Scott and James discuss how real estate should factor into your retirement plan. Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation" We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: Me and my wife enjoy doing live and flip rentals and are planning on the cash flow to be part of our retirement funds. We are planning to move in a year and would like to pick up a third house to add to our portfolio when we do. How would you run the numbers to see if this is a safe investment for us....

Scott and James discuss how to best diversify a concentrated stock holding. Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation" We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: How do I exit a concentrated stock position? I’m an employee at a large tech company and I’ve vested RSUs over the last 4 years. Some of my stock has appreciated 4x since I was granted it. My non-company stock brokerage account value is around $700k, and on top of that my vested company stock (APPL) is worth...

Scott and James discuss how 5 things to start the new year right with your finances. Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation" We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 6:17 - Financial Goals 11:15 - Priorities in Money 24:46 - Individual Choices 30:46 - Customization is Key 33:00 - Aligning Your Financial...

Scott and James discuss how you should choose your survivor benefits options for your pension. Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation" We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I'm not sure if this can be a whole show but I was wondering if you guys can go over how to think about choosing between the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and whole or term insurance. I'm in the military and will be retiring soon. I work with a lot of members that are retiring and this choice...

Scott and James discuss misleading financial rules to avoid. Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation" We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: How do you both think about the common wisdom that you should have a certain multiple of your income saved by a specific age (e.g. save at least 1x your salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60, and 10x by 67)? I am in a situation where my income has tripled between ages 30 and 35. As an example, let's say I had 100K...

Scott and James discuss annuities and announce Real Personal Finance NATION! Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation" We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I've met with multiple financial advisors and all of them have 2 things in common. 1. They all say they are Fiduciary. 2. They all try and pitch me on various types of annuities to supplement or augment my portfolio. Can you please address annuities on a show? Everything I have read online says to stay away...

Scott and James discuss the best way to enter the financial planning industry as a career changer. Wilson Liu Financial Resources We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I really enjoy your podcast. I've had a 10-year career in nonprofit development, but I've had a passion for investing and personal finance since I was a little kid. I'm trying to pivot into wealth management. I know in a recent episode you addressed the path into the industry for someone coming out of college. I'd love to...

Scott and James discuss how you can know when you're financially free. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: If you think we can step away from work when I hit "my number" whether it be at age 49 or 54 - knowing that I would only pull approx 3% from my brokerage until I reach 59.5. My goal would be to leave FT work at age 50, and have my wife and I only work PT or consulting to cover expenses and carry healthcare - w/o withdrawing from the portfolio until we hit our number (BTW we...

Scott and James discuss the most how individual stocks compare to investing in funds. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I listen to your podcast and it has inspired me to invest however, I have invested into individual stocks and it has lost around 50% of its value so I invested money into VOO because I thought it was safer and I continue to invest $55 every two weeks im 18 and this is what I can comfortably afford how do I build my wealth for the long term should I continue to...

Scott and James discuss the most effective way to incorporate giving into your financial plan. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: Am I on track to retire at 52? Am I over-investing in retirement at the expense of more freedom now? How would you recommend incorporating pension plans into overall retirement planning (ideal year:pension percentage break-even point?)?  Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs,...

Scott and James discuss if you should ever purchase your home fully in cash. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I’m 27 and my goal is to have a paid for house by the time I'm 45. In the next 18 years, if I save and invest aggressively will I have potentially have enough to pay in cash or is it better to get the mortgage when I'm able to and pay the interest because house prices will go up more than what I could earn in interest in the stock market? To me, it seems that any...

Scott and James discuss how a pension fits into your overall retirement plan. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: Am I on track to retire at 52? Am I over-investing in retirement at the expense of more freedom now? How would you recommend incorporating pension plans into overall retirement planning (ideal year:pension percentage break-even point?)?  Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial...

Scott and James discuss the 5 employee benefits to get right during annual enrollment! NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:25 - Retirement Contributions 10:59 - Credit Card Interest Rates 16:26 - Healthcare Considerations 23:05 - Life Insurance Coverage 29:12 - Savings Rates 33:39 - Deferred...

Scott and James discuss if Roth or Traditional is better for FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I’m wondering if I should change my 401k strategy from traditional to roth?  I’m a 35 year old high earner making around $175k a year plus bonus.  I’m currently maxing my traditional 401k plus a 5% match from my employer.  I need to work another 7 year to hit my FI number ($2.5M) and I have $160k in my traditional 401k right now....

Scott and James discuss if you should dip into your retirement accounts to purchase a home. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: Should I max out all of our retirement accounts and consider taking a loan against my 457b or take out contributions from my Roth IRA in order to make a sizeable down payment for this second home in the future? Or should I allocate a portion of that savings money into a brokerage account instead for 10 years to save for this down payment? I am...

Scott and James discuss what to do when you receive a significant bump in income.  NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I would like to do the more in-depth analysis you mentioned on today’s podcast if you are willing. We hope to retire in the next 5 years, at age 55/56. I am eligible to begin receiving a pension after this year, but plan to "double-dip" for the next 4-5. I have questions about 403(b) and 457 accounts, rollovers, and distributions. Planning...

Scott and James discuss if you should save your money for the future or spend it today. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I am 40 years old and want to know how I am doing. I have been through a divorce and a major job change and have been saving as much as possible, but it seems like I may have gotten to a place where I may be able to save less aggressively. I would really love to be able to retire comfortably at 60 but also live my best life now without over-saving and...

Scott and James discuss where to invest excess income. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:19 - Anonymous Example 10:02 - Cash Flow 17:38 - Roth Contributions 22:41 - Risk Tolerance & Income Needs 25:37 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott ...

Scott and James discuss if your investments are too concentrated. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 5:03 - Individual Context 7:32 - Budgeting 13:45 - Importance of Tracking Efficiently 19:32 - Index Fund Advantages 25:11 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website ...

Scott and James discuss how to understand the stock market. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 6:31 - What is the "market"? 10:28 - Investing in the "winners" 18:09 - What % Are The Major Companies? 23:11 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott ...

Scott and James discuss what insurances you need (and don't need). Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - Insurance 7:01 - Proper Protection 10:41 - What Insurances To Avoid? 17:36 - Long-Term Care Needs 16:57 - Debt & Real Estate 25:31 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY...

Scott and James discuss how this market impacts how we pull funds from 529 plans. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 5:49 - Stocks & Bonds Correlation 9:58 - Cash Flow & Risk Level 14:49 - What Is A Good Rate? 18:50 - Additional Expenses 16:57 - Debt & Real Estate 21:27 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website ...

Scott and James discuss how to invest in stocks for beginners. Listener Question Sometimes I can tend to pull the trigger on things before doing enough due diligence. If I make a stock purchase and later am not sure it was the best decision, how long should I wait before selling the shares and moving on from that company.I'm not talking about buying a company and then a week later the stock price dips a little bit and that being reason to dump shares but more fundamentally if I no longer...

Scott and James discuss how to understand your cash flow. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 4:16 - Income  6:26 - Fundamentals 10:46 - Spending Isn't Negative 14:27 - Rules of Thumb 16:57 - Debt & Real Estate 21:12 - Tax Rates 25:45 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY...

Scott and James discuss the pros and cons of using dividend investing to create passive income. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Listener Question: What is your stance on dividend investing, with the goal of reaching a point where one can live off of "passive" income from dividend ETFs? I have been reading a lot on the dividend subreddit where people are sharing their...