Financial Strategies

Having a comprehensive retirement plan is one of the most important ways to help ensure financial freedom. What many Americans don't realize is that, in addition to investing, estate planning is a crucial component of your retirement plan. Listen to the latest Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to find out more! HOW TO HELP AVOID COMMON ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKES (PDF)&nb...

America has a retirement savings problem. Will the SECURE Act 2.0 help?   Find out in the latest episode of this Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here!   HOW TO CHOOSE AFINANCIAL ADVISOR (PDF)  Follow us on Instagram!  Like us on Facebook! 

IRAs such as 401(k)s offer many benefits for retirement savers. However, alternative investment accounts can offer more flexibility than an IRA, and there are no limits on contributions, withdrawals, or income to fund them.   Learn the best ways to build your nest egg and dramatically increase returns in the latest Financial Strategies podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here.  The Hard...

Retirement planning can be overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn't have to be. The solution to reducing retirement planning stress is simple: education. Listen to the latest Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to find out more. COMMON-SENSE INCOME STRATEGIES (BOOK) WHY INVESTING IN MUTUAL FUNDS COULD JEOPARDIZE YOUR PLANS FOR RETIREMENT (PDF) THE DANGERS OF SPENDI...

Are annuities a safe investment? Unlike stocks and bonds, annuities are insurance products designed to give you guaranteed income in retirement.   One reason annuities get a bad rap is the confusion over the different types of annuities. Annuities don’t all work the same, and their differences affect their levels of risk.  Watch the latest Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Dan...

What is the gift that keeps on giving? Education. Education never stops giving. When you learn something, you can retain it for as long as you like. Education helps you add value to your life, helps you make smarter decisions and sets you up for future success. Find out more on the latest Financial Strategies podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here. GUIDE TO AGING:7 MILESTONE AGES TO REMEMBER (P...

For every investor, the world has become a hard place. But for those reaching retirement, pressure is significantly mounting. However, a down market should not deter you from reaping the benefits of a fruitful retirement. Listen to the latest Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to help you prepare for your golden years in a volatile market.   INVESTING FORINCOME IN...

The IRS recently announced a number of changes to retirement savings accounts, social security and tax brackets for 2023. Additionally, the IRS issued technical guidance regarding the cost-of-living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for the 2023 tax year. Listen to the full Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to...

2022 has been a whirlwind of economic and geo-political upheavals, affecting all of our finances and creating serious concerns for the future. Especially if you are nearing, or in retirement. Furthermore, Bloomberg Business has just predicted a 100% probability of recession in the next 12 months. By taking proactive steps now, like planning for estimated taxes and Required Minimum Distributions (R...

Politics. The economy. War. People are under a lot of stress right now. More than we care to think about.  So how do we start the road to a stress-free retirement under these volatile conditions? It is possible.  Listen to the latest Financial Strategies podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to learn more. THE INCOME GENERATION REPORT (PDF)   THE DANGERS OF SPENDING DOWNPRINCIPA...

Did your 401(k) turn into a 301(k)? Look at your portfolio; Do you have risk? Do you have adequate diversification? You need a plan in place to deal with the current financial climate. Listen to this week's Financial Strategies podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to learn more! Bond vs Bonds Mutual Funds (PDF)  The Dangers of Spending Down Principal in Retirement (PDF)  Follow us o...

Recent stock market drops have made Roth Conversions more appealing for many. However, you need to weigh the upfront taxes, along with further consequences you may not (yet) be aware of.    Listen to this week's Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy to find out more.    INVESTING FOR INCOME IN THE STOCK MARKET (PDF)  PROACTIVE TAX-SAVINGSTRATEGIES (PDF)...

Applying Social Secuirity too early, spending too much too soon, paying more taxes than necessary. What is the biggest mistake a retiree can make? The answer may surprise you.    Listen to this week's Financial Strategies podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to find out. THE DANGERS OF SPENDING DOWNPRINCIPAL DURING RETIREMENT (PDF)     THE INCOME GENERATION REPORT (PD...

The definition of investing may have changed over time, but one key principal has remained - getting a return on your investment.  So how do you prepare for today's volatile markets when it comes to investing? With speculation (a crystal ball)  - or with a carefully structured investment plan (contract)?  Listen to this week's FInancial Strategies Podcast with your hosts: Andrew Age...

Buying a certificate of deposit, also known as a "CD," might be a good choice if you need a specific amount of money to become available at a certain future time, with no risk of losing all of your cash.  That time should be not too far off rather than years down the road.   Listen to the latest Financial Strategies Podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here to learn more.    TH...

I bonds are a type of U.S. savings bond designed to protect the value of your cash from inflation.   Even in a rising rate environment like we're in right now, it's not hard to see why these investments are in the spotlight.   While I bonds can certainly help protect your savings from inflation, that doesn't mean they're right for everyone.  Listen to the latest Financial Strat...

Preserving wealth is what our company is founded on. So how can you protect your wealth, and how can you make it grow? Today we want to go through the good, the bad and the ugly of life insurance. Should you have life insurance? Is it worth the investment?   For life insurance after retirement, you have a number of options depending on your circumstances.  Listen to this week's Fina...

As we all know and understand, investors get nervous when they see their portfolio value dropping and volatility is in the headlines.   When meeting with clients on the verge of retirement, the most common concern we hear is "I want to protect my principal".  But in today's economy, we're seeing more and more investors lose out. So when do you admit defeat and move on? Do you "cry u...

As the Dow tumbles, America’s prices keep rising. And when you're going to be relying on your savings, watching your investment portfolio drop in value can be tough to stomach. If stock prices do continue to fall, is now really the right time to retire? It depends on a few factors. Listen to our latest Financial Strategies Podcast here to learn more. MARKET MATH MADE SIMPLE (PDF)  10 SIGNS YO...

The Financial Strategies Podcast was created for one key reason: to help people drown out the noise so they can understand the truths in financial planning.    In Part 1 of our Retirement Confidence Podcast, we talked about how you need advice from a trusted specialist, preferably a Fiduciary. (A Fiduciary must put your best interest above their own. A financial advisor who's a fiduciary...

How prepared for retirement are you and what influences your level of confidence? Do you have the plan in place to gain retirement confidence through Social Security strategies and investment opportunities? Listen to the latest Financial Strategies Podcast here to learn more.    Despite the impact of the pandemic that has lasted for over two years, American workers and retirees remain op...

Social Security payments grew by 5.9% this year. The biggest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 40 years. Some estimates suggest the COLA could be as high as 11.4% next year as a direct result of surging inflation.   There are still a lot of misconceptions about this impending benefit boost, and you'll need other/additional means of income to protect your retirement.  Listen to the late...

Are we in a recession? Some say we are, others say absolutely not. Wherever we are as a nation, sooner or later, the economy will fall into a recession - because that’s the nature of the economy.  If you are nearing or already in retirement, how do you protect your hard-earned savings? In other words, how do you "recession-proof" your retirement?  Find out in the latest Financial Strateg...

We all commonly misunderstand what numbers are telling us, and many of us don’t exercise due diligence to sift through the noise and get to the facts. When it comes to planning for retirement, you need to be extra careful what - and who - you're listening to.    Learn how to avoid being fooled into money moves that could later derail your retirement in the latest Financial Stratgies show...

Passive income is money you derive from sources other than paid labor; like a rental property for example. Once established, passive income streams in retirement require little time and effort to maintain. But you DO need to put in the work - at least on the front end. Listen to this week's Financial Strategies podcast with Andrew and Daniel Agemy here as they break down the pros and cons of passi...