Wise Money Show Season 4
Season 4
The Two Goals of Tax Planning
Season 4/Episode 52
One of the six core areas of your financial life, tax planning should be a part of your financial planning process all year long. When done well, tax planning can save you a significant amount of money over your lifetime and, ultimately, help you achieve your long-term financial goals. On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike and Josh welcome special guest and Korhorn Financial Group CPA Ryan Fair to explore the two primary goals of tax planning and share the steps you can take today to achieve them.
College Planning 101
Season 4/Episode 51
"Paying for college." Those words are enough to strike fear into the hearts of any parent or grandparent with the goal of funding a student's education! On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh and Kevin discuss what steps you can take today to make this major financial goal a reality--without sacrificing your own financial security!--whether you have a student already in college or are planning for the future.
Teaching Students Financial Literacy--How, When, and Why
Season 4/Episode 50
The Treasury Department recently recommended a requirement for all college students to take a mandatory course in financial literacy. But what do students really need to learn about money and risk--and is college too late to start the conversation? On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh and Kevin discuss the basic financial skills and principles students need to prepare for the real world, and when and how to offer them this vital information.
The Millennial Financial Dilemma: How Do We Change the Trajectory?
Season 4/Episode 49
A recent Wall Street Journal article revealed that Millennials have less money saved than their parents and grandparents did at the same age (according to Pew Research Center, the median net worth of households headed by Millennials is ~$12,500, compared to $20,700 for households headed by Boomers of the same age in 1983). On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh and Kevin discuss what’s causing this alarming shift, and what millennials can do to improve their finances--starting today!
Should You Take a Severance If Offered Today?
Season 4/Episode 48
If you were offered a buyout from your job today, would you--and should you--take it? On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh and Kevin discuss the importance of maintaining a "decision-able" financial life so you can confidently make the right decisions for your future. Whether you're choosing to take a grand vacation or an early retirement, understanding the long-term impact on your finances matters!
2019 Investment Halftime Report
Season 4/Episode 47
We're now at the halfway point of 2019. How have your investments performed? What changes should you be making now in order to capture the most upside in the second half of the year? On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh and Kevin evaluate the first half of the year, discuss current themes driving the investing world, and explore strategies to help prepare your portfolio for a strong second half.
Making the Most of Your 401(k) Company Match
Season 4/Episode 46
Many employers offer a "match" for their 401(k) retirement plans. But what constitutes a "good match" versus a "bad match"? Even more importantly, how should the quality of your employer's match influence whether you invest in the plan? And if you do choose to invest, how much should that match impact the amount you contribute? On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, financial planners Mike Bernard, Josh Gregory, and special guest Amy Masters answer these questions and more.
Celebrating Freedom in Your Financial Life
Season 4/Episode 45
On this Fourth of July episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike and Josh are joined by special guest Amy Masters, CFP®, to discuss the four declarations of financial independence and some steps you can take to create--and celebrate--freedom in your own financial life.
Are You a Great Financial Role Model for Your Kids?
Season 4/Episode 44
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or work with children professionally, your actions are serving as a model for the future behavior of the next generation--whether you realize it or not. Are you confident that your financial decisions and behaviors are delivering the right messages to the kids in your life? On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Kevin, Josh, and Mike explore this important topic and share 3 strategies to help you become a better financial role model.
How to Solve the Retirement Crisis
Season 4/Episode 43
Research continues to show that the average American is woefully prepared for retirement. Why has this happened? And more importantly, how do we solve the crisis in an environment where a staggering 42% of adults are not saving for retirement at all? On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Kevin, Josh, and Mike discuss what you can do to avoid becoming part of America's retirement crisis.
Are Your Adult Children Costing You A Secure Retirement?
Season 4/Episode 42
Prolonged adolescence is a phenomenon that’s been evident in today’s culture for the past decade. As a result, the retirement dreams of many baby boomers are being impacted. On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Kevin, Josh, and Mike discuss what this trend means for you and how you can successfully balance the desire to help your children with the need to create a financially sound retirement.
The Roth 401(k) Tax Trap
Season 4/Episode 41
There’s a lot to love about the Roth 401(k). However, a little-known provision in the complicated US tax code can create an unexpected tax trap when it comes time to withdraw assets in retirement. In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Kevin, Josh, and Mike discuss the details of this provision and how a Certified Financial Planner™(CFP®) can help you take the appropriate steps to ensure tax-free growth from your Roth 401(k) remains tax-free in retirement.
The Risks, Rewards, and Regrets of the FIRE Movement
Season 4/Episode 40
The radical movement called FIRE--which stands for "Financial Independence, Retire Early"--has gained a lot of attention recently. The idea: dramatically cut your expenses and then save and invest aggressively in order to retire in your 30s or 40s. Like any radical idea, it's something to be approached with great caution. In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Kevin, Josh, and Mike discuss the risks, rewards, and regrets of those who have already achieved FIRE in the real world.
Financial Lessons from March Madness
Season 4/Episode 39
Valuable lessons about your finances can be found just about anywhere. In our office March Madness bracket challenge this year, our own Kevin Korhorn went from the shoe-in winner to out of the money in just a few games. It provided a great example of the fact that what really matters--in March Madness and investing for the future--is making the right decisions at the right time. In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Kevin, Josh, and Mike share the important similarities between March Madness and wise investing.
The Four Laws of Rental Real Estate
Season 4/Episode 38
Owning rental property can be a valuable, lucrative, and diversifying investment. But is it for everyone? In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin share their opinions on when to consider investing in rental property, when to avoid it, and how to use the "four laws of rental real estate" to help make a choice that's right for you.
Most Valuable Planning Concept #6: Estate Planning
Season 4/Episode 37
Many people think of estate planning as simply creating a Will. In this final episode of The Wise Money Show series on the 6 most valuable planning concepts, Mike, Josh, and Kevin explore the true definition of estate planning and discuss how wise planning can help ensure that the resources you leave behind are a true blessing for the people and causes you care about most. By answering the 'whys' now, you can help avoid the chaos, confusion, and frustration that so often damages relationships in the aftermath of losing a loved one.
Most Valuable Planning Bonus Concept: College Planning
Season 4/Episode 36
It's easy to look at college planning as something that lies outside of your overall financial plan, and yet it can have a significant impact on every other aspect of your finances. In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the importance of creating a concrete plan for covering college expenses, beginning with setting clear expectations about who will pay for what--including parents, college-bound children, and grandparents.
Most Valuable Planning Concept #5: Retirement Planning
Season 4/Episode 35
Welcome to week 5 of our series covering the 6 most valuable planning concepts! In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the importance of envisioning your ideal future after you are no longer earning a paycheck. With your vision in top of mind, you can then begin to define your roadmap toward a financially secure future. Tune in to today's episode to learn about the key steps in building your plan, the importance of consistently updating your strategy as 'life happens,' and how a Certified Financial Planner can add value to the process.
Most Valuable Planning Concept #4: Investment Planning
Season 4/Episode 34
In week 4 of our series covering the 6 most valuable planning concepts, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the role of investment planning in your overall financial plan. While choosing the "best" investments seems to be everyone's favorite topic, investment planning is the real key to investor success. Tune in to today's episode of The Wise Money Show to learn how investment planning can help you control your behavior and stay on track toward your long-term goals.
Most Valuable Planning Concept #3: Tax Planning
Season 4/Episode 33
Welcome to week 3 of our series covering the most valuable planning concepts. In today's episode, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the power of tax planning--an area that is impacted by nearly every financial decision you make. Tune in to this episode of The Wise Money Show to understand how a proactive approach to multi-year and even multi-generational tax planning can help strengthen your financial life over the long term.
Most Valuable Planning Concept #2: Protection Planning
Season 4/Episode 32
In week 2 of our series covering the most valuable planning concepts, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the power of protection planning--an area that is often viewed independently, but which, in reality, complements all other areas of your financial life. Tune in to this episode of The Wise Money Show to understand the importance of managing risk in your financial life and the steps you can take to create a protection plan that's right for you.
Most Valuable Planning Concept #1: Your Present Financial Position
Season 4/Episode 31
Welcome to our new series covering the most valuable planning concepts in each of the 6 areas of your financial life! In this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin kick off the series with a detailed look at concept #1: your present financial position. As your starting point, this inventory serves as the foundation for your entire financial life, giving you the clarity you need to create a wise path forward.
The 20-Year Term Life Insurance Mistake
Season 4/Episode 30
Some will say that a 20-year term life policy is all you need to protect your family, but is that rule of thumb the right choice for you? On this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss why this could be a dangerous approach to protecting those you love, and why it's so important to work with a Certified Financial Planner to help you decide which coverage is best for your situation.
Don't Convert Your RMD into a Tax Penalty!
Season 4/Episode 29
Taking your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from a pre-tax retirement account sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, there are a few tax rules that can wind up costing you lots of money if you make a misstep. On this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the unique tax rules around handling your RMD, and how to make the right moves to avoid costly tax penalties.
The Financial Do’s and Don’ts Before Having a Baby
Season 4/Episode 28
Having a baby is one of the most joyful experiences in most people's lifetimes. However, along with that joy comes a slew of new challenges, including dirty diapers, lack of sleep, and new financial hurdles. On this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike Bernard and Josh Gregory help you prepare financially for what's ahead with tips on what to do--and not do--as you embark on your new adventure as a parent!
Seven Promises For This Year’s Taxes
Season 4/Episode 27
In any year, tax returns can be complicated and emotional. This year, the changes in the tax law have taken that reality to a whole new level. On this episode of The Wise Money Show, join Mike and Kevin as they welcome back special guest Ryan Fair, CPA, to walk through the seven personal promises you need to make about your tax return this year.
The Retirement Spending Gap
Season 4/Episode 26
New research was just released that illustrates a widening gap between how much today's retirees are spending versus how much they can really afford. It's not a pretty picture! In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike and Josh discuss these disturbing findings and share strategies to help you avoid this crucial retirement mistake.
Ease Your Path "Down the Mountain" with a Smart Retirement Withdrawal Strategy
Season 4/Episode 25
Most savers spend their working careers focused on saving money to fund their retirement. And yet, when it’s finally time to retire, it can be a challenge to suddenly reverse that process and begin withdrawing your assets. In this week’s episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike and Josh discuss some common withdrawal strategies and how to create a sound strategy that can help you take the right path "down the mountain."
The Dangers of Preparing Your Own Tax Return
Season 4/Episode 24
A year ago, tax reform was unveiled with the promise of making our complicated tax system so simple that you could "file your return on the back of a postcard." Unfortunately, the reality is far different. Join Mike, Josh, Kevin, and special guest Ryan Fair, CPA, on this episode of The Wise Money Show as we discuss the real impact of the new tax law on the filing process--and the dangers to be aware of if you opt to prepare your taxes without the guidance of a professional.
Should You Retire at the Same Time as Your Spouse?
Season 4/Episode 23
A recent study found that fewer and fewer married couples are retiring at the same time. Whether that reality is dictated by age differences, healthcare insurance needs, the desire to give your retirement fund a final boost, or something else entirely, retiring "out of synch" can have a very real impact on your plan. On this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the things to consider today to help ensure the best possible retirement--no matter when you and your spouse choose to stop working.
Are You Making the Most of Your Health Savings Account?
Season 4/Episode 22
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) have become increasingly popular, offering tax benefits that are not offered by any other savings vehicle. However, with this tool comes plenty of confusion over when it can--and can't--be used. On this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss when you can contribute, when you can withdraw, and the most effective ways to utilize the power of a Health Savings Account.
What Do Rising Interest Rates Mean To You?
Season 4/Episode 21
One of the major themes concerning the economy and the stock market today is rising interest rates, but few investors understand the true impact of rising rates. On this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and special guest Matt Hoke discuss how interest rates affect the stock market, as well as how they impact your personal investments and other areas of your financial life.
2018 Stock Market Recap & How You Should Invest in 2019
Season 4/Episode 20
2018 was a chaotic ride for investments, bringing two stock market corrections, a significant increase in volatility, and great uncertainty heading into 2019. In this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and special guest Matt Hoke share the root causes of the markets dramatic swings in 2018 and what to expect in the year ahead.
The Value of Tracking Your Net Worth
Season 4/Episode 19
Did you close out 2018 with confidence in your financial future? On today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Josh, Mike, and Kevin discuss how calculating your net worth—and comparing it to your long-term financial history—can give you the perspective you need to help ensure you are making progress toward your long-term financial goals.
How to Set Great Financial Goals
Season 4/Episode 18
Achieving great financial progress starts with setting clear financial goals. On this episode of The Wise Money Show, Kevin, Mike, and Josh kick off the New Year by sharing the KFG process for goal setting and goal achievement. Heed their advice and set aside some time today to start making intentional choices toward your financial goals for 2019 and beyond.
Financial Planning for Year End 2018
Season 4/Episode 17
As 2018 comes to an end, make sure you carve out time to deal with all of the time-sensitive financial planning items that must be done before the end of the year! In this final episode of the year, our Wise Money Show team highlights the most important items to check off your list before ringing in the New Year.
Giving Strategies Under the New Tax Law
Season 4/Episode 16
'Tis the season of giving, and that brings with it all sorts of questions about taxes. Is your gift taxable? How can you get the best tax deduction for each gift? What are the best giving strategies under the new tax law? In this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike Bernard, Kevin Korhorn, and Josh Gregory address some of the biggest opportunities available when it comes to giving and tax savings in 2018.
Is Going Back to College a Smart Idea?
Season 4/Episode 15
When planning our finances, we spend most of our time focusing on our financial capital and not on our human capital—the skills and abilities that we have to make money. But with student loan debt being such a burden, is it still smart to go to college? And when is it smart to go back to college? To help us address this issue and more, Mike and Josh welcome special guest Dr. Gregg Chenoweth, President of Bethel College, to this episode of The Wise Money Show.
2018 Year End Tax Planning Checklist
Season 4/Episode 14
There are some tax planning opportunities that expire at the end of the year, and some that you can now utilize more in 2019. We’re helping you make your year end tax planning checklist for 2018 on this week’s episode with Certified Public Accountant Ryan Fair.
The Convenience Revolution with Shep Hyken
Season 4/Episode 13
Best-selling author Shep Hyken joins this special episode of The Wise Money Show to discuss what your small business needs to do to ride the wave of The Convenience Revolution, and how all of us can apply these principles in our financial life. Click here for more information on Shep or to purchase your own copy of The Convenience Revolution.
Do You Have Any Lazy Dollars?
Season 4/Episode 12
In an intentional financial life, you’ve assigned every dollar a job to do. Whether the task is to bail you out of an emergency, grow to fund your retirement, or help put your kids through college, every dollar saved should be working to fulfill its intended role. But do you have any 'lazy dollars' in your financial life? In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin share how to spot those lazy dollars and put them to work!
Financial Planning for Millennials by Millennials
Season 4/Episode 11
It’s been said that the decade from age 20 to age 30 is the most important decade of your life. If you or your adult child or grandchild is in that season now, don't miss this special edition of The Wise Money Show as our own in-house millennials discuss the importance of financial planning for millennials. This week's special guests are Amy Masters, CFP®, Lance Ludwig, CFP®, and Jake Phelps, Financial Planning Coordinator.
Why This Year’s Tax Planning is More Important Than Ever
Season 4/Episode 10
It's important to be proactive with your taxes every year, exploring what changes are going to impact you and what tax opportunities you should utilize. However, with the new tax laws taking effect this year, tax planning is more important than ever. In this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike Bernard, Josh Gregory, and CPA Ryan Fair discuss tax planning strategies and the new Tax Law.
Is it Wise to Payoff Your Mortgage Early or Invest More?
Season 4/Episode 9
Paying off your mortgage and being debt free is a great milestone to strive for in your financial life, but should you seek that ahead of saving aggressively for retirement? Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss this important topic and answer your questions in this episode of The Wise Money Show.
Is Long Term Care Insurance Worth The Cost?
Season 4/Episode 8
The cost of long-term care services is increasing rapidly. To protect your savings and your financial future, it is critical that you explore how you will manage this financial risk if and when the need for care arises. In this episode of The Wise Money Show, financial planners Mike Bernard, Josh Gregory, and Kevin Korhorn walk through the pros and cons of long term care insurance and discuss how to make the most appropriate choice for you.
Are You Ready For This Year’s Medicare Open Enrollment?
Season 4/Episode 7
Open Enrollment for Medicare is upon us again. Whether you’re about to turn 65, already on Medicare, or helping your parents ensure they have the most appropriate health coverage for their needs, it’s important that you are up to date with the latest changes and options available in 2019. In this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike and Josh welcome back our in-house health insurance expert, Ted Foster, to give you the information you need to get ready for Open Enrollment.
How to Avoid the Biggest Home & Auto Insurance Mistake
Season 4/Episode 6
In today's episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike Bernard and Josh Gregory welcome special guest Leann Davis. A long-time member of the KFG team of insurance planners, Leann has been a home and auto insurance advisor for more than 30 years. Leann shares the biggest mistake many people make when it comes to home and auto insurance--and how to avoid making that same mistake yourself.
How Your Thinking Impacts Your Money
Season 4/Episode 5
What does your thinking have to do with your ability to accumulate wealth? As it turns out, probably a lot more than you believe. In this episode of The Wise Money Show, Mike, Josh, and Kevin share the 24 core beliefs that wealthy people adopt to help lead them to success--and how you, too, can change the way you think to help put your own financial goals within reach.
Answering One of Financial Planning’s Biggest Questions
Season 4/Episode 4
Do you have the right type of life insurance policy in place? Do you have the right amount of coverage? Answering these questions is critical to ensuring that your financial plan is structured correctly, especially when the stakes are so high. Join Kevin, Josh, and Mike in this episode of The Wise Money Show as they ask one of financial planning’s biggest questions—and help you uncover the answers that are right for you.
Should You Invest Using Mutual Funds or Exchange Traded Funds?
Season 4/Episode 3
Mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are both popular investment vehicles, but which tool is best to help you reach your own goals? In this episode of Wise Money, Mike, Josh, and Kevin walk through the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is best for you.
The Eight Best Indicators of the Long-Term Stock Market
Season 4/Episode 2
Every investor is looking for an edge on how to position their investments for what might lie ahead. With the stock market still in a 10 year bull market, many investors are wondering what’s next. In this episode of Wise Money, Mike, Josh, and Kevin discuss the eight best indicators of the long-term stock market and how you can use that information to help prepare for the future.
All The Ways You Can Mess Up Your 401(k)
Season 4/Episode 1
Your 401(k) is vital to your financial future. This is even more true due to the dramatic decrease in employer-provided pensions and the bleak outlook on the future of Social Security. Unfortunately, many people are making basic errors that can have a negative impact on their 401(k) over the long term. In the premiere episode of Season 4, Josh, Mike, and Kevin discuss how to avoid these common mistakes to get the most from your 401(k).
