Talking Money

Gift Planning Attorney, Daniel Hicks joins Mike to discuss this great planning tool.

Probate Judge Debora Faulkner joins Mike to discuss how the Probate Court helps advocate for adults who cannot advocate for the themselves. Plus, Judge Faulkner reviews the process survivors need to follow when settling an estate.

Stephen Piper of Piper Insurance Group joins Mike to answer insurance questions: How does inflation affect home and auto insurance? What are some ways to save when you add a teenage driver? Is there a way to report insurance companies not paying what is due? How do you make sure you have enough coverage? What […]

Mike shares a recent podcast from Ronald Blue Trust where Nick Stonestreet and Brian McClard discuss the current economic landscape, why the market is struggling, how international events are affecting investors, what may lie ahead, and how this may affect you. He then shares a few thoughts about the interview.

Mike is joined by David  Garrigan, CFP®. David works as a financial planner for the Everyday Steward division of Ronald Blue Trust out of the Greenville office. Mike and David discuss what kind of client the Everyday Steward division helps, what services they offer, and how someone could give a gift of a financial plan.

Highlights from show originally aired April 9, 2022 What is the importance of researching the companies you are investing in or the firms you are using to invest for you? Beware those who show you past performances and promise the same future returns. Ask where they invested 5, 10, 15 years ago. Remember: no one […]

Highlights from show originally aired April 2, 2022 What is a stock? What is a bond? How do they work? Stocks: what they are and how they work. Stockholder owns part of the company. Stocks are sold at an auction, so the price does not reflect the value of the company. Your money doesn't actually […]

Highlights from show originally aired March 26, 2022 Do you know your risk tolerance? Mike looks at several questions, and your answers may surprise you. “Risk doesn't bother me as long as I don't lose anything.” “Overrating past performance is the most common mistake mutual fund investors make. Giving inadequate weight to risk, however you […]

Mike takes the show on the road to the Miracle Hill Kids' Ninja Challenge. Yolanda shared some updates on how the even went and how it benefits Miracle Hill. Mike also  took the opportunity to interview a couple of participants in the challenge: his grandson Dawson as well as Henry, the second place fundraiser winner. […]

Mike answers some recent listener questions including: I would like to give money to my kids and help myself on my taxes at the same time. How can I do that? I have several stocks that were purchased at a good price. I would like to sell, but don't want to pay a lot in […]

Mike discusses more questions surrounding IRAs including: When should you consider moving from a traditional to a ROTH IRA? What are some advantages of keeping things in a traditional IRA? What about conversion assets? What are the tax rules for a ROTH? What are the earnings rules? What is the five year rule and how […]

Mike answers questions about IRA rules, including: What are your plans in case something happens to you? What are the different kinds of IRAs and what are their different contribution limits? What about a non-deductible IRA? What kind of contributions should you be making? What is the back door ROTH IRA? How does your tax […]

In this episode, Mike looks at the latest economic review from Ronald Blue Trust. He also discusses several other points: Can you solve your financial problems by winning the lottery? Market fluctuations aren't a punishment for being an investor, they are the admission fees. Wealth is financial assets that haven't been converted into the assets […]

Is your financial advisor working for you? What are some questions you can ask to make the best choice on someone to help with your finances? Mike looks at some of these questions: Is your advisor really an advisor or a salesperson? What are their credentials and experience? What should a financial planner offer? Does […]

Highlights from show originally aired on March 5, 2022.  Eddie Holland joins Mike again to discuss more about Social Security and Medicare. They answer a number of listener questions, including: Why might you delay taking Social Security? What about taking it early? How would the survivor benefit play into that consideration? Is there any penalty […]

Highlights from the show originally aired February 26, 2022.  Eddie Holland, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CKA®, joins Mike to discuss Social Security. They answer the following questions: If I'm going to collect social security and continue working, how do they calculate the amount taken out for social security and when do they look at that? How much […]

Mike is joined by clients Sandy and Karen McCormick who share their stories of financial lessons they learned throughout life. They also share their philosophies of spending and saving. Sandy and Karen then share the experience they have had as Ronald Blue Trust clients in the Everyday Steward division.

In The Way to Wealth, Benjamin Franklin gave some sage financial advice, even on how to control living expenses. He also gave timeless advice regarding avoiding debt. Mike talks about some of those pieces of advice as well as answering a listener question about the recent interest rate increase and ideas about how to help […]

In 1785, Benjamin Franklin wrote an essay entitled “The Way to Wealth or Father Abraham's Sermon.” It is a collection of phrases of wisdom and advice that are still applicable today. Phrases like: A word to the wise is enough. Lost time is never found again. Drive thy business, let not that drive thee. Early […]

Highlights from the show originally aired February 19, 2022 Tim Guin of USA Truck joins Mike again to answer more listener questions and shares some of his story. How do trucking companies try to mitigate risk of high dollar law suits? What equipment is on semi trucks to help prevent accidents? How has the chip […]

Highlights from the show originally aired February 5, 2022 What is the supply chain shortage all about? Tim Guin, CCO and Executive Vice President of USA Truck, joins Mike to discuss the ins and outs of the trucking and shipping industry. We see so many trucks on the road, but hear about a driver shortage. What […]

Mike answers a number of questions related to the current market volatility and general investing: Is it still safe to invest in the stock market? Is it less risky to invest now? Are there any particular sectors or stocks to consider investing in? How should an investor react to the ups and downs in the […]

Alan Cox, Director of Estate/Trust Planning and Estate Settlement at Ronald Blue Trust, joins Mike to answer several listener questions: How does the age of death affect the beneficiary's claiming requirements? What if no beneficiary was named? Is there still a 10 year rule? Does the age of the beneficiary matter?

What is the bucket approach to retirement planning? How do you adjust for inflation? How can you determine your personal inflation rate? What factors come into play? Which bucket should I focus on? What are some different vehicles we use for income? What are some other ways to try to retain income security in retirement?

Erik Daniels, Executive Vice President and Family Wealth Advisor for Ronald Blue Trust, joins Mike to discuss financial lessons he has learned throughout life. He also talks about how he met Ron Blue and got involved in the company at the very beginning of its existence. They discuss some of these questions and ideas: What […]

Highlights from show originally aired January 15, 2022 Mike is joined by Nick Stonestreet, CEO of Ronald Blue Trust. They discuss a “Mission Accomplished” story shared recently by a radio listener. A caller asks a question about inflation and where that may be headed, and Nick and Mike share their opinions on that. They also […]

Highlights from show originally aired January 8, 2022. In this episode, Mike looks back on some past listener questions that still get asked frequently today: When exactly do I need to start taking my required minimum distribution (RMD)? What is the best way to take that RMD? Has the age requirement changed? How does the […]

What is the importance of researching the companies you are investing in or the firms you are using to invest for you? Beware those who show you past performances and promise the same future returns. Ask where they invested 5, 10, 15 years ago. Remember: no one can accurately predict the market! Make a plan […]

What is a stock? What is a bond? How do they work? Stocks: what they are and how they work. Stockholder owns part of the company. Stocks are sold at an auction, so the price does not reflect the value of the company. Your money doesn't actually go to the company. Bonds: you are investing […]

Do you know your risk tolerance? Mike looks at several questions, and your answers may surprise you. Due to a general market correction, the price of one of your investments decreases 14% a short time after you buy it, what would you do? Sell it, so you don't have to worry about if it continues […]

Bob Ward, estate and tax planning attorney with offices in Vancouver and Maryland, joins Mike to discuss various aspects of estate planning, especially as it relates to taxes. How does the tax system affect estate planning? What is the gift and estate tax exemption? What is a trust and how does it impact estate planning? […]

Mark Elam, Senior Investment Strategist at Ronald Blue Trust, joins Mike to discuss various market concerns from the Ukraine crisis to inflation. What is the difference between and CD and a treasury bond, bill, or note? Inflation: we see it everywhere. How high will it go? How long will it last? What should I do? […]

Eddie Holland joins Mike again to discuss more about Social Security and Medicare. They answer a number of listener questions, including: Why might you delay taking Social Security? What about taking it early? How would the survivor benefit play into that consideration? Is there any penalty for someone who has not yet reached full retirement […]

Eddie Holland, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CKA®, joins Mike to discuss Social Security. They answer the following questions: If I'm going to collect social security and continue working, how do they calculate the amount taken out for social security and when do they look at that? How much of your social security will be considered as taxable […]

Tim Guin of USA Truck joins Mike again to answer more listener questions and shares some of his story. How do trucking companies try to mitigate risk of high dollar law suits? What equipment is on semi trucks to help prevent accidents? How has the chip shortage affected the trucking industry? What is the drug […]

Highlights from show originally aired December 4, 2021 What does the Bible say about money? John Dodd, Senior Private Wealth Advisor in the Nashville office of Ronald Blue Trust, joins Mike to discuss how you can develop a biblical relationship with money. Money is a tool God gives us to grow His kingdom. It is […]

What is the supply chain shortage all about? Tim Guin, CCO and Executive Vice President of USA Truck, joins Mike to discuss the ins and outs of the trucking and shipping industry. We see so many trucks on the road, but hear about a driver shortage. What explains this? What is the Amazon effect? California […]

Highlights from show originally aired November 6, 2021 Mark Elam, Senior Investment Strategist at Ronald Blue Trust, joins Mike to discuss some important considerations to think about regarding your investments. They answer four listener questions: Is it hard to create my own portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and Mutual Funds? Is there a significant difference between […]

In this episode of Talking Money, Mike answers questions related to tax planning and more: Can you itemize deductions? What are the different thresholds for being able to itemize? What is “bunching deductions” and how does that work? What about using a donor advised fund for charitable giving? Why doesn't it work to put municipal […]

Mike is joined by Nick Stonestreet, CEO of Ronald Blue Trust. They discuss a “Mission Accomplished” story shared recently by a radio listener. A caller asks a question about inflation and where that may be headed, and Nick and Mike share their opinions on that. They also discuss some ideas for how to weather financial […]

In this episode, Mike looks back on some past listener questions that still get asked frequently today: When exactly do I need to start taking my required minimum distribution (RMD)? What is the best way to take that RMD? Has the age requirement changed? How does the qualified charitable distribution (QCD) work? Is there a […]

Highlights from show aired October 9, 2021 Mike is joined by his cousin Tim Van Dam and Tim's wife, Martha, who also happen to be Ronald Blue Trust clients. Tim and Martha share a little bit of their backgrounds and how the Greenville office of Ronald Blue Trust has helped them on their financial journey.

Highlights from show aired December 19, 2020 Scott Clark, CFP®, CKA®, joins Mike to discuss the Everyday Steward division of Ronald Blue Trust. They discuss the importance of having a financial plan, having your estate in order, and making sure you are truly diversified in your investments. A special offer for our listeners! For $500 […]