Money Matters with Deb & Laurie

This conversation delves into the financial stress faced by many Americans, particularly retirees, as highlighted by the Edelman Financial Engines report. The hosts discuss the importance of understanding personal financial situations, the pressures of homeownership, and the necessity of having a comprehensive financial plan. They provide practical tips for managing debt, planning for retirement,...

n this episode of Money Matters, Gary Nolan, Deb Hancock, and Laurie Christensen discuss essential financial truths for retirement planning. They emphasize the importance of having a written financial plan, understanding inflation's impact on retirement savings, navigating taxes, and preparing for longevity. The hosts also debunk common financial myths passed down from parents and provide modern s...

In this conversation, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christiansen discuss the importance of adapting retirement income strategies in light of long-term care events. They emphasize the need for careful planning around required minimum distributions (RMDs), tax implications, and the necessity of having a comprehensive income plan that includes emergency savings and income layering. The discussion also contr...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the essential elements of retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of health and financial stability. They break down retirement into phases: the active 'go-go' years, the slower 'slow-go' years, and the more sedentary 'no-go' years, each with unique financial and health considerations. The conversation also covers strategies for generating reliable retire...

In this episode, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christensen discuss essential strategies for retirement planning amidst market volatility. They emphasize the importance of working longer, adding guaranteed income, adjusting spending based on market performance, and building a cash buffer. The conversation also delves into long-term care planning, tax implications of withdrawals, and the benefits of Roth c...

In this episode, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christiansen discuss the current economic climate and its implications for retirees. They provide insights into navigating market volatility, the importance of healthcare planning, and the complexities of estate planning. The conversation shifts towards holistic retirement planning, emphasizing the integration of financial and non-financial goals to create a...

In this episode, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christiansen discuss essential strategies for retirement planning amidst rising costs and market uncertainty. They emphasize the importance of reassessing retirement income plans, managing portfolio risk, and the resurgence of annuities as a reliable income source. The conversation also highlights the evolving role of employers in supporting employees' retir...

In this episode, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christensen discuss the pressing financial concerns facing retirees and pre-retirees, including market volatility, tariffs, and the importance of having a solid financial plan. They emphasize the emotional aspect of money, the need for guaranteed income, and strategies for maximizing savings and investments. The conversation also covers the significance of d...

In this episode, Laurie Hancock and Gary Nolan discuss the implications of tariffs and trade wars on retirement planning. They explore how these economic factors can affect market volatility, retirement income, and investment strategies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reassessing risk, diversifying investments, and maintaining a solid financial plan as one approaches retirement. The...

In this conversation, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christianson discuss the implications of tariffs on retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of understanding market volatility and inflation. They highlight strategies for managing investments during uncertain economic times, including the need for guaranteed income and diversification. The discussion also touches on the potential for recession...

In this episode of Money Matters, hosts Laurie Hancock and Deb Christensen discuss essential strategies for defending wealth, managing debt, and planning for retirement. They emphasize the importance of having a comprehensive financial plan that includes insurance, estate planning, and strategies to combat inflation. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of retirement, the benefits...

In this episode, the hosts discuss essential strategies for navigating retirement challenges, emphasizing the importance of financial stability, budgeting, and investment diversification. They explore practical steps to reassess budgets, cut unnecessary expenses, and prepare for emergencies. The conversation also highlights the significance of building a legacy and enjoying retirement through care...

In this episode of Money Matters, hosts Laurie Hancock and Deb Christensen discuss critical financial topics affecting retirees and pre-retirees. They cover the impact of tariffs and trade wars, the global economic slowdown, energy price fluctuations, and Federal Reserve policies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of strategic financial planning to manage retirement risks, inflation, and...

This conversation delves into the current financial landscape affecting retirement savings, focusing on inflation, tariffs, and generational differences in retirement planning. Laurie Hancock and Deb Christensen provide insights on how retirees can navigate these challenges and the importance of having a solid financial plan in place. In this episode, Laurie Hancock and Gary Nolan discuss essentia...

This conversation focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities for retirees in 2025, emphasizing the importance of early planning, evolving income solutions, and the need to address healthcare costs and inflation. The speakers discuss various strategies for managing retirement income, including tax credits, flexible withdrawal strategies, and the significance of a comprehensive financial pla...

In this conversation, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christianson discuss essential steps for replacing your paycheck in retirement. They emphasize the importance of calculating retirement expenses, assessing savings, and developing a withdrawal strategy. The hosts also decode common money rules, providing insights on how to manage finances effectively as one approaches retirement. They highlight the need...

This conversation explores the impact of tariffs on retirees, discussing how rising costs and inflation can affect fixed incomes. The hosts delve into the good, bad, and ugly aspects of tariffs, emphasizing the importance of financial planning to mitigate risks. They also discuss the connection between love and money, highlighting how financial issues can affect relationships and the importance of...

In this episode of Money Matters, Deb and Laurie discuss the financial strategies that wealthy individuals employ to secure their retirement. They emphasize the importance of starting early, maximizing tax advantages, diversifying investments, and automating income streams. The conversation also covers the benefits of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) as a tool for retirement income, highlighting the...

In this episode, Deb and Laurie challenge the conventional wisdom surrounding 401k plans and explore alternative strategies for retirement savings. They discuss the implications of 401k contributions on social security benefits, the limitations of the traditional 4% withdrawal rule, and share valuable lessons from the Rothschild family on wealth management. The conversation emphasizes the importan...

In this episode, the hosts explore the intersection of AI and retirement planning, discussing various investment strategies, including target date funds, 60-40 stock-bond portfolios, index funds, and income-focused investing. They emphasize the importance of personalized financial planning and the emerging trends in retirement solutions, including the role of AI and the expansion of 401k auto feat...

In this episode, Laurie Hancock and Deb Christensen discuss essential financial planning tips for the new year, focusing on tracking expenses, establishing a retirement paycheck, and balancing risk and income. They also highlight the importance of learning from financial mistakes, using Al Pacino's experience as a cautionary tale. In this episode of Money Matters, Gary Nolan, Laurie Hancock, and D...

In this conversation, Laurie Hancock and Gary Nolan discuss the essential principles of investing and financial planning. They emphasize the importance of understanding compounding interest, diversification, and the risk-reward trade-off. The discussion also covers effective portfolio management strategies, where to park retirement money, and the significance of creating a comprehensive financial...

In this episode, financial experts Laurie Hancock and Deb Christiansen share essential financial planning tips for 2025, covering budgeting, retirement contributions, tax planning, and more. They emphasize the importance of setting clear financial goals and adapting to changing circumstances. The conversation also includes a fun segment where they draw lessons from Santa's reindeer to illustrate k...

In this conversation, Laurie Hancock and Gary Nolan discuss the critical aspects of retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of starting early, avoiding common savings mistakes, and navigating unexpected wealth. They explore the balance between enjoying life today and ensuring financial security for the future, including legacy planning and the impact of healthcare costs and inflation on re...

This conversation explores the impending great wealth transfer from baby boomers to younger generations, highlighting the financial challenges faced by Gen X and millennials. It emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and effective risk management in retirement planning, while also learning from the financial failures of notable figures. The discussion underscores the need for comprehensiv...