Making Finances Easier: Recent Episodes
Paul Cochran
Small changes, made over time, can produce significant results. Much like a high performance engine, or an entire orchestra, when even a small part is not doing what it is supposed to do, everything suffers. And the same is true of your finances. This show is dedicated to the small things that make a significant difference.
There's been a lot of change in the world of inherited IRAs over the past few years. It pays to be proactive in how you plan on satisfying RMDs from a inherited IRA you become the owner of.
With Halloween around the corner, Paul and Garrett discuss a few of the financial mistakes people can fall into.
The latest cost of living adjustment (COLA) was announced for Social Security beneficiaries. Paul and Garrett discuss its impacts.
Paul and Garrett discuss the big rocks of healthcare costs in retirement: Health Insurance and Long-Term care planning.
Paul and Garrett discuss how a 5-6% fixed income interest rate could impact your investing allocations and income plan.
Garrett brings in Ben Landis to help explain what Annual Enrollment season is for Medicare.
Paul and Garrett discuss how Roth Conversions works and how now is the time to begin planning any Roth Conversion decisions you may have before the end of the year.
Paul and Garrett discuss a recent growing trend of option investing and how it compares to investing vs gambling.
Paul and Garrett discuss a recent WSJ article highlighting the effect of higher prevailing bond interest rates and next year's tax return.
Paul and Garrett discuss the latest headlines revolving around the nation's debt and then switchover to how they think about debt with client households.
Paul interviews Garrett on how his engineering degree has helped him in his everyday workings with clients.
Paul and Garrett discuss the semantics and practical out workings of being a conservative investor in 2023.
Bruce and Garrett discuss some of the big timing events of Medicare and Extended Care as clients get closer to retirement.
Paul and Garrett discuss common cybersecurity issues that come up with clients in retirement.
Paul and Garrett discuss the necessity for investors to revisit their investment allocations if they have been leaning heavier in stocks for the past few years due to low interest rates.
Paul and Garrett discuss a particular area of estate planning that can often go overlook - beneficiary designations.
Paul and Garrett discuss when clients age, even for DIY investors, there can be an appropriate time to bring in help so that a surviving spouse can have help.
Paul and Garrett bring Cindy Bickers on today's show to discuss her role in how she helps us with our wealth management clients. She does it all!
Paul brings Marissa and Ben on the show to weigh in on the challenges of Medicare Plans and Part D.
Paul and Garrett weigh in on how they talk to clients about their ability to take on investment risk through retirement.
Paul and Garrett discuss how they consider the tax implications and risk considerations in where they actually place different securities and ETFs within different types of investment accounts.
Paul and Garrett discuss a couple possible benefits of active management and also explore the history of Mutual Funds, ETFs, and now investment strategies we utilize that incorporate individual stocks.
Paul and Garrett discuss some of the financial planning challenges to be anticipated of a loved one passing.
Description: Navigating Working Rules and Spousal benefits for married (or divorced) individuals is complicated. Using software is the best first step you can take.
Description: There's a lot of reasons why people choose to take Social Security early. Paul and Garrett discuss Social Security trust fund issues and the benefits of a coordinated filing plan with your financial plan.
In this episode we discuss the current real estate market, housing prices and what to do with your mortgage if you're close or in retirement.
If inflation has peaked, what does that mean for the stock market? Smooth sailing or stormy skies ahead?
Description: Bruce and Garrett discuss how to simplify the Medicare sign-up process of Original Medicare or an Advantage Plan and how those Medicare TV Commercials you see work.
Whether you're still working or not, knowing the best time to file for Medicare Parts A and B is a tall order. Bruce Landis joins us this morning to give tips on how to do that the right way.
Paul and Garrett weigh in the Federal Reserve possibly raising interest rates this week and the opportunities available to you to invest your money in the short and long term.
Paul and Garrett discuss the banking issues that have filled the headlines in early March 2023 and how diversifying financial risk is a valuable component to good financial planning.
Paul and Garrett discuss the different options available to investors on the safer parts of their portfolios and cash. From Checkings and Savings Accounts all the way up to Laddered Bond Funds and MYGAs.
Paul and Garrett discuss a recent legislative issue on Student Loans and some proactive tax planning techniques to take reduce your prior year tax liabilities.
Paul and Garrett discuss Long-Term Disability insurance and how it fits into a financial plan.
Paul and Garrett weigh on the current Debt Limit conversation and how what people think we do as advisors, might be different than what they expect.
Paul and Bruce take another round of discussing Long-Term Care insurance and how it fits into a retirement plan.
Paul and Garrett discuss how they think about tax planning around the office and how it's one of the best ways we provide value to our clients.
Paul and Garrett discuss another piece of the latest Secure Act 2.0 legislature - Post Death RMD options for Spouses.
Paul and Garrett discuss another piece of the latest Secure Act 2.0 legislature - Post Death RMD options for Spouses.
Paul and Garrett discuss the recently signed into law Secure Act 2.0 specifically related to new RMD ages going into affect over time.
Happy New Year! Paul and Garrett look back at 2022 and talk about some of the lessons they learned along the way.
Merry Christmas! Paul and Garrett discuss how giving plays a role in their life. Garrett's family makes a surprise appearance at the end.
Paul and Garrett discuss performance chasing and changes in the income generation landscape for retirees.
Paul and Garrett discuss end-of-year action items: 401k Contributions, RMD Deadlines, Qualified Charitable Distributions and Donor Advised Funds.
Paul and Garrett discuss end of year RMD planning and the different options available to satisfying them.
Paul and Garrett discuss what the term financial planning means in real day-to-day life.
This week Paul and Garrett discuss commons uses of life insurance in retirement planning.
Where does insurance fit into financial and retirement planning? In this episode we explore this and give tips and strategies regarding insurance and planning.
In this episode we discuss tax changes and strategies that will affect your financial plan.
We talk about the ups and downs of the current market, inflation and the investment landscape... with tips, strategies and what to watch for.
Paul and Garrett weigh in on September's Dow Bear Market and financial moves you can consider to make the most of a bear market.