Mullooly Asset Management

Could rising interest rates spell the end for the 60/40 portfolio? Let's find out! This episode promises an in-depth exploration of the 60/40 portfolio in light of the current financial landscape. Join Tom and me, your hosts, as we dissect the fluctuating state of the portfolio in the face of rising interest rates. We pull apart an article from the Wall Street Journal that questions the viabi...

What would you do if you discovered that an investment option you've been considering has its pitfalls, and the full implications may not be entirely clear to you? Well, buckle up as my brother Tim and I navigate the intricate landscape of annuities. We're scrutinizing and debunking common misconceptions, like the widespread belief that annuitizing the contract doesn't involve givin...

Ready for a deep-dive into the complex world of social security benefits and retirement planning? Brace yourselves as Brendan and Casey unravel the nuances of social security, Medicare and more.  We'll be discussing the cost of living adjustment (COLA) - a critical aspect designed to keep up with inflation, and we’ll be comparing the 2024 COLA set at 3.2% with the average COLA of 2.3%. We&apo...

 Should you claim Social Security early to maximize the amount of time you receive benefits? Or should you delay taking it for as long as possible to maximize the amount of money you receive each month?  Join us, as Tom, Tim and Casey dissect the critical variables surrounding Social Security decisions. From exploring the optimal claiming age to balancing the retirement equation, they break down t...

Deciding between a lump sum or monthly check can be a daunting task. Wondering how you should go about it? You're not alone; this episode dives into the heart of that problem. We tackle fascinating topics such as the ongoing trend of private sector employers closing their pension plans, and the implications of choosing a lump sum payout versus a guaranteed monthly income. We stress the import...

Ever thought about how a surprise withdrawal from your investment account could wreak havoc on your financial plan? We've got insights from a recent MarketWatch article by Brendan Mullooly that will change the way you approach such decisions. We discuss the art of long-term planning, and how crucial it is to avoid impulsive financial decisions that could potentially disrupt your portfolio. We...

Have you ever noticed how the S&P 500 tends to hit its lowest point before the economy does? This fascinating phenomenon, as researched and written by Michael Cembelast from JP Morgan, is one of our focal points today. We'll dive into several past recessions, starting from the mid-1950s, to illustrate this trend. Together, we'll revisit significant events like the 1987 stock market c...

Are you ready to get under the hood of the financial world? In this illuminating episode, we pull back the curtain on the current financial atmosphere, dissecting the recent CPI report and the pessimistic outlook for the stock market. We touch base on the bond market, unemployment rate, and the equity in people's homes, highlighting the importance of a robust long-term investment strategy eve...

Ready to demystify Roth conversions? Join us as we untangle the intricate webs of Roth and traditional IRAs, their tax implications, and the key reasons behind the strategic switch. We promise to offer you a clear understanding of the potential benefits and drawbacks, and help you navigate your individual financial situation. It's a journey of discovery that will empower you to make informed...

Does the thought of switching from being a diligent saver to a spender during retirement unsettle you? We understand this and are here to help you navigate this shift with ease and confidence. In our engaging conversation with Tom, we delve into the psychological aspect of retirement spending and the fear that comes with the possibility of outliving your savings. We analyze how the financial tide...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the world of investments, specifically annuities? You're about to witness a clear, concise breakdown of the complex web of annuities and gain an understanding that could be transformative for your financial future. This episode is packed with insights into the four primary types of annuities - immediate, deferred, fixed deferred, and variable deferred, carefu...

The first thing that's often declared when a merger occurs is "Nothing will change!"  In our experience, nearly everything will (eventually) change!   Ever wonder how big mergers in the financial world can affect you? Buckle up, because we're about to explore the recent TD Ameritrade and Charles Schwab merger, and how it impacts compliance and custody. We shed light on the tran...

How safe are your communications in the financial services industry? Hold your breath as we take you through the labyrinth of communication within financial firms, spotlighting the indispensable need for documenting and archiving every single exchange. We don't stop there, we delve into the significance of disclaimers and disclosures, and discuss how the digital revolution has amplified the n...

Strap in for a riveting tale of resilience and triumph as my son, Casey, defies the odds. Not only has Casey been battling leukemia with an unshakeable fortitude, but he's also been laser-focused on his studies to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). The cherry on top? His leukemia is now undetectable, and we couldn't be happier to share this wonderful news. But our conversation d...

Ever felt your heart flutter at the mere mention of market volatility? We're here to change that! We'll debunk the common myths surrounding volatility, and reveal why it isn't the beast it's often made out to be.  We will take you on a thrilling ride through the peaks and valleys of the stock market, centering on the often misunderstood VIX index.  We'll show you how it&ap...

Ever wondered how the intricate world of financial planning truly operates?  Tom shares some insight into this world, as a financial planner who's been in the trenches for four decades. In this episode, we journey through my 40-year career in financial planning.  From my beginnings as a young college graduate (age 20!) through my start with EF Hutton, where I gained in-depth knowledge in inve...

When most folks think of "consumer discretionary" companies, the names they might think of are names you "could live without."  And if we entered into an economic slowdown, you might "pass" on shopping with some of these companies.   But when look under the hood, what the market considers to be consumer discretionary stocks might surprise you! As we begin the podcast...

Late Boomers (1956-1964) appear to be the LEAST prepared for retirement.  Why is that? In podcast episode #445, Tim and Tom break down SOME of the reasons why late boomers might be poorly-prepared for retirement, compared to other generations. The guys however (first) discuss down-and-sideways markets, like we have seen over the past eighteen months (January 2022-May 2023).  They reference an arti...

Financial Planning Software Tools Used by Our Advisors What are the financial planning tools used by the advisors at Mullooly Asset Management?   As we discuss in episode #444 of the podcast, there are several widely-used financial planning software tools used by the largest firms in the industry.   So you may be surprised - we swipe a little from ALL of them!   Over time, we have found that there...

Focus on these 10 things you can control about Investing In this podcast (episode #443), Tim and Tom run through an excellent list compiled by a fellow planner, Max Pashman, CFP® which separates things you can't control versus ten things you can control.   It's one thing to think you have all the answers when it comes to financial planning and investing.  It can be very frustrating at ti...

"My Home Was The Best Investment I Ever Made" Episode 442 of the Mullooly Asset podcast starts with: We've lost count of the times we have heard "my home was the best investment I ever made." But is it really? It might be because your home may be the ONLY investment you have held for thirty years.  When you go through the math, as Tim and Tom do in episode 342, you learn t...

We cover 13 Questions about Social Security And we have learned you may not know the answers!   On a survey shared with 55 to 65 year old folks, 69% of respondents either failed the test - or barely passed! Since Social Security often becomes a sizable chunk of income in retirement, it's somewhat astonishing that folks in this age group - approaching retirement -- are not up-to-speed on these...

You Are The Economy 71% of the US Economy is you – the consumer.   Did you know that?   And the US consumer has provided a backbone to this economy stronger than anyone has ever predicted.  We sure DO know how to spend money!   Never forget, you ARE the economy! In Episode #440 of the Mullooly […]

Is a 60 40 portfolio still good? This question has been coming up frequently.  All throughout 2022, people were told by the financial media that the old 60/40 approach to investing was dead. Is it dead – or did it simply have a a bad year?   After all, this is historically how many large pension […]

Must-knows About Retirement Spending Here’s something different – what are the must-knows about retirement spending?    Spending?   Don’t we mean saving? While our industry in general spends an enormous amount of time preaching about saving for retirement, little ink gets spilled discussing the must-knows of retirement spending.  Why is that? Part of the answer stems […]