The Financial Answer with Nathan O’Bryant

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?

Financial Planning By Profession

Financial advisors work with all sorts of different clients who work in a variety of different professions. What kinds of mindsets or challenges do they face?
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-gG 
 
What we discuss on this show: 
0:38 - There’s been some recent market volatility.
2:04 - In the News: FedEx is hiring 70,000 workers for the holiday season.
4:35 - What kinds of professionals do financial advisors commonly see?
5:00 - Teachers have to find creative ways to save.
6:32 - Doctors make money, but do they plan well?
8:42 - Engineers need a lot of data.
10:54 - Entrepreneurs make up a large part of our economy.
14:56 - Government employees have good benefits.

Don’t Assume When It Comes to Retirement

When it comes to finances, a lot of times it is easy to make an assumption about something one way or another. But you know what they say about what happens when you assume!
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-gA 
 
What we discuss today: 
0:35 - Nathan shares why this is his favorite time of the year.
1:52 - What is the latest in the news?
5:49 - Why shouldn’t you make assumptions?
6:53 - Assumption: You’ll spend less in retirement.
8:42 - Assumption: Taxes will be lower in retirement.
11:34 - Assumption: You have to financially help out adult children.
14:34 - Assumption: I’ll never be able to retire.
17:54 - Mailbag: Should I buy gold bars, gold coins, or no gold at all?

Dirty Little Secrets in the Financial World

No one knows what you don’t know. So, let’s talk about all those secrets you might be unaware of when it comes to the financial world. What should you really be paying attention to? We'll tell you today. 
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paIiUZ-gr 
 
On today's show: 
1:38 - Is moving out of the city a long-term trend?
3:27 - Dunkin’ Donuts is closing 800 stores throughout the country.
5:38 - The future of the election and the vaccine will play a part in the economy.
7:30 - What are the dirty secrets in the financial industry?
11:16 - Most things financial advisors argue about aren’t that important.   
12:19 - It’s difficult to differentiate between skill and luck.
13:53 - The bolder the opinion, the more people pay attention to it.
17:48 - What’s the best way to teach kids about taxes, according to Bill Murray?