Money Matters

Mike and Al explores the gap between thinking you’re prepared for retirement, feeling confident, and knowing you’ve got a plan built to hold through storms. They emphasize distinguishing emotion-driven investing (fear/chasing returns) from fact-based planning: your goals, cash-flow needs, and current risk exposure. They also cover situational awareness - market cycles, changing tax/healthcare landscapes and the benefit of regular plan check-ups rather than “set-and-forget”. The takeaway: confidence comes when your beliefs (I think), feelings (I feel) and documented plan (I know) all align and get revisited as life changes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike and Al calls out five frequent missteps - chasing performance, holding the wrong risk mix for your time horizon, and letting taxes and fees quietly erode returns. They add that many investors skip a written plan (with cash-flow, withdrawal, and rebalancing rules) and neglect beneficiary/estate housekeeping, which can undo years of good saving. Practical fixes include automating contributions, rebalancing on schedule, coordinating asset location for taxes, and keeping 1–2 years of near-cash reserves. The takeaway: discipline and planning - not hunches - are what keep you on track. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike and Al address how taxes often surprise retirees even if they expect a lower tax bill, things like required minimum distributions, Social Security income, and investment income can push them into higher brackets. They walk through tactics to manage that outcome (e.g., converting traditional IRAs to Roths strategically, timing capital-gain realization, and balancing tax-efficient account placement). Listener calls bring real-life questions such as the viability of the 4% withdrawal “rule”, trade-offs between 401(k)/403(b)/457 plan rollovers, and behavioral issues around spending vs saving in retirement. The takeaway: tax planning is integral to retirement income strategy - not an after-thought - and being proactive with taxes can significantly impact how much of your money you actually keep. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Mike and Al moves beyond the basics into strategy - how couples can coordinate filing ages, sequence survivor benefits, and weigh break-even analysis when one spouse has much higher earnings. They cover tax and Medicare interactions (IRMAA surcharges, provisional income thresholds) and how Roth conversions or drawing from IRAs first can reduce lifetime taxes on benefits. Special cases like the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), Government Pension Offset (GPO), and claiming while still working get practical do’s and don’ts to avoid surprises. The takeaway: maximize household lifetime benefits by integrating Social Security timing with taxes, healthcare, and overall retirement cash-flow not as a stand-alone decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike and Al covers claiming basics - full retirement age, early vs. delayed credits, and how lifetime earnings history determines your benefit. They explain spousal, divorced-spouse, and survivor benefits, and how working while claiming can trigger the earnings test before full retirement age. Taxes and coordination matter: up to 85% of benefits can be taxable depending on provisional income, and timing should be integrated with IRA withdrawals and pensions. The key takeaway: treat Social Security as part of an overall retirement income plan rather than a standalone decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Mike and Al lays out the building blocks of an estate plan - wills vs. revocable living trusts, proper titling, and keeping beneficiary designations current to avoid probate surprises. They stress pairing financial powers of attorney and healthcare directives with your plan so someone you trust can act if you’re incapacitated. Taxes get practical airtime: understanding step-up in basis, when lifetime gifting makes sense, and how to coordinate IRA/401(k) beneficiaries with the overall plan. The takeaway: document your intentions clearly and align accounts, beneficiaries, and legal documents so your wishes are carried out efficiently and tax-smart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Mike and Al explores the question of financial sufficiency - how to determine the amount of wealth needed to sustain one’s lifestyle and goals without unnecessary risk or excess. They emphasize defining “enough” through purpose-driven planning rather than arbitrary numbers, aligning savings, spending, and charitable giving with personal values. Using real examples, they illustrate how inflation, longevity, and healthcare costs factor into sustainable withdrawal rates and retirement income needs. The key message: true financial confidence comes not from chasing returns but from clarity about what matters most and structuring your plan to serve that vision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of Money Matters, the hosts break down one of the most overlooked yet impactful strategies in personal finance: asset location. They explain how where you hold your investments—whether in taxable, tax-deferred, or tax-free accounts—can significantly influence your long-term financial success. Listeners will learn why asset location matters, how it can improve tax efficiency, and practical steps to optimize their portfolio for better after-tax returns. Whether you’re planning for retirement or simply looking to make smarter investment decisions, this episode offers clear, actionable insights to help you keep more of what you earn. Tune in and discover how strategic planning today can lead to stronger financial outcomes tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Money Matters with Al and Mike, the markets are sending mixed signals — and Al and Mike are here to break it all down. From unpredictable swings to investor emotions, they unpack what’s really driving today’s market behavior and how you can stay grounded when the numbers don’t go your way. Plus, they’ll share practical, faith-based financial wisdom to help you navigate uncertainty, keep your long-term goals in focus, and make wise decisions no matter what the market is doing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike and Al lays out a checklist for evaluating your advisor - fiduciary duty vs. suitability, fee transparency, and potential conflicts like commissions or proprietary products. They stress planning-first advice, consistent communication (reviews, clear action items), and evidence-based investing rather than performance-chasing. Credentials (e.g., CFP®), a documented investment policy, and a retirement-income plan that accounts for taxes and inflation are highlighted as green flags. Red flags include opaque fees, one-size-fits-all portfolios, and advisors who can’t explain risk in plain English. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike and Al explains why investors should focus on inflation-adjusted (real) returns rather than headline (nominal) gains, since inflation, taxes, and fees can quietly erode performance. They compare how cash/CDs, bonds, and equities stack up after inflation over time and what that means for retirement income planning. The episode outlines practical tactics like diversified allocation, being fee-aware, and considering inflation-hedging tools to protect purchasing power. The takeaway: judge your portfolio and advisor by real progress toward goals, not just market rallies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.