Smart Tax Talk with John Blanchard

Is it 4%?  8%? And is it going to change year to year?  John Blanchard tackles this question and more on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Acadiana's Retirement Strategist and the entire team at https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between elections, international conflict, and interest rates that will allegedly begin to come down later in the year, there's a lot of uncertainty in the air to kick of 2024.  But what should we be doing while it all plays out?  John Blanchard offers his advice on this episode of The Retirement Roux.   Schedule a complimentary appointment today! Get to know John and the entire team at https://ma...

Did you make any big plans for 2024?  How do you plan on taking them on?  If one of your resolutions this year was to be more serious about your financial planning (and it should've been), a great first step would be to listen to this episode of The Retirement Roux with John Blanchard! Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Acadiana's Retirement Strategist and the entire team at  h...

We all know the appeal of doing Roth contributions/conversions while still in the working world.  But what if you're already retired?  John Blanchard offers his insight on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Acadiana's Retirement Strategist and the entire team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

While retirement planning should account for 20+ years, you shouldn't neglect planning for the next few years in front of you as well.  And that means looking at strategies that might be protected from market risk.  John looks at some of these options and gives his thoughts on them on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Acadiana's Retirement...

Thanks to rising interest rates, bonds took a massive hit in 2022 and even early in 2023.  But as rates seem to be holding steady going into 2024 with signs of them decreasing in the coming year, are we at a tipping point where bonds might be coming back into favor?  John Blanchard offers his thoughts on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Ac...

"It's not what you make, it's what you keep."  The saying makes sense, but how do we actually make sure we  get to keep more of our hard-earned dollars in retirement, while keeping Uncle Sam at bay?  John Blanchard talks about the importance of tax planning, especially in retirement, on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Acadiana's Retiremen...

You've clocked out for the last time, and now you're ready to set out on the next great chapter of your life.  But what comes first?  John discusses the advice of retirement blogger Joe Kuhn. That advice? Saying  no .  Find out why on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Acadiana's Retirement Strategist and the entire team at  https://matthewj...

It's what some have dubbed the recent boom in skyrocketing prices in leisure activities.  Whatever you want to call it, it's just another reminder that things are continuing to go up in price, and that means you're going to need a way to make sure your accounts grow accordingly in retirement.  John Blanchard talks about how he and the team at Matthew James Tax and Wealth Management do this for the...

AKA, your Required Minimum Distributions.  John Blanchard discusses the options you should take look at when it comes to withdrawing the money if you don't need it, and the one thing you should never do: ignore them.  All this and more on this episode of The Retirement Roux   Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with Acadiana's Retirement Strategist and the entire team at  https://mat...

Despite the majority of Baby Boomer's retirement accounts taking a substantial hit in the past few years, many are still not seeking out the help of a professional.  John Blanchard talks about why this reluctance could cause even more harm in the long run on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ ....

A new report from investment company Blackrock lists several suggestions on how to create a successful retirement and a good number of recommendations don't involve investments at all.  John offers his insights and more on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

If you look at how the S&P 500 closed September (~4300) vs how it closed July of 2021 (4417), you'll notice that not only did the market not really move, it actually went backwards.  If you're concerned about how two years of no returns in the market could affect your retirement, John Blanchard offers some insight and possibel alternatives on this episode of the Retirement Roux. Get to know/ sched...

Despite fears that the repeated interest rate hikes we've seen this year would push us into a recession, the economy seems to be doing the exact opposite.  But are we in the clear?  Acadiana's Retirement Strategist John Blanchard offers his insights, and talks about making sense of an unpredictable market on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment wit...

Okay, nobody actually says that.  But 59 & 1/2 is a very important age when it comes to your retirement, particularly with your 401(k).  John talks about why and what you should do at this milestone on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Benjamin Franklin, those are the two certainties in life.  And he's not wrong, but there's certainly a way to minimize the effect that the latter one has on your retirement.  John discusses how he and the team and Matthew James Tax & Wealth Management can help on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at https://ma...

Every year retirees enjoy an increase, or COLA (cost of living adjustment) in their Social Security benefits based off of inflation.  But does it come at a price?  John discusses how he and the team at Matthew James Tax & Wealth Management plan ahead to avoid these COLAs from pushing clients into the next tax bracket on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary app...

Despite it being one of the biggest parts of most people's retirement plans, workers are constantly making mistakes in their 401(k)s, and that could result in a significant amount of potential income down the road.  John Blanchard discusses these mistakes, and how to change course if you've made them, on this episode of The Retirement Roux.  Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with J...

Not out of necessity, but by choice?  John Blanchard discusses the pros and cons (including the option of a "phased retirement") on this episode of The Retirement Roux.  Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And how do you utilize them in your retirement plan (or should you even)?  John Blanchard answers these questions and more on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And if not, what should the proper withdrawal strategy be during your retirement?  John Blanchard discusses the things you need to factor in to find "the right number" for you on this episode of The Retirement Roux.  Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ .   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of Americans have reduced or completely stopped contributions to their retirement accounts due to inflation, market volatility and other crises.  John Blanchard talks about why right now is the best time to start again on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

What's the difference?  And do you need one more than the other, or both?  John Blanchard explains what you need to know on this episode of The Retirement Roux. Get to know/ schedule a complimentary appointment with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The famous 2019 proclamation from Ray Dalio has come back into the spotlight recently as he's walked his "cash is trash" saying back in light of the current economic climate.  John Blanchard talks about why your retirement strategy, like Dalio's comments, should change when necessary.   Schedule your complimentary second opinion with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio...

People rarely seek out a second opinion if they've been given  good news, but should you?  John Blanchard discusses the small things that financial professionals occasionally overlook, and how they could lead to big problems in retirement. Schedule your complimentary second opinion with John and the team at  https://matthewjames.com/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.