It could be Trump. It could be Biden. As of this recording, it could even be someone not born during the Roosevelt administration (Franklin, not Teddy, although it seems like Teddy). In any case , Steve and Dave debate whether this election will lead to a market correction. Plus, you’ll meet Harry Dent-The Bear of all Bears. Forget “Nervous Nellie”…

After a brief epilogue on Tony Robbins’ out of touch financial advice (great tips if you’re “The Billionaire Next Door”, not so hot for the bottom 99.9999%), we delve into what may be the next great investment bubble, AI. Dave’s a big fan of Professor Scott Galloway, and he is predicting that the AI bubble will burst. So if you’re not quite ready f…

The podcast starts with Steve’s look back at the life and times of Daniel Kahneman. Who’s Daniel Kahneman (Said everyone with a life and/or hobby)? He’s a psychologist whose theories on human behavior have had a profound effect on the world of finance…Oh, that Daniel Kahneman!! We also discuss some questionable investment advice from another guy wh…

Nobody wants to be the victim of a financial scam, yet they are becoming more prevalent and exotic every day. The story of one such incident, that Steve relays in this podcast, is fascinating, terrifying and informative all at the same time! Episode 110 of Plan For Life is a must listen, and a must lesson, for all of us.…

In episode 109 of Plan For Life Now, Steve and Dave give a detailed overview of what happened in the markets in 2023 (Good Stuff) versus what happened in 2022 (Bad Stuff). All of this as a data point for what may occur in 2024. But regardless of market results, their hypothesis is to buckle up for an election year like no other!…

It’s a festive episode for this holiday season, with a lot cool gifts-Like the stock market, the bond market, and the 60/40 portfolio! Also, a special tribute to the late, great Charlie Munger. If you’ve never heard of him, listen and find out about one of money’s wisest men. And finally, don’t always take the advice of those famous financial pundi…

Steve and Dave spend the majority of episode 107 reviewing where we are right now as the markets head toward 2024. Steve adds some prescient* insight on bonds: Dave finishes the pod off with some startling reality about Long Term Care, proving once again that life, money, and segments of Plan For Life Now are truly unpredictable!*Recently voted int…

No way to sugarcoat this one- If you own the Federal LTCi plan, you’re looking at another price hike that could be up to 86%. But there will be options to amend your policy to mitigate the cost. Please use this short podcast as a guide on how to deal with this. We strongly recommend passing this Pod on to others you know who will also have some imp…

The show begins with Steve and Dave “waxing poetic”* about the end of summer, and quickly moves into a detailed review of a great column by Michelle Singletary about the emotional fraught of retirement. Then Steve debunks Michael Burry’s latest doom and gloom market prediction. If you’re worried about your money running out, and a fan of shorting t…

After a quick market recap (and a good one at that!), Steve and Dave get into a detailed discussion about the fine line between how an investment opportunity is advertised on radio and TV* versus how it performs in real life. Before you buy what your favorite media outlet is selling, you may want to listen to episode (whatever) of Plan For Life Now…

This show is full of financial fireworks!* Steve and Dave start off with a discussion of how the markets did for the first half of 2023, then pivot into a back and forth about Artificial Intelligence. They finish with some sophisticated ideas to make your extra cash really work for you. Plus, a rare (and only ever) cameo mention of former Surgeon G…

2023 5 31 - The Psychology Of Money by Capitol Retirement StrategiesBy Capitol Retirement Strategies

It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for, big number 100!* We take a trip down memory lane, starting with the radio show at WMAL. If you’ve ever wondered about Dave and Steve’s broadcasting timeline, and how that led to a podcast that’s rocking triple digit listenership, then you need to tune in to this very special episode of Plan For Life Now…

The title of our 100th episode is also the Jeopardy answer to the question, “What type of bank do I hope my money is in right now?” The big 100th episode celebration takes a back seat to the big questions, like Why did this happen? What will happen next? And what, if anything, should you do about? You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers on this …

Well, it’s the last pod before the “100th Episode Mega Celebration” and Dave gives us a hint about two superstars who may be making a surprise appearance (Spoiler Alert-It’s not true!) Speaking of celebrations, Steve points out that the markets partied like it was 1999 in January, but we’re hungover like it was 2022 in February. You’ll also hear a …

Steve and Dave start things off by being the last two people on earth to wish you a “Happy New Year”! It’s a perfect prelude to their Predictions for 2023 extravaganza . What does the new year have in store for the “3 B’s” (Bonds, Bitcoin and Bezos)? Will the Fed pull off their “soft landing”? Is the 60/40 portfolio dead? If you like a slew of prog…

Steve and Dave look forward to their upcoming, star studded spectacular ( actually doing nothing different than normal) 100th podcast episode, and look back at the market’s 2022 performance. What if 2023 is as dismal as 2022? Does it really matter? If you’re interested in Dave peppering Steve with 4 word questions, and an old random story about run…

Steve and Dave cover a variety of topics including the dangers of market timing, some surprising tips on “TIPS” (and Gold, but that didn’t sound clever), and a negative spin on the advancement of Alzheimer's testing. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to the “When They Say It’s Dead It’s Very Much Alive Fund”. It will all make sense when you liste…

Steve and Dave delve into all of the predictions and theories about where this volatile stock market is headed. Have you heard the one about what stocks will do after the Midterm elections? Steve and Dave have…many times! If you’ve been wondering if our 95th podcast will lead to the market going up 9.5% in 95 days, then this episode is definitely f…

The endless summer is ending, and on this episode of PFLN, Dave ponders this fact from his patio in Ocean View, DE. We also learn about his pickleball performance at the Maryland Senior Olympics, which was eerily similar to the stock market in August-weak and seemingly lifeless. Steve points out some interesting “glass half full” points about the f…

There is no other word to describe recent stock and bond returns, other than awful. The six months ending June 30th ranked in the bottom 2% in history for a balanced portfolio. Dave and Steve discuss the current state of the markets and what we should expect for the rest of the year. What will the Secure Act 2.0 mean for your RMDs? Should I buy I b…

After flirting with the magical 20% barrier, stocks officially closed in a bear market. What does this mean for the average retiree? How long does the typical bear market last and how fast is the average recovery? How should you have your assets allocated between different asset classes? Also, find out which famous (infamous?) internet ad is myster…

As the stock market continues to decline, Dave and Steve weigh in with their thoughts and look back at past bear markets. What can we learn from the past declines and how does it relate to today? They also discuss what it feels like to retire and start spending retirement assets in this environment. Is the 4% rule still applicable today? Tune in to…

The market woes have continued as we entered the 2nd quarter of 2022. However, the normal dynamic of bonds as a safe haven from stock market declines has not played out this year. While stocks are down 10%-15%, the broad bond market is down almost 10% off it’s highs. What does this mean for diversified portfolios? Is the 60/40 model of asset alloca…

Concerns over Ukraine, inflation and rising interest rates have continued to weigh on the market and cause negative stock market returns. In this month’s episode Dave and Steve attempt to give some perspective on the current decline. How has the market reacted to past geopolitical shocks? How often does the market recover from a decline and still p…

2022 has started off with something we haven’t seen in a while: Volatility. Listen to the latest podcast to hear Dave and Steve discuss why the stock market is off to a terrible start. What does this mean for the rest of the year? How can we use history as a guide to what might happen going forward? Should we pay attention to the financial pundits …

Dave and Steve start off the year by looking back at 2021 and looking forward into 2022. How much did the stock market gain in 2021 and how much growth are pundits predicting in 2022? More importantly, how do the long term projections affect how you should plan for your own retirement. Listen now to find out!…

In this episode Dave and Steve discuss a topic that is near and dear to all of us; how can we (legally) minimize the taxes we pay. First they explain the analysis behind the decision to convert to a Roth IRA (8:23). Next they discuss how it might make sense to realize capital gains now rather than in the future when capital gains taxes might rise (…

The most recent inflation data shows that prices have increased at 6.2% over the past year. This is the highest inflation reading since the early 90s. Will we continue to face high inflation for years to come? Listen to Dave and Steve discuss the future of inflation and how to position your portfolio going forward.…

In today’s modern media world of Facebook and Twitter, we’ve all witnessed “outrage marketing”, even if we don’t know the term. These are the articles designed to elicit an emotional response, either positive or negative. In this month’s episode, Dave and Steve discuss “outrage marketing” in the world of personal finance. How can this type of marke…

In this month’s episode Dave and Steve discuss 10 things that might or might not happen in the future according to Wharton’s Jeremy Siegel. Will inflation continue to rise? Will taxes increase? What will happen to bond yields? Will tax rates be higher? Will value outperform growth? Tune in to find out!…

In today's world of instant gratification and same day delivery, the idea of slow and steady growth seems boring. In this episode Dave and Steve discuss why diversification isn't exciting, but it works. Check out the latest podcast to find out how to avoid getting sucked in to the hopes of 10x returns and why slow and steady wins the race!…

Dave and Steve get back together for an in person podcast for the first time since the start of the pandemic to discuss the question on everyone’s minds. Is inflation here to stay? The popular opinion says that the unprecedented levels of government spending will lead to big inflation numbers in the next few years. But many prominent economists fee…

After taking off the month of May (whoops!) Dave and Steve are back to discuss the five big money risks in retirement. What can happen when you take big withdrawals too early in retirement? Or what if you underestimate the risk of inflation? Find out all about these risks (and more) by listening to the latest episode!…

In this month’s installment Dave and Steve discuss the future of meetings in the post COVID-19 world. How many people will want to meet in person and how many people will continue to meet virtually? After a brief discussion of the current housing market, Dave and Steve wonder about the future of a 60/40 portfolio. Will this portfolio still offer in…

Dave and Steve mark the one year anniversary from the bottom of the stock market’s COVID decline. How far has the market recovered since the March 23rd, 2020 low? They look back on the feelings we all had and the actions that many of us took (or didn’t take) in our portfolios. What would you have done differently? And how can the lessons of the las…

Dave and Steve help listeners make sense over the recent decline in stocks and rapid rise in interest rates. What does it all mean? Why would rising interest rates be bad news for stocks? Is it normal for high growth stocks to be declining so much? Tune in to find out!By Capitol Retirement Strategies

Dave and Steve mark one year of socially distanced podcasts by discussing the average 401k balance for Americans broken down by age. Find out how you compare to the rest of the country. After that they wade in to the age old discussion of growth versus value investing. Growth stocks have dominated value for most of the last decade. Will this outper…

In this month’s episode Dave and Steve start off by discussing the GameStop stock saga. If you haven’t heard about it (or don’t understand it), be sure to check it out. With that out of the way, Steve breaks down the biggest financial planning moves that can save you money. Find out about how Roth conversions, Medicare premiums, HSAs and interest t…

As 2020 draws to a close, Dave and Steve look ahead to what 2021 might hold in store. They examine predictions from both bullish and bearish market analysts. Is there any value to listening to these talking heads? Does this change how we position our portfolios?By Capitol Retirement Strategies

Dave and Steve take a look at how conventional wisdom so often fails when it comes to the stock market. Whether it was the housing crisis or the Coronavirus crisis, we can look back at how the experts got it wrong. How can you prevent yourself from falling into the trap of the iron clad argument that ends up being dead wrong?…

With the US presidential election only days away, Dave and Steve examine a question that we have all pondered. Who is better for the stock market, Democrats or Republicans? The more important question: Should you take any action and change your portfolio? The answers might surprise you!By Capitol Retirement Strategies

In this month’s podcast Dave and Steve discuss a variety of topics. In 2020 there has been a dramatic rise in small investors placing risky bets in the stock market. Has the lack of sports gambling lead to a rise in stock market gambling? Next up they discuss the prospects for inflation going forward and what we can learn from the past. Last but no…

In the latest episode Dave and Steve find out how well you know Social Security. See if you can beat Dave in this 12 question quiz about the ins and outs of the single largest retirement income source for most Americans.By Capitol Retirement Strategies

In this month’s episode Dave and Steve discuss the impact of low interest rates on your savings. Also, they look at Goldman Sachs’ prediction for the stock market over the next 10 years. How would these projected returns effect your retirement?By Capitol Retirement Strategies

In their continuation of social distancing podcasts, Dave and Steve tackle a big question: When should you sell stocks? A simple question with many complicated answers. In addition, Dave discusses the plans for a Capitol Retirement Strategies newsletter. Listen now to hear all the details!By Capitol Retirement Strategies

As Dave and Steve continue their social distancing podcasts, they start by providing an update on the stock market. How far did the market fall and how far has it come back? How can we justify the current market levels given the horrific economic data? After that, Dave and Steve discuss inflation and how that has effected social security recipients…

Dave and Steve continue their social distancing podcasts with a jammed packed episode. First they discuss the various toys Steve is buying for his kids to keep then occupied during the quarantine. Then they discuss the latest gem from Barry Ritholtz on what to do if you retired right before the Coronavirus. Last but not least, they discuss the surp…

Episode #65: Old Man Dividend And The Long Term Effects Of Stimulus by Capitol Retirement StrategiesBy Capitol Retirement Strategies

The speed of the stock market decline over the past month has been breathtaking. Dave and Steve offer their latest thoughts on the Cornavirus market decline. How can we use bonds to help us ride out the decline? How quickly have prior markets recovered? Are there any areas of opportunity?By Capitol Retirement Strategies