Paul talks to someone who went to a workshop, learned about the bucket strategy for investing, and wants to know if this strategy works for building wealth and taking an income. Listen along as Paul explains what the bucket strategy is, how it can be used as a method of pushing products on investors, and why it undermines some basic investing principles. Later in the episode, Paul explains how high interest rates change how investors feel about fixed income products and bonds, leading them into market timing.

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.

There are many ways to get money out of your portfolio when it’s time to start taking an income. Unfortunately, most of the strategies that investment professionals use can throw your portfolio off balance and jeopardize your ability to take an income in the future. Today, Paul shares a smart strategy for taking an income from your investments, keeping your portfolio intact and able to respond to the market in the future. Later in the episode, Paul shares how he measures the risk level of different investments to determine if they are safe enough to rely on for income in retirement.

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.

Paul has seen a lot of the publications written for advisors talking about whether Roth or traditional investments are better for investors right now. Today, Paul and Ira consider how your retirement gets taxed and explain how they approach the debate. Later in the episode, Paul shares some highlights from the webinar he taught this week about the financial industry’s obsession with indexing.

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.

A listener emails the show and wants some advice, saying, “I’m watching my portfolio go down in value, and I’m wondering if now would be a good time to take my money out and put it in a two-year CD at 5% interest”. Paul and Ira jump in to explain why 5% may sound tempting, but a two-year CD is not a wise investing move right now. Listen along to hear these advisors explain why periodically checking in on your portfolio’s performance creates temptations for investors, and why getting out of the market is the same as selling low and locking in your losses. Later in the show, Paul shares some insight from a workshop he likes to teach called “Why Investors Fail.”

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.

A survey finds that out of 100 people with 401(k)s, only 60 people choose to invest, and almost half of those investing don’t know what they’re invested in. Ira thinks that number is low because after selling mutual funds for the first 17 years of his career, he didn’t even know what was in the funds he was selling. Today, Paul and Ira admit that American workers as a whole are bad at saving and investing, but that’s partially due to a financial industry and culture that works to confuse you and eat at your peace of mind. Listen along as these advisors explain how to start taking control of your education around money so you can begin to relax about money. Later in the episode, Paul shares that mortgage demand has dropped to a 27-year low.

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.

Paul spends a lot of time warning people about the realities of the investment industry and educating investors about products and sales tactics, but today, Paul shares his favorite part of his job: listening to people dream about the future and helping them make a plan to reach those goals. Listen along as Paul talks about some of the complexities around tax and income strategies that can freeze people up and keep them from planning altogether.

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.

Interest rate hikes have had a negative effect on the outlook of stocks and bonds this summer. This is leading some investors to ditch their investments and sit in cash. Today, Paul explains why this trend might feel safe for investors but is really hurting their chances of meeting their goals. Listen along as Paul and Ira talk about who makes money when you walk away from your portfolio and why selling bonds at the wrong time can create problems for investors. Later in the episode, Paul is confused about why homeowners would want to drop the insurance on their homes.

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.

Paul and Ira have seen many investors get burned by companies selling them specific funds or insurance products that leave them open to risks they shouldn’t be taking. Today, Paul and Ira talk about how investors try to turn to reputable financial publications to get unbiased advice on investing, but they get led astray there as well. Listen along as these two advisors explain why understanding the motives of these financial publications can save you from financial heartache.

Start relaxing about investing by scheduling a 15-minute call with one of our advisors here.