Radio Shows

On this day, in 1986, the Beechcraft Starship made its maiden flight. One month prior, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated just 73 seconds into its flight killing all seven crew members. In that same year, the annual U.S. inflation rate was 1.91%; the Dow Jones Industrial Average year-end close was 1,895; the year-end Federal Reserve interest rate was 7.50%; the average cost of a new house was $89,430; the average annual income was $22,400; a new car cost $9,255; and a gallon of gas was just 89 cents. The first American Girl doll entered the market and DORITOS introduced its Cool Ranch flavor. Oh, and the average life expectancy? Males: 71.2 years/females: 78.2 years.
It was also the last time we had an overhaul of the tax system, under the leadership of President Ronald Reagan.
Thirty-one years later we find ourselves here, facing another tax overhaul under the leadership of President Donald Trump. Who would have guessed? Join us today to find out how this affects you as a retiree.

Today we are witnessing two things going in the opposite direction – the stock market and the changing tax laws. We know you’d like us to talk about both of them more frequently, but there’s many good reasons why that’s difficult to do.
By the time I’m finished writing this email, for example, the stock market will have changed. Also, compliance keeps our industry “in check” so that we don’t give misinformation or give any indication of being promissory.
As far as the changing tax laws, the key word here is “changing” and the ripple effect has just started.
These are two very large elephants that are in the room. We are hoping to give you tools to navigate the game and put you in the offensive position knowing full well that both can change our situations in the blink of an eye.

Few people plan on being alone in life. Your future is imagined with someone next to you, fulfilling everything you planned TOGETHER. But then life happens, and you lose half of the dream. Today, we want to talk about that reality. “Money can be a source of stress for couples to discuss, or one spouse isn’t interested, or simply busy couples divide and conquer. Either way, the surviving spouse is at a huge disadvantage when left out of the day-to-day money management.” (Kiplinger)
Regardless of where you land on the spectrum of loss, the struggle is real and it doesn’t disappear. “Friends and relatives alike must understand that being a widow is not like having a cold from which you will recover. Rather, being a widow is like having a chronic disease – you may be in remission for a period of time, but you will have flare-ups.” (Nasdaq)
We are aware of this reality and hope to give you some fresh financial perspective to move you forward.

You’ll have to forgive us. Last week’s show was a bit “all over the map,” as one listener said. It was the week after the holidays and we were getting back our sea legs. At the very least, we hope you were entertained?
This week, we promise to rein it in with the cha-cha-changes of 2018 to your Social Security, 401(k) plans and Roth IRAs. We will also discuss the contribution limits for all retirement plans. Perhaps this information will give you better parameters for your financial resolutions this year.

Did you know that approximately 50% of the population makes a resolution each New Year, and 80% of them will fail by February? Not only is this not shocking, it’s discouraging. Why start when there’s no guarantee of finishing? What’s the difference between the 80% who fail and the 20% who succeed?
I think the better question is this: “A year from now, what do you want to be celebrating? And, how much will it cost?” Every goal requires resources, and starting at the very beginning is a very good place to start.
Join us as we help you dream a little bigger and think a little more clearly about the financial realities required to make those resolutions come true.

According to Money Magazine, “Indeed, 70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation, and a stunning 90% by the third, according to the Williams Group wealth consultancy.” Not in the 1% of the population of ultra-affluent? Consider this from CNBC, “Over the next several decades, the biggest and wealthiest generation in U.S. history will transfer roughly $30 trillion in assets to their Gen X and Millennial children.” Even more shocking, “Most of those children will promptly fire their parents’ advisors.”
Want to have control of that money now versus when you pass?
Today, we will give you several options for gifting your assets. And, if you’re on the receiving side, we can help you navigate that as well.
Oh, and last (but not least) … that tax plan? We’ll talk about that too!

In this week’s show we’ve compiled some interesting stats on historical market trends that can help inform your 2018 investment decisions. What continues to surprise us is that the market keeps going “up and up.” And the question we get on a daily basis is, “How long will this last?”
That’s a question neither we nor anyone can else can answer. What we can do, however, is coach you on obtaining accurate information, expert recommendations and the knowledge from our experiences.

Loyal listeners, listen UP! Today is an extra special program.

We have the one and only Ed Slott, America’s IRA Expert LIVE with us today for the first hour and he will be taking callers. What will we discuss? Everything IRA! So make sure to tune in.

During the second hour (yes, I said SECOND hour!) Dennis will be sharing IRA horror stories mistakes of 2017.

In Today’s show Dennis Prout and Shea Petaja will look ahead to 2018 and go over the top ten things people should consider as a sort of “to-do” list for the new year.

We could never repay those who have served. Today, however, we will attempt to say “thank you” to our veterans the only way we know how – by delivering a show packed with financial information to empower our vets and to help them plan their financial future.
This week also brings a few hot topics, including the Fed Chair selection and Trump’s GOP tax plan. Tune in today to hear how we think these decisions could affect you personally.