Don Sowa's MoneyTalk

In this episode, Donna talks about the stages and milestones in planning for retirement. Also, on MoneyTalk, the financial considerations for re-entering the workforce. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®; Air Date: 5/18/2026. Have a question for the hosts? Leave a message on the MoneyTalk Hotline at (401) 587-SOWA and have your voice...

In this episode, Nathan discusses the importance of Roth IRA conversions and Required Minimum Distributions. Also, on MoneyTalk, the meaning of credentials in the financial planning industry. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®; Air Date: 5/15/2026. Have a question for the hosts? Leave a message on the MoneyTalk Hotline at (401) 587-SO...

Inheriting money can be a blessing, however depending on your relationship to the deceased and the account type, the rules on how you are taxed can be dramatically different. Donna and Nathan discuss stepped-up basis, non-spousal inherited IRA distributions, the 10 year rule, and more. Also on MoneyTalk, ways to catch up on your savings, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Al...

One of the leading economic pain-points of recent years has been interest rates, but is today’s rate environment really that high from a historical perspective? Nathan takes us through the history of interest rates in the US, from the instability of the pre-central bank era, through the post-pandemic inflation. Also on MoneyTalk, overactive trading, real estate investing, and more. Host: Nathan Be...

Today on MoneyTalk, Donna discusses Roth Conversions, Custodial Roth IRAs, sources of the K-shaped economy, 60-day rollovers, debt consolidation, and new 401K features. Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®; Air Date: 5/11/2026. Have a question for the hosts? Leave a message on the MoneyTalk Hotline at (401) 587-SOWA and have your voice heard live on the air! See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Today we have been seeing a decrease in the supply of CPAs, leaving more and more taxpayers on their own to prepare their filings. Donna and Nathan offer some DIY tax filing best practices to take a like bit of the stress out of your tax season. Also, on MoneyTalk, 7 lessons for new retirees, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais...

How you choose to structure your business will have great bearing over how you are taxed, and how much liability you take on. Nathan discusses how each of the various types of business entities operate, how they differ, and why it is important to seek professional guidance when deciding which formation is right for you. Also, on our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Daniel tell a s...

Investing can be a humbling endeavor, and even the most successful investors have a few bets that they wish they could take back. Donna and Nathan discuss the fatal errors that led Mike Steinhardt, one of the nation’s most successful hedge fund managers, to lose over $800M in just four days. Also, on MoneyTalk, strategic asset allocation and market timing, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a...

As an early investor, the risk of loss is balanced by your expected time in the market, but for those approaching retirement, loss of principle can be a major risk as you begin to draw income from your investments. Donna discusses how sequence of returns risk can play a major role in your ability to meet your retirement goals. Also, on MoneyTalk, challenges for those aging alone. Host: Donna Sowa...

The Health Savings Account is the only investment vehicle that features tax deductibility, tax free growth, and tax-free qualified withdrawals. Nathan discusses how HSAs work, who offers them and who should maximize their benefits. Also, on MoneyTalk, understanding the bond market, and employer stock option plans. Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®; Air Date: 5/1/2026. Have a qu...

No innovation contributed more to westward expansion and American progress than the transcontinental railroad, but the road to that progress was paved in corruption and brutality. On this edition of our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Daniel tell the story of the first transcontinental railroad, and the greed, ambition and bloodshed that made it all possible. Also, on MoneyTalk,...

Each of us have our own conceptions about money which have been developing from a young age, and often these stories we tell ourselves can be self-destructive. Donna and Nathan take us through some of the common “money scripts” that tend to guide people’s financial decision making, and how to reframe your money mindset. Also, on MoneyTalk, how to financially support your young ad...

Navigating taxes doesn’t end when your 9-to-5 does, and in retirement the rules can get increasingly complex. Donna discusses some of the tax topics that tend to complicate the filing process for retirees, including social security, RMDs, quarterly estimates, and more. Also, on MoneyTalk, action items for your first year of retirement, and grounding your expectations to reality. Host: Donna...

The MoneyTalk show has been running for over three decades because of an active listener community who we are privileged to serve. On this episode, Nathan takes on personal finance topics suggested by listeners like you, including DIY investing, 401k pros and cons, basic investment strategies, and understanding the different investment categories. Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA&r...

Social Security is a core component of most Americans’ retirement plans, but it may surprise you to hear that it was highly controversial when initially proposed, and to get it passed, Congress had to include complex provisions which still exist to this day. Donna and Nathan discuss the intricacies of the Social Security system, and the reasons why it has been so difficult to reform. Also, o...

If your child asked you what caused the Great Depression, you might refer to the stock market crash of 1929, but stock markets don’t crash on their own, and the roots of our nation’s worst economic crisis had been growing for decades. On this addition of our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Daniel discuss the economic vulnerabilities of the 1920s that ultimately led to...

Budgeting is among the most vanilla financial topics we discuss on the show, but following a budget is an essential first step to being able to spend guilt free, plan for large expenses, and meet your financial goals. Donna and Nathan discuss the process of creating a budget for individuals at all income levels. Also, on MoneyTalk, questions you should ask when shopping around for a new financial...

You may hear some people say that you should wait until age 70 to claim Social Security to maximize your benefit, and while this may be the right option for many, it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Donna discusses how to go about the decision-making process for when to claim Social Security. Also, on MoneyTalk, how longevity planning is providing a more comprehensive solution to the...

President Eisenhower famously said âWhat is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important, highlighting the difference between tasks that demand immediate attention, and those that contribute to long term goals. Nathan discusses how this principle applies to our retirement goals, and how a disciplined approach to planning can help us avoid this common pitfall. Also, on M...

Many people use a home equity line of credit for home renovations and unforeseen liquidity needs, but if you are carrying an old balance on your variable rate HELOC, the current high-interest rate environment has not been friendly to you. Donna and Nathan discuss options for managing variable rate home equity loan balances, and strategies for paying down other forms of high interest debt. Also, on...

Investments can be packaged and presented in a variety of ways, and understanding your investments requires an equal understanding of the vehicles that carry them. Nathan offers an in depth look at ETFs and other investment vehicles. Also, on this edition of our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan tells the infamous story of one of the first major US railroads, the Eerie, and the war tha...

Tis the season of paying, and as millions of Americans scramble to get their taxes filed on time, avoidable mistakes will inevitably be made. Donna and Nathan offer last minute tax filing tips to help you avoid some of the more common errors. Also, on MoneyTalk, new investment accounts controlled by teens, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & N...

One of the contributions of the SECURE Act 2.0 is the ability to hold an annuity within your 401(k) plan, but while a product with guaranteed income may sound appealing, it's not going to be a fit for everyone. Donna discusses annuities and who they will benefit most. Also, on MoneyTalk, AI prompt engineering to enhance your financial decision making. Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF&...

Since the advent of the MoneyTalk show we’ve discussed the art of portfolio management, but there is also a science behind the methods asset managers employ. Nathan discusses how different asset allocation strategies can be used to achieve specific investment goals. Also, on MoneyTalk, common retirement mistakes, and takeaways from Hans Rosling’s book, “Fact-fullness: Ten Reasons...

Some people structure their retirement plan to spend more in their early years and rein it in over time. But it's that reigning in process that tends to trip people up. Donna and Nathan discuss when front-loading your retirement spending makes sense, and the importance of proper execution. Also, on MoneyTalk, the pros and cons of using target date funds, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hos...