Planning Made Simple

Chasing high dividend yields can feel exciting — until the income disappears. In this episode, we break down dividend traps , why dividend cuts are so painful, and how investors get lured into unsustainable yields. We walk through the most common red flags, including high payout ratios, weak cash flow, and poor balance sheets, and explain how to stress-test dividends before you invest. If you want...

Warren Buffett is frequently misunderstood as either a pure growth investor or a market timer—but his real strategy is far more patient and disciplined. In this episode, we break down Warren Buffett’s dividend strategy , explaining why he prioritizes strong balance sheets, predictable cash flow, and long-term dividend growth over flashy returns and short-term gains. We explore how Buffett stays ca...

Retirement often feels like the finish line—but for many people, it’s just the beginning of a brand-new set of challenges. In this episode, we explore what the first year after the paycheck disappears actually looks like, based on decades of experience walking clients through retirement transitions. We discuss why practicing retirement income before you retire is so important, how dividends can re...

Are you thinking about buying a dividend stock? Before you chase the shiny yield or jump into what your buddy recommended, here are the 7 metrics the team checks every single time . These fundamentals help you avoid traps, understand the real health of a business, and invest with confidence. We break each metric down with real-world context, examples from client portfolios, and why single-year sna...

The episode continues the discussion on how to live in retirement on dividends, focusing on the difference between funding retirement and living in retirement. The advisors explain their two-account approach: a “paycheck account” that funds lifestyle entirely from dividends, and a “bonus/growth account” where dividends are reinvested to fuel long-term income increases. They emphasize the dangers o...

Paul, Niki, Leigh, and Kyle discuss the major psychological shift that happens when someone moves from decades of saving for retirement to actually living on their investments. Many retirees struggle with anxiety as they transition from a predictable paycheck to relying on market-dependent income, especially when selling principal or watching account balances decline. They compare traditional reti...

Building a dividend portfolio in 2026 starts with defining your goals—whether you want maximum income, strong growth, or a blend of both. The hosts explain that dividend investing includes three “pillars”: foundational growers like dividend aristocrats, high-yield income producers such as energy companies, and opportunity stocks like maturing tech firms or companies recovering from past dividend c...

This episode breaks down what really happens to your income during a bear market—whether you're investing for dividends or relying on mutual funds. The hosts explain why market volatility feels so emotionally overwhelming and how traditional withdrawal-based strategies can spiral when values drop. They contrast that with dividend investing, where income is tied to shares owned, not account bal...

This episode dives into the question of whether investors really need to diversify beyond dividend-paying stocks. The hosts break down the “diversification myth,” explaining how many people end up with portfolios full of redundant investments they don’t understand. Using relatable examples—from grocery shopping to pizza toppings—they highlight why true planning starts with knowing your income shor...

High dividend yields can look tempting—but they don’t always mean you’re earning more. In this episode, we explain why focusing on yield percentage alone can lead investors astray, and why the real number that matters is the actual dollar payout . We unpack how stock prices, volatility, and emotional decision-making can distort your view of “income,” and share practical ways to build long-term div...

In this episode, the hosts dive into the truth about monthly dividend-paying stocks, asking whether getting paid more often really matters. They explain that while monthly dividends may seem attractive, they’re often a marketing tactic rather than a sign of a stronger investment. The discussion explores the differences between REITs, BDCs, and traditional dividend stocks, warning listeners about p...

In this episode, the hosts dive into how the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut is influencing the housing market and mortgage rates. Guest Jonathan Ramirez explains the often-misunderstood relationship between the federal funds rate and mortgage rates, breaking down how bond markets and economic reports drive real-time rate changes. The discussion explores how anticipation, inflation data, and job...

This episode explores the idea of picking five dividend-paying stocks to hold for the next 20 years. The hosts outline criteria such as a long history of dividend payments, strong brand recognition, solid cash reserves, and shareholder commitment. They discuss companies like Microsoft, Nucor, Coca-Cola, Franklin, and Invesco, weighing their strengths and risks. The conversation emphasizes that whi...

This episode features a conversation with Jonathan Romero about the slowdown in the housing market and how rising interest rates have reshaped buyer and seller expectations. They discuss the dramatic shift from the pandemic-era housing boom, when homes sold instantly at record-low rates, to today’s more cautious environment with higher borrowing costs. Romero explains how affordability challenges,...

This podcast explores the concept of retiring on dividends and how to structure a plan that provides lasting income. Paul Durso and the other hosts discuss common misconceptions about retirement, including the focus on a “magic number” of savings instead of the income those savings can generate. They break down key steps such as calculating your lifestyle needs, identifying shortfalls, and determi...

This episode explores the differences between dividends and bonds, breaking down their pros, cons, and how they fit into retirement planning. The hosts use relatable analogies—like renting versus owning a home—to explain how bonds provide steady but limited returns, while dividends offer both income and growth potential, though with added risk. They highlight inflation as a key factor, noting that...

This episode explores the concept of Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs) and how they can help investors grow wealth automatically. The hosts explain how reinvesting dividends creates a compounding “snowball effect,” steadily increasing both share ownership and dividend payouts over time. They use analogies like money trees and groves to illustrate how portfolios can expand and provide lasting inc...

This episode explores the concept of Dividend Aristocrats—stocks that have increased their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years. The hosts explain why companies like Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble are considered the “gold standard” for income investors, highlighting their reliability, resilience, and rising income. Listeners learn how these stocks have historical...

This episode explores the balance between yield and growth when it comes to building a strong retirement plan. The hosts break down the trade-off between choosing higher-yielding investments that provide immediate cash flow and lower-yielding options with the potential to grow significantly over time. Using clear examples, they show how a 4% dividend that grows steadily can eventually outperform a...

This episode dives into the age-old debate of bonds versus dividends, exploring the pros and cons of each investment option. The hosts explain how bonds can provide predictable, stable income but lack growth and inflation protection, while dividends offer potential for increasing income and appreciation, though with more volatility and risk. They also discuss how factors like age, income needs, an...

This episode takes a deep dive into the risks and realities of leveraged ETFs, a flashy investment product that often promises sky-high yields. The hosts break down how these funds work, why they can be so tempting, and the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface—like volatility decay, principal risk disguised as income, and long-term underperformance. With clear explanations and real-world com...

This episode explores the “growth code,” weighing the trade-offs between high-yield dividend stocks and long-term dividend growth. The hosts break down why investors are often drawn to higher immediate payouts, but also highlight the risks of yield traps and unstable companies. Through examples and case studies, they show how dividend growth can build stronger, more sustainable income over decades...

This episode of Planning Made Simple explores the hidden costs behind the widely accepted "1% fee" in the financial industry. Paul Durso, along with Kyle Morgan and Niki Erb compare financial services to premium experiences like high-end restaurants, where value is emphasized over price, and explain how flashy ads and lavish offices are ultimately paid for by investors. They dig into ind...

This episode explores the hidden risks behind high-yield dividend stocks. While big yields may seem appealing to investors, they can often signal deeper issues like declining stock prices, excessive debt, or unstable management. Paul and Kyle explain how dividend yields are calculated and why a rising yield can be misleading if it's the result of a falling stock price. Real-world cases, such as AT...

This episode of Planning Made Simple explores how corporate tax policy directly impacts dividend-paying companies and, ultimately, individual investors. Paul, Kyle, and Niki explain how higher taxes can reduce a company's ability to reinvest, grow, or maintain jobs, with dividends often prioritized over workforce retention. They highlight key historical tax reforms and their economic effects, noti...