Guarding Your Nest Egg

An unexpected item has made its way into Costco

As we approach retirement, financial decisions become increasingly crucial. One is whether to convert your traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. Based on a recent live event attendee's question, Mike and Kristen discuss the complexities of Roth conversions and help you understand whether it's the right choice for your unique financial situation.    ➡️ The Allure of Tax-Free Retirement Income: Roth IRA conversions have gained popularity due to the promise of tax-free income during retirement. The concept is enticing: you pay taxes upfront when you convert your traditional retirement accounts, and then your withdrawals in retirement are entirely tax-free. Who wouldn't want that? However, the decision to convert isn't one-size-fits-all, and there are crucial factors to consider.  ➡️ Understanding Roth Conversions: Roth conversions involve transferring money from a pre-tax retirement account to a Roth IRA. While this may sound straightforward, it's essential to grasp the tax implications. When you convert, t

Did you know that writing out your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them?

It’s no secret that mortgage rates have surged to the highest levels they’ve been in more than 20 years. Mike explains the impact this could have on soon-to-be and current retirees AND the role a financial advisor should play in your life if you’re thinking about taking out a loan for a new

This week Mike explains the transition from receiving a regular paycheck from your job to begin tapping into your retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions when you stop working. Listen to find out how money flows from these accounts to your bank, what role taxes play, and if you can pull it off as a DIY investor…

If you’re paying a financial advisor a fee to manage your money, what else should they be able to help you with? Mike shares his ✅-list based on the countless questions he’s been asked about investing and retirement in general during the last 2-plus decades as an advisor.

After Mike straightens Kristen out on a “fun fact” that’s a “false fact” about the summer heat ☀️, we discuss a concern many Americans ponder:  ❓How do we make sure we’re not going to be taken advantage of when it comes to our money for retirement?  After Bernie Maddoff became a household name in 2008, stories of investment advisors NOT being good stewards of their client’s assets have heightened that concern. After discussing a recent ruling against a major bank, Mike shares actionable steps investors can take to help verify if they can feel comfortable working with a fiduciary financial advisor they choose... Because with so much retirement planning advertising, sometimes it's tough to know where to turn for help with 401(k) accounts, IRAs, and other assets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Mike’s degree in economics from

Regardless of the tax bracket, many Americans seek ways to save money and not pay full price. Made-up marketing holidays such as Amazon Prime Day

After a reasonably strong first half of the year on wall street and decent economic data... Does this mean "Bidenomics" is a real thing and working?  Mike shares his summer outlook. And even though each situation is different, you'll hear an idea to consider for your portfolio if you don’t think the market will be up more than 5% between now and next year. Plus, what’s old is new again this summer (and in Kristen’s parent's attic) thanks to Barbie and the nostalgia she’s bringing to the box office. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your workplace retirement plan may look pretty decent right now, and that’s wonderful news! But if you (like Mike) feel the market is likely to not perform as well in the future, listen to find out what options you might possibly have for your 401(k), 403(b), or TSP accounts. This week Mike also shares his opinion of why a recession COULD be helpful for inflation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American economy has many perplexed.

☎  A listener left a voicemail asking if gold and silver coins are a good idea to buy during concerning economic times. Mike gives a very direct answer, along with what he believes investors should consider if they do want to include precious metals as part of their portfolio. Then he accidentally shows how much he doesn’t know about football

Unfortunately, corporate layoffs are ramping up beyond the tech sector. Obviously, this impacts the livelihoods of many Americans, but it’s also making investing more difficult to navigate. Mike passes along ideas to consider, especially if your upside isn’t over 4% and your money is at risk (depending on the day & institution). Then…  Is President Biden to blame for retirement accounts and wall street being down? You might be surprised by Mike’s insight. ⛳️ Plus, we celebrate the Master’s wrapping up by finding out what golf can possibly teach us about investing!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike & Kristen revisit the “be, kind rewind” movie era and the different experiences they had. However, they agree that 

This week Mike shares a question he hasn’t been asked about money since 2008, along with the personal risks and planning investors should consider during this troubling time for the banking sector. We also dive into new data from Fidelity that shows the number of 401(k) millionaires have fallen. Listen to find out how much that group NOW feels they need to retire comfortably, and what Mike believes they should focus on for their portfolio instead.   And since Mike is a fee-only fiduciary, Kristen asks for his opinion on the various advertisements that claim converting retirement accounts into physical gold & silver is a good idea.

March has been mind-boggling when it comes to economic updates!

Mike starts this week by sharing how a fish fell out of the sky at his home.