The Financial Procast

  Today we're back to your regular format. A veritable hodge-podge of news from the world of finance. Yes, we could've spent another whole episode discussing the volatility of the markets, but we figured there are plenty of other places you can go to hear all about that. And no one really has any answers when it comes to understanding markets anyway. So we turn our attention to a few lesser covered topics for this week's episode: Medicare Part B premiums set to spike Indexed annuities are now King of the hill (unseating the crown long held by variable annuities) Long term care insurance premium increases spark a debate (in Minnesota) And if you have anything that you'd like to hear us talk about future episodes, please let us know. You can use the contact form on this site or just comment on this post.  We'd love to talk about things that interest our listeners.

Well, we take a week off from recording/producing the financial procast and the market decides it's going to fall apart. I wasn't aware that our podcast was the glue that holds it all together? In light of that, and the fact that today marks the 3rd anniversary of our show, we decided to take a break from our normal show format. We dedicated today's show entirely to a discussion of risk. To be perfectly honest, this is more of what we initially planned when we launched the podcast back in 2012. Brandon and I would often have these long phone conversations where we would discuss issues that face our clients and the people we talk to on a regular basis. We said, “Gee, we should really record these–every now and again one of us says something that might prove valuable to other people” That's how the Financial Procast was born. So, here we are getting back to that. On a more serious note, we are honored and somewhat amazed that anyone cares to listen to us on a semi-regular basis. It is truly an honor and privilege to be able to do what we do. We thank you all for supporting us.  

Well, we take a week off from recording/producing the financial procast and the market decides it's going to fall apart. I wasn't aware that our podcast was the glue that holds it all together? In light of that, and the fact that today marks the 3rd anniversary of our show, we decided to take a ... Keep Reading

In episode 181 of the Financial Procast, here's what we discuss: Money Flees U.S. stock funds SEC commissioners push for greater pricing transparency for bonds Variable Annuity surrender charges aren't what some would have you think Rents rise to “crazy” levels An as a reminder, there will not be a new episode of the financial procast next week. But we'll be back in a couple weeks with a new episode. If you would like to reach out to us, we're always happy to hear from you.

In episode 181 of the Financial Procast, here's what we discuss: Money Flees U.S. stock funds SEC commissioners push for greater pricing transparency for bonds Variable Annuity surrender charges aren't what some would have you think Rents rise to “crazy” levels An as a reminder, there will not be a new episode of the financial ... Keep Reading

  Ever been around someone who tried too hard? It's painfully obvious. The financial services industry is guilty of this kind of behavior. Need proof? Just google the term “society of grownups” and you will need no further evidence that we're telling you the truth. I could link to them here but we make it a policy to only send our visitors away from our site when there's something useful on the other end. Why in the world would the financial services industry be so intent on trying to hip? Well, they're scared of Millennials (the generation that spans ages 18 to 34 in 2015) are projected to number 75.3 million, which surpasses the projected 74.9 million Boomers (ages 51 to 69). And according to research from LIMRA (Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association), life insurance companies in particular are concerned because millennials just aren't buying life insurance. At least, not as much as life insurance companies want them to. So, a handful of companies have decided that they need to do a little skinny jean, long beard, coffee shop, wine tasting sort of thing to appeal to these youngsters. I'm not being critical of fashion choices, facial hair, or beverage choices. But what do any of those things have to do with selling more life insurance? When large companies try this sort of marketing it just comes off as patronizing. We have plenty more to say on the subject but you'll have to listen to the episode. Here's a full rundown of what we discuss in episode 180: The solution expensive long term care insurance  Rising interest rates trouble for credit card balances Famous market wizard says there's trouble ahead Life insurance companies try to be “cool” As always, if you’d like to reach out to us with a question, comment or anything in between you can contact us here.

Ever been around someone who tried too hard? It's painfully obvious. The financial services industry is guilty of this kind of behavior. Need proof? Just google the term “society of grownups” and you will need no further evidence that we're telling you the truth. I could link to them here but we make it a ... Keep Reading

  Don't let the title fool you. We're not actually starting our own sorority. But we do think that it's a shame that the CFP board recently compared itself to one in a recent court case where they were being sued. We thought it was an organization dedicated to upholding a professional standard in the financial planning community? We're talking about that recent court ruling and a few other things today on the Financial Procast. Here's a rundown: 1031 Exchanges Could Become a Thing of the Past Specialized Mutual Funds Try to Beat Income Annuities The CFP Board Reduced to a Sorority Well known fee-only adviser says annuities aren't all bad As always, if you’d like to reach out to us with a question, comment or anything in between you can contact us here.  

Don't let the title fool you. We're not actually starting our own sorority. But we do think that it's a shame that the CFP board recently compared itself to one in a recent court case where they were being sued. We thought it was an organization dedicated to upholding a professional standard in the financial planning ... Keep Reading

  We're back after a two week unplanned hiatus. Sometimes life happens, not much we can do about that. Thankfully, we still remember how to record and produce a podcast. Here's what we're discussing in episode 178: A $15/hr. minimum wage? Obamacare rates set to skyrocket The housing market is irrational As always, if you’d like to reach out to us with a question, comment or anything in between you can contact us here.

We're back after a two week unplanned hiatus. Sometimes life happens, not much we can do about that. Thankfully, we still remember how to record and produce a podcast. Here's what we're discussing in episode 178: A $15/hr. minimum wage? Obamacare rates set to skyrocket The housing market is irrational As always, if you’d like ... Keep Reading

  Are you tired of new ideas? Why is that people (us included) spend so much time trying to come up with new ideas when the old ones aren't bad? Let me clear, lest you think I'm a luddite. I'm not saying that things shouldn't improve over time and that new choices aren't a good thing. But I am a big fan of letting the market decide what's needed, not new mandates from on high. We don't need anyone to build a better mousetrap to help us with saving money for retirement. Or any other purpose for that matter. What we all need is financial discipline. Make more, spend less.  In light of that, here's what we're complaining about in episode 177 of the Financial Procast: A Recent Study Suggests More People Should Own Immediate Annuities The U.S. Economy is Doing Well But No One Seems to Notice? New Proposal Suggests We Do Away with 401ks and IRAs As always, if you’d like to reach out to us with a question, comment or anything in between you can contact us here.

Are you tired of new ideas? Why is that people (us included) spend so much time trying to come up with new ideas when the old ones aren't bad? Let me clear, lest you think I'm a luddite. I'm not saying that things shouldn't improve over time and that new choices aren't a good thing. ... Keep Reading

We tried not to talk about the Department of Labor's proposed rule change regarding retirement accounts. I promise. We had a conversation where we specifically decided we weren't going to do it. But then we did. There are times that no matter how...

We tried not to talk about the Department of Labor's proposed rule change regarding retirement accounts. I promise. We had a conversation where we specifically decided we weren't going to do it. But then we did. There are times that no matter how much we'd like to talk about something else we can't. This story ... Keep Reading