BEST OF TALKING MONEY: Beneficiary Designations – Don’t disinherit your grandchildren. Plus, does your financial advisor have skeletons in the closet?
Do you have your beneficiaries set up correctly on your life insurance and retirement accounts? Are Registered Investment Advisors required to tell you if clients have filed a written complaint, an arbitration claim or a civil lawsuit against them? Mike reviews some questions you need to ask when searching for a financial advisor.
Listen to the EpisodeBEST OF TALKING MONEY: Part Two: Mike Unpacks The Often-Confusing World of Life Insurance
Part Two: Life insurance is often referred to as a “necessary evil!” This week Mike shares his thoughts on who should buy it and what kind you should buy. There are plenty of options so it can be confusing. Plus, do you need life insurance even after you have retired?
Listen to the EpisodeBEST OF TALKING MONEY: Unpacking the Often-Confusing World of Life Insurance
Part One: Life insurance is often referred to as a “necessary evil!” This week Mike shares his thoughts on who should buy it and what kind you should buy. There are plenty of options so it can be confusing. Plus, do you need life insurance even after you have retired?
Listen to the EpisodeFinal “Live” call program with surprise guest Joey Hudson from “The Morning Answer”!
Mike receives calls from several listeners expressing their appreciation of Talking Money. Plus, Pastor Sandy McCormick, Dr. Jim Rook, and Mike talk about the next chapter—Talking Money Ministries.
Beginning in 2024 we are offering a Christian Financial Planning workshop to churches and businesses. We believe there is a huge need for a higher level of financial planning than primarily debt and cash flow management. Learn more in this podcast!
Thanks for listening to Talking Money! It has been a joy to share my Saturday mornings with you!
Listen to the EpisodeHow do you protect your assets so you don’t run out of money paying for long-term care expenses?
Elder Law Attorney, Mike Bridges, joins Mike to discuss how to plan for long-term care expenses; Medicaid benefits and how you qualify; the benefits of using a trust to protect your assets and much more!
Listen to the EpisodeDoctors help us (or our pets), but who helps them with their financial lives?
Dr. Alan Martin, DVM, joins Mike to discuss how Ronald Blue Trust helped his mom and now his family—you may be surprised with his response! Plus, Mike answers several listener questions about when it makes sense to pay off a home mortgage and how taxation of Social Security works.
Listen to the EpisodeBEST OF TALKING MONEY: Why do we have the Federal Reserve Bank? Plus, how safe is your money in the bank?
Art Seaver, CEO of SouthernFirst Bank joins Mike to discuss how safe your money is in the bank. Also, Art was on an advisory council at the Federal Reserve for 6 years. Mike and Art discuss the reasons for the Federal Reserve Bank and how the “Feds” rate changes affect other interest rates.
Listen to the EpisodeRecession? Inflation? Interest Rates? Senior Investment Strategist weighs in!
What’s going on with interest rates—is this the new normal? Are we going to have a recession? Will inflation keep coming down? Small company stocks have been struggling for quite some time—when would be a good time to buy into this sector? Listen in as Mike and Ronald Blue Trust’s Senior Family Office Investment Strategist, Mark Elam, CFA, unpack these real-world issues!
Listen to the EpisodeIs your Social Security money at risk of running out?
According to the latest Advisor Authority survey, more than half of pre-retirees 55-65 years old are concerned about the long-term viability of Social Security.
Eddie Holland, CPA, CFP, Senior Private Wealth Advisor for Ronald Blue Trust, and Social Security expert, discusses this with Mike in the latest podcast. Plus, he answers some great questions from listeners about when to begin taking Social Security.
Listen to the EpisodeWhen does it cost less to pay taxes?
Recently, Mike reviewed the benefits and challenges of investing in tax-free Muni bonds—you could be paying a high premium for the privilege on not paying taxes.
NEW THIS YEAR—the retirement tax break that will also pay you and your spouse an income for the rest of your lives—stay tuned!
Listen to the EpisodeDelivering True Wealth Management is Valuable!
Join us for this week’s episode where Mike discusses the following:
- How much value is in rebalancing your portfolio?
- How much negative return is caused by investors being ruled by their emotions?
- How often should tax planning be done for maximum effectiveness?
Mike reviews a recent study done by Russell Investments. Listen to find out if your advisor is providing you True Wealth Management!
Special feature, Rocky Thomason with Miracle Hill Bridgeworks, and Mike discuss an upcoming fundraiser!
Listen to the EpisodeBEST OF TALKING MONEY: Big Changes to the Required Minimum Distribution
Senior VP of Southern First, Rob Reeves, joins Mike to discuss the outlook for the economy and how it will affect interest rates. Plus, Mike reviews some of the key provisions of the recently passed SECURE Act 2.0, including the changes for Required Minimum Distributions and the new Charitable IRA Rollover.
Listen to the Episode“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”! -Winston Churchill
Historian, investment analyst, and senior writer for Marketmail, Gary Alexander, joins me to share his thoughts on Calvin Coolidge, Progressives, taxes, and the ignorance of most Americans of our own history. For example, who was and has been the champion of women and minorities, Republicans or Democrats?
Listen to the EpisodeIs putting money in the stock market really just gambling?
This week Mike reminds listeners how the stock market works and how it can be gambling if it’s abused. Plus, what does William Bernstein say is the Biggest Risk investors make? Spoiler, it’s probably not what you’re thinking!
Listen to the EpisodeWhat is the Return on a Posterity Investment?
Investments usually refer to traditional stocks and bonds. Today I discuss the value of making a “Posterity” investment. Plus, live reports from the Miracle Hill Kid’s Ninja Challenge.
Listen to the EpisodeTHE BEST OF TALKING MONEY: IRA Rules: Why They Matter, Part 2
Mike discusses more questions surrounding IRAs including:
- When should you consider moving from a traditional to a ROTH IRA?
- What are some advantages of keeping things in a traditional IRA?
- What about conversion assets?
- What are the tax rules for a ROTH?
- What are the earnings rules?
- What is the five year rule and how does it affect my planning?
- What are some beneficiary considerations I should be thinking about?
THE BEST OF TALKING MONEY: IRA Rules: Why They Matter, Part 1
Mike answers questions about IRA rules, including:
- What are your plans in case something happens to you?
- What are the different kinds of IRAs and what are their different contribution limits?
- What about a non-deductible IRA?
- What kind of contributions should you be making?
- What is the back door ROTH IRA?
- How does your tax bracket affect your planning decisions?
- My tax software will figure everything out for me, right?
- To ROTH or not to ROTH?
Want to save taxes, make a charitable gift, and still get income for life?
Special guest and Ronald Blue Trust client for nearly 30 years, Mary Kraus, shares her personal story. As a PhD. and professor of American Literature as well as a former Nun, Mary has some great stories to tell. Listen and learn how we helped Mary save taxes, make gifts and create lifetime income.
Listen to the EpisodeDon’t get caught working with an advisor who is taking advantage of you!
How can you tell if your advisor is on the “up and up”?
Mike reviews some of the red flags that should warn you of potentially fraudulent activities. Plus, what are some definite activities to watch out for like churning your account or asking you to make a check payable to the advisor for an investment or insurance purchase.
Listen to the EpisodeHow much money do Americans say you need to be wealthy?
According to a recent Modern Wealth Survey conducted for Charles Schwab, Americans say you need $2.2M to “be wealthy.” The numbers drop significantly when those same people were asked how much they need to “feel wealthy.” On this program, Mike looks at how different generations from Gen Z to Boomers view wealth from a numbers perspective and from what being wealthy really means to them. Which would you say is more important: having a fulfilling personal life or having a lot of money?
Listen to the Episode