Investors attempting to offset gains from earlier Steve Mnuchin's ill-timed comments on liquidity created the perfect Christmas Eve storm, however, this is no time o panic.

• Steve Mnuchin's awkward and ill-timed comments on the stability of the banking system
• How long do bear markets last?
• Value vs. momentum investing
• Potentially avoiding capital gains on stocks by re-investing in real estate inside Qualified Opportunity Zones

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Going into the holidays worried about your portfolio is not a great way to welcome in the New Year. The S&P was up nearly 9.5% by the end of September and today the S&P 500 is down nearly 8% for the year including dividends.  Be careful trading at year end when investors are tax loss harvesting. Other topics include:

• 2018 market review
• What not to do in a recession/bear market
• Typical pullbacks and recoveries
• What you should consider when going through a stock market correction

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Feds have acknowledged trade issues are slowing down the economy, but markets still expect a rate hike from the Feds at today’s meeting. What investors are unsure about is what that means for 2019. Will Americans be spending their tax returns or use it to pay down debt due to fears of economic slowdown? Other topics include

• Reviewing year-to-date returns of different asset classes
• Year-end tax planning
• Is it still okay to own California municipal bonds?
• Rolling RMD money into a Roth account is a no go
• 529 plan withdrawal mistakes

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Ever wonder why Apple is so cheap in terms of P/E ratio? It’s the law of large numbers. When a company becomes that big it can be hard to maintain growth. However, companies like IBM are cheap because falling revenue has forced them to reinvent themselves. Other topics include:

• The recent bond rally and year to date market results
• The changing annuity industry
• Section 199A pass-through deductions on real estate
• Deferred compensation plans

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

2018 is coming to an end and firms publishing predictions on what’s going to happen to the stock market in 2019. Does it even really matter when most predictions are wrong and timing the market is the worst decision ever? Other topics include:

• Goldilocks market scenario vs. 2019 recession scenario
• What to do with your 401k now and in 2019
• What to do when you inherit an IRA
• Section 199A passthrough deductions on real estate

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The best days of trading usually come after the worst days of trading. Right now everyone is feeling pretty rotten with large cap stocks outperforming small cap and the stock market experiencing a rather mediocre year. Also, money managers have been doing some loss harvesting which is sure to cause volatility in the market. Other topics include:

• The inverted yield curve
• The importance of Roth contributions
• Year-end CPA talks
• Avoiding underwithholding taxes

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Uber could go public next year and Lyft announces a subscription plan at discounted prices. Is ride sharing cheaper for commuters after you factor in insurance, gas and auto payments? I also look at mixed Q3 returns and the decrease in US home construction and affordability. Other topics include:

• Canada legalizing recreational marijuana
• Americans planning to increase itemized charitable deductions
• International investing- why you do it and why you buy when it’s down
• Comparing scholarship funds
• Common things people don’t ask for help with on their financial plan
• What could end the bull market?
• School fraud and bankruptcy filers

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

There have been rolling corrections in different sectors and in different stocks making this month tough on investors following the large Q3 returns. Is now the time to become more conservative or simply ignore the headlines? Today I discuss:

• Troubling media headlines and geopolitical events
• Sheltering yourself from the chance that stocks and bonds decline at the same time in retirement
• Paying down debt as a way to become more conservative
• Comparing retirement withdrawal strategy articles

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The 2017 tax cut has drastically changed the way taxes work. Most people in America will no longer itemize their deductions, which has charities frightened that people will stop donating. This could be a very real problem should anybody reconsider charitable gifts if they don’t think they’ll get a tax deduction.

• Best ways to give over age 70 1/2
• Giving appreciated stock instead of cash
• How to use a Donor Advised Fund to lump gifting in order to get a deduction

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Earnings and revenue growth are up, but volatility has returned to the market. Not only do we now have trade issues causing uncertainty in the market, but a divided congress gives little hope for any change in the future. Today I pick apart the market to try and find out why expectations have come down in a time where growth has outperformed value. Other topics include:

• Qualified Opportunity Zone program
• Tax planning for retirement
• Where to keep your safe money before entering retirement

You’ve set goals for investing . . . so now what? Now is the time to learn a bit more on wealth accumulation and what to do after your 401K. Join me next Saturday, November 17th at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Election results are in and the Democrats have a house majority.... which means investing with gridlock is the new hot topic. These elections also served as a warning sign to Trump as many of the states that supported his presidency voted democrat. What is going to happen to the market? Other topics include:

• Average returns based on the president’s party and house majorities
• RESA-RetirementEnhancement and Savings Act
• Should you expect social security in your retirement plan?
• Effect of taxes on your retirement income
• Are you saving enough for retirement?

You’ve set goals for investing . . . so now what? Now is the time to learn a bit more on wealth accumulation and what to do after your 401K. Join me on Saturday, November 17th at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Despite the talk of the market topping out, the economy is still getting stronger thanks to increasing job growth, participation rates and wage growth. These three factors are a sure sign for the Feds that we are ready for a rate increase. Is a December rate hike all but set in stone for this year? Other topics include:

• Snapshot of this year’s market & what is causing the market slowdown
• Being only an index investor
• Debt exposure of small cap indexing
• What to do with risky long term care insurance policies
• Should you let your term insurance expire?

You’ve set goals for investing . . . so now what? Now is the time to learn a bit more on wealth accumulation and what to do after your 401K. Join me on Saturday, November 17th at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Today may be Halloween, but next week is when spooky stuff starts arriving in the mail. Overall the market is flat on the year, but bonds for the most part are negative. Sometimes we see these points where several asset classes fall at the same time which can be a problem for retirees who average out of classes. Is your portfolio doomed to sell when things are down? Other topics include:

• Rising rates, wage inflation & the need for revenue growth
• ETF’s vs. mutual funds
• Scary financial mistakes

You’ve set goals for investing . . . so now what? Now is the time to learn a bit more on wealth accumulation and what to do after your 401K. Join me on Saturday, November 17th at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Yesterday’s flip-of-the-switch positive to negative move was a prime example of what has been driving the recent rapid volatility increase; investor Alzheimer’s. Investors have gotten so used to going from bottom left to top right that many have forgotten what a normal market looks like, but is the stock market really that bad? Other topics include:

• Putting slowed growth in perspective
• Year-end tax projections
• Logical and illogical fears driving the 2019 & 2020 market
• Maximizing benefits from medical expenses
• Preparing your portfolio for retirement in a down market

You’ve set goals for investing . . . so now what? Now is the time to learn a bit more on wealth accumulation and what to do after your 401K. Join me on Saturday, November 17th at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Bloodbath, plummeting, rapid decline. These are the words the media uses to destroy your confidence in the stock market. The trade issues are causing a slow down so earnings growth expectations for 2019 and 2020 are in question. Yes the NASDAQ is in "correction" but is still positive for the year. The S&P and Dow have merely lost the gains for the year. Other topics include:

• What to do during a correction
• Delaying retirement by just 1 year
• Midterm elections
• Self employed and catching up on retirement planning
• Defined Benefit Plans and Mega Roth for the self employed

You’ve set goals for investing . . . so now what? Now is the time to learn a bit more on wealth accumulation and what to do after your 401K. Join me on Saturday, November 17th at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Sales took a major hit after Trump said he would support a boycott of Harley Davidson if they moved some production overseas to sidestep EU tariffs. While sales themselves are not shrinking, margin costs are and all fingers point to trade issues. Are we still meeting our expected Q3 growth numbers despite higher costs? Other topics include:

• I convince Mark to not jump out of the market even if the bull market is over
• What to do if a market correction is around the corner
• Cryptocurrency calls from Nouriel Roubini
• Start filling out your FAFSA forms!
• Funding retirement plans before college funds

You’ve set goals for investing . . . so now what? Now is the time to learn a bit more on wealth accumulation and what to do after your 401K. Join me on Saturday, November 17th at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Uber could go public next year and Lyft announces a subscription plan at discounted prices. Is ride sharing cheaper for commuters after you factor in insurance, gas and auto payments? I also look at mixed Q3 returns and the decrease in US home construction and affordability. Other topics include:

• Canada legalizing recreational marijuana
• Americans planning to increase itemized charitable deductions
• International investing- why you do it and why you buy when it’s down
• Comparing scholarship funds
• Common things people don’t ask for help with on their financial plan
• What could end the bull market?
• School fraud and bankruptcy filers

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

There have been rolling corrections in different sectors and in different stocks making this month tough on investors following the large Q3 returns. Is now the time to become more conservative or simply ignore the headlines? Today I discuss:

• Troubling media headlines and geopolitical events
• Sheltering yourself from the chance that stocks and bonds decline at the same time in retirement
• Paying down debt as a way to become more conservative
• Comparing retirement withdrawal strategy articles

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

A large part of the investment world thought rates would fall again before the 10 year treasury hit 3.5%, and they are very close to being wrong. The Feds hinted they could hike rates even faster in the future despite global trade issues and warnings from Trump. Other topics include:

• Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s comments on the stock market and treasury yield
• How interest rates change your behavior towards retirement planning
• What to do if you own long term government debt funds
• China potentially devaluing the yuan
• Pensionizing your retirement income
• Retirement strategy article by Stanford Center on Longevity and Society of Actuaries

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Studies show that an alarming 1/3 of millennials have robbed their retirement accounts between 2001 and 2017. If this isn’t proof that we haven’t taught our children the importance of saving and how to go about it then this epidemic will only get worse and everyone will pay for it. Today I discuss how saving early can make you major retirement bucks. Other topics include:

• The difference between IRA’s & Roth IRA’s
• Good annuity situations & what to do with bad annuities
• Who should Mark open a Roth IRA with and what mutual funds or ETf’s do I recommend for new investors?
• Paying quarterly taxes overseas

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visitwww.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Studies show that an alarming 1/3 of millennials have robbed their retirement accounts between 2001 and 2017. If this isn’t proof that we haven’t taught our children the importance of saving and how to go about it then this epidemic will only get worse and everyone will pay for it. Today I discuss how saving early can make you major retirement bucks. Other topics include:

• The difference between IRA’s & Roth IRA’s
• Good annuity situations & what to do with bad annuities
• Who should Mark open a Roth IRA with and what mutual funds or ETf’s do I recommend for new investors?
• Paying quarterly taxes overseas

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The Kavanaugh hearings were all anyone could talk about over the weekend, but the big news on the economic front was the quarterly Fed meeting. The FOMC removed the Accommodation Clause while Chairman Powell stated that “this does not imply the Fed will be less aggressive if necessary in raising rates.” With the fed funds rate believed to be raised in December and three more times next year, what does that mean for loan rates? Other topics include:

• The flattening of the yield curve
• How will you act during a correction?
• Confusing investor terms explained
• Opportunity zone programs - Portenitally a new way postpone paying capital gains taxes
• Year-end tax moves
• Should you sell your insurance policies

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

People are moving away from the Bay Area and taxes are where future former residents are pointing their fingers. If you are considering relocating solely because of taxes, there are many more things to consider before packing up. Are you trading higher property tax for lower state tax that will it save you money in the long run? Would you benefit more by living in a community property state? Other topics include:

• End of year tax issues
• Tips for younger investors
• A conservation easement investment pitch from an enrolled agent
• The best way to make charitable contributions

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Last year big changes were made when real estate was pulled out of the financial sector. Now Google and Alphabet are moving to the new communications sector, joining the likes of AT&T and Verizon. It has also been announced that the Instagram cofounders are leaving Facebook. This is not great news for anyone who owns XLK, the ETF that will no longer hold Facebook or Alphabet. Other topics include:

• Preparing for the Q3 “buy/sell everything” financial media reports
• All about RMD’s
• Things to do with your withholding
• Widows social security benefit decline

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Here we go again, the treasury just got north of 3%. Will rates fall back to the 2.85% range again? With the economy lacking clear signs of out of control inflation bond hungry investors are seeing that as a reason to buy and the same seems to be going for REIT’s. Today I look at rate sensitive investments and rolling bear markets. Other topics include:

• What causes rates to go up?
• The crazy divergence between value and growth in stocks
• Stock market FOMO
• Bonds in a rising rate environment

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, and it can be hard to even know where to begin. Please join me at the Retirement Income and Tax Planning Seminar, this Thursday, September 20th at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The lack of basic financial education in high school grads is simply mind-blowing. The idea of paying yourself first and investing for getting yourself on track for retirement just doesn’t exist. With over 60% of Americans drastically underprepared for retirement I share basic investing strategies that make all the difference. Other topics include:

• Should you consider robo retirement advice?
• Estate planning
• Switch from a S-Corp to a C Corp
• Asset location and asset allocation
• Prenups

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, and it can be hard to even know where to begin. Please join me at the Retirement Income and Tax Planning Seminar on September 20th at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

• Buying private REIT's and other high fee products that can ruin you retirement
• Divorce planning
• Cyber security and protecting you home netowrks
• What you should be thinking about in the late stages of a bull market

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Almost every major financial media outlet is talking about Argentina and Turkey. Emerging markets were stellar in 2017 but have struggled so far this year. Have you been thinking about points of entry if you are not already invested in emerging markets? Today I explain why we are seeing inflationary issues in Argentina and Turkey and how to take advantage of this opportunity. Other topics include:

• When to take RMD’s on an inherited IRA and what to do when you screw it up
• When annuities work
• Trump-cut opportunities

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, and it can be hard to even know where to begin. Please join me at the Retirement Income and Tax Planning Seminar on September 20th at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Rather than the typical summer downturn, we are seeing record highs. In fact revised GDP numbers show the economy to be growing at 4.2%. Should you be thinking about potential bubbles? Today I explain why the current market is not similar to the market that led to the Great Recession and share my Top 10 Retirement Mistakes.

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, and it can be hard to even know where to begin. Please join me at the Retirement Income and Tax Planning Seminar on September 20th at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Rather than the typical summer downturn, we are seeing record highs. In fact revised GDP numbers show the economy to be growing at 4.2%. Should you be thinking about potential bubbles? Today I explain why the current market is not similar to the market that led to the Great Recession and share my Top 10 Retirement Mistakes.

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, and it can be hard to even know where to begin. Please join me at the Retirement Income and Tax Planning Seminar on September 20th at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

When the headlines read “markets hit record highs” the question “is there a bubble?” is not too far behind. At the moment student debt and auto loans are the most concerning issues our economy faces, so much so that the IRS released a private letter ruling that could make it easier for employers to use 401ks to assist employees in repaying student loans. Other topics include:

• Is there a housing bubble?
• Retirement saving options for self employed individuals
• 401ks vs. Roth 401ks
• The Social Security train wreck
• Itemized deductions and charitable contributions under the new tax law

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, and it can be hard to even know where to begin. Please join me at the Retirement Income and Tax Planning Seminar on September 20th at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

College is a crazy and exciting milestone in life. After dropping off my son at his first year of college I share what I learned about scholarship applications, dorm budgeting and the relatively new personal financial planning degree. Other topics include:

• Protecting your portfolio from corrections with emerging markets
• Bull market FOMO
• Concerning debt levels at different ages
• Rental properties and the new tax law
• Buying vs. leasing a business car

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Summertime geopolitical woes continue as August comes to an end. First we have the Paul Manafort issues unfolding and a second issue lies with Elon Musk tweeting about taking Tesla private. Will either of these men be able to avoid prison? Other topics include:

• The lamest headline of the day
• Retirement planning for couples with an age gap
• The longest running bull market
• Mileage points, password accounts and other estate planning items you may not be thinking about
• College net costs calculators
• Tough situations for the Sandwich Generation

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Bay Area home prices are so elevated that investors are receiving low yield even if they buy a property all-cash. Today I discuss Bay Area real estate issues including high prices, rising rates, tax law changes and the basic worker not being able to live in the Bay Area. Other topics include:

• Items that affect portfolio return
• A popular Roger Ibbotson article on indexed annuities
• Backdoor Roth IRA’s

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Encore Mashup!

12 more days and we will have the longest running bull market without a 20% market correction. I see a lot of portfolios where people have been in the right place, but all they own are S&P large cap stocks, which are now getting quite expensive. Will we see a shift from momentum based stocks to stocks trading at a discount? Other topics include:

• What is contributing to the incredible earnings growth?
• Catching up on retirement savings in your 40’s and 50’s
• When you don’t want to convert to a Roth

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

“What do you want to do when you retire?” It’s a question I ask where too frequently the retiree ends up doing something completely different from what they thought they would be doing. The Honey-Do list keeps most retirees busy in the first days and prevents them from finding what they really are going to do with their time. Today I talk about retirement preparedness through practice. Other topics include:

• Retirement introverts
• Q2 earnings, revenue and tax cuts – what companies expect going forward
• What is driving indexes today
• Cryptocurrency platform for equity trusts
• Catching up on retirement savings

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

When I got into the business 24 years ago the rate on the 10 year treasury was around 6.6%. Today we just hit 3% so how will that affect your bonds? Other topics include:

• What is preventing rates from rapidly rising?
• Passive investing issues – could indexing be creating a bubble in certain stocks?
• Taxpayers will owe more in 2019 due to under withholding – California and Oregon are you withholding enough taxes?
• How does the increasing trillion dollar deficit factor into future prospects?
• Long term care insurance planning
• Life insurance policies with long term care and sleazy insurance agents

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Last Friday we heard that GDP grew at 4.1%, the best reading in 4 years. The only way we can keep the new tax cuts is to have continued GDP growth that covers the costs of Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs so congress could act again. Today I dig into GDP numbers that beat expectations. Other topics include:

• Why do we continue to hear about a slowdown by 2020?
• Is the party over for cryptocurrency?
• How to choose a pension option
• Retirement planning mistakes and bad retirement rules of thumb

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

It’s expected that individual companies will be crushing it in terms of second quarter earnings reports thanks to a strong economy and tax cuts that went into effect this year. What could happen as the trade skirmish continues to cause uncertainty in the market. Other topics include:

• Costs of retiring in the Bay Area
• Most millennials want to retire at 61. Is that even possible without social security?
• How much of an asset base will millennials need to accumulate to live off passive income?
• Backdoor Roth IRA’s

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Encore edition

It’s expected that individual companies will be crushing it in terms of second quarter earnings reports thanks to a strong economy and tax cuts that went into effect this year. What could happen as the trade skirmish continues to cause uncertainty in the market. Other topics include:

• Costs of retiring in the Bay Area
• Most millennials want to retire at 61. Is that even possible without social security?
• How much of an asset base will millennials need to accumulate to live off passive income?
• Backdoor Roth IRA’s

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Most of what you hear on financial media right now is the idea of a trade war. While negotiations are causing some uncertainty in the market, the S&P has rallied 3% since the end of the second quarter (just 20 days ago). Will things continue to get worse before they get better? Other topics include:

• Savers tax credit and working part time
• Critical decisions for retirement
• Should Nick and his wife convert as much as they can to a Roth IRA with 9 years till RMD?
• Retirement income date funds

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Last week jobless claims dropped to the lowest level since 1969. The lower those numbers fall the more you hear about employees demanding higher wages. Increasing wages alongside rising interest rates and tariffs slows down rapid growth. Other topics include:

• Corporate earnings expectations
• Another negative quarter for bonds
• REIT’s
• Winning the lottery
• Growth vs. momentum vs. value plays
• The importance of funding your own retirement sans social security

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Tax cuts make Q2 earnings report an easy comparison to 2017. Next year we know comparables will be much tougher and the potential trade war looming could increase prices and slow the economy. Other topics include:

• Items that affect portfolio returns
• Estate taxes
• How to reduce taxes in retirement
• Mega Backdoor Roth IRA -the secret tax free growth option
• 401k allocations

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Encore edition

President Trump predicts easy to win trade negotiations vs China, but one article predicts there may be worse to come after US fires new shots in trade war. Although emerging markets did well in 2017, they have been hit hard in recent months. Countries including Brazil, Turkey, India and South Korea could present major buying opportunities if their currency continues to fall. Other topics include:

• The importance of stock dividends and passive income
• Social Security taxes and the first five years of retirement
• The Gig Economy and lack of benefits
• Having a self-employment plan
• Gig Economy jobs for retirees
• Viatical life settlements

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Tax cuts make Q2 earnings report an easy comparison to 2017. Next year we know comparables will be much tougher and the potential trade war looming could increase prices and slow the economy. Other topics include:

• Items that affect portfolio returns
• Estate taxes
• How to reduce taxes in retirement
• Mega Backdoor Roth IRA -the secret tax free growth option
• 401k allocations

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

There are several major risks that can harm your retirement and the biggest one right now is the one that has been helping your stocks and real estate. Today I explain how the relationship between bonds and interest rates has resulted in lower than normal income for retirees. Will your portfolio be able to keep up with inflation even when low interest rates are being offset by shockingly low capital gains taxes? Other topics include:

• Having a detailed withdrawal strategy so you won’t be subject to the order of returns in retirement
• Timing the market in retirement
• Dealing with market all time highs
• Are target retirement date funds a good idea for you?

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

1 year morning show anniversary encore!

For 99% of the American population, life insurance is a horrible investment program. The only people who will tell you something different are those with a sales pitch looking for commission. Today I discuss the poor idea of owning indexed life insurance policies as investments. Other topics include:

• How many ways can life insurance disappoint you?
• Who should look at life insurance products
• Retirement costs and tax issues

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Financial media is filled with stories of “analysts” who sound smart, but all they are really doing is telling you what already happened. Today I explain market cycle trends these people are looking at that make them seem smart and how you can spot them too. Other topics include:

• What’s new with cryptocurrency?
• What not to do with your 401k
• New study on retirement healthcare costs
• Buzz Aldrin’s estate battle

Come join Rob Black at our 10 Pillars of Retirement Income Planning Seminar. This seminar will be held tomorrow, June 28th at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge and starts at 6:30 pm. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The second quarter is coming to an end and trade tensions are seemingly climbing higher every day. One economist believes Trump should expand service trade with China instead of renegotiating tariffs on physical goods. Today I look at how certain market sectors have responded to the trade negotiations and currency issues dominating the news. Other topics include:

• Mega backdoor Roth IRA’s
• IRA’s and estate planning
• Income planning in retirement
• 10 Pillars of Retirement overview

Come join Rob Black at our 10 Pillars of Retirement Income Planning Seminar. This seminar will be held thisThursday, June 28th at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge and starts at 6:30 pm. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

While the goal was to get investors away from expensive commission based products, too many loopholes and lobbyists were involved and the fiduciary rule is now dead. Until then it is up to you to know what fees you are paying. Today I discuss how to protect yourself from bad retirement products. Other topics include:

• Social Security cost of living adjustments
• Target date funds
• Self employed savings options
• Retirement mistakes
• Self employment tax

Come join Rob Black at our 10 Pillars of Retirement Income Planning Seminar. This seminar will be held on Thursday, June 28th at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge and starts at 6:30 pm. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Trade disputes are increasing as the United States identifies $200 billion worth of Chinese goods for additional tariffs at a rate of 10 percent. While the increase in tariffs shouldn’t come as a surprise, the timing is quite interesting. Today I examine the latest news in the trade wars. Other topics include:

• Why not to take out a loan against your 401k
• Are REITs more attractive under the new tax laws?
• ESG, impact and socially responsible investing
• Brokerage links in your 401k

Come join Rob Black at our 10 Pillars of Retirement Income Planning Seminar. This seminar will be held on Thursday, June 28th at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge and starts at 6:30 pm. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

News of higher than expected increase in producer prices comes at the same time the feds announce a .25% rate increase. continued inflation surprises will lead to expectations of 4 rate hikes this year. Plain and simple this will mean more volatility in the bond market. Other topics include:

• Increase of mergers and acquisitions
• New tax laws concerning passive income
• Mega backdoor Roth IRA
• Selling a rental property
• Blockchain and leveraged loans
• Dynasty trust planning

Come join Rob Black at our 10 Pillars of Retirement Income Planning Seminar. This seminar will be held on Thursday, June 28th at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge and starts at 6:30 pm. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

What an interesting week we have coming up. Many of us stayed up late watching Trump and Kim sign a document at the North Korean Summit. The Feds are expected to hike interest rates on Wednesday and the ECB is unwinding quantative easing. The end result of all this? An expected flat opening in the market. Other topics include:

• Consumer price index numbers
• Effect of rising rates on stocks
• Social Security –Disability benefits ,widow benefits and self-employed couples working together
• Blockchain technology outside cryptocurrency
• 529 plans and financial aid

Come join Rob Black at our 10 Pillars of Retirement Income Planning Seminar. This seminar will be held on Thursday, June 28th at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge and starts at 6:30 pm. Registration is only $25 so click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , orcall the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

There’s a lot of back and forth on where we are in the stock market. Quantitative easing is being pulled away as interest rates begin to rise and tariff issues have companies sitting on their cash just a few months after corporate taxes were lowered. Other topics include:

• Are Medicare finances getting worse?
• Barbell investing
• Things you need to hear from your advisor in a financial planning meeting

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Ticketfly is down this morning after a significant cybersecurity incident. A quick reminder that it’s rarely a matter of if your identity will be compromised, but when your identity will be compromised. You should always have an identity insurance company that white gloves the process and saves you from dealing with attorneys and detectives. Other topics include:

• Is the era of easy returns over?
• Donating to charities and your tax return
• Real estate investing –renting vs. selling
• Stocks vs. real estate
• Divorce and the new tax plan

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Triggered by fears that Italy might leave the Euro, a flight to safety sent US bond yields lower... the opposite direction media has been telling you they will go. Bill Gross’s Janus Henderson unconstrained bond funds dropped 3% in one day making a tough year for him even worse. Are we at the top of our economic cycle? Other topics include:

• Stupid decisions in real estate
• Partial Roth conversions -when they can harm you
• 3 major things to consider as you go into retirement
• Hybrid life insurance policies and annuity rescue options
• Visualizing your retirement
• When to avoid 529 plans

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visitwww.NewFocusFinancial.com.

 “By age 35” is an internet meme where millennials post funny or sarcastic goals in response to a MarketWatch article suggesting you should have saved twice your salary by age 35. Are these money milestones an unachievable goal or are millennials simply not willing to sacrifice and plan enough to meet these goals? Other topics include:

• 6 misunderstood IRA rules
• Quality of life and medicare talks in retirement
• Divorce issues
• Gifting to a dying relative to save on taxes

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visitwww.NewFocusFinancial.com.

A little over 80% of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings and so far the numbers are looking great. Blended earnings are up 24.2% setting the stage for the largest year over year growth rates since Q3 2010. Is the market expensive after this amount of growth? Other topics include:

• Stock market concerns
• Everything you need to know about long term care insurance
• Alternative investments as your portfolio reaches over half a million

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

 “By age 35” is an internet meme where millennials post funny or sarcastic goals in response to a MarketWatch article suggesting you should have saved twice your salary by age 35. Are these money milestones an unachievable goal or are millennials simply not willing to sacrifice and plan enough to meet these goals? Other topics include:

• 6 misunderstood IRA rules
• Quality of life and medicare talks in retirement
• Divorce issues
• Gifting to a dying relative to save on taxes

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Do we have a truce on the Chinese trade war? It could be true. China is set to cut the import duty on US cars to 15% furthering opening up the world’s second largest economy. Meanwhile Trump has retreated from imposing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods. Today I take a look at the future of Chinese-American trade. Other topics include:

• Buying vs. leasing a car
• Getting a good rate on a lease
• The issues with 401ks and bond funds
• Age-based savings benchmarks

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

So far 2018 Q1 is an absolute blow out quarter with blended earnings hitting 24.9%, but PE ratios (which have been north of 17) are now at 16.5%. Why isn’t the market trading at 20x earnings when the S&P is resulting in 24% earnings growth? Is it all due to tax cuts and financial engineering? Other topics include:

• Various signs of a recession
• Making your money last till age 100
• Saving to buy a house –Should you use this penalty-free Roth strategy?
• Healthcare costs in retirement
• Save on your capital gain taxes by gifting to a dying relative???

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Interest rates are increasing, however, high demand from bond investors can actually push rates down, but it isn’t quite that simple. Today I explain complicated treasury rules that affect bond rates. Other topics include:

• Protecting your online data
• Alternative investments as your portfolio reaches over half a million

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Encore edition!

Interest rates are increasing, however, high demand from bond investors can actually push rates down, but it isn’t quite that simple. Today I explain complicated treasury rules that affect bond rates. Other topics include:

• Protecting your online data
• Alternative investments as your portfolio reaches over half a million

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

A little over 80% of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings and so far the numbers are looking great. Blended earnings are up 24.2% setting the stage for the largest year over year growth rates since Q3 2010. Is the market expensive after this amount of growth? Other topics include:

• Stock market concerns
• Everything you need to know about long term care insurance
• Mega backdoor Roth IRA’s

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The Feds are holding their monthly meeting with no rate increases expected this time around. However, three more rate hikes are projected by the end of the year which won’t affect mortgage rates as much as it affects things like credit cards, HELOC’s and anything tied to prime. Also in the news is ISM’s manufacturing report, Feds changing the way they measure inflation and the ECB fighting lackluster growth. Other topics include:

• Oscar Meyer’s Bacoin cryptocurrency & China cracking down on jaywalking
• Portfolio levers that can cause risk
• Why wage inflation is tough on portfolios
• Rebalancing your portfolio on different levels
• Financing your parents move to a memory care facility
• Sequence of return risks in retirement

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, May 3rd, at Juniper Hotel Cupertino. There's still time to sign up. Click HERE!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Rates hit 3% yesterday for the first time since January 2014 and bond traders are dealing with a huge amount of new US debt issuance at $96 Billion worth of bonds, the largest since 2014. Was this planned prior to rates moving up? Also in the news Caterpillar and Twitter make a good showing in the market and the cryptocurrency Gemini takes a step in the right direction. Other topics include:

• Cryptocurrency scams, binary options and other financial fraud to be aware of
• Chuck in San Jose needs help figuring out a strategy on a house he inherited with a mortgage
• Getting you and your spouse involved in your financial plan

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Q1 earnings are coming out and expectations are high following tax cuts and the market rally. So is the market actually doing great? Are market returns negative? Other topics include:

• Walmart employing IBM and blockchain to put food on tables
• Explaining Jeff Gundlach’s comment on Facebook stock
• Major risks to your retirement
• Sustainable withdrawal rates on portfolios
• Awful online retirement calculators & Monte Carlo simulation

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Happy Groundhog Day to CPA’s and enrolled agents who are currently filing taxes and extensions on the one day extension. In other news, big banks are looking good in the first quarter since corporate tax reform took place. Cryptocurrency is also back in the news as New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman probes major trading platforms to find out more about operations, internal controls and customer safeguards. More cryptocurrency regulations this year for sure. Other topics include:

• Student loans vs. refinancing home debt
• Life insurance, disability insurance, underinsurance and HSA accounts
• Individual 401k vs. SEP-IRA

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Happy Tax Day everyone! Today may not come with fireworks or barbecue, but it does bring you a few friendly reminders: 1. An extension does not delay penalties and interest on amounts you owe 2. Your IRA and Roth contribution must be postmarked today even if you file an extension 3. Self employed still have time to fund some retirement accounts. Other topics include:

• 2018’s estimated earnings growth rate
• Increase on cash rates
• How FDIC insurance works
• Understanding what you own in bonds
• What to do with old variable annuities
• 529 plan mistakes
• Finding a qualified estate planning attorney

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Over 25+ years I’ve seen plenty of horrible money mistakes that destroy your chances at retirement. In the second half of today’s podcast I share major money mistakes that can really hurt you down the road. I also share good money habits such as accumulating positive cash flow assets. Other topics include:

• Financial Choices You'll Regret
• Prepaying down mortgage vs. investing capital
• Six retirement tests to do before you retire
• Not getting sold on bad investment products
• Active vs. passive investing

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

This week continued jobless claims see a slight uptick, but initial jobless claims decreased sharply by 9,000 in a firming of the job market. When will we finally see a wages rise? In other news futures were affected by a tweet from President Trump. Other topics include:

• Cryptocurrency tax headaches
• Checking your credit report and identity theft
• 5 days left till tax day –now what?
• Taxes and real estate
• Self employed tax tips
• Horrible online retirement calculators

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Futures are up and a lot of it has to do with China opening its economy to foreign investors. While day to day ups and downs don’t really matter in the long run, the reasons why do. Other topics include:

• How to snag the new self employed 20% business deduction if you are in the service industry
• Are you prepared for retirement financially and mentally?
• The problem with social security

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Some trade deals, such as NAFTA, are over 23 years old.   Current deals with China were created when China was considered an emerging market. The Chinese economy is much larger today and deals must be reviewed. Renegotiating trade agreements is one cause for the current market volatility. Other topics include:

• Postal service problems around the world
• FDIC insurance
• How to get more interest on your cash
• Why all-in/all-out sector strategy can damage your portfolio for the long run
• HELOC tax deductions
• Updating IRA beneficiaries

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

When was the last time you heard about LIBOR rates? This loan which was common at the top of the real estate debacle seems to be working its way back into the news, this time in the form of corporate debt. As interest rates go up there’s a good chance you’ll hear about lower quality borrowers feeling the squeeze. Other topics include:

• Timing the market and the 60/40 portfolio delusion
• The dangers of investing based on absolute statements
• Inheriting large sums of money
• Do you get dividends on RSU’s?
• Why prepay medical expenses
• Home owners insurance

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Mashup edition!

Facebook’s data scandal is causing people to rethink their privacy and pay attention to their online footprint. Seeing social media advertisements based on things you have only spoken about is strange enough, but equally disturbing is any media selling based on absolute statements. Articles that catch your attention using fear or greed rarely turn out well for you and it’s always important to know where you’re getting your information from and if it is biased. Other topics include:

• Annuities and life insurance-the good, the bad, and the ugly
• Health insurance pools
• Inheriting large sums of money
• Do you get dividends on RSU’s?
• Why prepay medical expenses
• Home owners insurance

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

When was the last time you heard about LIBOR rates? This loan which was common at the top of the real estate debacle seems to be working its way back into the news, this time in the form of corporate debt. As interest rates go up there’s a good chance you’ll hear about lower quality borrowers feeling the squeeze. Other topics include:

• Timing the market and the 60/40 portfolio delusion
• Roth IRA funding – are capital gains included when calculating MAGI?
• Backdoor Roth IRA contributions

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Today is Fed rate decision day and an increase is almost guaranteed. Today most people equate interest rates with mortgages directly when in reality mortgages are more affected by supply and demand issues. In fact interest rates have a greater affect on things such as credit cards, CD’s, auto loans and HELOC’s. Other topics include:

• Social security calculations –Did this self-employed couple accidentally screw up their social security to avoid FICA taxes
• How the tax cut affects 529 plans
• Money mistakes made by parents of special needs kids
• Chasing returns

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Crazy things can happen to your retirement plan. One moment you’re flying high when it comes to stocks and the next you’re over the handlebars in terms of risk. A minimum of 6 different tests are used to check if your retirement plan will stand up to whatever may come your way. Other topics include:

• Prop 60 –maintaining your property taxes after downsizing
• Tough times for young families in the Bay Area
• Why you should have an estate plan even if you are not concerned about taxes
• Visa CFO’s cryptocurrency criticism
• What are your chances of spending time at a nursing home?

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Juniper Hotel Cupertino on May 3rd. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Hospitals are treating more people with strokes and the percentage of millennial patients has increased by as much as 50% in some areas. People sometimes end up rebuilding their entire lives after a medical emergency; for many it can also mean completely changing your retirement plan. Today I talk income replacement in the face of major medical issues. Other topics include:

• The bond market
• A popular Roger Ibbotson article on indexed annuities
• Do annuities ever make sense when 99% of them are awful?
• Jeffrey Gundlach’s call on 2018
• Savingforcollege.com

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The news brings in more chaos from the White House as Trump fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaces him with Mike Pompeo. Under Tillerson 60% of top ranking diplomats have resigned and Foreign Service applications have fallen by half; all this after the US blocks the Broadcom Qualcomm buyout over China. Today I discuss foreign security issues and foreign companies buying tech in the US. Other topics include:

• Q4 earnings exceed expectations – so why did the market punish some positive earnings per share surprises
• Tax plan options if you are a business owner, self employed or own a lot of real estate with debt
• What are REIT’s and how do they work?
• Digital estate plans

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

When you look at what Trump tweets out and compare it to what actually gets done, you have to wonder if the tax cuts and trade war are all part of a genius plan or a path of disaster. Things have changed drastically since NAFTA was implemented and its past time we improve these deals. Today I talk tariff wars and their impact on our economy. Other topics include:

• What the typical market correction looks like and how to prepare
• Calculating and allocating safe money
• Managing your portfolio in retirement. Which accounts do I draw from? When do I sell?
• Bitcoin IRA’s

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City tomorrow, March 8th, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. There's still time to sign up, click HERE!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Today’s headlines have some interesting news to say the least. White House Economic Advisor Gary Cohn is devising a way to halt tariffs Trump announced last week. Also, North Korea announces they are open to discussing denuclearization with South Korea and the US. Today I discuss Trump breaking from his party in the tariff trade war and discuss the question that came to everyone’s mind -“What is North Korea planning?” Other topics include:

• Fidelity Freedom 2020’s risky target-date funds
• Getting started in saving for retirement
• Why and how younger people would use retirement date funds successfully

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City this Thursday, March 8th, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

As Wells Fargo continues the messy business of changing company culture, a Portland whistleblower reports a failure to investigate fraud and was subsequently fired. Wells Fargo seems to be so plagued by problems lately that a client called me asking if they should pull their money out. Today I discuss the problematic news surrounding the banking giant and what clients should concern themselves with. Other topics include:

• Trump’s trade wars & cryptocurrency trading volume dropping by half
• Longevity issues
• Withstanding market fluctuations in retirement
• Millennial retirement planning
• Old 401k plans with after-tax contributions, Backdoor Roth IRA and Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City next Thursday, March 8th, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

In retirement a lot of people believe they have to invest only for income so they shift to all high income stocks and high yielding bonds, a major mistake in a rising rates environment. Today I explain why dollar-cost averaging is not a good strategy to come out of a portfolio in retirement. Other topics include:

• Should Sheila (self employed) open a Vanguard 401k to reduce taxes or commit to a defined benefit plan?
• What bonds to buy?
• Bay Area’s real estate mass exodus
• Social Security underpaying widows and widowers
• File and suspend strategy

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City next Thursday, March 8th, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

If you watch the market the way Rob does, you know that the first Friday of every month is super important for setting up the jobs market. Today Rob and I discuss the basic ideas of financial planning and the many different ways to play the game. Other topics include:

• Intel estimates
• Comcast challenging Fox to buy Sky
• Bitcoin creator sued for stealing $5billion in cryptocurrency
• Apple’s new medical clinics
• Biggest thing that will move the stock market this year
• Home prices & the retail apocalypse

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City on March 8th at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

When prices go up consumer demand goes up and we see inflation. The Federal Reserve fights back by adjusting the lending rates, less money is being lent and put into the economy and we go through a cycle. It’s a pretty simple concept that is all part of expansion and recession. Real market corrections last 3 months minimum and the worst thing you can do is panic, sell and lose money forever. Other topics include:

• Cryptocurrency pump and dump scams
• Can you afford a second home in retirement and how would you pay for it?
• Health and healthcare spending in retirement
• The AMT exemption and other tax cut issues

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City on March 8th at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

At the beginning of every year we seem to hear the same stories. Either inflation or deflation becomes the major concern for the economy. This year inflation seems to be the focus. Today I discuss the dollar finally rising with treasury yields and what would happen if interest rates  on bonds go up too quickly. Other topics include:

• A potential acquisition, cryptocurrency and other stock market news
• The fiduciary rule –how to get financial advice without getting sold a product
• The difference between mutual funds and ETF’s
• ABLE accounts and 529 plans

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City on March 8th at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Retirement looks different for everyone and we all have our own retirement number. Unfortunately most people don’t know what their retirement number looks like and retire without even being close to what they need. In fact I wouldn’t even consider early retirement unless I was sure I could live less than passive income. Other topics include:

• Building assets that create passive income
• Merging and protecting finances
• Hedging against inflation

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City on March 8th at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

So far it’s been a great season for earning reports with Q4 earnings coming in at a 14% increase instead of the predicted 11% increase. Meanwhile 10 year treasury rates have a major increase. Other topics include:

• Self employed retirement planning tips under the new tax cut
• The average retirement savings account at Fidelity
• Stock market corrections
• 1040 SR tax form and other news about the tax change
• The dangers of retiring too early

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City on March 8th at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Bay Area home prices are so elevated that investors are receiving low yield even if they buy a property all-cash. Today I discuss Bay Area real estate issues including high prices, rising rates, tax law changes and the basic worker not being able to live in the Bay Area. Other topics include:

• How the real estate tax works if you own a positive cash flow property
• Identity theft and internet scams
• Wall Street fraud
• Advice from financial advisors that are not fiduciaries

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City at 6:30 p.m. and registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

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The Dow dropped 1500 points making it the largest intraday point drop in history. Interestingly enough this huge point drop doesn’t even come close to breaking daily pullbacks when recorded in percentages and is not even considered a correction by market standards. Today I discuss the recent pull back and how we view the markets. Other topics include:

• The Federal Reserve and interest rates
• Rebalancing vs. timing the market
• Cryptocurrency
• Tax law changes that will affect you and your paycheck

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City at 6:30 p.m. and registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Was 2017 the year the year we coined the term “getting Amazoned”? Today Rob discusses physical stores like Target, Walmart and Costco who are feeling the heat from Amazon and slashing prices. Other topics include:

• AMD’s epic server chip
• Finding the metrics that work for you
• Is the market too bullish?
• Home buying regret
• Self-employment issues
• Estate planning

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City at 6:30 p.m. and registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Earning season is off to a great start with earnings growth up around 12% from this time last year, but some people are still calling for expansion of the PE ratio due to synchronized global growth and low interest rates. This big rally also means your portfolio might be a tad out of whack. Other topics include:

• Risky cryptocurrency
• Backdoor Roth IRA’s & Roth IRA’s for kids
• Brian needs a down payment strategy for his first home
• 15 things to do before hiring a financial planner
• 20% deduction that might keep business owners in California

Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar. This event will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City at 6:30 p.m. and registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

There are two headlines you keep hearing right now: “bear market for bonds” and “soon-to-be wage inflation”. If you listen closely you’ll also hear that we are in a goldilocks phase that reminds me of the late 90’s. Today I explain what it means when you hear analyst talk about soon-to-be bear markets and what it means for your retirement plan. Other topics include:

• 5 reasons why tax cuts may not fuel the market as well
• Quit buying funds that preformed best last year
• Options as you approach retirement
• The 20th birthday of the Roth

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

While everyone was out enjoying their MLK holiday the financial industry was buzzing over new reports. Would you be able to survive retirement with a 60/40 US stock-bond portfolio? Today I discuss the calls for historically low average returns and the flattening of the yield curve. Other topics include:

• Roth 401k funding & Roth conversions as you retire
• Situations where reverse mortgages work
• Is a 1031 exchange the right move for this SF landlord searching for better yield?

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Last year was remarkable not only because market expectations were low and US leadership was less than desirable, but also because US equities consistency delivered positive returns. Typically we have an intra-year drawdown of 14%; in 2017 the maximum was around 3%. Are these numbers real or just based on corporate tax cut projections? Other topics include:

• Stock market FOMO
• Leveraged ETF’s
• Funding Roth IRA's and Roth 401k's assuming we see a rise in taxes
• Situations where reverse mortgages work
• Is a 1031 exchange the right move for this SF landlord searching for better yield?
• Is mortgage heloc tax debt deductible anymore?

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

While everyone was out enjoying their MLK holiday the financial industry was buzzing over new reports. Would you be able to survive retirement with a 60/40 US stock-bond portfolio? Today I discuss the calls for historically low average returns and the flattening of the yield curve. Other topics include:

• Roth 401k funding & Roth conversions as you retire
• Did the new tax law change capital gains exclusion on homes?
• How 1031 exchanges work
• Why financial professionals are uniting against the corporate tax cut
• Estate planning issues

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

Updated reports are once again calling for low returns on traditional balanced portfolios. I explain how some "forecasters" expect low end numbers for a traditional 60/40 portfolio; a portfolio that should have given you double digit returns last year. Today I explain what these numbers mean and stress the importance of retirement readiness tests. Other topics include:

• How investing outside retirement plans can help you build wealth
• Issues with cryptocurrency pump and dump problems
• Kodak move into blockchain
• Reviewing your asset mix

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, but focusing on a few essential issues can help increase your chances of enjoying a secure future. Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge Tomorrow, January 11th. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

How has retirement planning changed based on the new tax code? Whether you have questions about the potential 20% of net income deduction on real estate or how the phase out works, the new tax code needs clarification. Other topics include:

• Where to stash safe money inside your IRA
• Will retirees be in a rush to leave California? Is California real estate doomed?
• The take home pay retirement test
• Changing the way you donate under the new tax code
• Reducing single company stock exposure and save taxes with a charitable remainder trust
• Updating your estate plan

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, but focusing on a few essential issues can help increase your chances of enjoying a secure future. Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge this Thursday, January 11th. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.

The new tax plan is all people seem to be talking about. Unfortunately the new tax plan is far from the simplified one I hoped for, but it does include several (unnecessary) cuts and changes that many are beginning to ask about. Small business owners especially are having a rough time digesting the new tax plan as they try to get the new business tax credit. Today I explain the new tax code, who is affected the most and how to use it to your advantage.

Retirement planning is more complicated than ever, but focusing on a few essential issues can help increase your chances of enjoying a secure future. Please join Rob Black, Michelle Lerman and I for our Retirement Income Strategies and Estate Planning Seminar at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge next Thursday, January 11th. Registration is $25. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com, or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 on Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:00-7:00 a.m. (PDT)

Call 1-888-762-2423 for Wealth Management and Financial Planning services or visit www.NewFocusFinancial.com.