Kick off the New Year by gaining valuable financial insights. In this episode of the Mind Your Money podcast, Trent and Brandon dive deep into listener questions covering a wide range of topics.

Join them as they break down questions around maximizing 401(k)s, when you should be looking at taking your Social Security benefit, how spouses can get on the same page financially, and the fear of a future market crash.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Spousal Financial Harmony: Discover practical strategies to bridge the gap between spouses' financial perspectives and achieve shared goals.
• 401(k) Optimization: Learn how to maximize your 401(k) contributions and investment choices to build a strong retirement foundation.
• Social Security Timing: Explore the complexities of Social Security benefits and determine the optimal age to start claiming to maximize your lifetime income.
• Conquering Market Crash Anxiety: Address the fear of market downturns and develop a robust investment strategy that can weather economic storms.

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

You wouldn’t necessarily expect Mike Tyson, Kim Kardashian, and Snooki to dispense valuable insights about financial planning matters. In fact, you’d probably expect the opposite. But with a little bit of creativity, we can get some financial planning pearls of wisdom from even the most unlikely of sources.

Listen in to today’s show as we break down quotes from some of your favorite celebrities to see what financial lessons we can learn from them. Trent and Brandon will discuss attacking financial challenges head-on, why a plan is crucial to helping you stay on track, taking charge of your finances, and much more. Whether you’re a fan of celebrity and entertainment culture, or you’re looking for some financial guidance, there’s something for you in today’s episode.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Tackling your financial problems head-on
• The importance of planning so you’re ready for the unexpected
• Taking charge of your finances
• Focusing on solutions

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

In this episode of Mind Your Money, Trent and Brandon cover a few different topics. First, they explore the pros and cons of using dividend-paying stocks as a retirement income strategy. They’ll also dive into the impact of market crashes and how your stage in life influences your approach to risk management.

Finally, they explore the key differences in retirement planning for Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. This episode covers a lot of ground, so be sure to reach out to Trent and Brandon if you have any questions. They’re here to help!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Some pros and cons of dividend stocks + taking a balanced approach to investing
• The impact of market crashes on different age groups
• The differences in retirement planning for Gen X and Baby Boomers

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

Congressman Brendan Boyle recently asked the Congressional Budget Office to study the potential impact of raising the full retirement age for Social Security from 67 to 69. While this change is purely hypothetical for now, it highlights an important issue for the future of Social Security.

Social Security will likely be around in some form for the foreseeable future, but it’s unlikely to stay exactly as it is today. Listen in as Trent and Brandon break down the proposal from Congressman Boyle and discuss why they believe long-term fixes to Social Security are needed.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• A recent proposal to raise the retirement age from age 67 to age 69
• Making Social Security more sustainable in the long term
• The pros and cons of increasing the full retirement age
• Cutting your own path for your retirement

Resources for this episode

Learn more about this proposal here:

https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60516

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

We talk a lot about the Fed on this show- and for good reason. While elections can have an impact on your investments, what the Fed does next might matter even more. In today’s episode, we’re diving into how the Fed’s recent and potential rate cuts will affect retirees, pre-retirees, and anyone focused on growing and protecting their savings.

We’ll break down the Fed’s actions over 2024, from early-year uncertainty to the real possibility of a full 1% rate cut by year-end. We’ll also look ahead to 2025, when even bigger rate cuts could be on the table. If you’re curious about the impact of these Fed decisions and how to stay proactive, this episode is packed with timely insights!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The Fed’s 2024 rate cuts + potential cuts coming in 2025
• How falling rates impact money market yields
• Using CDs and fixed-income options to lock in favorable rates
• How rate cuts could impact overall market performance and economic growth

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

Remember the thrill of shaking a Magic 8 Ball to get answers to your childhood questions? Would we ace that math test? Would we be famous someday? Well, today, we're bringing a bit of that magic back. But instead of asking about pop quizzes and playground crushes, we’re turning to the Magic 8 Ball for advice on something much more important: your retirement planning!

What would the Magic 8 Ball have to say about these common retirement questions if it had the wisdom of a financial advisor?

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• “Should I start saving for retirement now?”
• “Is 1 million dollars enough to retire?”
• “Will my retirement plan be affected by future changes in tax laws?”
• “Should I consider working with a financial professional as I near retirement?”

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

Remember when you were a kid, always asking 'How do you know?' about everything, like why the sky is blue or where the sun goes at night? That curiosity doesn't go away as we get older; it just turns into different questions, like the ones we face when planning for retirement.

Today, we’re digging into the 'How Do You Knows' of retirement planning. How do you know how much income you’ll need when you retire? How do you know if an advisor is a good fit for you or not? Tune in as Trent and Brandon answer these questions and more on this week’s episode of Mind Your Money!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• How do you know how much income you’ll need when you retire?
• How do you know how much money you should have in your savings account?
• How do you know how much risk you should be taking with your investments?
• How do you know if an advisor is a good fit for you or not?
• How do you know how long your retirement savings need to last?

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

We’re going to do something a little different on this episode of the podcast. Instead of diving into important financial planning topics, Trent and Brandon and are going to take a personal approach. This episode is all about getting to know the personalities behind the financial expertise, and it’s filled with fun and candid conversations that will make you feel like you’re chatting with old friends.

Let’s have some fun talking about our favorite seasons, the best local breakfast spots, the great debate between the beach or the mountains, and more. We hope this episode gives you a glimpse into our lives and interests beyond the everyday work we do as financial planners. If you have any opinions to share, let us know!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Trent and Brandon’s favorite seasons.
• A deep dive into some food takes, from the best breakfast places to their favorite things to cook.
• The great beach vs. mountains debate.
• Passions outside of financial planning.

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

Children and grandchildren are a gift to many but they also introduce a unique set of financial responsibilities and questions that you may not have otherwise faced. In today’s episode, we explore how these family dynamics impact your financial planning, especially when it comes to legacy and long-term care.

Join Trent and Brandon as they dive into the most common scenarios where future generations influence retirement planning. They’ll cover topics such as managing finances in a blended family, creating lasting legacies, and finding the right balance between retirement goals and family needs. Don’t miss these valuable insights from the Mind Your Money podcast!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Life insurance as a means to transition assets from one generation to the next
• Aging parents counting on their children to take care of them later in life
• Handling the finances of blended families
• Lending money to children

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260

Saving for your child’s college education is a major financial undertaking, and it can be hard to know exactly where to start. With costs rising faster than regular inflation, early planning is crucial. Luckily, Trent and Brandon are here to help guide you and explain the options you may have to start saving up for your child’s future.

Listen in as the duo explores the current costs of college tuition, when you should start saving for your child’s education, and what plans exist to help put you on the right path. They’ll also share some common questions they receive from parents and grandparents about college planning. If you have any additional questions about this process, don’t hesitate to reach out to Trent or Brandon for professional insights!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Tuition costs in 2024
• How early you should start saving for your child’s college education
• 529 plans and alternative savings options
• Reducing the cost of college

Contact:

Website: http://bradshawfp.com 

Email: [email protected]

Call: 704-216-2260