Stacey shares the sad story of a client who put off setting up a trust.  Her health unexpectedly changed, and the next thing she knew, her relatives were in a courtroom getting control of her assets.  It's a cautionary tale for sure.

Michael and Stacey talk about the importance of a trust, especially if you have minor children.   And your trust does not have to be controlled by relative! You control who is in charge.

Finally, simply setting up the trust is not enough.  Many clients set up the trust, but never get around to moving their assets into it. And that can have disastrous consequences.  It's important to have a team of an attorney, trusted financial advisor, and more, to make sure everything is set up according to your wishes.

Stacey Andres and Michael Wallin have made the Life Arc Plan and Info Right process available to all listeners of our podcast.  To learn more, you can reach out to them at (855) 378-1806 or visit our website, https://artofwealthunbroken.com/

Today, Michael and Stacey talk about why it's so important to do this, and how to get started.  Mike shares a story of a client that made the mistake of thinking she had a plan in place.  

These conversations are very difficult to have, but coming up with a personal care plan is of the utmost importance.  Our hosts share some sobering statistics to back this up.

Facilitate a family meeting, perhaps with the help of professionals like Michael and Stacey. Then start working on real solutions to questions about future living arrangements.

If you'd like help with your financial future, and want to talk to Michael, Stacey, and the team at Optivise, you can visit our website at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.  They'll get you your free Arc of Life report, tailored to your own individual circumstances.

Often, an advisor's reaction is to tell the client that their plan is working, and not to worry.  But as we dig into the area of personal finance - that's often not helpful. The article advise to encourage a client to form new personal narratives, instead of addressing their stressors, can help them understand and implement new perspectives that make it easier for them to address challenging situations in different (and often more successful) ways.

There are steps that you, as an investor, can take right now.

1. Work with a financial professional that is more interested in listening that talking.
2. Be proactive in your financial plan.
3. Ask yourself narrative changing questions.  We can assist you this step.
4. Use resources, such as, Monte Carlo simulations or other technological tools that can run probability scenarios.
5. Expect the market to go through normal cycles.
6. Know the difference between diversification and allocation.
7. Measure and Monitor what matters.
8. Meet periodically with your financial professional to make changes when necessary.

If you'd like help with your financial future, and want to talk to Michael, Stacey, and the team at Optivise, you can visit our website at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.  They'll get you your free Arc of Life report, tailored to your own individual circumstances.
 

Stacey explains the growth potential in Buffered ETF's, that simultaneously offer downside protection. As Michael adds, it's a way to diversify your portfolio away from traditional stocks and bonds. It's also a nice alternative to panicking and leaving the market during times of volatility!

We talk about how Buffered ETF's would have fared historically, and why it's best to invest in one through a broker.

To find out how Michael and Stacey can created a Buffered ETF strategy tailored to your needs, or to receive your free Arc of Life Report, or to talk to Michael, Stacey, and the team at Optivise Advisory Services, give them a call at (855) 378-1806, or visit our website, https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

We'll tackle the pros and cons of

• Certificates of Deposit (CD's)
• Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGA's)
• Buffered ETF's / Buffered Notes

In our next episode we'll take a deeper dive into these Buffered ETF vehicles.

To receive your free Arc of Life Report, or to talk to Michael, Stacey, and the team at Optivise Advisory Services, give them a call at (855) 378-1806, or visit our website, https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Behavioral finance takes a look at how our psychology affects how we invest. Key to this is loss aversion - we feel twice as much pain losing $20 as we do pleasure finding $20!  A bad experience can significantly impact a person, a corporation, even a country's ability to take risks going forward.   And the market changes we're experiencing this year are coming on the heels of the volatility we experienced in COVID!

Michael explains that there are three parts of the brain that activate this "loss aversion" phenomenon.  And they relate to fear, anxiety/prediction, and disgust/avoidance.  It's not our fault we want to pull out of the market - we're just wired that way!

Stacey and Mike close by talking about the importance of working with a financial advisor who understands behavioral finance, and the need to put a plan in place that considers market volatility ahead of time.

To receive your free Arc of Life Report, or to talk to Michael, Stacey, and the team at Optivise Advisory Services, give them a call at (855) 378-1806, or visit our website, https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

82% of Americans say their values play a role in how they manage their finances.  But 68% of advisors don't know this!

Using their proprietary Info Right system, Stacey Andres, Michael Wallin, and the team at Optivise Advisory Services evaluate 10 pillars of planning, and how they interact with each other: Investment, retirement income, tax, social security, education, healthcare, personal care, charitable, legal, and wealth transfer.

To receive your free Arc of Life Report, with no obligation, visit Michael and Stacey online at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com or give them a call at 855 378 1806.

#1. Understanding what is essential and what is a luxury.  Said another way needs versus wants. These can be classified into discretionary vs non-discretionary expenses.

#2  An expense plan is needed is to understand the difference between inflationary and non-inflationary expenses.  This is captured also in our Life Arc Plan expense portal, which you can learn more about below.  People often panic over inflation, but it doesn't affect all expenses equally.  Your groceries and gas bills may go up, but your mortgage and electric generally stay the same.

#3 Know your future value expense budget.  Some advisors project a future budget based solely on uniform inflation.  But it might not be as hard as you think to meet a future budget when you realize not all expenses are at the same risk of inflation. So this may mean you can take less risk in your investments.  You won't be chasing the same returns,

Michael and Stacey can protect you and your family going forward.  They are making the Life Arc plan available to any of our podcast listeners.   To learn more or get in touch with Michael and Stacey, give them a call at (855) 378-1806 or visit them online at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

This is good advice for creating your financial plan, according to Michael Wallin.  Mike and Jag talk today about financial plans.  They should start with defining short, medium, and long term goals.  Tragically, too many people either start planning too late in life, don't have a direction to go in - or both!

With the Life Arc plan, Michael and Stacey Andres really get to know their clients, through 10 key areas - investment, social security, retirement income, wealth transfer, tax, healthcare, personal care, education, charitable, and estate planning.  It's important to understand how these areas can interact with each other, so that a plan can be created that's both quantitative AND qualitative, depending on the investor.

Once the plan is created, then it can be adjusted as necessary.

Michael and Stacey can protect you and your family going forward.  They are making the Life Arc plan available to any of our podcast listeners.   To learn more or get in touch with Michael and Stacey, give them a call at (855) 378-1806 or visit them online at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Over the life of the United States, we've come to rely more on tax revenue from our citizens and corporations, as opposed to tariff revenues on imported goods. And the government spends a lot of money - on social security, Medicare, Medicaid, our military, and more.  And much like our personal budgets, when you've got more money going out than coming in, something needs to change.  Either you need to bring in more money, or spend less.   And we're not spending less, regardless of which political party is in the White House or controls Congress.

Today's National Debt is $30.5 Trillion.   That averages out to $91.622 for every baby that's being born as you read these notes and listen to this podcast.   And with raising interest rates, that's going to be even more challenging.  So you need to come up with a personal financial plan that protects you against an uncertain future.  The Info Right Process focuses on six key areas of concern: income, investment, taxation, health care (long term and personal), charitable donations, and estate planning.  

This is where Michael and Stacey can come in to protect you and your family going forward.  They are making the Life Arc plan available to any of our podcast listeners.   To learn more or get in touch with Michael and Stacey, give them a call at (855) 378-1806 or visit them online at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

1. Financial Clarity
2. Self-Sufficiency
3. Breathing Room
4. Stability
5. Flexibility
6. Financial Independence
7. Abundant Wealth

The key to moving through each of these steps is a budget.  Knowing what it is, and what in it is going to change!  Inflation does not affect all things equally.  And if your advisor is inflating the amount of money you need to retire, because he or she is assuming inflation on everything, you should be questioning that.  The costs of some goods and services will not go up.  So why be so aggressive in your investments if you don't need to hit as high of a target?

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

Additionally, for our podcast listeners who visit the website, we are making the LifeArc plan free to you - with no obligation. This will help you get started on taking stock (no pun intended) of your overall financial picture.  Visit the website above.

Next, Stacey looks at the why. The market correction of 2022 has been all about higher rates, inflation, an exogenous geopolitical events and not about an economic or earnings slowdown – which may surprise some.

Once again, both Stacey and Michael caution against giving in to your emotions.  The key is to have a financial plan, separating your money out into short, medium, and long term, and allowing for market volatility.   With the money you won't need until longer term, there may be an opportunity to get into the market now when it's "on sale."  We'll explain what we mean by that.

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

Additionally, for our podcast listeners who visit the website, we are making the LifeArc plan free to you - with no obligation. This will help you get started on taking stock (no pun intended) of your overall financial picture.  Visit the website above.

A solid investment strategy, however, should already have market volatility built in to the plan.

Step 1: Begin with the end in mind and avoid unnecessary risk.

Step 2: Build your investment plan around your budget plan.

Step 3: Embrace Volatility.

Michael feels the markets are reacting as expected to all of the above issues.   But volatility is less scary when you have a plan that accounts for it.

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

Additionally, for our podcast listeners who visit the website, we are making the LifeArc plan free to you - with no obligation. This will help you get started on taking stock (no pun intended) of your overall financial picture.

Fear is a powerful emotion.  Michael Wallin equates market panic to the reaction the movie Jaws - when people were suddenly afraid to go to the beach.  When you look at the numbers of actual shark attacks, that fear was largely unfounded.  That same overreaction and panic often causes people to exit the market or make changes to their investments - which often results in "locking in a loss" and not giving your portfolio a chance to recover and grow.

Having a solid financial plan in place accounts for both market volatility and the resulting fear.

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

Additionally, for our podcast listeners who visit the website, we are making the LifeArc plan free to you - with no obligation. This will help you get started on taking stock (no pun intended) of your overall financial picture.

As mentioned in the 7 Habits of  Highly Effective People, you should begin with the end in mind. Think about how much money you're going to need to live in retirement.   Then, what expenses will you have in the short and medium terms?

Be more conservative in the first, or short-term bucket.  Market volatility like we've seen this year can wipe out that money without having sufficient time for it to recover.

The second, medium-term bucket can be more aggressive, but not too aggressive.  Think about things like home-repairs, new vehicles, expenses that may be a few years out.

You can be most aggressive (and growth-focused) in the third, long-term bucket.  That money has plenty of time to recover from market swings, and if planned well, can result in you having more money at the end of your retirement than in the beginning!

Stacey also briefly touches on a "two bucket strategy" - conservative and growth.  When the market is volatile, pull from the conservative bucket. When the market is doing well, pull from the growth.  Stacey and Jag explain why.

Want to know more, or have Stacey help you plan your financial future?

Visit our website: https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Or give Stacey a call at 855-378-1806.

This, living, breathing, document allows investors to input all of their financial information and helps Michael and Stacey work with them to formulate an overall, holistic financial plan.

1. Investor inputs data into LifeArcPlan
2. Initial Review with Michael and Stacey
3. Michael and Stacey Analyze the Information
4. A solution is created, from a 360-degree perspective
5. Meet with client to strategize and implement plan
6. Monitor and tweak the plan as goals and life circumstances change.

As Michael says, we live in a technology world, so why not use the best technology? He even shares a story of using the program to help a client decide on a car purchase.

Again, we are leaving our offer up for podcast listeners, on our website: https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/.

Or, to learn more, call Michael and Stacey at 855 378 1806.

Today we look at the InfoRight Process and the six pillars of financial planning - Investment, Tax, Income Planning, HealthCare, Wealth Transfer, and Estate Planning.  We also have a special offer for podcast listeners.   They can, for free, sign up for the LifeArc program, which allows you to input all of your information and get a projection about your financial future.

To take advantage of this plan, visit https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/  

You can also call Michael and Stacey at 855-378-1806.

First, we define inflation and talk about how it's measured.  Michael looks at what goods cost from 1972 to 2002 and now 2022.  And we talk about what all these numbers mean for you, as the listener.

Inflation doesn't affect everyone the same.  We talk about factors such as location, income level, socioeconomic status, and need.  For example. the high price of cars doesn't affect you if you're not buying a car.

Again, the three factors driving inflation are Money Supply, Supply and Demand, and Energy.  We take a look at where we stand in each of these areas and how current policies in Washington are affecting them.

Want to know more?  Visit our website: https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Or give us a call at 855-378-1806

In fact, if you want to see a visual representation of this, you can visit: https://usdebtclock.org/

As we stated last week, the government needs to find money, which means taxes are likely to go up.  And a large potential target for taxes is retirement accounts.

One major solution for investors is to put their money into tax advantaged, or tax free, accounts.  In these Roth accounts, you pay the taxes up front, and then they grow tax free.

Stacey runs through some different retirement scenarios in today's podcast.  Remember, any taxable income you take from retirement accounts creates an additional tax burden, including the chance that your social security income could also be taxed.

To learn more about tax advantaged accounts for your retirement, and how to best plan for a likely tax increase, you can reach Stacey Andres and Michael Wallin at https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

Or give them a call at 888-302-5559.

According to a 2000 survey (and these percentages are still true today):

• 16% of Americans won't reach age 65.
• 66% of Americans will reach 65 and have incomes below $20,000 per year.
• 14% of Americans will reach 65 and have incomes over $30,000 per year
• Only 4% of Americans will have incomes over $50,000 per year in retirement.

Obviously we all want to be in that 4%.  A major factor in this can be retirement planning, especially tax planning.

Former comptroller of the United States, David Walker said a decade ago on our current fiscal path, the United States could be heading toward bankruptcy, unless future tax rates doubled.    By 2020, 88% of US Revenue went to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest on our debt.   At the same time, Americans had over $25 TRILLION in retirement assets.  So it stands to reason that taxes on that money will go up.

Next week, we'll discuss further how to solve this problem.

If you need help putting together a financial plan - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

1. Not having a plan
2. Quitting their job too early
3. Not investing with a purpose

We discuss each of these points, and our hosts also explain the Life Art plan that they use.  It uses hard numbers to determine our investors' ideal rate of return for a successful retirement.

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

Investors often earn returns below what the market brings in.  When Stacey Andres was  teaching stock trading, it's something he ran into frequently.   We used to call it "fear and greed," but now folks call it "behavioral finance."   Essentially, the average investor is so afraid of losing money, that they often overreact to market volatility.

Michael Wallin cites a Dalbar study further showing the disparity between market returns and investor returns.  Investors often perceive a loss of money when the market is down, but the money isn't actually lost until you sell the security!  Recency bias often comes into play -with the belief that a down market will continue to fall, or that an up market will continue to rise.

This often leads to trailing the market by one or two percentage points a year. That may not seem like much, but it can compound over time. Stacey and his calculator show us how this turns into real money.

Our article from the balance talks about 4 ways to avoid these usual pitfalls.

Do nothing

Know that your money is like a bar of soap - the more you touch it, the less you have!

Never sell equities in a down market

Trust that the science works.

If you need help putting together a financial plan - so you can stick to it - feel free to reach out to Michael and Stacey.  You can find them on our website - artofwealthunbroken.com.  Or give them a call at 855-378-1806.

• Money Supply, including a historical perspective
• Supply and Demand, including our global supply chain
• Energy - oil is used for more than just gasoline!
• Workforce Resistance - this is a new idea - what does it mean?

For more resources and to reach our hosts, visit our website: https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

"Is your ladder leaning against the wrong wall?"

"I want to steward the much as much as I steward the little."

“Immature people only see things from their point of view.  Lordship issues are resolved when I manage it for Him.”

Throughout today's episode, Michael and Stacey will explain their philosophy as advisors, and how they can help you with your financial future.

To learn more, visit our website: https://www.artofwealthunbroken.com/

1. Offense versus Defense

2. Have a Rules-Based Plan of Action.

3. When a contraction in the market happens, what should you consider to seize the moment?

4. In the spirit of the Olympics and the great Wayne Gretsky, skate to where the puck is going to be.

5.  Work with an experienced professional, preferably one that offers a team of seasoned professionals to build an investment, retirement income, healthcare, tax, and estate plan.

To reach the team at Optivise for help with your financial future, give them a call at 888-302-5559.

Michael has been doing this since 1994.  Even back then, he saw people making very costly financial mistakes, often ones they couldn't recover from.  This can be someone latching on to something they read or viewed, or just having bad assumptions.  For example, not understanding tax brackets, or a full 360 degree view of how one financial decision can impact your whole world.  He gives the example of someone who wanted to convert their retirement account into a Roth account, regardless of tax implications.  Without realizing it, he really hurt his own son.   Michael explains.

Stacey, meanwhile, was teaching students how to operate in the stock market.  But these students weren't grade schoolers. They were retirees who were looking for ways out of poor financial decisions they had made.

Both Michael Wallin and Stacey Andres want to use this podcast as a way to communicate important financial information so that you can make informed, critical decisions with your money - and leave your wealth unbroken.

Stacey, Michael, and the Optivise team have software they use to help you understand your individual needs and situation. They are making it available to podcast listeners for free (a $1000 value).   Simply call 888-302-5559.

Bs sure not to miss an episode of The Art of Wealth Unbroken. Follow the podcast in Apple, Spotify, or wherever you're listening right now.