Don Sowa's MoneyTalk

There are traders, and then there are investors, and the major difference is that traders focus on short term market tends, while investors seek value with a long-term outlook. Donna and Nathan discuss strategies employed by famed investor Ron Baron, founder of Baron Capital, and how patience and thoughtful analysis guided his companyâs success. Also, on our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, we tell the story of how Standard Oil shaped American industry, and sparked the birth of modern antitrust law. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/9/2025; Original Air Dates: 1/4/2023 & 9/7/2023. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Social Security is the backbone of the US retirement system, but even though it effects nearly every American at some point, it wasn’t designed to be easily understood by the majority. Donna and Nathan break down some of the commonly misunderstood provisions of the Social Security system to help you more confidently plan your retirement income. Also on MoneyTalk, why more and more people are planning to claim their Social Security benefits early, and how this could impact the future stability of the system. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/8/2025; Original Air Dates: 7/1/2024 & 4/29/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Each decade of life brings its own unique set of priorities, and while retirement may be the only fixed goal you’ll have along the way, the strategies you employ should look different as you age. Donna takes us through the evolution of retirement planning each decade from your 20s through your 50s. Also on MoneyTalk, how to decide what to do with your 401(k) when you retire. Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®; Air Date: 7/7/2025; Original Air Date: 4/22/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Social Security is a core component of most Americans’ retirement plans, but it may surprise you to hear that it was highly controversial when initially proposed, and to get it passed Congress had to include complex provisions which still exist to this day. Donna and Nathan discuss the intricacies of the Social Security system, and the reasons why it has been so difficult to reform. Also on MoneyTalk, how to determine if the IRMAA will effect your Medicare premium, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/3/2025; Original Air Dates: 4/1/2024 & 7/1/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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For over a century, gold wasn’t just a symbol of wealth—it was the backbone of the U.S. dollar. From the discovery of gold in California to the creation of the Federal Reserve and the dramatic shift under President Nixon, the gold standard shaped not only how America did business, but how it saw itself on the global stage. On this edition of our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Daniel uncover the myths, the politics, and the economics behind one of the most influential—and controversial—chapters in monetary history: The U.S. Gold Standard. Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Special Guest: Daniel Sowa; Air Date: 7/2/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Inheriting money from your spouse is a pretty straightforward process, but when money is passed down from parents or other family members, the rules get a bit more complicated. Donna and Nathan discuss the process of distributing assets from a non-spousal inheritance. Also on MoneyTalk, Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/1/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

*Index annuities are insurance contracts that, depending on the contract, may offer a guaranteed annual interest rate and some participation growth, if any, of a stock market index. Such contracts have substantial variation in terms, costs of guarantees and features, and may cap participation or returns in significant ways. Any guarantees offered are backed by the financial strength of the insurance company, not an outside entity. Investors are cautioned to carefully review an index annuity for its features, costs, risks, and how the variables are calculated.*

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You may hear some people say that you should wait until age 70 to claim Social Security to maximize your benefit, and while this may be the right option for many, it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Donna discusses how to go about the decision-making process for when to claim Social Security. Also on MoneyTalk, what to do when it's time to use your 529 savings, and how IRMAA affects Medicare eligibility. Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®; Air Date: 6/30/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

*The fees, expenses, and features of 529 plans can vary from state to state. 529 plans involve investment risk, including the possible loss of funds. There is no guarantee that an education-funding goal will be met. In order to be federally tax free, earnings must be used to pay for qualified education expenses. The earnings portion of a nonqualified withdrawal will be subject to ordinary income tax at the recipient’s marginal rate and subject to a 10 percent penalty. By investing in a plan outside your state of residence, you may lose any state tax benefits. 529 plans are subject to enrollment, maintenance, and administration/management fees and expenses.*

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When we plan for retirement, we tend to spend the majority of our time thinking about money, but research shows that there is much more to a happy retirement than dollars and cents. Nathan interviews Morningstar columnist Christine Benz, author of âHow to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful and Wealthy Retirementâ, to discuss perspectives from thought leaders on what contributes to a truly successful retirement. Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Special Guest: Christine Benz, Morningstar; Air Date: 6/27/2025; Original Air Date: 11/1/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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New retirees are entering a period of market uncertainty, and with time no longer on their side, the idea of drawing on assets that may be down can be far from ideal. Donna and Nathan discuss ways new retirees can mitigate sequence of return risk in their portfolios. Also on MoneyTalk, the problem with timing the market, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 6/26/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Over the years, higher education has meant higher inflation, and although there are various education savings accounts available, their rules and tax treatment can vary. Donna and Nathan discuss the differences between Coverdell education savings accounts and 529s, and some of the strategic ways you can implement them to fit your situation. Also, on our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Daniel cover the circumstances leading up to the Great Depression. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Special Guest: Daniel Sowa; Air Date: 6/25/2025; Original Air Dates: 3/29/2023 & 10/1/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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