Smart Money Questions

We've talked for months about the tax code changes . Join us as we outline how these changes will affect your personal finances. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-76-new-tax-code/  

Retiring early is a tempting goal, but it's not without complications. Matt offers insight into overcoming the challenges presented by an early retirement. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-75-early-retirement/

Learn what to do when you receive an ominous letter from the IRS. If the IRS is asking you for additional money, consider your options. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-74-letter-from-the-irs/

Your retirement plan should consist of more than a collection of investments. Discover the different planning elements that make for a sound retirement. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-73-more-than-just-investments/  

Matt explains how to get the most out of your credit card purchases and apply your rewards toward traveling and other big ticket items. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-72-rvs-traveling-remodeling-credit-card-rewards/

Discover the difference between an advisor who offers you a sales pitch and one who engages in a truly comprehensive planning process. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-71-sales-pitch-versus-planning/  

The retirement planning process is uncomfortable. Find out why it’s uncomfortable, and discover what you can do assuage your angst. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-70-retirement-process-uncomfortable/

We'll feature your listener questions from the Mailbag on emergency funds, market crashes, and the retirement planning process. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-69-mailbag-emergency-funds-market-crashes-planning/

Costly mistakes in your estate plan, specifically the passing of your qualified retirement accounts, are avoidable. Learn how, and prevent a headache. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-68-avoid-costly-mistakes/

Financial demographics and statistics are confusing, but they provide insight into financial planning. Find out what the data says about retirement today. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-67-financial-demographics/

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are an inevitable part of retirement, but what should you do with that money? Matt explains. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-66-required-minimum-distributions/

We’re shaking things up on the podcast. Learn about co-host Walter Storholt’s home-buying experience. Discover how buying a house relates to your finances. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-65-walter-buys-house/

Taking an early retirement can be a tempting offer, but there are some things to keep in mind before pulling the trigger. Since Medicare does not cover you until you turn 65, have you considered what your health insurance options are once you are no longer working? Matt will go over some coverage options to keep in mind before you are eligible for Medicare. For detailed show notes, a corresponding...

Be careful of making assumptions about certain areas of retirement planning before you really know the facts. Some of these assumptions could be correct, but they could just as likely be wrong… For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-63-bad-financial-assumptions/

  Rich Swavely joins us for a casual conversation on taxes. We'll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of recent tax reform in Washington. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-62-tax-reform/

In retirement planning, there are many things that are completely out of your control. Fortunately, the things that you can control allow you to deal with those things you can’t.   For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link: http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-61-things-you-cant-control/

Legal documents are confusing and typically come with a lot of complex vocabulary. Matt sorts through the jargon and explains why they're so important.   For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click this link:  http://www.smartmoneyquestions.com/podcastposts/episode-60-legal-documents/

Putting A financial plan together can be overwhelming. We'll show you how to take the first steps toward getting started.   For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click here .

Retirement planning requires more than financial preparation. Matt details why it's important to set personal goals in retirement. For detailed show notes, a corresponding blog post, and access to mentioned resources, click here .

Some great mailbag questions this week. Saul in Florida wants to know if he should sell off his office building and invest the assets. Marie in Pennsylvania is curious if three whole life policies is too much. Hank in Texas wants to know if he should put all his money in Roth from now on. And Samantha in Maryland's mom has a lot of money at her disposal. But she has no confidence to spend any of i...

We've all heard the phrase about having too many cooks in the kitchen. On this podcast, Matt tells us about a time a client revealed to him that they had four different financial advisors. It prompted Matt to say, "You got what?" He'll tell us why having that many advisors can lead you down the wrong path.

We often talk about the importance of not leaving a 401k with your old company after you no longer work there. Let’s explore some of the benefits of a 401k rollover, why you might want to move it to an IRA, what the tax implications are and some of the other essential things to consider.

Matt gives us another solo podcast. This time, his thoughts are on how to ensure a worry-free retirement where someone can spend for their lifestyle without fear of running out of money.

The mailbag is full of good questions this week. Two of them touch on IRA issues. One person is concerned about recent losses in their portfolio while another is trying to figure out if now's the time to do a Roth conversion while in between careers. Bill might get to stop working a year early. Should he? And a great question from Kent. Should he push his friend in the pool for the financial advic...

Is it possible to pay off your mortgage with the balance of your IRA? Is it wise? Matt talks about a recent situation where this idea was broached. He'll seek to take the emotion out of the conversation and approach the conversation from a logical perspective.