Money Matters by Allworth Financial

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat talk with listeners about decisions around Roth conversions, tax brackets, gifting to kids, and when to start taking money from retirement accounts. One caller is trying to figure out how to simplify things after working with five different advisors. Another wants to use savings to travel without getting pushed into a higher tax bracket. Plus, Allwor...

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into real-world financial decisions faced by high-net-worth families. One caller seeks guidance on managing his 87-year-old mother’s $1 million nest egg, while another—with $8 million saved—is questioning whether a QLAC is necessary. The $8 million decision opens the door to meaningful conversations around trust planning, emotional risk toleranc...

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat tackle real-world financial planning questions from callers at very different life stages. One listener, with over a million dollars in assets, asks whether he should prioritize his 401(k) or a Roth IRA. The conversation dives into smart strategies for high-net-worth investors, addressing how to balance tax efficiency, retirement goals, and current l...

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat tackle real-world financial planning questions that could save you thousands. They cover key tax-savvy income strategies, help a caller decide whether to cash out a $350K whole life insurance policy, and clarify the confusing tax rules on after-tax IRA contributions. You’ll also hear how one investor turned a concentrated stock position into $90K in...

What would you do with over $6 million? In this episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat take a call from a couple in their early 60s with a net worth exceeding $6 million. The big question: should they use funds from their Roth IRA or brokerage account to cover a major expense? The conversation explores smart strategies for managing cash flow, deciding which accounts to draw from (Roth...

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat explore three of the most underappreciated but powerful financial planning tools: Roth conversions, donor-advised funds, and bond funds. They break down when and how to use each of them—especially before year-end—to reduce taxes, improve portfolio efficiency, and boost long-term flexibility. You’ll hear real stories from listeners making million-doll...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat help a caller streamline her financial life by consolidating accounts — discussing key differences between IRAs and 401(k)s, asset protection considerations, and how annuities can fit into a broader financial planning strategy for long-term freedom. Next, they talk with a caller navigating what to do with a $1 million 401(k) after a career transition. Sc...

In this packed episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat talk with Simone Devenny, Allworth’s Head of Private Wealth Strategies, about smart planning before selling a business—covering tax-saving strategies, timing, emotional readiness, and more. Then, a caller shares how he sold his startup for $1.2 million, while another longtime educator seeks guidance on managing a $317,000 lump sum. Whether you...

In this value-packed episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat unpack key financial strategies for high-net-worth investors navigating today’s markets. From the overlooked need for regular portfolio rebalancing to smart planning for concentrated executive stock, they break down real-world scenarios with millions at stake. You'll hear a listener case involving $7M in assets, HSA withdrawal...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat take a call from a listener sitting on a $9 million nest egg—$4.5 million in a taxable account, $3 million in Roth, and $1.6 million in a traditional IRA. He doesn’t need more growth, he’s not worried about his own retirement, and now he’s asking: Should we start helping the kids financially now, or wait? The twist? His kids don’t want the money—and he d...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat open the show with a look at the Magnificent Seven stocks. Is this tech dominance a warning sign or just the new market normal? They unpack what this concentration means for index investors and why historical perspective matters. Next, they take a call from a 56-year-old tech professional navigating a surprise layoff and considering early retirement. Wit...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat tackle three critical financial planning decisions for high-net-worth investors. First, they break down whether it’s better to self-insure for long-term care or rely on costly, often restrictive hybrid policies. Next, they explain how to rebalance an inherited portfolio, especially when legacy holdings no longer align with your goals or risk tolerance. T...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat ask the trillion-dollar question: Is AI investing the next dot-com bubble or a real economic shift? They revisit the 1999 tech mania to help make sense of today’s AI investing hype—and how to avoid repeating history. They also tackle real-world questions around estate planning, including managing finances for a 97-year-old parent, family trust tensions,...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat answer real listener questions about how to make the most of your 401(k) — from handling tithes and required minimum distributions to maximizing Roth conversions and managing multimillion-dollar retirement portfolios. You’ll hear stories from callers navigating retirement income, tax-efficient giving, and long-term wealth transfer — including a follow-up...

Markets look strong—but are they too perfect? On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat explore how to stress test your financial plan so it can hold up in the real world. They take a call from a 63-year-old retiree with a $6 million portfolio who’s rethinking his Roth conversions and Social Security timing, then talk with a 47-year-old state employee balancing burnout, real estate, and early re...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat break down just how complex the tax system has become—and why staying ahead of the changes matters more than ever. You’ll hear from one caller trying to track down the value of old savings certificates from the 1980s, another wrestling with how to allocate investments for better tax efficiency, and a listener who made major changes after Scott and Pat he...

Is the AI boom driving markets too far, too fast? On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat debate whether stock prices can keep up with earnings—or if investors should brace for a correction. Then, they tackle the 4% retirement withdrawal rule, explaining its history, its flaws, and how real retirees actually spend. Listener calls bring the conversation to life, with questions on 401(k) rollove...

Roth conversions can save you thousands in taxes — but only if you know when and how to use them. On this BONUS EPISODE of Money Matters, Scott and Pat take listener calls that reveal the importance of strategy, trust, and risk management in retirement planning. They begin with a caller asking about complicated yield notes, sparking a discussion on portfolio risk management and why trusting the ri...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into market shifts—tariffs, AI-driven productivity, and surprising earnings—and explain why chasing predictions fails while fundamentals like tax-efficient investing deliver results. Next, a caller shares his career-change dilemma: should he leave a higher-paying job for a teaching role with a pension? Scott and Pat weigh in on how retirement saving...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive deep into what truly makes a great financial advisor—and why empathy and guidance matter as much as investment strategies. They share real-life stories that highlight how a trusted financial advisor can help families navigate some of life’s toughest moments: illness, unexpected retirement, losing a spouse, and planning for Social Security. From a ca...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive deep into the power of capitalism, why activist investors keep markets healthy, and what we can learn from China’s struggles with electric vehicles and housing. Then listeners call in with real financial challenges—ranging from Roth conversions inside a 401(k), to balancing pre-tax vs. Roth contributions, to donor-advised funds for tax-smart charita...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat explain how direct index investing can be used as a powerful tax strategy, helping you reduce liabilities while gaining more flexibility than traditional index funds. They also take listener calls on pension decisions, including whether to choose a lump sum or annuity, and how required minimum distributions factor into long-term planning. With real-world...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dig into market performance, tariffs, AI, interest rates, and long-term planning. At the heart of the episode are three essential topics: taxes, direct indexing, and concentrated stock diversification strategies. They help a young family balance life insurance with retirement savings, guide a retiree facing a heavy dividend tax bill, and show why smart p...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat answer real-life questions about retirement planning strategies that every pre-retiree should hear. One caller asks whether it’s better to build a cash bridge or continue Roth IRA contributions ahead of retirement—prompting a thoughtful breakdown of retirement planning strategies around income gaps, Social Security timing, and tax-smart withdrawals. You’...

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat explore one of the summer’s hottest—and most questionable—investment trends: small companies pivoting to crypto. Is this strategy bold innovation or a looming disaster? Later, they take compelling listener calls, including one from a government employee with millions saved who’s still worried about the sequence of returns in retirement. Plus, they unpack...