This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/45Kgy7H

Midyear Money Check-in: Financial Hygiene and Strategic Planning

In this episode of the Thoughts on Money Podcast, host Blaine Carver and guest Darren Lightfoot discuss the importance of a midyear financial check-in. They elaborate on various topics including the significance of reviewing New Year’s resolutions, optimizing cash reserves, examining insurance coverages, maximizing retirement contributions, efficient charitable giving, and evaluating private investments. They stress the importance of periodic reviews to ensure financial plans are on track and provide seven essential questions to guide listeners through a midyear money check-up.

00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts on Money Podcast

00:16 The Importance of Midyear Resolutions

04:17 Question 1: How Much Cash Do I Hold?

06:54 Question 2: Reviewing Insurance Coverage

10:06 Question 3: Maximizing Retirement Contributions

15:36 Question 4: Charitable Giving Strategies

21:52 Question 5: Preparing for Large Expenses

25:02 Question 6: Evaluating Monthly Subscriptions

29:51 Question 7: Considering Private Markets

33:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links mentioned in this episode:

• http://thoughtsonmoney.com
• http://thebahnsengroup.com

This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/4jYgcxO

In this episode of the 'Thoughts On Money' podcast, co-host Blaine Carver and guest Darren Lightfoot delve into the intricacies of Roth conversions and the potential tax traps associated with them. Blaine shares personal anecdotes and explains why Roth conversions, despite their popularity, require careful consideration of several factors that go beyond simple tax bracket comparisons. They discuss how adjustments in adjusted gross income (AGI) and modified AGI (MAGI) can affect various aspects such as Social Security taxation, Medicare premiums, capital gains taxes, and eligibility for tax credits. Key insights are provided on navigating these hidden pitfalls and the importance of consulting with financial professionals for tailored advice.

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:38 Beach Story and Weather Analogy 02:50 Introduction to Roth Conversions 04:34 Detailed Tax Traps in Roth Conversions 08:18 Impact on Social Security and Medicare 12:12 Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) 14:50 Dividends, Capital Gains, and Tax Credits 18:20 Final Thoughts and Advice 24:01 Podcast Conclusion and Disclaimers

Links mentioned in this episode:

• http://thoughtsonmoney.com
• http://thebahnsengroup.com

This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/4l4j6C2

Understanding Duration: Impact on Bond Investment Strategies

In this episode of the Thoughts on Money Podcast, Trevor Cummings and Blaine Carver delve into the concept of duration and its significance in bond investments. They discuss how duration affects bond prices in response to changes in interest rates and offer practical examples to illustrate. Additionally, they reflect on the different investment scenarios and strategies during 2020 and 2025, emphasizing the importance of adjusting investment strategies based on current interest rates and valuations. With insights on balancing risk and opportunity, the episode aims to make a traditionally complex and 'boring' financial topic more accessible and relevant.

00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts on Money Podcast

00:44 Understanding Duration: A Key Concept in Bonds

01:08 The Lemonade Stand Analogy

03:22 Duration and Interest Rates: A Deeper Dive

10:09 The Impact of COVID-19 on Bond Markets

13:13 The Urgency of Reallocating Bonds in 2020

18:08 Interest Rates and Bond Prices: A Changing Landscape

18:50 Understanding Duration and Leverage

20:14 Investment Strategies in a High-Rate Environment

24:32 The Importance of Historical Context in Investing

29:05 Practical Advice for Portfolio Management

35:59 Conclusion and Listener

Links mentioned in this episode:

• http://thoughtsonmoney.com
• http://thebahnsengroup.com