In research for the show each week, we come across some really unique and fun information and some that is also timely. Brad came across a survey of 200 financial advisors across the United States conducted by Edward Jones, The survey says that 97% of clients by these 200 advisors are not anticipating surprises when it comes to retirement, and we've had plenty of surprises in the last couple of years and it's shocking that people don't anticipate that there are going to be some hiccups along the way of a 20 or 30 year retirement. Brad gives us his thoughts on the survey.

Well, the age old question might be today, should I trade in an old annuity? I’ve had this for awhile, I don’t know as much about it now as maybe I did then. Sometimes we buy something and a decade later we’re like, why in the heck did I buy that? What about annuities and the talk of maybe exchanging or doing some things to get better interest rates on annuities? Brad offers us some tips.

If you’ve been paying attention you know that interest rates have been on the rise, but Jerome Powell and the fed reserve have raised interest rates on a number of occasions over the last 18 months to two years and are likely to do it ahead this year. But there’s a double-edged sword. Interest rates on the rise? Terrible when you’re borrowing money for a house because you’re going to pay more interest. Maybe a little better if you’re saving money and that’s where Brad fills us in on the latest with interest rates right now.

How often is it that you want to do something around the house and you figure hey this is a do-it-yourself project, I can get it done. Three trips to the hardware store later you’re finally getting it done and probably spent more than you would if you would have just hired a professional to do it. Brad shares some common mistakes he sees do-it-yourselfers doing.

It’s not often that we start a show talking about financial advisors and what it is that the role in financial advising, especially when it comes to retirement income planning truly is, but today we Brad reminds us exactly what it is and how he can actually help them get not only into but through retirement.

Well, if you're a movie aficionado, the Matrix might be something you've consumed once or twice and of course it's morphed itself over time and sometimes a retirement can feel like that. You're diving in one place and popping out of another and then you don't know where you're heading.

When we get to retirement, all our working career we do the working and we get money for that work. During retirement, we need to make that money do the work while we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor, but there are some principles of retirement planning to always remember.