The Novice and The Nerd

In our most recent episode, the Novice and the Nerd discuss two different topics: extra Social Security benefits for state and municipal workers, and the financial issues that can arise with second marriages. Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  X , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email thenoviceandthener...

In this episode, the Novice and the Nerd discuss two separate client questions about social security and the Nerd warns listeners to not fall prey to generic advice from social media.  Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  X , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com wit...

In our most recent podcast, the Novice and the Nerd discuss the importance of creating and sticking to a budget, and how taking a closer look at your finances could help find opportunities to take advantage of savings. Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  X , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email thenovic...

Should you be concerned when you see that billionaires are selling stocks in large quantities? In our latest podcast episode, our Nerd answers a client's question about the headlines and puts the activity in perspective.   Find complete show notes and links on our website, StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on X , like StrategicPoint on Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email thenovi...

Now that the Fed has started to cut interest rates, our Nerd discusses how this can impact the economy, CDs Mortgages, savings accounts and more.   Find complete show notes and links on our website, StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on X , like StrategicPoint on Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com with feedback, questions or comments, inclu...

The Novice and The Nerd RETURN, with a timely discussion about some changes coming in 2025 that may impact Required Minimum Distributions, ROTH IRAs, company 401k matches and much more.   Find complete show notes and links on our website, StrategicPoint.com. Follow us on Twitter, like StrategicPoint on Facebook, and feel free to contact us any time via email thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com...

What is an inverted yield curve? How is it helping all of us make more money in our savings accounts? Will current money market rates last? Listen to our latest episode where the Novice and the Nerd break down a listener's question about the inverted yield curve, the Fed and potential outlooks for savings rates in 2024.   Find complete show notes and links on our website, StrategicPoint.com. Follo...

Using a 529 to save for college? Is your child in high school? It might be time to revisit your 529! Listen to Derek and Laura talk about the importance of reviewing how the 529 is allocated and if you should still save in a 529. Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time v...

Rhode Island Teachers have unique options when it comes to saving for retirement. In our latest episode, we discuss these options and Derek gives some advice on how best to navigate the opportunities to save.    Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenovic...

Hey Gen-X, should you have a ROTH IRA? Think you may not be eligible to use one so never bothered? In our latest episode, Derek discusses why some may be getting one soon and why a ROTH can be helpful as you plan for your retirement.   Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any...

Have you ever wondered why the Federal Reserve aims to hit a 2% inflation rate? In this episode of The Novice and The Nerd, Derek explains why that number is typically the goal and how not hitting that target could affect the markets.   Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any...

On this episode, Derek examines the current state of the commercial real estate market and how fears of changing work habits are large office buildings across the US.   Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with feedba...

On this episode, we discuss the Novice's realization that her new, "used" car payment may be just a little more expensive than she was planning for.   Separately, Derek discusses how maturing 2020 leases may put owners in an advantageous position at the time the contracts mature.   Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint...

On this episode of the Novice and the Nerd, Derek and Laura discuss the current state of the housing market and the dramatic differences Derek sees between now and 2008.    Find complete show notes and links on our website, StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on Twitter , like StrategicPoint on Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com with feedbac...

On this episode of Novice and the nerd, Laura and Derek do a postmortem on the Silicon Valley Bank failure and how some of their issues could impact local banks in our area. The information contained in this podcast is not intended as investment, tax or legal advice. StrategicPoint Investment Advisors (SPIA) assumes no responsibility for any action or inaction resulting from the contents herein. D...

 On this episode, Derek explains what stock buybacks are, why companies are issuing them, and why they can be so polarizing.  Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with feedback, questions or comments, including idea...

With the US hitting the debt ceiling again in January 2023, Derek and Laura discuss its potential impact on markets and the economy.  Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with feedback, questions or comments, includi...

Derek and Laura drill into SECURE Act 2.0 to see how it impacts your retirement plan for topics like Required Minimum Distributions, ROTH IRA's, company 401k matches and much more. Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com...

Derek and Laura discuss the FTX bankruptcy and then changes to taxes and retirement savings for 2023! Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with feedback, questions or comments, including ideas for future podcast topic...

The bond market has had a rough year- Derek and Laura cover the basics of bond investing & why 2022 has been so challenging for bond investors.   Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with feedback, questions or commen...

Do you have CDs? Derek and Laura discuss why you may want to consider breaking them. Additionally, they talk about why all of us in New England might be sitting in the dark this winter, thanks to WW1 and Russia. Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenovic...

On this episode we discuss what Stagflation is, why some are worried about it and what can be done. Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with feedback, questions or comments, including ideas for future podcast topics!...

Derek and Laura invite another "nerd" and fellow advisor Kristina Mello to talk about different insurance policies and answer a listener's question! Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with feedback, questions or com...

There's more to measuring inflation than just the monthly press release. Our episode today breaks down some other commonly used data to see what the trends in inflation show. Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on  Twitter , like StrategicPoint on  Facebook , and feel free to contact us any time via email  thenoviceandthenerd@strategicpoint.com  with...

Have you been hearing about "government bonds" offering a higher return lately? Derek explains what iBonds are and what investing in them looks like. We also discuss Bitcoin potentially being offered in 401(k) plans and an update on the SECURE Act 2.0 and what that could mean for Required Minimum distributions.  Find complete show notes and links on our website,  StrategicPoint.com . Follow us on ...