Retire With Integrity Podcast with Brian Bowen

One listener recently inherited her father's farm and an IRA and is thinking about cashing it all out in order to retire. Is this a good plan? In this episode, Brian reflects on some of his own experiences with moving and selling farm property and also shares his philosophy as a financial planner.     He's what we'll discuss in this episode:   Mailbag: After inheriting the family farm, is there an...

When you meet with a financial advisor are they addressing your entire portfolio? More than simply IRAs and Roth investments, your advisor should see the whole picture. A major part of the picture is understanding tax-efficient investing. From 1031 exchanges to municipal bonds, you want to make sure to leverage your best options.   It's also important to understand what your life looks like in ret...

What if you could reduce one of your biggest expenses? For some, taxes are a major expense, so it's vital that you are strategic about your taxes, both now and in the future. If your tax rate is in the high 20s and 30s, that bill could amount to a high portion of your total costs. In this episode, Brian talks through several strategies people consider when it comes to minimizing taxes and whether...

What does it mean to be an accredited investor? Brian talks about what's required and what it looks like if you qualify. The options are different for an accredited investor, which has come up for some of his clients in need of creative solutions such as a 1031 exchange. Another question is, are reverse 1031 exchanges legal? Later in the show, Brian shares about helping his clients through a 1031...

Knowing what we know now, past decisions might have been made differently. As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. When it comes to investing money, you don't want to make detrimental mistakes that will leave you wishing you'd made different decisions in the past. In today's episode, we'll discuss why you shouldn't take the same financial risks in retirement as you might have in your 30s and 40s. ...

Are you ready for some spring cleaning? More than just your closet or garage, you might want to assess what's in your financial closet. You might not want to address everything in there, but it would be wise to review it with your advisor. We've all made bad financial decisions, you just have to learn from them. In this episode, Brian shares some tips on how to clean up your financial closet.  Her...

From financial plans to home remodeling, it's common to be tempted to DIY your way there. But should you? When you do it on your own, you may be swayed by emotions or confusion. Financial planning can be complicated. Have you thought about taxes or estate planning or when to withdraw and from where?   Having a financial advisor can help navigate those emotions and decisions so you can feel more at...

If you are a small business owner (or want to be), there are a lot of financial decisions you have to make. From investing in the right industries to knowing how to sell the business when you are ready to retire, a good financial advisor can point you in the right direction. Brian answers three questions from the mailbag that cover selling a business, being strategic about your business taxes, and...

There are a number of common questions that come up around owning a home. From paying off the mortgage quick to selling off several acres of land, Brian shares what you need to know about this important asset. You may be surprised to learn how important your tax strategy is when it comes to real estate investments.   Here's what you'll hear on today's show:  Should I try to pay off my home quickly...

When you own a business, you have a lot to care for. While you're busy juggling everything to keep the business going, you might be overlooking these five dangerous things that can leave you in a lurch should you one day face them. Instead of winging it, make a plan and prepare for the possibility of one of these five things: divorce, disability, distress, disagreement, and death.      You might n...

Brian Bowen has his Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation, which means he's in a unique position to advise busines owners in that transition process out. So many things could go wrong and a CEPA can be a huge asset to you, your family, and your future.     In this episode, we'll talk about the role the CEPA plays in the process and the decisions that need to be made during this exit p...

Real estate can be a very lucrative investment but it can also be an extremely difficult piece of the portfolio to manage. There are highs and lows to real estate, but like everything else in the financial planning world, it may or may not be a good tool for you. In this episode, we have two great questions to answer that deal with managing real estate investments and the taxes associated with the...

With tax season upon us, you might be wondering what areas you can save on with your taxes. The goal is to keep as much of your own money as possible and proper planning can help you accomplish that. Today we'll answer two questions from the mailbag about taxes.  Here are the questions Brian answers today: Mailbag: How can I save on taxes on a building purchase? (0:17) What is a 1031 exchange? (3:...

What does it mean to invest like a genius? We talk about the common characteristics among intelligent people and how you can apply those characteristics to your investing strategies. Then, Brian answers two questions from the mailbag about money in retirement.   Here's what we discuss on today's show: Highly intelligent people are adaptable. (0:42) Geniuses understand how much they don't know. (2:...

How are your resolutions doing so far? If you haven't made any yet or have dropped the ones you started, maybe it's time to pick up some financial resolutions. Brian talks about what you'll want to do to get the year started off right. Then we talk about some things that happen in life, good and bad, and how to prepare for them financially. Here's what we discuss on today's show: What financial re...

If inflation is the silent killer of retirement planning, what can you do about it? On today's show, Brian talks through the rule of 72, how it relates to inflation, and how understanding this rule can impact your financial plan. Whether it's real estate, the stock market, or business growth, apply the rule of 72 to see how long it takes to grow your money into what you need. We'll also talk about...

We all want to know that we have enough for retirement when the time comes. Brian answers a question from the mailbag from someone who previously thought she couldn't afford retirement but has since realized her pension would provide more than she thought. Is it enough to retire though? How do you figure that out? Here are the listener questions Brian answers today: Mailbag: Should I pay off a hom...

You may have heard of a donor-advised fund, but is that really what you should have as a part of your financial plan? Brian talks about another option you might want to know about: charitable trusts. He shares more about the different types of charitable trusts and why you might want to consider them. Then, he plays "fact or fiction" about these financial ideas and decisions. Here's what you'll le...

Some of the greatest coaches inspire their teams to do well. Today we look at quotes from famous coaches and apply the same wisdom to our financial lives. Then, we discuss the seven deadly sins and how to avoid them when saving, spending, and strategizing with your money. Here's what you'll learn on today's show: "Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it." (0:13) "Your problems never cease, they...

"Making a list, checking it twice, going to find out who's naughty or nice…" Which of these financial advisor scenarios would put an advisor on the naughty list? Brian shares what he thinks about these situations and what is expected of a trustworthy advisor. Which one of these things are naughty and which ones are nice? Listen to find out! Limiting client meetings to once a year. (0:24) Having an...

Mutual funds have been a popular way to invest, but are they what's best for your financial plan? Brian talks about what happens with a mutual fund, who has them, and what might be a better fit instead. According to Brian, mutual funds are kind of like driving a 1987 Astrovan. Is that the kind of vehicle you want to travel in?    Here's what you'll learn about mutual funds on the show: Mutual fund...

Before we close out 2022, have you considered whether or not a Roth conversion is the right move for you? Brian talks a lot about Roth conversions on the show, and today gives examples of how it can pay off in the long-run. Then we talk about the reasons why people hold onto too much cash and how to invest it better. Here's what you'll learn from today's podcast: Now might be the time to do a Roth...

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, a lot of us are giving thanks for what we have. Many are also considering making charitable gifts to different charities before the year ends. Brian talks about the value of charitable giving and also explains the rules behind the gift tax. But first, he answers two questions from the mailbag. Here's what we talk about on today's show: What am I most likely to mess...

Financial planning is not the same for everybody, so it's important to have a plan. Living below your means, saving, and investing can get you far. Just like Mr. Miyagi in the movie Karate Kid teaches discipline, you need to have discipline with your financial plan. Then, we talk about why some people don't want to retire.  Here's what we talk about on today's show: What can we learn from Mr. Miya...

What kind of questions and concerns do people have with the stock market right now? A lot is happening with a volatile market, so how does Brian respond? What kind of financial decisions should you make with your investments? Brian shares what strategies have worked for some of his clients. Here are the scenarios we discuss on today's show: Mailbag: What are my options to reduce taxes when selling...