Retirement Success Blueprint With Michael Stewart

What Demographics Can Tell Us

Statistics can sometimes make your head spin. But sometimes they give us some helpful insight into howothers approach financial and retirement planning. Let’s look at some intriguing demographics and see whatthey tell us about retirement these days.

Unique Planning Challenges

Creating a customized retirement plan for any individual can mean addressing some unique challenges. With each of these scenarios, let’s discuss the challenges presented, as well as the solutions you might come up with…

Your Money Mission Statements

Mission statements give our dollars a purpose. They help us to develop a sound strategy in our portfolio. Let’s find out whether you’re effectively putting your money to work for you.

Getting Started: A Financial Plan’s First Steps

For some folks, the idea of putting together a financial plan can be overwhelming. But it’s less threatening if you just focus on a first step to get you started. But depending on your situation, your most logical first step could be one of several things… We'll also answer Samantha in Lake Zurick's question about how she can empower her mother to live a little in retirement. Plus, is carrying debt past age 75 the new normal? We'll ask Michael on this week's edition of Retirement Matters with Michael Stewart.

Risky, But Popular, Investments

It’s probably common sense when you think about human nature, but some of the riskiest investments are also the most popular. At least the risky ones generate a lot of interest, even if most folks don’t end up actually making an investment. Let’s look at some of these popular and risky investments. We'll also answer Marie's question about having too many life insurance policies. And does Michael agree with Greenspan's assessment of an "out of whack" US economy? We'll find out on this edition of Retirement Matters with Michael Stewart.

Five Counterintuitive Pieces Of Financial Guidance

Some advice just makes good sense. But sometimes the guidance we get doesn’t align with our expectations. That’s not necessarily a bad thing - that type of advice can be just as helpful. Let’s talk about some of the counterintuitive financial advice you may, or may not, receive.

How Do You React To Market Corrections?

Any time the market is moving in a downward direction, or even just wavering, we see people react in variousways. Take a listen to see if you identify with one of these common reactions to market corrections. Do youover-trade as a response? Do you stick your head in the sand or run around like a chicken with your headcut off? We’ll give you ways you can avoid becoming your worst enemy and show you how to keepparticular emotions and reactions in check during times of market turmoil.

An Important Question: How Do You Know?

One of the most important questions you can ask is, “How do you know _____?” The blank is where we fill in the most crucial elements, the building blocks, of financial planning. On this podcast, we’ll cover what items you need to put in that blank and provide the guidance to help answer the different questions that arise. Michael will also give his opinion on the minimum wage debate. Would raising it be a good or bad thing for the economy? And we'll answer Richard's question about the recent tax changes. Will they impact his (and your) retirement funds?

Storytime: Ripped Off

It’s one of the things we’re all afraid of in many aspects of life. Nobody wants to get ripped off. Michael has seen it happen to people. Let’s hear about a time that happened with someone and if they were able to fix the problem. We'll also answer Lynne's question about working with big financial companies vs. smaller offices. And what should we learn from the recent market hiccups? Michael will help us navigate the news landmines that tend to spark market volatility.

His And Hers Retirement Planning

If you’re married, then this will come as no surprise. It takes two to complete a successful retirement plan. On this podcast, we’ll look at how husbands and wives have different financial goals and how that creates conflict. We’ll, of course, also explore how to resolve that conflict to establish a solid financial plan.