The Life Planning 101 Podcast

What Do You Want Your Story to Be?

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought- whoa, that can’t be right? Who is this old person staring back at me? As funny or not so funny as this may be, the fact is that life is short and it seems to hurry along faster the older we get.

Tax Reform Sunset on the Horizon

Can you hear it? It’s those two, ominous notes from the movie Jaws to let you know we are drawing nearer and nearer to the almost inevitable…the sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This could mean that higher income taxes and estate taxes are headed your way.

What's Going On Right Now?

Aaron Kennedy is joined by Matt Ervin and Sam Barker to talk a little bit about what's going on in the markets, economic indicators, stocks, FOMO, and more. You don't want to miss this week's episode. If you have questions/comments or ideas for future episodes, you can reach out to us online at: www.kennedy-financial.com.

Are Your Assets Protected?

Are your assets protected? What good is all the hard work it took to build your success if you don’t take the time to protect it? We’re talking asset protection on this week’s episode. Here are some of the most common issues we see.

Retirement - The Easy Years Are Over

In this episode, Angela discusses the complexities of retirement planning and why the traditional view of retirement as "easy years" may no longer be accurate. She shares anecdotes and stories to illustrate common misconceptions and provides advice on how to proactively plan for a successful retirement.
Key Takeaways 💡
Many people mistakenly believe that simply saving diligently and budgeting prudently will guarantee an easy retirement, but this is often not the case due to the complexities of the financial world and unforeseen circumstances. Financial jargon and the intricacies of the tax code can be overwhelming, leading individuals to underestimate the challenges of retirement planning.
Retirees may face higher income taxes than during their working years due to factors like healthcare costs and tax rate fluctuations, which are often beyond their control. Unexpected expenses, such as home renovations or travel plans, can also be significantly more costly due to taxes and the way retirement funds are structured.
Failing to plan for potential risks, such as the early death of a spouse or long-term healthcare events, can severely impact a retiree's financial stability. The loss of a social security check and increased taxes can create a "widow's penalty," making it crucial to consider these possibilities in advance.
Creating and maintaining a budget is essential for understanding one's current financial situation and making informed decisions about saving and spending. Prioritizing saving a significant portion of income (e.g., 20%) is crucial for building a sufficient retirement fund.
It is important to protect assets through proper risk management, ensuring adequate insurance coverage without overpaying or being underinsured. This includes assessing liability risks, especially for those with real estate, businesses, or trusts, and planning for potential premature death or long-term healthcare events.
Tax diversification is crucial, and relying solely on 401k plans without exploring other options can be detrimental. With potential tax increases on the horizon, individuals should consider strategies like Roth conversions to mitigate future tax liabilities.
Having a well-defined investment plan that aligns with one's tax strategy and income needs is essential for a successful retirement. This plan should aim to provide sustainable income while keeping pace with inflation, rather than simply depleting assets.
Planning for rising healthcare costs and understanding the complexities of Medicare are crucial aspects of retirement planning. Choosing the cheapest plan may not always be the most cost-effective option in the long run.

This Week in the Market - Episode 63 (8/16/24)

Aaron Kennedy and Sam Barker give us a brief market update and talk a little bit about interest rates. You don't want to miss this. If you have questions, you can reach out to us on our website: www.kennedy-financial.com.

Have You Outgrown Your Advisor?

I believe one of the hardest things to do is find the “right fit” advisor for you and your family. Because of this, I thought I might take a minute to educate you a little about our industry.

This Week in the Market - Episode 62 (8/9/24)

Got 17 minutes? Sam Barker and Aaron Kennedy give us a brief market update and talk a little bit about happened recently in Japan. You don't want to miss this. If you have questions, you can reach out to us on our website: www.kennedy-financial.com.

90 Reasons NOT to Invest in the Stock Market

Emotionally we’re always thinking of reasons not to invest in the stock market. Is there fear today? Absolutely! Just think: What would Warren do? Well, he says, “Buy Fear!” Let these 90 years of experience help you be comfortable with exercising a good discipline to do what Warren does.

Life After Graduation (Rebroadcast)

Graduation is a major step for those important young adults in our life. A parent’s goal is always to see their kids launch successfully and stay successfully launched. How do you do that? Well, we have few ideas for you.
You can read the corresponding article on our website at: https://www.kennedy-financial.com/blog/life-after-graduation-what-should-your-kids-know.

The Real 80/20 Rule

Why is it that if we don’t achieve perfection, we sometimes give up? It’s really about obtaining progress…not perfection. Since 1989 we have been on a mission to help people live Life on purpose! On this week’s episode of Life Planning 101, we give you a new 80/20 rule to consider.

Is Your IRA a Tax Nightmare?

For many Americans, putting money back into a retirement account such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA has been their primary choice to save for retirement. The problem with this is: The IRS is going tax you…either coming or going. Here are some important things you need to consider.