May 19, 2025
Mail Bag; Expenses in retirement, caring for your estate, 49 and no retirement savings

Mail Bag – Jeff Perry and Russ Ball dig into the Team AMR Mail Bag and answer questions from listeners. Included in this episode are, “I have read that my household expenses will go down when I retire, but I don’t understand why.” “I know that I need a Will, but don’t know who in my family I should choose to take care of my estate. Who should be my Personal Representative/Executor?” “I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement - what should I do?” Listen in as Jeff and Russ offer their advice and commentary to each of these listener questions. For more information or to reach TEAM AMR, click the following link: https://www.wealthenhancement.com/s/advisor-teams/amr
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Welcome to Something More with Chris Boyd.
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Chris Boyd is a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner
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and Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor at
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Wealth Enhancement Group, one of the nation's largest
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registered investment advisors.
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We call it Something More because we'd like
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to talk not only about those important dollar
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and cents issues, but also the quality of
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life issues that make the money matters matter.
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Here he is, your fulfillment facilitator, your partner
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in prosperity, advising clients on Cape Cod and
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across the country.
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Here's your host, Jay Christopher Boyd.
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Hello, and welcome to another edition of Something
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More with Chris Boyd.
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I'm Jeff Perry, and I'm here with Russ
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Ball of our team AMR, and we're co
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-hosting today as Chris Boyd is at a
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tax conference.
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I don't know if that's an exciting thing
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or a boring thing that he's doing, but
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he's down at the Ed Slot meeting and
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gaining additional information that he'll take back to
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us to use for our client's benefit.
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We have the privilege of sitting in again
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for Chris today.
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How are you today, Russ?
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Pretty good, Jeff.
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I'm doing well.
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How about you?
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I'm doing great.
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Thank you.
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It's time for a mailbag segment.
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As our listeners may know, if they're regular
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listeners, from time to time we take these
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questions that we receive.
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People email us who hear the show or
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clients say, hey, this is a good one
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for the podcast.
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And we write them down and we save
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them.
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And when we have enough to cover an
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episode, we say, let's open the mailbag.
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And so we don't really have a mailbag
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and pulling out a letter like the old
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days, but we do have these questions that
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have come up that we think are not
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just questions that a particular client asked us
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and we answered or a particular listener, but
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have some broad appeal.
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And so you ready?
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Definitely.
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Let's go.
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I feel like I need a sound effect.
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I don't know what the sound effect for
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mailbag would be, but kind of ruffling some
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papers.
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I guess I could have a visual for
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the people who watch us on YouTube.
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But the first question, I'm not going to
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make up names like they do either.
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Bob from Bourne says, the first question is
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about someone who is getting ready to retire
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and they're doing their planning and they're hearing
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this information that says when people retire, they
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can count on spending less money.
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And so this is a real common piece
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of advice.
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In fact, I just received a email from
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Fidelity recently talking about this issue about what
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level of income should you plan for and
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their range in the article in the Fidelity
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article was you should expect to spend 55
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to 80% of your pre-retirement level
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of cash flow expenses in retirement.
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And I must say, Fidelity is a fine
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company.
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We do a lot with them, but I
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don't agree.
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So you do a lot of financial plans
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and you work right next to Chris Boyd.
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We don't do that when we're talking to
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clients.
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That's not our base case, right?
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No.
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And actually, come to think of it, the
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previous firm I worked at, I think that
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was what they were saying too, the 80%.
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And it's widely cited around 80% to
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plan for your expenses.
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But here, and I think prudently, we plan
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for 100%.
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So basically, it's not like you have to
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trim down some of the expenses as soon
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as you hit retirement to be 80%.
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We just say, all right, well, let's just
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transition.
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So we have our pre-retirement spending and
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our post-retirement spending, and they're going to
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mirror each other.
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And then any other expenses that come as
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goals, but the general living expenses, we usually
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keep the same heading into retirement.
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And I like that because for one, let's
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say that's true that 80% is all
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you really need, then we're creating that little
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bit of an extra buffer for planning.
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So that in and of itself is like,
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all right, so does your plan work with
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100% of your pre-retirement expenses?
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And if it does, great.
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Then if that number comes down a little
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bit, there's more to spend on other things
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or whatever it might be.
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But just for peace of mind, and we
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were talking about this before, the idea that
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when you retire, psychologically, it's difficult.
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You have to switch.
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So you're not getting income anymore from your
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job.
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You're getting income from yourself, from your own
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savings.
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And so to think, well, I'm going to
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do that, that's kind of scary.
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But then I also have to reduce it
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by 20%.
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That might not feel that great.
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That might not feel that comfortable.
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So especially early on in retirement, I think
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there would be ideally enough to cover those
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pre-retirement expenses.
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We've talked about, I agree with you completely,
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on a related subject, we've talked about the
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retirement smile on the podcast before.
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And if you think of a smile, draw
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a smile, if you don't know what this
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is, and you see at both ends of
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the smile, you're at the highest level.
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So if you draw the smile in the
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beginning, this is related to spending in retirement,
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in case people thought I went off somewhere.
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So on the left-hand side of the
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smile is when you first retire, and that's
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your highest level of spending typically, meaning I'm
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retired, I'm free, let's go.
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So we're buying a camper or we're going
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on a month cruise where whatever it is,
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people tend to have some spent up desires,
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which many costs money.
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Some things we do are free.
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I'm but some things cost money.
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So we spend a lot of money there.
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And then it gradually goes down as you
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get into your routine.
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Maybe you're spending time doing nonprofit work.
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Maybe you're volunteering here.
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Maybe you've taken up these recreational activities that
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are local to wherever you're living that don't
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cost a lot of money.
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And then as you get older, back to
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smile starts going up and expenses come in
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that you didn't have before.
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Typically healthcare related, maybe going to the doctor
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more, maybe need some help at home.
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Maybe you used to clean your house, but
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now you're like, that's too much for us
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now.
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We're going to have somebody come in and
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then maybe you need some home care or
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whatever the situation is.
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Maybe you need to remodel the bathroom because
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you don't want a tub anymore.
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And I think of that as I think
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of how much am I going to need
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in retirement?
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Not as a less, but a different, right?
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And starting out thinking I need 55 to
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80%.
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I just don't like it.
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I think if, because that when you tell
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people that, and then they do their, hopefully
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they're doing a budget before they retire.
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We want you to do that.
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And if they just take their current spending
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and say, okay, I only need 70%
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on average.
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Oh yeah.
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I can generate 70%.
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I think that's a restrictive type of retirement
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that they're planning for, and they may not
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be able to live the retirement life that
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they want.
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So to your point, I completely agree.
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If not, just change, meaning I haven't just
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paid off my mortgage.
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So my expenses are going to go down,
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right?
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Then yes.
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Okay.
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You take that off the top or we're
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downsizing.
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So our expenses are going to be less
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or on the flip side of that, we're
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buying a second home and we're going to
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be snowbirds.
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Well, that's more expenses, right?
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And second, or we have all these travel
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plans.
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So, these rules of thumb are interesting and
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people like to read them as just going
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through their phones, but they can be dangerous
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to think that people actually make a retirement
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plan based upon this generalized advice.
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And that's what I love about what we
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do.
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Russ, just spend a minute talking about how
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we actually go through individual circumstances when we're
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projecting retirement income for people.
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It's not just a formula.
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Yeah.
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So we run through a number of different
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analyses within a financial plan.
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So when we take your pre-retirement expenses
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and we say, all right, what are the
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goals for when that income stream is turned
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off?
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We put in all the goals that you
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have.
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Maybe it's like 5,000 a year for
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vacations.
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I want to make some gifts to grandchildren,
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whatever it might be.
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We separate those out as specific goals that
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can change over the years.
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Maybe you want to go on a vacation
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every year, but not until into your nineties.
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That might not be what you need to
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do.
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There's a base living expense that we plan
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for.
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And then on top of that, additional goals.
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And usually, as you mentioned in the retirement
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spending smile, there's a lot of good research
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that shows that that's how it works in
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reality.
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And when you first retire, you want to
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live that retirement dream and you want to
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go on those vacations.
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You want to do everything that you want
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to do with your family, all the free
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time you now have.
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So we can put that all into a
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simulated cashflow and then run it through a
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number of different models like the Monte Carlo
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simulation, where it takes a look at, all
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right, based on previous market conditions and a
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whole range, like a thousand different scenarios of
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what the market might do.
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It takes a look at how is that
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going to work given those goals, given those
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spending, those living expenses, how is that going
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to play out over time?
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If you live until your late eighties, early
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nineties, whatever it may be.
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And we can literally see what that window
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is going to look like.
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And do you have enough to cover that
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or not?
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00:10:12,130 --> 00:10:12,270
Right.
270
00:10:12,930 --> 00:10:16,090
And it's a very thoughtful process and it
271
00:10:16,090 --> 00:10:18,610
brings up, because I think when people get
272
00:10:18,610 --> 00:10:22,010
their retirement vision and they start to do
273
00:10:22,010 --> 00:10:25,210
their own cashflow, they understand the normal bills.
274
00:10:25,650 --> 00:10:28,530
Even if they're paying off their mortgage before
275
00:10:28,530 --> 00:10:31,210
retirement, they get that, we're not going to
276
00:10:31,210 --> 00:10:33,390
have that $3,000 payment, whatever it is.
277
00:10:34,590 --> 00:10:37,290
And they get that, but things that are
278
00:10:37,290 --> 00:10:40,890
not recurring tend to be left out.
279
00:10:41,150 --> 00:10:43,690
And you talked about vacations and gifts and
280
00:10:43,690 --> 00:10:47,050
all that, but even other things that don't
281
00:10:47,050 --> 00:10:49,010
cross their mind, like they have a house,
282
00:10:49,090 --> 00:10:50,110
they say they're going to stay in the
283
00:10:50,110 --> 00:10:51,870
house and the house is 20 years old.
284
00:10:52,670 --> 00:10:54,450
Well, if you plan to live or hope
285
00:10:54,450 --> 00:10:56,390
to live another 25 or 30 years in
286
00:10:56,390 --> 00:10:58,770
retirement, you're going to need a new roof.
287
00:10:58,910 --> 00:11:00,150
You're going to need a new furnace.
288
00:11:01,530 --> 00:11:04,970
You're going to want to remodel something and
289
00:11:04,970 --> 00:11:05,790
things like that.
290
00:11:05,890 --> 00:11:07,990
The list is endless of what we talk
291
00:11:07,990 --> 00:11:10,150
to the clients about, and it's very individualized,
292
00:11:10,250 --> 00:11:13,110
but if those things aren't planned for that
293
00:11:13,110 --> 00:11:16,630
$30,000 new roof in 10 years, that
294
00:11:16,630 --> 00:11:20,910
will really change the likelihood of the success
295
00:11:20,910 --> 00:11:21,710
of that plan.
296
00:11:23,250 --> 00:11:24,590
Because there's a lot of things, new cars,
297
00:11:24,710 --> 00:11:25,830
how are you going to pay for that?
298
00:11:25,910 --> 00:11:27,130
I know that's when you do it with
299
00:11:27,130 --> 00:11:28,090
everybody, right?
300
00:11:28,470 --> 00:11:29,790
So how much do you spend on a
301
00:11:29,790 --> 00:11:29,990
car?
302
00:11:30,130 --> 00:11:31,230
How many cars do you have?
303
00:11:31,290 --> 00:11:32,570
How, when are you going to get one?
304
00:11:33,050 --> 00:11:35,470
And so you put all that in and
305
00:11:35,470 --> 00:11:38,370
you really get an accurate picture, which we
306
00:11:38,370 --> 00:11:41,330
also, as we talked about, I think a
307
00:11:41,330 --> 00:11:43,350
week or two ago, you do an annual
308
00:11:43,350 --> 00:11:45,150
review and you look at the plan and
309
00:11:45,150 --> 00:11:47,190
update the plan, tweak the plan.
310
00:11:47,830 --> 00:11:49,390
And that's how you get a good model.
311
00:11:49,530 --> 00:11:51,170
You don't get a good model by saying,
312
00:11:51,730 --> 00:11:53,250
oh, I saw this Fidelity article.
313
00:11:53,470 --> 00:11:55,270
I can go with 55% because I'm
314
00:11:55,270 --> 00:11:56,490
a real frugal person.
315
00:11:56,650 --> 00:11:58,430
And then you're living in retirement and you're
316
00:11:58,430 --> 00:12:00,070
not living the retirement that you want.
317
00:12:01,170 --> 00:12:01,410
Yeah.
318
00:12:01,710 --> 00:12:04,450
And I think with the article as well,
319
00:12:04,590 --> 00:12:07,590
it's like 80% or whatever it might
320
00:12:07,590 --> 00:12:10,770
be, that might be the reality of how
321
00:12:10,770 --> 00:12:12,710
it plays out, but you don't want to
322
00:12:12,710 --> 00:12:13,810
plan for that.
323
00:12:14,490 --> 00:12:16,710
Because yeah, maybe there is that second house
324
00:12:16,710 --> 00:12:17,990
or that boat that costs a lot of
325
00:12:17,990 --> 00:12:19,770
money in retirement or whatever it is.
326
00:12:21,030 --> 00:12:23,730
80% of your living expenses now, it
327
00:12:23,730 --> 00:12:25,350
might be different after you retire.
328
00:12:25,510 --> 00:12:27,170
There are a lot of variables that you
329
00:12:27,170 --> 00:12:28,490
can't really anticipate.
330
00:12:28,890 --> 00:12:31,350
So just keeping that number consistent, I think
331
00:12:31,350 --> 00:12:33,050
there's a lot of value to that.
332
00:12:33,870 --> 00:12:35,670
Even if the reality is you might end
333
00:12:35,670 --> 00:12:37,050
up spending a little bit less, but let's
334
00:12:37,050 --> 00:12:38,750
have that buffer so that we know that
335
00:12:38,750 --> 00:12:39,670
we can cover it.
336
00:12:40,330 --> 00:12:40,510
Absolutely.
337
00:12:41,330 --> 00:12:41,670
All right.
338
00:12:41,910 --> 00:12:45,570
So that's your first mailbag question.
339
00:12:45,670 --> 00:12:48,510
Let's shift over to a different kind of
340
00:12:48,510 --> 00:12:49,810
question about retirement.
341
00:12:51,470 --> 00:12:53,410
Maybe a little less positive.
342
00:12:54,450 --> 00:12:56,510
This one came from a 49 year old
343
00:12:56,510 --> 00:12:58,710
person and they say they have nothing saved
344
00:12:58,710 --> 00:12:59,390
for retirement.
345
00:13:00,610 --> 00:13:01,770
What should I do?
346
00:13:01,850 --> 00:13:03,590
And that's a big question.
347
00:13:04,790 --> 00:13:05,970
It is interesting though.
348
00:13:06,010 --> 00:13:08,030
I looked up some stats knowing that we
349
00:13:08,030 --> 00:13:10,990
were going to answer this question and it
350
00:13:10,990 --> 00:13:13,270
says about 20% of Americans, 50 and
351
00:13:13,270 --> 00:13:15,270
older have nothing saved for retirement.
352
00:13:15,410 --> 00:13:16,770
So that's one in five person.
353
00:13:16,850 --> 00:13:18,350
This data is from the AARP.
354
00:13:20,870 --> 00:13:27,310
That's tough to think about being approaching 50
355
00:13:27,310 --> 00:13:29,610
or at 50 and have nothing for retirement.
356
00:13:30,670 --> 00:13:33,790
The average, according to this 2024 study by
357
00:13:33,790 --> 00:13:37,350
AARP is that most Americans on average will
358
00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:39,010
need the equivalent of one and a half
359
00:13:39,010 --> 00:13:41,090
million dollars to be able to have a
360
00:13:41,090 --> 00:13:42,130
comfortable retirement.
361
00:13:45,090 --> 00:13:48,790
We said this in another episode about saving
362
00:13:48,790 --> 00:13:49,550
for college.
363
00:13:50,370 --> 00:13:52,370
Do something is the first thing, right?
364
00:13:52,710 --> 00:13:58,710
So 49 years old, so you have perhaps
365
00:13:58,710 --> 00:14:00,190
another 20 years of retirement.
366
00:14:00,430 --> 00:14:03,770
So you're not 70 saying you have nothing,
367
00:14:03,930 --> 00:14:04,630
you're 49.
368
00:14:05,450 --> 00:14:07,870
So the first place to always look is
369
00:14:07,870 --> 00:14:08,990
with your employer.
370
00:14:10,550 --> 00:14:13,290
Because there may be some great advantages to
371
00:14:13,290 --> 00:14:14,510
matching options, right?
372
00:14:14,510 --> 00:14:16,530
So if you're working, this 49 year old
373
00:14:16,530 --> 00:14:20,610
person is working, investigate is there an employer
374
00:14:20,610 --> 00:14:21,030
plan?
375
00:14:21,450 --> 00:14:23,910
If there is, find out the details and
376
00:14:23,910 --> 00:14:25,530
see if it's worth contributing.
377
00:14:25,530 --> 00:14:28,350
It's usually worth contributing if there's a match,
378
00:14:28,350 --> 00:14:29,710
if the employer is matching.
379
00:14:31,470 --> 00:14:33,870
Secondly is I would say check with the
380
00:14:33,870 --> 00:14:39,070
Social Security Administration to ensure that their information
381
00:14:39,070 --> 00:14:41,030
is accurate and to get an estimate of
382
00:14:41,030 --> 00:14:43,650
what your social security benefits will be at
383
00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:45,190
retirement age.
384
00:14:46,650 --> 00:14:47,930
Hopefully you've been working.
385
00:14:48,170 --> 00:14:50,150
If you're 49, hopefully you've been working for
386
00:14:50,150 --> 00:14:52,370
25 years and you've been contributing to the
387
00:14:52,370 --> 00:14:53,970
social security system.
388
00:14:54,470 --> 00:14:55,870
And let's make sure that number is accurate
389
00:14:55,870 --> 00:14:57,730
and let's know what that number is.
390
00:14:57,870 --> 00:15:00,570
It's certainly not going to be enough to
391
00:15:00,570 --> 00:15:02,250
live the type of retirement you want.
392
00:15:03,910 --> 00:15:05,890
Next, I would want to know what your
393
00:15:05,890 --> 00:15:07,430
income is right now.
394
00:15:07,610 --> 00:15:10,210
And I would also want to know what
395
00:15:10,210 --> 00:15:12,190
your debt is, what your expenses are.
396
00:15:12,330 --> 00:15:13,150
Do you own a house?
397
00:15:13,310 --> 00:15:14,250
Is there a mortgage on it?
398
00:15:14,350 --> 00:15:16,570
I'd like to get two statements from you.
399
00:15:16,810 --> 00:15:18,870
Statements, I call them statements.
400
00:15:19,370 --> 00:15:21,730
They are statements, but it's not like some
401
00:15:21,730 --> 00:15:22,590
complicated thing.
402
00:15:22,690 --> 00:15:24,210
I would like to get two statements from
403
00:15:24,210 --> 00:15:24,450
you.
404
00:15:24,610 --> 00:15:25,330
One, a budget.
405
00:15:25,510 --> 00:15:28,110
I'd like to know what you're spending and
406
00:15:28,110 --> 00:15:31,270
what you're making, what you're spending, your cashflow
407
00:15:31,270 --> 00:15:32,830
statement, your budget, whatever you want.
408
00:15:33,550 --> 00:15:35,490
So we can see if there's any wiggle
409
00:15:35,490 --> 00:15:39,570
room in your spending, like are you spending
410
00:15:39,570 --> 00:15:41,550
on things that you really don't need?
411
00:15:41,770 --> 00:15:43,750
Are you in debt and need to get
412
00:15:43,750 --> 00:15:45,210
control of your debt management?
413
00:15:45,350 --> 00:15:47,110
Because how much debt you have at retirement,
414
00:15:47,290 --> 00:15:49,010
whether it be a mortgage or a consumer
415
00:15:49,010 --> 00:15:52,290
debt, is going to have a significant impact
416
00:15:52,290 --> 00:15:53,750
on if you can retire.
417
00:15:54,450 --> 00:15:55,970
So I'd want to see a cashflow statement.
418
00:15:56,870 --> 00:15:58,330
And I'd want to see, next I want
419
00:15:58,330 --> 00:15:59,430
to see your net worth statement.
420
00:15:59,430 --> 00:16:00,870
So what do you own?
421
00:16:01,370 --> 00:16:02,510
Do you have a house?
422
00:16:02,630 --> 00:16:04,630
This 49 year old who doesn't have any
423
00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:07,570
retirement savings, it's a real different analysis if
424
00:16:07,570 --> 00:16:11,850
he has a paid off home worth $700
425
00:16:11,850 --> 00:16:15,670
,000 or if he has a home worth
426
00:16:15,670 --> 00:16:17,990
$700,000 and owes a million dollars on
427
00:16:17,990 --> 00:16:21,130
it, or if he's in a rental situation.
428
00:16:21,410 --> 00:16:23,830
So that's not known in the question.
429
00:16:24,270 --> 00:16:25,670
So I want to know what you own
430
00:16:25,670 --> 00:16:28,530
and what you owe to see if you
431
00:16:28,530 --> 00:16:29,950
have a debt management problem.
432
00:16:31,070 --> 00:16:32,930
So that's where I want to start with
433
00:16:32,930 --> 00:16:33,530
this person.
434
00:16:33,770 --> 00:16:35,370
And then I want to get that person
435
00:16:35,370 --> 00:16:39,230
into contributing into assuming, let's assume that they
436
00:16:39,230 --> 00:16:40,090
have a work plan.
437
00:16:40,130 --> 00:16:42,150
I want to get them working to get
438
00:16:42,150 --> 00:16:43,890
that, help them get that set up.
439
00:16:44,310 --> 00:16:46,210
And then I want to find money in
440
00:16:46,210 --> 00:16:48,270
their budget to get them contributing the max
441
00:16:48,270 --> 00:16:53,210
to a Roth every year that they have
442
00:16:53,210 --> 00:16:54,590
left, another 20 years.
443
00:16:55,530 --> 00:16:58,230
And with that, back to the previous question,
444
00:16:58,290 --> 00:17:01,150
then you can go do your thing, Russ,
445
00:17:01,170 --> 00:17:03,250
and put all that into our software.
446
00:17:04,349 --> 00:17:04,510
Right.
447
00:17:04,790 --> 00:17:09,109
And then it's deciding if they decide that's
448
00:17:09,109 --> 00:17:11,290
the time to pay down the debts and
449
00:17:11,290 --> 00:17:13,490
really start saving in earnest, cut the expenses
450
00:17:13,490 --> 00:17:17,069
that they don't need, then it's like, all
451
00:17:17,069 --> 00:17:18,849
right, well, definitely let's save.
452
00:17:19,069 --> 00:17:20,990
But like a lot of people, I get
453
00:17:20,990 --> 00:17:23,250
the impression that a lot of people think,
454
00:17:23,430 --> 00:17:25,510
all right, saving means saving in cash or
455
00:17:25,510 --> 00:17:26,829
saving in a CD.
456
00:17:27,650 --> 00:17:29,430
If you're 49, you still have a pretty
457
00:17:29,430 --> 00:17:29,970
good runway.
458
00:17:30,730 --> 00:17:32,450
You're probably going to be working for quite
459
00:17:32,450 --> 00:17:34,310
a while if you haven't had any savings
460
00:17:34,310 --> 00:17:34,770
at all.
461
00:17:35,610 --> 00:17:37,650
So that's a pretty good runway to retirement.
462
00:17:38,410 --> 00:17:40,730
And in those instances, it would probably be
463
00:17:40,730 --> 00:17:43,610
prudent to look into investing in something that's
464
00:17:43,610 --> 00:17:45,390
going to have a slightly higher return.
465
00:17:46,090 --> 00:17:48,570
Even if you are somewhat risk averse, sometimes
466
00:17:48,570 --> 00:17:51,470
it's worth investing a little bit more in
467
00:17:51,470 --> 00:17:54,150
equities or in something with a little bit
468
00:17:54,150 --> 00:17:57,510
higher growth potential in order to make up
469
00:17:57,510 --> 00:17:59,590
the difference and to catch up a little
470
00:17:59,590 --> 00:17:59,830
bit.
471
00:18:00,530 --> 00:18:03,650
And 49, I think there's still enough time
472
00:18:03,650 --> 00:18:08,270
there to get invested, obviously not overly aggressively,
473
00:18:08,590 --> 00:18:10,910
but in order to make those funds grow
474
00:18:10,910 --> 00:18:12,350
as you start saving over time.
475
00:18:12,570 --> 00:18:14,970
Also making use of the catch-up contributions
476
00:18:14,970 --> 00:18:21,270
after 50 to really do everything you can
477
00:18:21,270 --> 00:18:24,170
to start really saving so you don't have
478
00:18:24,170 --> 00:18:26,770
to work for a very long time.
479
00:18:28,810 --> 00:18:31,850
And like you said, I think a lot
480
00:18:31,850 --> 00:18:34,850
of people in that scenario about to turn
481
00:18:34,850 --> 00:18:36,970
50 thinking, well, if I don't have a
482
00:18:36,970 --> 00:18:38,550
retirement now, I'm probably never going to have
483
00:18:38,550 --> 00:18:39,650
a retirement savings.
484
00:18:39,650 --> 00:18:41,770
And then they just don't bother.
485
00:18:42,290 --> 00:18:43,530
It's like, all right, I'll just live off
486
00:18:43,530 --> 00:18:46,150
of social security, or they think social security
487
00:18:46,150 --> 00:18:47,650
is going to be enough to cover what
488
00:18:47,650 --> 00:18:49,610
they need, not really knowing exactly how much
489
00:18:49,610 --> 00:18:52,210
it's going to provide each month.
490
00:18:52,750 --> 00:18:56,110
So definitely if there are people out there
491
00:18:56,110 --> 00:18:58,170
that are in their 40s and they think,
492
00:18:58,230 --> 00:19:00,810
well, I guess a retirement, a nest egg
493
00:19:00,810 --> 00:19:01,990
is just not going to happen for me.
494
00:19:02,230 --> 00:19:03,950
It's never too late to start.
495
00:19:03,950 --> 00:19:07,850
And just start saving and start investing.
496
00:19:08,390 --> 00:19:11,590
And it's amazing what compound growth can do.
497
00:19:12,290 --> 00:19:12,550
Absolutely.
498
00:19:12,930 --> 00:19:16,210
And if you don't have an advisor and
499
00:19:16,210 --> 00:19:19,010
you haven't had any experience in investing, it's
500
00:19:19,010 --> 00:19:21,350
definitely worth to talk to someone who's a
501
00:19:21,350 --> 00:19:21,930
fiduciary.
502
00:19:22,530 --> 00:19:24,410
A fiduciary is another word for having your
503
00:19:24,410 --> 00:19:25,470
best interest at heart.
504
00:19:26,330 --> 00:19:31,230
Sometimes when people are nervous about finances because
505
00:19:31,230 --> 00:19:33,170
they haven't had any experience with it, they
506
00:19:33,170 --> 00:19:36,170
end up, this is going to sound like
507
00:19:36,170 --> 00:19:36,930
a negative comment.
508
00:19:37,070 --> 00:19:39,190
It's not intended to be, but they end
509
00:19:39,190 --> 00:19:40,610
up at the wrong place for them.
510
00:19:42,750 --> 00:19:48,450
The word financial advisor is broadly used inappropriately,
511
00:19:48,530 --> 00:19:49,950
in my opinion, by some people.
512
00:19:50,370 --> 00:19:51,750
And you might end up with a salesman
513
00:19:51,750 --> 00:19:53,870
who's selling you a specific product, or maybe
514
00:19:53,870 --> 00:19:56,530
someone who's going to convince you that a
515
00:19:56,530 --> 00:19:58,350
certain type of life insurance is right for
516
00:19:58,350 --> 00:19:59,310
saving for retirement.
517
00:20:00,250 --> 00:20:03,010
So this is review for some of our
518
00:20:03,010 --> 00:20:05,190
listeners, but whoever you're working with, whoever you
519
00:20:05,190 --> 00:20:07,570
consider working with, I encourage you to ask
520
00:20:07,570 --> 00:20:08,710
these three questions.
521
00:20:08,790 --> 00:20:10,470
One, are you a fiduciary?
522
00:20:10,610 --> 00:20:12,950
And that's a legal and moral standard that
523
00:20:12,950 --> 00:20:15,870
the person that you're working with has to
524
00:20:15,870 --> 00:20:17,590
act in your best interest.
525
00:20:17,910 --> 00:20:20,410
Not what's paying them the biggest commission, not
526
00:20:20,410 --> 00:20:22,950
the product, the one product that they have
527
00:20:22,950 --> 00:20:24,390
that they sell to everybody and tell them
528
00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:25,410
why it's the best product.
529
00:20:25,930 --> 00:20:27,670
But are you a fiduciary?
530
00:20:27,870 --> 00:20:29,730
Are you obligated to that standard?
531
00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:31,470
If it's no, I say move on.
532
00:20:33,070 --> 00:20:35,850
The next question, so assume the person says,
533
00:20:35,950 --> 00:20:36,710
yes, I'm a fiduciary.
534
00:20:36,770 --> 00:20:38,810
The next question is, how are you compensated?
535
00:20:39,930 --> 00:20:43,430
Everyone who's providing you service, doctor, lawyer, financial
536
00:20:43,430 --> 00:20:48,650
advisor, auto mechanic, landscaper, they have to get
537
00:20:48,650 --> 00:20:49,010
paid.
538
00:20:49,170 --> 00:20:50,890
I mean, that's the model, right?
539
00:20:51,150 --> 00:20:52,750
So how are you paid?
540
00:20:52,890 --> 00:20:55,270
And if the person can't tell you within
541
00:20:55,270 --> 00:21:00,630
30 seconds, then maybe they're not the right
542
00:21:00,630 --> 00:21:01,310
person for you.
543
00:21:01,370 --> 00:21:04,290
If they're explaining some complicated formula or some
544
00:21:04,290 --> 00:21:06,890
way that they get residuals back from whatever
545
00:21:06,890 --> 00:21:09,890
they sell you, I would suggest that might
546
00:21:09,890 --> 00:21:11,330
not be the right person for you.
547
00:21:11,370 --> 00:21:13,770
They should be able to say, I get
548
00:21:13,770 --> 00:21:17,270
paid this percentage, I get paid this much
549
00:21:17,270 --> 00:21:19,710
an hour, whatever the situation is, something that
550
00:21:19,710 --> 00:21:22,630
you understand and you know what it is
551
00:21:22,630 --> 00:21:23,930
without question.
552
00:21:24,050 --> 00:21:25,510
So are you a fiduciary?
553
00:21:25,650 --> 00:21:26,690
How are you compensated?
554
00:21:27,170 --> 00:21:29,210
And the third thing I think you should
555
00:21:29,210 --> 00:21:31,950
ask anybody that you're working with is where
556
00:21:31,950 --> 00:21:36,410
will my investments, my money, my funds, my
557
00:21:36,410 --> 00:21:38,650
IRA, whatever it is, be held?
558
00:21:39,710 --> 00:21:41,830
And you want it held as a third
559
00:21:41,830 --> 00:21:42,210
party.
560
00:21:42,230 --> 00:21:44,570
The answer is whatever they tell you, but
561
00:21:44,570 --> 00:21:46,830
you want it held by someone other than
562
00:21:46,830 --> 00:21:47,430
the advisor.
563
00:21:47,630 --> 00:21:49,850
You want it at a third party custodian.
564
00:21:50,190 --> 00:21:53,150
So for example, if you worked with us,
565
00:21:54,470 --> 00:21:58,110
we are fiduciaries, we get charged a percentage
566
00:21:58,110 --> 00:22:00,170
of the assets that you have with us
567
00:22:00,170 --> 00:22:03,210
or by our, if it's a certain type
568
00:22:03,210 --> 00:22:05,610
of situation, most of its assets under management
569
00:22:05,610 --> 00:22:09,670
fee, and your assets are held at Schwab
570
00:22:09,670 --> 00:22:10,250
or Fidelity.
571
00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:12,350
Those are the two places that we use.
572
00:22:12,770 --> 00:22:15,650
And the third part I'm focusing on now
573
00:22:15,650 --> 00:22:19,310
is because if you aren't happy with us,
574
00:22:19,310 --> 00:22:22,210
if you aren't comfortable with the relationship, you
575
00:22:22,210 --> 00:22:23,770
don't even have to talk to us to
576
00:22:23,770 --> 00:22:24,610
break up with us.
577
00:22:24,730 --> 00:22:26,510
You can go to the third party, you
578
00:22:26,510 --> 00:22:29,610
can call Schwab and say, you know, my
579
00:22:29,610 --> 00:22:31,610
advisor isn't working out for me and its
580
00:22:31,610 --> 00:22:33,430
communication is broken down.
581
00:22:33,530 --> 00:22:35,830
So I just want to switch advisors or
582
00:22:35,830 --> 00:22:37,770
I want to go to someone else or
583
00:22:37,770 --> 00:22:39,730
I want to go to retail, whatever it
584
00:22:39,730 --> 00:22:40,050
is.
585
00:22:40,730 --> 00:22:42,470
And so it's important not to have to
586
00:22:42,470 --> 00:22:45,830
count on your advisor to make that decision.
587
00:22:45,890 --> 00:22:48,170
And it's also prudent that your advisor doesn't
588
00:22:48,170 --> 00:22:49,090
hold your cash.
589
00:22:49,270 --> 00:22:53,130
It's becoming more and more infrequent that advisors
590
00:22:53,130 --> 00:22:55,350
are holding investments by themselves.
591
00:22:56,110 --> 00:22:58,270
But just make sure that you, they're a
592
00:22:58,270 --> 00:22:59,930
fiduciary, you know how they're paid and the
593
00:22:59,930 --> 00:23:02,130
assets are held by a third party custodian.
594
00:23:02,910 --> 00:23:04,790
Yeah, we had a conversation with someone recently
595
00:23:04,790 --> 00:23:05,670
on that topic.
596
00:23:06,070 --> 00:23:08,190
Specifically, I think they had a family member
597
00:23:08,190 --> 00:23:11,270
that was unfortunately, you know, burned by a
598
00:23:11,270 --> 00:23:12,110
situation like that.
599
00:23:12,470 --> 00:23:13,550
I don't know if it was some kind
600
00:23:13,550 --> 00:23:15,790
of Ponzi scheme or something like that.
601
00:23:16,010 --> 00:23:19,250
But, you know, it's not even custody at
602
00:23:19,250 --> 00:23:23,730
Wealth Enhancement, which is our company, but it's
603
00:23:23,730 --> 00:23:26,610
custody at these, you know, very large national
604
00:23:26,610 --> 00:23:28,190
institutions.
605
00:23:28,190 --> 00:23:29,410
Fidelity has been around forever.
606
00:23:29,550 --> 00:23:30,550
Schwab has been around forever.
607
00:23:30,850 --> 00:23:33,150
And it's not, it's not held with the
608
00:23:33,150 --> 00:23:34,330
advisor ourselves.
609
00:23:34,650 --> 00:23:35,890
We were just managing.
610
00:23:36,470 --> 00:23:36,570
Yeah.
611
00:23:36,570 --> 00:23:40,890
And there's insurance to cover things for those
612
00:23:40,890 --> 00:23:41,970
third party custodians.
613
00:23:42,290 --> 00:23:46,230
So, you know, bigger point is if you're
614
00:23:46,230 --> 00:23:49,010
late to the party, you know, you know,
615
00:23:49,030 --> 00:23:50,990
you're behind, you know, you've just figured out
616
00:23:50,990 --> 00:23:53,650
retirement's coming and you haven't done anything, do
617
00:23:53,650 --> 00:23:54,090
something.
618
00:23:54,490 --> 00:23:56,830
And if you're looking for an advisor to
619
00:23:56,830 --> 00:23:58,750
help you walk through that, happy to talk
620
00:23:58,750 --> 00:23:59,050
to you.
621
00:23:59,790 --> 00:24:02,250
You can just call our office, 508-771
622
00:24:02,250 --> 00:24:03,110
-8900.
623
00:24:03,730 --> 00:24:04,730
And we'll be happy to give you a
624
00:24:04,730 --> 00:24:07,290
complimentary meeting to see where you're at and
625
00:24:07,290 --> 00:24:10,070
to offer some thoughts on best next steps.
626
00:24:12,070 --> 00:24:14,910
Digging way into this mailbag for this next
627
00:24:14,910 --> 00:24:15,470
question.
628
00:24:16,770 --> 00:24:18,250
I do need a sound effect.
629
00:24:18,850 --> 00:24:20,230
You need a bag or something.
630
00:24:20,410 --> 00:24:21,130
I need something.
631
00:24:21,930 --> 00:24:25,270
So, this is more common than I anticipated.
632
00:24:26,490 --> 00:24:28,910
I had run into this as a practicing
633
00:24:28,910 --> 00:24:31,590
attorney, but I think I'm running into it
634
00:24:31,590 --> 00:24:34,910
more with our financial advising clients.
635
00:24:36,290 --> 00:24:38,170
It has to do with estate planning and
636
00:24:38,170 --> 00:24:39,290
choosing an executor.
637
00:24:39,450 --> 00:24:41,950
So, this question comes from a client who
638
00:24:41,950 --> 00:24:43,250
said, I know that I need a will
639
00:24:43,250 --> 00:24:45,930
because we ask them during their annual reviews
640
00:24:45,930 --> 00:24:47,210
about their estate plan.
641
00:24:47,330 --> 00:24:50,310
And sometimes, you know, they say no and
642
00:24:50,310 --> 00:24:52,710
we encourage them and then six months go
643
00:24:52,710 --> 00:24:54,090
by and we're talking to them again and
644
00:24:54,090 --> 00:24:54,830
they haven't done it.
645
00:24:54,830 --> 00:24:56,470
And one of the reasons is they haven't
646
00:24:56,470 --> 00:24:58,350
done it is they don't know who to
647
00:24:58,350 --> 00:24:58,670
pick.
648
00:24:59,090 --> 00:25:00,910
So, this question is, I know that I
649
00:25:00,910 --> 00:25:03,030
need a will, estate plan, but don't know
650
00:25:03,030 --> 00:25:04,650
who in my family I should choose to
651
00:25:04,650 --> 00:25:05,630
take care of my estate.
652
00:25:06,450 --> 00:25:08,570
How can I decide who should be my
653
00:25:08,570 --> 00:25:12,490
personal representative, executor, healthcare proxy, power of attorney,
654
00:25:12,690 --> 00:25:16,090
you know, whatever, trustee, successor trustee, whatever the
655
00:25:16,090 --> 00:25:17,530
estate is calling for.
656
00:25:17,930 --> 00:25:23,450
How do they pick that person out of,
657
00:25:23,690 --> 00:25:27,930
you know, I think most families default, we're
658
00:25:27,930 --> 00:25:30,710
talking about a situation maybe with adult children
659
00:25:30,710 --> 00:25:32,710
involved, but it doesn't have to be.
660
00:25:34,150 --> 00:25:36,130
How do I pick a child?
661
00:25:36,550 --> 00:25:38,890
What if the, you know, we can go
662
00:25:38,890 --> 00:25:40,710
back in history and it's the oldest male
663
00:25:40,710 --> 00:25:41,510
child, right?
664
00:25:42,350 --> 00:25:44,730
Well, that's probably not a good place to
665
00:25:44,730 --> 00:25:45,050
start.
666
00:25:45,590 --> 00:25:47,550
You know, you should pick someone who you
667
00:25:47,550 --> 00:25:51,650
have complete confidence in is one interested in
668
00:25:51,650 --> 00:25:52,210
doing it.
669
00:25:52,650 --> 00:25:55,350
You know, see, I've seen estate plans.
670
00:25:55,450 --> 00:25:59,550
I had one client who did all the
671
00:25:59,550 --> 00:26:02,950
documents, gave the suggestions to them about how
672
00:26:02,950 --> 00:26:05,010
to talk to the family about it, offered
673
00:26:05,010 --> 00:26:06,270
them to come into the office.
674
00:26:06,390 --> 00:26:07,750
They didn't want to do it, meaning the
675
00:26:07,750 --> 00:26:10,490
creator of the estate plan.
676
00:26:11,310 --> 00:26:16,670
And they just never had the desire, courage,
677
00:26:16,750 --> 00:26:17,930
whatever, to talk to their family.
678
00:26:18,130 --> 00:26:21,490
And she ended up appointing the person that
679
00:26:21,490 --> 00:26:23,170
she thought was right, but never told her.
680
00:26:23,690 --> 00:26:25,990
And that person just didn't want to do
681
00:26:25,990 --> 00:26:26,430
it.
682
00:26:27,970 --> 00:26:32,090
So appoint someone who is interested in it
683
00:26:32,090 --> 00:26:33,350
and that you've talked about it.
684
00:26:33,390 --> 00:26:36,970
And you think that they are aligned with
685
00:26:36,970 --> 00:26:39,330
your ultimate estate planning goals and they have
686
00:26:39,330 --> 00:26:45,450
the time, capacity, and capacity meaning a couple
687
00:26:45,450 --> 00:26:47,950
different things like the time, but also meaning
688
00:26:47,950 --> 00:26:51,650
the cognitive intelligence and ability.
689
00:26:52,570 --> 00:26:53,710
It can get complicated.
690
00:26:54,950 --> 00:26:56,710
And then share with them.
691
00:26:57,130 --> 00:27:01,850
And also if there's other individuals who might
692
00:27:01,850 --> 00:27:04,890
have expected, you know, the oldest child thing
693
00:27:04,890 --> 00:27:07,770
that we kind of joked about, explain to
694
00:27:07,770 --> 00:27:11,130
them this is advice, not legal advice, that
695
00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:13,410
they're not the executor or who is the
696
00:27:13,410 --> 00:27:14,690
executor and why.
697
00:27:15,350 --> 00:27:18,270
That will avoid hurt feelings if you have
698
00:27:18,270 --> 00:27:18,830
a good reason.
699
00:27:20,210 --> 00:27:23,790
And it will avoid potential legal challenges to
700
00:27:23,790 --> 00:27:26,110
the document saying, you know, I was, mom
701
00:27:26,110 --> 00:27:27,410
told me I was going to be the
702
00:27:27,410 --> 00:27:27,950
executor.
703
00:27:28,070 --> 00:27:29,130
Mom told me I was going to get
704
00:27:29,130 --> 00:27:31,890
this inheritance or something was changed.
705
00:27:31,930 --> 00:27:33,510
You know, all these things that we see
706
00:27:33,510 --> 00:27:35,450
in TV movies actually do happen.
707
00:27:36,630 --> 00:27:39,790
So it's a difficult conversation.
708
00:27:40,790 --> 00:27:42,510
And I also want to make sure that
709
00:27:42,510 --> 00:27:45,830
you consider that it doesn't have to be
710
00:27:45,830 --> 00:27:46,610
a family member.
711
00:27:47,270 --> 00:27:51,730
And sometimes to avoid family strife or to,
712
00:27:51,850 --> 00:27:53,830
or in the best interest of your beneficiaries,
713
00:27:54,150 --> 00:27:56,490
maybe they're not, maybe it's not in their
714
00:27:56,490 --> 00:28:00,490
best interest to be the executor for whatever
715
00:28:00,490 --> 00:28:00,890
reason.
716
00:28:01,090 --> 00:28:01,830
Maybe they're not healthy.
717
00:28:02,150 --> 00:28:05,270
Maybe they're not, maybe they're not good in
718
00:28:05,270 --> 00:28:05,770
math.
719
00:28:06,070 --> 00:28:07,870
You know, maybe they're not good with details.
720
00:28:08,070 --> 00:28:09,910
Maybe they're just too busy with their career.
721
00:28:12,130 --> 00:28:13,970
You can pick someone, whoever you want.
722
00:28:15,330 --> 00:28:15,730
Yeah.
723
00:28:16,150 --> 00:28:16,410
Yeah.
724
00:28:16,810 --> 00:28:18,530
I know people who have chosen, you know,
725
00:28:18,590 --> 00:28:21,190
had a trusted friend be the executor of
726
00:28:21,190 --> 00:28:21,910
state.
727
00:28:22,250 --> 00:28:25,450
And, and it could, it could, you know,
728
00:28:25,470 --> 00:28:28,350
avoid some of those conflicts of interest that
729
00:28:28,350 --> 00:28:30,090
could pop up or, you know, some kind
730
00:28:30,090 --> 00:28:32,930
of animosity between family members.
731
00:28:33,710 --> 00:28:35,070
Of course, you don't want to see that,
732
00:28:35,110 --> 00:28:38,130
but definitely has to be someone you trust
733
00:28:38,130 --> 00:28:38,650
fully.
734
00:28:38,650 --> 00:28:40,290
And you, you know, it's going to have
735
00:28:40,290 --> 00:28:42,550
your best interest if you're no longer around.
736
00:28:42,670 --> 00:28:45,690
And it's a difficult decision, but definitely one
737
00:28:45,690 --> 00:28:47,910
that you want to have conversations about that
738
00:28:47,910 --> 00:28:49,070
you want to talk to people about it.
739
00:28:49,110 --> 00:28:50,390
It doesn't, you shouldn't have it be a
740
00:28:50,390 --> 00:28:50,710
secret.
741
00:28:51,570 --> 00:28:51,670
Right.
742
00:28:51,990 --> 00:28:53,630
It should not be a secret.
743
00:28:53,930 --> 00:28:54,070
Right.
744
00:28:54,290 --> 00:28:55,790
And you don't have to, you know, you
745
00:28:55,790 --> 00:28:57,830
don't, the advice isn't, you don't have to
746
00:28:57,830 --> 00:29:01,350
like get your three children and your grandchildren
747
00:29:01,350 --> 00:29:03,390
in the room and say, this is what
748
00:29:03,390 --> 00:29:03,810
you're getting.
749
00:29:03,890 --> 00:29:04,650
This is what you're getting.
750
00:29:04,770 --> 00:29:06,850
You can just explain to them that it's
751
00:29:06,850 --> 00:29:10,530
created an estate plan that Sally Jo is
752
00:29:10,530 --> 00:29:11,590
the executor.
753
00:29:11,610 --> 00:29:12,890
And this is my attorney.
754
00:29:12,890 --> 00:29:14,450
This is my financial advisor.
755
00:29:15,190 --> 00:29:16,510
And you're all in the will.
756
00:29:16,590 --> 00:29:17,450
We love you all.
757
00:29:17,650 --> 00:29:22,150
We chose Sally Jo because whatever, whatever the
758
00:29:22,150 --> 00:29:22,810
reason is.
759
00:29:23,010 --> 00:29:24,210
And, you know, I've talked to her about
760
00:29:24,210 --> 00:29:26,210
what we want to do and I want
761
00:29:26,210 --> 00:29:27,490
you all to get along and I want
762
00:29:27,490 --> 00:29:28,770
any strife about this.
763
00:29:29,430 --> 00:29:31,690
And, you know, just a simple meeting like
764
00:29:31,690 --> 00:29:34,610
that can really go a long way to
765
00:29:34,610 --> 00:29:38,170
preventing hurt feelings or legal challenges.
766
00:29:38,870 --> 00:29:41,110
And it's, it's just the best advice.
767
00:29:41,170 --> 00:29:43,450
And, you know, I, I listed off a
768
00:29:43,450 --> 00:29:45,610
bunch of documents there, a will, a trust
769
00:29:45,610 --> 00:29:48,850
that's determining where your stuff's going to go
770
00:29:48,850 --> 00:29:51,730
generally and how it's going to go delayed
771
00:29:51,730 --> 00:29:54,050
all at once over a period of years,
772
00:29:54,090 --> 00:29:54,950
whatever you decide.
773
00:29:55,610 --> 00:30:00,130
But a healthcare proxy is also important, which
774
00:30:00,130 --> 00:30:02,990
determines if you're not able to make your
775
00:30:02,990 --> 00:30:04,130
own medical decisions.
776
00:30:04,410 --> 00:30:06,650
It appoints someone to make those decisions for
777
00:30:06,650 --> 00:30:07,010
you.
778
00:30:08,390 --> 00:30:10,030
And you definitely need to talk to that
779
00:30:10,030 --> 00:30:10,390
person.
780
00:30:10,390 --> 00:30:12,930
I mean, you can have your wishes outlined
781
00:30:12,930 --> 00:30:15,690
in the documents, but it also helps to
782
00:30:15,690 --> 00:30:17,830
make sure that person understands them, agrees with
783
00:30:17,830 --> 00:30:18,130
them.
784
00:30:19,110 --> 00:30:21,190
People have different views about end of life
785
00:30:21,190 --> 00:30:23,390
and you want someone to be your advocate,
786
00:30:23,570 --> 00:30:27,150
not someone replacing their values for your values.
787
00:30:28,270 --> 00:30:31,150
And that, so that healthcare person doesn't have
788
00:30:31,150 --> 00:30:33,230
to be, the healthcare proxy doesn't have to
789
00:30:33,230 --> 00:30:35,230
be the same person as your executor to
790
00:30:35,230 --> 00:30:37,910
your will or your trustee, you know, someone
791
00:30:37,910 --> 00:30:41,130
in your family or a professional may have
792
00:30:41,130 --> 00:30:44,210
different strengths, right?
793
00:30:44,490 --> 00:30:46,030
You know, maybe someone in your family is
794
00:30:46,030 --> 00:30:47,890
a nurse and really understands all the healthcare
795
00:30:47,890 --> 00:30:51,310
stuff, the terminology, and someone else in your
796
00:30:51,310 --> 00:30:54,410
family is a lawyer or an accountant, or,
797
00:30:54,790 --> 00:30:57,110
you know, an engineer, someone who gets details
798
00:30:57,110 --> 00:30:59,030
and might do a great job being the
799
00:30:59,030 --> 00:30:59,810
executor.
800
00:30:59,890 --> 00:31:01,570
And then you have the power of attorney,
801
00:31:01,750 --> 00:31:04,090
which could be the same person as one
802
00:31:04,090 --> 00:31:05,910
of these or someone, someone different.
803
00:31:05,930 --> 00:31:09,110
And that document is designed for being able
804
00:31:09,110 --> 00:31:11,010
to handle your financial affairs.
805
00:31:11,730 --> 00:31:15,130
If you're not able to, if you have
806
00:31:15,130 --> 00:31:17,730
some cognitive challenges or you were injured somewhere
807
00:31:17,730 --> 00:31:20,530
or had some medical procedure that made you
808
00:31:20,530 --> 00:31:21,210
not available.
809
00:31:22,230 --> 00:31:24,630
And so that may be someone totally different,
810
00:31:24,710 --> 00:31:26,450
or that may be a professional.
811
00:31:28,070 --> 00:31:30,410
I would just kind of end my comments
812
00:31:30,410 --> 00:31:33,490
before you add yours is don't not create
813
00:31:33,490 --> 00:31:36,410
these documents because you don't have the perfect
814
00:31:36,410 --> 00:31:36,910
person.
815
00:31:37,710 --> 00:31:37,810
Yeah.
816
00:31:38,230 --> 00:31:39,650
Find the best person.
817
00:31:41,430 --> 00:31:45,210
And these documents, most of them can be
818
00:31:45,210 --> 00:31:49,090
altered, amended, redone, if something changes in life,
819
00:31:49,130 --> 00:31:50,730
and you have a different person you want
820
00:31:50,730 --> 00:31:51,110
to name.
821
00:31:52,170 --> 00:31:53,510
But it's important that you do.
822
00:31:53,590 --> 00:31:54,710
It's a gift to your family.
823
00:31:54,910 --> 00:31:56,350
And if you don't do these documents, and
824
00:31:56,350 --> 00:31:59,270
something happens to you, it can create a
825
00:31:59,270 --> 00:32:01,050
lot of strife in your family, which is
826
00:32:01,050 --> 00:32:06,450
usually the most compelling reason that people have
827
00:32:06,450 --> 00:32:07,230
these documents.
828
00:32:08,490 --> 00:32:09,310
Yeah, yeah.
829
00:32:09,470 --> 00:32:12,630
And I've definitely seen what can happen without
830
00:32:12,630 --> 00:32:15,250
a pre-planned estate.
831
00:32:16,870 --> 00:32:20,230
But to your point, I think finding someone
832
00:32:20,230 --> 00:32:22,590
with the strengths that align with whatever your,
833
00:32:22,790 --> 00:32:24,370
you know, whatever the needs might be, I
834
00:32:24,370 --> 00:32:25,550
think that's a great way to look at
835
00:32:25,550 --> 00:32:25,690
it.
836
00:32:25,690 --> 00:32:27,610
Like, all right, like I have one relative,
837
00:32:27,870 --> 00:32:29,310
like a niece or nephew who might be
838
00:32:29,310 --> 00:32:30,970
really good in the financial aspect, and one
839
00:32:30,970 --> 00:32:33,990
who's very organized, and I trust fully and
840
00:32:33,990 --> 00:32:35,830
another person that's works in the healthcare field
841
00:32:35,830 --> 00:32:38,750
or has experience going taking, you know, family
842
00:32:38,750 --> 00:32:40,150
members of the doctor, whatever it may be.
843
00:32:40,530 --> 00:32:43,350
I think playing to those strengths is definitely
844
00:32:43,350 --> 00:32:45,910
prudent and a good way to figure out
845
00:32:45,910 --> 00:32:47,410
who should be what, and it doesn't all
846
00:32:47,410 --> 00:32:48,310
have to be the same person.
847
00:32:48,390 --> 00:32:52,410
I think that's a probably under-realized point
848
00:32:52,410 --> 00:32:52,730
there.
849
00:32:53,610 --> 00:32:55,410
And to tell them about it, and to
850
00:32:55,410 --> 00:32:58,470
share that your reasoning with everyone, that's really
851
00:32:58,470 --> 00:33:00,450
not everyone, you know, but the people who
852
00:33:00,450 --> 00:33:01,070
need to know.
853
00:33:01,450 --> 00:33:01,670
Yeah.
854
00:33:01,910 --> 00:33:03,570
And we have some resources on that.
855
00:33:03,650 --> 00:33:06,230
We have a couple of handouts that we
856
00:33:06,230 --> 00:33:09,350
can email people, you know, no obligation, not
857
00:33:09,350 --> 00:33:12,610
just trying to help people take care of
858
00:33:12,610 --> 00:33:17,430
their their situations, and these are love letters.
859
00:33:17,690 --> 00:33:19,910
One's called a love letter, and then there's
860
00:33:19,910 --> 00:33:24,450
like an accounting of everything, like a worksheet
861
00:33:24,450 --> 00:33:25,990
so you can start the process.
862
00:33:26,530 --> 00:33:28,530
If you think these documents are helpful, let
863
00:33:28,530 --> 00:33:30,670
us know, and we're happy to pass them
864
00:33:30,670 --> 00:33:32,110
along to you to help your process.
865
00:33:33,050 --> 00:33:35,330
Russ, the mailbag is not empty, but we
866
00:33:35,330 --> 00:33:38,210
have run out of time, so we'll save
867
00:33:38,210 --> 00:33:40,950
the other questions that we plan to discuss
868
00:33:40,950 --> 00:33:43,530
for our next mailbag, and we really appreciate
869
00:33:43,530 --> 00:33:44,030
you listening.
870
00:33:44,550 --> 00:33:46,570
You have a lot of choices on podcasts
871
00:33:46,570 --> 00:33:48,950
and YouTube shows that you can watch.
872
00:33:49,990 --> 00:33:51,890
If you'd like our show, we'd love you
873
00:33:51,890 --> 00:33:53,730
to subscribe, give us a good rating.
874
00:33:53,850 --> 00:33:54,750
If you're going to give us a bad
875
00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:56,170
rating, then move on, please.
876
00:33:57,150 --> 00:33:59,150
But, you know, those likes, those shares to
877
00:33:59,150 --> 00:34:01,830
other people, the more that you do that
878
00:34:01,830 --> 00:34:03,790
for us, you are our marketing team.
879
00:34:04,230 --> 00:34:05,890
The more that you do that for us,
880
00:34:05,930 --> 00:34:08,949
the more people that we reach, and hopefully
881
00:34:08,949 --> 00:34:12,389
you agree with us that these episodes are
882
00:34:12,389 --> 00:34:14,590
helpful to your personal finances.
883
00:34:15,010 --> 00:34:16,909
So, Russ, thank you for joining me today.
884
00:34:16,989 --> 00:34:19,889
Great job, and thank you for listening.
885
00:34:20,010 --> 00:34:22,710
We sincerely appreciate it, and until next week,
886
00:34:23,210 --> 00:34:25,150
keep striving for something more.
887
00:34:26,250 --> 00:34:28,030
Thank you for listening to Something More with
888
00:34:28,030 --> 00:34:28,770
Chris Boyd.
889
00:34:29,090 --> 00:34:31,230
Call us for help, whether it's for financial
890
00:34:31,230 --> 00:34:35,130
planning or portfolio management, insurance concerns, or those
891
00:34:35,130 --> 00:34:37,170
quality of life issues that make the money
892
00:34:37,170 --> 00:34:38,270
matters matter.
893
00:34:38,630 --> 00:34:41,889
Whatever's on your mind, visit us at somethingmorewithchrisboyd
894
00:34:41,889 --> 00:34:45,110
.com, or call us toll-free at 866
895
00:34:45,110 --> 00:34:50,630
-771-8901, or send us your questions to
896
00:34:50,630 --> 00:34:54,590
amr-info at wealthenhancement.com.
897
00:34:54,989 --> 00:34:56,710
You're listening to Something More with Chris Boyd
898
00:34:56,710 --> 00:34:59,330
Financial Talk Show, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, and
899
00:34:59,330 --> 00:35:01,490
Jay Christopher Boyd provide investment advice on an
900
00:35:01,490 --> 00:35:03,030
individual basis to clients only.
901
00:35:03,030 --> 00:35:05,170
Proper advice depends on a complete analysis of
902
00:35:05,170 --> 00:35:06,370
all facts and circumstances.
903
00:35:06,690 --> 00:35:08,450
The information given on this program is general
904
00:35:08,450 --> 00:35:10,490
financial comments and cannot be relied upon as
905
00:35:10,490 --> 00:35:12,070
pertaining to your specific situation.
906
00:35:12,290 --> 00:35:14,250
Wealth Enhancement Group cannot guarantee that using the
907
00:35:14,250 --> 00:35:16,250
information from this show will generate profits or
908
00:35:16,250 --> 00:35:17,370
ensure freedom from loss.
909
00:35:17,570 --> 00:35:19,730
Listeners should consult their own financial advisors or
910
00:35:19,730 --> 00:35:21,830
conduct their own due diligence before making any
911
00:35:21,830 --> 00:35:22,590
financial decisions.
00:00:00,390 --> 00:00:03,050
Welcome to Something More with Chris Boyd.
2
00:00:03,290 --> 00:00:06,230
Chris Boyd is a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner
3
00:00:06,230 --> 00:00:08,850
and Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor at
4
00:00:08,850 --> 00:00:11,150
Wealth Enhancement Group, one of the nation's largest
5
00:00:11,150 --> 00:00:12,750
registered investment advisors.
6
00:00:13,250 --> 00:00:15,190
We call it Something More because we'd like
7
00:00:15,190 --> 00:00:17,310
to talk not only about those important dollar
8
00:00:17,310 --> 00:00:19,490
and cents issues, but also the quality of
9
00:00:19,490 --> 00:00:21,930
life issues that make the money matters matter.
10
00:00:22,330 --> 00:00:25,690
Here he is, your fulfillment facilitator, your partner
11
00:00:25,690 --> 00:00:28,850
in prosperity, advising clients on Cape Cod and
12
00:00:28,850 --> 00:00:29,910
across the country.
13
00:00:30,250 --> 00:00:32,690
Here's your host, Jay Christopher Boyd.
14
00:00:33,550 --> 00:00:36,130
Hello, and welcome to another edition of Something
15
00:00:36,130 --> 00:00:37,270
More with Chris Boyd.
16
00:00:37,450 --> 00:00:39,430
I'm Jeff Perry, and I'm here with Russ
17
00:00:39,430 --> 00:00:42,230
Ball of our team AMR, and we're co
18
00:00:42,230 --> 00:00:44,250
-hosting today as Chris Boyd is at a
19
00:00:44,250 --> 00:00:45,110
tax conference.
20
00:00:45,290 --> 00:00:46,810
I don't know if that's an exciting thing
21
00:00:46,810 --> 00:00:48,570
or a boring thing that he's doing, but
22
00:00:48,570 --> 00:00:52,870
he's down at the Ed Slot meeting and
23
00:00:52,870 --> 00:00:55,950
gaining additional information that he'll take back to
24
00:00:55,950 --> 00:00:58,030
us to use for our client's benefit.
25
00:00:58,790 --> 00:01:00,750
We have the privilege of sitting in again
26
00:01:00,750 --> 00:01:01,590
for Chris today.
27
00:01:01,850 --> 00:01:02,790
How are you today, Russ?
28
00:01:03,290 --> 00:01:04,150
Pretty good, Jeff.
29
00:01:04,269 --> 00:01:04,930
I'm doing well.
30
00:01:04,970 --> 00:01:05,490
How about you?
31
00:01:05,790 --> 00:01:06,410
I'm doing great.
32
00:01:06,530 --> 00:01:06,930
Thank you.
33
00:01:07,970 --> 00:01:09,870
It's time for a mailbag segment.
34
00:01:10,270 --> 00:01:12,630
As our listeners may know, if they're regular
35
00:01:12,630 --> 00:01:15,870
listeners, from time to time we take these
36
00:01:15,870 --> 00:01:17,110
questions that we receive.
37
00:01:17,250 --> 00:01:19,470
People email us who hear the show or
38
00:01:19,470 --> 00:01:21,530
clients say, hey, this is a good one
39
00:01:21,530 --> 00:01:22,430
for the podcast.
40
00:01:22,950 --> 00:01:26,010
And we write them down and we save
41
00:01:26,010 --> 00:01:26,250
them.
42
00:01:26,350 --> 00:01:28,150
And when we have enough to cover an
43
00:01:28,150 --> 00:01:30,850
episode, we say, let's open the mailbag.
44
00:01:31,150 --> 00:01:33,090
And so we don't really have a mailbag
45
00:01:33,090 --> 00:01:35,470
and pulling out a letter like the old
46
00:01:35,470 --> 00:01:37,450
days, but we do have these questions that
47
00:01:37,450 --> 00:01:39,530
have come up that we think are not
48
00:01:39,530 --> 00:01:42,390
just questions that a particular client asked us
49
00:01:42,390 --> 00:01:45,630
and we answered or a particular listener, but
50
00:01:45,630 --> 00:01:47,070
have some broad appeal.
51
00:01:48,110 --> 00:01:49,650
And so you ready?
52
00:01:50,170 --> 00:01:50,650
Definitely.
53
00:01:50,890 --> 00:01:51,150
Let's go.
54
00:01:51,150 --> 00:01:52,590
I feel like I need a sound effect.
55
00:01:52,770 --> 00:01:54,130
I don't know what the sound effect for
56
00:01:54,130 --> 00:01:58,550
mailbag would be, but kind of ruffling some
57
00:01:58,550 --> 00:01:58,950
papers.
58
00:01:59,650 --> 00:02:01,450
I guess I could have a visual for
59
00:02:01,450 --> 00:02:03,110
the people who watch us on YouTube.
60
00:02:03,450 --> 00:02:05,870
But the first question, I'm not going to
61
00:02:05,870 --> 00:02:07,229
make up names like they do either.
62
00:02:08,690 --> 00:02:13,230
Bob from Bourne says, the first question is
63
00:02:13,230 --> 00:02:17,950
about someone who is getting ready to retire
64
00:02:17,950 --> 00:02:21,350
and they're doing their planning and they're hearing
65
00:02:21,350 --> 00:02:27,130
this information that says when people retire, they
66
00:02:27,130 --> 00:02:30,650
can count on spending less money.
67
00:02:31,310 --> 00:02:33,710
And so this is a real common piece
68
00:02:33,710 --> 00:02:34,150
of advice.
69
00:02:34,250 --> 00:02:37,070
In fact, I just received a email from
70
00:02:37,070 --> 00:02:40,750
Fidelity recently talking about this issue about what
71
00:02:40,750 --> 00:02:42,850
level of income should you plan for and
72
00:02:42,850 --> 00:02:46,170
their range in the article in the Fidelity
73
00:02:46,170 --> 00:02:48,890
article was you should expect to spend 55
74
00:02:48,890 --> 00:02:52,730
to 80% of your pre-retirement level
75
00:02:52,730 --> 00:02:56,350
of cash flow expenses in retirement.
76
00:02:56,770 --> 00:02:59,970
And I must say, Fidelity is a fine
77
00:02:59,970 --> 00:03:00,330
company.
78
00:03:00,510 --> 00:03:02,230
We do a lot with them, but I
79
00:03:02,230 --> 00:03:02,750
don't agree.
80
00:03:06,010 --> 00:03:08,530
So you do a lot of financial plans
81
00:03:08,530 --> 00:03:11,770
and you work right next to Chris Boyd.
82
00:03:12,150 --> 00:03:15,050
We don't do that when we're talking to
83
00:03:15,050 --> 00:03:15,510
clients.
84
00:03:15,710 --> 00:03:17,390
That's not our base case, right?
85
00:03:17,970 --> 00:03:18,450
No.
86
00:03:19,230 --> 00:03:21,970
And actually, come to think of it, the
87
00:03:21,970 --> 00:03:24,050
previous firm I worked at, I think that
88
00:03:24,050 --> 00:03:25,650
was what they were saying too, the 80%.
89
00:03:25,650 --> 00:03:29,110
And it's widely cited around 80% to
90
00:03:29,110 --> 00:03:30,950
plan for your expenses.
91
00:03:31,990 --> 00:03:35,290
But here, and I think prudently, we plan
92
00:03:35,290 --> 00:03:36,670
for 100%.
93
00:03:36,670 --> 00:03:39,910
So basically, it's not like you have to
94
00:03:39,910 --> 00:03:45,110
trim down some of the expenses as soon
95
00:03:45,110 --> 00:03:47,090
as you hit retirement to be 80%.
96
00:03:47,090 --> 00:03:48,430
We just say, all right, well, let's just
97
00:03:48,430 --> 00:03:49,030
transition.
98
00:03:49,390 --> 00:03:52,490
So we have our pre-retirement spending and
99
00:03:52,490 --> 00:03:53,730
our post-retirement spending, and they're going to
100
00:03:53,730 --> 00:03:54,350
mirror each other.
101
00:03:55,130 --> 00:03:58,070
And then any other expenses that come as
102
00:03:58,070 --> 00:04:00,470
goals, but the general living expenses, we usually
103
00:04:00,470 --> 00:04:02,650
keep the same heading into retirement.
104
00:04:03,330 --> 00:04:06,090
And I like that because for one, let's
105
00:04:06,090 --> 00:04:08,350
say that's true that 80% is all
106
00:04:08,350 --> 00:04:10,170
you really need, then we're creating that little
107
00:04:10,170 --> 00:04:11,610
bit of an extra buffer for planning.
108
00:04:12,050 --> 00:04:14,170
So that in and of itself is like,
109
00:04:14,250 --> 00:04:15,690
all right, so does your plan work with
110
00:04:15,690 --> 00:04:18,050
100% of your pre-retirement expenses?
111
00:04:18,470 --> 00:04:19,410
And if it does, great.
112
00:04:19,670 --> 00:04:21,830
Then if that number comes down a little
113
00:04:21,830 --> 00:04:24,250
bit, there's more to spend on other things
114
00:04:24,250 --> 00:04:25,170
or whatever it might be.
115
00:04:26,990 --> 00:04:30,170
But just for peace of mind, and we
116
00:04:30,170 --> 00:04:33,510
were talking about this before, the idea that
117
00:04:33,510 --> 00:04:36,610
when you retire, psychologically, it's difficult.
118
00:04:36,790 --> 00:04:37,730
You have to switch.
119
00:04:37,990 --> 00:04:39,890
So you're not getting income anymore from your
120
00:04:39,890 --> 00:04:41,050
job.
121
00:04:41,230 --> 00:04:43,510
You're getting income from yourself, from your own
122
00:04:43,510 --> 00:04:44,050
savings.
123
00:04:44,850 --> 00:04:46,710
And so to think, well, I'm going to
124
00:04:46,710 --> 00:04:47,910
do that, that's kind of scary.
125
00:04:48,030 --> 00:04:49,470
But then I also have to reduce it
126
00:04:49,470 --> 00:04:50,490
by 20%.
127
00:04:50,490 --> 00:04:53,450
That might not feel that great.
128
00:04:53,590 --> 00:04:54,670
That might not feel that comfortable.
129
00:04:56,290 --> 00:04:59,350
So especially early on in retirement, I think
130
00:04:59,350 --> 00:05:02,690
there would be ideally enough to cover those
131
00:05:02,690 --> 00:05:04,050
pre-retirement expenses.
132
00:05:05,110 --> 00:05:06,910
We've talked about, I agree with you completely,
133
00:05:07,450 --> 00:05:10,390
on a related subject, we've talked about the
134
00:05:10,390 --> 00:05:13,910
retirement smile on the podcast before.
135
00:05:14,130 --> 00:05:16,330
And if you think of a smile, draw
136
00:05:16,330 --> 00:05:17,770
a smile, if you don't know what this
137
00:05:17,770 --> 00:05:20,250
is, and you see at both ends of
138
00:05:20,250 --> 00:05:21,770
the smile, you're at the highest level.
139
00:05:22,390 --> 00:05:25,650
So if you draw the smile in the
140
00:05:25,650 --> 00:05:30,090
beginning, this is related to spending in retirement,
141
00:05:30,330 --> 00:05:31,870
in case people thought I went off somewhere.
142
00:05:33,350 --> 00:05:36,210
So on the left-hand side of the
143
00:05:36,210 --> 00:05:38,730
smile is when you first retire, and that's
144
00:05:38,730 --> 00:05:42,070
your highest level of spending typically, meaning I'm
145
00:05:42,070 --> 00:05:44,070
retired, I'm free, let's go.
146
00:05:44,430 --> 00:05:46,910
So we're buying a camper or we're going
147
00:05:46,910 --> 00:05:51,210
on a month cruise where whatever it is,
148
00:05:51,330 --> 00:05:53,850
people tend to have some spent up desires,
149
00:05:54,570 --> 00:05:56,130
which many costs money.
150
00:05:56,270 --> 00:05:57,590
Some things we do are free.
151
00:05:58,410 --> 00:06:01,390
I'm but some things cost money.
152
00:06:01,510 --> 00:06:02,750
So we spend a lot of money there.
153
00:06:02,850 --> 00:06:04,630
And then it gradually goes down as you
154
00:06:04,630 --> 00:06:05,790
get into your routine.
155
00:06:06,230 --> 00:06:11,030
Maybe you're spending time doing nonprofit work.
156
00:06:11,090 --> 00:06:12,590
Maybe you're volunteering here.
157
00:06:12,690 --> 00:06:15,450
Maybe you've taken up these recreational activities that
158
00:06:15,450 --> 00:06:17,630
are local to wherever you're living that don't
159
00:06:17,630 --> 00:06:18,610
cost a lot of money.
160
00:06:19,290 --> 00:06:22,430
And then as you get older, back to
161
00:06:22,430 --> 00:06:25,370
smile starts going up and expenses come in
162
00:06:25,370 --> 00:06:26,530
that you didn't have before.
163
00:06:28,010 --> 00:06:31,110
Typically healthcare related, maybe going to the doctor
164
00:06:31,110 --> 00:06:33,590
more, maybe need some help at home.
165
00:06:33,690 --> 00:06:35,070
Maybe you used to clean your house, but
166
00:06:35,070 --> 00:06:36,690
now you're like, that's too much for us
167
00:06:36,690 --> 00:06:36,950
now.
168
00:06:37,050 --> 00:06:39,210
We're going to have somebody come in and
169
00:06:39,210 --> 00:06:40,890
then maybe you need some home care or
170
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whatever the situation is.
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Maybe you need to remodel the bathroom because
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you don't want a tub anymore.
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And I think of that as I think
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of how much am I going to need
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in retirement?
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Not as a less, but a different, right?
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And starting out thinking I need 55 to
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80%.
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I just don't like it.
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I think if, because that when you tell
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people that, and then they do their, hopefully
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they're doing a budget before they retire.
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We want you to do that.
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And if they just take their current spending
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and say, okay, I only need 70%
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on average.
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Oh yeah.
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I can generate 70%.
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I think that's a restrictive type of retirement
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that they're planning for, and they may not
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be able to live the retirement life that
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they want.
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So to your point, I completely agree.
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If not, just change, meaning I haven't just
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paid off my mortgage.
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So my expenses are going to go down,
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right?
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Then yes.
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Okay.
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You take that off the top or we're
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downsizing.
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So our expenses are going to be less
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or on the flip side of that, we're
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buying a second home and we're going to
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be snowbirds.
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Well, that's more expenses, right?
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And second, or we have all these travel
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plans.
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So, these rules of thumb are interesting and
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people like to read them as just going
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through their phones, but they can be dangerous
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to think that people actually make a retirement
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plan based upon this generalized advice.
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And that's what I love about what we
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do.
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Russ, just spend a minute talking about how
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we actually go through individual circumstances when we're
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projecting retirement income for people.
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It's not just a formula.
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Yeah.
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So we run through a number of different
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analyses within a financial plan.
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So when we take your pre-retirement expenses
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and we say, all right, what are the
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goals for when that income stream is turned
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off?
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We put in all the goals that you
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have.
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Maybe it's like 5,000 a year for
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vacations.
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I want to make some gifts to grandchildren,
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whatever it might be.
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We separate those out as specific goals that
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can change over the years.
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Maybe you want to go on a vacation
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every year, but not until into your nineties.
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That might not be what you need to
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do.
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There's a base living expense that we plan
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for.
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And then on top of that, additional goals.
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And usually, as you mentioned in the retirement
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spending smile, there's a lot of good research
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that shows that that's how it works in
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reality.
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And when you first retire, you want to
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live that retirement dream and you want to
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go on those vacations.
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You want to do everything that you want
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to do with your family, all the free
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time you now have.
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So we can put that all into a
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simulated cashflow and then run it through a
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number of different models like the Monte Carlo
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simulation, where it takes a look at, all
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right, based on previous market conditions and a
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whole range, like a thousand different scenarios of
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what the market might do.
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It takes a look at how is that
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going to work given those goals, given those
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spending, those living expenses, how is that going
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to play out over time?
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If you live until your late eighties, early
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nineties, whatever it may be.
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And we can literally see what that window
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is going to look like.
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And do you have enough to cover that
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or not?
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Right.
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And it's a very thoughtful process and it
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brings up, because I think when people get
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their retirement vision and they start to do
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their own cashflow, they understand the normal bills.
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Even if they're paying off their mortgage before
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retirement, they get that, we're not going to
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have that $3,000 payment, whatever it is.
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And they get that, but things that are
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not recurring tend to be left out.
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And you talked about vacations and gifts and
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all that, but even other things that don't
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cross their mind, like they have a house,
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they say they're going to stay in the
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house and the house is 20 years old.
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Well, if you plan to live or hope
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to live another 25 or 30 years in
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retirement, you're going to need a new roof.
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You're going to need a new furnace.
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You're going to want to remodel something and
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things like that.
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The list is endless of what we talk
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to the clients about, and it's very individualized,
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but if those things aren't planned for that
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$30,000 new roof in 10 years, that
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will really change the likelihood of the success
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of that plan.
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Because there's a lot of things, new cars,
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how are you going to pay for that?
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I know that's when you do it with
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everybody, right?
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00:11:28,470 --> 00:11:29,790
So how much do you spend on a
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car?
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How many cars do you have?
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How, when are you going to get one?
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And so you put all that in and
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you really get an accurate picture, which we
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also, as we talked about, I think a
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week or two ago, you do an annual
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review and you look at the plan and
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update the plan, tweak the plan.
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And that's how you get a good model.
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You don't get a good model by saying,
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oh, I saw this Fidelity article.
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I can go with 55% because I'm
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a real frugal person.
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And then you're living in retirement and you're
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not living the retirement that you want.
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Yeah.
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And I think with the article as well,
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it's like 80% or whatever it might
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be, that might be the reality of how
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it plays out, but you don't want to
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plan for that.
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Because yeah, maybe there is that second house
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or that boat that costs a lot of
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money in retirement or whatever it is.
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80% of your living expenses now, it
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might be different after you retire.
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There are a lot of variables that you
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can't really anticipate.
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So just keeping that number consistent, I think
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there's a lot of value to that.
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Even if the reality is you might end
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up spending a little bit less, but let's
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have that buffer so that we know that
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we can cover it.
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Absolutely.
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All right.
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00:12:41,910 --> 00:12:45,570
So that's your first mailbag question.
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Let's shift over to a different kind of
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question about retirement.
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Maybe a little less positive.
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This one came from a 49 year old
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person and they say they have nothing saved
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for retirement.
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What should I do?
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And that's a big question.
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It is interesting though.
348
00:13:06,010 --> 00:13:08,030
I looked up some stats knowing that we
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were going to answer this question and it
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00:13:10,990 --> 00:13:13,270
says about 20% of Americans, 50 and
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00:13:13,270 --> 00:13:15,270
older have nothing saved for retirement.
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So that's one in five person.
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This data is from the AARP.
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00:13:20,870 --> 00:13:27,310
That's tough to think about being approaching 50
355
00:13:27,310 --> 00:13:29,610
or at 50 and have nothing for retirement.
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00:13:30,670 --> 00:13:33,790
The average, according to this 2024 study by
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00:13:33,790 --> 00:13:37,350
AARP is that most Americans on average will
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00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:39,010
need the equivalent of one and a half
359
00:13:39,010 --> 00:13:41,090
million dollars to be able to have a
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comfortable retirement.
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00:13:45,090 --> 00:13:48,790
We said this in another episode about saving
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for college.
363
00:13:50,370 --> 00:13:52,370
Do something is the first thing, right?
364
00:13:52,710 --> 00:13:58,710
So 49 years old, so you have perhaps
365
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another 20 years of retirement.
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00:14:00,430 --> 00:14:03,770
So you're not 70 saying you have nothing,
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00:14:03,930 --> 00:14:04,630
you're 49.
368
00:14:05,450 --> 00:14:07,870
So the first place to always look is
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00:14:07,870 --> 00:14:08,990
with your employer.
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00:14:10,550 --> 00:14:13,290
Because there may be some great advantages to
371
00:14:13,290 --> 00:14:14,510
matching options, right?
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00:14:14,510 --> 00:14:16,530
So if you're working, this 49 year old
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00:14:16,530 --> 00:14:20,610
person is working, investigate is there an employer
374
00:14:20,610 --> 00:14:21,030
plan?
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00:14:21,450 --> 00:14:23,910
If there is, find out the details and
376
00:14:23,910 --> 00:14:25,530
see if it's worth contributing.
377
00:14:25,530 --> 00:14:28,350
It's usually worth contributing if there's a match,
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00:14:28,350 --> 00:14:29,710
if the employer is matching.
379
00:14:31,470 --> 00:14:33,870
Secondly is I would say check with the
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00:14:33,870 --> 00:14:39,070
Social Security Administration to ensure that their information
381
00:14:39,070 --> 00:14:41,030
is accurate and to get an estimate of
382
00:14:41,030 --> 00:14:43,650
what your social security benefits will be at
383
00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:45,190
retirement age.
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00:14:46,650 --> 00:14:47,930
Hopefully you've been working.
385
00:14:48,170 --> 00:14:50,150
If you're 49, hopefully you've been working for
386
00:14:50,150 --> 00:14:52,370
25 years and you've been contributing to the
387
00:14:52,370 --> 00:14:53,970
social security system.
388
00:14:54,470 --> 00:14:55,870
And let's make sure that number is accurate
389
00:14:55,870 --> 00:14:57,730
and let's know what that number is.
390
00:14:57,870 --> 00:15:00,570
It's certainly not going to be enough to
391
00:15:00,570 --> 00:15:02,250
live the type of retirement you want.
392
00:15:03,910 --> 00:15:05,890
Next, I would want to know what your
393
00:15:05,890 --> 00:15:07,430
income is right now.
394
00:15:07,610 --> 00:15:10,210
And I would also want to know what
395
00:15:10,210 --> 00:15:12,190
your debt is, what your expenses are.
396
00:15:12,330 --> 00:15:13,150
Do you own a house?
397
00:15:13,310 --> 00:15:14,250
Is there a mortgage on it?
398
00:15:14,350 --> 00:15:16,570
I'd like to get two statements from you.
399
00:15:16,810 --> 00:15:18,870
Statements, I call them statements.
400
00:15:19,370 --> 00:15:21,730
They are statements, but it's not like some
401
00:15:21,730 --> 00:15:22,590
complicated thing.
402
00:15:22,690 --> 00:15:24,210
I would like to get two statements from
403
00:15:24,210 --> 00:15:24,450
you.
404
00:15:24,610 --> 00:15:25,330
One, a budget.
405
00:15:25,510 --> 00:15:28,110
I'd like to know what you're spending and
406
00:15:28,110 --> 00:15:31,270
what you're making, what you're spending, your cashflow
407
00:15:31,270 --> 00:15:32,830
statement, your budget, whatever you want.
408
00:15:33,550 --> 00:15:35,490
So we can see if there's any wiggle
409
00:15:35,490 --> 00:15:39,570
room in your spending, like are you spending
410
00:15:39,570 --> 00:15:41,550
on things that you really don't need?
411
00:15:41,770 --> 00:15:43,750
Are you in debt and need to get
412
00:15:43,750 --> 00:15:45,210
control of your debt management?
413
00:15:45,350 --> 00:15:47,110
Because how much debt you have at retirement,
414
00:15:47,290 --> 00:15:49,010
whether it be a mortgage or a consumer
415
00:15:49,010 --> 00:15:52,290
debt, is going to have a significant impact
416
00:15:52,290 --> 00:15:53,750
on if you can retire.
417
00:15:54,450 --> 00:15:55,970
So I'd want to see a cashflow statement.
418
00:15:56,870 --> 00:15:58,330
And I'd want to see, next I want
419
00:15:58,330 --> 00:15:59,430
to see your net worth statement.
420
00:15:59,430 --> 00:16:00,870
So what do you own?
421
00:16:01,370 --> 00:16:02,510
Do you have a house?
422
00:16:02,630 --> 00:16:04,630
This 49 year old who doesn't have any
423
00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:07,570
retirement savings, it's a real different analysis if
424
00:16:07,570 --> 00:16:11,850
he has a paid off home worth $700
425
00:16:11,850 --> 00:16:15,670
,000 or if he has a home worth
426
00:16:15,670 --> 00:16:17,990
$700,000 and owes a million dollars on
427
00:16:17,990 --> 00:16:21,130
it, or if he's in a rental situation.
428
00:16:21,410 --> 00:16:23,830
So that's not known in the question.
429
00:16:24,270 --> 00:16:25,670
So I want to know what you own
430
00:16:25,670 --> 00:16:28,530
and what you owe to see if you
431
00:16:28,530 --> 00:16:29,950
have a debt management problem.
432
00:16:31,070 --> 00:16:32,930
So that's where I want to start with
433
00:16:32,930 --> 00:16:33,530
this person.
434
00:16:33,770 --> 00:16:35,370
And then I want to get that person
435
00:16:35,370 --> 00:16:39,230
into contributing into assuming, let's assume that they
436
00:16:39,230 --> 00:16:40,090
have a work plan.
437
00:16:40,130 --> 00:16:42,150
I want to get them working to get
438
00:16:42,150 --> 00:16:43,890
that, help them get that set up.
439
00:16:44,310 --> 00:16:46,210
And then I want to find money in
440
00:16:46,210 --> 00:16:48,270
their budget to get them contributing the max
441
00:16:48,270 --> 00:16:53,210
to a Roth every year that they have
442
00:16:53,210 --> 00:16:54,590
left, another 20 years.
443
00:16:55,530 --> 00:16:58,230
And with that, back to the previous question,
444
00:16:58,290 --> 00:17:01,150
then you can go do your thing, Russ,
445
00:17:01,170 --> 00:17:03,250
and put all that into our software.
446
00:17:04,349 --> 00:17:04,510
Right.
447
00:17:04,790 --> 00:17:09,109
And then it's deciding if they decide that's
448
00:17:09,109 --> 00:17:11,290
the time to pay down the debts and
449
00:17:11,290 --> 00:17:13,490
really start saving in earnest, cut the expenses
450
00:17:13,490 --> 00:17:17,069
that they don't need, then it's like, all
451
00:17:17,069 --> 00:17:18,849
right, well, definitely let's save.
452
00:17:19,069 --> 00:17:20,990
But like a lot of people, I get
453
00:17:20,990 --> 00:17:23,250
the impression that a lot of people think,
454
00:17:23,430 --> 00:17:25,510
all right, saving means saving in cash or
455
00:17:25,510 --> 00:17:26,829
saving in a CD.
456
00:17:27,650 --> 00:17:29,430
If you're 49, you still have a pretty
457
00:17:29,430 --> 00:17:29,970
good runway.
458
00:17:30,730 --> 00:17:32,450
You're probably going to be working for quite
459
00:17:32,450 --> 00:17:34,310
a while if you haven't had any savings
460
00:17:34,310 --> 00:17:34,770
at all.
461
00:17:35,610 --> 00:17:37,650
So that's a pretty good runway to retirement.
462
00:17:38,410 --> 00:17:40,730
And in those instances, it would probably be
463
00:17:40,730 --> 00:17:43,610
prudent to look into investing in something that's
464
00:17:43,610 --> 00:17:45,390
going to have a slightly higher return.
465
00:17:46,090 --> 00:17:48,570
Even if you are somewhat risk averse, sometimes
466
00:17:48,570 --> 00:17:51,470
it's worth investing a little bit more in
467
00:17:51,470 --> 00:17:54,150
equities or in something with a little bit
468
00:17:54,150 --> 00:17:57,510
higher growth potential in order to make up
469
00:17:57,510 --> 00:17:59,590
the difference and to catch up a little
470
00:17:59,590 --> 00:17:59,830
bit.
471
00:18:00,530 --> 00:18:03,650
And 49, I think there's still enough time
472
00:18:03,650 --> 00:18:08,270
there to get invested, obviously not overly aggressively,
473
00:18:08,590 --> 00:18:10,910
but in order to make those funds grow
474
00:18:10,910 --> 00:18:12,350
as you start saving over time.
475
00:18:12,570 --> 00:18:14,970
Also making use of the catch-up contributions
476
00:18:14,970 --> 00:18:21,270
after 50 to really do everything you can
477
00:18:21,270 --> 00:18:24,170
to start really saving so you don't have
478
00:18:24,170 --> 00:18:26,770
to work for a very long time.
479
00:18:28,810 --> 00:18:31,850
And like you said, I think a lot
480
00:18:31,850 --> 00:18:34,850
of people in that scenario about to turn
481
00:18:34,850 --> 00:18:36,970
50 thinking, well, if I don't have a
482
00:18:36,970 --> 00:18:38,550
retirement now, I'm probably never going to have
483
00:18:38,550 --> 00:18:39,650
a retirement savings.
484
00:18:39,650 --> 00:18:41,770
And then they just don't bother.
485
00:18:42,290 --> 00:18:43,530
It's like, all right, I'll just live off
486
00:18:43,530 --> 00:18:46,150
of social security, or they think social security
487
00:18:46,150 --> 00:18:47,650
is going to be enough to cover what
488
00:18:47,650 --> 00:18:49,610
they need, not really knowing exactly how much
489
00:18:49,610 --> 00:18:52,210
it's going to provide each month.
490
00:18:52,750 --> 00:18:56,110
So definitely if there are people out there
491
00:18:56,110 --> 00:18:58,170
that are in their 40s and they think,
492
00:18:58,230 --> 00:19:00,810
well, I guess a retirement, a nest egg
493
00:19:00,810 --> 00:19:01,990
is just not going to happen for me.
494
00:19:02,230 --> 00:19:03,950
It's never too late to start.
495
00:19:03,950 --> 00:19:07,850
And just start saving and start investing.
496
00:19:08,390 --> 00:19:11,590
And it's amazing what compound growth can do.
497
00:19:12,290 --> 00:19:12,550
Absolutely.
498
00:19:12,930 --> 00:19:16,210
And if you don't have an advisor and
499
00:19:16,210 --> 00:19:19,010
you haven't had any experience in investing, it's
500
00:19:19,010 --> 00:19:21,350
definitely worth to talk to someone who's a
501
00:19:21,350 --> 00:19:21,930
fiduciary.
502
00:19:22,530 --> 00:19:24,410
A fiduciary is another word for having your
503
00:19:24,410 --> 00:19:25,470
best interest at heart.
504
00:19:26,330 --> 00:19:31,230
Sometimes when people are nervous about finances because
505
00:19:31,230 --> 00:19:33,170
they haven't had any experience with it, they
506
00:19:33,170 --> 00:19:36,170
end up, this is going to sound like
507
00:19:36,170 --> 00:19:36,930
a negative comment.
508
00:19:37,070 --> 00:19:39,190
It's not intended to be, but they end
509
00:19:39,190 --> 00:19:40,610
up at the wrong place for them.
510
00:19:42,750 --> 00:19:48,450
The word financial advisor is broadly used inappropriately,
511
00:19:48,530 --> 00:19:49,950
in my opinion, by some people.
512
00:19:50,370 --> 00:19:51,750
And you might end up with a salesman
513
00:19:51,750 --> 00:19:53,870
who's selling you a specific product, or maybe
514
00:19:53,870 --> 00:19:56,530
someone who's going to convince you that a
515
00:19:56,530 --> 00:19:58,350
certain type of life insurance is right for
516
00:19:58,350 --> 00:19:59,310
saving for retirement.
517
00:20:00,250 --> 00:20:03,010
So this is review for some of our
518
00:20:03,010 --> 00:20:05,190
listeners, but whoever you're working with, whoever you
519
00:20:05,190 --> 00:20:07,570
consider working with, I encourage you to ask
520
00:20:07,570 --> 00:20:08,710
these three questions.
521
00:20:08,790 --> 00:20:10,470
One, are you a fiduciary?
522
00:20:10,610 --> 00:20:12,950
And that's a legal and moral standard that
523
00:20:12,950 --> 00:20:15,870
the person that you're working with has to
524
00:20:15,870 --> 00:20:17,590
act in your best interest.
525
00:20:17,910 --> 00:20:20,410
Not what's paying them the biggest commission, not
526
00:20:20,410 --> 00:20:22,950
the product, the one product that they have
527
00:20:22,950 --> 00:20:24,390
that they sell to everybody and tell them
528
00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:25,410
why it's the best product.
529
00:20:25,930 --> 00:20:27,670
But are you a fiduciary?
530
00:20:27,870 --> 00:20:29,730
Are you obligated to that standard?
531
00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:31,470
If it's no, I say move on.
532
00:20:33,070 --> 00:20:35,850
The next question, so assume the person says,
533
00:20:35,950 --> 00:20:36,710
yes, I'm a fiduciary.
534
00:20:36,770 --> 00:20:38,810
The next question is, how are you compensated?
535
00:20:39,930 --> 00:20:43,430
Everyone who's providing you service, doctor, lawyer, financial
536
00:20:43,430 --> 00:20:48,650
advisor, auto mechanic, landscaper, they have to get
537
00:20:48,650 --> 00:20:49,010
paid.
538
00:20:49,170 --> 00:20:50,890
I mean, that's the model, right?
539
00:20:51,150 --> 00:20:52,750
So how are you paid?
540
00:20:52,890 --> 00:20:55,270
And if the person can't tell you within
541
00:20:55,270 --> 00:21:00,630
30 seconds, then maybe they're not the right
542
00:21:00,630 --> 00:21:01,310
person for you.
543
00:21:01,370 --> 00:21:04,290
If they're explaining some complicated formula or some
544
00:21:04,290 --> 00:21:06,890
way that they get residuals back from whatever
545
00:21:06,890 --> 00:21:09,890
they sell you, I would suggest that might
546
00:21:09,890 --> 00:21:11,330
not be the right person for you.
547
00:21:11,370 --> 00:21:13,770
They should be able to say, I get
548
00:21:13,770 --> 00:21:17,270
paid this percentage, I get paid this much
549
00:21:17,270 --> 00:21:19,710
an hour, whatever the situation is, something that
550
00:21:19,710 --> 00:21:22,630
you understand and you know what it is
551
00:21:22,630 --> 00:21:23,930
without question.
552
00:21:24,050 --> 00:21:25,510
So are you a fiduciary?
553
00:21:25,650 --> 00:21:26,690
How are you compensated?
554
00:21:27,170 --> 00:21:29,210
And the third thing I think you should
555
00:21:29,210 --> 00:21:31,950
ask anybody that you're working with is where
556
00:21:31,950 --> 00:21:36,410
will my investments, my money, my funds, my
557
00:21:36,410 --> 00:21:38,650
IRA, whatever it is, be held?
558
00:21:39,710 --> 00:21:41,830
And you want it held as a third
559
00:21:41,830 --> 00:21:42,210
party.
560
00:21:42,230 --> 00:21:44,570
The answer is whatever they tell you, but
561
00:21:44,570 --> 00:21:46,830
you want it held by someone other than
562
00:21:46,830 --> 00:21:47,430
the advisor.
563
00:21:47,630 --> 00:21:49,850
You want it at a third party custodian.
564
00:21:50,190 --> 00:21:53,150
So for example, if you worked with us,
565
00:21:54,470 --> 00:21:58,110
we are fiduciaries, we get charged a percentage
566
00:21:58,110 --> 00:22:00,170
of the assets that you have with us
567
00:22:00,170 --> 00:22:03,210
or by our, if it's a certain type
568
00:22:03,210 --> 00:22:05,610
of situation, most of its assets under management
569
00:22:05,610 --> 00:22:09,670
fee, and your assets are held at Schwab
570
00:22:09,670 --> 00:22:10,250
or Fidelity.
571
00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:12,350
Those are the two places that we use.
572
00:22:12,770 --> 00:22:15,650
And the third part I'm focusing on now
573
00:22:15,650 --> 00:22:19,310
is because if you aren't happy with us,
574
00:22:19,310 --> 00:22:22,210
if you aren't comfortable with the relationship, you
575
00:22:22,210 --> 00:22:23,770
don't even have to talk to us to
576
00:22:23,770 --> 00:22:24,610
break up with us.
577
00:22:24,730 --> 00:22:26,510
You can go to the third party, you
578
00:22:26,510 --> 00:22:29,610
can call Schwab and say, you know, my
579
00:22:29,610 --> 00:22:31,610
advisor isn't working out for me and its
580
00:22:31,610 --> 00:22:33,430
communication is broken down.
581
00:22:33,530 --> 00:22:35,830
So I just want to switch advisors or
582
00:22:35,830 --> 00:22:37,770
I want to go to someone else or
583
00:22:37,770 --> 00:22:39,730
I want to go to retail, whatever it
584
00:22:39,730 --> 00:22:40,050
is.
585
00:22:40,730 --> 00:22:42,470
And so it's important not to have to
586
00:22:42,470 --> 00:22:45,830
count on your advisor to make that decision.
587
00:22:45,890 --> 00:22:48,170
And it's also prudent that your advisor doesn't
588
00:22:48,170 --> 00:22:49,090
hold your cash.
589
00:22:49,270 --> 00:22:53,130
It's becoming more and more infrequent that advisors
590
00:22:53,130 --> 00:22:55,350
are holding investments by themselves.
591
00:22:56,110 --> 00:22:58,270
But just make sure that you, they're a
592
00:22:58,270 --> 00:22:59,930
fiduciary, you know how they're paid and the
593
00:22:59,930 --> 00:23:02,130
assets are held by a third party custodian.
594
00:23:02,910 --> 00:23:04,790
Yeah, we had a conversation with someone recently
595
00:23:04,790 --> 00:23:05,670
on that topic.
596
00:23:06,070 --> 00:23:08,190
Specifically, I think they had a family member
597
00:23:08,190 --> 00:23:11,270
that was unfortunately, you know, burned by a
598
00:23:11,270 --> 00:23:12,110
situation like that.
599
00:23:12,470 --> 00:23:13,550
I don't know if it was some kind
600
00:23:13,550 --> 00:23:15,790
of Ponzi scheme or something like that.
601
00:23:16,010 --> 00:23:19,250
But, you know, it's not even custody at
602
00:23:19,250 --> 00:23:23,730
Wealth Enhancement, which is our company, but it's
603
00:23:23,730 --> 00:23:26,610
custody at these, you know, very large national
604
00:23:26,610 --> 00:23:28,190
institutions.
605
00:23:28,190 --> 00:23:29,410
Fidelity has been around forever.
606
00:23:29,550 --> 00:23:30,550
Schwab has been around forever.
607
00:23:30,850 --> 00:23:33,150
And it's not, it's not held with the
608
00:23:33,150 --> 00:23:34,330
advisor ourselves.
609
00:23:34,650 --> 00:23:35,890
We were just managing.
610
00:23:36,470 --> 00:23:36,570
Yeah.
611
00:23:36,570 --> 00:23:40,890
And there's insurance to cover things for those
612
00:23:40,890 --> 00:23:41,970
third party custodians.
613
00:23:42,290 --> 00:23:46,230
So, you know, bigger point is if you're
614
00:23:46,230 --> 00:23:49,010
late to the party, you know, you know,
615
00:23:49,030 --> 00:23:50,990
you're behind, you know, you've just figured out
616
00:23:50,990 --> 00:23:53,650
retirement's coming and you haven't done anything, do
617
00:23:53,650 --> 00:23:54,090
something.
618
00:23:54,490 --> 00:23:56,830
And if you're looking for an advisor to
619
00:23:56,830 --> 00:23:58,750
help you walk through that, happy to talk
620
00:23:58,750 --> 00:23:59,050
to you.
621
00:23:59,790 --> 00:24:02,250
You can just call our office, 508-771
622
00:24:02,250 --> 00:24:03,110
-8900.
623
00:24:03,730 --> 00:24:04,730
And we'll be happy to give you a
624
00:24:04,730 --> 00:24:07,290
complimentary meeting to see where you're at and
625
00:24:07,290 --> 00:24:10,070
to offer some thoughts on best next steps.
626
00:24:12,070 --> 00:24:14,910
Digging way into this mailbag for this next
627
00:24:14,910 --> 00:24:15,470
question.
628
00:24:16,770 --> 00:24:18,250
I do need a sound effect.
629
00:24:18,850 --> 00:24:20,230
You need a bag or something.
630
00:24:20,410 --> 00:24:21,130
I need something.
631
00:24:21,930 --> 00:24:25,270
So, this is more common than I anticipated.
632
00:24:26,490 --> 00:24:28,910
I had run into this as a practicing
633
00:24:28,910 --> 00:24:31,590
attorney, but I think I'm running into it
634
00:24:31,590 --> 00:24:34,910
more with our financial advising clients.
635
00:24:36,290 --> 00:24:38,170
It has to do with estate planning and
636
00:24:38,170 --> 00:24:39,290
choosing an executor.
637
00:24:39,450 --> 00:24:41,950
So, this question comes from a client who
638
00:24:41,950 --> 00:24:43,250
said, I know that I need a will
639
00:24:43,250 --> 00:24:45,930
because we ask them during their annual reviews
640
00:24:45,930 --> 00:24:47,210
about their estate plan.
641
00:24:47,330 --> 00:24:50,310
And sometimes, you know, they say no and
642
00:24:50,310 --> 00:24:52,710
we encourage them and then six months go
643
00:24:52,710 --> 00:24:54,090
by and we're talking to them again and
644
00:24:54,090 --> 00:24:54,830
they haven't done it.
645
00:24:54,830 --> 00:24:56,470
And one of the reasons is they haven't
646
00:24:56,470 --> 00:24:58,350
done it is they don't know who to
647
00:24:58,350 --> 00:24:58,670
pick.
648
00:24:59,090 --> 00:25:00,910
So, this question is, I know that I
649
00:25:00,910 --> 00:25:03,030
need a will, estate plan, but don't know
650
00:25:03,030 --> 00:25:04,650
who in my family I should choose to
651
00:25:04,650 --> 00:25:05,630
take care of my estate.
652
00:25:06,450 --> 00:25:08,570
How can I decide who should be my
653
00:25:08,570 --> 00:25:12,490
personal representative, executor, healthcare proxy, power of attorney,
654
00:25:12,690 --> 00:25:16,090
you know, whatever, trustee, successor trustee, whatever the
655
00:25:16,090 --> 00:25:17,530
estate is calling for.
656
00:25:17,930 --> 00:25:23,450
How do they pick that person out of,
657
00:25:23,690 --> 00:25:27,930
you know, I think most families default, we're
658
00:25:27,930 --> 00:25:30,710
talking about a situation maybe with adult children
659
00:25:30,710 --> 00:25:32,710
involved, but it doesn't have to be.
660
00:25:34,150 --> 00:25:36,130
How do I pick a child?
661
00:25:36,550 --> 00:25:38,890
What if the, you know, we can go
662
00:25:38,890 --> 00:25:40,710
back in history and it's the oldest male
663
00:25:40,710 --> 00:25:41,510
child, right?
664
00:25:42,350 --> 00:25:44,730
Well, that's probably not a good place to
665
00:25:44,730 --> 00:25:45,050
start.
666
00:25:45,590 --> 00:25:47,550
You know, you should pick someone who you
667
00:25:47,550 --> 00:25:51,650
have complete confidence in is one interested in
668
00:25:51,650 --> 00:25:52,210
doing it.
669
00:25:52,650 --> 00:25:55,350
You know, see, I've seen estate plans.
670
00:25:55,450 --> 00:25:59,550
I had one client who did all the
671
00:25:59,550 --> 00:26:02,950
documents, gave the suggestions to them about how
672
00:26:02,950 --> 00:26:05,010
to talk to the family about it, offered
673
00:26:05,010 --> 00:26:06,270
them to come into the office.
674
00:26:06,390 --> 00:26:07,750
They didn't want to do it, meaning the
675
00:26:07,750 --> 00:26:10,490
creator of the estate plan.
676
00:26:11,310 --> 00:26:16,670
And they just never had the desire, courage,
677
00:26:16,750 --> 00:26:17,930
whatever, to talk to their family.
678
00:26:18,130 --> 00:26:21,490
And she ended up appointing the person that
679
00:26:21,490 --> 00:26:23,170
she thought was right, but never told her.
680
00:26:23,690 --> 00:26:25,990
And that person just didn't want to do
681
00:26:25,990 --> 00:26:26,430
it.
682
00:26:27,970 --> 00:26:32,090
So appoint someone who is interested in it
683
00:26:32,090 --> 00:26:33,350
and that you've talked about it.
684
00:26:33,390 --> 00:26:36,970
And you think that they are aligned with
685
00:26:36,970 --> 00:26:39,330
your ultimate estate planning goals and they have
686
00:26:39,330 --> 00:26:45,450
the time, capacity, and capacity meaning a couple
687
00:26:45,450 --> 00:26:47,950
different things like the time, but also meaning
688
00:26:47,950 --> 00:26:51,650
the cognitive intelligence and ability.
689
00:26:52,570 --> 00:26:53,710
It can get complicated.
690
00:26:54,950 --> 00:26:56,710
And then share with them.
691
00:26:57,130 --> 00:27:01,850
And also if there's other individuals who might
692
00:27:01,850 --> 00:27:04,890
have expected, you know, the oldest child thing
693
00:27:04,890 --> 00:27:07,770
that we kind of joked about, explain to
694
00:27:07,770 --> 00:27:11,130
them this is advice, not legal advice, that
695
00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:13,410
they're not the executor or who is the
696
00:27:13,410 --> 00:27:14,690
executor and why.
697
00:27:15,350 --> 00:27:18,270
That will avoid hurt feelings if you have
698
00:27:18,270 --> 00:27:18,830
a good reason.
699
00:27:20,210 --> 00:27:23,790
And it will avoid potential legal challenges to
700
00:27:23,790 --> 00:27:26,110
the document saying, you know, I was, mom
701
00:27:26,110 --> 00:27:27,410
told me I was going to be the
702
00:27:27,410 --> 00:27:27,950
executor.
703
00:27:28,070 --> 00:27:29,130
Mom told me I was going to get
704
00:27:29,130 --> 00:27:31,890
this inheritance or something was changed.
705
00:27:31,930 --> 00:27:33,510
You know, all these things that we see
706
00:27:33,510 --> 00:27:35,450
in TV movies actually do happen.
707
00:27:36,630 --> 00:27:39,790
So it's a difficult conversation.
708
00:27:40,790 --> 00:27:42,510
And I also want to make sure that
709
00:27:42,510 --> 00:27:45,830
you consider that it doesn't have to be
710
00:27:45,830 --> 00:27:46,610
a family member.
711
00:27:47,270 --> 00:27:51,730
And sometimes to avoid family strife or to,
712
00:27:51,850 --> 00:27:53,830
or in the best interest of your beneficiaries,
713
00:27:54,150 --> 00:27:56,490
maybe they're not, maybe it's not in their
714
00:27:56,490 --> 00:28:00,490
best interest to be the executor for whatever
715
00:28:00,490 --> 00:28:00,890
reason.
716
00:28:01,090 --> 00:28:01,830
Maybe they're not healthy.
717
00:28:02,150 --> 00:28:05,270
Maybe they're not, maybe they're not good in
718
00:28:05,270 --> 00:28:05,770
math.
719
00:28:06,070 --> 00:28:07,870
You know, maybe they're not good with details.
720
00:28:08,070 --> 00:28:09,910
Maybe they're just too busy with their career.
721
00:28:12,130 --> 00:28:13,970
You can pick someone, whoever you want.
722
00:28:15,330 --> 00:28:15,730
Yeah.
723
00:28:16,150 --> 00:28:16,410
Yeah.
724
00:28:16,810 --> 00:28:18,530
I know people who have chosen, you know,
725
00:28:18,590 --> 00:28:21,190
had a trusted friend be the executor of
726
00:28:21,190 --> 00:28:21,910
state.
727
00:28:22,250 --> 00:28:25,450
And, and it could, it could, you know,
728
00:28:25,470 --> 00:28:28,350
avoid some of those conflicts of interest that
729
00:28:28,350 --> 00:28:30,090
could pop up or, you know, some kind
730
00:28:30,090 --> 00:28:32,930
of animosity between family members.
731
00:28:33,710 --> 00:28:35,070
Of course, you don't want to see that,
732
00:28:35,110 --> 00:28:38,130
but definitely has to be someone you trust
733
00:28:38,130 --> 00:28:38,650
fully.
734
00:28:38,650 --> 00:28:40,290
And you, you know, it's going to have
735
00:28:40,290 --> 00:28:42,550
your best interest if you're no longer around.
736
00:28:42,670 --> 00:28:45,690
And it's a difficult decision, but definitely one
737
00:28:45,690 --> 00:28:47,910
that you want to have conversations about that
738
00:28:47,910 --> 00:28:49,070
you want to talk to people about it.
739
00:28:49,110 --> 00:28:50,390
It doesn't, you shouldn't have it be a
740
00:28:50,390 --> 00:28:50,710
secret.
741
00:28:51,570 --> 00:28:51,670
Right.
742
00:28:51,990 --> 00:28:53,630
It should not be a secret.
743
00:28:53,930 --> 00:28:54,070
Right.
744
00:28:54,290 --> 00:28:55,790
And you don't have to, you know, you
745
00:28:55,790 --> 00:28:57,830
don't, the advice isn't, you don't have to
746
00:28:57,830 --> 00:29:01,350
like get your three children and your grandchildren
747
00:29:01,350 --> 00:29:03,390
in the room and say, this is what
748
00:29:03,390 --> 00:29:03,810
you're getting.
749
00:29:03,890 --> 00:29:04,650
This is what you're getting.
750
00:29:04,770 --> 00:29:06,850
You can just explain to them that it's
751
00:29:06,850 --> 00:29:10,530
created an estate plan that Sally Jo is
752
00:29:10,530 --> 00:29:11,590
the executor.
753
00:29:11,610 --> 00:29:12,890
And this is my attorney.
754
00:29:12,890 --> 00:29:14,450
This is my financial advisor.
755
00:29:15,190 --> 00:29:16,510
And you're all in the will.
756
00:29:16,590 --> 00:29:17,450
We love you all.
757
00:29:17,650 --> 00:29:22,150
We chose Sally Jo because whatever, whatever the
758
00:29:22,150 --> 00:29:22,810
reason is.
759
00:29:23,010 --> 00:29:24,210
And, you know, I've talked to her about
760
00:29:24,210 --> 00:29:26,210
what we want to do and I want
761
00:29:26,210 --> 00:29:27,490
you all to get along and I want
762
00:29:27,490 --> 00:29:28,770
any strife about this.
763
00:29:29,430 --> 00:29:31,690
And, you know, just a simple meeting like
764
00:29:31,690 --> 00:29:34,610
that can really go a long way to
765
00:29:34,610 --> 00:29:38,170
preventing hurt feelings or legal challenges.
766
00:29:38,870 --> 00:29:41,110
And it's, it's just the best advice.
767
00:29:41,170 --> 00:29:43,450
And, you know, I, I listed off a
768
00:29:43,450 --> 00:29:45,610
bunch of documents there, a will, a trust
769
00:29:45,610 --> 00:29:48,850
that's determining where your stuff's going to go
770
00:29:48,850 --> 00:29:51,730
generally and how it's going to go delayed
771
00:29:51,730 --> 00:29:54,050
all at once over a period of years,
772
00:29:54,090 --> 00:29:54,950
whatever you decide.
773
00:29:55,610 --> 00:30:00,130
But a healthcare proxy is also important, which
774
00:30:00,130 --> 00:30:02,990
determines if you're not able to make your
775
00:30:02,990 --> 00:30:04,130
own medical decisions.
776
00:30:04,410 --> 00:30:06,650
It appoints someone to make those decisions for
777
00:30:06,650 --> 00:30:07,010
you.
778
00:30:08,390 --> 00:30:10,030
And you definitely need to talk to that
779
00:30:10,030 --> 00:30:10,390
person.
780
00:30:10,390 --> 00:30:12,930
I mean, you can have your wishes outlined
781
00:30:12,930 --> 00:30:15,690
in the documents, but it also helps to
782
00:30:15,690 --> 00:30:17,830
make sure that person understands them, agrees with
783
00:30:17,830 --> 00:30:18,130
them.
784
00:30:19,110 --> 00:30:21,190
People have different views about end of life
785
00:30:21,190 --> 00:30:23,390
and you want someone to be your advocate,
786
00:30:23,570 --> 00:30:27,150
not someone replacing their values for your values.
787
00:30:28,270 --> 00:30:31,150
And that, so that healthcare person doesn't have
788
00:30:31,150 --> 00:30:33,230
to be, the healthcare proxy doesn't have to
789
00:30:33,230 --> 00:30:35,230
be the same person as your executor to
790
00:30:35,230 --> 00:30:37,910
your will or your trustee, you know, someone
791
00:30:37,910 --> 00:30:41,130
in your family or a professional may have
792
00:30:41,130 --> 00:30:44,210
different strengths, right?
793
00:30:44,490 --> 00:30:46,030
You know, maybe someone in your family is
794
00:30:46,030 --> 00:30:47,890
a nurse and really understands all the healthcare
795
00:30:47,890 --> 00:30:51,310
stuff, the terminology, and someone else in your
796
00:30:51,310 --> 00:30:54,410
family is a lawyer or an accountant, or,
797
00:30:54,790 --> 00:30:57,110
you know, an engineer, someone who gets details
798
00:30:57,110 --> 00:30:59,030
and might do a great job being the
799
00:30:59,030 --> 00:30:59,810
executor.
800
00:30:59,890 --> 00:31:01,570
And then you have the power of attorney,
801
00:31:01,750 --> 00:31:04,090
which could be the same person as one
802
00:31:04,090 --> 00:31:05,910
of these or someone, someone different.
803
00:31:05,930 --> 00:31:09,110
And that document is designed for being able
804
00:31:09,110 --> 00:31:11,010
to handle your financial affairs.
805
00:31:11,730 --> 00:31:15,130
If you're not able to, if you have
806
00:31:15,130 --> 00:31:17,730
some cognitive challenges or you were injured somewhere
807
00:31:17,730 --> 00:31:20,530
or had some medical procedure that made you
808
00:31:20,530 --> 00:31:21,210
not available.
809
00:31:22,230 --> 00:31:24,630
And so that may be someone totally different,
810
00:31:24,710 --> 00:31:26,450
or that may be a professional.
811
00:31:28,070 --> 00:31:30,410
I would just kind of end my comments
812
00:31:30,410 --> 00:31:33,490
before you add yours is don't not create
813
00:31:33,490 --> 00:31:36,410
these documents because you don't have the perfect
814
00:31:36,410 --> 00:31:36,910
person.
815
00:31:37,710 --> 00:31:37,810
Yeah.
816
00:31:38,230 --> 00:31:39,650
Find the best person.
817
00:31:41,430 --> 00:31:45,210
And these documents, most of them can be
818
00:31:45,210 --> 00:31:49,090
altered, amended, redone, if something changes in life,
819
00:31:49,130 --> 00:31:50,730
and you have a different person you want
820
00:31:50,730 --> 00:31:51,110
to name.
821
00:31:52,170 --> 00:31:53,510
But it's important that you do.
822
00:31:53,590 --> 00:31:54,710
It's a gift to your family.
823
00:31:54,910 --> 00:31:56,350
And if you don't do these documents, and
824
00:31:56,350 --> 00:31:59,270
something happens to you, it can create a
825
00:31:59,270 --> 00:32:01,050
lot of strife in your family, which is
826
00:32:01,050 --> 00:32:06,450
usually the most compelling reason that people have
827
00:32:06,450 --> 00:32:07,230
these documents.
828
00:32:08,490 --> 00:32:09,310
Yeah, yeah.
829
00:32:09,470 --> 00:32:12,630
And I've definitely seen what can happen without
830
00:32:12,630 --> 00:32:15,250
a pre-planned estate.
831
00:32:16,870 --> 00:32:20,230
But to your point, I think finding someone
832
00:32:20,230 --> 00:32:22,590
with the strengths that align with whatever your,
833
00:32:22,790 --> 00:32:24,370
you know, whatever the needs might be, I
834
00:32:24,370 --> 00:32:25,550
think that's a great way to look at
835
00:32:25,550 --> 00:32:25,690
it.
836
00:32:25,690 --> 00:32:27,610
Like, all right, like I have one relative,
837
00:32:27,870 --> 00:32:29,310
like a niece or nephew who might be
838
00:32:29,310 --> 00:32:30,970
really good in the financial aspect, and one
839
00:32:30,970 --> 00:32:33,990
who's very organized, and I trust fully and
840
00:32:33,990 --> 00:32:35,830
another person that's works in the healthcare field
841
00:32:35,830 --> 00:32:38,750
or has experience going taking, you know, family
842
00:32:38,750 --> 00:32:40,150
members of the doctor, whatever it may be.
843
00:32:40,530 --> 00:32:43,350
I think playing to those strengths is definitely
844
00:32:43,350 --> 00:32:45,910
prudent and a good way to figure out
845
00:32:45,910 --> 00:32:47,410
who should be what, and it doesn't all
846
00:32:47,410 --> 00:32:48,310
have to be the same person.
847
00:32:48,390 --> 00:32:52,410
I think that's a probably under-realized point
848
00:32:52,410 --> 00:32:52,730
there.
849
00:32:53,610 --> 00:32:55,410
And to tell them about it, and to
850
00:32:55,410 --> 00:32:58,470
share that your reasoning with everyone, that's really
851
00:32:58,470 --> 00:33:00,450
not everyone, you know, but the people who
852
00:33:00,450 --> 00:33:01,070
need to know.
853
00:33:01,450 --> 00:33:01,670
Yeah.
854
00:33:01,910 --> 00:33:03,570
And we have some resources on that.
855
00:33:03,650 --> 00:33:06,230
We have a couple of handouts that we
856
00:33:06,230 --> 00:33:09,350
can email people, you know, no obligation, not
857
00:33:09,350 --> 00:33:12,610
just trying to help people take care of
858
00:33:12,610 --> 00:33:17,430
their their situations, and these are love letters.
859
00:33:17,690 --> 00:33:19,910
One's called a love letter, and then there's
860
00:33:19,910 --> 00:33:24,450
like an accounting of everything, like a worksheet
861
00:33:24,450 --> 00:33:25,990
so you can start the process.
862
00:33:26,530 --> 00:33:28,530
If you think these documents are helpful, let
863
00:33:28,530 --> 00:33:30,670
us know, and we're happy to pass them
864
00:33:30,670 --> 00:33:32,110
along to you to help your process.
865
00:33:33,050 --> 00:33:35,330
Russ, the mailbag is not empty, but we
866
00:33:35,330 --> 00:33:38,210
have run out of time, so we'll save
867
00:33:38,210 --> 00:33:40,950
the other questions that we plan to discuss
868
00:33:40,950 --> 00:33:43,530
for our next mailbag, and we really appreciate
869
00:33:43,530 --> 00:33:44,030
you listening.
870
00:33:44,550 --> 00:33:46,570
You have a lot of choices on podcasts
871
00:33:46,570 --> 00:33:48,950
and YouTube shows that you can watch.
872
00:33:49,990 --> 00:33:51,890
If you'd like our show, we'd love you
873
00:33:51,890 --> 00:33:53,730
to subscribe, give us a good rating.
874
00:33:53,850 --> 00:33:54,750
If you're going to give us a bad
875
00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:56,170
rating, then move on, please.
876
00:33:57,150 --> 00:33:59,150
But, you know, those likes, those shares to
877
00:33:59,150 --> 00:34:01,830
other people, the more that you do that
878
00:34:01,830 --> 00:34:03,790
for us, you are our marketing team.
879
00:34:04,230 --> 00:34:05,890
The more that you do that for us,
880
00:34:05,930 --> 00:34:08,949
the more people that we reach, and hopefully
881
00:34:08,949 --> 00:34:12,389
you agree with us that these episodes are
882
00:34:12,389 --> 00:34:14,590
helpful to your personal finances.
883
00:34:15,010 --> 00:34:16,909
So, Russ, thank you for joining me today.
884
00:34:16,989 --> 00:34:19,889
Great job, and thank you for listening.
885
00:34:20,010 --> 00:34:22,710
We sincerely appreciate it, and until next week,
886
00:34:23,210 --> 00:34:25,150
keep striving for something more.
887
00:34:26,250 --> 00:34:28,030
Thank you for listening to Something More with
888
00:34:28,030 --> 00:34:28,770
Chris Boyd.
889
00:34:29,090 --> 00:34:31,230
Call us for help, whether it's for financial
890
00:34:31,230 --> 00:34:35,130
planning or portfolio management, insurance concerns, or those
891
00:34:35,130 --> 00:34:37,170
quality of life issues that make the money
892
00:34:37,170 --> 00:34:38,270
matters matter.
893
00:34:38,630 --> 00:34:41,889
Whatever's on your mind, visit us at somethingmorewithchrisboyd
894
00:34:41,889 --> 00:34:45,110
.com, or call us toll-free at 866
895
00:34:45,110 --> 00:34:50,630
-771-8901, or send us your questions to
896
00:34:50,630 --> 00:34:54,590
amr-info at wealthenhancement.com.
897
00:34:54,989 --> 00:34:56,710
You're listening to Something More with Chris Boyd
898
00:34:56,710 --> 00:34:59,330
Financial Talk Show, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, and
899
00:34:59,330 --> 00:35:01,490
Jay Christopher Boyd provide investment advice on an
900
00:35:01,490 --> 00:35:03,030
individual basis to clients only.
901
00:35:03,030 --> 00:35:05,170
Proper advice depends on a complete analysis of
902
00:35:05,170 --> 00:35:06,370
all facts and circumstances.
903
00:35:06,690 --> 00:35:08,450
The information given on this program is general
904
00:35:08,450 --> 00:35:10,490
financial comments and cannot be relied upon as
905
00:35:10,490 --> 00:35:12,070
pertaining to your specific situation.
906
00:35:12,290 --> 00:35:14,250
Wealth Enhancement Group cannot guarantee that using the
907
00:35:14,250 --> 00:35:16,250
information from this show will generate profits or
908
00:35:16,250 --> 00:35:17,370
ensure freedom from loss.
909
00:35:17,570 --> 00:35:19,730
Listeners should consult their own financial advisors or
910
00:35:19,730 --> 00:35:21,830
conduct their own due diligence before making any
911
00:35:21,830 --> 00:35:22,590
financial decisions.