The Get Ready For The Future Show

Could the AI trade be entering a riskier new phase? LPL Research's 2026 Mid-Year Outlook keeps the bull case for stocks — but flags a real shift in the AI buildout. The five hyperscalers are set to spend $750 billion this year, and for the first time, they're not just paying with cash. Bond issuance from the group could hit $300 billion in 2026, up from $110 billion in 2025. LPL says that means th...

With no pension in sight, millions of Americans are making a costly annuity mistake — and most don't know it until it's too late. This week we answer four listener questions: ✅ No pension? When an annuity actually makes sense — and when it doesn't. ✅ Your parents have a will from the 1980s. Here's why that could cost your family everything. ✅ One spouse is a spender. One is a saver. How do you...

It was a war America wasn't supposed to win. 250 years ago this week, a handful of colonists with no army, no navy, and no real plan took on the most powerful empire on earth — and somehow won. What came after wasn't guaranteed either: limited government, individual liberty, the idea that rights come from God, not rulers. All of it had to be fought for first, and figured out after. Warren Buffett...

Don't choose your retirement zip code based on weather alone — state taxes, healthcare costs, and Medicaid rules can quietly add $10,000 a year in expenses you didn't plan for. This week on Get Ready For The Future Show: 🔹 Penny's retirement relocation checklist — what to vet financially before you commit to a new state 🔹 Portfolio rebalancing: how years of drift can shift your 70/30 allocation...

6% of Americans made hardship withdrawals from their 401k in 2025 — a record high, and it's been climbing for 5 straight years. At the same time, participation rates hit 86% and average contributions are up. So why are so many people pulling money out? Scott breaks down the Vanguard 2025 How America Saves report — what the numbers actually mean, and the one question you should stop asking about yo...

Most people think their In-Plan Roth Rollover is set once the money moves over. It's not — and the 5-year rule works differently than you think. This week on Get Ready For The Future Show, the GenWealth team answers four real viewer questions: 🔹 Why your budgeting app isn't moving the needle — and what behavior change actually does 🔹 In-Plan Roth Rollover rules: does each $25K conversion start i...

Will Social Security still be there when you retire — or will it be 22% less than you're counting on? The 2026 Social Security Trustees' Report moved the trust fund depletion date up to 2032 — one year sooner than last year's estimate. A nonpartisan watchdog says it's the worst shape the program has been in since 1983, with the 75-year funding shortfall now at its highest level since 1977. The fix...

Don't let a single accident — in your pool, on your trampoline, or on the road — undo everything you've worked for. This week: four viewer questions every family needs answered. ✅ Does everyone actually need a trust — or is your sister overreacting? ✅ How much home and auto liability do you really need when cars cost $100,000? ✅ You inherited farmland in Arkansas — sell, lease, or hold it? ✅ R...

Did you know your 401(k) could hold up to $70,000 in annual contributions — not just $23,500? The Mega Backdoor Roth is one of the most powerful retirement tools available inside a workplace plan, and most employees have no idea it exists. This week, Crystal found out her employer just added it — we break down exactly what it is, who it's right for, and what to watch out for. Also this episode: ho...

Only 1 in 3 stocks is actually beating the market right now — and history says that's a red flag. The S&P 500 is up 18% in just 39 trading sessions, and Q1 earnings are tracking at a massive 28% year-over-year growth rate. But LPL Chief Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder is flagging a warning sign buried inside the rally: stock outperformance levels are approaching historic lows. The last few times...

Is $900,000 enough to retire at 62? Most people focus on the savings number. The questions that actually matter are harder — and this episode answers four of them. • $900k saved, no debt, age 62 — can you retire next year? We run the real numbers, including the healthcare gap most people never see coming. • DIY taxes getting complicated? How to know when hiring a CPA pays for itself. • Annuitize y...

Dating in America just got a lot more expensive — and it's revealing something bigger about the state of personal finances in this country. The average cost of a first date has climbed to $189 in 2026, up 12.5% from last year — outpacing overall inflation. Millennials are spending an average of $252 per date, and social media is making expectations even more extreme. Meanwhile, the U.S. personal s...

Don't let financial habits from 10 years ago determine your wealth today. From outdated long-term care policies to untapped HSA power - small blind spots compound into big losses. This week on Get Ready For The Future Show: • Helping your adult kids invest in their 20s WITHOUT enabling bad habits • Walter's LTC policy hasn't been reviewed in 15 years - here's why that's a problem • Is your HSA sec...

The doomsayers say stocks are overvalued. The data says something very different. As of May 8th, 447 S&P 500 companies reported Q1 earnings — 84% beat estimates, with average earnings growth of 26.8%. Meanwhile, the forward P/E ratio actually dropped nearly 4%, meaning stocks are cheaper today than they were at the start of the year. LPL Research Portfolio Strategist George Smith breaks down why t...

What if spending too little in early retirement is the real mistake? 👀 This week, four listeners asked the questions most people are afraid to bring up: ✅ Is spending more while you're healthy reckless — or just good planning? ✅ My spouse won't meet with a financial advisor. How do I bring her on board? ✅ I'm 66, just widowed, and my husband handled all the finances. Where do I begin? ✅ We wa...

In this week’s episode of The Get Ready For The Future Show, we tackle a pressing question: Is the stock market on the brink of a dot-com-level crash? Join me, Scott Inman, as I compare the current AI boom to the explosive growth of the internet in the 1990s. We’ll delve into the similarities and differences between these two tech revolutions and what they mean for investors today. Drawing insight...

Are you in your 50s and still on autopilot with a target-date fund? You might be taking on more risk than you think — and missing the income plan you'll actually need. This week on The Fastest Four Minutes in Finance: ✅ Target-date funds — what they get right, and where they quietly fail after 50 ✅ Deferred compensation at 60: tax tool or future headache? ✅ No kids, no heirs — how to make sure...

Oil prices are down — so why is the physical market telling a completely different story? 🛢️ Since mid-March, actual barrel prices have been running significantly higher than futures prices. The Strait of Hormuz has seen barely 1.5 days of normal oil flow since March 1st. Japanese refiners started buying U.S. crude. Chinese buyers drove Vancouver shipments to record highs. Indian refiners grabbed...

In this episode of The Get Ready For The Future Show, I dive into the essential topics of insurance, life policies, and the unique challenges of going solo in retirement. As the financial landscape evolves, it's crucial to stay informed about how your insurance policies can impact your retirement planning. I discuss the significance of life insurance, the intricacies of universal life policies, an...

Americans say you need $1.46 million to retire comfortably in 2026 — up $200,000 from last year. But is that number real? 🤔 Here's the problem: 60–70% of your net worth is locked in your home, inflation has cut the dollar in half since the '90s, and your retirement number isn't the same as your neighbor's. In this week's Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down: ✅ Why the $1.46M "ma...

"My wife and I both have pensions. How should we coordinate those with our Social Security and investments?" We’re answering YOUR questions on this week’s Get Ready For The Future Show! ✅ I’m 55 and still have $30,000 in student loans. Should I pay them off or focus on maxing my 401(k)? ✅ We’re retiring next year and wondering how much we should keep in cash vs. invested. What's a good rule of t...

In this episode of The Get Ready For The Future Show, titled "Fastest Four: Why 90% of Americans Overpay Taxes — And How to Stop," I delve into the critical role of tax planning and its impact on your financial future. With the tax deadline now behind us, I discuss strategies to avoid overpaying taxes and ensure you don’t deplete your savings just to settle your tax bill. From adjusting your W-4 t...

"We’ve always had separate accounts and we’re both retiring next year. Is it time to combine, or should we keep things separate?" We’re answering YOUR questions on this week’s Get Ready For The Future Show! • I inherited my dad’s IRA last year and I’m confused about the 10-year rule. Do I have to take distributions every year or just by the end? • I’m in my early 60s and have never worked with a f...

The Iran-US ceasefire just sent shockwaves through global markets — and your portfolio could be affected. In this week's Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down what the preliminary ceasefire agreement means for oil prices, stock valuations, inflation, interest rates, and your long-term investment strategy.

Are retirement taxes the biggest threat to your financial future? A new study shows that 70% of Americans are worried about taxes in retirement, and for Gen X, that number jumps to 80%. If you’re relying on a 401(k) or IRA, this is a conversation you can’t afford to ignore. In this episode of Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, we break down: • Why withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts can push you int...