Stay Wealthy San Diego

Today I’m kicking off a 2-part series on Roth conversions. Specifically, here in part one, I’m breaking down: What a Roth conversion is How a Roth conversion works Why Roth conversions are so popular If you’re ready to master the basics of Roth conversions, today’s episode is for you. Need tax and retirement planning help?

Today I'm addressing inflation (again), war, and the risk of a recession. Specifically, I'm sharing: An update on the recent inflation report Why my previous inflation comments were wrong The probability of a recession + what retirement savers should be doing If like most investors, you’re nervous about the current environment and looking for guidance, today’s episode is for you. Need tax and retirement planning help?

Today I’m talking about Roth conversions. But instead of talking about why they’re so great... ...I'm sharing 5 reasons why you might NOT do them. To help, Steven Jarvis, CPA, joins me. Together, we share a handful of often-overlooked reasons that might make you pause. If you’re ready to learn why you might pass on Roth conversions (today or in the future!), today’s episode is for you.

Today I’m sharing what the recent spike in inflation will do to your tax bill.  Why? Because the higher inflation is, the more uneven its impact is on taxes owed by retirement savers. And nobody likes it when Uncle Sam catches them off guard! If you want to know the 6 ways inflation might impact your taxes this year, you're going to love this episode.

Today I’m talking about inflation. In 2021, consumer prices rose 7%...the largest increase in 39 years. Is this good news or bad news? What does this mean for retirement investors? How should our investment strategy change in response? I’m answering these questions and more! If you’re ready to address common inflation myths + learn how to take action, today’s episode is for you.

Today I’m discussing the current stock market volatility. As of a couple days ago, U.S. stocks were off to their worst start since 2016. Bonds are also in negative territory. And inflation is at its highest level in 39 years. Many retirement investors are [understandably] worried about the current state of the financial markets. If you want to learn why + how to respond as a smart investor, you'll love today's episode.

Today I'm tackling part 2 of our life insurance in retirement series. To help, friend and fellow financial planner, Stephanie McCullough stops by. Together, we cover three main things: An academic use case for permanent life insurance to create retirement income A step-by-step process for evaluating an existing policy Tips and resources for getting conflict-free help We also break down 1035 exchanges + how you can help family members with old insurance policies. If you're ready to get into the technical weeds today and tie a bow on permanent insurance in retirement, this episode is for you!

Today I'm kicking off our two-part series on life insurance. Specifically, I'll be tailoring these episodes to those who are in retirement or close to it.  Here are a handful of the things I'll be covering: What are the different types of life insurance (+ pros and cons) How to determine the need for life insurance What are the costs and tax considerations How to analyze an old insurance policy Where to buy life insurance without getting ripped off If you're FINALLY ready to understand life insurance in retirement (in plain English!), you're going to love this series.

A near-record number of tech stocks have fallen by 50% or more from their one-year highs.  Is this the beginning of tech bubble 2.0?  If so, how will other asset classes behave?  How should retirement savers prepare? One of our listeners, John H., recently reached out with these (great) questions. If, like John, some of the recent headlines around tech & growth stocks have you concerned, you'll enjoy this listener mailbag episode.

Today I'm talking about market forecasts and predictions. Why? Unlike the core principles that create a successful investment outcome, the financial + economic environment is always changing. And the current environment drives a lot of our assumptions and decisions about the future. While I think investors should ignore most pundits, I do believe thoughtful forecasts are valuable. If you want to learn more about how to approach stock market forecasts (which there is no shortage of right now!), this episode is for you.

Two weeks ago, my wife and I came home to a major water leak. We’ve been bouncing around between Airbnb’s with three kids and a dog since then. Fortunately, the $50,0000 (and counting!) in damages are being covered by insurance. But I learned that’s not always the case. I learned that some VERY large insurance companies have recently stopped covering this type of loss. If you want to learn more about my current situation + how you can ensure your home is properly protected, this episode is for you. And if you want to throw your name in the hat for a custom, high-quality Stay Wealthy hoodie, click here. (I'll be drawing names on January 3rd and shipping them off!)

The Social Security program currently pays more in benefits than it collects in revenue. If no changes are made, Social Security will become insolvent by the year 2034... ...and all beneficiaries (regardless of age or income) will face a sudden 22% benefit cut. Even more, some proposals to fix Social Security include stripping 100% of benefits from high-income retirees. This has led a lot of retirement savers to ask: "Should I include Social Security in my retirement planning projections?" If you have the same question, you're going to love today's episode.

Today I’m sharing key findings from a 22-year study on investing in real estate. In general, there are three primary ways you can invest in real estate: Direct ownership Listed real estate Unlisted real estate  Most investors agree that allocating to real estate is prudent. But they don't always agree on the best investment vehicle to use. If you continue to wrestle with how to invest in real estate, you’ll enjoy the recent results I’m sharing from a 22-year study on this popular asset class.

Today I’m sharing 11 surprising facts about tax planning, investing, and retirement. For example, if you: Retired in the year 2000 with $1 million, invested all of it in the U.S. stock market, and withdrew $50,000 (adjusted for inflation) per year...  ...you would have been out of money by 2018! If you want to learn how that could be + have some educational fun with retirement/investing statistics, today’s episode is for you.

Today I'm clearing up some confusion from a prior episode. I'm also tackling part 2 of our equity compensation series.  Specifically, I'm sharing: How ESPP Lookback Periods Work Qualifying vs Disqualifying Dispositions Tips for Offsetting an RSU Tax Bill If you want to better understand the tax implications of equity compensation, you're going to love today's episode. 

In 2018, GE stock traded at $7/share—an 85% drop from its all-time high.  Who was hit the hardest?  Company retirees...including former factory workers who used equity compensation packages to save for retirement. In part one of our equity comp series, I'm breaking down: What it is Why it exists How to manage the risks Friend and fellow planner, Odaro Aisueni, also drops by to share his wisdom and expertise. If you want to better understand equity compensation + learn about the overlooked risks of company stock, you’re going to love today’s episode.

Today I'm talking about inflation. While inflation has historically averaged ~3%, the most recent CPI report showed an annual rate of 5.4%.

Today I'm talking about preferred stocks. Why? One of our listeners, Gene, was recently concerned about the low yields he was getting on bonds & cash. And he was wondering if preferred stocks would be an appropriate alternative. In addition to answering Gene's great question, I'm also breaking down:  What preferred stocks are Why you might invest in them How to spot little-known risks If you're ready to learn all about preferred stocks (in plain English!), today's episode is for you.

Today I'm talking about the U.S. National Debt which currently sits at ~$28 trillion. While that is a GIANT number, I'm sharing why current debt levels are not as big of a problem as most think. If you want to learn why (in plain English!), you're going to love today's episode. 

Today I’m talking about the benefits of Market-Cap-Weighted index funds (e.g., Vanguard Total Stock Market). Why? Last week, I made a brief comment that there were some benefits to owning them...and a number of you reached out asking what those were. If, like these other listeners, you’re also curious about the benefits of market-cap-weighted funds, you’re going to love today’s episode!