Articles and Videos

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
Is a Fixed Annuity a Better Alternative to Bonds? – Episode 163
Managing Your Financial Future

Is a Fixed Annuity a Better Alternative to Bonds? – Episode 163

February 6, 2024

Today’s topic is a follow-up to a similar discussion we had on this podcast in late 2022.  Back then, interest rates had risen as bond values (and stock values) took a nosedive. The question at the time was: where should you go for your “non-volatile” asset class, if bonds don’t seem as attractive? Now that interest rates have somewhat stabilized, but remain higher than they were for the previous 12-plus years, the same question needs to be asked, but with a twist: Are higher-interest bonds more attractive than what you might get from a CD-like fixed annuity?
What Is Your RMD Withdrawal Strategy?- Episode 162
Managing Your Financial Future

What Is Your RMD Withdrawal Strategy?- Episode 162

January 30, 2024

A few episodes ago we talked about how to keep your tax bill down when planning for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). After that show aired, we received a good question from a listener in Arizona who wanted to know what a good withdrawal plan would be for someone who is actually taking their RMDs. For example, would it be prudent for someone to sell stocks in their IRA to satisfy their RMD when doing so may violate a key principle of the LCG Bucket Strategy® that says you should never sell a long-term asset to cover a short-term liability? Do all RMDs have to be taken in cash?