The drumbeat of American voters is starting to get louder. People are growing nervous about the future of Social Security and Medicare while getting more vocal about the $39 trillion federal debt that seems to being growing out of control. There are serious proposals out there, and it will be interesting to see how many of this fall’s political candidates choose to speak up on the issue while trying not to alienate potential voters. We’re seeing a spike of interest among clie

Plug your leaks before you sail Show notes: So... retirement is on the horizon... and you’re about to set sail... Now’s the time to check for leaks in your spending plan... and fix them... while there’s still time... In today’s episode of the Help Me Retire podcast... 10 pain-free ways to tighten your belt... so you’ll have more money to spend on the fun stuff... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial

The deal to end the war in Iran has given some hope to cash-strapped consumers – especially those filling their gas tanks for the summer driving season. Crude oil prices peaked at $114 a barrel this spring and have since fallen below $80. The question now is: How soon can we expect lower gasoline prices? It could take months before transports get back to normal levels and into refineries. And the U.S. Strategic Oil Reserve – which can act as a buffer for volatile fuel prices

When the stock market gets rocky, a lot of people instinctively pull back. They see prices bouncing up and down and assume that volatility and risk are the same thing. I don’t see it that way. To me, risk is not simply the possibility that your investments might lose value from time to time. I think risk really means the chance you won’t achieve your financial goals. It’s the failure of building enough wealth to retire comfortably, or that once you are retired, it’s watching