Your Life Your Wealth Podcast

When planning for your retirement, having money set aside for short, intermediate and long-term purposes can be a viable approach to securing your future. This process is sometimes called the "bucket approach." Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Jason O'Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They di...

Debt is a 4-letter word many savers and investors may want to avoid. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Jason O'Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They discuss smart ways debt can be used to your advantage in financial planning. Listening Time: 24 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information V...

News stories about an impending retirement crisis have been published regularly over the past several decades. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Jason O'Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They discuss the prevalence of published doom and gloom stories, why they exist and whether or not they des...

The building blocks that we played with as children take on a whole new meaning when they are imagined, later in life, to be more than just toys. Building blocks exist throughout our lives, and if used wisely, can help lead us to a better life financially and otherwise. John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by Fritz Gilbert author of the book "Keys To A Successful Retire...

For some, living on a budget is considered a disciplined plan for careful spending and saving. For others, having to adhere to a budget is an unwelcome restriction on enjoying life. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional Jason O'Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They discuss budgeting and the clea...

Financial planning is about more than just numbers. It may be reflective of the values and priorities you hold dear. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses ways to help identify your guiding principles. He also discusses the financial benefits you, and your loved ones, may receive when you apply those principles. Listening Time: 21 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosur...

Spring cleaning our home or office is common for many of us, but have you considered spring cleaning for your finances? John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses why now may be the perfect time of year to look at your financial plan, investments, debt and savings. Are all in line with your current needs and priorities? Listening Time: 22 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure In...

The very essence of this weekly podcast is about the inevitable intersection of Life and Wealth. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses how your personal finances and your lifestyle are intertwined. He talks about the need to assess, and sometimes reassess, your priorities as you plan for retirement. Will you have the financial capability to enjoy your retired year...

Your 401k: Take It, Leave It, or Roll it into an IRA # 437 When you leave your employer, you have several options in dealing with your 401k. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by his Mercer Advisors' colleague Dennis Jablonoski, Certified Retirement Plan Specialist. They discuss several effective ways to deploy your existing retirement plan dollars when you lea...

There have been reports that the IRS has strengthened its enforcement efforts. With this year's tax filing deadline quickly approaching, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by Mercer Advisors' Tim Joseph CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™  professional and CPA. They address several frequently asked questions about IRS audits. Plus, Tim shares a few tax filing tips to keep i...

Accomplishing things in a straight-forward and uncomplicated manor has a way of making life easier. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses how to apply this philosophy to your financial and retirement planning to help increase your probability of success. Listening Time: 21 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information Visit Our Website Join Our Email List Additio...

Psychologists remind us that our thinking and reasoning are often influenced by our preconceived notions or ideas. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses ways to identify, as well as work with and around, biases we may have relating to money and investing. Listening Time: 28 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information Visit Our Website Join Our Email List Additi...

There are several reasons why you should consider putting your financial affairs in order before you die. Among them, is that estate planning can help clear your own mind and help give your heirs direction in fulfilling your wishes in their time of grief. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors is joined by colleague Ryan Flurer, Financial Planner at Mercer Advisors. They disc...

Did you know that you may have a spirit animal when it comes to your finances? Your spirit animal represents you, your personality, and your attitudes toward investing. Having a little fun today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, will help you determine which spirit animal best describes you. This discussion may help you better understand how and why you make your decisions ab...

Maximizing Social Security benefits for you and your spouse can be tricky since there are several different options to consider. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by colleague Ryan Flurer, Financial Planner at Mercer Advisors. They discuss Social Security for individuals and married couples and explore several options to help you get the most from this importa...

If your retirement is a year or two away, you should be mindful of changes to the current retirement landscape. The changes result from legislative action and the forthcoming sunsetting of some previously enacted tax laws. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses the changes that you, and your financial planning team, may consider for you to be appropriately prepared...

In today's economy, there's seems to be no shortage of financial advice offered. It may come from friends, family members, co-workers, or even journalists. The problem is that the advice you receive may not be good advice. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses some not-so-good advice to avoid, and the value of listening to credentialed professionals. Listening Tim...

Managing risk and yield within your portfolio in today's world, with higher interest rates that likely won't last, can be a challenge. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by Don Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer, Mercer Advisors. They discuss the importance of making the distinction between your short-term cash needs and long-term wealth planning needs. Listeni...

The modern concept of retirement was a long time in coming and will continue to evolve. Lifestyle changes and longevity have had a significant impact on how we plan for, and live in, retirement. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses the history of retirement and its probable future. Listening Time: 25 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information Visit Our Websit...

Putting together a net worth statement may be a good starting point for a more accurate understanding of your financial health. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses what's included in a net worth statement and the benefits of having one. Listening Time: 23 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information Visit Our Website Join Our Email List Additional Mercer Advis...

Today, a discussion on how gender may impact your feelings toward money and money management.  Kelly Albert, Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Mercer Advisors joins John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, to explore the reasons some men and women have differing views on money and investing. Understanding these potential differences could be a first step...

Arrival of the New Year may be viewed as an opportunity for a fresh start, a new beginning, or at very least a chance to put your best foot forward. John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses the importance of placing investment and retirement planning high on your list of "to-dos" for early 2024. Listening Time: 23 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information Visit Our Web...

As the year ends, the holidays arrive and many of us may be busier than ever. But it's an important time of year to keep your financial wellbeing top of mind. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, reminds you of several potentially beneficial tax related moves to consider before the new year arrives. Listening Time: 19 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information Visit Ou...

Having a multigenerational relationship with your advisor can help your adult children get a solid start with financial planning. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses those benefits and the advantages of starting a retirement plan as soon as your career begins.  Listening Time: 18 minutes Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information Visit Our Website Join Our Email Lis...

There's a big difference between financial planning and obtaining a one-time financial plan. A one-time plan only presents a snapshot of a single moment in time and doesn't include consideration of life changes you will likely experience. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses why dynamic ongoing work with a planning professional can be far better suited to helping...