This episode explains the key difference between a fiduciary financial advisor (IAR/RIA) and a financial representative (registered rep), the legal standards they follow, and how those differences can affect your wallet and long-term plan.

It also covers practical steps to tell who you’re working with — registrations, standards of care, compensation models, and disclosures — and when a fee-only fiduciary or a commission-based rep might be the right fit.

This episode compares buying the average U.S. home in 1995 versus investing the same $153,500 in the S&P 500 through 2024, showing the house growing to about $557,000 while the S&P investment reached $1.43 million (about $2.68M with dividends reinvested).

The hosts break down pros and cons: stocks offer diversification, liquidity, and higher long-term growth but come with volatility; real estate provides leverage, income potential, and tangibility but has upfront costs, ongoing expenses, and less liquidity. REITs are presented as a hybrid option offering real estate exposure with stock-like liquidity.

Bottom line: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—choice depends on goals, risk tolerance, and desire for income versus growth; diversification or a blended approach is often recommended.

This episode explains the SECURE Act's hidden 10-year rule for inherited IRAs and why waiting to withdraw everything at once can trigger a massive tax bill.

Using a real example—an inherited $1 million IRA—the hosts show how spreading withdrawals (~$100,000/year) can keep you in lower tax brackets and saved one listener over $90,000 in taxes compared with a single lump-sum withdrawal in year 10.

They also cover exceptions where waiting makes sense (low future income, charitable plans, Roth conversions) and emphasize creating a tailored withdrawal strategy with an advisor to minimize taxes.

Welcome to the Best Advice Podcast, where hosts Rob Lovaglio, Dave Allen, and Frank Lovaglio break down complex financial topics into digestible bites. In this episode, they dive into the recent changes in state and local taxes, as well as updates on estate taxes. Discover how these changes might affect you and learn strategies to navigate them effectively. Get insights on making your life insurance policies non-taxable and explore planning strategies for your estate. Join the discussion from Frank's renovated living room for an engaging and informative conversation.

If you've invested company stock in your 401k, you need to hear about Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA). In this episode of the Best Advice Podcast, host Rob Lovaglio and Senior Advisor Daniel Courson unveil the tax-saving power of NUA. Learn how this strategy allows you to transfer company stock from your 401k to a brokerage account, minimizing taxes by paying ordinary income tax on the original investment and capital gains tax on the profits.

Join us as we break down a real-life example that saved a client over $76,500 in taxes. We'll guide you through the steps involved and discuss the pros and cons of adopting the NUA strategy. Discover the potential pitfalls and why this approach might not be suitable for everyone.

Whether you're planning your retirement or exploring investment strategies, this episode is a must-listen for insightful guidance on how to manage company stocks in your 401k effectively.

Join Best of Bucks Podcast host Rob Lovaglio and Senior Advisor Daniel Corson as they dive into strategic charitable giving using Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). Discover how you can maximize tax benefits, avoid the year-end rush, and maintain the flexibility to support your chosen charities over time. Whether you’re donating appreciated stock, cash, or cryptocurrency, learn how to make your wealth work for good while keeping control of your contributions. Perfect for those wanting to give back generously and smartly, all on their schedule.

In this episode of the Best Advice Podcast, host Rob Lovaglio and managing partner Michael Allen explore how to protect retirement income during market crashes by using strategies employed by the wealthy. They discuss the bucket strategy, a method that nearly 90% of retirees use for a stress-free approach to market downturns.

Michael shares his weekend adventure on a Missouri farm, where he helped manage cattle with his brother-in-law, Wayne, and a minimalist farmer named Steve. This experience highlights the importance of guiding financial decisions just as one guides cattle, using a solid plan and professional advice.

The episode answers a listener's question on whether there are more strategies beyond simply "riding out the market downturn" and emphasizes the significance of having a diverse approach to investments to mitigate risks. Tune in for insights on financial planning and the importance of having guardrails to navigate turbulent market conditions.

🤝 Get Personalized Financial Guidance: 📌 Learn about the SFM process: https://www.sfmadvisorgroup.com/ 📌 Schedule a consultation with our award-winning team 👉 https://go.oncehub.com/SecurityFinanc...

In this episode of the Best Advice Podcast, hosts Rob Lovaglio and Sylvia Lenaris-Williams delve into the newly announced Trump savings account, a groundbreaking initiative providing every child born in the U.S. with a $1,000 government-funded investment. Discover how this plan, combined with family contributions and compound interest, has the potential to impact your child's financial future significantly.

The episode provides a detailed comparison between the Trump savings account and traditional 529 plans, examining their tax treatment, flexibility, and benefits. With insights on new tax credits and incentives, listeners will learn how to leverage these opportunities to maximize their savings and investments.

In this episode of the Best Advice Podcast, host Rob Lovaglio and Senior Advisor Steven Young explore the complexities of retirement planning.

They discuss the potential pitfalls of relying on the traditional 4% withdrawal rule when not working with a professional team, as well as the impact of market downturns.

With a focus on healthcare inflation and sequence of returns risk, the episode offers insight into strategically navigating financial challenges in retirement. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your retirement funds and understand the meticulous approach needed for a secure financial future.

Welcome to the latest episode of Best Advice Podcast, brought to you by Security Financial Management. Hosted by Rob Lovaglio and featuring insights from Mitchell Walk.

This episode dives into the intricacies of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and how they impact retirees. At age 73, retirees need to start withdrawing from their tax-deferred IRAs, but what if you don't need the money yet?

Explore strategic options, such as charitable donations, to manage these mandatory withdrawals effectively. Tune in for expert advice to navigate your retirement funds wisely and avoid potential tax penalties.

🤝 Get Personalized Financial Guidance: 📌 Learn about the SFM process: https://www.sfmadvisorgroup.com/ 📌 Schedule a consultation with our award-winning team 👉 https://go.oncehub.com/SecurityFinanc...