The Financial Answer

Last Ten Working Years Before Retirement

As you draw near to retirement, what should you be doing in those last few years to prepare? We talk about the priorities you should have as you shift your focus toward retirement. 
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-i1 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
1:16 - What priorities should you have in the ten years pre-retirement?
3:28 - What do you want to do with your free time?  
6:17 - Are you thinking about a post-retirement career?
8:30 - Do you need to make up for lost time in savings?
10:33 - Is your debt load reduced?
13:23 - Are you minimizing risk?
16:10 - Mailbag: How do I convince my wife to do some aggressive saving for retirement?

What You Should Know About Biden’s Executive Orders

With a new president in the new year making some changes, what do you need to keep in mind for your financial plan? Biden has only been in office for a few weeks but has made over 30 executive orders so far. On today’s episode of the podcast, we have an economical discussion about several that might impact your finances.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-hT 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
1:43 - Biden has passed over 30 executive orders so far.
4:40 - Student loan interest is paused until September.
7:01 - The Keystone pipeline permit was revoked.
10:03 - How do we make the right decisions?
12:08 - What would happen if the minimum wage is raised?
13:50 - Automation has changed some of the job market.
17:59 - What’s going to happen to the economy moving forward?

Understanding Values-Based Planning

What are your goals? Why does the money matter? Everyone has different motivators and needs, so what does it look like to create a values-based plan? On today’s episode of the Financial Answer podcast, Nathan shares how your values can impact your financial plan.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-hN 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:38 - Nathan says everything is awesome.
1:43 - What is values-based planning?
2:22 - For many people, family is what matters most.
4:55 - How is your faith reflected in how you invest? 
11:02 - Is education a part of your legacy?
13:29 - What really matters to you?

2021: This Is The Year (No Matter What)

This year, let’s not make the same mistake of enthusiastically welcoming 2021 since we have no idea what the year will bring. Instead, let’s say that NO MATTER WHAT, this is a year that you’re going to make good financial choices. Here’s a few things to focus on. 
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-hw 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
2:12 - What are Nathan’s resolutions?   
2:46 - What are most typical resolutions?
3:29 - What can you do in the first quarter of 2021?
5:25 - Do you remember the SECURE Act?
8:21 - It’s almost tax time again!
11:27 - Did your income change?
14:35 - Assess your overall retirement health.

Christmas Songs and Financial Planning

We test Nathan's holiday spirit and see if he can give us a financial lesson from some holiday classics. As you listen to your favorite songs, what lessons can be learned?
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-hq 
 
What we discuss on this show: 
0:29 - What is Nathan looking forward to this holiday season?
2:53 - What’s the financial lesson learned from these Christmas songs?
3:08 - “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
6:00 - “Do You Hear what I Hear?”
7:42 - “Little Town of Bethlehem”
10:41 - “What Child Is This?”
12:57 - “Blue Christmas” 

End of Year Financial Planning

Any key financial moves you should make before the end of the year? Find out on today’s podcast.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-hh 
 
What we discuss on this show: 
2:35 - Should we max out retirement contributions? 
4:10 - What do you need to pay attention to with the CARES Act?
5:46 - What might the CARES Act or SECURE Act 2.0 look like?
7:34 - Have you explored the possibilities for tax loss harvesting?
9:08 - What kind of charitable contributions should you make?
10:43 - Are there any purchases that could give you a tax credit?
11:43 - Does it make sense to do a Roth conversion?

Unreasonable Requests to Financial Advisors

What kind of unreasonable requests do financial advisors hear? Have you ever uttered one of these phrases? Nathan talks through what is and isn’t possible when it comes to financial planning.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-h8 
 
What we discuss on this show: 
1:48 - “I want a bigger return with little or no risk.”
5:18 - “Can you reduce your fees?”
9:10 - “How can I get out of paying taxes?”   
11:47 - “Can you just do it for me?”
15:07 - What does participation look like when financial planning?

An Election Conversation

We may not have all the results from the election yet, but we do have some thoughts on where things seem to be headed. How will this impact the market? And your portfolio? We'll try to make some sense of it on this show.
 
Read more and get additional financial planning resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-h1 
 
What we discuss on the show:
0:37 - We had planned to talk about the election this week.
2:22 - The House and Senate will likely be split.
3:47 - When does the market do best politically speaking?
5:07 - We might have more balance when the power is split.
6:27 - Two days past the election, how is the market doing?
9:20 - How does this compare to the 2000 election? 
12:18 - Try to stay calm.

Statistics on Saving and Investing

What’s typical when it comes to saving and investing? We review a report to get the most recent statistics on things like using target date funds and making use of a Roth 401(k). How do you compare?
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-gU 
 
What we discuss on the show:
0:29 - Nathan shares about his latest catch.
1:50 - A recent study shows the majority of people use target date funds in their 401(k).
3:30 - What is a market cap weighted fund?
6:08 - Should you be using a Roth 401(k)?
7:53 - Should you be holding more or less company stock?
10:25 - Is it logical to take a hardship withdrawal from a 401(k) if needed?

Mom’s Favorite Phrases And Financial Planning

My mother used to say…to make my bed, obey my parents, and save my pennies. What other commonly used phrases by mom relates to financial advising today?
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-gM 
 
What we discuss on this show: 
1:11 - Fun fact: Not making your bed can be safer.
3:06 - “Why? Because I said so!”
6:03 - “If you’re going to act like a child, I’ll treat you like one.”
7:55 - “If all your friends jump off a bridge, will you do it too?”
11:37 - “One day you’ll thank me.”
14:13 - What kind of financial education did you receive in school?