Best Of Free Money Radio

Mark is off fishing and Steve and Melissa have a open discussion about why it is so important to make your wishes known to family and friends.

Steve and Mark discuss an on-going estate planning case which demonstrates the complexities of the planning process and why consulting with an expert can save you a lot of money.

Listen to Steve and Mark as they discuss the multitude of changes being proposed for estate taxes that can have a dire effect on your estate plan and beneficiaries.

Fear of losing and fear of losing out are huge factors in investment decisions. Steve talks about how investment mistakes, based on this emotion, can be avoided.

Steve and Mark discuss some of the financial changes being proposed in Washington. Doubling the capital gains tax for top wage earners is one.

Steve and Mark offer interesting insights into recent market short-selling; why Target Funds are not a good investment in today's market; and why you should consider tactical investing.  

Over the past 35 years, we have been conditioned to accept the stock market, without question, as the means to a secure retirement. At the same time, we have been conditioned to question the validity of annuities as a retirement tool. Steve & Mark discuss why the foundation for the 401K could really be the house that Dr. Suess built.

Mail Bag Day introduces us to the man who recently lost his job and wants to know if he can afford to retire. What's wrong with this picture? Retirement planning should start in one's 40s not as retirement approaches. Planners are here to help so why are people so resistant to the idea of using them? Listen to Steve and Mark discuss this and more....

People concentrate on accumulating money for retirement but neglect to think about the toll that taxes can take on their retirement income. Steve & Mark ask, " Would you rather pay a tax on every saved $ at a tax rate that is unknown or pay the tax now when rates are at their lowest?"

It's Super Bowl Sunday and Steve & Mark discuss how employing the same principles that make Tom Brady a success will work for you to create financial security.  

Now that bond rates are approaching negative returns, money managers are at a loss as to mitigating portfolio risk. For those who are retired, the question is "Why are you in a risky portfolio?" Steve and Mark raise a number of questions worth considering.   

Market sell-offs aren't the only thing that can put one's retirement at risk. Taxes in retirement can shrink that pot of gold significantly. Steve and Mark define qualified money and explain why it's important to understand it.

The market is historically high, taxes are historically low. Both are unsustainable. There may never be a better opportunity in our lifetime to take advantage of this by moving money into tax-free accounts. 

If you buy insurance for your house, why not buy insurance for your retirement? Mitigating retirement risk is no different than mitigating the risks associated with one's home or car. Steve & Mark noodle on why there is such resistance to the idea. 

Steve & Mark clarify some misconceptions around financial planning and present an interesting case study.

Listen to Steve and Mark for the answer!

Steve & Mark give us a short course in macroeconomics and explain why a little inflation is a good thing.

Steve & Mark discuss the options available to maintain your retirement income in this low-interest-rate environment.

Steve and Mark answer listener questions about when and how best to retire. 

Steve, Mark & Jen relive some of their favorite Seinfeld episodes before Mark discusses an interesting case of a woman retiring early due to the coronavirus. A carefully created and fully vetted plan will make her future financially secure.