Better investment returns (we all want them). Today we're discussing how to be a more successful long-term investor and I'm joined by Ashby Daniels, a financial planner and the mastermind behind Money Visuals. Money Visuals is Ashby's creative outlet where he shares wisdom and timeless ideas for long-term investors. We can learn many important lessons from the world's greatest investors and I can't think of someone better to share them with you than Ashby. Whether you're new on your investing journey, have been doing this for a while, or are a financial planner, today's episode is for you. So join us as Ashby shares practical advice and tips that can help you increase your investment returns and your probability of achieving your financial goals. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!

Resources Mentioned

MoneyVisuals Twitter

MoneyVisuals LinkedIn

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When it comes to bringing people together, few things can match the magic of food, music, and, of course, the thrill of vacationing. Today we're talking about vacationing and I'm joined by Mark Comfort, an industry expert with more than 30 years of experience helping people create memories that last a lifetime. Mark has traveled to 108 countries and he and his wife Mimi are the owners of Cruise Holidays and Comfort Tours and Travel in Kansas City. They specialize in ocean cruises, river cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and custom land-based vacations, and they transform ordinary vacations into extraordinary journeys, taking people on thrilling adventures across the globe. If you're looking for ideas for your next family vacation or would like help planning one, today's episode is for you. So grab your passport and join us as Mark shares a few of his vacation secrets, favorite destinations, and unlocks the keys to a life filled with adventure. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!

Resources Mentioned

• Cruise Holidays and Comfort Tours and Travel Website
• Facebook Page
• Instagram

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One of the most important decisions you will make in retirement is deciding when to collect your Social Security benefits. Social Security is a guaranteed lifetime annuity designed to pay you an inflation-protected income for as long as you live. But figuring out when to collect payments, especially if you are eligible for multiple benefits or coordinating with a spouse, can be nearly impossible. And here is the hard truth. Most retirees are giving up tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars because they collect their benefits too early. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!

Resources Mentioned

• The High Price Retirees Pay for Collecting Social Security Too Early
• Social Security Administration Website 
• Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information
• What is FICA?

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Today we're talking all things real estate with Kiley Willis. Kiley is a realtor at ReeceNichols Plaza in Kansas City (licensed in both Kansas and Missouri), and she is one of Kansas City's top real estate producers. Last year she was the top-ranked solo agent by sales volume at her old brokerage. And since 2016, she has sold more than 220 homes valued at nearly $60M in sales volume. If you have questions about buying or selling a home in this higher interest rate environment and you're not sure where to start, I think you're going to get a lot of value out of our conversation. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!

Resources Mentioned

• Kiley Willis at ReeceNichols Plaza
• Kiley Willis Facebook Page
• Kiley Willis Instagram Page

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Tax season is upon us, and you have probably received your fair share of important tax documents in the mail (or email inbox). Chances are your W-2 is not the only tax form you'll need to complete your income tax return because you likely received at least one or more 1099 forms too. Your 1099 forms report various types of income from the previous year. And that's why we must pay attention to them as we prepare and get organized for this tax season. Today we're talking about what you can learn from your 1099 forms. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!  

Resources Mentioned

• Morningstar: What You Can Learn From Your 1099 Forms
• IRS Website: Qualified Charitable Distributions for IRA Owners
• IRS 2022 Instruction 1040

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Warren Buffett's annual shareholder letter to owners of Berkshire Hathaway stock is out. Today we'll walk through it together, and I'll point out my top takeaways. After all, the letter contains wisdom from someone with 80 years of investing experience, which Buffett points out is roughly one-third of America's lifetime! I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!  

Resources Mentioned

• Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letters
• The Cost of Rising Short-Termism

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2022 was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year for stock and bond markets. It seemed like everything went down in value, everything except inflation and mortgage rates which reached 40-year highs and 20-year highs, respectively. In short, 2022 was an emotionally draining year for many retirement investors and that means most panicked and yanked money out of their 401(k)s, right? No so fast. Today we're discussing what folks have been up to with their employer retirement accounts. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   

Resources Mentioned

• Average 401(k) Balances Dropped 20% in 2022 - But Few Investors Flinched, Vanguard Research Shows
• From Vanguard: Positive Signs In a Challenging Market
• From NYU: S&P Historical Data Since 1960 

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Social Security may only be able to pay 80% of its promised benefits starting in 2035 if Congress does not address a projected shortfall. Today we're talking about 7 changes Americans say they are willing to make to fix Social Security. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   

Resources Mentioned

• 7 Changes Americans Are Willing to Make to Fix Social Security
• The 2022 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds
• Social Security Administration Website 

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Healthcare is not cheap and, aside from taxes, might be your most costly retirement expense. Did you know there's a tax-advantaged savings account to help with your healthcare costs? Health Savings Accounts came about in 2003, and many people are unfamiliar with their benefits and tax secrets. That's our topic on this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   

Resources Mentioned

• Tax Secrets of Health Savings Accounts 
• The Best HSA Providers of 2022 
• IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans
• IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses

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Today we're talking all things Medicare with Danielle Roberts. Danielle is a Medicare expert and the co-founder of Boomer Benefits, an insurance agency helping people across the country understand Medicare and their insurance options. She's also the author of 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford To Make. If you have Medicare questions and you're not sure where to start, I think you'll get a lot of value from our conversation on this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!

Medicare Open Enrollment 2023 starts October 15, 2022 and runs until December 7, 2022.

Resources Mentioned

• 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make by Danielle Roberts
• Boomer Benefits Medicare Blog 
• Boomer Benefits YouTube Channel
• Medicare.gov Website 
• Medicare & You 2023 Handbook
• 2023 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles, and Co-Insurance Amounts
• Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) Life-Changing Event Form SSA-44

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