The Wise Money Show™

The Roth Conversion is a great strategy for shifting dollars from a retirement account with a future tax liability to one where the dollars will grow tax-free for the rest of your life. Should you consider doing a Roth Conversion, and is it possible to do too much? We're helping you answer those questions and more on this episode of Wise Money. Have a question you want to have answered on the show...

The transition into Medicare can be a confusing one, given the different choices you have and the way Medicare is structured. To help you plan ahead and answer some of the most common questions when enrolling in Medicare, Health Insurance Expert Ben Bulgrien joins us back in the studio for this episode of Wise Money. Season 9 Episode 11 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call o...

The SECURE Act 2.0 which was passed late in 2023 introduced nearly 100 tax law changes that would take effect in the near future, with some of the most impactful starting in 2024. We're sharing the tax law changes you need to be aware of during this episode of Wise Money.   Season 9 Episode 10 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment! Want...

If you have an HSA, you're familiar with the traditional funding strategies, but there are other, more creative, strategies. We're discussing advanced funding strategies for your HSA, like transferring money from your IRA or inherited accounts, during this episode of Wise Money. Season 9 Episode 9 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment! ...

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15, and this year, with some changes from the Inflation Reduction Act. Joined by Health Insurance Advisor, Ben Bulgrien, we are covering those changes and what you need to do to be prepared for this Open Enrollment season on this episode of Wise Money. Season 9 Episode 8 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leav...

Have you ever found yourself in a rut financially, where all of your financial goals are long-term, and you find yourself losing motivation since they are so far in the future? We're sharing our tips and helping you stay focused on your goals during this episode of Wise Money. Season 9 Episode 07 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment! ...

Social Security is a vitally important retirement resource that you should be planning ahead for how to optimize as part of your financial plan. As CFPs doing comprehensive financial planning, we’ve helped thousands of families claim their Social Security benefits. Today, we’re covering the five most common Social Security questions in this episode of Wise Money. Season 9 Episode 6 Have a question...

With interest rates rising over the past 18 months, has the interest rate you're earning on your cash also increased? Many banks are still paying a dismal rate, so what can you do to make your cash work harder for you? We're covering that and answering your questions on this episode of the Wise Money Show. Season 9 Episode 5 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-2...

Several surveys are done each year to clarify how much the average person needs to have saved up to retire. To have a confident retirement, there is more than just knowing how much you need to have saved. We’ll review the latest data and discuss how you can determine this answer for yourself during this episode of Wise Money. Season 9 Episode 4 Have a question you want to have answered on the show...

When planning for retirement, the most confusing issues are connected to some of the most important decisions you'll have to make. In today's episode, we're covering the confusing issues of how much you should have saved, when you can retire, Medicare, Social Security, and more! Season 9 Episode 3 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment!...

Although the Donor Advised Fund has become better known as a tax planning strategy over the past few years, it is still an underutilized tool. In this episode of Wise Money, we'll cover the basics of what a Donor Advised Fund is and share some advanced planning strategies on how you can use it to enhance your financial planning. Season 9 Episode 2 Have a question you want to have answered on the s...

No one likes paying taxes, but paying taxes in retirement can eat into your available income and leave you with less to live on. While taxes don't stop once you're retired, there are ways you can avoid having to pay taxes in retirement. We're covering the strategies you'd implement to achieve this on today's episode of Wise Money. Season 9 Episode 1 Have a question you want to have answered on the...

Once you reach age 73, soon to be 75, you must withdraw at least a minimum amount from your pre-tax retirement accounts each year, known as a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Given that it is “required,” do any strategies exist to avoid this requirement? We’re hitting those and questions from fans of the show on this episode. Season 8 Episode 52 Have a question you want to have answered on the...

After 3 years of forbearance, student loan payments are scheduled to restart this fall after the student loan forgiveness plan fell through. What is your repayment strategy for your student loans, or how should you plan for college expenses in the future? We're covering that and more on this episode of Wise Money. Season 8 Episode 51 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or t...

Whether it is a step towards semi-retirement, or a change in your work-life balance, more and more people are considering shifting from being an employee to being an independent contractor. When considering this move, what steps are involved to get everything set up correctly? From taxes and insurance to retirement funding and business status, we're helping you with the transition on this episode...

While most investors expected the first half of 2023 to underperform, the stock market rebounded nicely following a challenging 2022. What is driving the stock market recovery, and when could we see the market reach new highs? We're covering that and more on this episode of Wise Money. Season 8 Episode 49 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a c...

When saving for retirement, your investment portfolio is often growth-oriented and structured for the long term. But when you retire and start living off your savings, how should your investment strategy shift? We're helping you shift your investment portfolio from saving to spending on this episode of Wise Money. Season 8 Episode 48 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or t...

For most people, the 401k is your greatest wealth-building tool. As you build wealth, can you withdraw from it while working? We'll share the circumstances for when you can, plus a new rule coming that adds a new option as well on this episode of Wise Money. Season 7 Episode 47 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment!   Want to speak with...

The Roth IRA and the use of tax diversification can provide a tremendous lift to your financial success and retirement. To use the Roth IRA effectively, we will help you avoid the five biggest mistakes people make with their Roth IRA in this episode of Wise Money. Season 8 Episode 46 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment!   Want to spea...

Most people are aware of using Medicare when you turn 65, but what can you do about health insurance if you retire before age 65? Joined by Health Insurance expert Ben Bulgrien, we are delving into the world of healthcare to understand the affordable options while bridging the gap to Medicare when you retire early on this episode of Wise Money. Season 8 Episode 45 Have a question you want to have...

With CD rates over 5% right now, is it wise to invest in them? Their fixed maturity, predetermined interest rate, and FDIC insurance make them a low-risk — yet sometimes low-return — option. We're directing the risks, benefits, and potential returns of investing in CDs on this episode of the Wise Money Show. Season 8 Episode 44 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 57...

When managing your investment portfolio, should each account be invested the same way, or is it better to have certain accounts invested differently than others? We're answering that question from a financial planning perspective on this episode of Wise Money. Season 8 Episode 43 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment!   Want to speak wi...

Do you use part of your home for a business? What about using your vehicle for work? Some parts of your life overlap, and in those instances, it's easy not to have the right insurance coverage. Alysia Boehner is back with us to discuss the insurance requirements when using your home or car for business on this episode of the Wise Money Show. Season 8 Episode 42 Have a question you want to have ans...

Home and auto insurance rates have been rising over the past year nationwide. Is inflation to blame, or are there more factors that play into your premiums? Insurance expert Alysia Boehner joins us on this episode of Wise Money to help you keep your insurance costs low. Season 8 Episode 41 Have a question you want to have answered on the show? Call or text 574-222-2000 or leave a comment!   Want t...

The current tax rates are set to expire in 2026, which could significantly impact your finances. Not only could your tax bill be significantly higher, but the changes in the tax laws could also affect the different investment and saving options. We'll provide you with valuable tips and strategies to effectively plan for these potential tax changes during this episode of the Wise Money Show. Season...