It’s cheaper to invest now than ever before. The most important aspect of building wealth is systematically saving in low cost investments when issues such as timing the market mean nothing. Retirement presents major risks to your financial plan when things like inflation, health care costs and taxes can negatively affect your chances of long term success. Today I explain how to fight these risks using proper withdrawal strategies and double checking with Monte Carlo simulation. Other topics include:

• Where should Andrew put his safe money in his tax deferred accounts now that he is 4 years from retirement
• Ruth wonders if she should still set up a living trust if Trump plans to repeal estate taxes
• Mistakes people make with Medicare Part B signup
• Reviewing 529 plans- what mistakes are being made?

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Encore Edition

Once you enter retirement it becomes more important to keep a close eye on your portfolio and overall plan. Today I cover common spending issues many American’s face in retirement including going into retirement with a withdrawal strategy, options for adjusting your withdrawal rate after a market decline and adjusting for inflation. Other topics include:

• A-B trusts- Another reason not to let Trump delay your estate planning
• Smart beta ETF’s
• Tackling debt using the debt-snowball method
• Fraudulent tax returns
• What to expect from the new administration’s tax reform hints

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

There are a ridiculous amount of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) out there. Today I explain why ETF’s were created and what makes them so popular. With so many choices available I let you know which ETF’s are good and those you need to steer clear of. I also look at their advantages and disadvantages compared to index mutual funds. Other topics include:

• 2 reasons why women’s progress in the workplace has flat lined in the Bay Area
• Your biggest estate planning issues that Trump won’t affect
• Health care and other considerations when working or retiring outside the US

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

A real fiduciary puts your best interests before theirs and presents you with options. He/she does not have to meet a sales quota and won’t set you up with a plan that serves them. Today I explain how using the wrong rates of returns and wrong inflation rates affect your chances of a successful retirement. I also cover two articles about the disturbing inflation trends harming social security and a few silver linings to this creeping inflation. Other topics include:

• Should you include social security in financial plans?
• Timing issues -Why investors are not getting the returns the funds are reporting
• Why you shouldn’t wait on Trump to set up your estate plan
• ESG investing vs. social responsible investing
• How to fix an annuity

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

A recent survey reports that 61% of people are choosing to delay retirement. Today I discuss several reasons why more American’s are choosing to delay even when they don’t need the money. Behavioral finance mistakes can shave 2-4% off your returns. I'll tell you why. Listener questions:

• James from Piedmont wonders if I am concerned about the trend of falling dividend increases from blue chip companies that retirees usually depend on
• James in Sonoma asks me to clarify funding no load variable annuities with bond money from your IRA
• Bob wants to know when are TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) are appropriate part of asset allocation

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Could self driving cars unseat truck drivers? As technology and automation efficiency improves many Americans stand to lose their jobs. Where should investors be looking to put their money and what social issues should be taken into consideration?

• Is this US News and World report about underfunded retirement plans useful or just financial fluff?
• Should you invest in automation or invest in your skills?
• Could male to male lending make for poor financial decisions?
• James calls in with a question about using no load annuities to pay for long term care insurance
• What you need to know about RMD’s if you are 70 or older

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visitwww.NewFocusFinancial.com.

It’s cheaper to invest now than ever before. The most important aspect of building wealth is systematically saving in low cost investments when issues such as timing the market mean nothing. Retirement presents major risks to your financial plan when things like inflation, health care costs and taxes can negatively affect your chances of long term success. Today I explain how to fight these risks using proper withdrawal strategies and double checking with Monte Carlo simulation. Other topics include:

• Where should Andrew put his safe money in his tax deferred accounts now that he is 4 years from retirement
• Ruth wonders if she should still set up a living trust if Trump plans to repeal estate taxes
• Mistakes people make with Medicare Part B signup
• Reviewing 529 plans- what mistakes are being made?

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Encore Edition

30 year bonds approach historical lows, but Warren Buffett’s recent comment about the investment may have been taken out of context. Today I explain which generation he was addressing with his comment and why it should not be taken as a blanket statement to not own bonds at all. Other topics include:

• Bonds and millennial investing
• Cash outflow issues in retirement
• What to do with emergency cash reserves
• Excuses not to buy or invest right now
• Two funds to be aware of in your 401k
• Longevity and how to take these articles with a grain of salt

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

It’s cheaper to invest now than ever before. The most important aspect of building wealth is systematically saving in low cost investments when issues such as timing the market mean nothing. Retirement presents major risks to your financial plan when things like inflation, health care costs and taxes can negatively affect your chances of long term success. Today I explain how to fight these risks using proper withdrawal strategies and double checking with Monte Carlo simulation. Other topics include:

• Where should Andrew put his safe money in his tax deferred accounts now that he is 4 years from retirement
• Ruth wonders if she should still set up a living trust if Trump plans to repeal estate taxes
• Mistakes people make with Medicare Part B signup
• Reviewing 529 plans- what mistakes are being made?

Whether you're 20 or you're 60, managing your money can get complicated. Please join us for one of our two seminars this Saturday to learn strategies that can help you build wealth, invest confidently, retire better, and pass on your estate while minimizing taxes. Click HERE to sign up! 

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The big news story this week is the WannaCry Ransomware attacks affecting businesses around the world. Learning to protect yourself online is important when family photos and financial data are at risk. Today I cover necessary practices such as keeping updated hardware and software, two-factor authentication and backing up your files. Decrease your chances of getting hacked! Other topics include:

• Safe withdrawal rates in retirement
• What’s going to drive you in retirement?
• Life insurance sales pitch seminars that promise you can’t lose money
• Auto-escalation and auto-rebalancing – is automation helping people save for retirement?

Whether you're 20 or you're 60, managing your money can get complicated. Please join us for one of our two seminars to learn strategies that can help you build wealth, invest confidently, retire better, and pass on your estate while minimizing taxes. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to [email protected] , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.