KPC Smart Money artwork

KPC Smart Money

140 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago -

Each week, Karin and Kevin Christ will look at important issues about financial planning. They will use their experience as independent financial advisors to help leave you smarter and more informed about retirement.

Investing Business Management management market personalfinance safety security stock wealthmanagement advisor annuities annuity
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Episodes

Episode 40: New Year Tips

December 31, 2020 11:00 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MB

Many people become reflective as the New Year approaches.  We are going to talk about financial tips to implement before year end and how to position yourself for success in the New Year. 1)  Max out your 401k, 403b, 457, IRAs or other retirement contributions 2)  Pay attention to your deductions.  Pay expenses off early if it will put you over the standard deduction 3)  Harvest gains and losses from your stock market investments 4)  Set up a budget and review your investments

Episode 39: Financial Naughty or Nice List

December 24, 2020 11:00 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MB

If there was a Financial Santa Clause, would you be on his naughty or nice list this year?  We will ask some questions in this podcast so you can determine which list you are on.  And how you can make sure you are on the nice list for next year. Key takeaways: 1)  How aware are you of your savings, investments, and spending? 2)  How are you doing with debt?  Are you paying credit cards off monthly or making progress on paying down balances? 3)  Do you have an expense plan or do you b...

Episode 38: Lies People in Debt Tell Themselves

December 17, 2020 11:00 - 11 minutes - 15.8 MB

Most of us have had to get out of debt at some point in our lives.  There are valuable lessons to be learned in this process.  Have you heard or told yourself these "lies" when you are in debt? Key Takeaways: You CAN get out of debt You can still have fun without running up credit card debt Consider having just one debit card and one credit card, and pay off your credit card in full every month You will love the feeling of freedom instead of the dread of debt

Episode 37: Wisdom Series Part 10 - How to Approach Investing

December 10, 2020 11:00 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MB

We are all at different levels of understanding when it comes to how to invest in the stock market.  Today we will go over some basics you should know about.   Key Takeaways: Pay attention to fees When and how should you rebalance your investment accounts Hiring a professional advisor can be a good idea if you don't have the time or expertise to manage your stock market investments

Episode 36: Wisdom Series Part 9 - Preparing for Rainy Days

November 26, 2020 11:00 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MB

Wouldn't it be nice if we never had financial "rainy days"?  But realistically you will, so today we will talk about how to plan for them. Key Takeaways: 1)  Pay yourself first by making savings part of your monthly budget 2)  Keep your savings and checking in separate banks  3)  Open a high yield savings account at a virtual bank for better interest earnings 4)  Consider using a Credit Union

Episode 35: Wisdom Series Part 8 - How to get Properly Insured

November 19, 2020 11:00 - 11 minutes - 15.4 MB

What kinds of insurance should you have to help protect your assets and finances?  Today we will talk about types of insurance that are often overlooked. Key Takeaways: 1)  Get more life insurance than your company provides 2)  Even if you rent instead of own your home, get renters insurance 3)  Are umbrella policies a good idea

Episode 34: Wisdom Series Part 7 - How to Build and Track Your Credit

November 12, 2020 11:00 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MB

Your credit rating is an important part of your financial plan.  Do you know what factors affect your credit rating? How can you achieve an excellent credit rating? Key Takeaways: 1)  Review Your Report Regularly 2)  Only use 30% or less of your credit limit 3)  Take advantage of 0% financing

Episode 33: Wisdom Series Part 6 - How to Save Right for Retirement

November 05, 2020 11:00 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MB

When is the best time to start saving for your retirement?  And once you start, what ways are there to make the most of your retirement savings. Key Takeaways: 1)  Start saving NOW 2)  Resist the temptation to withdraw money from your retirement funds 3)  When you get a raise, give your retirement savings a raise also

Episode 32: Wisdom Series Part 5 - How to Shop Smart

October 29, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.8 MB

Ever feel like shopping can be detrimental to your budget?  This week we share some ideas to help you shop smarter.

Episode 31: SMART Goal Setting

October 22, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 16.3 MB

SMART is an acronym for effective goal setting.  Join us this week to find out how to successfully set goals that are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound.

Episode 30: Wisdom Series Part 4 - How to Amp Up Your Earning Potential

October 15, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MB

Are you looking for a higher paying job or looking for a pay increase at your current job?  We will talk about negotiating your salary, unemployment, and tips for asking for a raise.

Episode 29: Wisdom Series Part 3 - Keeping Debt at Bay

October 08, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 14.3 MB

Learn some simple tricks on how NOT to fall into the debt trap.  Use loans smartly from mortgages, credit cards to student debt.

Episode 28: Wisdom Series Part 2 - How to Get Money Motivated

October 01, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 16.4 MB

Do you have a hard time setting and keeping financial goals? The week we will share easy tips on how to get money motivated.

Episode 27: Wisdom Series Part 1 - Financial Basics

September 24, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 14.9 MB

Do you know the financial basics? What easy steps will help you budget like a pro?

Episode 26: Price vs Cost

September 17, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MB

Is there value in paying more for a product or service?  Could focusing on the lowest price cost you more in the end?

Episode 25: Surviving a Layoff

September 03, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 16.4 MB

What do you do if you have been laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic?  Don't panic and let us help you plan a successful outcome.

Episode 24: Beating Inflation

August 27, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.3 MB

In today's low interest rate environment, how can you beat inflation? Where else can you turn when savings accounts, CDs and bonds are not keeping up with inflation?

Episode 23: Gold & Silver - What's the Big Deal?

August 20, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.8 MB

Why has there been a sudden increase in precious metal values?Should I have part of my investment portfolio in gold or silver?

Episode 22: Investor Behavior & Portfolio Performance

August 06, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 18.2 MB

The concept of efficient markets rests on the belief that investors behave rationally.  The statistics show that often investors do NOT behave rationally.  So how do you overcome irrational emotions when investing?

Episode 21: Long-Term Care Solutions

July 30, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.8 MB

Assisted living costs average $5,000 per month nationwide, and nursing home costs average $7,000 per month.  What are the different ways you can plan for this expensive possibility?

Episode 20: 7 Thing to Try if You Regret Retiring

July 23, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.7 MB

Do you find you aren't completely satisfied with your retirement?  After working for 40+ years, many people need something during retirement to stay busy.

Episode 19: Budget Busters

July 16, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.6 MB

Today we are talking about ways your budget may be leaking money.  Do you have any of these "Budget Buster" expenses?

Episode 18: The Perils of Investing Mistakes

July 09, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.6 MB

Investing in the stock market can lead to emotional decisions.  These emotions range from fear to greed. Every investor should know their risk tolerance and follow a solid plan that will keep them from investing mistakes.

Episode 17: How Do You Choose a Good Advisor?

July 02, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MB

What should you look for when you have decided you need a financial/retirement advisor?  Choosing the right advisor for you will depend on what your needs and goals are. There are several criteria to look for in determining if an advisor is right for you.

Episode 16: What is Universal Life Insurance?

June 25, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.5 MB

There are differing opinions on whether term or permanent insurance should be part of a solid financial or retirement plan. We will discuss what these are, how they work, and who are they designed for.

Episode 15: 401k Basics

June 18, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.6 MB

What are the pros and cons of a company 401k?  On this podcast we will look at the basics of employer 401k's and address some of the confusion on how best to use a 401k to achieve your retirement goals.

Episode 14: What are Annuities?

June 11, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MB

When you hear the word annuities, do you have an emotional reaction based on information you may have heard or read?  There are many myths and misinformation surrounding the topic of annuities.  Today we will talk about different types of annuities, how they work, and hopefully give you useful information regarding whether an annuity would be helpful to you.

Episode 13: Different Types of Retirement Plans

June 04, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MB

Does your employer offer a Defined Contribution or Defined Benefit plan?  Listen today to find out what these are and how they work.  We will also talk about Traditional versus ROTH IRA's. 

Episode 12: Advisory Fees

May 28, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17.2 MB

Do you know what fees you are paying on your investments?  There are up front fees, hidden fees, administration fees, commissions, and other fees.  Sometimes fees are easy to identify, and others are hard.  Listen in today to find out what fees you may be paying.

Episode 11: The Psychological Phases of Retirement

May 21, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MB

Most people think of financial planning when they think of preparing for retirement. However, the psychological side of retirement is often overlooked.  When people aren't mentally prepared for retirement, the change can be harder than it needs to be.

Episode 10: The Price of Carrying Debt

May 14, 2020 10:00 - 14 minutes - 19.5 MB

Debt can be a killer to solid Financial and Retirement Planning.  Student loan debt can derail your financial planning.  We will share with you some alternatives to creating a successful career without the burden of large student loans.

Episode 9: Are You a Contentrovert?

May 07, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MB

Some people are experiencing a mental toll during COVID, and the focus is shifting from the physical illness to the emotional downsides.  There are some positive habits you can form now that you might not have done without this period of uncertainty.

Episode 8: The Best and Worst of COVID-19

April 30, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17.6 MB

It seems everyday we hear negative and conflicting information on the news, Facebook, family and friends.  However there are also many positive things happening during this unprecedented change.  This week we are sharing some positive thoughts and how to connect with others during this period of sheltering at home.

Episode 7: ROTH IRAs

April 23, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.5 MB

Is a ROTH IRA a good idea for you? It depends on your situation. Kevin and Karin outline the benefits of a ROTH IRA and how it's different from a traditional IRA.

Episode 6: The CARES Act

April 16, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 16.8 MB

Can you benefit from the newly passed CARES act? Kevin and Karin explain the details of the new legislation and how it could potentially affect retirement planning.

Episode 5: Wisdom Series - Confidence

April 09, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 13.9 MB

If I could tell my younger self something I know now that I didn't know then, it would be it doesn't matter what other people think of you.  Confidence in how you are and who you are becoming can insulate you from people that aren't thinking about what is truly best for you.  You only have one life to live so make it awesome.

Episode 4: Wisdom Series - Start Saving Sooner

April 02, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MB

If I could tell my younger self something I know now that I didn't know then, it would be to start saving sooner.  Developing a habit of consistent saving is more important than the amount.  So start saving now if you don't already.

Episode 3: Troubling Times

March 26, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.6 MB

What do you do when life throws you a curve ball?  When troubling times hit, you often have no control over the events, but you can control how you react to them.  You can choose not to panic and be positive instead.

Episode 2: Investing Basics

March 19, 2020 10:00 - 9 minutes - 12.6 MB

Know your risk profile What is your investment time horizon? What is the Rule of 100? And how do we utilize this rule of thumb?

Episode 1: Financial Basics

March 09, 2020 10:00 - 9 minutes - 13 MB

Pay yourself first Ways to help avoid debt Your emergency money doesn't need to be "dead" money