Don Sowa's MoneyTalk

Financial planning is something that we engage in every day when we budget and save for our various needs, but to experience the true value of financial planning we need to take a step back and look at all of our needs at once, prioritizing them so we can allocate our resources accordingly. Nathan walks us through the process advisors follow when crafting a successful financial plan. Also on MoneyTalk, understanding the different designations held by financial advisors, and Babson College professor, Chris Hennessey, explains some wealth management strategies used by higher net worth investors.

Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Guest: Chris Hennessey; Air Date: 4/19/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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Getting married is one of the happiest and most exciting moments in life, but after the big day is over, many are unprepared for the transition to jointly managing their financial lives. Donna and Nathan discuss best practices for combining finances and managing shared expenses for newlyweds. Also on MoneyTalk, the pros and cons of borrowing from your retirement accounts, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie.

Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 4/18/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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The tax filing deadline is officially behind us, but for those who found themselves underprepared for the big day, it may be wise to start thinking about a better approach for next year. Donna offers tax prep tips, and ways you can get the most from your tax refund. Also on MoneyTalk, options for 529 holders who carry unused balances.

Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®; Air Date: 4/15/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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The majority of financial news coverage is focused on the stock market, but to long-term focused investment professionals the bond market is also vastly important, and when it comes to conversations of government bailouts, fixed income is the place they turn to first. Nathan speaks with Jeffrey Hannah, CFA®, CFP®, manager of the Aquila Narragansett Tax Free Income Fund, to talk about the state of the bond market, the Fed’s rate hikes, inflation, and the strategies fund managers use to design and manage municipal bond funds.

Host: Nathan Beauvais CFP®, CIMA®; Guest: Jeffrey Hannah, CFA®, CFP®; Air Date: 4/12/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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The 4% rule is a rule of thumb which states that a typical retirement portfolio can sustain a withdrawal rate of 4% per year for 30 years without running out of money. Donna and Nathan explain the data behind this theory, and some of the reasons why it may not hold up in today’s world. Also on MoneyTalk, how to decide if you should do a Roth conversion.

Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 4/11/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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Over the past decade we’ve seen a major shift in companies moving away from issuing dividends in favor of stock buybacks, and although this practice has been criticized by some of the media, it’s hard for investors to know if this strategy should impact their decision about whether or not to invest in the companies that issue them. Nathan discusses how stock buybacks work, and what they signal about the companies that initiate them. Also, on our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Steve offer lessons from the Bear Market of 1973.

Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 4/10/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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If you receive 100% of your income from your salary, the manner in which you are taxed is relatively straightforward, but most Americans receive income from multiple different sources, all of which are taxes a little differently. Donna and Nathan discuss how your tax liability is calculated on different types of income, including: social security, pensions, dividends and interest, capital gains, retirement accounts, life insurance proceeds, annuities, and real estate sales.

Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 4/9/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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From the early days of MoneyTalk, Don Sowa used to say that investing doesn’t have to be complicated, and a successful money management strategy starts with focusing on the basics. Donna brings us back to the basics of investing, answering some common questions such as: How much do you need to start investing? Where should you invest your money when starting out? And, if my portfolio is down while I’m taking withdrawals, how could that impact my retirement?

Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®; Air Date: 4/8/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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The HELOC is one of the most popular types of home equity loan due to its flexibility, but many who are carrying old balances on their variable rate HELOCs are struggling with unmanageable payments due to our high interest rate environment. Donna and Nathan discuss options for managing variable rate home equity loan balances, and strategies for paying down other forms of high interest debt. Also on MoneyTalk, Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie.

Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 4/4/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

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Donna pulls from the MoneyTalk Listener grab bag to answer questions from listeners like you, including: How does IRMAA impact my Medicare premium? What are some of the biggest regrets of todays retirees? And, how do you adjust your retirement plan if you are a senior going through a divorce?

Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®; Air Date: 4/1/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk-radio to join the conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.