Category: Uncategorized
Protecting Yourself from a Bank Collapse: Silicon Valley Case (Ep. 15)

Protecting Yourself from a Bank Collapse: Silicon Valley Case (Ep. 15)

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After the Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, a lot of people panicked and started doubting the stability of their own banks where they hold accounts.

What is the difference between investing in a bank and depositing in it? Are my deposits insured? What can I do if I fear that my bank will collapse?

In this episode, Josh Leonard addresses the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, what happened, and how it affected their clients and investors. He talks about how FDIC insurance works for our deposits, and what we can do to protect ourselves if our bank fails. Additionally, Josh explains high-yield savings accounts and how they give us good returns with our unused funds.

Josh discusses: 

  • The collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the factors leading to their failure
  • The difference between investing and depositing in a bank
  • How FDIC insurance can help protect your deposits
  • The importance of finding a diversified bank
  • High-yield savings accounts and some options for earning more interest on our unused money
  • And more!

Resources:

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Spring Cleaning! 10 Tips to Clean up your Finances (Ep. 14)

Spring Cleaning! 10 Tips to Clean up your Finances (Ep. 14)

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As the flowers bloom, the grass gets greener and our worries feel lighter, we know that spring is around the corner. You’re probably cleaning out your closets this spring or your garden beds but we’re going to talk about financial spring cleaning as this is a great time to get organized. It is a process of organizing your finances and reviewing your financial position. It can help find areas to save money, reduce expenses and improve your retirement.

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses 10 different ways you can clean up your finances to get ready for this season and easily transition, helping you feel confident in your portfolio. 

Josh discusses: 

  • How you can calculate and review your expenses 
  • Cleaning up debt and checking your credit report
  • How to approach that junk drawer we all dread going in to 
  • Optimizing your tax strategy to pay fewer taxes in retirement
  • Some strategies on how to operate inactive accounts from prior jobs or student accounts that are no longer in use
  • And more

Resources:

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Your Recession Survival Guide (Ep. 13)

Your Recession Survival Guide (Ep. 13)

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Have you been in a sticky situation where you needed to pay a large amount of money but did not have liquid assets on hand? With price increases on basic necessary items, it is time to start thinking smarter, not harder. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard outlines a number of saving strategies you can start incorporating into your daily life now, to combat the stressors that come with surviving the current recession. 

Josh discusses: 

  • Some key tips for saving your money while prices hike up
  • Rising along with interest rates – locking in higher retirement rates
  • The 10% rule you can use as a guide for all of your investments in your portfolio
  • And more

Resources:

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Income Planning: When The Paychecks Stop (Ep. 12)

Income Planning: When The Paychecks Stop (Ep. 12)

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What do YOU view as your most substantial asset that allows you to live the life you want to live on a daily basis?

In this episode, Josh Leonard talks about the road you have to follow once your paychecks stop coming in. Is your life going to run the same? How do you feel confident in your bank account when that number stops increasing? Where is all your money going to come from? Josh alleviates all of these stressors in detail.

Josh discusses: 

  • How life expectancy can determine the plan you create for your retirement
  • The ins and outs of pension planning
  • Some ways you can keep a consistent income source during retirement that does not limit you to a 9-5 job
  • And more

Resources:

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Secure Act 2.0: What does it mean for you? (Ep. 11)

Secure Act 2.0: What does it mean for you? (Ep. 11)

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The Secure Act 2.0 was signed into place on December 23, 2022.  This opens several new strategies you can dip into, in order to save for your retirement and/or fund important goals such as education. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses the number of changes this act has brought forward to us so that we can save more money more efficiently. Whether you are in the planning stage of your retirement or are looking into the future to understand how to further your savings, this episode will help you move forward. 

Josh discusses: 

  • What this act means for people under or over the age of 72
  • Changes in required minimum distributions and how the reduction penalty has lowered 
  • The increase in catch-up contribution amount for different plans
  • The ability to roll leftover 529 funds into a Roth IRA tax and penalty-free
  • How you can more effectively donate to charities of your choice
  • And more

Resources:

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Let’s Talk About Risk (Ep. 10)

Let’s Talk About Risk (Ep. 10)

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What is your biggest fear? Many times our fears don’t align with our biggest risks. Market risk has been on the top of everyone’s mind but that is not the only risk we need to worry about in retirement. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses what risks you should be wary of when preparing and in retirement. Due to the recent market activity, everyone’s been worried about the stock market, but that might not be the biggest risk you might be facing in your financial life.

Josh discusses: 

  • Common risks we might not be aware of in retirement
  • How current tax cuts will affect your portfolio in the next few years
  • Longevity risk and how that ties into your retirement plan
  • Mitigating market risks by diversifying
  • And more

Resources:

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Goal Setting for the New Year (And How to Stay Accountable) (Ep. 9)

Goal Setting for the New Year (And How to Stay Accountable) (Ep. 9)

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New year, new you… At least until around March.

Isn’t that always how it goes? Most of us set some goals but fall off the wagon not too long after. We get it.

In this episode, Josh Leonard talks about the challenges of staying accountable and on track with your New Year’s resolutions. He shares some tips and tricks for how to overcome these VERY common challenges.

Josh discusses: 

  • His New Year resolutions and how he plans to stay on track for achieving them
  • The SMART goals framework, how it works and why it works
  • The importance of staying accountable to achieve your goals
  • Some creative ways to make goal-setting a fun process
  • And more

Resources:

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Gifts of Financial Wisdom for Your Grandkids (Ep. 8)

Gifts of Financial Wisdom for Your Grandkids (Ep. 8)

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Looking for last-minute gift ideas for your Grandkids? Look no further! Although they might be looking for fun toys, it might be time to offer them the gift that keeps on giving; a solid financial foundation. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Bill Leonard, father and founder of the Leonard Advisory Group. As the holiday season is sneaking up on us, it might be time to start thinking about some non-traditional gifts you can offer your children. These gifts can aid in the stability of their financial future, whether that is opening a savings account for them or offering aid through goal setting. 

Josh and Bill discuss: 

  • Ways to incentivize savings accounts among younger children
  • Some out-of-the-box gift ideas you can offer your children or grandchildren that can help their financial future 
  • Some teachable moments that come from fun experiences
  • How to help your children understand the idea of savings 
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest:

William Leonard founded Leonard Advisory Group to fill in the gaps he saw when helping his mother plan for retirement. Bill focused much of his career on the insurance and annuity industry. As an independent advisor, he helped thousands of retirees and pre-retirees face the financial challenges that lie ahead with confidence. Since 1996, Bill has worked in a variety of capacities, gaining valuable experience with insurance. In 2007, he became an independent consultant, focusing on income protection and retirement planning. Bill was an honorary host of the “Protecting Your Profits” radio show on 94.5 3WS Pittsburgh and a weekly guest on the national broadcast “Financial Safari” radio show heard locally on NewsTalk 104.7 FM. He has also been featured on WISR 680 AM and WORD FM. In his free time, Bill enjoys traveling, boating, skiing, hiking, biking, restoring antique vehicles, and spending quality time with family, friends, and clients. He has been married to his wife, Cindy, for almost 40 years. They have three children: Zach, Josh, and Zoey, as well as a crazy border collie named Sweep. After over 25 years of assisting families transition into retirement Bill is excited to transition himself into retirement at the end of 2022.

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5 Hidden Year-End Tax Saving Strategies (Ep. 7)

5 Hidden Year-End Tax Saving Strategies (Ep. 7)

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2022 has been a challenging year, to say the least. From the war in Ukraine, inflation and elections to the downward shift in the market, there are a number of factors coming together, causing us to stress about our finances. Thankfully, the year is not over yet and we have a few effective strategies that might save you tax-free money. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses five hidden tax-saving opportunities you may want to take advantage of before year-end.  

Josh dives into: 

  • How to get more tax-free money
  • Making savvy retirement planning moves
  • Being charitable, skipping your RMD, or getting rid of some qualified money
  • Bundling up the deductions as you make big money moves
  • Maximizing the current tax discounts
  • And more

Resources:

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Leaving a Legacy Through Audio Memoirs with Daniel Powell (Ep. 6)

Leaving a Legacy Through Audio Memoirs with Daniel Powell (Ep. 6)

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Do you ever wonder about how people will think of you or remember you once you have passed away? Is it important for you to leave behind a story or personal anecdote that you feel defines your life? 

In this episode, Daniel Powell from Liminal Legacy Media is here to talk about legacy planning and the different ways you can create this legacy that can be shared for years to come. From creating an audio memoir to offering your family the expertise that you have perfected in your lifetime, it is time to start thinking about what you might want to leave behind for your family to remember you by. 

Daniel discusses: 

  • What an audio memoir entails and the value of capturing one as part of your total legacy plan
  • What a legacy plan looks like beyond just finances 
  • The ideal age to start recording audio memoirs
  • How you can leave a positive mark on your family through the years of experience you have to offer 
  • And more

Resources:

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Connect with Josh Leonard: 

About our Guest: 

Daniel Powell is an audio producer and storyteller based in Fort Collins, Colorado. He’s the founder and owner of Liminal Legacy Media, a business that partners with individuals entering their golden years. He works with his clients to capture their life stories, share their legacy with loved ones, and of course, preserve those tales for the life of generations to come.

What he does with a client is he works to create an immersive audio memoir focused on their life experience. The audio memoir is a documentary centered on their life experiences. These productions don’t just explain your story to loved ones, but it helps immerse them in your experience and gives you a unique firsthand insight into their lives.

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