If you’ve ever looked at a Roth IRA conversion and thought, “So I’m choosing to pay taxes now… so I can potentially pay less later?” – you’re exactly right. But that’s not the whole story. Here’s the part many people miss: retirement isn’t the end of tax planning. In many ways, it’s when tax planning becomes more important – because once you retire, you often gain more control over your income. You can decide when to start Social Security, when to turn on a pension, when to r

America’s economy is the largest in the world. The companies that power that economy – and lead the world in innovation – are growing at impressive rates. The dollar continues to hold its position as the global reserve currency. U.S. Treasury securities are still classified as risk-free investments. Many of the things Americans think of as daily necessities are considered luxuries in most of the rest of the world. But increasingly, the federal government is relying on borrowe

Deciding when to take Social Security Show notes: It’s the question every retiree faces... when’s the best time to claim Social Security benefits? I’ve got five questions for you today... that could help you make a smarter decision... on this episode of... The Help Me Retire Podcast... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services… and head of Brown Family Wealth Advisors… Mike is the best-selling a

Most retirees don’t set out to overpay taxes. It just happens – quietly, year after year – because nobody ever taught them how retirement taxes really work. In retirement, taxes stop being something that “happens to you” and become something you can influence. Why? Because you’re no longer collecting a single paycheck with withholding handled behind the scenes. You’re now the CFO of your own income. You decide when to take Social Security, how much to withdraw from IRAs, whet

Financial markets appear to be trading on the headlines lately, and many investors have trouble understanding why stocks are performing reasonably well – the S&P 500 is back in the black year-to-date – while the rest of the world seems be spinning out of control. But look under the surface and you’ll see that what drives markets over time is how much money the underlying companies are making. Earnings, and the rate at which those earnings are growing at U.S. companies, are ac

If you’ve ever opened the mailbox (or inbox) and thought, “Where am I supposed to put all of this?” you are not alone. Bank statements, 401(k) notices, insurance updates, “important” credit card letters, old tax returns, legal documents, passwords on sticky notes – before long, it becomes more than paper clutter. It becomes mental clutter. And here’s the frustrating part: when your financial life feels disorganized, every decision feels heavier than it should. You hesitate,

Years ago, when I was just getting started and had barely a dollar to my name, someone explained to me that early in your career, it takes ten units of effort to produce one unit of results – which feels like rolling a boulder uphill. But if you stick with it long enough, you eventually reach the point where one unit of effort produces ten units of results, and that boulder starts rolling down the other side. That’s exactly how building wealth from scratch works. It’s slow…

I’ll be away this week attending to some family business, so Wealth and Wisdom will resume on Monday, April 20. I’m including some beefier topics this week to help you bide the time. It’s even harder than usual to make sense of the financial markets these days. It’s hard to tell whether we’re on the precipice of a financial cliff or the cusp of a new era of innovation and economic growth. That growing uncertainty – and the volatility it’s creating in the financial markets –

Years ago, retirement was simpler. Many people went to work and then, when they retired, they collected a pension and Social Security benefits. Not much planning was needed. Today, things are different. Retirees are mostly on their own and responsible for making more of the critical decisions that will determine how successful they are in retirement. This month Mike discussed RMDs, rollovers, and other strategies to help minimize taxes on your retirement savings. Be a part of

If war, oil prices, or politics make you change your investment plan, I would argue you don’t really have a plan to begin with. If you make investment decisions by reacting to what’s in the news, you’ll always be behind and disappointed. And if you base your decisions based on predictions of the future – yours or anyone else’s – you’ll likely be wrong at least half the time. My suggestion : Study the lessons history teaches investors wise enough to heed them. Find a simple,

The "Golden Window" for Roth Conversions Show notes: I call it the “golden window” for Roth IRA conversions... are you in it? And if so... how can you take advantage of this golden opportunity? On this episode of The Help Me Retire Podcast... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services… and head of Brown Family Wealth Advisors… Mike is the best-selling author of Your Way to True Wealth: How to Ma

If you’ve been holding your breath for another cut in interest rates, it’s probably time to let go. For five long years now, the Federal Reserve has been waiting for inflation to drop below its target of 2% – only to be continually disappointed. The Fed’s easy money policy in response to the Covid pandemic sparked a huge surge in consumer prices. Then, just as inflation was beginning to ease, Russia invaded Ukraine. Last year brought President Trump’s global tariffs. Now the

The crisis-of-the-moment – unless of course it’s changed again since I wrote this sentence – is oil. The Iran war is causing a major disruption in the flow of oil around the world, driving up the price of crude, gasoline, and jet fuel. In the best case, we can expect a lot more uncertainty until the conflict gets resolved – and let’s not forget that the U.S. is much less vulnerable to oil shortages today thanks to increased domestic production and technology. But until thing

The U.S. has attacked Iran and Venezuela this year. Would it be smart to invest in oil companies? The tariffs aren’t going away. Is it time to switch to international stocks? No one knows what will happen in the November elections. Should I sell everything now and just wait it out? There’s nothing like scary headlines to make you second-guess your investment strategy. There’s also nothing wrong with being concerned – even afraid – of what’s going on the world these days. What

As with nearly every issue of Wealth and Wisdom, we begin with hot financial topics that are making news and transition into items designed to help you in the long run – or in some cases just make you feel better. There is plenty in today’s headlines to make you nervous. And when you think about it, I suppose there always is. But the less time you give to current events – once you scan them – the more time you’ll have to focus on the things that matter most in the long run.

This month, Mike covered the basics: timeless investment principles, managing risk, setting smart goals, paying for health care, and more. Whether you’re getting a financial start in life – or need some helpful reminders – you’ll find ideas you can use in this one-hour presentation. Be a part of the #TrueWealth movement. Follow Brown Family Wealth Advisors on Facebook and LinkedIn .

It looks as if tariffs will be with us for a while longer. Despite a Supreme Court rebuke and members of Congress who seem reluctant to run on the issue this November, President Trump is pressing on. Two things seem unlikely for the time being, however: (1) relief from rising consumer prices caused by the tariffs; and (2) refunds for the businesses that have been paying them. All of this has made the financial markets choppy lately. But if that bothers you, step back and reme

Keeping more of what's yours at tax time Show notes: It’s hard enough making your money last as long as you do once you retire... and it’s even harder to do... when you’re paying too much in taxes... In today’s episode of the Help Me Retire Podcast... consider the following three strategies to help you stop paying more to the IRS... than you have to... This is the Help Me Retire Podcast… with your host… Mike Brown… Senior Wealth Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services

Are you expecting a big tax refund this year? The IRS says the average tax filer received $3,151 back last year – and analysts predict refunds could be as much as $1,000 higher this tax season. How to spend an extra thousand dollars to make your life better: Pay down your credit cards or other high-interest debts Build up an emergency reserve fund ($1,000 is a great start) Fund an IRA or Roth IRA Make some home or car repairs you’ve been putting off Invest in your own career

Retirement today often lasts 25 to 30 years — sometimes longer. That’s wonderful news if you’re healthy and active, but it also creates new challenges: how to make your income last, how to stay healthy, and how to preserve your independence. A longevity plan is more than just a financial projection. It’s a holistic strategy for living well — financially, physically, and emotionally — over what may just be the longest chapter of your life. 1. Living longer means planning smar