Retirement Pathfinder with Barbara Lane & Phil Guske

It's another mailbag edition of the show where we sit down and answer questions from our listeners. This time around we discuss leaving your entire 401(k) to a child, how you can grade your financial advisor's performance, and investment advice from the media. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

We often see people making certain assumptions about retirement that just aren’t correct. Let’s explore some of those on today's show. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

We spend a lot of time on the podcasts covering general financial topics, but we have not explained the Pathfinder Process that Barbara and Phil use everyday in their practice. They'll discuss the three stages of their process, the various topics they will ask about, and the importance of educating their clients. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contac...

As you get ready to file 2020 taxes and look ahead to the rest of this year’s tax implications, let’s cover some of the changes you need to be aware of and answer some important tax questions. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

On this week's podcast, Barbara and Phil answer some mailbag questions that have come into the show. They discuss when is the best time to get back into the stock market, using life insurance as retirement income, and much more. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Have you ever stopped to think about your journey of learning all that you have about money and finances? Did you parents shape your financial views most heavily? Is there a TV or radio expert that has influenced you most? Or have you learned everything from a book or Google? This week we'll find out how Barbara and Phil grew into the financial advisors they are today. Important Links: Pathfinder...

You’ve probably never heard anyone make these statements that we’ll provide on today’s episode. And there are some great reasons why. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Let’s explore some of the things you should be thinking about and checking on as we wrap up 2020 and begin 2021. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

In the retail world, the old saying is that “the customer is always right.” But when it comes to financial planning, it’s probably not wise to subscribe to that idea. What’s the point of having a financial coach if your advice is better than your coach’s advice? Let’s talk about some statements you might hear from clients that might require you to push back because the customer isn’t always right....

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our listeners! We are so thankful to each of you who tune into the podcasts regularly. Your feedback and input is invaluable. On this episode, Barbara and Phil will assess the country's debt and tax situation as we wrap up 2020 and discuss why right now, before the end of the calendar year, might be the best time to do a Roth conversion. Make sure to listen to this epi...

Today's podcast is dedicated to answering questions that have come in from our listeners. A few topics we cover are long-term care policies, worries about the market, passing money down, and much more! Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

On this episode, we present you with five commandments that are worth of being written on stone tablets in your retirement plan. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

The S&P 500 has risen on strong growth from large cap stocks but is it too good to be true? You might be feeling like you're missing out on these investments but maybe you aren't. Let's talk about whether it's a good investment moving forward and what we've learned from previous market data. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfindera...

Illinois voters will soon be deciding on an issue impacting the state’s financial future as well as their own bank accounts. This fair tax proposal has been a hot topic of conversation across the state but also with our clients. Today we'll break down the proposal to help you better understand exactly what this means for you. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisor...

Everyone has read blogs, watched shows, and listened to people talk about all the key ways to improve or succeed in retirement. But what about how you can mess it all up? Let’s tackle five easy ways to ruin your retirement (then just do the opposite of these things and you’ll be fine). Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisor...

Many financial issues impact us all the same. But, of course, other challenges have varying impacts from person to person because our situations are all unique. Let’s take a look at some of the financial and retirement challenges that are unique to women. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

On this mailbag edition of the podcast, we'll talk about whether it's a good idea to invest in bonds or REITs, what services you should expect from your financial advisor, and whether or not you should pay off your mortgage. We'll also get Phil's take on the current state of student loan debt and whether or not colleges should be held accountable. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  ht...

So, we’ve all experienced what a market crash feels like in recent memory. If you had forgotten what it felt like in 2008, then 2020 should have been a sobering reminder of what it’s like to experience that sudden market drop. Now, we don’t know when the next market crash will come. Will rising virus cases now or a resurgence in the fall cause another one? Will the lead up to, or result of, the el...

On today's show, we answer questions that have come in the mailbag. We discuss if it's worth paying a penalty fee on a variable annuity, letting your children know about their inheritance, how to budget for travel, and if incorporating a trust in your plan is a good strategy. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/cont...

There is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic caused major turmoil in the stock market, but it seems that the stock market has continued to go up since the big dip that initially happened. Some people are skeptical of this trend and do not think that the market will recover quickly, while others remain optimistic. Barbara and Phil will explain why this trend has been happening and where they thi...

Dave Ramsey has earned a lot of respect among savers and investors over the years as evidenced by his enormously popular radio show, books and sold out performance venues when he speaks. But is all of his advice worth following? Is it possible that some of the things he professes will actually hurt you financially? Let’s take a look at some of Dave’s most popular advice and see if and when it make...

We've had a lot of great listener questions come in, so we decided to make them the focus of this episode. Beverly asks if she is properly diversified given the large number of mutual funds in her portfolio. Amber is curious if she is on track to retire with the amount of money she has saved at age 55. Barbara and Phil tackle these questions and much more. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Manage...

Barbara and Phil will provide an update on conversations they've had with clients about the Coronavirus and then move into a discussion on where you're getting financial advice from. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/

Congress recently passed the CARES Act to try and help alleviate some of the financial impacts that the Coronavirus has had on the country. Barbara and Phil will run down the main points of this bill and discuss their overall thoughts of this new piece of legislation. We will also answer a few mailbag questions in the second half of the show. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://...

A lot of things in the financial landscape have an “it depends” resolution. It can be frustrating when things are so fluid and vary person to person. So, let’s discuss some financial truths that we can state with confidence and see what we can learn from them. Important Links: Pathfinder Wealth Management:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/ Contact:  http://pathfinderadvisory.com/contact/