The Life Planning 101 Podcast

Business Succession Planning

One of my fellow advisors related one of the most horrific stories I have heard in my professional life.I would like to share that story with you in order to help you understand the importance of business succession planning:
 A young man in his early forties owned an extremely successful manufacturing business in Georgia, grossing approximately 

6 Lessons Learned from the Great Recession - Part 4

Well…if you have been a buy and hold investor, your portfolio will probably answer this with a resounding “No!” Though after reading the many headlines of any major financial news during late 2008, 2009 or 2010 you might think that...

6 Lessons Learned from the Great Recession - Part 3

There is a major issue today that has left a large number of Americans speechless and motionless: The issue of integrity. 2008 and 2009 were treacherous. It was bad enough that we witnessed the development of...

6 Lessons Learned from the Great Recession - Part 2

Tiny or not, economic bubbles don’t make anything feel fine, especially not your retirement plan. The problem is that most bubbles are difficult to identify. Consequently, they are only recognized in retrospect...

6 Lessons Learned from the Great Recession - Part 1

Economists say the Great Recession ended in June 2009. Still, it hasn’t felt like it. Our economy is rough and the recovery we have experienced since June 2009 has been and will probably remain slow. Faced with this continuing...

A Tightwad and a Spendthrift

There is usually one of each in every family. So what makes some people stock away every dime they make and others oblivious to the concept of saving and always in debt? Interestingly enough, there has been extensive psychological research performed on the spending behaviors of individuals: why some people spend money frivolously and why some people don’t...

The Finance of Remarriage

Adults entering a remarriage are likely to bring assets, debts, obligations and established spending habits into the relationship. Since credit reports aren’t required for a marriage license – and you generally only see them when you apply for a mortgage together - "your new partner's finances are often unknown, even though you usually need to agree as a... 

Healthcare and Retirement

LTC-Medicaid:
·       Looking at the #’s
Approximately 70% of individuals turning 65 can expect to use some form of... 

Retirement Happiness

The image of retirement has always been one of relaxation and leisure. However, the retirees who fully embrace this idea often find that they are missing something. If you’re in this boat, you may feel you lack a sense of purpose or direction, and end up finding... 

Is Not Having a Will That Big of a Deal?

According to Rocket Lawyer, 64% of Americans don’t have a will. There is a common misconception that if you don’t have an estate tax problem you don’t need an estate plan – or a will. The truth is that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
First, it could mean a lot of... 

The World Today is a Glass Half Full

The world is changing rapidly. There is growing uncertainty, fear and disbelief in our future. Ironically, this is not the biggest threat to your investments. Believe it or not, the annualized return for U.S. Stocks from 1985 to 2014 was 11.1%. The average investor’s return over this... 

Are You in the Lifeboat with Your Investments?

Most of us know the story: It was 11:40 P.M. on April 14, 1912. Lookout Frederick Fleet spotted an iceberg immediately ahead of the Titanic and alerted the bridge. First Officer William Murdoch ordered the ship to be steered around the obstacle and the engines to be put in reverse, but it was...