THINK Retirement NOW. ™

Adults over the age of 50 manage an increasing share of the wealth in the United States. Risky investment decisions that are made as people age may have effects on both financial markets --AND individuals in later life.  FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Association, performed an in-depth study recently to assess how many older Americans—those over 58 with far less time to recover from a market shock than younger investors-- were taking on TOO MUCH risk. And for those TAKING  too much risk using standard measurements, they wanted to know WHY. Well today, we'll reveal what they came up with in this really interesting study-- and how it might apply to YOU. Then Medicare expert Shelley Grandidge joins us for the Q & A.   ...A fact filled show you don't want to miss....MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!

We typically don't give much thought to inflation, but over long periods, it can wreak havoc with the purchasing power of our dollars. Over many years, inflation has averaged about 3% annually, though there have been times when it has been very high and times when it has been very low. In 2015, for example, inflation averaged close to 0% or less, while it was 6% in 1982 and more than 13% in 1980.  Even at 2 or 3 percent, something that costs $100 dollars now would run you about $243 dollars in 30 years. Today we'll peek at some popular products you bought back in the late 1988 when George Bush beat Michael Dukakis for president, and it may really open your eyes! Steve will talk about the Blue Diamond Dividend Plus Growth portfolio and travel agent Ruby Kelly joins us. A fun and fact-filled show today you don't want to miss..MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!

So, what happens if you retire at or near a Market Peak? Have you thought about that? Statistically, people are more inclined to retire during the top end of a bull market. It only makes sense. That's when confidence and peace of mind are higher. The trouble, as we all know, is that "what goes up also comes down" and if it comes down soon after we retire, that's a problem. Also, statistically, the ten year periods following really strong ten year periods are not so hot. Withdrawing steady income from a declining balance can run a retirement off the road. Today, we'll tell the story of Donna, whose great grandparents, grandparents, and parents ALL retired during market peaks going back to 1928, 1973, and 1999, and what Donna has decided to do with her retirement. Then Medicare specialist Shelley Grandidge joins us. Don't miss today's show MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

Today on Mastering Money, a very special guest joins us.  But first.....Very few investors would consider basing their entire life savings around owning just one stock. The reason is obvious. Even with the best company on the planet, times change, things go wrong, competitors emerge and the stock price can fall.   At first glance, some investors believe diversification simply means SPREADING your risk. But is that really all there is to it? If all it took to be successful was to own lots of different stocks, without regard to WHY you own each and every one of them, then there would be no losers on Wall Street.   Everybody would win every day, and all the time. Because we know there are more losers than winners on Wall Street, it is important to truly diversify your portfolio in the smartest way possible--and according to your age.   A power packed show you don't want to miss, MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

Today on Mastering Money...It’s a MOTLEY FOOL MONDAY!! The Motley Fool Money Show is one of the most popular stock market TALK SHOWS in America today, featuring timely insights from top analysts.    "MOTLEY FOOL MONEY"  is heard by millions of listeners coast to coast—including Saturdays right here on Money Radio at 5pm!  First we'll update breaking financial news and get a read on all the indexes, THEN,  we'll take you to an exclusive broadcast of the Motley Fool Money Show, with fresh ideas to help you become a more informed investor. Steve will cap it off with proven money-making and money-SAVING ideas that you DON'T want to miss! -- A jam-packed show --and we're READY TO ROLL !    ... MASTERING MONEY IS ON THE AIR!!!

In investing, knowledge is power. To paraphrase Benjamin Graham's investment advice--Warren Buffett’s mentor--you should strive to know WHAT you are doing and WHY. If you don't understand the game, he said, don't play it...and Stay away until you do. Being honest, most of us would say we DON’T actually understand the market. It has gotten so massive and unpredictable, pretending to know every aspect of it is foolhardy. Even Warren Buffett, during his brilliant career, only worked within a slice of the market—companies that he grew to understand very well and companies that made real money in the real economy. Buffett took a mathematical and systematic approach to investing. Today we'll review exactly how to do that, then health insurance and Medicare expert Shelley Grandidge joins us. A great show for you today...MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

So…what’s the REAL secret to stock market success?  We’d all love to think that there is just one secret but in the real world it comes down to avoiding big mistakes, avoiding hunches, having a logical strategy, and buying stocks that the big institutional investors have their eyes on.   The more you listen to experienced investment managers who have attained a high level of success, the one common thread is that they keep most of their money in stocks being considered or bought by the big “institutional investors.” The big mutual funds, pensions, and insurance companies are the institutional investors  considered to be the “BIG FISH” or even the killer WHALES on Wall Street. They DRIVE demand. Today, we'll show you how and why to build  your investment strategy around the Killer Whales. An important show you don't want to miss, MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!

For more than eight decades, the Social Security program has played a critical role in providing a financial foundation for our nation's retired workers. Most people  build their  long term retirement plan around the certainty of a steady check from Social Security.    According to the Centers for Budget and Policy Priorities, the system singlehandedly pulls more than 15 million retirees out of poverty every year. It’s safe to say that without it, our nation would be in a constant state of recession.  Which is why it is alarming that the program faces serious financial hurdles in the years ahead. In fact, due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, the Social Security retirement fund could face depletion as early as 2030, jut ten short years from now. Steve and I will review the details and the facts. Then Medicare and Health insurance expert Shelley Grandidge joins us for the Q & A.  A truly fact-filled show today that you don't want to miss...MASTERING MONEY  is on the air!!!

As more and more companies crumble inside the S & P 500, like JC Penney’s and Macy’s, the notion that you can blindly buy the S & P 500 and fall asleep at the wheel on your investments no longer holds water. Fewer than ten large technology companies are now driving the S & P. Some say that four hundred of the S & P stocks are dragging down the others. And the volatility on the S & P 500 is greater than it once was.  Today’s crazy markets and low interest rates are leaving many folks wondering where and how to allocate their money. Today, learn how to get systematic with your investment strategy, zeroing in on high quality dividend growth and technology stocks alongside guaranteed fixed income solutions. Learn the proper way to diversify your portfolio in these very volatile times.  Don't miss it!  MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

Today on Mastering Money...It’s a MOTLEY FOOL MONDAY!! The Motley Fool Money Show is one of the most popular stock market TALK SHOWS in America today, featuring timely insights from top analysts.    "MOTLEY FOOL MONEY"  is heard by millions of listeners coast to coast—including Saturdays right here on Money Radio at 5pm!  First we'll update breaking financial news and get a read on all the indexes, THEN,  we'll take you to an exclusive broadcast of the Motley Fool Money Show, with fresh ideas to help you become a more informed investor. Steve will cap it off with proven money-making and money-SAVING ideas that you DON'T want to miss! -- A jam-packed show --and we're READY TO ROLL !    ... MASTERING MONEY IS ON THE AIR!!!