The Financial Answer with Nathan O’Bryant

After a string of recent bank collapses, should we feel comfortable with having money in the banks? What safeguards have been put in place by the government to offer some protection? A lot of talking heads have weighed in on this issue recently, so we’re going to discuss some of those quotes in today’s episode. We’ll take a closer look at what happened and what strategies you might want to conside...

One of the reasons that financial planning is not a one-size-fits-all answer is that everyone’s age, goals, and experiences are different. What you needed in your 20s might look very different from what you need to do in your 50s. Today we talk through the impact both age and wisdom have when you sit down and make a financial plan with a qualified professional.   Here’s what you’ll learn on today’...

Let’s take a little crash course on the psychology behind investing. Especially when it comes to a market crash, you’ll want to understand the lasting impact that has on the decisions you make with money. In this episode, we explore how major financial events in American history have influenced people's relationships with money and how they make investment decisions and compare this information to...

As a continuation of our last podcast episode, we’re jumping back in to discuss some more financial personality types in today’s show. Knowing your personality type and tendencies can help you be more successful and aware of your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to financial planning. The first four personalities we talked about in the previous podcast were the victim, the over-analyzer, the...

Each person has a different and unique personality. It’s part of what makes you, you! So, when it comes to your financial plan, should a financial advisor tailor the plan for your personality? On today’s show we cover part one of the different personalities to see which one you might relate to most and how an advisor can cater to that.   Here are the personalities we discuss: A victim personality...

Everybody has fears, so we talk about some of the biggest financial fears people face. Sometimes acknowledging the fear is the best place to start. Alongside an advisor, you can strategize how to address these fears and put your mind at ease. Nathan shares his experience in guiding people through these fears and the decisions they can make about them.   Here are some of the most common financial f...

On today’s show, Nathan goes over some of the key changes in the SECURE Act 2.0 that you’ll want to be aware of and discuss how to adjust accordingly. Make sure to talk with your financial advisor about what this means for your financial plan.   Here are some ways the Secure Act might impact you in the future: RMD age has changed. (1:54) Qualified charitable distributions can help. (4:53) Special...

As you make your beginning of the year checklists, we have a few financial things you’ll want to add to your list. The sooner you get a handle on these yearly things, the better. Reach out to your financial advisor if you have questions or want to revisit your goals for this year and beyond. Here’s what we discuss today on the show:     Do you have the right tax withholdings? (2:00) Assess your re...

Happy New Year! Before we get too far into 2023, let’s start talking about last year. We review what happened in 2022 and what kind of financial things we can learn from. Then, we consider what to do in the months to come in response. Be sure to review your financial plan and make sure you are prepared for whatever may come in the future.   Here’s what we discuss today on the show:     Stocks and...

Who’s ending up on the naughty list this year? Today, we talk through different scenarios financial advisors face to see who would go on the nice list and who is on the naughty list. You might be surprised by some of the answers!   Here are some of the biases you might experience: Naughty or nice: only one yearly meeting the same year as retirement. (2:06) Naughty or nice: Using asset minimums to...

We all have biases about our favorite and least favorite things. When it comes to investing, what biases should we be aware of? When you go to work with a financial advisor, it’s important to take in their advice and the resources available to you instead of simply letting your judgment be overly influenced by your biases. An advisor may be able to keep those biases balanced against your financial...

In part two of our series, we talk about financial things that are underrated. These concepts are talked about but some may be tempted to overlook the value behind them. But first, we also are giving out more copies of the book The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel! Nathan really enjoyed this book with 20 different short chapters about how money affects us and wants you to get a chance to read...

You may hear of a lot of financial things that sound good, but are they actually overrated? Over the next two shows, we’ll talk about things that are overrated and then later, underrated. When preparing for this particular episode, Nathan had the book The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel in mind. This book of essays talks about how money messes with your mind and is an easy and enjoyable read....

Your finances include a variety of different assets. Are you paying enough attention to your biggest financial assets? Make sure you have a conversation about these assets with your advisor instead of going at it alone. Take the time to include these assets in your overall financial plan and understand what part they play in your retirement.   Here’s what we talk about on today’s show: The three b...

Every once in a while, we all need a good laugh. So, let’s look to a famous comedian to see what we can learn about our finances. Jerry Seinfeld has a lot of content to work with, so we take some of his quotes and apply them to our financial lives. But first, we talk about the housing market, the stock market, inflation, and interest rates.   Here’s where you can find that satisfaction you crave:...

Want to know the secrets to experiencing satisfaction in retirement? Believe it or not, it’s not all about having $10 million in the bank. Nathan shares five key factors that will leave you feeling satisfied and at ease about your financial plan and situation in retirement.   Here’s where you can find that satisfaction you crave:   Having peace of mind about what’s happening with your financial pl...

Have you been pulled in by the marketing messages behind some financial ads? We talk through the common themes and how to pick the right strategy for you.   What we discuss in this episode:  0:59 - Nathan shares about the latest change at work. 3:33 - Money ads are designed to capture your attention. 4:01 - “Invest like you’re the 1 percent.” 7:46 - “Master this course.” 10:00 - “Secure your futur...

What kind of financial ailment might you be dealing with? Nathan talks through the different things we need to look out for and how to stay financially healthy.   What we discuss in this episode:  1:49 - What to do about acute portfolio risk-opathy? 5:19 - Suffering from old fogey’s disease? 7:44 - We all have inflation-itis. 12:27 - We can’t avoid nursing home-a-tosis. 18:54 - Uncle Sam syndrome...

What financial myths have you heard and perhaps fallen for? What happens when it doesn’t work out the way you thought? Let’s bust some financial myths today on the podcast. Whether it was true in the past or never true at all, Nathan is here to set the record straight.   Here's what we discuss on the podcast:  1:24 - Remember the TV show Mythbusters? 2:11 - Should you shifting from stocks to bonds...

What is…financial Jeopardy? It’s time to play for all the points and see what financial questions Nathan can answer on today’s show.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://thefinancialanswer.com    Key topics in this episode:  0:56 - Let’s play some financial Jeopardy! 2:26 - This financial product has given a bad name to some of the others.  5:45 - This requires a financi...

What can you learn from that little piece of wisdom folded into a fortune cookie? We talk through some tidbits of wisdom and how it fits in your financial plan.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://thefinancialanswer.com    Key topics in this episode:  0:35 - Nathan recently celebrated an anniversary with a trip to the Big Apple. 3:46 - “The greatest danger could be your...

Are you watching the news and starting to panic? Let’s talk through some recent financial headlines and see what you should focus on.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://thefinancialanswer.com    Key topics in this episode:  0:56 - Are these sensational headlines worth paying attention to? 1:47 - Are we in an economic hurricane? 3:43 - Predictions aren’t always right. 6...

When should you listen to conventional wisdom and when should you buck the system? Nathan talks through a few areas where conventional wisdom isn’t always what’s best for you and your unique situation.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://thefinancialanswer.com    Key topics in this episode:  0:28 - Nathan just returned from a trip out west! 2:40 - People like to think r...

What do you need to plan for in retirement? Instead of burying your head in the sand, Nathan talks us through what we need to pay attention to and how to plan accordingly.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://thefinancialanswer.com    Listen for these key points:  0:47 - We’re kicking off the season of summer. 1:50 - The sandwich generation can be a challenge. 6:27 - Ear...

Celebrating our 100th episode of the podcast today, we’re going to do a giveaway! But first, we take a peek in the junk drawer to see what’s in there and what should be cleaned out, especially when it comes to your financial documents. Listen to the show to hear what interesting thing Marc has in the junk drawer!    Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://thefinancialanswer.c...