Winning at Life with Gregory Ricks

A football star just bought the most expensive house in Charlottesville. Gregory explains how overbuying a house is a trap many people easily fall into. Charlene in New Orleans bought a fixed annuity, and wants to know how all of the surrender charges and maturity dates work. Gary in Marrero is just a year away from his Full Retirement Age, and asks Gregory if he should turn on his Social Security...

Does Social Security count marriages performed overseas? Carlos in Moss Point was married in China, and wants to make sure his wife qualifies for Social Security spousal and survivor benefits. Richard in Slidell has a wife on Medicaid. Can he sell his house and use that money to buy a new one, or will that be affect his Medicaid status? Bill in Holden has a 401k at his old job. What should he do w...

Learn the lessons from John McAfee's arrest in Spain on tax evasion. Gregory gives you a helping hand on how to get caught up on your taxes, and some bad news if you don't. Gregory shares the story of a family of Bronco Riders who have won a load of championship on the rodeo circuits. Bradley from Hammond asks for more details about the John McAfee story. We do not endorse his evasion of taxes, bu...

A survey shows about half of Americans are pessimistic about the economy over the next 6 months. Gregory suggests if you're concerned about stock losses, take a look at the bond world for a little balance. Gregory reviews a call from Richard on Saturday asking about how his various streams of income could affect his Social Security retirement benefit. Gregory reveals what's really going on behind...

Gregory breaks down more details in Trump's tax returns, and how it's not unusual for businesses to consistently show losses. There's plenty of tax lessons to be learned here, too. Greg in Laplace is not a Trump fan, and is not happy we are saying nice things about him. How long with the Coronavirus be a drag on the economy? Anita in New Orleans is divorced and remarried. Does she get to choose a...

What are the Social Security rules for a couple of divorcees who get married? Gregory helps Anita understand her options concerning her previous spouse and her new spouse, and what could change her situation in the future. Gregory breaks down more details in Trump's tax returns, and how it's not unusual for businesses to consistently show losses. There's plenty of tax lessons to be learned here, t...

What do we learn from Trump's tax returns? The fact he pays zero in federal income taxes some years deserves an incredible amount of context. Gregory breaks down how your tax burden deserves the same context. We review a call from Saturday about spousal Social Security strategies. Doc in Pearl River inherited a bunch of physical silver from his father. What should he do with a big pile of silver c...

Anita in New Orleans is divorced and remarried. Does she get to choose a spousal benefit from her current and ex spouse? Patricia in New Orleans asks if her IRA's Required Minimum Distribution can go into a Roth IRA. Gregory points out the RMD has to be taken, and the taxes have to be accounted for, but getting money into a Roth IRA is dependent on your earned income, so it's a completely separate...

Hear some of the shady moves in the financial planning industry. Just because something is legal, doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. Gregory reviews two quick callers on the Windfall Elimination Provision. The new webinar on Medicare covers the basics on how to pick the right plans. What do you do with the 401k from a previous job? What do you do with a 401k once you retire? http://www. Winn...

Check your Social Security credits! Gregory shows you how to find errors in your Social Security record, and if you can get it fixed. How does Medicare work? Gregory's latest webinar series focuses on the rules for how to start Medicare. Gregory rescues a giant turtle. How will the political changes of the 2020 affect your money? If you're so worried about it, maybe you should move away from your...

How will this election affect your money? Gregory calms the waters, and explains why the results of this election will not have much affect in the long term statistics. The open Supreme Court seat will cause a lot of noise in DC, but no big lasting affect on Wall Street. Gregory points out the high emotions around these issues could contribute to volatility, but only for a while. Gregory reminds y...

Gregory explains how the biggest news stories of the week will affect your money. How does the Windfall Elimination Provision affect your Social Security benefits for you and your spouse? Thomas in Gonzales asks if he has enough of a private sector work history to be exempted from the Windfall Elimination Provision. Pat in Slidell found an error in his Social Security earnings history. Can he get...

Gregory reviews some financial stats from last year's Half Show. Ron in Pascagoula asks Gregory's thoughts on how to fix some of the Social Security exceptions like the Windfall Elimination Provision. The old rules for inheriting IRAs are gone, including the stretch option. So what options does that leave for the money in your IRA after you pass away? http://www. WinningAtLife.com

Michael in New Orleans is looking at getting a second home on the beach just 45 minutes out of town. What lending tool should he use to finance his weekend getaway? Beware of these 3 common money scams. Gregory gives you the signs of the most common ways people are separated from their money by scammers. Financial Rules to Live By: Gregory reviews quotes of financial wisdom throughout the years of...

Jim in New Orleans likes the idea of a Roth 401k so much, he asks: why would you use a traditional 401k? If you're looking to put away even more money, see if you qualify to contribute to an HSA. A myth of Social Security is that if you turn it on early, you get a boost when you reach your Full Retirement Age. Hear how it really works. Who DOESN'T need Estate Planning? There's some people for whom...

When do you no longer need life insurance? Should you always have life insurance if you have a mortgage? Gregory breaks down some questions to ask yourself before you cash out your life insurance policy. How does the transition work between Social Security Disability and the Social Security retirement trust fund. Charles from Mandeville has called on Saturday's show asking about getting into priva...

The enhanced unemployment benefits are about to expire in Louisiana, and about the begin in Mississippi. Gregory has some 401k advice for National 401k Day. Jim in New Orleans likes the idea of a Roth 401k so much, he asks: why would you use a traditional 401k? Maria in Diamondhead has a 401k from her previous job, but her new job doesn't offer a 401k program. What should she do with the old 401k,...

Black Friday is going to look very different. Retailers who want to avoid the crowds and mobs of an in-store sale are opting for online door busters. Home Depot is among the retailers spreading out their specials over a two month span. Dennis in Mississippi asks if his wife could qualify for Social Security Disability without a recent work record. Gregory confirms the key is going to be what she's...

What's the deal with stock slices? Charles in Mandeville asks Gregory's take on a program from a broker allowing you to buy smaller slices of high priced stocks. Learn how Social Security credits work. How do different states tax your Social Security? Is the Unemployment Insurance bonus from the stimulus taxable? Gregory explains how this is the fastest Bull Run turnaround in the history of the st...

Why would someone buy a 100 year bond? Gregory tells you the history of an attempt by JC Penny to issue 100 year bonds. James found the oldest bond in history still paying interest. Trump announces a payroll tax deferral option, and it sounds like there's a lot of gray area around how this will work. The Sandwich Generation is caught between supporting their children and parents at the same time....

How different asset classes have reacted to the last 10 elections. Don on the Northshore asks if the economic issues from the Coronavirus will create a buying opportunity for investment properties. Divorce paperwork is up 34% this year. The pandemic may be the biggest contributor, and your finances may take the biggest hit. http://www. WinningAtLife.com

The pandemic increased the amount of people who saved money by a big leap. Gregory reviews some quick Social Security questions that came up on Saturday's show. How the stock market has reacted to the last 10 elections. Ann in New Orleans asks if her spouse's Windfall Elimination Provision will affect her spousal benefit when he passes. Mike in Mobile asks if his $100,000 winnings from a scratch-o...

Derik in Baton Rouge has an employer that wants to move away from pensions and more towards 401ks. He's being offered some interesting options, but not sure which way to go. Gregory sees people try and get the same effect as Indexing by manually diversifying their stock positions. This attempt at self-indexing rarely works out better than a similar index fund. Here's why you shouldn't be concerned...

Sheila in Waggaman asks about her sister's options with Social Security. She's twice divorced. Can she draw a benefit from the record of either ex spouse? Emile on Facebook Live asks if he can receive both military disability benefits and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. Timothy in Metairie is concerned about his wife's Social Security options should he pass away. Pat in Belle...

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell makes it very clear he is committed to inflation, and won't be raising rates anytime soon. Gregory Ricks explains how to invest with inflation in mind. We review a call from 2015 from an investor who bought physical silver. Given silver's performance in 2020, it's incredible to see how well the advice from 5 years ago has proven to be solid. The Unemployment...