Today, we're diving into the history of the Social Security Act, signed in 1935, which has become a crucial part of American retirement planning. We'll explore how this program started, how it's helped millions of retirees, and what challenges it faces as it turns 89. What can we expect for the future of Social Security? Let’s find out. Show Notes …

Are you telling yourself financial lies? Discover the top lies people often tell themselves about money and retirement. Some of these could be severely holding you back, so stay tuned! Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/…

We get a lot of questions about 401(k)s, and we know they can be tricky to navigate. That's why we're tackling your top questions in one comprehensive episode. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/By Scott Searles

Ever heard the saying, ‘Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark’? Well, today we're diving into that very concept. How did Noah's forward-thinking approach help him survive the flood, and what can it teach us about preparing for retirement? Tune in as we unpack the ancient wisdom of Noah’s Ark and its modern-day implications fo…

We hear a lot of half-truths in the financial world, not necessarily because people try to make misleading statements, but because sometimes a simple statement just doesn’t quite tell the whole story. On this episode, we’ll discuss a few examples. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pa…

Retirement planning doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly complicated. It certainly doesn’t have to be as complicated as some people make it. In our next episode, we unravel the unnecessary complexities often woven into the fabric of retirement advice. We’ll debunk some myths, simplify strategies, and uncover the beauty of simplicity and straightforwar…

Very often, we see people who know that the financial decisions that they’re making aren’t the best decisions, but they try to create excuses or explanations for why they’re doing what they’re doing. Let’s talk about why these excuses usually don’t hold water. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https:…

Just like an annual checkup is important for maintaining good health, performing regular financial checkups is an essential part of planning for a healthy and successful retirement. By regularly assessing your budget, goals, and progress, you can make informed decisions to keep your finances on track. Although financial wellness is going to look di…

Psychologists have determined that retirement is one of the most stressful events that some people will experience in life. In this episode, we’ll look at the ways to proactively deal with the stress surrounding the retirement process. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusion…

As much as any other threat, recognizing and avoiding scams has become a necessary skill for today’s retirees to develop. Join us as we explore crucial steps you can take to safeguard your financial well-being against the growing tide of scams and identity theft. Learn from real-life stories and gain practical advice to keep your finances secure in…

Unpack the toolbox of technology that's promising to redefine retirement planning, but does it deliver? This episode takes a critical look at the wave of innovations, from personal finance management software to online calculators, and questions whether they truly simplify the planning process or introduce new complexities. Show Notes & Info: Sched…

With International Women’s Day in March, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the progress women have achieved in the financial realm over the past century. Despite this, the path to retirement is not without its unique challenges for women, and it’s important to recognize the financial hurdles that they continue to face. In this episode, we’ll shar…

March Madness is upon us, and as you fill out your bracket and watch the NCAA Tournament this year, there are a few retirement planning lessons that you can learn along the way… Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/…

We’ve all heard the apocalyptic predictions about social security, the national debt and other major issues that are supposed to sink the economy. Do any of these predictions have merit in the years ahead? On this episode, we’ll try to separate sensationalism from reality. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free To…

Is 'Lazy Money' still a concern in 2024's higher interest rate landscape? In this episode, we explore this question, examining how the recent rise in interest rates affects the money sitting in savings accounts, CDs, and conservative investments. We'll discuss the new dynamics of managing your funds in a world where traditional saving methods are s…

Have you ever wondered what questions to ask your financial advisor, or why those questions are crucial? In today’s episode, we’re tackling exactly that. We're discussing the vital questions that bring transparency and depth to your financial advisory relationship. It's about getting clarity on how advisors work, what they specialize in, and how th…

In today's episode, we're focusing on a critical aspect of retirement planning: healthcare costs. How well prepared are you to handle medical expenses after you retire? We'll discuss everything from Medicare complexities to strategies for managing unexpected health-related expenses. Tune in as we break down the essentials of healthcare financial pl…

It’s important to eventually get a comprehensive financial plan for yourself, but sometimes even just a few minor adjustments in your portfolio can make a big difference. Let’s discuss a few easy places to start. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/…

Ready for an adventure? Think of retirement planning as climbing a mountain. It's not just about the climb up; it's about preparing wisely, tackling the ups and downs, and even planning your way back down. We're talking about setting milestones, dealing with market surprises, and making sure your hard-earned savings last through your entire retirem…

As the year comes to a close, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit a previous two-part episode on financial resolutions. This series was recorded a couple of years ago, but the show still has some great tips that can help you start your year off right. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: https…

“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” – Eleanor Roosevelt… Ever wish you could foresee financial missteps before they happen? In today’s episode, explore some real-life stories of regret and arm yourself with the essential dos and don'ts to ensure your money works for you, not against you. Show N…

Losing a spouse is an unimaginably tough life event, but the financial implications can add another layer of stress to the grieving process. In this episode, we delve deep into the most common financial issues faced by widows and widowers, from dealing with income gaps to navigating tax changes as a single filer. We explore actionable strategies to…

We have a special edition of the podcast today! If you've been listening to the show for a while, you know that Scott and Walter talk about food quite often, so we thought it would be a fun idea to compile a few getting to know you questions from past episodes that were food related. We will get back to the financial talk next episode, so sit back …

In this episode, we tackle the common complaints and fears about financial situations during retirement. We'll discuss which concerns are well-founded, which are based on misconceptions, and offer insight on how retirees can best navigate their financial future. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Tax-Free Toolkit: http…

There are some people who don’t care at all about leaving a financial legacy, but for those who do, it’s important to eliminate some of the common estate planning mistakes. In this episode, we cover topics ranging from poor expense planning to outdated beneficiary designations and family conflict triggers. We also shed light on some misconceptions …

Finding a trustworthy and competent financial advisor is essential for securing your financial future. After all, they play a vital role in helping you make informed decisions about your money, investments, and long-term financial goals. But how can you separate the wheat from the chaff? How can you identify problematic personalities that might ind…

Get ready for part two of our Retirement Cash Flow series! This time, we're diving into the income side of the equation. In part one, we tackled the ins and outs of your expenses in retirement. Now, it's all about understanding the crucial role of income analysis. We'll uncover the secrets of guaranteed income versus the uncertain stuff and shed li…

Don’t get us wrong. In many cases, your 401(k) can be your best investment vehicle, offering numerous benefits and tax advantages and many times a 100% return on some of your contributions (also known as an employer match). However, it's important to recognize that it might not always be the optimal choice for everyone. Join us in this thought-prov…

In this episode, we’ll explore many of the expenses in your life that might drastically change (one way or another) in retirement. We’ll break those expenses down further to see which ones are the top priorities and analyze some of the other factors that impact your cash flow in retirement. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithsco…

From time to time, we like to look at issues faced by people in other professions outside of the financial world and see what kind of retirement planning lessons we can learn from these other professions. Today, we’re seeing what we can learn from teachers and the issues they face. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: talkwithscott.net Ta…

Silicon Valley, Credit Suisse, and First Republic are just a few banks that have experienced either incredible turmoil or complete collapse in the past few months. How should the average American respond with their money? Do you pull it all out in cash and store it under your bed? Should you throw all your money into depressed bank stocks in hopes …

Have you ever wondered why you handle money the way you do? It turns out your financial behaviors can be traced back to your formative memories. In this episode, we explore how historic market crashes have left a lasting impact on our relationship with money. We’ll also contrast them with the way more recent crises have shaped our financial views a…

Have you ever wondered if the Social Security system will run out of money before you retire? Or if claiming benefits as soon as you're eligible is the best decision for your financial future? In this episode, we'll be debunking common myths about Social Security and answering the questions you've been curious about. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A C…

Are you a golfer? Even if you're not, the game of golf can teach us valuable lessons about retirement planning. For example, hitting a hole-in-one might be thrilling, but it won't necessarily guarantee your overall success. And just like you need different clubs in your golf bag to play a round, you need a well-balanced approach to your investments…

Are you preparing for retirement but feeling confident that you have covered all the expenses? Well, think again… It turns out that many retirees overlook some crucial expenses that can leave them financially vulnerable. In this episode, we explore the retirement expenses that most people tend to forget, including skyrocketing medical bills, unexpe…

Retirement can come with a lot of tax questions and concerns. From understanding the tax implications of withdrawing from your retirement accounts to minimizing taxes on investment income, it can be overwhelming. On today’s episode, we’ll break down the top ten tax questions retirees are asking in 2023. Before you file your 2022 taxes and plan ahea…

Lent March 5-2023 by Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Edina, MNBy Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Edina, MN

Lent March 12-2023 by Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Edina, MNBy Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Edina, MN

After being discussed in Congress for nearly a year and a half, the SECURE Act 2.0 passed in January. Listen to today’s episode to see what you need to know and learn four ways the new changes might impact you. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://talktoscott.com/ Tax Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/…

Even if you’ve been saving your money and investing for a long time it’s easy to make rookie mistakes. On this episode, we’ll cover some of the top rookie mistakes we see people make, illustrate how to avoid them or how to fix them if you’re already made some mistakes in your financial life. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://tal…

Another year is upon us and it’s a great time to ask yourself 10 questions to assess how ready you are for retirement to kick off 2023. If you’re retiring this year, it’s essential to have some concrete answers to these questions. If you’re still a few years from the milestone, tune in so you can start thinking about these critical conversations. S…

Saving in your 401(k) can be an easy and painless way to build your retirement savings. But because it’s so easy and painless, it can also be easy to ignore for long periods of time, which often leads to mistakes. We’ll cover at least the top 5 mistakes people make in their 401(k)s. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://talktoscott.…

Sometimes it might seem like talking to your financial advisor feels like talking to a therapist, and that’s ok. Let’s discuss some scenarios where it’s almost inevitable that a talk with your advisor seems like a counseling session. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTFVMMCwsss Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://talktoscott.com/ T…

Sometimes you need to find a new financial advisor. Other times, you might think you need a new advisor, but really, you’re just guilty of thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. Let’s discuss some common scenarios and whether they’re legitimate reasons for leaving your advisor. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://ta…

Let’s explore some of the things you should be thinking about to make smart financial decisions when you encounter some of the most significant events in your life. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://talktoscott.com/ Tax Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/By Scott Searles

As we approach the end of the year, saving money on taxes becomes a bigger focus for many people. But let’s broaden the scope out for this particular episode and focus on some of the most common retirement planning questions about taxes. We’ll talk about mistakes to avoid and how a proper plan can make a significant difference in someone’s tax savi…

At this time of year, you can find football on TV almost every night of the week. So, let’s take some concepts from the game of football and apply them to our retirement planning. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://talktoscott.com/ Tax Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1gdm.pages.infusionsoft.net/…

There are plenty of decisions that you’ll make in the retirement planning process that can’t be undone, so you want to make sure that you make the right call. On this episode, we’ll explain why these decisions are so important and can’t be undone. Show Notes & Info: Schedule A Call With Scott: http://talktoscott.com/ Tax Free Toolkit: https://5p7b1…

We’re bombarded with ads each day in all forms of media. But have you ever taken a closer look at these messages? If we unpack some of these headlines and ads a little bit more, we’re able to clearly understand what emotions they’re trying to elicit. More importantly, we can figure out what companies are trying to sell us. For this episode, we just…

You’ve most likely heard plenty of “rules” you’re supposed to follow to retire successfully. Some of these rules are stated so confidently, you’d be crazy not to immediately accept them as fact. But we don’t mind the threat of being called crazy, so let’s dive into some of the most popular retirement “rules of thumb” to see if they truly lead us do…