Many families spend $50,000+ annually on their children attending 4 year universities. Lisa Steele joins me today to explain how to make sure your child chooses the right college and how you can make the most out of this investment. Together we explore questions your child should be asking on college tours, what he or she can do to ensure their social happiness and statistics to look out for that are more telling than 4-year graduation rates. Lisa also explains how early you should start the application process and how your child should go about writing about their college essay. Other topics include:

• FICA taxes and other self-employment topics Rob Black and I will cover at our July 13th seminar
• Shiela asks what is the best way to invest her money for the down payment on a house in 6 years
• Shiela also wonders if her portfolio is too heavy in international stock when she is 29 years from retirement
• Stuart’s wife is in a full time nursing home and can’t apply for Medi-Cal because of a large IRA and rental property. What are his options for covering her medical expenses the next few years?

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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

Summer has finally kicked off and wedding invitations are in the mail. Today I discuss things to do before and after your wedding, especially if this is a second marriage for you or your future spouse. For instance, how will your income change depending on alimony and child support? What does your postnuptial agreement cover that the prenuptial doesn’t? Other topics include:

• The amazing amount of denial as investors snap up junk bonds and ignore current market returns
• Long term portfolio draw and return strategies in retirement
• Same-sex marriage and social security
• Health as part of your retirement plan- DO NOT let your health force you into an early retirement
• Projecting healthcare costs in retirement

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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

Many listeners are receiving notifications of rate increases on their long term care insurance policy. Is it generally better to swallow the rate hike or should you reduce your benefits till it’s affordable? What are your long term care insurance options as a business owner and explain requirements you need to meet before you can write off any expenses. Today I answer your insurance and investing questions:

• What is a hedge fund and do I have any recommendations?
• The new DOL fiduciary rule where fiduciaries will have to document fees and prove your best interests are being put first
• What is the difference between charitable gift funds and charitable remainder trusts?
• When do you consider a family foundation?
• The sandwich generation- claiming your adult children and parents as dependents

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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

The S&P was the focus of last week with the Feds announcing they were going to raise federal funds rate. Are we seeing an increase in estimates for bank earning as a result of another rate increase? Will banks be able to grow revenue and lend without excessive regulations? The midyear “doom and gloom” strategists are out predicting US markets to stay flat and we are due for a decent correction. I also discuss why you should consider investing globally as emerging markets make up 40% of global growth. Other topics include:

• Why you shouldn’t worry when financial gurus forecast the next financial disaster
• Lucy asks if she should accept the 15% rate increase from her long term care insurance policy or reduce her benefits
• Realistic planning for retirement when you’re way behind
• 1035 Exchange- one option for using life insurance to pay for long term care costs
• Should Dave shift all of his contributions to a Roth 457?

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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

It’s cheaper to invest now than ever before. The most important aspect of building wealth is systematically saving in low cost investments when issues such as timing the market mean nothing. Retirement presents major risks to your financial plan when things like inflation, health care costs and taxes can negatively affect your chances of long term success. Today I explain how to fight these risks using proper withdrawal strategies and double checking with Monte Carlo simulation. Other topics include:

• Where should Andrew put his safe money in his tax deferred accounts now that he is 4 years from retirement
• Ruth wonders if she should still set up a living trust if Trump plans to repeal estate taxes
• Mistakes people make with Medicare Part B signup
• Reviewing 529 plans- what mistakes are being made?

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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

Encore Edition

Once you enter retirement it becomes more important to keep a close eye on your portfolio and overall plan. Today I cover common spending issues many American’s face in retirement including going into retirement with a withdrawal strategy, options for adjusting your withdrawal rate after a market decline and adjusting for inflation. Other topics include:

• A-B trusts- Another reason not to let Trump delay your estate planning
• Smart beta ETF’s
• Tackling debt using the debt-snowball method
• Fraudulent tax returns
• What to expect from the new administration’s tax reform hints

Planning for retirement can be complicated, but focusing on a few essential issues could help increase your income in retirement and your chances of enjoying a secure future. Join Rob Black and I for lunch at our 11:00 a.m. retirement seminar in Burlingame on July 13th. Click HERE to sign up!

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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

There are a ridiculous amount of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) out there. Today I explain why ETF’s were created and what makes them so popular. With so many choices available I let you know which ETF’s are good and those you need to steer clear of. I also look at their advantages and disadvantages compared to index mutual funds. Other topics include:

• 2 reasons why women’s progress in the workplace has flat lined in the Bay Area
• Your biggest estate planning issues that Trump won’t affect
• Health care and other considerations when working or retiring outside the US

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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

A real fiduciary puts your best interests before theirs and presents you with options. He/she does not have to meet a sales quota and won’t set you up with a plan that serves them. Today I explain how using the wrong rates of returns and wrong inflation rates affect your chances of a successful retirement. I also cover two articles about the disturbing inflation trends harming social security and a few silver linings to this creeping inflation. Other topics include:

• Should you include social security in financial plans?
• Timing issues -Why investors are not getting the returns the funds are reporting
• Why you shouldn’t wait on Trump to set up your estate plan
• ESG investing vs. social responsible investing
• How to fix an annuity

Email your money question to chad@newfocusfinancial.com , or call the show at 1-800-516-1220 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (PDT)

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