Think
Retirement
Now.

We all enjoy making good money on our investments…. AND, We all would prefer relatively calm markets with no abrupt surprises, no disappointments, and no shocking draw-downs. But that is living in a dream world. Like it or not, we happen to be living at one of the most volatile times in history, with unprecedented economic forces at work    As an investor, you have a choice to make. Either you are going to take an old fashioned-one-size-fits-all approach to risking and growing money in the markets, or you are going to take a more pro-active stance–protecting your nest egg against loss,  and paying yourself LASTING retirement income.  What is needed in today’s uncertain times–especially for those of retirement age, is a purpose-driven approach your money.  If you find that your money is causing you stress, and you lack a deep sense of security, something is wrong. Today, we’ll talk about how to make it right–with a SMART well built financial plan…don’t miss today’s show, MASTERING MONEY  is on the air!!  

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As time goes on, Inherited IRAs are becoming more and prevalent. You may be receiving one yourself one day from a parent or sibling, or the day may come when you leave YOUR IRA to a child, brother, sister, or even a grandchild. Do you know how Inherited IRAs’ really work? Today on Mastering Money, we’ll continue our IRA Clinic, focusing today on the rules of the road for INHERITED IRAs, including techniques for doubling or even tripling your income from an Inherited IRA, fully in line with IRS rules! Then Fox Business Contributor Gary Kaltbaum joins us for the Q & A. This is a show you don’t want to miss…MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

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Medicaid is a health care program designed for the poor. That said, it is well known that poor health and long term care needs later in life by one or both spouses can lead to a couple actually BECOMING poor! This is why certain forms of planning are legally allowed to potentially help keep a family from financial devastation while receiving Medicaid long term care benefits. Today, we’ll review key details of Arizona’s Medicaid System, how it differs from MediCARE, and how to properly plan for it if you have parents faced with the issue. To help us, Phoenix Elder Law attorney Caleb Linn joins us for the Q & A. This is a fact filled show ou don’t want to miss. MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

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National-security experts and politicians have a message for America: A significant portion of the sensitive data we have today is going to be cracked by foreign powers in the not-too-distant future, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. So says Christopher Mims, reporting for the Wall Street Journal. The danger comes from an ultra-powerful and still-experimental technology called QUANTUM COMPUTING—which leverages the quantum properties of atoms to quickly compute problems that no conventional computer could crack. China has already launched the equivalent of a MANHATTAN PROJECT in quantum, spending up to fifteen times more annually than the United States on research and development. As an investor, especially one that is in or near retirement, it is important for you to know how technology could affect the economy and the markets in a sweeping way, and how to protect your wealth the smart way. MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

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Dividend Aristocrats are large-cap, blue-chip companies from many different industries that have all demonstrated a healthy balance between capital growth and dividend payouts. The S&P Dividend Aristocrats Index has outpaced the S&P 500 over the past decade. According to S&P, Dividend Aristocrats generated an annualized return of 16.6% over the past 10 years, topping the S & P’s 15.1% return. Dividend Aristocrats are companies that have raised dividends a minimum of 25 years. Today in the Market Intel segment, we’ll define the differences between Dividend Aristocrats, Champions, Contenders, Challengers, and Achievers–and reveal insights on the Black Diamond and BLUE Diamond Dividend Growth Portfolios. MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!

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Radio guru Dave Ramsey has come under fire of late as it has been learned that the financial advisors he refers his seven million listeners to– sell upfront loaded mutual funds! These front-loaded funds charge customers an upfront fee to pay a commission to the advisor, which is deducted directly from the investors principal–while guaranteeing nothing to the client in the way of principal protection or reliable retirement income. Mr. Ramsey is justifiably recognized for his work at helping young people get out of debt and pay off mortgages, but his RETIREMENT investing advice has been called into question by sources like Money Magazine. Today, we’ll provide a mini-course on mutual funds from front load to no-load, then Steve reviews five tips for building retirement wealth the SMART WAY. Mastering Money is on the air!!

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Nothing is a bargain in this world unless it serves a purpose and helps you achieve a goal.   Managing your own money to save a fee can work, but we all know the do-it-yourself approach seems to work BEST when markets are RISING! Rising markets tend to lift ALL boats.   As the saying goes, in a bull market, EVERYONE  is a genius!  But the real measure of how well your portfolio is being managed is not so much when markets are UP, but more when markets fall flat and then reverse. How do you KNOW if your money is in the right place? Well, lets put it this way. If you find yourself FEARING the next bear market rather than relishing the idea, your money is probably allocated poorly. Today, we’ll review the FOUR KEY QUESTIONS you should be asking yourself right now, and how to arrive at clear answers!  MASTERING MONEY  is on the air!!!

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Daily IQ Retirement Brief 7/16/25

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We sometimes wonder if it will always be there for us, but without Social Security,  half of all U.S. retirees would be in poverty, and without it, most people planning their retirements right now would have a huge adjustment to make! The Social Security trust fund is heading toward a zero balance in 2034, just fifteen short years from now. Today, we’ll answer several of the most asked questions on Social Security and provide insights on how to plan your social security. Then Medicare and Health insurance specialist Shelley Grandidge joins us for the Q & A. You don’t want to miss today’s show MASTERING MONEY is on the air!

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Remember When a Half Million or a Million dollars in a 401(k) Meant Your Money Worries Were Over? Once upon a time achieving the million dollar milestone meant you could install the hammock on the porch of your oceanfront property and get out the pina colada’s! Not so much today! In fact, statistics show that there over fourteen million households with a net worth of more than a million dollars and guess what their number one fear is?  Running out of money. Today, we’ll explain why the worry is not illogical or irrational.  The math is a bit more worrisome than Wall Street brokers might have you believe. Then Steve will lay out the steps of putting a firewall between your income and growth capital so that you can actually STOP WORRYING about running out. A great show today that you don’t want to miss…MASTERING MONEY is on the air!

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