Plan For Life Now

After a quick market recap (and a good one at that!), Steve and Dave get into a detailed discussion about the fine line between how an investment opportunity is advertised on radio and TV* versus how it performs in real life. Before you buy what your favorite media outlet is selling, you may want to listen to episode (whatever) of Plan For Life Now. *The world is collapsing, so drop what you’re do...

This show is full of financial fireworks!* Steve and Dave start off with a discussion of how the markets did for the first half of 2023, then pivot into a back and forth about Artificial Intelligence. They finish with some sophisticated ideas to make your extra cash really work for you. Plus, a rare (and only ever) cameo mention of former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop! It’s all on episode 103 of...

2023 5 31 - The Psychology Of Money by Capitol Retirement Strategies

It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for, big number 100!* We take a trip down memory lane, starting with the radio show at WMAL. If you’ve ever wondered about Dave and Steve’s broadcasting timeline, and how that led to a podcast that’s rocking triple digit listenership, then you need to tune in to this very special episode of Plan For Life Now *Really 101…they’ll explain

The title of our 100th episode is also the Jeopardy answer to the question, “What type of bank do I hope my money is in right now?” The big 100th episode celebration takes a back seat to the big questions, like Why did this happen? What will happen next? And what, if anything, should you do about? You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers on this informative episode of Plan For Life Now.

Well, it’s the last pod before the “100th Episode Mega Celebration” and Dave gives us a hint about two superstars who may be making a surprise appearance (Spoiler Alert-It’s not true!) Speaking of celebrations, Steve points out that the markets partied like it was 1999 in January, but we’re hungover like it was 2022 in February. You’ll also hear a pretty darn positive, glass is “full full” spin on...

Steve and Dave start things off by being the last two people on earth to wish you a “Happy New Year”! It’s a perfect prelude to their Predictions for 2023 extravaganza . What does the new year have in store for the “3 B’s” (Bonds, Bitcoin and Bezos)? Will the Fed pull off their “soft landing”? Is the 60/40 portfolio dead? If you like a slew of prognostications, and new financial catch phrases like...

Steve and Dave look forward to their upcoming, star studded spectacular ( actually doing nothing different than normal) 100th podcast episode, and look back at the market’s 2022 performance. What if 2023 is as dismal as 2022? Does it really matter? If you’re interested in Dave peppering Steve with 4 word questions, and an old random story about running into former GE head honcho Jack Welch on the...

Steve and Dave cover a variety of topics including the dangers of market timing, some surprising tips on “TIPS” (and Gold, but that didn’t sound clever), and a negative spin on the advancement of Alzheimer's testing. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to the “When They Say It’s Dead It’s Very Much Alive Fund”. It will all make sense when you listen to episode 96 of Plan For Life Now

Steve and Dave delve into all of the predictions and theories about where this volatile stock market is headed. Have you heard the one about what stocks will do after the Midterm elections? Steve and Dave have…many times! If you’ve been wondering if our 95th podcast will lead to the market going up 9.5% in 95 days, then this episode is definitely for you!

The endless summer is ending, and on this episode of PFLN, Dave ponders this fact from his patio in Ocean View, DE. We also learn about his pickleball performance at the Maryland Senior Olympics, which was eerily similar to the stock market in August-weak and seemingly lifeless. Steve points out some interesting “glass half full” points about the future of the stock and bond markets, and there’s a...

There is no other word to describe recent stock and bond returns, other than awful. The six months ending June 30th ranked in the bottom 2% in history for a balanced portfolio. Dave and Steve discuss the current state of the markets and what we should expect for the rest of the year. What will the Secure Act 2.0 mean for your RMDs? Should I buy I bonds right now? And why are so many people filing...

After flirting with the magical 20% barrier, stocks officially closed in a bear market. What does this mean for the average retiree? How long does the typical bear market last and how fast is the average recovery? How should you have your assets allocated between different asset classes? Also, find out which famous (infamous?) internet ad is mysteriously absent during a bear market and why it driv...

As the stock market continues to decline, Dave and Steve weigh in with their thoughts and look back at past bear markets. What can we learn from the past declines and how does it relate to today? They also discuss what it feels like to retire and start spending retirement assets in this environment. Is the 4% rule still applicable today? Tune in to hear it all!

The market woes have continued as we entered the 2nd quarter of 2022. However, the normal dynamic of bonds as a safe haven from stock market declines has not played out this year. While stocks are down 10%-15%, the broad bond market is down almost 10% off it’s highs. What does this mean for diversified portfolios? Is the 60/40 model of asset allocation dead? How should you allocate in the future?...

Concerns over Ukraine, inflation and rising interest rates have continued to weigh on the market and cause negative stock market returns. In this month’s episode Dave and Steve attempt to give some perspective on the current decline. How has the market reacted to past geopolitical shocks? How often does the market recover from a decline and still produce positive year end results? Is this the star...

2022 has started off with something we haven’t seen in a while: Volatility. Listen to the latest podcast to hear Dave and Steve discuss why the stock market is off to a terrible start. What does this mean for the rest of the year? How can we use history as a guide to what might happen going forward? Should we pay attention to the financial pundits when they make predictions? Tune in to gain some p...

Dave and Steve start off the year by looking back at 2021 and looking forward into 2022. How much did the stock market gain in 2021 and how much growth are pundits predicting in 2022? More importantly, how do the long term projections affect how you should plan for your own retirement. Listen now to find out!

In this episode Dave and Steve discuss a topic that is near and dear to all of us; how can we (legally) minimize the taxes we pay. First they explain the analysis behind the decision to convert to a Roth IRA (8:23). Next they discuss how it might make sense to realize capital gains now rather than in the future when capital gains taxes might rise (23:03). Lastly, they discuss the use of life insur...

The most recent inflation data shows that prices have increased at 6.2% over the past year. This is the highest inflation reading since the early 90s. Will we continue to face high inflation for years to come? Listen to Dave and Steve discuss the future of inflation and how to position your portfolio going forward.

In today’s modern media world of Facebook and Twitter, we’ve all witnessed “outrage marketing”, even if we don’t know the term. These are the articles designed to elicit an emotional response, either positive or negative. In this month’s episode, Dave and Steve discuss “outrage marketing” in the world of personal finance. How can this type of marketing bias your portfolio and how you invest?

In this month’s episode Dave and Steve discuss 10 things that might or might not happen in the future according to Wharton’s Jeremy Siegel. Will inflation continue to rise? Will taxes increase? What will happen to bond yields? Will tax rates be higher? Will value outperform growth? Tune in to find out!

In today's world of instant gratification and same day delivery, the idea of slow and steady growth seems boring. In this episode Dave and Steve discuss why diversification isn't exciting, but it works. Check out the latest podcast to find out how to avoid getting sucked in to the hopes of 10x returns and why slow and steady wins the race!

Dave and Steve get back together for an in person podcast for the first time since the start of the pandemic to discuss the question on everyone’s minds. Is inflation here to stay? The popular opinion says that the unprecedented levels of government spending will lead to big inflation numbers in the next few years. But many prominent economists feel that the inflation we are witnessing right now i...

After taking off the month of May (whoops!) Dave and Steve are back to discuss the five big money risks in retirement. What can happen when you take big withdrawals too early in retirement? Or what if you underestimate the risk of inflation? Find out all about these risks (and more) by listening to the latest episode!