Smart Money Questions

This week we speak with special guest Adam Quiney, an executive leadership coach, about how your relationship with money can define your experiences as an investor and as a retiree. We'll delve into how that relationship is formed and how it then influences your thoughts and decisions throughout each phase of your life.

At the end of May, Congress passed the SECURE Act, which will create some major changes to qualified retirement accounts. We'll look into what those changes will be, as well as possible future implications. And later, Matt shares a story about a client that highlights the importance of understanding the difference between gifting and inheriting.

We received quite a few responses from listeners after the last episode, so we'll be following up on last weeks's topic by discussing Roth IRA conversions. We'll also talk about what to do if you inherit a piece of property that you don't want, and we'll learn about Stretch IRAs.

This week, we'll delve into some listener questions about retirement accounts. Matt will clear up the difference between the tax characterization of different types of accounts, as well as whether they should be invested differently. He'll also discuss what happens if you overfund a Roth IRA, how your Social Security is taxed, and more.

When it comes to building a retirement plan, one of the biggest items that people overlook, or even avoid, is designating their beneficiaries. But taking the time to do this is key to ensuring that your assets are handed down in the way you intend, and that your estate does not go through probate. Matt gives us some tips on how to prepare these essential legal documents.

Matt recently received an email question from a knowledgeable DIY investor who is considering handing over the reins to a financial advisor, but is skeptical about the value an advisor could provide. So this week, we'll discuss what type of benefits a true holistic financial advisor should bring to both you and your investments.

The featured guest this week is Matt's current client Julie, who is in the process of planning for retirement and has been working with Matt for several years now. Julie provides some valuable insight into the planning process from a client perspective, and even offers up some great travel tips from her experience in the hospitality industry.

We've received a lot of listener questions following our interview with Harlan Accola. Jane wants to know about the preferred interest rate for a savings/money market account. Hector asks about the differences between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA. Finally, Jim wonders about how to properly save for his kids' college plans. Matt will answer all those smart money questions and more.

If you're like most people, you've probably steered clear of reverse mortgages for one reason or another, but there's quite a bit more to them that isn't generally discussed. Matt brings in Harlan Accola to demystify the subject. Who should consider one, and who should not? What kind of options are available and what are the costs associated? And why do reverse mortgages have such a bad reputation...

This week, let's look into some basic steps that you can take towards building and protecting wealth, as well as finding peace of mind in your investment plan.

We love to feature your questions on the podcast. Join us as we answer your email questions on Social Security, market recessions, and inherited stocks. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-91-mailbag-social-security-inherited-stocks-market-recessions/

Many couples look to relocate or downsize in retirement. Relocating can be beneficial, but it presents questions you'll need to answer before you move. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-90-relocating-retirement/

Risk tolerance is a buzzword you often hear in the financial industry. It's important to understand what it is and how it applies to you as an investor. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-89-understanding-risk-tolerance/

There's a conversation Matt has with clients all the time. It's about market volatility. It's one of the most important things to grasp and understand as you prepare for retirement. On this episode, Matt will recount one of those recent conversations with a couple that came into his office, some of the questions they asked and how ultimately they were able to achieve more comfort with their financ...

Join us as we feature your email questions. We'll cover paying off your house and financial planning for married couples.   For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-87-paying-off-your-house/

This time of year, we tend to discuss the attitude of gratitude. In the spirit of the season, we want to take time to be thankful. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-86-attitude-gratitude/

On this edition of the podcast, Matt addresses scams that could attack your wealth and the question of whether a market crash could eat into your portfolio. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-85-scams-market-crashes/

As we move from work to retirement, we experience a paradigm shift. Suddenly, we’re moving from wealth accumulation to income distribution. Matt explains. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-84-paradigm-shift/

Many people think of financial advisors as money managers. In reality, advising is problem-solving. Matt gives examples of some of the puzzles he’s worked.   For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-83-advising-problem-solving/

Soda taxes are causing folks in Seattle to rethink their purchases, and a new movement is helping millennials to retire early. Matt Explains. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-82-soda-taxes-fire/

People ask us what our retirement planning process looks like. Join us for part two of our series detailing one couple's journey through retirement. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-81-planning-process/

People ask us what our retirement planning process looks like. Join us on a two-part series as we detail one couple's seven year journey through retirement.  For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-80-matts-planning-process-part-01/

 We'll answer your questions and determine whether you should get into the landlord game. We'll also examine whether you should open a self-directed IRA. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-79-landlord-game/

We're dropping "Money" from the show today and calling it Smart Questions. Matt shares Maggie's story about his wife's life-altering trip to the hospital.  For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-78-maggies-story/

Matt tells us about times clients have said they wish they'd met him sooner. He'll detail how doing so could've spared them a major headache. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-77-if-only-id-met-you-sooner/