Your Life Simplified: A Financial & Wealth Management Podcast
143 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 54 ratingsYour wealth plan shouldn’t sit still. Neither do we. That’s why our advisors have access to an in-house team for all things wealth management. Because when advisors have access to a more collaborative approach, you get access to more sophisticated solutions.
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Episodes
How Parents Can Teach Teens About Investing
April 18, 2024 12:00 - 16 minutes - 39 MBWant to teach your child about investing? It can be difficult to know where to start and even how to answer their questions. Hosts Michael MacKelvie and Valerie Escobar share their advice for parents looking to teach their child or teen about investing including compounding interest, investment accounts, retirement plans and more
Why Working With a Wealth Advisor Is Important
April 04, 2024 12:00 - 18 minutes - 43.3 MBIt's not just about the numbers. There is value beyond the data that a wealth advisor can offer. They work to solve complex challenges and guide people during transitions. Hosts Michael MacKelvie and Valerie Escobar share their perspectives on the field before getting into wealth management and what they've learned since.
Why Working With an Advisor is Important
April 04, 2024 12:00 - 18 minutes - 43.3 MBIt's not just about the numbers. There is value beyond the data that a wealth advisor can offer. They work to solve complex challenges and guide people during transitions. Hosts Michael MacKelvie and Valerie Escobar share their perspectives on the field before getting into wealth management and what they've learned since.
Tax Implications of Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s
March 15, 2024 00:00 - 16 minutes - 40.9 MBIRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s are among the very basics of building a financial plan, and they apply to just about everybody. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Jodi Robinson, vice president of tax services. They discuss the differences between Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, required minimum distributions and Roth conversions.
Estate Planning: Protect Your Legacy & Avoid These Mistakes
February 29, 2024 13:00 - 17 minutes - 41.6 MBNo one likes planning their mortality, but this is not time made but time spent. The challenges and financial strain without proper planning can, unfortunately, leave a stain on someone’s legacy. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by Michelle Cross, senior wealth advisor. They discuss ways to avoid estate planning challenges and give you a guide to help throughout the process.
Non-Financials of Retirement
February 15, 2024 13:00 - 17 minutes - 41.6 MBWhat is it that people get wrong about retirement? On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by guest, Keith Lawrence, retired P&G executive & co-author of "Your Retirement Quest". They discuss ways to be happy and healthy during one of the largest transitions in your life.
How to Prepare for Maternity Leave
February 01, 2024 13:00 - 26 minutes - 62.6 MBHaving a new child can bring immense amounts of joy, but it can also bring stress, especially when it comes to being financially prepared. This week, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Whitney Reagan, wealth advisor. They’ll discuss aspects like the Family Medical Leave Act, short-term disability and preparing your team for your leave, to help prepare before welcoming a new child.
Rebalancing Your Portfolio
January 18, 2024 13:00 - 23 minutes - 56.2 MBThe one constant in life is change, and the markets are no exception to this, which leads to a familiar question for many investors. When should you rebalance your portfolio, if at all? On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by Brad Rollins, vice president of investments. They discuss what rebalancing means and how to get back to your original investment portfolio mix.
Money in the Movies
December 14, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 47.6 MBMoney is a topic of conversation in many movies. The question is the legitimacy of some of these movies and how they portray the financial industry. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, will react to hits, like The Big Short and The Wolf of Wall Street, and share the accuracies and inaccuracies.
Alternative Minimum Tax Explained
November 30, 2023 13:00 - 17 minutes - 40.6 MBIn our last episode, we started our discussion on Incentive Stock Options (ISOs). Now, we’ll continue that discussion and dive deeper into Alternative Minimum Tax (ATM). Steve Moyer, vice president of executive compensation & corporate offerings, joins our host, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, to share more about the tax implications and strategies for ISOs and executive compensation.
Incentive Stock Options Explained
November 16, 2023 13:00 - 12 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this episode, we dive deep into the world of stock-based compensation, shedding light on how Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) work and the strategies that can help you maximize their benefits. Steve Moyer, vice president of executive compensation & corporate offerings, joins our host, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, to simplify the complexities of executive compensation and ISOs. Listen to Part 2 to learn about the taxation of stock options.
6 End-of-Year Tax & Financial Planning Strategies
November 02, 2023 12:00 - 13 minutes - 31.3 MBAs we near the end of the year, what is it that you should be doing to minimize taxes and make sure that you've got your financial world organized? Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share 6 tax and wealth planning strategies you should consider before the year wraps up.
RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Securities
October 19, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 40.9 MBAs an executive, you probably have some time of restricted stock or security in your compensation. But what is right for you and your portfolio? Steve Moyer, vice president of executive compensation & corporate offerings, joins our host, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, to sort through the noise of executive compensation and explain RSUs, restricted stock and restricted securities.
Cybersecurity: How to Protect Your Finances from Cybercrime
October 05, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 74 MBIn today's digital age, cybersecurity has become more important than ever. With cybercrime on the rise, it's crucial to know how to protect yourself and your data from online threats. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, sits down with Chris Cook, senior vice president of information security, to provide you with valuable insights into the world of cybercrime and how you can safeguard your personal information.
Alternative Income From Structured Notes and Options
September 21, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 55.9 MBOn this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by special guest, Brett Kunshek, head of options and structured notes. They break down what structured notes and options are and dive into their complexities, different types of structured notes and which investors these may be right for. They’ll also cover why these are growing in popularity in the United States and the fees that come along with them.
3 Things You Need to Know Before Moving Abroad
September 07, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 42.7 MBWith flexibility and connectivity in today’s world, many are excited by the idea of moving abroad and traveling; however, with that comes complications that you may not have considered. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Raoul Rodriguez, senior wealth advisor. Here are 3 things you need to consider before moving to another country—taxes, qualified accounts and estate planning.
2023 Tax Planning Strategies
August 24, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 45.1 MBWe may not be at the end of the year yet, but now is the time to start end-of-year tax planning. Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share ways to minimize the amount of taxes you’ll pay for 2023. They’ll cover tax planning strategies like capital gains, tax loss harvesting and Roth conversions to help limit your taxes.
Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts
August 10, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 56.2 MBOn this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Jake Kern, managing director and senior wealth advisor, discuss the powerful strategy of Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs) and how they can benefit you. An IDGT is a trust that is intentionally drafted to be "defective" for income tax purposes. This allows the grantor of the trust to transfer assets to the trust without triggering gift or estate taxes. The grantor also pays the income tax on the...
Eliminating Guilt From Spending
July 27, 2023 12:00 - 15 minutes - 38.1 MBFor many, they've become wealthy because of their focus on saving. They've spent their entire lives being disciplined and saving money. Then, there comes a time when they need to spend it, and that can be a difficult transition. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Abby Foster, associate wealth advisor. They share ways you can eliminate guilt from spending and still reach your goals.
2023 Midyear Crystal Ball Outlook
July 13, 2023 12:00 - 19 minutes - 47 MBWhile we can’t look into the future, each year, we feature a webinar that peers into a crystal ball and shares what we expect to see from the markets during the second half of the year. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Jeff Krumpelman, chief investment strategies and head of equities. Jeff gives an overview of how the first half of the year went and where he thinks the markets will go for the rest of 2023.
Advanced Estate Planning Strategies
June 29, 2023 12:00 - 27 minutes - 53 MBWith larger estates, often come more complicated estate plans. Ben Voelker, director of wealth strategy, is back on this episode of Your Life Simplified to discuss more advanced estate planning techniques and strategies to avoid high estate taxes.
Providing Financial Security for Loved Ones with Special Needs
June 22, 2023 12:00 - 20 minutes - 48.2 MBWhen we discuss estate planning, it’s a way to communicate our values and decide how we want our legacy to look. When you have a family member with special needs, this is especially important so that they can be taken care of the way that you would want. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by Kevne Sharp, wealth advisor and Chartered Special Needs Consultant. They share ways that you can help provide financial security for a loved one wi...
What Young Adults Need to Know Before College
June 15, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 41.2 MBParents and Teens: Today we have creative hacks that could save you tens of thousands of dollars, regardless of if you qualify for financial aid. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share their advice for young adults heading to college and how utilizing these strategies could make a significant impact on their educational expenses.
Considerations of Owning a Second Home
June 08, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 44.8 MBThe math behind owning a second home: does it make sense or should you just enjoy a vacation in your favorite destination? On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss the pros and cons of buying a second home or if it makes more sense to take a vacation instead.
What is an Annuity and How Does it Work?
June 01, 2023 14:26 - 31 minutes - 73.7 MBOn this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, break down annuities. They cover the different types, the risk and benefits associated with them and what to ask the insurance company before getting an annuity.
Creating Your Estate Plan
May 25, 2023 13:08 - 18 minutes - 34.9 MBWhile estate planning can be overwhelming for a lot of families, having a thorough estate plan in place can make a significant impact on how your wealth is transferred and helps ensure that your wishes are followed. Ben Voelker, director of wealth strategy, joins this episode of Your Life Simplified to share what you should consider when creating your plan.
Picking the Right Trustee
May 18, 2023 13:03 - 24 minutes - 58.2 MBBeing a trustee is something that requires knowledge, effort and liability, so when you’re creating your estate plan, it’s important to consider your options and who will make the best choices for you. Cindy Bozik, national managing director of trust services, joins this episode of Your Life Simplified to share her advice for picking the right trustee for you.
Money Markets: What You Need to Know
May 11, 2023 12:30 - 16 minutes - 40.5 MBWhat is a money market? What is the difference between a money market and a money market fund? They are at their highest demand since 2008, but there’s still confusion. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, compare the different types and what investors should know, including the risks.
FDIC & SIPC Insurance
May 04, 2023 12:00 - 16 minutes - 31.9 MBWith recent failures in the banking industry, many investors are worried about the safety of their accounts. Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, sit down to break down FDIC and SIPC, what that means for you and how to ensure your deposits are protected.
Teaching Teens About Finances
April 27, 2023 13:07 - 17 minutes - 34.5 MBStarting early can make a significant impact on retirement savings, but how can you help teach your teen to start building wealth? Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share tips and talking points for talking to your teen about finances and being financially responsible.
How to Find Internships in Wealth Planning
April 20, 2023 13:22 - 14 minutes - 33.9 MBAs college students, finding and accepting an internship can be a daunting task. Tracy Hutton, senior manager of recruiting, joins this episode of Your Life Simplified to share tips for getting an internship in financial planning, what you should expect once you’ve started the internship and how to make sure the company and career path are right for you.
Term vs. Permanent Insurance
April 13, 2023 13:03 - 24 minutes - 57.8 MBWhen looking at insurance, you’re likely faced with two options—term or permanent insurance. Which one makes more sense for you and your situation? This week, Jerry Clark, senior consultant, insurance solutions, joins Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, to help break down term versus permanent insurance and how to figure out which may be right for you.
Types of Life Insurance Explained
April 06, 2023 15:47 - 21 minutes - 51.8 MBWith many insurance options available, it can be overwhelming and complicated to decide what is the right choice for you. This week, Jerry Clark, senior consultant, insurance solutions, joins Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, to help break down different types of life insurance. They’ll discuss the pros and cons of whole life insurance, indexed universal life (IUL), variable universal life (VUL) and how to determine which option may be right for you.
Cryptocurrency: Digital Assets and How They Fit in Your Portfolio
March 30, 2023 15:46 - 18 minutes - 44.7 MBBlockchain technology has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years for its potential to transform industries such as finance, supply chain, healthcare, and more. Ric Edelman, founder of DACFP, joins this episode of Your Life Simplified where we explore the various aspects of blockchain technology, including how it works and how to buy blockchain technology. Ric shares his advice for how much you should invest in cryptocurrency. We'll also discuss the future of blockchain technology an...
ABCs of Medicare Part 2
March 23, 2023 13:39 - 19 minutes - 46.6 MBMedicare is another cost to consider during retirement. How do you get the most value out of your Medicare package? On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by Tim Mickelson, Medicare specialist. They’ll discuss the costs associated with each part and working with an insurance agent. They’ll also cover the average costs of Medicare.
ABCs of Medicare Part 1
March 16, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 42.7 MBThere can be a lot to unpack when considering the different Medicare coverage components and understanding what may be right for you. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by Tim Mickelson, Medicare specialist. They’ll discuss the basics of Medicare, including Part A, B, C and D, costs, signing up for Medicare and qualifications. Watch Part 2 for a deeper dive on costs and getting the most out of Medicare.
Bond Market: Should You Invest in Bonds?
March 09, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 71.8 MBConsidering rising interest rates and inflation, should you invest in bonds? While bonds are a common investment, they can be complex. Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, is joined by Carolyn Moriarty, wealth advisor, to break down bonds, their structure, how they work within your portfolio and if you should consider investing in bonds
Planning for Long-Term Care with Your Parents
March 02, 2023 14:43 - 23 minutes - 54.6 MB50% of adults will need long-term care at some point in their life, and this can have major impacts on your emotions and financial plan. Dr. Christina Lynn, practice management consultant, joins this episode of Your Life Simplified to share how to discuss aging and long-term care with your parents, what emotions this may bring, how much to plan for financially, the different types of care and each of their costs.
How to Discuss Prenups with Your Partner
February 28, 2023 20:23 - 17 minutes - 41.4 MBBefore saying, “I do,” it can be helpful to discuss finances with your fiancé and have a prenuptial agreement in place. On this episode, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, hosts, Julia Rodgers, CEO and Co-Founder of HelloPrenup, who shares ways you can approach this topic with your partner, how to have that conversation and ways that you can help protect both people with a prenup.
What to Consider Before Signing a Prenup
February 16, 2023 16:08 - 19 minutes - 45.9 MBOftentimes, getting a prenuptial agreement may feel unromantic, timely and expensive. But not having a prenup can end up causing more strife and costing more in the long run. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and hosts guest, Julia Rodgers, CEO and Co-Founder of HelloPrenup. They discuss what is a prenup, what should go in it, the process, making sure it is equitable for both parties and postnuptial agreements.
Inherited IRA Strategies
February 09, 2023 13:59 - 18 minutes - 44.7 MBWith the passage of the SECURE Act & SECURE 2.0 Act, Stretch IRAs are no longer an option. So, how should investors with an IRA manage this and what should beneficiaries do with their inherited IRA? Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share strategies investors may consider with their IRAs.
SECURE 2.0 Act: Retirement Saving Changes
February 02, 2023 19:40 - 21 minutes - 50.5 MBIn 2022, Congress passed SECURE 2.0 Act, and this new legislation has significant changes to the ways you save for retirement. On this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, detail important changes in SECURE 2.0 Act that may affect your retirement savings. They’ll discuss required minimum distributions, Roths, saving for education expenses through 529 Plans, student loan payments and more.
History of the Financial Markets: A Look Back at the Last 100 Years
January 26, 2023 13:00 - 21 minutes - 50.7 MBIn celebration of Your Life Simplified’s 100th episode, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, look back at the last 100 years in finance and the markets. While history doesn’t provide a perfect roadmap for the future, it can teach us useful lessons about bear markets, industry trends, risk and the economy.
5 Costly Roth IRA Mistakes to Avoid
January 19, 2023 16:15 - 15 minutes - 37.8 MBA Roth IRA is an important component of your retirement portfolio. In this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, discuss mistakes that can be made when investing in a Roth IRA and how to avoid them. Topics discussed include spousal contributions, Roth 401k options, the 5-year rule and contribution eligibility.
Stock Options Explained
January 12, 2023 17:49 - 18 minutes - 44 MBOn this episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, is joined by special guest, Brett Kunshek, head of options. They break down what an option is and dive into risk mitigation, generating income and return enhancement. They’ll also cover areas of frustration for investors and examples.
Reaching Your Financial Goals & New Year’s Resolutions
January 05, 2023 13:00 - 16 minutes - 40.1 MBTo kick off the new year, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share financial goals and new year’s resolutions you may want to set in 2023. From retirement planning to estate planning and gifting, we cover ways to help you achieve your goals.
End of Year Wealth Planning Checklist
December 15, 2022 13:00 - 12 minutes - 31 MBWith only a few weeks left in the year, make sure you check everything off your financial list. On this episode, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor provide an end of year wealth planning checklist, which includes areas like retirement planning, Required Minimum Distributions and gifting.
Navigating Financial Conflicts Between Spouses Part 2
December 08, 2022 13:00 - 20 minutes - 48.1 MBIn this week’s episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Christina Lynn, practice management consultant, continue their conversation about financial conflicts between spouses. Topics discussed include tips for managing spousal differences as an advisor, suggestions for spouses when talking about financial conflict and examples of financial conflict.
Navigating Financial Conflicts Between Spouses Part 1
December 01, 2022 09:00 - 21 minutes - 50.3 MBIn this week’s episode of Your Life Simplified, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Christina Lynn, practice management consultant, dive into the topic of financial challenges between spouses including divorce, overspending and how wealth advisors and clients can communicate during this difficult time.
What We’re Grateful For
November 17, 2022 09:00 - 7 minutes - 19.4 MBIn preparation for Thanksgiving, Valerie Escobar, senior wealth advisor, and Michael MacKelvie, wealth advisor, share what they are grateful for. Each discusses one thing in the financial industry and one personal thing they are cherishing this season. Listen to hear more about their gratitude for compounding interest, investments and financial planning.