iWealth Podcast

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...

In this podcast, Brad Connors and his co-hosts discuss whether funding a child's education or saving for retirement is more important. The guest, Matt, has a daughter and believes that taking care of her education is the priority. However, Brad argues that it's important to prioritize retirement savings, and getting rid of debt first, before funding a child's education. They caution ag...

In this episode of the iWealth podcast, the hosts discuss the importance of saving for college education for children. They recommend that parents get on the same page with their spouse on whether they want to pay for college education or not, and if yes, to explore different savings options such as the 529 plan, gifts, or life insurance. Brad Connors also suggest that parents consider encouraging...

Retirement planning must include much more than just the financial aspect. There needs to be a focus on the importance of having a purpose in retirement. In this video, Brad discusses how part-time work, family, travel, and volunteering can provide retirees with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. He emphasizes that focusing on what's next, rather than getting away from work, is crucial when d...

In this podcast, the host interviews Mr. Brad Connors about the importance of being a disciplined investor. They discuss how irrational behavior can lead to poor investment decisions and why it's crucial to remain rational and disciplined during market downturns. They also touch on the impact of external factors like health, family, and news cycles on investment decisions. They conclude by emp...

When is the right time to retire? It's a question that depends on your personal needs and circumstances. The age at which you retire will affect your finances. Depending on your financial situation, determine what age makes the most sense to retire for you so that you may enjoy retirement comfortably. Brad discusses 401Ks and Social Security and Minimum Required Distribution. Talk to your financia...

In this quarterly update video, Brad Connors shares his thoughts on the 1st quarter market activity. The market had positive momentum, with stocks and bonds bouncing back. He discusses the possibility of the FED raising interest rates and the potential break it could cause, which happened with Silicon Valley Bank. Brad believes that the breakage helps the Fed pause raising the interest rates. Look...

Brad's two most crucial pieces of advice for 2023: Get out of debt as soon as you can. Decide that you're done with debt—right now. That means no more swiping that credit card, no more taking out personal loans for something you can't pay cash for. Get to 10% - If you consistently put away 10% of your income, the actual amount you contribute each month will grow as your salary rises, which can hel...