Jags to Jail Cells
Operation Varsity Blues is back in the news this week. Several high-profile wealthy parents pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges for trying to bribe their children's way into college. Those who didn’t plead guilty saw their charges increased from mail fraud to the more serious charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud. Philadelphia Attorney Ian Comisky, Partner with the firm Fox Rothschild, joins me to discuss the scandal along with other legal issues in the news this week.
Do You Know How Much Money You Will Really Need In Retirement?
The biggest fear many retirees have is running out of money. I’m joined by Aline Holzworth, a Behavioral Scientist at Duke University, who recently co-authored a Wall Street Journal article on her research to help determine the amount of money you may need in retirement. It’s a surprisingly high percentage of the annual income earned during your working years, and a much larger number than is often used as a rule-of-thumb by many planners. I also explain why it’s necessary to go beyond the numbers to live your best life in retirement.
Program Length: 14 minutes
Too many investors spend too much time chasing specific stocks or trying to time the market, while at the same time are careless about maximizing their tax benefits. Carefully managing your taxes is an area where you can have a significant impact on the growth of your investments. Being smart about where you invest for retirement and even smarter about which retirement accounts you withdraw from, and in what order, can make a significant difference in the amount of money you keep and how much you send to Uncle Sam. I share tips and strategies you need to know.
Program Length: 33 minutes
Jerome Powell says the Federal Reserve is going to be rate neutral for now. What do his comments mean to you? I talk with Senior Financial Analyst Joe Cortese. We discuss market fundamentals as we approach the end of the first quarter of 2019. Plus, the Fed’s inflation fight, corporate debt and the strength of the U.S. dollar. I also give my take on the markets and how volatility can bring opportunities.
Program Length: 25 minutes
It’s considered either a “fantastic new idea” or “the path to financial ruin.” There's a controversial new and growing trend relating to retirement called FIRE, Financial Independence Retire Early. It’s a movement, largely supported by millennials, promoting the idea of living frugally while saving up to half of your income early in your career, then retiring in your mid 40’s. I discuss the FIRE concept and look at the possible benefits and many problems connected to this very different type of financial life plan.
Program Length: 18 minutes
Jersey Shore Towns Take Hit on Property Values
Research indicates that the increase in property values at some Jersey Shore towns is being stunted by rising sea levels. Towns including Brigantine, Atlantic City, Sea Isle City, and North Wildwood are among the top 20 locations impacted, with the burgeoning retirement town of Ocean City being the hardest hit. I'm a resident of the Jersey Shore and skeptical of these findings, but wanted further detail. I’m joined by Columbia University researcher Jeremy Porter to explain his perspective on the data.
Program Length: 24 minutes
Retirement Account Consolidation
If you’ve worked for various companies during your career, you may have accumulated several 401(k) accounts. As retirement approaches, perhaps you should consider consolidating those accounts. This streamlining process can be complicated, and there could be benefits to maintaining separate accounts. I’ll walk you through the process and detail the pros and cons of retirement account consolidation.
Program Length: 18 minutes
Investing In Innovation: Disruptive Technologies
Catherine Wood, Groundhog Day presenter and CEO of ARC Invest, joins me for a discussion about investing in disruptive technologies. Ark Invest seeks investment opportunities with companies who specialize in technological innovations such as robotics, big data, cloud computing, and energy storage.
Program Length: 18 minutes
Giving Back to Those Who've Served: A Conversation with Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch (USN Ret.)
My broadcast from the 26th Annual Emerald Groundhog Day Investment Forum continues. I’m joined by Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch (USN Ret.) along with Joe Besecker, Founder, Chairman, and President of Emerald Asset Management. We discuss Admiral Lynch’s long and distinguished military and business career and his current work managing the nation’s leading VA mortgage company. Joe joins the conversation and discusses his personal and professional association with Admiral Lynch. Plus, we’ll revisit an entertaining encounter I had with Adm. Lynch, Roger Staubach, Joe Besecker, and my son Vincent, years back at an Army/Navy game.
Program Length: 22 minutes
Preparing for the Inevitable (Not Death!)
Ben Franklin famously said: “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” I’ll leave the death discussion for another day. For now, tax season is here and Cordasco Financial Network CPA Tim Joseph joins me for a review of several new tax laws that will impact your filing this year.
Program Length: 15 minutes
Where Science Meets Money
How old are you? It may no longer be just a simple question. I share new scientific data about chronological vs. biological age, and how it may someday be used to more accurately develop the wealth part of your financial plan.
Program Length: 15 minutes
This past week Jack Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group, died at the age of 89. I pay tribute to this giant in the investment world who will be best remembered for his passion regarding low-cost, uncomplicated long-term mutual fund investing.
Program Length: 20 minutes
Portfolio Rebalance: Why, When & How
Taking the practice of rebalancing to a deeper level. I describe how rebalancing is needed to keep you on track, but can take on very different characteristics based on your risk tolerance, goals and stage of life.
Program Length: 20 minutes
Last year's market activity included sell-offs and wild swings. It's time to analyze the “why's.” Why did the markets behave that way? Why did you sell or perhaps why didn’t you buy more aggressively on the dips? I discuss how a better understanding of the “why's” creates clarity and can help take the emotion out of investing. I’ll also outline some of the specific reasons market volatility has increased and some lessons we can all learn from TV’s “America Pickers."
Your 401(k): As Seen On TV
The “set it and forget it” approach may have been fine for the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie Oven so many of us saw advertised on television back in the day, however it’s not a sound strategy for managing your 401(k) plan today. I’ll describe specific things you should consider doing with your 401(k) to take full advantage of current market conditions.
Program Length: 11 minutes
At Cordasco Financial Network, we receive lots of listener emails each week, and it’s time to address a few on this program. I answer questions on the characteristics of bull and bear markets, recent activity by the Federal Reserve, and give you an inside look at what we do at CFN during the type of market conditions we are currently experiencing.
Program Length: 20 minutes
At a time of continued volatility for domestic markets, I take a look at the potential opportunities from adding emerging markets and other overseas investments to the growth portion of a portfolio. To listen to this 14 minute podcast, click below.
Program Length: 14 minutes
Current volatile market conditions may call for adjustments to be made within your investment portfolio. I'll explain how one of the options, dividend paying stocks, has come back into focus for investors.
Program Length: 9 minutes
Did the recent wild swings in the markets cause you to rethink your investment strategy? Healthy markets move up and down, and often evoke emotional responses from investors. I’ll explore the reasons for these swings, look at them historically, and tell you why I believe that an unemotional assessment of current conditions show that our economy is fundamentally sound.
Program Length: 15 minutes
Managing Expectations for the Long Term
Market conditions aren't within our control. As we continue to experience large swings, I discuss the ways to help investors cope and manage expectations through a low-return period.
Program Length: 17 minutes
Jack Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group, has made bold predictions about the markets for the next ten years. He offers a pessimistic outlook about returns on stock and bonds. I don't simply accept or reject his predictions, instead I analyze them in order to gain proper perspective, and I share my thoughts.
Program Length: 24 minutes
I discuss how wealth comes in many forms and means different things to different people. I then talk about the various professions within the world of money management to help you determine the most suitable professional for your individual situation.
Program Length: 15 minutes
A Tax Saving Twist
New tax law ended deductions on advisory fees. I discuss how you can get tax savings from a long-held qualified retirement account rule allowing you to pay your financial advisor’s fee out of your IRA account with no tax or penalty, but there are some restrictions you should consider.
Program Length: 6 minutes