Your Money, Your Wealth

Robert Farrington from TheCollegeInvestor.com has a goal of helping people eliminate a million bucks in student loan debt in the Month of March. Join the movement, ditch your debt and win prizes! Plus, Americans have reached record-breaking net worth - but which Americans? And, 4 ways you might be attracting a tax audit without knowing it. Show notes and transcript: http://bit.ly/YMYW-161

Fritz Gilbert from TheRetirementManifesto.com shares his 10 Commandments for Retirement - well actually it's 11, but that extra one is important! Plus, Big Al has 10 ways to pay less in taxes this year, and in future years. And Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs have set off more market moves, but could they also jack up the price of a Jack and Coke? Show notes and transcript: http://bit.ly/YMYW-160

Broke Millennial's Erin Lowry shares her mind tricks for more effective saving and her clever tips for paying down debt. Plus, working the tax brackets with Roth conversions, some crazy options that may or may not work when you've contributed too much to your 401(k) to get the employer match, and how DIY investing can be like Joe's bad golf swing. Show notes and transcript: http://bit.ly/YMYW-159

Best-selling author, retirement expert and fluent backward-speaker Jan Cullinane lets us in on how many of the Seven Secrets for a Happy, Successful Retirement have to do with money - and how many don't. And you won't have to understand backward speak to get it! Big Al's got a whole new mindset for happiness after visiting South America, why it might be a mistake to get married later in life - or at all if you're Joe - and the fellas discuss a gentleman who finds himself bored after early retirement. Show notes and transcript: http://bit.ly/YMYW-158

How to retire rich and happy: the two income starve-and-stack strategy, losing the ego, and the Pay Off Debt by Jackie Beck app. Oh, and Rondo soda pop, and never saying the word "tissue." Joe and Big Al also talk a bit about retirement readiness and taxes. Show notes and transcript: http://bit.ly/YMYW-157

What happened to the market correction, what happens next, and how can you avoid hitting your GMO (get me out) point? Larry Swedroe of the BAM Alliance and ETF.com gazes into his crystal ball. Plus, 5 questions to ask your estate planner after the new tax law, and what happens to your social media estate after you die? Who will manage all those videos of Joe playing golf on Instagram?

Avoid a miserable retirement with 6 actions that can help you prepare for the retirement of your dreams, according to Catherine Collinson of the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. Big Al's got a list of 10 reasons people don't create a budget. Plus, the fellas cover the best states in which to retire, and they answer yet another question Trump's new tax law as it relates to the sale of a primary residence.

Welcome to stock market volatility. Today the market clawed back some of its big losses from last week's correction, but what's in store tomorrow or next week or next month? What should you be doing with your portfolio, and how will this affect your retirement? Joe Anderson, CFP®, Al Clopine, CPA and Brian Perry, ChFC® provide some guidance.

Chris Mamula retired early - at age 41! He now blogs about his experiences at CanIRetireYet.com. How did he do it, after making a decade of retirement planning mistakes? Plus 5 Things to Consider Before Tapping Your Retirement Accounts, and the good, the bad and the ugly of the popular "guaranteed income" products known as annuities. But first, the fellas have a bone to pick with CNN Money about the confusing new business tax deduction.

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth, seven new changes to your Social Security benefits - Joe and Big Al talk about the good and the bad. Plus, how small business owners may be in danger of screwing up their Social Security, how the new tax law lets you save big money if you're taking required minimum distributions, and Joe's fear of commitment is further cemented by the story of a fella who lost 60% of his life savings in a divorce.

Cryptocurrency expert and controversial crypto-celeb Amanda B. Johnson answers the most common altcoin questions: what is digital currency? What's a blockchain? Is Bitcoin safe? Why is Bitcoin so volatile? Should I own any cryptocurrency? Can cryptocurrency actually prevent "secret inflation"? Plus, how trading Bitcoin could ruin your mental health and 9 strategies to retire this year so you'll have time to ponder whether or not you've "made it" in America - and what the heck is BillyRock?

Joe and Big Al weigh in on 10 retirement resolutions experts say you should make for 2018. We'll learn some new opportunities, challenges and potential tricks coming out of President Donald Trump's new tax law. We'll find out the secrets to Big Al's big wallet, and how Joe is unwillingly helping his boy Mikey cut expenses. And we'll hear one of the rare instances when the fellas kinda butcher the answer to an estate planning question. (Photo of Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore)

Brian Perry, CFP®, CFA® from Pure Financial Advisors recaps 2017's global Goldilocks economy. Will the bull run continue in 2018? Should we change our asset allocation to prepare our stock and bond portfolios for a market slow down? Are you properly allocated? What would Jim Cramer do, and should you care?! Plus, tax filing season is approaching, and Big Al's Big Brain contains a whole bunch of stuff you need to know about the new tax law before you start working on those 1040s.

Retirement nest eggs have become bigger, but fixed income rates of return are low. How do you create a cash flow? What strategy will allow your investment portfolio to provide income throughout your retirement? Joe and Big Al explain what matters when tailoring your own personal retirement income strategy. Plus, determining in which type of accounts you should have your retirement savings, from where you should withdraw your required minimum distributions, and whether any of it will matter once the robots take over.

How Trump's new tax law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, changes state and local tax deductions, brackets, the child tax credit, medical deductions, property taxes, mortgage deductions, home equity debt, charitable contributions, itemized deductions, alternative minimum tax, residential gain on sale exclusion and small business taxes. Plus, the top things no one tells you about retiring, Social Security claiming strategies, and do Roth TSP and Traditional TSP dollars "commingle?" And the Ghosts of Joe's Christmas past, or "oh s***, Ruthie stole baby Jesus."

Peter Hug from Kitco Metals, Inc. describes the four types of people that buy precious metals, how to best buy and sell silver and gold yourself, and whether these commodities are similar to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Blockchain. Joe and Big Al talk permanent vs term life insurance and tax reform. Plus, holiday gift ideas to transform the quality of life for the retirees in your life: they get new tech, and you get your third grade report card and high school lettermen's jacket.

Laura Adams, host of the Money Girl Podcast, joins the show this week to give us eight ways to save serious cash, so we can avoid the holiday debt hangover. (Can't guarantee that you can avoid working out, though.) She also lays out how to tackling debt and whether you should lease your car or not. Plus, the latest tax reform news, and eight ways to create tax-free income. And is Joe going to start charging his dear sweet mother Ruthie rent when she comes to visit him from Minnesota?

Retirement planning tips and benefits when you don't plan to retire. Plus, how much should you have saved for retirement at different stages of life, how much has the average millennial saved, and the Roth 5 year clock: should you get married so you can take advantage of the fact that your new spouse's Roth is already over 5 years old? And, should you really be asking marriage advice of Joe and Big Al?

Recharacterizing your Roth conversion, getting that knee replacement, meeting with every client you have all across the country and more: Joe and Big Al cover many things you might want to do before tax laws potentially change in a big way come January 1. Also, Suze Orman thinks everyone should work until they're 70 - we'll find out what Walter Updegrave from RealDealRetirement.com and Money Magazine thinks about that, and we've got 20 retirement stats that will blow you away. Plus, Big Al reveals his secret man crush.

Actual news you can really use about the ever-changing landscape of tax reform, why Trump's promised biggest tax cuts ever are actually a tax increase for many of us, and how it will affect you. Plus, Joe and Big Al have a yarn with Joe's fair dinkum, true blue, Aussie fine arts painter mate, Pete Tillack, on finding your passions in life, couches at the bottom of swimming pools, and getting thrown out of Christmas parties. (photo of Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore)

Elaine Martyn from Fidelity Charitable explains how donor advised funds can help others and reduce your 2017 taxes. Retirement jitters, a retirement crisis, and 7 ways to teach your kids the value of saving for retirement to help them avoid both the jitters and the crisis. Plus, is there any way to undo rolling a 401(k) into a 403(b) annuity? And can Joe explain why a 60/40 mix of stocks and bonds isn't necessarily the best way to go - without snapping?

The Luxe Strategist offers six secrets to splurging on nice things while still saving 50% of your income. Joe and Big Al cover the latest on Trump tax reform, the retirement crisis, 7 Retirement Catch Up Strategies for Lifelong Procrastinators, and why caller Maria maybe shouldn't trade options. Plus, the fellas confess to their worst impulse purchases.

Asset protection attorney Doug Lodmell has the secrets to keeping your money safe in the event of a lawsuit. Social Security benefits and 401(k) contributions are going up, but the 401(k) thing may also be a nightmare. Al's got 6 myths about freezing your credit in the wake of the Equifax double debacle, and the fellas answer your emails on when to take RMDs, family real estate entanglements, and how not to self-deal in your Roth IRA, because that's illegal.

Fritz Gilbert, blogger at TheRetirementManifesto.com, one of the fastest growing financial blogs on the internet, talks about the Financial Independence / Retire Early or FIRE movement, and how to make the most of your retirement. Also, three tax tricks just for retirees and more on the Trump Administration's proposed tax reform. Plus, Joe and Big Al answer calls and emails on donor advised funds, day-trading, and risk tolerance vs risk capacity.

Financial Lifeguard Christine Luken explains how she used Mindful Money Management to rescue herself when she hit financial rock bottom, and how you can, too. Joe and Big Al answer questions on when the magic of compounding is gonna kick in, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions and how Trump tax reform will affect both. Plus, paying off the mortgage in retirement, marrying up for a better Social Security benefit, Joe's drinking and college football watching habits, and skydiving at age 90.

Will the changes to tax brackets, deductions, exemptions, the alternative minimum tax, estate tax, individual taxes, small business taxes, corporate taxes and expenses in Donald Trump's "Unified Framework For Fixing Our Broken Tax Code" proposal provide more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks as promised? Plus, Important Steps to Take in the Last 10 Years Before Retiring, and the financial dangers of fly-fishing with the wrong beer in retirement.

Millennial Money founder Grant Sabatier on how extreme saving and the art of the side hustle took him from $2.26 in the bank to a net worth of $1 million in just 5 years. Plus, 7 things YOU should do to become a millionaire, what Trump's tax plan means for the middle class, whether you should pay off the mortgage or save for retirement, and a whole bunch of Star Wars nonsense.

In the aftermath of natural disasters at home and abroad, Elaine Martyn from Fidelity Charitable explains how donor-advised funds can make for tax efficient, high impact giving. Plus, how to protect yourself from identity theft following the Equifax security breach, financial tips for the five stages of your relationship, soap opera estate planning, Joe and Big Al's beer tastes, and biker fashion.

Apollo Lupescu of Dimensional Fund Advisors explains how risk and expected returns are affected by size, price and profitability of a company, why the latest from President Trump shouldn't affect our investing choices, how diversification can protect us from market downturns, and how our fear and greed have us tripping over our portfolios. Also, emails and phone calls on timing retirement and saving while pregnant, plus 6 Last Minute Retirement Strategies and some retirement tips for our younger selves.

J. David Stein, host of the Money for the Rest of Us podcast, on managing emotions when it comes to investing and market volatility, and how to Mind the Gap between income and spending in retirement. If that gap is too large, we've got 99 side hustles that can help you make some cash. Also, 6 Tax Planning Tips to Consider for 2017, withdrawing from a Roth to fund college, and cost basis of stock held in trust for beneficiaries.

Investing authority Paul Merriman explains how to turn $3,000 into $50 million and talks to Joe and Big Al about value vs growth companies, market timing, choosing the right mix of stocks, bonds and other investments, and which stocks don't beat even Treasuries in the long term. Plus, The 10 Best - and Worst - Places to Retire, Ways to Fund Children's Education, and how to minimize taxes in retirement.

Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Robert Pozen suggests fixing the retirement savings crisis with the Automatic IRA, and using Progressive Indexing to fix Social Security. Joe and Big Al discuss 6 Ways to Survive Retirement Income Shock, recourse versus non-recourse loans, RMDs on annuities in a 401(k), the difference between stocks that pay dividends and those that don't, and Aretha Franklin's plans for retirement.

BAM Alliance Director of Research and author Larry Swedroe exposes what he calls "Wall Street marketing BS" about active management, dollar cost averaging - which he says is a dumb strategy - and more. Plus, 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Retirement, an update on the Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule, and… Pikachu eggs.

Walter Updegrave from RealDealRetirement.com analyzed a recent survey of the needs, goals and concerns of very wealthy investors, and shares some useful retirement tips for the rest of us. Also, 12 Common Sources of Tax Free Income, 4 tax breaks that may be on the chopping block, the basics of Medicare, and Medicare mistakes. Plus, Joe still wants to grow a 'fro, and who doesn't like the Eagles? (hint, it's Big Al.)

Meir Statman, professor of finance at Santa Clara University and author of Finance For Normal People: How Investors and Markets Behave tells Joe and Big Al how smart people can avoid doing stupid things when it comes to investing. Also, are you house rich but cash poor as you approach retirement? The fellas have some strategies for making use of that home equity to create some additional retirement income.

Scott Ford, co-author of The Sustainable Edge: 15 Minutes a Week to a Richer Entrepreneurial Life tells Joe and Big Al how he and co-author Ron Carson achieved faster business growth and a better work/life balance. Also, can you avoid state taxes in retirement by getting a PO box in a no state tax state? Plus, 10 timeless financial tips and 4 documents you'll want for a solid estate plan.

The Top 10 tax saving strategies of the last 25 years: From tax loss harvesting to 529 education savings plans. From LLCs vs. S-Corps to asset location (that is, what type of assets you put in what type of accounts). From charitable giving to estate tax planning, and then some. Also, an overview of what happened in the market in the second quarter, and titans, tritons, sun gods and mermen.

Financial researcher Larry Swedroe offers several reasons you may not be getting the returns you've enjoyed in the past, and he challenges Jason Zweig's assertion in the Wall Street Journal that it's because there are fewer stocks to choose from. Plus, 4 Ways To Reduce RMD Taxes - what are QCDs and QLACs, anyway? And, can you retire at 60 when you're 43 and have no savings? How do chauffeurs and ambulances play into that equation?

USA Today columnist Pete The Planner tells us how to calculate our Power Percentage for retirement readiness, and how to set house rules to get on the path to a successful retirement. Plus, 8 benefits of claiming Social Security later, how a Roth 401(k) may give you more purchasing power in retirement than a traditional 401(k), and Joe wants to grow a fro.

Paul Sullivan, author of The Thin Green Line: The Money Secrets of the Super Wealthy tells Joe and Big Al how the decisions you make about your money can put YOU in the wealthy club. Plus, how should you prepare for President Trump's "biggest tax cut ever?" 3 things you may be getting wrong about retirement planning, and international taxation if you're planning to move out of the country in retirement.

Guest Joe Saul-Sehy of the Stacking Benjamins podcast explains the value of having a financial planner (while avoiding his stalker, Your Money, Your Wealth host Joe Anderson.) Joe and Big Al discuss what the Department of Labor fiduciary ruling means to you and 10 steps to get ready for retirement. They also answer questions about saving for retirement as a self-employed person and whether you should talk finances with your girlfriend before moving in together.

Alex Goldstein, author of No Nonsense Real Estate, offers 7 Mistakes New Real Estate Investors Make. Joe and Big Al discuss 3 ways to sell your real estate, Social Security taxation, and 7 Social Security mistakes to avoid. Plus, potential ways to fund Trump tax reform, and who pays for weddings these days?

Dr. Wade Pfau reveals new research on the reverse mortgage as an insurance policy and investing tool, and discusses the 4% rule for withdrawing retirement income from your portfolio. Plus, Joe and Al have 10 tips to boost retirement savings, the pros and cons of rolling your 401(k) into an IRA, long term care tax strategies, the latest on the Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule, Prince's $250 million estate planning mistake, and who is better at investing, men or women?

From stock picking to retiring at 30, Rob Berger spills secrets learned in 10 years hosting The Dough Roller Money Podcast. Joe and Big Al talk about market volatility caused by President Trump's potential tax cuts, healthcare plan and proposed budget, and they cover 5 "fatal error" type inherited IRA mistakes, the merits of Star Wars merch, Johnny Depp's compulsive spending habits, and how joining a nudist colony may help your wallet.

Author Tom Anderson discusses the value of debt in wealth building through the four phases of life. Joe and Big Al go over 6 common myths that can mess up your retirement, and how much you need to save in order to have $1 million when you retire. Also, how will making a large IRA withdrawal affect your taxes, Medicare and Social Security? What are the pro-rata rule and aggregation?

Larry Swedroe, author of "Think, Act and Invest Like Warren Buffett," explains Wall Street's passive investing lie and what kind of returns you can really expect. Plus, how he relates investing performance to Babe Ruth and Roger Federer. Also, 5 Things Parents Need To Teach Kids About Money from Jack Kosakowski, President and CEO of Junior Achievement, 10 Retirement Planning Moves To Make in your 20s, and a closer look at Donald Trump's tax outline.

Daniel Prince, CFA (BlackRock) explains exchange traded funds and what the future holds as investing evolves. Will Trump's new tax plan simplify taxes and spur economic growth as promised? If you're one of the 10,000 boomers a day now reaching required minimum distribution age, how do you avoid screwing it up? Why consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution? And which is safer: Treasury bills or fixed indexed annuities?

Are you a fearful moron when it comes to investing? Can you invest in LGBT rights and gender equality? Is today's market forgetful? Behavioral finance expert Dr. Daniel Crosby, author of "The Laws of Wealth," discusses. Joe and Big Al consider The Biggest Tax Cut Ever, 7 Common Investor Mistakes, Ric Edelman's Social Security solution, and your 401(k), Roth IRA and Social Security questions.

Investor optimism reached a 17 year high with the Trump Effect and emerging markets, but what does that really mean? Joe thinks being emotionally invested in your portfolio may serve you better in the long run. Al quizzes Joe on 6 basic retirement questions most Americans can't get right. Plus, gifting a Roth IRA to a grandchild, whether to sell a losing stock, and contributing to a Roth IRA after leaving employment.

The pros and cons of taking Social Security before full retirement age, tax mistakes that could cost you huge penalties or worse, IRA myths, the morality of found money, and what Joe and Big Al know and love about social media. The fellas also answer emails about making 40% annual returns on your investments, and sound strategies for putting inherited IRA money into a Roth.