Leibel on FIRE

A Time-Tested Strategy with a Twist Hey there, friends! Today, let's chat about something that's been a bit of a Holy Grail in retirement investing – the famous 60/40 portfolio. Now, this isn't your grandma's knitting pattern; it's a strategy that in theory will stand the test of time, aiming to keep your retirement funds safer than a squirrel's stash of acorns. The 60/40 Portfolio: A Quick Rundow...

Welcome to another dive into the complex world of retirement planning! Today, we're unraveling the "killer" Roth conversion strategy and its interplay with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Strap in for a journey that's not just about numbers but about maintaining your lifestyle and financial freedom in your golden years. Understanding RMDs: The Retirement Puzzle Piece First things first, let...

Hey there, folks! Today, we're diving into one of those fun government acronyms – IRMAA. No, it's not a new character in a sitcom, but something from the Social Security Administration related to Medicare. IRMAA stands for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, and let me tell you, it's quite the mouthful! So, what's IRMAA all about? It's essentially a surcharge added to your Medicare Part B an...

Welcome back to our journey through the intricate world of Roth conversions. Last week, we unpacked the basics – figuring out if a Roth conversion makes sense for you. Today, we're rolling up our sleeves to tackle a meatier topic: How much should you convert? It might feel like we need a magic wand to navigate this, but fear not – I've got some insights that'll light up the path for you. Understan...

Autumn brings more than just turnkeys and pumpkins – it's also a prime season for Roth conversions and other End of The Year Tax Moves. For many tax-saving moves, Congress requires they be completed within the fiscal year, meaning we are in the crunch time leading up to the end of the year. So, while others are wondering about what new presents to buy for Christmas or Chanukah, you my savvy financ...

One of our long time readers submitted a great question..."How do you differentiate between gambling and investing?" I love this question for some many reasons...it really gets to the heart of investing and financial security. Lady Luck is a Brutal Mistress You see, my dad was a bit of a card shark. He was all about finding the perfect strategy to beat the house at blackjack. He'd buy systems, sof...

Communication is key. It is key to a good marriage, it is the key to a good work-life balance. It can even be said that communication is one of the essential skills in life. Today, we are going to talk about one of the darker corners of finance. One of those areas that we don't often talk about, but is just as crucial for our happiness...living wills. What is a Living Will? A living will, often re...

In the world of finance, we often talk about various kinds of risks: market risk, credit risk, operational risk, and so forth. However, today I'd like to take a moment to discuss a risk that's less spoken about in our circles but has grave financial implications. According to the Federal Trade Commission, financial scams cost Americans over $8.8 billion dollars! Scammers are getting more sophistic...

Me and my wife have a deal...she gets to die first. Or at least that's her deal. See, my wife doesn't know what she would do without me...(or with me on some days :) I guess that is one of the disadvantageous of being married to a Nurse Midwife, she sees life and death on a daily basis, so the worry of what happens when one of us is gone is ever present in our lives. So, let's dive right into the...

If you've been hearing that you should get a trust, or you've been wondering what the heck they are...let's dive in to it. Awhile back, I had a client, let's call him Joe. Joe was a hard-working guy who had spent his life not just earning his wealth, but managing it well. When Joe finally decided it was time to think about wealth transfer, he was surrounded by numerous friends and family saying, "...

Are you feeling a bit lost amidst all the recent market news? Don't worry, you're not alone. The markets have been quite volatile lately, causing some alarm and confusion. But fear not, because today we're going to tackle this topic head-on and help you understand what's going on and, more importantly, what you can do about it. Understanding Market Volatility: When it comes to understanding market...

Hey folks, remember when we last chatted about real estate a few episodes ago? I know, I know, taxes weren’t on the agenda then, but let’s delve into it now. Trust me, even some seasoned advisors seem to overlook this crucial aspect. So, sit tight and let's unravel this tax maze. First off, let's dust off our tax code understanding. You might ask, "What makes my house qualify for capital gains exc...

Navigating the tax world feels a lot like solving a crazy complex maze. But get this, wrapping your head around tax strategies is a must if you want a top-notch retirement. Alright, we all know it's our duty as good citizens to chip in to the big pot of public money. But don't forget, it's totally okay to aim to pay the minimum tax you can. Good ol' Ben Franklin said it best: we all have to pay ou...

In today's episode of "Leibel On Fire," I decided to delve into the intriguing concept of 'No Loss Market Accounts.' This term has been making rounds in the marketing sphere of financial products, creating a buzz due to its promise of a risk-free experience. But is it all that it promises to be? Let's find out. The Concept of 'No Loss Market Accounts' 'No Loss Market Accounts'—the term alone creat...

Hello, folks! It's Leibel here, and I'm fired up about a topic that's been a cornerstone of American wealth building for centuries – real estate. We're going to dive deep into what makes real estate tick as an investment and the role it's played in creating wealth over the years. But the big question we're addressing is this: is real estate truly your golden ticket to financial freedom? Let's find...

This week we're going to dive into the age old question of buy and hold versus tactical investing. Which is right for you in retirement? We'll find out on this episode of Label On Fire. What is Tactical Investing At the heart of our discussion, we must understand what tactical investing involves. It spans an array of strategies, including market timing, purchasing specific stocks at opportune mome...

This week we continue our deep dive in to the 321 Retirement Plan. The 321 Retirement Plan is an integrated approach to retirement planning designed to amplify income, minimize taxes, and safeguard life savings against market volatility and inflation. This approach seeks to navigate the unpredictable twists and turns of life that often threaten to disrupt our retirement plans. A Decision Making Pr...

As odd as it may seem, there are moments in the realm of finance when a sense of novel curiosity overtakes me. One such moment revolves around this nifty little arrangement I've devised, known as the 3 21 Plan. If you find yourself scratching your head, wondering about the relevance of these numerals, worry not! This is no complex mathematical theorem or a secret code to unlock some mysterious tre...

As a financial advisor with years of experience navigating the unpredictable terrain of the economy, I am often asked whether the worst is truly over. It is a question that weighs heavy on the minds of investors and business leaders alike. While I am cautiously optimistic, I believe we are still grappling with the underlying issues that have plagued our economy in recent times. Fundamental Issues...

As we find ourselves in the middle of 2023, the landscape of retirement investing has seen a seismic shift. We've watched the traditional 60-40 portfolio model — 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds or other low-risk assets — struggle to keep pace with current financial realities. It is not an overstatement to say that the dynamics of investing for retirement have changed fundamentally. In the past, adv...

In my early days as a financial advisor, I remember meeting a retired couple, anxious and confused about their retirement savings. As we sat in my office one spring afternoon, they looked at me earnestly and asked, "Leibel, where should we start spending our money first in retirement?" This question has stuck with me through the years, and I've realized how complex the answer can be. You see, when...

Inflation, taxes, and unpredictable markets may seem like insurmountable challenges to a secure retirement. As a financial advisor and retirement specialist on a personal mission to help one million people retire with financial security, I often encounter investors seeking a magic bullet to protect their retirement nest egg. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the secret to weathering th...

As uncertainty and volatility continue to plague the market, many Americans are wondering how to protect their retirement savings from the whims of day traders and overzealous politicians. With multiple competing opinions on the state of the economy, it's essential to understand these shifting dynamics in order to make informed decisions about your financial future. At present, there are three pri...

How to make the most of your Roth conversion and squeeze every penny out of it. We're going to be talking about insider tips and tricks that they just don't tell you about. What is a "Roth Conversion?" As a financial advisor and enrolled agent with the IRS, I've witnessed firsthand the power of Roth conversions in securing a sound financial future for retirees. To understand its importance and how...

Wanna get off that Wall Street roller coaster? This new investment from a leading ETF provider might be your ticket. Join us this week as we explore the new world of Annuity Alternatives. In the world of cutting-edge technology, ChatGBT and AI have been making waves, but these innovations are nothing new. Guess what? I've been using the thing behind Chat EBT for almost a year and a half now. And w...