Guarding Your Nest Egg

Mike “Silverling” Lester will help us find the positives in all things financial this week:  Inflation is sloooowwwly lowering from its 40-year high while many investors found their portfolios were down about 20% for 2022. And to truly bring inflation down, Jerome Powell says they may have to take some “unpopular measures." Mike explains the disconnect between the stock market, the Fed, and our ec...

Recession fears are growing, and new layoff announcements and Wall Street’s volatility aren’t helping ease the angst of investors. Mike’s shares his perspective on various alternative investments you may want to learn more about.  And if you've listened before, you’re likely aware that Mike isn’t a big fan of annuities . Since he’s been working in the investing world for over 20 years, Kristen ask...

Mike takes a look back at Wall Street in 2022 and shares what he’s eying for clients this year considering recession concerns. If you aren’t familiar with I Bonds, you’ll hear the pros and cons of how they could possibly be a helpful option to help fight inflation… But NOT annuities.  Kristen also shares an interesting travel stat that spotlights Talon’s ability and passion for helping clients wit...

To celebrate this Christmas season, we learn about the Elf on the Shelf in Mike's home along with his youngest son losing his 2 front teeth at the perfect time. Plus, Kristen tries to stump Mike with some fun Christmas trivia later in the show!  But since the Fed ticked up interest rates again , we'll also unpack the optimistic earnings forecast many economic analysts have for 2023. Mike answers t...

As we embrace the holiday season, we’ll remind you to save a place at the Thanksgiving table for someone you may not have been planning for… Inflation gobbling up part of your budget!   Mike goes through the numbers and explains how this isn’t simply annoying. It impacts the big picture of our economy ( including future taxes ), all thanks to the Fed and their interest rates antics. With most Amer...

After highlighting one of our Talon Wealth team members' skills, we share how one listener recently reached out for a second opinion because he’s concerned about his portfolio being down lower than he'd like. But he's conflicted about what to do because he really likes who his advisor is. Mike talks about what to consider when faced with the tough decision of hiring or firing an advisor. Then we s...

The Fed continues increasing rates to fight inflation, but the latest CPI data shows that we're not much better off than we were in March when the aggressive monetary tightening began. Listen to hear Mike’s opinion as to what he believes the central bank’s goal is now that ISN’T being talked about, and how it could impact your retirement money in the future. He also explains how Talon Wealth is wo...

Are you frustrated with the performance (or lack thereof) of your investment accounts? This is unfortunately more common than you may realize. That doesn’t mean you should accept being told to just “hang in there.” Plus, we discuss one of the wealthiest men in the world, Jeff Bezos saying it’s time to “batten down the hatches” economically. Mike also simplifies the pros and cons of a trendy option...

The Fed has obviously been very aggressive with interest rate hikes, and many are concerned about the short & long-term impact this will have on our economy and individual retirement accounts. Mike shares his opinion about the recent wall street swings and the pain the Fed is inflicting with their goal of reducing inflation. Also, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of calls and commer...

After checking in with a few kids about their Halloween costume plans, we focus on how this fall has been a s pooky time for the market. With stocks down an average of 20% and bonds down about 14% for the year, many are unfortunately finding out their portfolio isn’t as diversified as they thought for their retirement timeline. Plus, Mike discusses Jamie Dimon’s latest comments about a recession l...

Mortgage rates recently reached their highest level since July of 2007. Instead of focusing on a 2008 flashback, Mike explains why it’s more important for you (or you and your advisor) to focus on where the economy is likely to go and how the stock market might react. He also dives into how Fed’s inflation plan is not only impacting household expenses… but the performance of your retirement accoun...

The Federal Reserve made history by approving its 3rd consecutive 75-basis-point interest rate hike on September 21st, and wall street didn’t take the news well… Neither did many 401(k)’s. Mike talks about why these fluctuating numbers shouldn’t change your lifestyle, especially if you have a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor actively managing your investment accounts. If you’re part of the gro...

Historically, September is a rough month on wall street. With recent stock market pullbacks, investors close to and already in retirement have valid concerns about protecting their portfolios. This week Mike spotlights some of the inverse options for income and growth that Talon’s fiduciaries are explaining to listeners like you. Every situation is different, but this could possibly  be a good opt...

With so much heightened economic news on the agenda, Kristen starts this episode with a little fun by revealing the latest endeavor by Snoop Dogg the entrepreneur. Then it’s back to Biden and his latest proposal. This time for his student loan forgiveness program. Mike explains how this adds to the instability of our economy, the stock market, and the likelihood of higher taxes in the future. He a...

After a fun discussion about renting goats to maintain some property, we dial in on what many Americans are concerned about: After a good July, what’s to come for wall street, inflation, interest rates, and our overall economy? Mike weighs in on the Fed’s rate decision, the recession debate, and the paralysis many are feeling about making changes to their retirement accounts. We also discuss targe...

Following a conversation about how inflation is impacting the spending behavior of higher-income Americans, Mike walks us through his analysis of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and how it could impact your family. Also, despite July being a good month on wall street, he explains why he believes we are still technically in a recession and why it could get worse . And if you saw the movie...

After chatting about someone breaking the world record for holes-in-one for a good cause, we flashback to when Mike first forecasted that we were already in a recession on his weekly radio show on May 7th of 2022. He also discusses the politicization of redefining the word “recession,” and why not focusing on the actual numbers could negatively impact your retirement portfolio. He explains how he...

Homebuilders are tapping the brakes and consumer confidence is down overall. Plus, with the administration trying to change the definition of a recession, confidence is declining even further for many. Mike explains why he thinks it is possible that we could have another pullback, and what you can do to better protect your investments for retirement during the recession debate... regardless of the...

This week we discuss the fun way a new retiree is spending her time on screen, and how Mike can ironically relate! Plus, he explains how the significant 2nd quarter drop of copper should be taken into consideration when it comes to your retirement accounts. And with inflation up to 9.1%, the average American family is spending almost $500 a month more than this time last year. Find out how all of...

With wall street down and inflation up 9.1% from last year, we’ll discuss why consumers are now likely driving the recession many are predicting. We’ll also reveal what a new survey says about how millionaires are preparing for the possibility of more downturns, and what proactive steps Mike took for his clients in January and in March to help protect his client's portfolios. Plus, we’ll embrace r...

It’s no secret that the market has been down for the first 6 months of 2022. As we wait on 2nd quarter GDP numbers to confirm if we’re in a recession or not, listen to find out the consumer behaviors that gives Mike reason to believe we may already be in a recession . He also discusses interest rates and the Fed’s hope of a “soft landing” in this economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

The market is volatile, and energy prices and interest rates are on the rise. Mike explains why he believes economic issues like this will create a slowdown in our economy. He also addresses a common question we’re hearing from listeners:  Is going to cash now a good idea in our current climate? Or is it too late?    -Plus, if you planned to retire this year and are now wondering if you can still...

Wall Street remains rocky, and many near and  in retirement are seeking more conservative investment options. Mike explains how he and his team of fiduciaries have been proactively helping their clients navigate this unsettled time by going to cash months ago (depending on the client’s situation). Plus, he explains why an annuity doesn’t make sense for most people … despite being heavily promoted...

After discussing Top Gun: Maverick , Mike explains why now more than ever investors near and in retirement should embrace being a maverick by NOT giving in to generic "hang in there" advice, especially with the most recent stock market plunge. We’ll also discuss how bell-bottom jeans, 70’s style stagflation and oil prices are back, and what you and your family can do to combat these ec...

Are we heading into a recession? For the first time in over 2 years, the S&P 500 recently entered bear-market territory, and inflation isn’t slowing down. Mike simplifies why he believes we may already be in a recession . He also explains what people near and in retirement need to take into account regarding their 401(k)s and other investments earmarked for their future. He also discusse...