Get Smarter

My grandfather always told me, ‘If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.’ That is our business model.

The older you is not going to be the same as the younger you. Take my word for it. You want to have peace of mind. You're not going to want to have to call your broker every month when the economy is going crazy.

People know when they're looking for advice, they want a fiduciary. They want someone who's fee-only because they want someone who works only for them, not someone who sells insurance or sells mutual funds.

What I'm encouraging you to do is get rid of the politics - this is about your money, your family, your legacy. With money, whether you're in the stock market, bond market, annuity market, it should be a non-emotional, fact-based decision.

Chicken money, by definition, is money you cannot afford to lose, and as such, it belongs in things like short-term CDs, treasury bills.

We’ve been trained to go get a second opinion if we have a significant medical issue come up, but why in the world do we not get a second opinion if we’re getting ready to make a decision as significant as retirement.

The idea is simplicity. Be simple, be low-cost, be consistent, stay the course, be tax-efficient.

In retirement we're not trying to maximize returns, we're trying to minimize risks - ensure that I have enough income to last for the rest of my life.

These are investments to a degree, but most annuities are risk management tools. There are a few things you can do with risks: assume it, remove it, reduce it, or transfer it.

People are so focused on accumulating assets, which is relatively easy compared to the math you have to solve when you start drawing money out.

The best thing you can do is to make 'easy buttons' and a way to enjoy retirement where you're not stressed out all the time when the market goes down.

The majority of planning which feeds the mindset of this very uncertain world is always gonna default to denying today, and that’s not right because tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. You gotta be a good steward.

Retirement is not just an event, it’s a change in life. Think of the behavioral and emotional aspects of it, not just the money. But when it comes to money, keep these three things in mind: your social security, medicare, and your benefit pension plan.

Financial advisors should know all the tools available, and then, depending upon the client’s specific situation, feel comfortable and put in the right spot that's in their best interest and the right thing to do.

Would you give up all your money if it means that you’ll be happy for the rest of your life? Most people would say yes - that’s what we’re aiming for. Dollars are a means to an end.