Tag: Financial Advisor
5 Key Tax Opportunities to Capture Before Year-End! (Ep. 77)

5 Key Tax Opportunities to Capture Before Year-End! (Ep. 77)

By |

Are you making the most of your year-end tax planning? 

In this episode, Josh Leonard dives into effective year-end tax planning strategies to maximize your savings. Prepare for an insightful discussion on Roth conversions, tax loss harvesting, and charitable giving. 

Learn how to navigate potential tax pitfalls and make informed financial decisions before the calendar flips to a new year.

Josh covers:

  • Roth conversions and their tax advantages
  • Tax loss harvesting to offset gains
  • Charitable giving strategies, including QCDs and donor-advised funds
  • Maximizing deductions for medical expenses
  • Adjusting withholding for accurate tax planning
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Overcoming Retirement Fears During Election Season (Ep. 70)

Overcoming Retirement Fears During Election Season (Ep. 70)

By |

Election seasons often bring a wave of anxiety, especially for those nearing retirement.

How do you prepare for potential economic shifts without succumbing to fear? How can you ensure your retirement plan remains robust regardless of political outcomes?

In this episode of Relax, It’s Retirement, Josh Leonard explores how the election results could potentially affect your financial future, and why most fears may be overblown. 

Discover practical strategies for setting yourself up to navigate market uncertainties, just in time for the upcoming elections.

Josh discusses: 

  • The real impact of election outcomes on the stock market and your retirement
  • How to manage fears related to market unpredictability by maintaining a diversified portfolio
  • Practical advice on keeping an appropriate emergency fund and navigating the three-bucket strategy
  • Insights on long-term financial planning despite the political climate
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Is Your End-of-Year Financial Checklist Ready? (Ep. 29)

Is Your End-of-Year Financial Checklist Ready? (Ep. 29)

By |

The end of the year is the perfect time to take stock of your personal finances and make any adjustments that need to be made. 

From catching up on retirement contributions to making charitable donations, you have a bit of time left to get everything in order before 2024. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard explores end-of-year financial planning. He dives into assessing asset and debt issues, understanding tax implications, maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts, and more. Josh also explains the benefits of gifting money to avoid estate taxes and the importance of financial aid planning for children or grandchildren attending college.

Josh discusses: 

  • The need to look at taxable investment accounts and making end-of-year moves
  • The importance of taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) for individuals turning 73 this year
  • Tax planning strategies
  • The importance of maximizing contributions to accounts like HSAs and 401(k)s by the end of the year
  • The need to review insurance plans during open enrollment and update estate documents in light of any family changes or additions
  • The importance of considering financial aid planning strategies for college-bound kids
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Meet the Newest Member of Our Team: Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 27)

Meet the Newest Member of Our Team: Pete Belcastro, CFP® (Ep. 27)

By |

Get to know another puzzle piece that intertwines perfectly in the Leonard Advisory Group’s growing team…

In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Pete Belcastro, Financial Planning Consultant at Leonard Advisory Group. Pete shares his journey from cold calling to becoming an investment banker and then a Certified Financial Planner. Pete also discusses his passion for outdoor activities and his dedication to community service. 

Josh and Pete chat about: 

  • Pete’s personal background, including being a Pittsburgh native and a sports fan
  • Pete’s career journey into the world of financial planning and investments
  • The importance of comprehensive financial planning
  • His other certified hat: a father and husband
  • His involvement in the Reading is Fundamental program, which promotes literacy among elementary school students in Pittsburgh
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Pete Belcastro: 

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

About our Guest: 

Pete is a seasoned Financial Planning professional with over 15 years of diverse experience in financial, business, sales, and marketing domains. Presently, Pete serves as a financial planner, specializing in helping clients make decisions that align with their current and future financial requirements. His extensive career includes roles as an independent advisor, a registered assistant, and a licensed banker, providing him with a broad spectrum of financial expertise.

Pete’s belief in the value of a multifaceted background is rooted in his conviction that it enables him to offer clients a distinctive and ultimately more effective perspective when it comes to future planning and goal setting. He firmly believes that a comprehensive understanding, not just of financial matters but also of clients and their individual needs and desires, is the cornerstone of a robust financial plan. This holistic approach underscores his commitment to delivering the strongest financial solutions for his clients.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Can You Harvest the “Fruit” of Volatility? (Ep. 26)

Can You Harvest the “Fruit” of Volatility? (Ep. 26)

By |

Discover the secrets of wealth mastery as we unveil strategies that will work for you no matter what your portfolio looks like. 

In this episode, Josh unravels essential strategies for navigating uncertain financial landscapes, drawing insights from the practices of the ultra-wealthy and astute investors. Starting with the importance of diversifying a portfolio to mitigate market fluctuations, exploring options like fixed income and advanced strategies. We then delve into the concept of “dry powder” and how it empowers investors to seize opportunities without unnecessary trading. Advanced tax planning steps are also unveiled, offering potential avenues to maximize tax advantages. 

Josh discusses: 

  • Three hidden opportunities to take advantage of and two costly mistakes to avoid when the market is volatile
  • Essential questions to ask yourself in the process
  • The importance of partnering with knowledgeable financial professionals as trusted resources due to the current online climate 
  • Finding advanced tax strategies for wealth preservation
  • Importance of caution with investment trends and social media Influencers
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Empowering Families in Need: The Story of Christopher’s Kitchen (Ep. 25)

Empowering Families in Need: The Story of Christopher’s Kitchen (Ep. 25)

By |

When you’re in the hospital, the last thing you want to worry about is where your next meal is coming from. That’s the philosophy Christopher’s Kitchen bloomed from. 

In this episode, Josh Leonard is joined by Leonard Advisory Group’s very own client and good friend, Carol Hesz. As an ambassador for Christopher’s Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides food to families with children in the hospital, Carol shares how she got involved with the organization and her role in organizing food drives and fundraising events. She offers her experience with the need for access to food 24/7 in hospitals and how Christopher’s Kitchen fills that need. Carol shares heartwarming stories of how the organization has helped individual families and talks about the annual events they host. 

Carol discusses: 

  • The story of how Christopher’s Kitchen started
  • Aspects that Christopher’s Kitchen helps with such as access to food, saving money on eating out, and saving time
  • Services provided by Christopher’s Kitchen to families in need
  • What to expect at the annual Christopher’s Kitchen event including previous costume winners and the creativity of attendees 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
How to Choose the Best Place to Retire (Ep. 24)

How to Choose the Best Place to Retire (Ep. 24)

By |

Are you questioning whether you want to retire in your home state or venture into a different area during your golden years? 

Josh Leonard explores the topic of the best places to retire, depending on an individual’s savings and personal preferences. He explains the important factors to consider when making the decision to relocate such as thinking about the taxes, the cost of living, the proximity to family and friends and more.

In this episode, Josh covers: 

  • How to research the cost of living for the place you desire to relocate to
  • Getting to know the climate or seasonal changes in certain retirement locations
  • Considering the travel time to visit your loved ones, especially any kids or grandkids in your family
  • Looking for areas where it’s not going to be difficult to stay active and make new friends 
  • Thinking about healthcare needs before making a move in retirement
  • Considerations for living overseas in retirement
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Are You Thinking About Un-Retiring? (Ep. 21)

Are You Thinking About Un-Retiring? (Ep. 21)

By |

Retirement just isn’t what it used to be.  

In this episode, Josh Leonard discusses the concept of “unretirement” and finding a mission in the next phase of life. They challenge the conventional understanding of retirement, discussing the potential pitfalls, tax implications, and the emotional aspects of stepping away from a lifelong career.

Josh unpacks:

  • The future of retirement and how individuals are seeking purpose beyond the paycheck
  • Caution against claiming social security too early due to potential repayments
  • Reasons why individuals return to the workforce post-retirement
  • The emotional aspects of work: finding a mission, purpose, and social connection
  • How work can serve as a gateway to community involvement
  • Tax implications of relocating during retirement
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals (Ep. 20)

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals (Ep. 20)

By |

We’ve got our very own IRONMAN 70.3 Steelhead accomplisher in the studio! 

In this episode, Josh Leonard shares his experience completing a half ironman race. Despite facing thunderstorms and a delayed start, Josh was able to swim comfortably and exceed his expectations on the bike leg. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you’re good at and enjoy, both in the race and in retirement. Despite setbacks, including a shelter-in-place order, Josh remained determined to complete the race.

Josh discusses: 

  • The key takeaways from his training
  • Reflections on the value of accepting unexpected challenges
  • The importance of the loving support he received from his wife and the community around him
  • The importance of setting goals and staying motivated
  • How this relates to achieving the goals that you set for yourself in retirement
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Money Meets Machine: The Impact of AI in Financial Services (Ep. 16)

Money Meets Machine: The Impact of AI in Financial Services (Ep. 16)

By |

In a world where AI is slowly taking over our everyday lives, it is important to understand what exactly this technology is and how it may be beneficial to a number of different aspects of your life. 

In this episode, Josh discusses new AI ventures such as Chat GPT and how some of our everyday devices may not be so far from it. He shares the different ways this technology could be leveraged to serve our clients better.

Josh discusses: 

  • Some benefits AI might bring to your job and everyday life
  • The number of different AI vehicles you might not realize you are using on a day-to-day basis 
  • Ways we see it impacting the financial services industry 
  • How AI can be used to assist in data analysis and decision making
  • The benefits of using AI to personalize and enhance customer experience
  • The future of what these technologies could mean for us in a number of facets 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More