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As we near the end of the year, let’s talk about what has been happening and what it means for our financial plan. From the election to COVID to saving vs. spending, Sean reflects on what’s been going on in our country.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-aT    What we discuss on this show:  1:02 - How is the market reacting to the election?  2:49 - What tax prep should you be doing now? 5:05 - COVID is spiking all over the country and world. 7:10 - What kind of spending might happen in the future? 9:01 - Should we be reinvesting our savings or holding onto it?

Is it time to retire? Should you pay off the house? How much do you need to have in the bank? Sean answers these three listener questions on today’s podcast.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-aH    What we discuss on this show: 1:28 - Mailbag: As a small business owner, is now the time to retire early? 5:25 - Mailbag: Which should you pay off first, your home or your rental property? 8:40 - Mailbag: How much money is enough to have in the bank when about to retire?

Touchdown! We’re taking a short break from Sean’s love of baseball to talk football analogies and how it relates to retirement.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-az    What we discuss on the show:  0:29 - Sean shares where his football loyalty lies. 1:35 - What is the financial red zone?  4:29 - Is the hurry up offense a good strategy? 6:10 - What’s the victory formation? 9:20 - Coaches can make a huge difference. 

In continuation with our two-part series on how to survive a layoff or forced early retirement, we talk through five more steps on how to get through it. What options do you have moving forward?   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-at    Check out Part 1 of the Survival Guide:  https://retirementelevatedpodcast.com/podcast/10-step-layoff-survival-guide-part-1/    What we discuss on this show:  0:18 - Sean shares how his kids have been doing lately. 1:38 - Let’s continue our 10 step layoff survival guide. 2:42 - Step 6: Learn about the health insurance options. 4:28 - Step 7: Get a new Social Security estimate. 5:52 - Step 8: Consider the lump-sum payment. 7:46 - Step 9: Determine whether or not you want to go back to work. 9:44 - Step 10: Seek a professional’s opinion.  

What do you do if you get laid off? How can you turn a bad situation into an opportunity? We dive into what you need to do in the first of a two-part series.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-ak    Download our survival guide PDF: https://wp.me/aaeqsR-al    What we discuss on this episode:  0:55 - Have you been laid off or are you on the cusp of retirement? 2:52 - Step 1: Keep calm and take it one step at a time.  4:25 - Step 2: Determine your expenses. 7:49 - Step 3: Create an inventory of resources. 10:02 - Step 4: Add in severance pay. 12:14 - Step 5: Understanding how unemployment benefits work. 

What do tax rates have to do with your financial plan? How do you strategically think through your assets and your financial plan? Matt Zagula shares information from his book to use as a resource when considering what you can do now, ahead of an unknown future.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-ab    On today's show:  0:29 - Introducing today’s guest author, Matt Zagula. 1:10 - What inspired the book, SMART Retirement? 2:39 - Why did a medical doctor write the book’s foreword? 4:22 - Where are our tax rates going and why? 6:38 - What is the process of planning? 7:23 - Are you going to an old way of thinking or adjust to how the world is changing? 8:41 - What are the two dates listed in the book?  11:46 - What kind of taxes do you need to consider for the future? 13:48 - What is fuzzy financial math you need to look out for? 17:50 - What is SMART?

Using baseball analogies, Sean Lee *walks* you through some of the most common retirement pitfalls and how you can avoid them as you round the bases of life.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-9Z    On today's show:  1:12 – Retirement planning is more mental than dollars and cents 2:27 – Treating retirement like a destination rather than a new phase of your life 3:30 – Managing retirement changes as you age 5:23 – Retirement won’t solve all your problems 9:37 – Making assumptions about your monthly spending habits 11:29 – Being active can be just as important in retirement 14:36 – Are you still investing like you’re 25?

One of the most important parts of creating a financial plan involves working with the right financial advisor. How do you know you’re working with the right advisor for you? Join us as we lay out some of the criteria that needs to be high on your list.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-9T    Today's show schedule:  0:45 - Are you looking for the advisor who is best? 3:39 - How do you find the right advisor? 4:45 - What phase of life are you in? 6:13 - What is important to you with an advisor? 8:03 - What kind of technology is available with your advisor? 0:45 - Are you looking for the advisor who is best? 3:39 - How do you find the right advisor? 4:45 - What phase of life are you in? 6:13 - What is important to you with an advisor? 8:03 - What kind of technology is available with your advisor?

What do baseball and financial planning have in common? In addition to Sean’s love for both, you may find that the mindset is often similar. On today’s show we get to talk with John Buck to hear how his experience as a player relates to financial planning. Show Notes, Resources & Contact Info: https://retirementelevatedpodcast.com/ Timestamps: 0:34 - John Buck joins the podcast today and shares about his time playing baseball. 6:06 - What is John up to now? 11:39 - What is your game plan or blueprint for success? 15:55 - Game prep for the next game before you get there. 18:29 - Adjustments sometimes have to be made. 20:20 - What is coming up? 22:14 - Your goal is to prepare for what is to come. 24:41 - Your decisions in the end can make the biggest difference. 26:29 - Why is your mental state key to winning? 35:22 - How is John helping the community?

On the show this week, Mike Sorrentino joins us to talk about the current status of the market, a second wave of coronavirus, and how it all might play together in the second half of the year.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-9G    Today's show schedule:  1:28 - What’s going on with the state of the market? 2:32 - Why are the markets continuing to run while the economy is so bad? 4:21 - Could this recession be over before it even begins? 6:13 - What are the trends that support this theory? 8:30 - Last week experienced massive volatility and spikes in coronavirus cases, are we in for another correction?

During uncertain times, you may feel uncertain about your finances and the economy. Sean shares why he isn’t panicked right now to help you also feel more confident about the future.   Read more and get additional financial resources: https://wp.me/paeqsR-9v    Today's show schedule:  3:14 - This is not the same as 2008. 4:32 - What was the lead up in 2007 and 2020? 6:37 - How has the Fed reacted? 8:01 - Consumer spending has continued. 11:05 - Is this going to end up being more of the “great suppression”?

As we transition into the next phase in Utah, how is the Elevated Retirement Group shifting and responding? What should you expect in the office and what kind of safety precautions are taking place?   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-9q    Today's show schedule:  0:28 - What is happening at the office? 3:27 - Virtual meetings will continue. 4:17 - Masks will be worn in the office. 5:21 - Social distancing will be maintained. 6:02 - This may be inconvenient, but we want to do everything we can to keep safe.

The CARES Act was recently passed as a response to coronavirus. What kind of financial significance could it have on you and how might you be able to benefit from it? We run through the key provisions you need to know about.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-9k    Today's show schedule:  0:45 - What’s the status of life and business for Sean? 1:40 - What has changed with RMDs? 3:43 - What are your options with 401(k) loans? 5:09 - Will anything change with Social Security? 6:43 - Will this pandemic put pressure on the Social Security trust funds? 7:29 - What are new coronavirus-related distribution exceptions? 8:58 - What opportunity can we find to strengthen out of this? 9:53 - What changes are there in regards to charitable distributions?

Coronavirus has caused the markets to correct. It’s also caused a lot of fear. What should you do? Let's talk about taking a proactive approach to your finances during this turbulent time.    Read more and get additional resources: https://wp.me/paeqsR-9a    Today's rundown:  0:46 - What kind of opportunity is there in the market? 2:55 - What fundamental issues do not change when it comes to planning? 4:29 - Have a stress-test done. Are you prepared? 7:03 - Take action! 8:28 - There’s volatility in the market, but also good buying opportunities.

We’ve all been impacted by the coronavirus in one way or another. How has Sean’s team responded and what can you do with your financial plan?    Read more and get additional resources here: https://wp.me/paeqsR-92    Today's rundown:  0:43 - What’s the latest in current events between coronavirus and an earthquake? 3:45 - What are the main worries people are experiencing now? 6:06 - This is an action-based correction. This is a great time to buy. 7:01 - What’s happened has happened, but think about being proactive now.

What kind of financial truths can you depend on? Where have you fallen for some of the fear or myths floating around in the financial world? With so much uncertainty in the market right now, let's discuss the truths you can build your plan on.    Read more and get additional resources: https://wp.me/paeqsR-8V    Today's rundown:  1:57 - Is the media our biggest enemy when it comes to finances? 6:32 - Emotions are rarely your friend when making financial decisions. 8:21 - The market will always move. 10:17 - Are you actually risk tolerant? 12:36 - There is no magic bullet for your financial plan.

Should you get caught up in the fear and uncertainty when it comes to the Coronavirus? What kind of impact could it have on you and your financial plan? Let’s discuss the biggest international story in early 2020.   Read more on the topic and get additional resources here: https://retirementelevatedpodcast.com/podcast/market-update-coronavirus-and-its-impact/    Today's show rundown:  0:48 - The biggest factor impacting the market right now is the coronavirus. 1:51 - The average flu kills thousands each year. 3:24 - Should you sell off your investments? 6:35 - A large percentage of products come from China and production has slowed. 7:12 - How does this impact your financial plan? 8:06 - What kind of perspective should you have regarding a market drop?

Keeping emotions separate from your financial decisions should be everyone’s goal but is it easier said than done? Let’s take a look at the most common forces driving those decisions and how it can impact your retirement plan.   Show notes and additional resources: https://retirementelevatedpodcast.com/podcast/are-you-an-emotional-investor/    Today's rundown:  1:16 – We’re talking emotions and decision-making on the podcast today. 1:39 – What kind of emotions typically drive financial decisions? Is fear and greed the main ones? 2:27 – We want to help you take a logical process to make decisions based on facts. 3:03 – Marc’s brother has been reacting a lot to the market movement recently. Is that something Sean has been seeing from clients as well? 6:20 – When the market drops, your dividends essentially are bargain shopping. 7:02 – Are there any times where it’s appropriate to factor in emotions?

No matter where you get your news, a few different storylines continue to dominate the headlines when it comes to finances in 2020. Let’s discuss three of the biggest topics of conversation this year and try to help you determine whether or not it matters for your retirement plan.   Show notes and additional resources: https://wp.me/paeqsR-8q    Today's rundown:  0:58 – Our main topic today is ‘Does it Matter?’ 1:21 – 1st storyline: The 2020 presidential election. How much will this matter for investors? 3:56 – Historically, the market doesn’t have a significant reaction to the election. Are we in different times now? 6:05 – 2nd Storyline: The health insurance marketplace. 7:23 – What are the options for people that retire before the age of 65? 8:46 – 3rd Storyline: Social Security and the uncertainty.   12:12 – People often keep Social Security separate from their plan but it should all be a part of your retirement plan.

When was the last time you looked through your financial portfolio and got rid of the things you no longer need? As you move closer to retirement, your strategies will change and adjustments need to follow. So let’s look at four areas that you might considering trashing from your portfolio.   Show Notes and Additional Resources: https://retirementelevatedpodcast.com/podcast/taking-out-the-trash-from-your-portfolio/    Today's Rundown:  1:02 – What do we mean by taking out the trash? 1:23 – Debt is the first thing to get rid of. 3:03 – Reducing risk is a good idea as you approach retirement. 4:52 – ‘Lazy money’ – this money isn’t doing much for you so move it to a place that will 7:13 – Getting rid of someone that’s not working for you and looking out more for their own pocket.