The Federal Reserve has been talked about a lot since the pandemic first hit. Inflation has been rising and the general public is unsure if they will keep raising rates to try and curb this. Taylor and Brad will be talking about what they think might happen during the Federal Reserve Meeting and some strategies when it comes to investing in fixed i…

The debt ceiling has been an issue that's recently been in the news. Many people are wondering if this will have a major impact on the markets as this gets resolved. Taylor and Brad will be discussing some historic debt ceiling issues and the importance of just sticking to your financial plan when news like this is circulating. Important Links: Mon…

Taylor and Brad are returning to the podcast after a brief hiatus. The guys will be discussing what has happened in the markets over the past 6 months and the current landscape of the economy. Important Links: Monthly Budget: Financial Foundations Monthly Budget.xlsx Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow Get Taylor's Book: h…

On this episode, Taylor and Brad will discuss the major economic events that happened throughout 2022 and their outlook for 2023. Important Links: Monthly Budget: Financial Foundations Monthly Budget.xlsx Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow Get Taylor's Book: https://amzn.to/3p60DIp Your Early Retirement Map: https://mailc…

This week's episode is short and sweet. Taylor and Brad will be discussing why the podcast was absent recently and what to expect as we come to close out the year. Important Links: Monthly Budget: Financial Foundations Monthly Budget.xlsx Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow Get Taylor's Book: https://amzn.to/3p60DIp Your E…

Planning out where your money goes when you pass away can be a difficult conversation to have, but it is necessary to optimize your financial plan. On this episode, Taylor and Brad will be discussing ways you can help lower the tax burden on your estate and how this can significantly impact the inheritance your heirs receive. Important Links: Month…

Tax planning is a necessary part of any comprehensive retirement plan. There are some ways we can be tax efficient right now that will also impact our long-term plan. Taylor and Brad will discuss some of these strategies you might be able to implement and why they have a big impact on your retirement plan. Important Links: Monthly Budget: Financial…

Investing in the market right now can seem scary to a lot of people. The high volatility is usually viewed in a negative way, but there are some opportunities present right now. Taylor and Brad will discuss why you should keep investing during inflationary times and why this is nothing to be overly concerned about. Important Links: Monthly Budget: …

The word "budget" can invoke negative feelings for many people because of the thought that it restricts spending. However, we should be looking at this concept with an open mind and understanding the opportunities this strategy can present. Taylor and Brad will be discussing why budgeting works, how to get started, and why this might be a good time…

Taylor and Brad have joined in on the fantasy football train as the season is quickly approaching. When the guys were thinking about making a good team in this fantasy league, they realized how many financial parallels there are. They will be breaking down some of the parallels on today's episode and what things you should be considering instead. I…

We've witnessed a recent uptick in the market and now many are wondering if we are about to be in a bull market. However, there are still more economic concerns that have not be resolved quite yet. Taylor and Brad will talk about why this upward trend may be short lived and the rollercoaster cycles in the market tend to go through. Important Links:…

The market hasn't been doing the best, but many people still need to generate consistent income for their retirement. Taylor and Brad will discuss some strategies on creating income in a down market and why it's important to have trust the market will rebound eventually. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow…

If you have a lot of cash on hand right now, this may be a great buying opportunity in the investment world. Markets are down, which means stocks are on sale and though they could go down more, we can still use this to our advantage. Taylor and Brad will discuss why cash sitting in the bank is not ideal in this environment and the opportunities thi…

Many people are feeling the pain of being in a down market and are making quick decisions that can be detrimental to their portfolios. Taylor and Brad will be discussing the danger of these rushed decisions and the potential consequences of managing your finances in this manner. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retire…

Recently, the stock market has been down and many people can't help but feel a little worried. However, we're going to take a positive spin on this situation and talk about why it might be advantageous to do Roth conversions right now. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow Get Taylor's Book: https://amzn.to/…

There are people out there that have strong emotions when it comes to their money. They may panic and want to sell everything when the market takes a dip and want to buy when a stock price is at its peak. This is the opposite of the simple investing rule "buy low and sell high." Instead of trying to market time, we want to invest for the long term.…

The metaverse has been a hot topic in the technology and finance sector. Many people are wondering if this is a great investment opportunity, or if it's safer to just stick to real-world companies. Taylor and Brad will discuss what the metaverse is, their opinions on investing in it, and much more on today's show. Important Links: Taylor's Website:…

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has sparked fear in investors because some believe that this event will cause a crash in the stock market. While this event may cause some short term volatility, we want to keep the long term perspective as we navigate this turbulent time. Taylor and Brad will discuss the recent market volatility and why ther…

Taxes are top of mind for many people right now as we prepare to file for 2021. We thought this would be a great opportunity to discuss some tax rules, strategies, and other considerations that might help out your retirement plan. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow Retire ASAP Toolkit: https://www.fikeadv…

On today's show we will compare and contrast mutual funds and ETFs. There are a lot of similarities between these two investment vehicles, but which one makes the most sense for your plan? Tune in to find out. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow Retire ASAP Toolkit: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/what-we-do/…

We are wrapping up our current series with a big hitter. To buy low and sell high. As simple as this phrase is, many people have a difficult time getting over their emotions to do this properly. Taylor and Brad will discuss why this simple concept impacts a retirement plan and the importance of avoiding market timing. Important Links: Taylor's Webs…

The best investors are able to put their emotions aside and make smart, financial decisions. This can be difficult for many people to do because our emotions tend to make us reactive and impulsive. Financial advisors find themselves talking people down from jumping out of the stock market, or buying something they cannot afford. Brad and Taylor wil…

In order to make money in the investing world, you have to take on some risk. The amount of risk you're taking will vary depending on the product and many people don't have a grasp on how much risk is too much. That's why we wanted to discuss some common misconceptions when it comes to risk on today's show and why you should be reviewing this varia…

After a much-needed market update in light of the recent coronavirus news, we continue our series, "5 Habits Of Financially Effective People". Habit #2: Annual Reviews. We'll discuss the ins and outs, and the benefits, of getting a yearly review of your finances. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://www.fikeadvisors.com/retireasapshow Retire …

If we look at affluent individuals, what are the common actions they are taking to be financially successful? Can we categorize certain traits and characteristics that wealthy people share? That's what our new series, "5 Habits Of Financially Effective People," is going to focus on. We start off the series by discussing the importance of keeping a …

It is widely known that the more you save now, the better off you will be later on. But some people that don't have significant retirement savings are looking at retiring within the next decade. What's the best course of action to catch up? Taylor and Brad will discuss some strategies you can use in order to build up a retirement savings and the im…

Since March of 2020, we have entered a different world and a new normal. These changes have caused many people to wonder if they can retire now. Taylor and Brad discuss some of the situations that have been presented to them over this past year and how their Retire ASAP process can help you determine if you have the means to retire right now. Impor…

On today's show, we discuss the 5th and final dumb thing that smart people tend to believe. It can be easy to work towards a large number and believe that you will be set once you achieve that goal. But retirement is not just about money and this can leave many people feeling unfulfilled. We discuss why it's just as important to plan what you are g…

Often times when you turn on the TV or scroll through the internet, there's always someone who promises they can help you time the market for the biggest financial gains. But Taylor and Brad are here to tell you that these market secrets aren't always true, and how you can make the most of your investments. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https:…

One of the biggest misconceptions we see about retirement planning revolves around the 401(k). Many people believe that if they match what their employer is putting in, with no extra contributions, they will be fine. Taylor and Brad discuss why this won't work and the possible repercussions of relying solely on this method for your retirement savin…

Last week, we focused on a conservative investment, now we shift gears and focus on the riskier side of investments. Many people feel that they can pick a few great stocks and then get rich quick. But there are very little instances where this actually works out and most of the time, you end up losing money by putting all your eggs in one basket. W…

We kick off our new series by discussing the polarizing topic of annuities. Some claim that annuities are the greatest investment on in the world, while others claim that they are terrible. Taylor and Brad will discuss some common misconceptions pertaining to this investment and how you may be able to properly utilize an annuity in your financial p…

Everybody is knowledgeable and well informed about something in life. This could pertain to a career, hobby, etc. However, this does not make you any less susceptible to dumb, or misunderstood ideologies about finances that many people fall victim to. On this episode, we discuss why we decided to make this our next series and why some of these idea…

We are no stranger to scams in this day and age. We receive robo calls, emails, texts, that all try to make you give away sensitive information. Not all scams are this blatant. There are people in the investment world that do not have your best interest in mind and just want to use your hard earned money for their benefit. Taylor and Brad discuss s…

As we see the world getting back to some form of normalcy, we are emerging with new habits we have gained over quarantine. Many families found themselves spending on just what they needed and not as much on what they wanted since everything was shut down. We want to look at some of the financial lessons that the lockdown and pandemic has taught us …

The topic of inflation has been getting a lot of attention from the mainstream media lately. People are worried that inflation is going to continue to rise and skyrocket. As with any piece of news media, it's important that we take a step back and look at what's actually going on to see if it should be a top concern. Important Links: Taylor's Websi…

This is the second and final episode of our personal finances stepping stones series. Last time, we discussed the importance of getting debt payed off and starting your emergency fund. Once you pay off your short-term debt, you have freed up some extra income to do with as you please. Taylor and Brad will discuss some smart financial strategies wit…

It can feel overwhelming to know where to start when you are trying to get your personal finances in order. There are many popular financial talking heads promoting different methods and products, and it can be difficult to tell what is just noise. Taylor and Brad compiled a list of the most helpful advice they found to help you get started when or…

A third stimulus payment recently went out to a large amount of Americans under the American Rescue Plan that was passed. The show has received a few questions about what to do with the stimulus money, so Taylor and Brad will run through some ways you can spend, save, or invest that money on today's show. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://…

We've discussed many times on the show, the necessity to stay active with your mind in retirement, but it doesn't hurt to also be physically active as well. We sit down with Clay Ream on today's show to talk about his journey with physical fitness and how Crossfit exercises can be modified to meet you where you are. Important Links: Crossfit Wooste…

Annuities are a hot topic in the financial industry. Some people talk about how much they love them, while others say to stay away from them at all costs. But which side should you believe? Today Taylor discusses the pros and cons to different annuities and how he has used them in his practice in a retirement plan. Important Links: Taylor's Website…

Taylor and Brad discuss the recent stock market madness involving Gamestop, as well as the trend of bitcoin trading. They acknowledge the short-term success that these new movements have presented, but also warn against the great risk that they bring as well with their lack of long-term stability in the market. Important Links: Taylor's Website: ht…

We have made it to part 3 of our Retire ASAP Quickguide series! In our last 2 parts we discussed the importance of taking an inventory and analyzing our assets. The heavy lifting is done, and now we have to actually set a retirement date. It's a simple concept, but change is difficult for many people. Especially after working for the majority of yo…

This is part 2 to our Retire ASAP Quickguide series. Now that we have taken inventory of our assets, we need to analyze them and see if they are still a good fit for our retirement plan. Taylor and Brad talk about how they analyze portfolios in their office, advisor fees, and a few more critical questions you should be asking yourself regarding to …

2020 is finally behind us and with a new year comes new goals. We are kicking off a 3 part series called the Retire ASAP Quick Guide that's aimed to help you jumpstart your retirement. Today we focus on the importance of keeping an inventory of what you have. This is crucial when planning for retirement so you know where you are at currently and wh…

As the year winds down, it's important to set ourselves up for success not only in personal growth, but also with our finances. 2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year with many events no one could have predicted, and having a financial plan helps protect your portfolio when these unforeseeable moments transpire. Taylor and Brad talk today on what …

On the last podcast, we talked about the need to have a purpose in retirement in order to get the most enjoyment out of it. It's no doubt that purpose takes on many different forms in our lives and often we have more than just one purpose. On today's episode, Taylor asks Brad what he wants his retirement life to look like and the specific goals tha…

It's not uncommon to see people work hard for many years in order to reach for the ultimate goal of retirement. But what will your purpose shift to once you reach that goal? Taylor and Brad sit down to talk about why you need to have a purpose in retirement and not just live to complete the mundane aspects of life. Important Links: Taylor's Website…

Long-term care is a subject that most people don't like to discuss. Many don't think that they will be put in that situation, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Taylor and Brad break down what potential options are out there for long-term care and the situational circumstances to each choice. Important Links: Taylor's Website: https://www…

This year's election is on the horizon and many people have strong emotions and opinions going into it. Emotions can take over during this time and cause people to make unwise financial decisions. Taylor and Brad discuss the behavioral side of finances and why you shouldn't pull your money out of the stock market during volatile times. Important Li…