Stay Wealthy San Diego

A near-record number of tech stocks have fallen by 50% or more from their one-year highs.  Is this the beginning of tech bubble 2.0?  If so, how will other asset classes behave?  How should retirement savers prepare? One of our listeners, John H., recently reached out with these (great) questions. If, like John, some of the recent headlines around tech & growth stocks have you concerned, you'll enjoy this listener mailbag episode.

Today I'm talking about market forecasts and predictions. Why? Unlike the core principles that create a successful investment outcome, the financial + economic environment is always changing. And the current environment drives a lot of our assumptions and decisions about the future. While I think investors should ignore most pundits, I do believe thoughtful forecasts are valuable. If you want to learn more about how to approach stock market forecasts (which there is no shortage of right now!), this episode is for you.

Two weeks ago, my wife and I came home to a major water leak. We’ve been bouncing around between Airbnb’s with three kids and a dog since then. Fortunately, the $50,0000 (and counting!) in damages are being covered by insurance. But I learned that’s not always the case. I learned that some VERY large insurance companies have recently stopped covering this type of loss. If you want to learn more about my current situation + how you can ensure your home is properly protected, this episode is for you. And if you want to throw your name in the hat for a custom, high-quality Stay Wealthy hoodie, click here. (I'll be drawing names on January 3rd and shipping them off!)

The Social Security program currently pays more in benefits than it collects in revenue. If no changes are made, Social Security will become insolvent by the year 2034... ...and all beneficiaries (regardless of age or income) will face a sudden 22% benefit cut. Even more, some proposals to fix Social Security include stripping 100% of benefits from high-income retirees. This has led a lot of retirement savers to ask: "Should I include Social Security in my retirement planning projections?" If you have the same question, you're going to love today's episode.

Today I’m sharing key findings from a 22-year study on investing in real estate. In general, there are three primary ways you can invest in real estate: Direct ownership Listed real estate Unlisted real estate  Most investors agree that allocating to real estate is prudent. But they don't always agree on the best investment vehicle to use. If you continue to wrestle with how to invest in real estate, you’ll enjoy the recent results I’m sharing from a 22-year study on this popular asset class.

Today I’m sharing 11 surprising facts about tax planning, investing, and retirement. For example, if you: Retired in the year 2000 with $1 million, invested all of it in the U.S. stock market, and withdrew $50,000 (adjusted for inflation) per year...  ...you would have been out of money by 2018! If you want to learn how that could be + have some educational fun with retirement/investing statistics, today’s episode is for you.

Today I'm clearing up some confusion from a prior episode. I'm also tackling part 2 of our equity compensation series.  Specifically, I'm sharing: How ESPP Lookback Periods Work Qualifying vs Disqualifying Dispositions Tips for Offsetting an RSU Tax Bill If you want to better understand the tax implications of equity compensation, you're going to love today's episode. 

In 2018, GE stock traded at $7/share—an 85% drop from its all-time high.  Who was hit the hardest?  Company retirees...including former factory workers who used equity compensation packages to save for retirement. In part one of our equity comp series, I'm breaking down: What it is Why it exists How to manage the risks Friend and fellow planner, Odaro Aisueni, also drops by to share his wisdom and expertise. If you want to better understand equity compensation + learn about the overlooked risks of company stock, you’re going to love today’s episode.

Today I'm talking about inflation. While inflation has historically averaged ~3%, the most recent CPI report showed an annual rate of 5.4%.

Today I'm talking about preferred stocks. Why? One of our listeners, Gene, was recently concerned about the low yields he was getting on bonds & cash. And he was wondering if preferred stocks would be an appropriate alternative. In addition to answered Gene's great question, I'm also breaking down:  What preferred stocks are Why you might invest in them How to spot little-known risks If you're ready to learn all about preferred stocks (in plain English!), today's episode is for you.

Today I'm talking about the U.S. National Debt which currently sits at ~$28 trillion. While that is a GIANT number, I'm sharing why current debt levels are not as big of a problem as most think. If you want to learn why (in plain English!), you're going to love today's episode. 

Today I’m talking about the benefits of Market-Cap-Weighted index funds (e.g., Vanguard Total Stock Market). Why? Last week, I made a brief comment that there were some benefits to owning them...and a number of you reached out asking what those were. If, like these other listeners, you’re also curious about the benefits of market-cap-weighted funds, you’re going to love today’s episode!

The average interest rate for savings accounts is 0.06%. National home prices just reported their highest one-year gain in history. The U.S. stock market is up ~700% since March 2009. When everything seems risky and overbought, what do retirement savers do? How do you earn a healthy 7-8% return over the next 10-20 years? I break it all down in this week's episode.

Today I'm sharing the hot off the press results of the annual "Mind the Gap" study. Once again, over the last 10 years, investors earned ~2% per year less than the funds they invested in. (Hint: It's not because of fees or taxes.) If you want to learn... Why this return gap exists What asset classes are most at risk And how you can improve your returns ...you'll love this episode.

Today I’m talking about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Specifically, I'm sharing: How RMD withdrawal rates can creep up to 12% Why they can cause you to overpay the IRS How to use an RMD-based approach to create retirement income When RMDs can put you at risk of over withdrawing What you can do to reduce your RMD tax bill If you want to get a quick Masterclass on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and take control of your tax bill, this episode is for you!

Today I’m wrapping up our retirement income series by talking about Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies. Dynamic strategies are designed to: Maximize retirement income Greatly lower the chance of running out of money Combat inflation and maintain purchasing power If you want to learn about dynamic withdrawal strategies, their pros & cons, and how to implement them, today's episode is for you. 

Today I'm talking about immediate annuities and dividend stocks as potential retirement income solutions. Specifically, I'm sharing the what, why, and how behind each strategy. I'm also sharing their pros + cons. If you want to find out if annuities and dividends will solve your retirement paycheck puzzle, you're going to enjoy this episode!

Today I'm breaking down the 4% rule. Specifically, I'm sharing: A brief history of the rule Why the creator doesn't follow it The pros and cons I'm also sharing how you might take the current environment into consideration when using the 4% rule.  If you want to understand the most popular retirement income strategy once and for all, this episode is for you. 

Today I'm kicking off a multi-part series on creating a reliable income stream in retirement. To help set the stage for this series, Michael Kitces drops in to share why most retirees will NEVER draw down their portfolio. In fact, he shares how the 4% rule is more likely to quintuple wealth than deplete it over 30-years. If you're ready to learn everything you need to know about creating a retirement paycheck, this series is for you. 

Today I'm talking about car ownership.  Specifically, I'm sharing: The Total Lifetime Cost of Owning a Car How Buying New Can Cost the Same as Buying Used Why Leasing a Car Isn't Always the Wrong Decision I also let you in on a little secret about my personal approach to car ownership.