Guarding Your Nest Egg

An unexpected item has made its way into Costco 🛒.  Gold bars!  Yep. You can now find one-ounce gold bars for sale online at Costco.  Mike and Kristen discuss whether or not it’s a wise move to hedge against economic uncertainty and explore the pros and cons of investing in physical gold.  The rush to buy gold bars at Costco may be a sign of growing economic anxiety and distrust in the government...

🎃 After some fall 🍂 and creepy Halloween chat 👻 (courtesy of Mike's kids), we discuss various “safe” money options that may be on your radar, and which might be best for YOU! Retirement planning can feel like a daunting task, especially when the economic landscape seems uncertain.  With interest rates on CDs , money market accounts , and Treasury yields showing promise, the question arises: Sho...

As we approach retirement, financial decisions become increasingly crucial. One is whether to convert your traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. Based on a recent live event attendee's question, Mike and Kristen discuss the complexities of Roth conversions and help you understand whether it's the right choice for your unique financial situation.    ➡️ The Allure of Tax-Free Retirement Income:...

Did you know that writing out your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them? 🤔 This week Mike explains the significance a written financial plan can have on your future. Whether a physical document or digital, a written plan helps you analyze thoughts, set clear goals, and outline solutions for the most secure retirement possible.       =====================  🔔Subscribe to our podcast on...

It’s no secret that mortgage rates have surged to the highest levels they’ve been in more than 20 years. Mike explains the impact this could have on soon-to-be and current retirees AND the role a financial advisor should play in your life if you’re thinking about taking out a loan for a new 🏠 or vacation home.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Mike explains the transition from receiving a regular paycheck from your job to begin tapping into your retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions when you stop working. Listen to find out how money flows from these accounts to your bank, what role taxes play, and if you can pull it off as a DIY investor… 🧐 Or do you need a financial advisor?  See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

If you’re paying a financial advisor a fee to manage your money, what else should they be able to help you with? Mike shares his ✅-list based on the countless questions he’s been asked about investing and retirement in general during the last 2-plus decades as an advisor. 🚨Spoiler alert: Income Planning is simply one component of many that is key. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

After Mike straightens Kristen out on a “fun fact” that he thinks is a “false fact” about the summer heat ☀️, we discuss a concern many Americans ponder:  ❓How do we make sure we’re not going to be taken advantage of when it comes to our money for retirement?  After Bernie Madoff became a household name in 2008, stories of investment advisors NOT being good stewards of their client’s assets have...

This week Mike’s degree in economics from 🐊The University of Florida and being a fiduciary pay off, because some of the “nomics” we’re hearing don’t make sense. If you’ve been scratching your head lately about America's numbers, wall street, and things just feeling off… It’s not just you. Mike explains why all of the options are worth you looking into for your investments for retirement, includin...

Regardless of the tax bracket, many Americans seek ways to save money and not pay full price. Made-up marketing holidays such as Amazon Prime Day 📦 on July 11th & 12th ( along with competitors such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target following suit in some fashion ) seem to make that desire to save “easier.” This week Mike and Kristen discuss the difference between getting a deal, versus getting...

After a reasonably strong first half of the year on wall street and decent economic data... Does this mean "Bidenomics" is a real thing and working?  Mike shares his summer ☀️ outlook. And even though each situation is different, you'll hear an idea to consider for your portfolio if you don’t think the market will be up more than 5% between now and next year. 🎬 Plus, what’s old is new again this...

Your workplace retirement plan may look pretty decent right now, and that’s wonderful news! But if you ( like Mike ) feel the market is likely to not perform as well in the future, listen to find out what options you might possibly have for your 401(k), 403(b), or TSP accounts. This week Mike also shares his opinion of why a recession COULD be helpful for inflation.  See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

The American economy has many perplexed. 🤔  👎 A 3rd bank failed within the last 2 months and consumer confidence is low.  👍 However, unemployment is low, and the stock market is doing pretty well despite the Fed raising interest rates for the 10th time in a row, and inflation still being a key concern. Plus, Uncle Sam’s spending doesn’t seem to be slowing down!  Like you, Mike knows these issue...

🌺 Mike’s family vacation reminds him how lucky he is to help encourage retirees to create new lifetime memories while helping them manage their retirement income and spending. After some family stories, he discusses how the economy is slowing as the fed raises rates, and why it feels odd the market isn’t responding. Obviously, he (and everyone) wants the economy and market to do well. He spotligh...

☎  A listener left a voicemail asking if gold and silver coins are a good idea to buy during concerning economic times. Mike gives a very direct answer, along with what he believes investors should consider if they do want to include precious metals as part of their portfolio. Then he accidentally shows how much he doesn’t know about football 🏈, but clarifies what he DOES know very well about fin...

Unfortunately, corporate layoffs are ramping up beyond the tech sector. Obviously, this impacts the livelihoods of many Americans, but it’s also making investing more difficult to navigate. Mike passes along ideas to consider, especially if your upside isn’t over 4% and your money is at risk (depending on the day & institution) . Then…  Is President Biden to blame for retirement accounts and w...

Mike & Kristen revisit the “be, kind rewind” movie era and the different experiences they had. However, they agree that  📼 + 🍕 always made family time perfect! Then we share two different (yet similar) questions the Talon fiduciaries addressed from listeners in recent days about planning for income in retirement, especially during precarious economic times. At the end of this episode, Mike b...

This week Mike shares a question he hasn’t been asked about money since 2008, along with the personal risks and planning investors should consider during this troubling time for the banking sector. We also dive into new data from Fidelity that shows the number of 401(k) millionaires have fallen. Listen to find out how much that group NOW feels they need to retire comfortably, and what Mike believe...

March has been mind-boggling when it comes to economic updates! 🤯 The sudden failure of Silicon Valley Bank panicked the markets and investors, and Mike “Silver Lining” Lester is here to translate how the banking crisis does and does not impact consumers.  March is also a very exciting month for NCAA 🏀. But if you’ve listened to previous episodes, you likely know Mike isn’t a huge sports fan. He...

Mike starts this week by sharing how a fish fell out of the sky at his home. 🧐 Oddly, that strange moment matches the tone of our economy during this confusing ( and overwhelming for many ) financial time. 2023 was off to a good start on wall street, but volatility returned in February, and inflation isn’t coming down despite the rate hikes... And we just witnessed the 2nd largest bank failure in...

Are you trying to navigate what’s best for your portfolio during the crazy volatility of the stock market, AND looking back on the losses of 2022? Are you an investor near or in retirement wondering if you should ride this volatility out, or move to cash, a money market account, or an alternative investment?  If so, this episode is a must-listen! After Mike shares some of his ideas, he and Kristen...

After sharing a sweet story about one of Talon's clients and Mike’s youngest child, we dial in on the latest financial news and what it means for your portfolio. In fact, a new survey revealed that 4 in 10 Americans are putting retirement off due to challenging economic conditions, and part of that reason is inflation. He addresses these concerns along with how many retirees are still having to fi...

Mike and Kristen discuss the influx of discount grocery shopping as consumers search for ways to save money in this inflated economy. Then Mike examines if we already experienced a recession last year AND if another is soon approaching, plus how to best prepare for a possible market pullback. He also talks about forgotten 401(k)s, inverse options, and other strategies (NOT annuities) he and the ot...

Thankfully wall street closed out January with a stellar start! We’ll find out from Mike if this is a signal that we can let our guard down a little regarding our retirement accounts. He also explains the hot-button investment rule change that just happened under the Biden administration called ESG investment priorities , how it could impact your 401(k), and why YOUR investment goals should be the...

Financial planning is about a lot more than money. This week Mike shares how he’s helped a few clients create personalized financial plans based on their goal of retiring out of the country as an ex-pat for whatever reason. 🌎 The stories are fun! But also a great reminder that your advisor should focus on helping you plan specifically for on YOUR goals.  Plus, Are we in a market downturn or is th...