Are you leaving money on the table? For families weighing their options when choosing a financial advisor, Vanguard’s Advisor Alpha study has long been the go-to guide—and now, fresh research from SmartAsset echoes the sentiment that the right advisor could boost your net returns by over 2% annually. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, revea…

Retirement isn’t just about your savings—it’s also about where you choose to live. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores WalletHub’s 46-factor framework for ranking states for retirees, examining everything from tax rates and cost of living to leisure opportunities and healthcare access. We also unpack the key financial and personal c…

Can money really buy a longer, healthier life? In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, dives into the surprising connection between wealth and longevity, uncovering how financial freedom can unlock better health, reduced stress, and more fulfilling retirement years. We also tackle the challenges of cognitive decline, exploring its impact on fina…

The Social Security Fairness Act is shaking up the retirement landscape, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for millions of retirees. These long-standing provisions have impacted Social Security benefits for public sector workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers—until now. In thi…

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores the key financial and psychological factors driving early Social Security claims. Discover how a well-optimized strategy could boost your lifetime spending by more than 10%. Your Social Security decision isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s a critical piece of your retirement puzzle. Join us to…

Remember in 2022 when both stocks and bonds fell in lockstep? Did you think diversification failed? Want to build a more diversified, resilient portfolio to better grow and protect your hard-earned dollars? Hear Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA discuss how the TALS strategy adds unique sources of returns to your portfolio outside of traditional stocks and …

Have a sizable brokerage account? Have unrealized capital gains? Pay income taxes at the highest rates? Want to pay your fair share but no more? If so, this is an episode not to miss. In part 1 of this series, Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA explored why adding the TALS strategy may yield significant investing and tax benefits. He described how TALS can h…

For successful investors and high-income earners, this is an episode not to miss... Sure, you can own an S&P 500 ETF or mutual fund. You could also own the 500 stocks individually, a strategy nowadays called direct indexing. Direct indexing aims to capitalize on individual stock volatility and add tax benefits by harvesting losses. Or you may choos…

Is diversification dead? Over the last decade, putting all your eggs in the S&P 500 basket has outperformed diversified strategies. In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explore why the U.S. market has been on an unprecedented run, why the global market portfolio hasn't kept up, and whether diversification is really the best move for long…

The clock is ticking on the 2017 Tax Cuts, and big changes are looming. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the complexities of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its upcoming expiration in 2025. We dive into the original intent behind these cuts, what changes were made, and the impact on your bottom line. Learn how the expiratio…

This episode explores the disconnect between retirement expectations and reality, referencing a recent Gallup report that shows most retirees live comfortably despite fears about running out of money. Hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discuss why non-retirees may be more fearful than needed, the role of Social Security, and how age-based spending patt…

Over the last few years, significant changes have been made to how retirement accounts are managed after death, especially with new RMD rules. In July, the IRS issued its new Final Regulations regarding the SECURE Act’s provisions. In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, break down the key provisions, including the 10-Year Rule for benefici…

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, reviews the rich insights from Fritz Gilbert's blog post, "Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement." Exploring the complexities of retirement that go beyond financial concerns, highlighting how true fulfillment often lies in navigating the non-financial aspects of this life stage. Join us as we unravel th…

There is no such thing as a free lunch – or is there? Discover the world of buffered ETFs, a fast-growing segment in financial markets designed to offer investors defined outcomes with built-in downside protection. In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, dive into the mechanics, benefits, and potential drawbacks of these complex financial i…

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discuss why meticulous budgeting isn’t necessary for most people approaching retirement. Discover how understanding your lifestyle spending and anticipating future changes can lead to more effective financial planning. Learn about the "Retirement Spending Smile" concept and why focusing on your lifest…

It's almost Election Day in the US, and opinions are flying. But should elections sway your long-term investment strategy? Find out in this episode as Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, cuts through the political noise exploring historical market performance in past election years and Presidential terms. Sharing how you can use this data to set your emotion…

Our brain uses mental shortcuts to help us solve problems. While they can be quite helpful, in some areas they may harm our decision-making. Social Security claiming is often one of these negatively impacted areas. In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discuss the mental shortcuts (aka cognitive biases) at play when deciding to take your …

Estate planning is about more than just wealth distribution—it’s about peace of mind. In this episode, Hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, cover the fundamentals to start or update your estate planning journey. We’ll discuss how your financial advisor is best to guide the process while your attorney ensures legal alignment. Working together makes the jo…

Employer-provided retiree health benefits are quickly becoming obsolete. KFF’s latest survey reveals a sharp decline in large employers offering these benefits, leaving individuals to seek other solutions. Hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explore your options. Whether you are worried about age 65—either retiring before or after—or have a business, we…

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores why targeting a "magic number" of retirement savings falls well short of good retirement planning. Yet, why do people often focus on this? Is it because this survey data is regularly done and widely in the media – with the magic number now at a record high of $1.46 million – or something more? Her…

We welcome Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA, back in action, joining Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP®, on this potpourri-type episode. Hear Kevin's perspective on the last episode, coming changes in the residential real estate market, and why they will be good for consumers. He'll also share some lessons learned from this tax season and differences between tax-only…

Gone are the days of 6% commissions when selling a home!? Well, sort of. In this episode, we unpack the $418 million proposed settlement that will likely reshape the real estate industry. While change creates winners and losers, consumers will generally be winners as the industry wheat will further separate from the chaff. Hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, …

When it comes to finances, paying a big bill at tax time is the worst. Worse yet, is if that bill comes as a surprise because your CPA, Investment Professional, and Financial Planner were not on the same page. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, sheds light on traditional culprits that cause nasty surprises at tax time. Whether it is capital…

So, what are smarter ways to save or gift to your family? In this episode listen to Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP® discuss how to gift wisely, be supportive of and not inhibit responsible financial behaviors, utilize intra-family loans, and optimize benefits for your family today and into the future. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: What t…

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, takes a deep dive into the world of risk. Is filling out a simple questionnaire sufficient? How about telling your advisor, "I'm moderately conservative?" Don't these seem fuzzy at best? Hear how your perceived risk and diversification may differ – sometimes substantially – from mathematical reality. And b…