Articles and Videos

Why “Blending” Your Buckets May Produce Better Results – Episode 172
Managing Your Financial Future

Why “Blending” Your Buckets May Produce Better Results – Episode 172

April 23, 2024

You may have heard that a basic Bucket Strategy® consists of a 3-, 4- or 5-Bucket plan, with each bucket separated into groups of short-term, mid-term, and long-term assets.  What you may not have heard is that a good Bucket Strategy will often “blend” buckets to potentially give a retiree a much better overall outcome. What do we mean by “blending” the buckets? In essence, it means to blend the income stream to try to get a desired outcome.  Where do you take your income stream from? Your IRA? Your 401k? Your personal money? Roths? This is where blending buckets can potentially be very helpful.
Tying Your Social Security Benefits Into Your Investment Portfolio- Episode 171
Managing Your Financial Future

Tying Your Social Security Benefits Into Your Investment Portfolio- Episode 171

April 16, 2024

When you get to retirement, your portfolio – that is, your savings – will presumably provide you with the money you need.  The more guaranteed income you have from other sources (like Social Security and pensions), the less your portfolio will have to kick out to you. This is a crucial part of the financial planning process.  The time when you begin taking those benefits, and how much they will provide, gives you an idea of what needs to happen with the rest of your money.  How does this all play out with the Bucket Strategy
Could Value Averaging Be the Key to Surviving Market Downturns?- Episode 170
Managing Your Financial Future

Could Value Averaging Be the Key to Surviving Market Downturns?- Episode 170

April 9, 2024

It’s just a fact of investing life that the stock market is unpredictable.  There will be months or years where the market exceeds expectations, and there will be other times when it underperforms and winds up below where you expected it to be – sometimes, way below.   If you don’t have a strong risk management approach to investing, as years like 2022 showed us, you might be leaving yourself open to some dangerous and damaging volatility. But how do you prepare for it if it’s impossible to predict exactly when the next upswing or downturn will occur?    One way, potentially, is through a strategy known as Value Averaging. Could this be the key to surviving market downturns? 
What Are the Biggest Regrets that Retirees Have?- Episode 169
Managing Your Financial Future

What Are the Biggest Regrets that Retirees Have?- Episode 169

April 2, 2024

There aren’t many people who make it through their working years without having at least a few things they wish they’d done differently.  And while most people can eventually come to terms with any “poor” choices they may have made, it can be very instructive to know what common regrets they have. Did they save enough?  Did they work too hard? Did they not do enough planning? Would their priorities have changed if they’d known back then what they know now?

Can You Safely Ignore the 4% Rule – Episode 168
Managing Your Financial Future

Can You Safely Ignore the 4% Rule – Episode 168

March 26, 2024

There’s a popular “rule of thumb” that’s been around for about 30 years known as the “4-percent Rule.” The main idea is that your portfolio has a better chance of surviving for 30 years if you withdraw no more than 4 percent of the total each year.  Some have said it should be even lower than that, depending on your investments. But is this so-called “rule” actually something you should follow? The more important issue should be your actual withdrawal strategy. If you’re forced to sell stocks when they’re down just to meet your spending needs, you’re asking for trouble no matter what your rate of withdrawal may be.
What Can Trigger an IRS Audit – Episode 167
Managing Your Financial Future

What Can Trigger an IRS Audit – Episode 167

March 19, 2024

If you’ve ever gotten a letter from the IRS, even if you’re sure you’ve done nothing wrong, you know how stressful that can be.  An even greater stress would be to see the word “audit” somewhere in the letter. Your best bet is to be thorough enough on your tax return so as to avoid any and all correspondence with the IRS when it comes to your taxes.  But how do you do that?  Are there things that could actually trigger a letter and/ or a potential audit?
Why (Almost) Everyone Needs an Estate Plan – Episode 166
Managing Your Financial Future

Why (Almost) Everyone Needs an Estate Plan – Episode 166

February 27, 2024

Do you care what happens to your money and your assets after you die?  Most people would probably answer that with an emphatic “yes,” even if they don’t have multiple millions saved up.   Whether you know exactly where you want your money to go, or you only know where you DON’T want your money to go, it’s crucial to have the legal documents in place to make sure your wishes are followed.  Today’s podcast features our special guest, San Diego Estate Planning Attorney Rod Hatley, J.D. LL.M., as we talk about what to expect when setting up an estate plan, what they cover, and why it’s so important to have everything in order. 
A Peek Inside a Bucket Strategy – Episode 165
Managing Your Financial Future

A Peek Inside a Bucket Strategy – Episode 165

February 20, 2024

“Everyone’s situation is different.” If you’re a regular listener to this podcast, you’ve heard that many times. Because of that, the Bucket Strategy® can take many different forms, each one dependent on a person’s individual goals, risk tolerances, and temperaments. Have you ever wondered how an advisor might put together someone’s strategy, given certain particular circumstances?  What thought processes would an LCG advisor (like Rick Plum) go through to set up a strategy that may work the best for someone? Find out what a hypothetical married couple with two 401k plans and a $40,000 income need may expect to see with their Bucket Strategy®
How to Make Use of the Zero-Percent Tax Bracket – Episode 164
Managing Your Financial Future

How to Make Use of the Zero-Percent Tax Bracket – Episode 164

February 13, 2024

If you look at the tax tables, you’ll see that there are seven different tax brackets listed: 10%, 12%, 22%, and on up to the highest bracket at 37%.  But did you know that there’s also a certain amount of money you can earn that’s not taxed at all?   While there’s not an official “0% tax bracket,” the truth is that the first $14,600 you earn as a single individual (or $29,200 if you’re married filing jointly) is yours to keep tax-free, thanks to the Standard Deduction.  Sure, that’s not a huge amount of money, but it’s also not insignificant, and there are ways you can use this part of the tax code to your advantage.  Find out how the “Zero-Percent Tax Bracket” can potentially benefit you in a big way