This holiday-themed episode of the Common Sense Investing Show focused on critical retirement planning issues as the year ends. Victor McClure and Steve Ringo discussed the true pillars of retirement readiness—emphasizing not just how much you’ve saved, but how much income you’ll need to maintain your lifestyle in retirement. They unpacked rules of thumb, touched on alternative income solutions and stressed the value of building a resilient plan that protects both surviving spouses and overall legacy.

In the second half, legacy planning and charitable giving took center stage, with advice on Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs. Healthcare costs and long-term care were flagged as potential wildcards in later retirement years, with cautions about rising insurance premiums and suggestions for alternatives to traditional policies. The hosts encouraged listeners to take a holistic, math-driven approach—running the numbers, consulting professionals, and enjoying life’s experiences without jeopardizing their long-term plans.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week on the Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo reflected on holiday traditions and the changing dynamics of gift-giving, sharing personal stories about family, memorable gifts, and the challenges of raising children in a world where material expectations are higher than ever. The hosts discussed the importance of planning for the future, highlighting resources like Victor’s book, "The Common Sense Investing Guide," and emphasizing the value of the “family love letter”—a practical guide for organizing family information, wishes, and essential contacts when unexpected life events happen.

The show transitioned into financial questions from listeners, addressing topics such as recent tax changes, pension planning options, optimal timing for long-term care planning, and the financial habits to instill in younger generations. The hosts stressed the benefits of regular portfolio stress testing, thoughtful consideration of options in retirement, and always involving both spouses in financial decision-making.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week on the Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo took a reflective look back at some of 2025’s major financial headlines, examining how changing tax laws, trade disputes, and the longest government shutdown in recent history have impacted both retirees and those planning for retirement. The hosts highlighted the importance of adapting your financial strategy to current realities—emphasizing that with rising expenses and economic uncertainty, reducing spending and having a solid retirement plan are more crucial than ever. Key topics included the lasting effects of the “big, beautiful bill,” ongoing tariff debates, and the need to consider worst-case scenarios when calculating future returns, challenging listeners to prioritize mathematics and facts over market hype and opinions.

In addition to current events, the show revisited essential resources for financial preparedness, such as Victor’s “Common Sense Investing Guide to Retirement” and the “family love letter”—a comprehensive document that gathers all important financial, legal, and logistical information for loved ones. Victor shared personal anecdotes illustrating why such preparation matters, especially during challenging times or unexpected life events. The overarching message: real financial security comes from proactive planning, disciplined spending, and fact-based investing, not speculative market bets.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week’s Common Sense Investing Show, hosted by Victor McClure and Steve Ringo began with a lively post-Thanksgiving chat and quickly jumped into timely financial topics, including the latest Federal Reserve interest rate cut and its impact on retirees. Victor and Steve shared their decades of experience in wealth management to explain why planning for retirement stability is essential, especially with rising costs and market volatility. They stressed that robust retirement planning means more than just saving in traditional accounts: it requires stress-testing your portfolio, considering inflation, and creating income streams. Entertaining anecdotes and candid advice highlighted the value of experience in managing money and illustrated the shifting priorities people face as they move toward retirement.

The team emphasized that the biggest retirement fear—outliving your money—is real for 58% of Americans, with inflation, healthcare costs, and longer lifespans creating new challenges. They outlined how to build a solution-based retirement plan that focuses on spendable assets, smart Social Security choices, and not relying solely on home equity or risky investments. Questions from listeners reinforced the importance of understanding withdrawal strategies from 401(k)s, maximizing income buckets, and adjusting for changing tax rules. The overall message was clear: preparing early and having backup plans ensures financial security, allowing retirees to maintain their desired lifestyle no matter what surprises life may bring.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week’s Common Sense Investing Show delved into the practical realities of retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of clear-eyed math and stress testing your portfolio. Victor McClure and Steve Ringo discussed the critical concept of "sequence of returns," explaining how even a single down year can drastically alter retirement outcomes despite strong average returns. The show highlighted the psychological hurdles retirees face, especially the anxiety of living off assets versus a paycheck, and stressed the value of cash flow and secure income sources. Listeners were encouraged to take advantage of resources like portfolio stress tests and Victor’s book, Common Sense Investing Guide to Retirement, to help avoid costly mistakes and ensure both confidence and comfort in retirement.

The team also addressed timely topics such as the end of the Windfall Elimination/Government Pension Offset. Drawing from recent retirement studies, they noted how more people are retiring earlier—sometimes by choice but often due to health or employer changes—and discussed the financial and emotional implications of such transitions. Throughout the episode, Victor and Steve underscored the necessity of having a written, regularly updated retirement plan that factors in taxes, inflation, market volatility, and changing personal circumstances, so listeners can chart a stable and satisfying path toward their retirement dreams.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week on the Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo tackled some of the biggest financial headlines, including the government shutdown’s end and the historic retirement of the penny. The hosts discussed how these and other economic shifts—like rising insurance costs—affect retirees and their planning. They emphasized the importance of adapting retirement strategies to changing market conditions and the necessity of stress-testing portfolios to ensure resilience in turbulent times.

The show also explored questions from listeners worried about retirement readiness and unforeseen life events. Victor and Steve reminded listeners that retirement planning should go beyond just crunching numbers; it's vital to account for inflation, evolving expenses, and varied scenarios like loss of a spouse or long-term care needs. They recommend running “test drives” of retirement budgets and using comprehensive planning software to visualize future income and costs. Above all, they urged listeners to avoid guesswork: start with sound math, stress-test your plan, and work with trusted professionals to secure a financially confident retirement.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week's episode opened with Victor McClure and Steve Ringo discussing the generally optimistic outlook among financial advisors despite ongoing concerns like inflation, taxes, and market volatility. The group emphasized the importance of financial planning and preparation, drawing on personal anecdotes and current trends in real estate and home ownership. Victor stressed the value of starting retirement savings early, particularly through 401(k) contributions, and offered practical advice for young savers and those navigating tax implications in home buying. He highlighted the significance of consistently monitoring spending, running the numbers, and regularly reassessing financial plans to bolster confidence in an uncertain economic environment.

The conversation also covered timely topics like Medicare open enrollment, the impact of recent interest rate cuts, and strategies for maximizing retirement income and Social Security benefits. Victor explained the complexities of Medicare and cautioned listeners against delaying enrollment, while also responding to listener questions about working in retirement and mitigating the risks of market downturns as retirement approaches. The show wrapped up with a reminder for regular portfolio "stress testing," diversifying investments to manage risk, and seeking professional financial advice for long-term success.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week’s CSI Show welcomed listeners with special guests Raymond McClure and Logan Wakamoto, paraplanners at McClure Capital, stepping in for host Victor McClure to join Steve Ringo. The team covered timely topics such as the impact of changing interest rates, recent large-scale layoffs, and market volatility, emphasizing the importance of always having a well-constructed, stress-tested retirement plan. Drawing on a recent Yahoo Finance report, they explored the habits of upper-class retirees, such as proactively managing lifetime tax bills and planning for long-term care. The conversation highlighted that successful retirees don’t just focus on the current year—they plan decades ahead—making the case for diversification, risk profiling, and thoughtful income strategies.

Additionally, the show touched on the dangers of online financial scams, sharing a cautionary story of a client who fell victim to a crypto fraud but found stability thanks to their robust retirement plan. Personal finance discipline, legacy planning, and creating positive cash flow were recurring themes, with real-life anecdotes, including Logan’s experience as a newlywed navigating joint finances.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week's show with Victor McClure and Steve Ringo focused on the importance of financial planning in October—the official Financial Planning Month. Victor shared his experiences from recent travels and highlighted how life priorities and financial challenges shift as we age. The team distinguished between general financial planning and the more specialized retirement planning, emphasizing the unique needs of retirees who must navigate market volatility, inflation, and the critical "sequence of returns risk." They stressed that successful retirement isn't just about how much is saved, but about keeping spending in check, anticipating future healthcare costs, and building strong, reliable cash flow.

The conversation turned to the unpredictabilities faced in retirement, such as rising healthcare expenses, long-term care needs, and the psychological impact of market swings once a steady paycheck ends. Victor and Steve addressed frequent listener questions about managing old 401(k)s, the role of professional advisors, and making sure both spouses are prepared for unexpected events. They encouraged listeners not to rely on outdated financial rules, and advised seeking experienced and trustworthy guidance for creating a resilient plan.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

This week on the Common Sense Investing show, Victor McClure and co-host Steve Ringo dove into the fundamentals of retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the unexpected and ensuring your savings last. Drawing on decades of experience, Victor encouraged listeners to look beyond flashy sales pitches and bonuses, instead focusing on working with highly-rated financial products and advisors who prioritize clients' best interests.

The team also addressed practical topics such as beneficiary designations, the evolving rules around required minimum distributions (RMDs), and the impact of inflation and healthcare expenses on retirement. Throughout, the advice was clear: focus on generating reliable income, routinely review beneficiaries, plan ahead for life's surprises, and demand comprehensive services from your financial advisor to truly protect yourself and your loved ones in retirement.


For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/