Inflation and rising interest rates have wreaked havoc on the markets so far this year. Why, and will this continue? This week is Part I of an exciting and timely two-part series on Financial Planning: Explained. In this two-part series, Host Michael Menninger, CFP® welcomes Gene Goldman, CFA. Gene is the Chief Investment Officer and Director of Research of Cetera Investment Management.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP is again joined by occasional co-host, Kyle Ryan, CFP. Mike and Kyle continue the series called Case Studies. These case studies are designed to touch on scenarios that could occur and provide unique strategies on how to handle such situations. This week’s episode provides two different case studies.

The first scenario discusses an elderly woman who is faced with needing more income to live, and thinks her solution is to sell her home and rent it from the buyer. Mike and Kyle present the pitfalls and explore ways she could accomplish this by selling the home to her son, who would eventually be the beneficiary of the home, anyway.

The second case study touches on life insurance, and a few strategies that could help you efficiently leave your beneficiaries the most of your assets. It also touches on methods to hep maximize tax efficiency and other strategies to maximize the life insurance with no additional out of pocket costs.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Kathe Kline. Kathe is a best-selling author and founder of MedicareQuick, who helps navigate through the uncertain waters of the Medicare system.

Kathe and Mike discuss the nuances of Medicare and supplemental insurance programs in great detail. There are little known penalties that even some experts haven’t heard of, so don’t fall victim to these traps! Sit down with Kathe and Mike for an in-depth analysis on Medicare and some strategies that could help you down the road.  This is a MUST SEE for anyone approaching the age of 65, or who may be applying for Medicare.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Larry Faulkner for Part II of their two-part series on psychological roadblocks to financial success. Larry is a Certified Financial Instructor and best-selling author who has written three books on the behavioral aspects of finance.

In Part II, Larry and Mike dive deeper into the behavioral aspects of consumer spending. There are many different factors that contribute to irresponsible spending habits that result in roadblocks to achieving financial success. Sit down with Larry and Mike to learn more about how you can identify and avoid bad habits in your daily life that could impede your ability to achieve your financial goals!

On this week’s episode of Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Larry Faulkner for Part I of their two-part series on psychological roadblocks to financial success. Larry is a Certified Financial Instructor and best-selling author who has written three books on the behavioral aspects of financial planning.

This episode touches on the origins of financial behaviors. Consumer spending is like any other human behavior and can be affected by a number of factors including environmental or psychological situations during childhood. Tune in with Larry and Mike as they discuss the financial awareness that could improve your chances of achieving financial success.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP is excited to welcome back Herb Morgan. Herb is a very insightful guest who has been on the show before. He is the Senior Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Efficient Market Advisors. Herb has been a guest on CNBC Television, Fox News and CBS Market Watch, along with many other publications.

With over 55 years of investment experience between the pair, Herb and Mike tackle all of the volatility going on in the economy at the moment including inflation, energy prices, and the Ukraine conflict. Tune in with Herb and Mike as they discuss current financial topics.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with occasional co-host, Kyle Ryan, CFP. Mike and Kyle continue the series called Case Studies. These case studies are designed to touch on scenarios that could occur and provide unique strategies on how to handle such situations. This episode touches on multiple areas of financial planning, such as maximizing tax efficiency approaching retirement, strategizing Social Security benefits, tax planning when moving to a different state.

This episode also provides an example of the appropriate use of Roth IRA conversions and their timing, and integrating them with retirement income planning. The hosts also briefly touch upon recent changes to inherited IRAs rules and how they may impact multiple generations. Every financial situation is different, but you can check out this episode for some ideas that may benefit you when it comes to maximizing your tax efficiency and retirement planning.

On this week's episode of Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP discusses the popular topic that we hear often - debt management. There are multiple ways to get out of debt, but every situation is unique when it comes to a solution.

In this episode, Mike covers ideas like: unique way to effectively take money out of an IRA to pay off debt without paying a tax penalty, fixing credit, maintaining goal of paying off college, and continuing to save for retirement.

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP covers the topic of maximizing tax efficiency for retirement, as well as maximizing Social Security benefits.

There are many facets to consider when it comes to collecting Social Security, and also how the answer to one question results in opening several other doors to help maximize tax efficiency throughout retirement, and even addresses estate planning issues from a tax efficiency perspective. This episode is a must listen.

On this week’s episode of Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP continues the series on Case Studies. In this episode, Mike continues with Part II of Maximizing Social Security Benefits.

This case study incorporates numerous complexities and strategies for navigating and maximizing the Social Security system, including a strategy of collecting survivor benefits while allowing their own benefits to grow. In addition, this also coordinating inherited IRA distributions, maximizing tax efficiency and meeting retirement goals. Topic covered include issues met when trying to collect social security before retirement age, and the pitfalls of exceeding the earning limit if you choose to collect early while still working.