Your Financial Compass Radio Show with Bulman Wealth Group

Market downturns are inevitable, but panic doesn’t have to be. Today, Scott and Shawn talk about how to face the unexpected with preparation instead of fear. They unpack the idea of “Black Swan” events- rare shocks like the 2008 financial crisis or COVID- that no one sees coming but everyone feels. More importantly, they explain why the real danger isn’t the event itself, but how we react to it. Y...

Is working with a financial advisor really worth it? For many do-it-yourself investors, the idea of paying for advice can feel unnecessary until retirement approaches and the stakes get higher. In this episode, Scott and Shawn dive into the real value that an advisor can bring, drawing on industry research like Vanguard’s “Advisor Alpha” study and their own years of experience. Here’s some of what...

When it comes to retirement planning, too many people think of their money as one big pile. That mindset creates stress, confusion, and unnecessary risk, especially when market volatility hits. In this episode, Chris and Shawn explain why the “three-bucket approach” offers clarity, security, and confidence for retirees and pre-retirees. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🪣 The three-...

When markets swing wildly, many retirees are left wondering: Is my portfolio built for this? In this week’s show, Chris and Shawn break down the four essential questions retirees should be asking about their investment allocation. With humor (and plenty of coffee), they unpack why a long-held investment strategy might need adjusting as you age. When you're no longer saving, but withdrawing, t...

For many nearing retirement, understanding RMDs is crucial for effective financial planning. But what exactly are RMDs, and why are they so important? RMDs might sound like just another tax rule, but mismanaging them could cost you thousands in penalties, unnecessary taxes, or missed planning opportunities.  On this week’s show, Chris and Shawn break down the ABCs of RMDs. You’ll learn when RMDs s...

Retiring without a pension? You’re not alone, and you’re not without options. In this week’s show, Scott and Shawn break down how to build reliable, sustainable income in retirement when pensions aren’t part of the equation.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Why retiring without a pension is the new norm — and what to do about it 📊 The three income buckets every retiree needs to...

Market volatility can rattle even the most seasoned investors, but what if it didn’t have to? This week’s show is all about the concerns investors are having right now due to uncertainty in the market. Scott and Shawn tackle one of the biggest questions in retirement planning: how to stay calm, confident, and strategic when the market is anything but. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode...

In a world where financial literacy is becoming increasingly essential, the message is clear: you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. This week’s show will serve as a reminder that you can have help preparing for the next chapter of life, and for many people, it makes all the difference. With retirement becoming more complex due to rising taxes, inflation, healthcare costs, and the decline...

Taxes are one of the biggest financial burdens, but with the right strategies, you can keep more of your hard-earned money. In this week’s show, Chris and Scott dive into the dreaded topic but they’ll provide a comprehensive look at our approach to planning, including tax-free investment options, Roth conversions, and tax-efficient retirement withdrawals. Here are some of the key topics we discuss...

This week, we’re talking all about the intricacies of Roth accounts and conversions to help anyone looking for ways to optimize their retirement savings. Understanding the difference between traditional and Roth IRAs is crucial for effective tax planning and long-term financial security.  We’ll discuss the powerful benefits of Roth conversions, the differences between traditional and Roth IRAs, an...

We are entering the holiday season and your capacity for stress is probably pretty limited, but we’re going to potentially ramp it up a notch by talking about the difficult money conversations everyone should be having. We have seminars on this topic pretty often so we wanted to expand on that discussion during this week’s show.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: The guys share somet...

As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on your financial health and set the stage for a prosperous new year. In this week’s show, Chris and Scott share seven essential financial strategies to consider before year-end.  Here’s are some of the things we discuss in this episode: Review your estate plan and make sure it’s still designed  Shoring up your emergency fund is c...

This week’s episode is all about busting some common myths that we hear and read about. A recent article from Fidelity spared the idea and Scott and Shawn are going to debunk six money myths. We’re covering things like income planning, healthcare, legacy planning and more.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Myth number 1: It’s not worth saving if I can only save a small amount.  Myth...

All too often, investors get hung up on the mistakes they’ve made instead of moving forward and thinking about what they need to do next. This week’s show is all about finding opportunities for improvement when mistakes are made so you’re optimizing your financial strategies in the future. From income planning to understanding your risk number, they provide great insights to improve their financia...

It seems like all the news is doom and gloom these days, and the US economy often falls into that bucket of negativity. People are often looking at worst-case scenarios and playing on the fear that drives them to react. The sky always seems to be falling.  It’s time to reverse that trend on this week’s show. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about both the economy and even the world at...

When people think of their money and working with a financial advisor, the primary risk that comes to mind is the stock market and volatility. That’s obviously the biggest and the most talked about, but there are many more risks to your retirement that don’t always get the attention they deserve.   This week’s show will highlight seven risks we must address with planning: market, liquidity, concen...

In this week’s show, Scott and Shawn discuss the intricacies of market drops, explaining what they mean and how you can prepare for them. They discuss various market events such as corrections, bear markets, recessions, and depressions, breaking down what each term means and how often these events occur.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Key definitions when it comes to market cycle...

As we journey through life, each decade brings its own set of financial challenges and opportunities. Even though retirement planning is best when it’s customized to the individual, there are milestone dates and ages that everyone needs to pay attention to. This week’s show is all about those key ages and why they’re so important for planning.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Strat...

Retirement should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, but for many, it brings a host of financial fears. In this week’s show, Scott and Shawn will walk through the four biggest fears people have in retirement by explaining what they are, what they mean, and how we can help address them.    Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: The fear of outliving your money in retirement.  Concerns...

Retirement is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It evolves through different phases, each with its own set of challenges and opportunities. In this week’s show, Scott and Shawn discuss the three distinct phases of retirement: go-go, slow-go, and no-go. Find out why each phase matters for planning and how to manage your finances as you move through retirement.  Here’s some of what we discuss in t...

Scott is joined this week by Shawn McElmoyl to break down how to clean out and organize the financial garage in your home. They discuss why so many of us accumulate financial clutter and how it affects our financial health and peace of mind. Plus, we’ll provide steps to help declutter, organize, and optimize your financial assets.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Consolidating old...

The old tale of the tortoise and the hare teaches us that looks can often be deceiving, but how does that lesson apply to the world of finance and financial planning? In an era where influencers on social media get loads of attention for looking the part, ultimately you still have to put in the work to achieve your financial goals.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: The impacts of fi...

There are often misconceptions when it comes to financial advising, but knowing the role of an advisor and how to find one that fits you will help ease many of the questions or concerns people might have. In this week’s show, Chris and Scott share insights on common misconceptions about financial advisors, the importance of trust, and lessons learned from the financial mistakes of celebrities and...

When it comes to planning for your retirement, success requires careful planning and strategic decision-making This week, Chris and Scott are here to address some of the common retirement pitfalls they see and discuss how they help their clients overcome these problem areas. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Transitioning from investing like you were when you were younger to investin...

In this week’s show, Chris and Scott share personal anecdotes, including Chris's experience teaching his children about investing, and the importance of starting financial education early. They also explore the generational differences in retirement planning and savings habits, and provide actionable insights into creating a robust financial plan.  Tune in to learn about the Rule of 72, the 4...