Money & Stuff

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard talk about how to create a tax-diversified retirement & the differences with a tax-free retirement.  They discuss: What "tax diversification" means and how it can play a positive role in retirement The different types of accounts used to diversify and how they're taxed differently What benefits can come from a tax-diversified retirement vs...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard start discussing the next topic we'll be covering: Tax diversification.  They discuss: What "tax diversification" means and how it can play a positive role in retirement The different types of accounts used to diversify and how they're taxed differently What benefits can come from a tax-diversified retirement vs a tax-free retirement Watc...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard wrap up their discussion on Social Security by explaining why Social Security is running out and some potential solutions. They discuss: What has led to the current deficit with Social Security  What is being proposed as possible solutions and how they could be implemented How it might impact future generations Watch here: https://youtu.be/_gfJZTLPrUA Want t...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard continue their discussion on Social Security and talk about how and why Social Security is taxed. They discuss: How your Social Security is taxed What determines how it is taxed and what isn't taxed What your provisional income is and how it impacts your taxation Watch here: https://youtu.be/YFCl5i3Bipg Want to talk to an advisor about something you hea...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard continue their discussion on Social Security with an overview of what happens if you take it early. They discuss: Pros and cons of taking Social Security early What your full retirement age is and how it factors into your Social Security How you can be strategic with taking Social Security Watch here: https://youtu.be/ruOq5D3UCHE Want to talk to an advisor a...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard are talking about how Social Security is calculated and what you can do to improve your potential benefits. They discuss: What is used to calculate an individual's Social Security benefits What your A.I.M.E. is and what you can do to improve your expected benefits Why it's important to know the impact of taking your benefits early PIA Calculation v...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard are continuing the start of 2023 with 5 new year resolutions people could be making with their money. They discuss: All 5 goals and why they're beneficial How and why you would want to set these goals  Steps to take in order to accomplish your resolutions Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach out to us: www.foundati...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard are kicking off 2023  by talking about some important changes happening with the SECURE Act. They discuss: What the SECURE Act is and what has lead to these changes What changes are relevant to your situation How these changes may help/hinder retirement planning for some individuals Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard are talking about the recession and the planned layoffs in 2023 by some of the largest US companies. They discuss: What has led up to the current economic situation and where these companies were going Why these companies would be laying off employees and what it means for 2023 Employment How this could affect the potential for a recession and what this woul...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard spend some time talking about the energy shortage Europe is facing this winter. They discuss: What has been happening since the start of the war in Ukraine How countries may be able to last this winter without needing Russian energy What the ramifications would be after several years and what capitulation would mean for the world Want to talk to an advisor a...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard are talking about crypto and what the heck happened to the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. They discuss: How FTX & Alameda Research operated and what events lead up to the collapse Who Sam Bankman-Freid is and how much he may have known  Why regulation may be soon to follow recent events Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode?...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard talk about inflation and how corporations are using it to their advantage.  They discuss: What has caused inflation to be so high in recent years How corporations have used inflationary pressures as an opportunity to cut costs while keep prices high What to expect from consumer prices in the future Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard spend some time talking about why more Americans feel they will need at least $1.25 Million for a successful retirement. They discuss:  What has affected people's outlook on retirement and the necessities surrounding it How you can better position yourself for less stress and more choice with your retirement situation Want to talk to an advisor about so...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard talk about saving for retirement and why Americans are saying they will need even more money in retirement. They discuss:  Common problems and misconceptions with retirement saving Why Americans think they'll need more than ever in order to retire Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach out to us: www.foundationwealth...

Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard talk about climate change and how it could impact retirement for future generations. They discuss:  How climate hazards impact present-day retirees Potential costs from anticipated severe weather in the future What factors to consider geographically when looking for retirement locations Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Re...

Episode 29  of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard discuss a key piece of advice when it comes to retirement.  They discuss:  #1 rule for retiring wealthy The importance of saving Why it's important to develop saving habits early Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach out to us: www.foundationwealthpartners.com/contact Intere...

Episode 28  of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard talk about the current U.S. economic situation and why there hasn't been an officially declared recession.  They discuss: Who declares when we are in a recession? How do they decide? Why it may feel like an "undeclared" recession Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Rea...

Episode 27  of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard talk about how automation is changing the finance industry and what it could mean for the future.  They discuss: Recent developments in AI technology How these changes might affect the Finance industry What ripple effects (good or bad) we could see from these developments Want to talk to an advisor about something yo...

Episode 26  of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard discuss taxes in retirement and what factors can influence your situation.  They discuss:  How the account you choose determines how much tax you pay How you can create tax diversification to gain more control of your taxes Give an example of how Tax Diversification cut a tax bill in half The impact of taking steps n...

Episode 25  of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard discuss the history of retirement and how prepared/unprepared the currently retiring generation is.  They discuss: Shockingly low average retirement savings  How changes in retirement plans led to Baby Boomers being unprepared  The impact on both the family and economy  #1 tip for young savers to be prepared for reti...

Episode 24  of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard touch on the topic of unions and give their thoughts on recent union-related events in the news. Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach out to us: www.foundationwealthpartners.com/contact Interested in hearing Sam & Conor talk about specific money or stuff topics, or want to b...

Episode 23  of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard discuss if we are headed toward a recession and what that means.  Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach out to us: www.foundationwealthpartners.com/contact Interested in hearing Sam & Conor talk about specific money or stuff topics, or want to be on the show? Send Sam an Emai...

Episode 22 of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard talk trusts and if you need one. Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach out to us: www.foundationwealthpartners.com/contact Interested in hearing Sam & Conor talk about specific money or stuff topics, or want to be on the show? Send Sam an Email Today: srodriguez@foundationweal...

Episode 21 of Money & Stuff Podcast. Sam Rodriguez CFP®  & Conor Shepard discuss interest rates and what could happen with a point rate hike.  Want to talk to an advisor about something you heard in this episode? Reach out to us: www.foundationwealthpartners.com/contact Interested in hearing Sam & Conor talk about specific money or stuff topics, or want to be on the show? Send Sam an E...

**Hey guys, it's Sam Rodriguez. Before you listen to this week's episode, please keep in mind that the news is changing very rapidly right now and we do record episodes days, sometimes weeks before we can actually post them. In this episode, towards the end, we do talk about what we think it would mean if the US were to ban Russian oil imports.  As of this morning, March 8th, the news is...