Wealth Builders

Episode 25: How to Optimize Your Career with Chris Czarnik

How are you managing your #1 asset?

Have you ever wondered if you were in the right job or not?  Or maybe you know the answer to that question already, but don’t know how to make the next move.  Chris Czarnik, an expert on career optimization and job search, joins Mike and Patrick for an in-depth look at optimizing your career, and how to seek out and receive your best value.

Episode 22 - How to Have a Baby

What to expect financially when you are expecting

Having a baby can change your perspective on life. This often means reassessing your financial situation and monthly spending. Mike and Patrick dive into some of the categories you should evaluate when growing your family.

 

Sources:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/planning-for-a-family-how-to-start-saving/ 

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/01/13/cost-raising-child

https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/crc2015.pdf

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/NOTES/ran6/an2018-6.pdf

 

Any opinions are those of Financial Advisors Mike Macco and Patrick Stoa and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Information was received from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Episode 21 - Why We Hate Annuities - Most of the Time

Many people have annuities, but very few people need them. Why is that?

From the simple to the complex, annuities and their various forms are one of the most misunderstood products in the financial services industry. Because of this misunderstanding, annuities have often been oversold and received a bad reputation. Join Mike and Patrick as they discuss what an annuity is and how they can sometimes be a good fit.

Sources:

https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2013/01/30/ruark-study-annuitization-rates-are-below-5-percen/?slreturn=20181126164634

Episode 20 - Health Insurance Alternatives

Health care sharing ministries. Are they the antidote to traditional health insurance?

Rising healthcare costs and coverage options continue to be a hot topic for most Americans as they try to decipher what is best for their families. Mike and Patrick sit down to discuss healthcare sharing ministries, what they offer and don’t offer, and why it might be a good fit for you and your family.

 

Any opinions are those of Michael Macco and Patrick Stoa and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete.  Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the entities mentioned in Podcast. Health Insurance or Health Insurance alternatives are not offered through Raymond James. Raymond James financial advisors do not render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Episode 18 - Planning for College

College, should you even go and how do you pay for it?

Mike, Patrick, and Andrew sit down to discuss the current state of higher education, how to plan for it, and what it is going to cost. The guys share their own experiences on college and what tools are available to students looking to save time and money.

 

  1. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm

  2. https://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/education-pays-2016-full-report.pdf

  3. https://modernstates.org/

  4. Here is the Wisconsin 529 Plan: https://529plans.investments.voya.com/Wisconsin/index.htm#.W6AYEOS0VHM


Check out our 3 part college planning series on our blog


Any opinions are those of the Mike Macco, Patrick Stoa, and Andrew Froelich not necessarily those of Raymond James or RJFS. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Information was received from sources believed to be reliable but accuracy is not guaranteed. Information presented is general in nature and is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment, and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or to sell any security. Investing always involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss. No investment strategy can guarantee success. Rules and laws governing 529 plans are varied and subject to change. As with other investments, there are generally fees and expenses associated with participation in a 529 plan. There is also a risk that these plans may lose money or not perform well enough to cover college costs as anticipated. Most states offer their own 529 programs, which may provide advantages and benefits exclusively for their residents. Investors should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any tax or other benefits that are only available for investment in such state’s 529 college savings plan. Such benefits include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. The tax implications can vary significantly from state to state. Changes in tax laws or regulations may occur at any time and could substantially impact your situation. Raymond James financial advisors do not render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Death of the contributor prior to the end of the five-year period may result in a portion of the contribution to be included in the contributor’s estate. Tax-free withdrawals may be made for qualified education expenses. Otherwise, the deferred earnings portion may be subject to taxes and a 10% penalty.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses associated with 529 college savings plans before investing. More information about 529 college savings plans is available in the issuer’s official statement. The official statement is available through your financial advisor, and should be read carefully before investing. Before investing, it is important to consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.


Episode 16 - How to Buy a House

How to buy the best house for you.

Are you stepping into the house market for the first time?  Listen in, as Mike and Patrick discuss the home buying process, from whether you should own or rent, features to consider, and a bonus bad neighbor story!  Stay tuned to the end, as we discuss how to think about your mortgage as well.

 

https://www.maccofinancial.com/blog/is-your-house-sabotaging-your-retirement

 

Any opinions are those of Mike Macco and Patrick Stoa and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Information was received from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., and your Raymond James Financial Advisor do not solicit or offer residential mortgage products and are unable to accept any residential mortgage loan applications or to offer or negotiate terms of any such loan. You will be referred to a qualified Bank employee for your residential mortgage lending needs.

Episode 15 - Ready, Set, Go! How to Get Started

Are you unsure how to get started on your own financial future?

Mike and Patrick share their thoughts on the basic financial steps a young person can take to prepare their financial foundation.  As the conversation grows, they expand the conversation to the transition time when it maybe makes sense to engage a financial planner.  Stay tuned to the end, to hear just how easy (maybe even pleasurable?) the process can be.

https://www.maccofinancial.com/smartvestor-pro

https://www.maccofinancial.com/blog/is-your-house-sabotaging-your-retirement

If you want to get the process off the ground: Get Started

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of The Macco Financial Group and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Individual investor's results will vary. SmartVestor™ is an advertising service for investing professionals. Raymond James Financial Services does not endorse and is not associated with Dave Ramsey or the SmartVestor program. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. does not provide advice on tax, legal or mortgage issues. These matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional.

Episode 14 - Behavioral Finance & Investor Psychology

Does your mind work for you, or against you, when making decisions about money and investments?

Have you ever had a hard time making an important financial decision, or later discovered you made a major mistake? Join Mike and Patrick as they talk about several well-known, but perhaps not well understood, aspects of behavioral finance. Stay tuned to the end, as this episode may make you ponder the objectivity of your own decisions!  

 

Resources:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/impatient-investors-get-caught-in-the-return-gap-1525658940

https://www.kitces.com/blog/datapoints-building-wealth-assessments-sarah-fallaw-thomas-stanley-millionaire-next-door-book/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Michael%20Kitces&utm_content=Predicting%20Wealth%20Building%20Behavior%20With%20DataPoints%20Assessment%20Tools

https://ofdollarsanddata.com/be-careful-what-you-choose-dd3cf7b45dd9

Episode 13 - Teaching Kids About Money

Have you wondered if your kids will have a responsible and healthy relationship with money?

Have you ever wondered how to teach your kids about money?  Perhaps you have wondered if you are missing an important lesson?  Join Mike and Patrick as they share their own experiences and stories.  Not only will their share some of their own history growing up, but also how they are teaching their own children right now, with kids ranging from pre-school to college age.

 

Resources:

https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-about-money
http://wimedialab.org/finance/
https://www.parents.com/parenting/money/family-finances/teaching-kids-about-money-an-age-by-age-guide/
https://www.mint.com/ultimate-resources-for-teaching-kids-about-money

Episode 12 - The Wedding Episode!

How to plan for rings, weddings, and finances in marriage.

When you know, you know, but what about all the things that happen after asking the question? Mike, Patrick, and Andrew sit down to discuss some of the financial implications of getting married. They also share some of their experiences and tips for couples planning a wedding as well as just starting out in their marriage.

Episode 11 - Financial Implications of Divorce

Asset separation, alimony, child support and planning for the future.

Divorce happens. Knowing how it affects your finances and thinking about your future as a single person can help give you peace during a time of uncertainty. Mike & Patrick discuss the implications of divorce and the changes to alimony under the new tax law.

Any opinions are those of Michael Macco and Patrick Stoa and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Raymond James financial advisors do not render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Episode 9 - How to buy a car: Lease vs Finance, New vs Used

Avoid costly mistakes by taking control of the car buying process.

There are a number of important steps involved in buying a car. In this episode, Mike and Patrick get into the weeds of the car buying process to help you become an informed consumer. From researching vehicles, getting rid of your old one, fees involved in buying a car and the math and logic behind paying cash, leasing or financing your next vehicle.

Lease Report

These services are not offered through Raymond James. The information in the podcast has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Episode 5 - Life Insurance Showdown

Term Life vs. Permanent, which is right for you?

You know you need life insurance. But how much? Which kind? And for how long? Mike and Patrick share their opinions on how to address the financial risks associated with death and whether life insurance can also be an investment.

Opinions expressed are those of Patrick Stoa and Mike Macco and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Examples provided are hypothetical illustrations only, actual investor results will vary. Life insurance policies have exclusions and/or limitations. The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health and the type and amount of insurance purchased. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance. Policies commonly have mortality and expense charges. In addition if a policy is surrendered prematurely, there may be surrender charges and income tax implications. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.
Recorded in Tax Year 2017