:35 – The Dayton community is also excited about the Flyers basketball team right now.   18:07 – The goals for the podcast as we relaunch the show.  

We get the question quite a lot about whether someone needs a financial advisor so Dan Cuprill shares a real-life example of a couple he worked with to provide a case study for how the process plays out. We’ll call them the Parkers, and we’ll walk through their first meeting, goals, needs, and how we decided they were a fit for an advisor.----more---- Today's show:   0:50 – Why it’s so important to have a plan and why we’re talking about that on this episode. 3:03 – Why I don’t off my advisor services to everyone.   3:55 – Are you prepared to stick to the plan through the ups and downs? 4:54 – Let’s take you through a case study using actual clients. We’ll call them the Parkers. 5:23 – Who are the Parkers? 7:46 – This is the question I start off by asking every potential client that comes into the office and what I found out about the Parkers. 10:05 – There was fear from the Parkers despite having a sizeable net worth. 11:04 – Here’s where a good financial comes in to play. 11:50 – Here are their goals for retirement but they had an issue with their children. 15:14 – Another big issue is they have family in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s and they don’t want to burden their children with that. 17:06 – Another interesting thing that came up in our discussion was the use of annuities and whether they should utilize them. 21:38 – If a client is just about the numbers, we’re not the firm for them. Those are irrational expectations. 22:51 – The Parkers were seeking peace of mind and a sense of freedom. That’s who can benefit from holistic planning. 24:03 – This is where your plan needs to focus. 25:45 – We had a design meeting with the Parkers to let them decide if their current plan met their needs. Once that was done, we then wrote the plan. Read more here: https://www.moneyandclarity.com/2019/09/ep-151-meet-the-parkers-a-case-study-for-whether-or-not-you-need-an-advisor/

No one wants to think about death but thinking about how your assets will be handled when you’re gone is a necessary part of life. Effective estate planning can leave you in control of your hard-earned money and investments, but it can also make the process clear and efficient for your heirs. Using the checklist provided today will help you make all the considerations you need for your estate plan. Read more about this topic and see the show notes here. ----more---- Take a look at the rundown for this episode:  1:00 – Why are we talking about death? 3:54 – If you don’t have a written estate plan yet, well there’s good news and bad news. 5:08 – Checklist Item #1: When was the last time you had an estate plan done? 7:35 – Do you have an appropriate power of attorney and/or backup for that? 8:40 – Your assets won’t necessarily pass according to your will. Here’s why. 9:58 – Story about a child of a client who recently dealt with an inheritance that didn’t pass through the trust like they expected. 10:59 – Should I have a will or should I have a trust? 12:39 – How you can avoid probate without a trust. 14:16 – Making sure your assets are titled correctly. 15:51 – Discussion turns to beneficiary designation. 16:33 – Life milestones that become good times to update your estate plan. 17:42 – Taxes at death that could impact heirs. 20:52 – Who can you go see for estate planning? 22:01 – Expected costs for estate planning and why paying a little more might benefit you.

Social Security benefits can be a valuable source of income when you reach retirement but deciding when to file can be difficult to determine. Should you start receiving your check at age 62 or hold out for a larger sum at age 70? We consider all of these factors and explain what you need to know on this episode. Read more on this topic and see the show notes here.  Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit: https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Here's a full rundown for this episode:  1:53 – Introducing today’s topic: Social Security and what you need to know 3:00 – The questions everyone asks, ‘When should you file?’ Here’s what you should consider. 4:36 – The system rewards you for waiting, but at what age is your break even point? 5:53 – Every situation is different but you need to figure out your sources for income. 7:18 – Why it’s important to get a Social Security timing analysis. 8:24 – Another factor to consider if you plan on relying heavily on savings. 9:08 – Quick of review of when you should file and things you should be considering.

"There are no stupid questions, just the stupid people who ask them." That famous quote speaks to the heart of this edition of the podcast. Join us as we seek to educate you about the financial world and answer five of the most popular financial questions we receive on a regular basis. Don't worry, these are actually pretty complex questions. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit: https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/stupid-questions/

The Bern is back, and it seems the self-avowed Socialist movement is on the rise. Join us as we unpack why managed economies simply won't ever work. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit: https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/the-bern-is-back/

Nobody likes to think about dying, but death is an inevitable reality. Discover what you need to do to make sure you loved ones are cared for when you die. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit: https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-146-dealing-with-death/

You probably have several reasons for choosing one advisor over another, but are they the right reasons? Discover why you should hire a particular advisor. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-145-the-right-reasons-to-hire-a-financial-advisor/

Don't let disappointment get in the way of your investing strategy. Dan shares with us how to stay the course amidst economic and political upheaval. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-144-disappointment/

Face it. Your portfolio stinks. It’s probably not invested as well as you think, but don’t worry, we’ve got a solution for you. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-143-your-portfolio-stinks/

Budgets are tricky. If you struggle with managing your own, we’ve got a process to help you save and become aware of your spending habits. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-142-budgets-for-people-who-hate-budgets/

Debt can be your worst nightmare. However, with the proper knowledge, consideration, and caution, it can also be a valuable tool. Dan explains. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-141-in-defense-of-debt/

Getting old can be tough. As you enter retirement, there are all sorts of difficulties you may face. Dan will help you plan a worry-free retirement. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-140-getting-old-stinks/

Boring is beautiful. On this edition of the podcast, we'll explain why a boring portfolio brings stability in retirement. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-139-boring-is-beautiful/

If your kids are living in your house, this one's for you. Learn why allowing your kids to live at home after college does way more harm than good. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-138-get-out-of-my-house/  

Car buying is an art. Become a savvy shopper, and make wise decisions on your next trip to the dealership. Learn about buying versus leasing. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-137-dude-wheres-my-car/  

There are many reasons and methods for leaving your house for your kids after you pass away. Let's go over what to do and what not to do in order to make the process as smooth as possible. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post: https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-136-how-to-leave-your-home/

You probably did a double-take reading that podcast title. Let us explain. There's a specific type of brain damage that eliminates someone's ability to feel fear. Surprisingly, this disability has some interesting effects when it comes to that person's investing behaviors. Dan will dive into the details of what we're talking about. Click the link to receive your Retirement Rescue Toolkit:https://matsonandcuprill.leadpages.co/free-tax-toolkit/ Click the link for more in-depth reading in a recent blog post:https://matsonandcuprill.com/ep-135-benefits-brain-damage/

Warren Buffett is a big fan of index funds and in this episode, Dan explains why exactly that is. He defines what index funds are, the different types of them and how they compare to actively managed or selective funds. Dan also talks about beating the market and why this concept is not as effective as people think it is. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2KaxSGc

No, Dan isn’t talking about James Bond this week – he’s talking all about financial bonds. He explains everything from the types of bonds there are to why bonds are providing a negative return rate this year (and why that’s not unusual). He also touches on the beauty of minimalism and how too many things cause stress and weigh you down. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2K6OMcj

There are plenty of mistakes that you could make in retirement. Dan will help you avoid tragedies that might otherwise strike your portfolio. Listen in to hear the top five money missteps he sees people make in retirement all the time. It might just save you a lot of headache—and cash—down the line. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2kq93uU 

There's a lot of controversy and conflicting opinions surrounding annuities. Dan breaks down how they work and what their pros and cons are. While this is one of the most controversial subjects in the world of personal finance, it really shouldn’t be. It’s a strategy, and whether or not it’s for you depends on your situation. Listen in to hear Dan's balanced take on the subject. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2k5zjdN 

Have you ever wondered what you can do to cut costs? The idea may seem daunting at first, but there are plenty of easy steps you can take to lessen your spending. And when you save a little here and there, that money adds up to significant savings in the end. In this episode, Dan details creative and simple ways to save money—ways that won't feel like you're making major sacrifices. Listen in to hear his advice for cutting costs without altering your lifestyle. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2KVH56f

Do you remember any of your math teachers from high school? Did you ever ask them if any of their lessons would be useful in adult life? Dan details and reviews some handy math concepts that can help you plan for your financial future. It turns out that what we learned in high school math really is useful later in life. Listen in to learn which concepts are important for building a long-term savings plan and how to use them to increase your chances for a higher rate of return. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2HhlR0j 

Many people can consider life insurance policies to be a boring subject matter. But Dan promises he will make the topic interesting as he educates you about it. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2vGY6xB

Dan has recently been witnessing the decline in health of his beloved pet dog. In this episode, he examines the situation and extrapolates its meaning to life in retirement.   Listen in to hear the lessons Dan has learned from analyzing the personality changes of his pet, and how it all relates back to finances. Caution: If you’re a dog lover, you may find today’s episode to be a little emotional. Still, it’s worth a listen.   You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2IU11Ey 

You may be wondering if your advisor is the right fit for you. You may also be tempted to switch advisors based on various reasons. On this episode of Solving The Financial Puzzle, Dan details some signs of a good advisor, as well as the appropriate and inappropriate reasons for leaving one. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2oXkTiR 

Many people have questions about their 401k options so if youre not sure how to navigate your 401k decision making, youre not alone. Dan has some great advice on how to get started with your 401k savings whether your employer is contributing or not. He discusses specific ways you can make wise decisions that save you money and stress in the future.    You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2GY6Lfy

There have been some volatile changes in the market recently so it's time to analyze what's going on and what you need to know. Dan talks about the falling prices and what they mean to you. He also shares some historical and psychological insight into how this volatility happens and how we can react to it wisely.   You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2BFPZm9

On this episode of Solving The Financial Puzzle, Dan will be answering some of your questions and providing clarity on a few common worries and situations that effect your wallet. The questions are on a variety of topics from retirement, investments, savings, lump sums, merging 401ks, taxes and even international issues. There are some great questions from you guys that Dan has great answers and recommendations for. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2BwUyyV

----more----Recent headlines have been showing us a lot about what’s going on with the economy and what changes we may be able to expect with jobs and technology. Some changes are exciting and positive while other changes can be scary if they threaten job security. On this episode Dan takes a look at some of the top headlines from bonuses being given out to self-driving cars. He provides some clarity on how to see the big picture and how this should affect how you invest and pick your stocks. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2BiXxuY