iWealth Podcast

Welcome back to the iWealth Podcast! In this episode, Brad Connor and Matt discuss the significance of life insurance in financial planning. They cover various aspects of life insurance, including its tax efficiency, its role in replacing income, and its use in estate planning. Brad shares practical examples of how life insurance can be utilized to ensure financial security for loved ones and crea...

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad is joined by his wife Trudi to discuss the iWealth Holiday Food Drive. They share the origin of the drive, which started as a way to give back during the holiday season, and how it has grown over the years. Trudi talks about her favorite part of the process: packing the food bags with the help of high school students and the Boy Scouts. Brad explains th...

Welcome back to the iWealth Podcast! In this episode, Brad and Matt discuss the concept of financial planning as a puzzle. They break down the puzzle into key components, such as risk, retirement, legacy, and personal goals. Brad emphasizes the importance of addressing each piece to create a complete and fulfilling financial picture. Tune in to gain insights on managing your financial puzzle and a...

Welcome back to the iWealth Podcast! In this episode, Brad introduces a fascinating concept called the "birthday annuity." Imagine receiving a birthday card with cash from a deceased loved one every year for the rest of your life. Brad explains how this financial arrangement works, its benefits, and how it allows you to leave a meaningful legacy for your descendants. Discover the heartwarming and...

Welcome back to the IWealth Podcast! In this episode, Brad Connor and Matt discuss the importance of aligning your investment strategy with your financial goals. They emphasize the need to prioritize your goals and fund them appropriately rather than solely chasing high returns. Brad shares a personal story about the consequences of not funding a goal properly and offers insights into how IWealth...

Welcome back to the iWealth Podcast! In this episode, Brad Connor and Matt discuss the significance of life insurance in financial planning. They cover various aspects of life insurance, including its tax efficiency, its role in replacing income, and its use in estate planning. Brad shares practical examples of how life insurance can be utilized to ensure financial security for loved ones and crea...

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad is joined by his wife Trudi to discuss the iWealth Foundation and its impact on the community. They talk about the origins of the foundation and its mission to give back to the community, especially in supporting local students pursuing business-related careers. Brad and Trudi also share their recent partnership with the Waseca Area Foundation, which al...

Welcome back to the IWealth Podcast! In this episode, we explore the fascinating dynamics of team versus individual approaches in the financial advising business. Join us as we delve into Brad Connor's journey from being a one-man band to building a dedicated team of experts. Discover the advantages of having a team that specializes in various aspects of financial planning, from taxes to insur...

Welcome back to the iWealth Podcast! If you've been waiting for your CD to mature, the time has finally come. In this episode, we explore the intriguing world of CDs and interest rates. Discover why laddering your CDs can be a smart strategy and how it can benefit you in the long run. Learn about the current interest rate landscape and make informed decisions about your financial future. Tune in t...

Welcome back to the iWealth Podcast! In this episode, we dive into the world of financial responsibilities in your 40s. If you're feeling overwhelmed by multiple bank accounts, investments, and insurance policies, you're not alone. Join us as we discuss essential strategies for handling your finances effectively during this life stage. Discover the importance of organization, the role of a...

Join us on the iWealth Podcast as we sit down with Mr. Brad Connors to delve into the world of giving. Discover effective strategies and important insights on how to gift to your loved ones or charitable causes. Brad shares the "Random Wednesday" gift rule and explains why it's crucial to avoid gift-giving on special occasions. Learn how to teach responsible financial behavior while...

Welcome back to the iWealth Podcast! In this Q3 2023 update, we dive into the latest financial trends and market developments. Join us as we break down the performance of the S&P 500, the Magnificent 7 tech stocks, and the oil industry. Discover valuable insights about inflation, interest rates, and the potential for a future recession. Our host, Brad, simplifies complex financial concepts, ma...

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, the hosts discuss their favorite volunteering experiences and the importance of giving back. They share personal stories of their involvement in volunteer work, highlighting the fulfillment they find in helping others during times of crisis or behind the scenes. The hosts emphasize the value of volunteering as an integral part of their financial plans and ov...

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, the hosts discuss the financial aspects of sending a child to college. They address common questions parents have, such as how to pay for college and the importance of the FAFSA form. The hosts highlight that the FAFSA form uncovers assets and provides information on how much parents are expected to contribute to their child's education. They emphasize t...

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors joins the discussion on retirement planning. The conversation begins with the importance of setting financial goals, specifically the goal of having a million dollars at retirement. However, Brad emphasizes that simply reaching a financial milestone like a million dollars is not enough; one must consider their spending needs in retirement. Brad...

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors delves into the topic of bear markets and provides insights on how investors can approach them based on their specific situations. The discussion focuses on two key phases: the accumulation phase and the distribution phase. During the accumulation phase, Brad emphasizes the importance of staying invested and not succumbing to panic during bear m...

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors dives into the topic of whether life insurance is necessary during retirement. He emphasizes that the need for life insurance depends on individual circumstances and desired outcomes. Brad explores situations where life insurance may be crucial during the journey to retirement, such as providing financial security for loved ones in the event of...

In this quarterly update, we delve into the highlights of the market performance during the second quarter of 2023. The overall sentiment is one of optimism as various economic indicators suggest positive momentum. The S&P 500 experienced significant growth, showcasing a strong performance and reflecting a robust market. Additionally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 5%, contributing t...

n this episode of the iWealth Podcast, the hosts, Brad Connors and Matt, discuss the concept of dividends and their significance in investment strategies. They clarify that dividends are payments made by companies to their shareholders based on the company's profitability. Dividends are comparable to interest earned on investments, but with the added potential for stock growth. Brad explains h...

Matt Wiechmann is not affiliated with LPL Financial. AI holds tremendous promise to boost business productivity, but also poses risks. Our latest video explores the current state of AI, its business impact, challenges to address, and why companies must implement responsible strategies to leverage its full potential. Artificial intelligence (AI) is dominating technology headlines lately. ChatGPT, G...

The hosts of the iWealth Podcast delve into the topic of what money means for couples, whether it means security or freedom. They explore the importance of understanding your partner's financial priorities, especially as you approach retirement age. They also discuss the common dynamic between couples where one is a spender and one is a saver, and how to balance both financial perspectives in...

In this episode of the iWealth podcast, hosts Matt Wiechmann and Brad Connors discuss the differences between mutual funds and ETFs, two popular investment options. They explain how mutual funds are baskets of stocks or bonds managed by a team, while ETFs are index funds that mirror an exchange. They also touch upon the emergence of hybrid funds, which are a combination of different ETFs packaged...

In this podcast episode, host Brad Connors discusses whether having more money leads to greater happiness. While money is necessary to meet basic needs, he argues that it does not necessarily lead to happiness beyond a certain point. He shares examples of people with significant wealth who are unhappy, and emphasizes the importance of finding happiness in the present moment and with loved ones. He...

In this episode of the iWealth podcast, host Brad Connors discusses the concept of the Giving Pledge, where some of the wealthiest people in society pledge to give away a significant portion of their wealth to philanthropic endeavors. Brad and his guest, Matt, talk about various ways individuals can contribute to charity, such as purchasing life insurance policies, donating appreciated stocks, and...

In this episode of the iWealth podcast, Brad and Matt discuss the attitude of gratitude and how it applies to money management. They stress the importance of focusing on what's going well in your life and how gratitude can help alleviate anxiety and scarcity. Brad also suggests ways to incorporate giving into your financial planning, such as supporting non-profits or leaving part of your IRA t...