Did you know that 60% of retirees in the U.S. do not believe they have saved enough money for retirement? Clearly, the fear of running out of money is the #1 fear of all retirees, including you. This means you will need to tap into your most valuable and powerful superpower - generating income. In this episode, we share why income planning is so important and how to get started with your own plan. Our special guest, Vernon Walker, CPA, will share some important tax deadlines that have changed and shed some light on the taxation of unemployment benefits and COVID stimulus payments.

It's All About the $Money, Honey!

Episode 36: Harness Your Retirement Superpower

The US Government has spent more than $5 trillion to fight the COVID-19 virus. This is equal to 25% of our annual economic output in a year. With so much spending, fears of rampant inflation triggering rising interest rates, and the threat of higher taxes, have a lot of investors looking for alternatives. Where do you invest your money when the stock market is too risky? In this episode, we examine some alternative investments that range from totally protected to more risky that could provide a hedge against the volatility of the stock market.

Episode 35: When Traditional Investing Is Scary

If you have ever researched or thought about retirement, you have likely run across the 4% Rule. A Rule of Thumb held as iron-clad by many, the 4% Rule states that, in retirement, you should expect to withdraw 4% of your savings in order to live on interest only and preserve principal. However, is it still valid? In this episode, we explore why the 4% Rule may be outdated, why it may be difficult to live on interest alone in, and why you might want to dip into principal in retirement.

Episode 34: Is The 4% Rule Dead?

The growth of technology and information has brought the stock market within reach of anyone that wants to access it. That ease of access also has a dark side. It's far more likely you'll make a mistake and live to regret it. We've also seen a rise in identity theft and privacy issues as more information trades hands online. To protect yourself, you need to become a better investor. In this episode, we share key principles for long-term investing from JPMorgan, an alternative to investing in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) that is gathering steam, simple ways to protect your identity online, and why you may want to buy when the market is high.

Episode 33: Become A Better Investor

As we near Valentine's Day, many of us will be thinking of ways to show that special someone that we love them. Cards, flowers, a special night out. All are love languages we use to show we care. What about the love language of...money? We show the people we care about how much we love them by making sure they are provided for if something happens to us. In this episode, we discuss the love languages of insurance, education, and legacy planning.

Episode 32: Love Languages of Money

It used to be that people stayed with one employer for most, if not all, of their adult lives. Pension plans were prevalent and retirement income planning seemed easier. Today, pensions have been largely replaced by 401(k) plans, which presents a new problem. We are a much more mobile and flexible society. People change jobs every few years. One of the unintended consequences of this is multiple orphaned 401(k) accounts left with old employers. In this episode, we share some of the reasons leaving an old 401(k) behind isn't a good thing, reasons why you want to take your 401(k) accounts with you, and how to do it.

Episode 31: Little Orphan 401(k)

Since 1995, the concept of socially responsible investing has grown exponentially. Today, it even has its own name: ESG investing. Environment, Social, and Governance investing focuses on companies whose practices and policies help improve our world. Today, $1 out of every $3 invested with professional money managers uses ESG investing, and that number will only continue to grow. In this episode, we explore in more detail what ESG investing is, some ESG funds expected to perform well in the coming years, and how you can incorporate this growing trend into your portfolio.

Episode 30: Changing The World Through Investing

You've heard us say it before - the time to protect yourself is when the sun is shining. The sun is definitely shining on the market right now. With major stock indices at all time highs, it's the perfect opportunity to harvest some gains and protect a portion of your retirement nest egg. In this episode, we share what true protection is, how to use it to your advantage, and how it plays a role in helping you not run out of money.

Episode 29: Is Now The Time To Protect Yourself?

Because there are so many chances to make a mistake in retirement planning, hiring a financial advisor for your retirement is a near necessity. Of course, recognizing that is easy. Doing it is hard. There are so many different types of "financial advisor" to choose from that it's tough knowing which is best for you. Is my advisor a fiduciary? What specialties can my advisor provide? What questions should I even be asking? In this episode, we share 7 common mistakes people make when hiring a financial advisor.

Episode 28: 7 Mistakes When Hiring a Financial Advisor

We've all been waiting for 2020 to make its exit so we can usher in 2021. It's finally happened, bringing with it renewed hope, optimism, and opportunities. In this episode, we'll share 3 financial steps you should take in the first 90 days of 2021, what has us excited for the year to come, and opportunities that will likely present themselves.

Episode 27: New Year, New Opportunities

In this very special episode of It's All About the $Money, Honey!, we interview two of the most influential business and thought leaders today - Charles Payne and George Ross. Mr. Payne is the host of Making Money With Charles Payne for Fox Business and is a well-known investment and financial professional and commentator. Mr. Ross is best known as one of the lead advisors on the hit reality show, The Apprentice and served as President Donald Trump's personal coach for more than 40 years. Both gentlemen took time to share their accumulated years of wisdom, experience, and mistakes.

Episode 26: Two Interviews You Need To Hear

Long-time listeners of our show are accustomed to hearing us say "The time to protect yourself is when the sun is shining." This means the time to think about protecting a portion of your money is when the market is up and the future outlook is positive. With the market at all-time highs, that's where we find ourselves this last week of 2020. In this episode, we share what protection is and is not, why now is a great time to protect some of your money, and how protection impacts your overall income plan.

Episode 25: Protect Yourself While The Sun Is Shining

With just a few weeks left in 2020, time is running out on some of the strategies you have for lowering your tax bill for this year. As we like to say, the Tax Code taketh and giveth, so let's examine how to build your Tax Fortress – that monument to tax efficiency and only paying what you must. In this episode, we share simple steps you can take now to lower taxes on your investment accounts, how to take advantage of lower tax rates we are enjoying right now, and two key tax traps you need to know so you can try to avoid them.

Episode 24: Building Your Tax Fortress

The holiday season marches on and Christmas is just a few weeks away. Of course, the children of the world are excited about the arrival of Santa Claus. From an early age, we learn than there are two lists Santa uses in determining who gets what – the Nice list and the Naughty list. With a new year on the way, we wondered, will 2021 be Naughty or Nice? In this episode, we share economic perspectives from one of our top high net worth strategists, market commentary from our good friend Charles Payne with Fox Business, and how you should be positioning yourself now to withstand anything 2021 might throw at you.

Episode 23: Will 2021 Be Naughty or Nice?

Thanksgiving is almost here, which, for many of you means food, family, football, and….finances? It turns out Thanksgiving can teach us a lot about money. There are many traditions we observe and experiences we have at Thanksgiving that can apply to how you build your retirement plan. In this episode, we’ll share our favorite recipes for creating income and reducing taxes, the perfect Black Friday plan for your retirement, and how to avoid napping on the stock market.

Don't Nap On Your Retirement

It's the show where fun meets finance. Join The Financial Diva, Victoria Woods, and the King of Finance, Damon King, each week for tips on how to Rock Your Retirement!