THINK Retirement NOW. ™

Question:   As an investor in or near retirement, should you own utility stocks?  And, if you do, should you make utility stocks a major part of your plan for retirement income, as some financial journalists seem to suggest?  Utilities can be a good choice for some investors seeking diversification from the broader equity market since the dividend yield of utilities averages around 3.6%, the highest of any sector, according to Jodie Gunzberg, chief investment strategist at Graystone Consulting, a Morgan Stanley business. Today, we'll review why utilities may not be your best income bet, HOWEVER, they can offer lower volatility, stability, consistency, and a reliable dividend yield that grows in size every year—IF YOU CHOOSE WISELY.  Today, Steve explains how to do just that, and then Medicare and Health Insurance expert Shelley Grandidge joins us. A great show you don't want to miss...MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!!

Every time you think the market can't go higher, it does. Many investors are bewildered by the rise of the stock market since COVID 19.  Milestone after milestone has been hit, including Dow-30,000 even with the economy on one leg. As remarkable as it sounds, stocks still have room to run according to top Wall Street analysts. Pent up demand is building on the half of the economy that is nearly shut down, and the vaccine could get things back to normal. But there is another KEY REASON WHY the market has risen and likely to KEEP rising in 2021 no matter who is running the White House or the Senate. We'll explain that key factor in detail, with data from the Wall Street Journal. Then Steve reviews the 2021 strategy for the Black Diamond and Blue Diamond portfolios. A very timely 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, featuring timely insights from top market experts and heard by millions of listeners coast to coast—including Saturdays right here on Money Radio at 5pm! After an update of the markets and today's breaking financial news stories, we'll take you to an exclusive broadcast of the Motley Fool Money Show... chock full of ideas to help you become a more informed investor, followed by proven money-making and money-SAVING ideas from Steve that you DON'T want to miss! -- A jam-packed show for you today,  and it all starts RIGHT NOW... MASTERING MONEY IS ON THE AIR!!!

Most stocks are generally classified as either value stocks or growth stocks. Generally speaking, stocks that trade for valuations below the Price to Earnings ratio of the S&P 500 are considered value stocks, while stocks that outperform the S & P in terms of sheer growth rates are considered growth stocks. Some stocks meet both requirements. We'll talk about several of them today and why analysts at JP Morgan are projecting a big swing to value and dividend stocks as the economy slowly works its way back to normal in 2021. JP Morgan likes the idea of political gridlock--which they predict no matter who is president--and of course the success of COVID vaccines. If you want to think ahead of the crowd, you don't want to miss today's show....MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

Historically, there’s a 91% chance of the stock market giving you a positive return over any particular 10 year period.  Here’s the problem: the 91 percent of positive ten year periods have come AFTER recessions and poor markets. The worst ten year periods have come after long bull market expansions, like we're in now.  In or near retirement, THAT'S an important thing to consider. Question: How much of your money should be IN the market, and how much OUT of the market right now? What will happen in 2021? Where will the markets be in a year? Today you will hear analysis from several investment managers:   Steve will reveal how the Black Diamond Dividend Growth Strategy works in flat and down markets to keep building wealth. Then, the famous host of the MOTLEY FOOL MONEY SHOW, Chris Hill joins us. It's going to be a great show you don't want to miss. MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

The S & P 500 is thought of as a steady and stable index of the 500 largest companies in America. Many S & P index investors believe they are investing in large cap blue chip stocks, that are all profitable. The perception is that there are strict rules for companies to stay in the portfolio and that most of the companies are have investment grade ratings and are large dominant companies. Each of these statements is now false.  Due to massive transitions in  retail, energy, and other industries—made worse by the pandemic crisis, the S&P 500 is cutting more than thirty companies in 2020, with perhaps more on the way!  Today, we'll tell you how the S&P index REALLY works, what you are REALLY  investing in, and the facts.... may SHOCK you! Then, health insurance and Medicare expert Shelley Grandidge joins us for the Q & A. An educational show you don't want to miss, MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!

Contrarian investors are always looking for bargains in the marketplace.  After all, sometimes, you can make a lot of money looking for "jewels in a junkheap."   Therefore, speaking of junkheaps, do hotels and cruise-ship-stocks still qualify as a contrarian BARGAIN right now? Their prices are well below 52-week-highs, but are they low enough to bite the bullet?  Today, Steve and I will review a Barron's analysis of several travel-and-leisure stocks—including cruise, lodging, casino, and time-share names—that might still represent an opportunity.  Then, Steve will explain the remarkable "PERFORMANCE TRIGGER" index strategy. As long as you break even on the index, you make ten percent, tax deferred! It is liquid, with no exit fees. Find out if it is a fit for your portfolio in a show that you certainly do NOT 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, featuring timely insights from top market experts and heard by millions of listeners coast to coast—including Saturdays right here on Money Radio at 5pm! After an update of the markets and today's breaking financial news stories, we'll take you to an exclusive broadcast of the Motley Fool Money Show... chock full of ideas to help you become a more informed investor, followed by proven money-making and money-SAVING ideas from Steve that you DON'T want to miss! -- A jam-packed show for you today,  and it all starts RIGHT NOW... MASTERING MONEY IS ON THE AIR!!!

Merry Christmas! It's Christmas Day so  the markets are closed, but this special edition of Mastering Money is sure open, and its our gift to YOU--we have a terrific show planned for you. We'll be talking about some inspiring true stories that have happened at Christmas, especially at the beginning and the end.   In between, we're talking about you and your money. After all, investment mistakes are  easy to make, even when you take a logical approach to the market. And who among us is 100 percent logical all the time?   Most people in or near retirement would rather not spend hours a day studying market trends, money flows,  and reading detailed reports. That's why you offload that task to a professional. But even money managers were caught off guard by this election. Many thought it was logical that if Joe Biden looked like he was going to win the election, the market would decline. But the market went UP on election day, and we'll tell you why.  A really interesting show for you today you CERTAINLY don't want to miss...MASTERING MONEY  is on the air!!

One of the simplest ways for companies to communicate financial well-being and shareholder value is to say "the dividend check is in the mail." Dividends, those cash distributions that many companies pay out regularly from their earnings to their stockholders, send a clear, powerful message about future prospects and performance.  A company's willingness and ability to pay steady dividends over time – and better yet--its power to INCREASE them each year–goes a long way towards communicating its fundamental strength and sustainability to shareholders. Today, we'll reveal key methods of selecting winning dividend stocks to help you invest better. Then, insurance and Medicare expert Shelley Grandidge joins us for the Q & A. A power-packed show today that you don't want to miss....MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!