SML Planning Minute

Episode 317 – Be on the lookout. Internet scams are getting more sophisticated. Here are five ways to help protect yourself. Continue Reading Five Ways to Help Protect Yourself from Scams in 2025

Episode 315 – Can you write your own will simply by recording a video with your cell phone? Not so fast, a Montana court has ruled. In many cases, it needs to be in writing Continue Reading What Counts as a Will?

Episode 313 – It’s probably the last thing you want to think about if you’ve just lost your spouse. But no matter who you are, no matter what your situation, financial issues are always there, and no matter how difficult, you’re going to have to address them. Continue Reading Dealing with Grief and Your Finances at the Same Time

Episode 312 – Do you have enough money to be considered wealthy? A recent survey by Charles Schwab and Company has the answer. Continue Reading How Much Money Do You Need to be Considered Wealthy? – Revisited

Episode 311 – There is so much that younger generations can learn from their elders. Not just from the things they got right, but from the things they got wrong. A recent study by the TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies can help young people figure out some of the things they can do for their own future by avoiding the same mistakes. Continue Reading The Biggest Regrets People Have in Retirement, and Lessons for Future Generations

Episode 310 – When you get past a certain age, downsizing always seems to sound like a good idea. But is it really? What are the really important considerations you need to keep in mind? Continue Reading Go Beyond Financial Considerations when Deciding to Downsize

Episode 309 – According to a recent study, an astounding 36% of Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings, and 27% have no emergency savings at all. These sobering statistics spotlight a glaring hole in many Americans’ finances. If this is you, how do you start to climb out? Continue Reading One Third of People Have More Credit Card Debt Than Emergency Savings

Episode 308 – For many, many people, their home is their biggest asset. Can you use your home to fund a portion of your retirement? It’s not ideal, but here are five ideas you can try if you need to. Continue Reading 5 Ways to Use Home Equity as a Source for Retirement Income

Episode 307 – According to an estimate by Experian, the average American adult holds $6,501 in credit card debt. Is there a way out? Here are six things that you might want to try. Continue Reading Six Ideas on How to Manage Debt

Episode 304 – Even when you optimize your Social Security claiming strategy, there are still going to be problems that need fixing. Life insurance can be the perfect tool to address some of the shortcomings that Social Security creates. Continue Reading Connecting the Dots: Using Life Insurance With Social Security

Episode 303 – “Accelerated inheritance” is a new term for an old idea: giving assets to your kids while you’re still living, rather than waiting until you die. But does it work? Continue Reading Does It Make Sense to Give Money to Your Kids While You’re Still Living?

Episode 302 – Is divorce ever easy? Almost never. And the financial aspects can be especially tricky. Here are 9 thoughts that may help you weather the storm. Continue Reading Nine Thoughts on Divorce and Finance

Episode 300 – Anyone who has ever tried to call a large bank or medical practice knows one simple truth: It’s becoming increasingly difficult to talk to a real person. But that’s just what so many of us need. The case for interaction with a real people is especially important when it comes to life insurance. Continue Reading Why You Need a Real Person to Help With Your Life Insurance Needs

Episode 299 – The Secure Act and Secure 2.0 were both designed to assist people when it comes to saving for retirement. But as with any new law, the rules can be confusing, and some of the provisions are still being phased in. Continue Reading Important Retirement Savings Rules Changes You May Have Missed