As prospects for a government shutdown increase, people, especially investors, want to know what a shutdown might mean for the stock market. In addition, you might be asking, "How far into my life does the Federal government need to intrude?" This is what we'll ask and ponder on today's show. If not for the fact that it's loud, noisy and newsy at that. The center stage seems to be taken up with, among other things, whether the government will shut down. The axiom, "Don't watch while the sausage is being made, just enjoy the product of the mix," comes to mind. We all know our legislative body's work can be ugly, but hopefully the outcome will be better than the predictions would indicate. We'll also go into the details of "whither" interest rates and the very real impact that will have on your pocket. So fun, we know.

Tune and take control while we explore the adventure of life and your finances!

For months now, everyone's been talking about the Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law on July 4th of this year. At nearly 900 pages long, the OBBBA brings quite a few changes to U.S. tax laws. Though some of these changes are big, others, eh, not so big. But one thing's for sure, this law adds a new layer of complexity that could cause headaches for many taxpayers in the years ahead. On today's show, we're joined by local CPA Jon Sluis to break down this big, beautiful piece of legislation and explain how these new policies could impact you. We'll take a look at the new senior deductions, the raised estate tax threshold, and two major changes affecting many today – no tax on tips and no tax on overtime. And if we've got time, we'll see what else we can dig into regarding the OBBBA.

So, join us for this big, beautiful hour … won't you? Tune in and take control!

On today's show, we pause to remember a day that forever changed our nation – September 11, 2001. We dedicate this show to the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost, the unwavering bravery of our first responders, the strength of our armed forces, and the countless acts of courage and compassion that rose from the ashes of tragedy that day. Today, we are honored to welcome Ms. Heather Cartwright, retired Director of the Federal Crimes Victims Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. On that fateful morning, she was on the front lines in Washington, D.C., coordinating critical support for victims and their families in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Ms. Cartwright will share an extraordinary, behind-the-scenes account of how our nation responded, not just with force, but with humanity. Her powerful story offers a rare and moving glimpse into the heart of our government's efforts during one of the darkest days in American history and the relationships cultivated in the face of devastation that continue to live on today. This is more than a presentation. It's a tribute to resilience, a reflection on sacrifice, and a reminder that even in our darkest hour, the light of unity and service shines through.

Won't you join us for this unforgettable moment of remembrance and reflection.

Dennis will start today's show with an article from Capital Group discussing why the U.S. economy could stay resilient. The argument is that the economic tailwind expected from tech companies pouring billions into AI will eventually be seen in additional bottom-line revenue increases adding to real earnings. Next, Nathan will discuss the article, "Are Tariffs the Solution to America's Debt Problem?" by Lawrence Gillum of LPL Financial. This article will delve into the known financial realities regarding the tariff situation as well as the impacts they will tend to have. Last, Hiedi will review the new investment options being proposed for 401(k) plans, which would allow private equity investments to be made by individual investors. The dangers could be significant with the realities of potential loss rising dramatically with these new options. There's so much to talk about! As always, Beth Shier will weigh in with the stats to round it out and bring it all home.

Tune in and take control!

The information explosion continues, not only on the world political front, but also in the areas of tax and investment. On today's show, we are joining in the rush to disseminate usable information, specific to, you guessed it, taxes and investments! This will include new statistical information about Social Security, which Heidi Cartwright will share, and how the Big Beautiful Bill will impact retirement accounts, which Nathan Prout will discuss. Dennis will share the six signs that indicate you might be ready to retire. This may include information and opinion from Dennis himself in his own experience consulting with retirees. We're excited to share this information with you and, honestly, wish we had more time. We will do our best to cover it all.

Tune in and take control!

With the stock market hitting all-time highs (as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average), the question of "How high is too high?" must be begged. Since everyone is eager to know (including us), we've pulled out the heavy research engines to see what they might tell us. Given we are the all-knowing, all-seeing types, we're waiting with bated breath to share all of our newfound secrets. What is next, pray tell? And what do you think? We'll talk about dangers and opportunities as we delve into the trove of information that can help us, and you get a clue. With the help of our economist, and his research acquired from various well-known sources as well as Capital Group, we're hoping you will think twice about tuning today (or our Saturday rebroadcast) and consider how you might profit. We would love to hear from you as we discuss and disseminate. As always, Beth Shier will weigh in with the stats to bring it all home.

Tune in and take control!

It's summertime (thank you very much!) and a little smoke, too, for those who don't have time to sit around a campfire. What a dynamic market we're in … and a dynamic world as well. While you probably hear plenty on the political front, our consultants are churning out more information for us to learn from and disseminate to you, our listeners. As we reviewed the material for the upcoming radio show, we were amazed with the amount of information we had at our fingertips from long-held sources, including Ed Slott and Capital Group. The highlight was the material on the "seven reasons to name a trust as IRA beneficiary." For those with IRA beneficiary questions, this material may prove extremely helpful. We'll also discuss the mid-year outlook on the economy, and look forward to your questions!

Tune in and take control!

On today's show, we are thrilled to be joined by special guest, Lacey Edgecomb, Director of the Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network. Lacey is here to share a bit about the rich history of the Senior Center, as well as the many incredible ways the Center continues to serve and connect with our community. What began in the 1960s as a small Adult Activity Club has grown into the thriving, welcoming hub we all recognize today along Grandview Parkway, a place full of energy, connection and purpose. In partnership with the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners, the Senior Center Network is dedicated to creating vibrant spaces where older adults feel valued, supported and inspired. From Traverse City to Interlochen, and Kingsley to Fife Lake, their mission is to offer meaningful opportunities for personal growth, lifelong learning and genuine connection. Please join us in welcoming Lacey as we take a closer look at one of the true gems of Grand Traverse County.

Tune in and take control… of your connection!

For those of you who missed last week's show, we gave a 5,000-foot overview of the newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), a sweeping piece of legislation aligned with many of the priorities of the current Trump administration. Today, we're zooming our focus in a bit on its impact on Social Security taxation. There have been some big misunderstandings and mischaracterizations around Social Security and the OBBBA, and today, we would like to clear some of that up for you. We'll also discuss the new trend of Micro-Retirement, where young professionals are "hitting the pause button" to rethink, recharge and reinvent themselves. It's a different world out there! Tradition, in some areas like the workplace, is falling to the wayside to make room for more creative and encompassing solutions for employee satisfaction and retention. Employees and employers are rethinking what it means to work well and live better. Is it a smart solution or just a fad? You decide.

Tune in and take control!

Over the July 4th holiday weekend, while you were grilling burgers and watching fireworks, President Trump signed his landmark, One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law after some back and forth between the House and Senate. While this budget package includes many changes, on today's show we'll be touching on a few aspects of this new legislation and some sweeping impacts on tax and spending that will no doubt leave its mark on the U.S. economy. But in what capacity? We'll discuss how we may expect to see these provisions show up, show off and throw down in the years ahead. Then, if we have time, we'll shift gears to grandparenting in 2025. There's an old proverb that says, "Grandchildren are the crown on the aged." We'll talk about some fun facts, financial planning strategies and helpful hints to consider while investing in the next generation.

Tune in and take control!