Our 2 Cents

Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit (VORB) collapsed last week and Steve and Gabriel are here to discuss what lead to its demise, and the inherent risks involved with picking individual stocks. Plus, they're sharing details on I bonds, answering listener questions, and more on today's show! VORB Goes Bust: Everything has pros and cons and a proper place in your planning, but we like to t...

The Fed's efforts to curb inflation have continued this week, and that's our first segment on this new episode of Our 2 Cents. Then, Steve and Gabriel are taking a look at some major shifts in the vacation rental industry and wrapping up the show with listener questions. Rate Hike Déjà Vu: What does this latest move by the Fed indicate about the banking industry? What do the continued ri...

Steve and Gabriel start off today's show by sharing their thoughts on the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and what it could mean for you. Then, they switch gears to wrap up our Part 2 of different investor personalities. Listen in now to this new episode of the Our 2 Cents podcast! The SVB Collapse: The 10-step timeline of events that led up to the SVB failure. Thoughts on what this me...

Have you ever noticed certain personality traits in yourself when it comes to your financial matters? In Part 1 of a 2-part series, Steve and Gabriel explore the world of investor personality types and how, as advisors, they've learned to work with and help all kinds of investors. Understanding Investor Personalities: The Burned One : When trusting just doesn't come very easily to you an...

It's the first week of March and we have spring fever on the Our 2 Cents podcast! Today, Steve and Gabriel are sharing some spring cleaning tips for your finances and diving a bit deeper into asset allocation. Plus, we have a couple other fun segments on the show, too!  Gabriel's Quote Picks of the Month: "The best way to teach kids about taxes is by eating 30% of their ice cream&qu...

Continuing from last week's conversation about Monte Carlo simulations, we're sharing our preferred income planning techniques and why we feel they provide enhanced benefits, both financially and emotionally. But first, we're flipping the script and starting the show with listener questions!  Listener Questions: "I've talked to a financial advisor and I like him a lot. But...

Today we're poking holes in a common financial planning strategy called a Monte Carlo and explaining why we don't consider it to be a reliable planning technique. Then, we are giving you 5 ways to keep feeling young throughout your retirement years.  This 'Lazy Way' of Financial Planning Should Be Banned: What is a Monte Carlo simulation and how are the results generated? What...

Healthcare in retirement is complex, so on today's episode we're breaking down parts A, B, C and D of Medicare. Plus, the guys are sharing their interpretations of some quotes Steve gathered for us and then answering some "Get to Know Us" questions.  Medicare 101 - The A, B, C, D's of it All: Answering key questions about Medicare from signing up, what it covers, and what...

On today's episode of Our 2 Cents, your hosts Steve and Gabriel Lewit are sharing the top 10 states where $1 million in retirement might not last you as long as you need. Then they're discussing the latest IRS scams you'll want to be able to spot so you can protect yourself this tax season. How Long Will $1 Million Last?: Recent data shows retiring with $1 million in certain states...

We have a great retirement planning assessment / checklist for you to kick off the new year on today's podcast episode! But before we dive into that, we're discussing the debt ceiling which was on track to be reached Thursday, and what that can mean for the U.S. economy going forward. The Looming Debt Ceiling: Why the debt is continuing to climb to this limit. Why just raising the debt c...

Welcome to the first episode of the Our 2 Cents podcast for 2023! We're excited to kick off our show with some exciting new topics. First, we're sharing four numbers to keep in mind as you plan ahead for the new year. Then we're looking at what retiring with $1 million could look like, and we round out the show with a couple listener questions.  4 Retirement Numbers Savers Should Kn...

Tesla stock has received quite a hit this year and we're diving into all the stats. Next, we look back on market forecasts from the start of 2022 to see how right or wrong they were. We wrap up the show with some insight into Secure 2.0 and the ways it will impact retirement planning. The Non-Stop Tanking of TSLA: Staggering stats on Tesla's stock price and YTD performance How activity l...

You've probably heard these expressions and idioms at some point in your life, perhaps from a wise Grandmother even, but today we're looking at them through a financial lens. But before we do that, we're diving into a bit of a "smorgasbord" of current events in the investing world. Investor Smorgasbord What to make of the recent CPI and inflation data What this could mean...

The year is wrapping up and it's got us thinking about 10 somewhat nerdy , but ultimately important, "end-of-year planning" tasks to put on your radar. Then we're tackling two listener questions about life insurance! Year-End Planning Checklist: Observe the impacts of sequence of returns, if you're taking income Double check your planned retirement date to confirm if it is...

Welcome back to a new episode of the Our 2 Cents podcast! This week, Gabriel puts Steve's retirement knowledge to the test with a fun game of Retirement Fact or Fiction. Read below for hints at the quiz questions and tune in to see how many Steve gets correct! Retirement Fact or Fiction: An ______ retirement is not realistic for many Relocation is the ______ for retirees It is unlikely you&ap...

Inspired by Steve's recent visit to NYC during the New York City Marathon, we're looking at preparing for retirement as one would prepare for a marathon. From all the preparation to do in advance of the race, to maintaining a proper pace, and making it to the finish line, we're covering the entire journey on this week's podcast episode. Preparing for the Retirement Marathon: Th...

This week's episode of the Our 2 Cents podcast features a thought-provoking topic about making financial decisions and comparing what you're doing to what else might be out there. Then we answer a couple questions from listeners of ours, and Steve and Gabe are answering an interesting "Get to Know Us" question too. Is the Grass Greener?: Should you be doing something different...

Like the lights that pop up on your car's dashboard to tell you something is wrong, there are warning signs that can indicate potential trouble in your financial life too. On today's episode, Steve and Gabriel are discussing things to watch for to spot potential problems ahead. Plus, they're sharing some quick hits and answering a listener question.  Gabriel's 'Quick Hits&...

The gross national debt is inching close to an important statutory ceiling and Steve and Gabriel are here to break down what that all means on this new episode of Our 2 Cents. They're also sharing real experiences when their clients' emotions took over the the driver's seat in their financial planning. $31,000,000,000,000 and Counting: Congress has placed a "cap" on how mu...

We're back again on the Our 2 Cents podcast! Gabriel and Steve are putting a different spin on talking about recent market behavior by sharing some do's and don'ts when considering your options. Next, they're drawing comparisons between the world of retirement planning and America's favorite sport to watch: Football. The Rollercoaster Ride: What options are available to yo...

On today's episode of Our 2 Cents, we're delving in to the world of the fine print, and what hidden or not-so-hidden information you should pay attention to. But before we get to that, we are talking about the interest rate hike we saw last week and the continued efforts to reduce inflation.  Three 75-Basis-Point Interest Rate Hikes in a Row: The Fed raised interest rates yet again in an...

We're back with a new Our 2 Cents podcast episode. As mentioned last week, we're diving into the world of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and discussing how we feel it relates to money and finances. Then, we're giving a quick update on the future of tax filing and rounding out the show with some listener questions. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: We're dissecting Maslow&apos...

Our 2 Cents is back this week with a great episode! Steve and Gabriel are discussing forward-looking assumptions and forecasts for financial planning and then they're diving into the world of "financial satisfaction" as it relates to how you feel personally about your planning. Join in now for this conversation! Capital Market Assumptions - The Experts Predict: What are capital mark...

We have a great episode in store for you today! Steve and Gabriel kick things off by discussing a bit of a hit-or-miss topic: The Student Loan Forgiveness Plan. Next, they tackle the complex world of marketing and advertising in our industry, and finish the show answering a couple 'Getting to Know Us' questions! The Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: Who is going to see their federal student...

Gabriel and Steve are back at it again to review The Inflation Reduction Act now that it's been signed into law, they deliver a Pop Quiz on household health, and wrap up with a listener question! Listen now for a great new episode! The Inflation Reduction Act: Key provisions to pay attention to as they may impact you and we'll share when the changes will begin. Prescription drug benefits...