SML Planning Minute
SML Planning Minute podcasts provide timely and thought-provoking financial ideas and concepts for individuals, families and business owners. Be sure to listen in! Simply click on a topic below to access a podcast. You can also subscribe to one of the many service providers to listen on the go.
About That Coming AI Apocalypse
A recent essay by Matt Shumer, CEO of OthersideAI, an artificial intelligence company, has gone viral. He projects widespread employment disruption due to the rise of AI, and much more quickly than most people expect. Is he right? Continue Reading About That Coming AI Apocalypse
Good News: Life Expectancy is Going Up
The latest U.S. life expectancy figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer some fantastic news. The prospect of increased longevity should make all of us smile. But does it complicate your retirement planning? Continue Reading Good News: Life Expectancy is Going Up
The Spirit of Charles Ponzi Lives On
Charles Ponzi died penniless in 1949. The man himself is long forgotten, but his spirit lives on. Two recent convictions are a cautionary tale. Let the buyer beware. Continue Reading The Spirit of Charles Ponzi Lives On
Should You Collect Social Security and Invest the Difference?
In the past few months, some social media “finfluencers” have suggested that it might be a good idea to collect your Social Security early and invest the money in the stock market. Does it actually work? We follow up on a recent article from The Wall Street Journal that covers the issue in detail. Continue Reading Should You Collect Social Security and Invest the Difference?
Nine Reasons You Need an Agent When You Buy Life Insurance
No matter how far we go with AI, there are a few places where we need to deal with a real human being. Life insurance is one of those places. Here are nine reasons why it helps to have an agent when you buy life insurance. Continue Reading Nine Reasons You Need an Agent When You Buy Life Insurance
Are My Retirement Savings on Track?
It’s an age-old question that seems like everybody asks: am I saving enough for retirement? It’s never going to yield an easy answer. There are so many variables: age, future savings rates, rate of return, lifestyle, etc. Where do you even begin? Fortunately, there are benchmarks available at every age that can give you a sense of whether you’re on track. Continue Reading Are My Retirement Savings on Track?
Are You Ready for the Great Wealth Transfer?
Are you ready for the “Great Wealth Transfer”? It’s not that far off. The sooner you start your planning, the better. Continue Reading Are You Ready for the Great Wealth Transfer?
Does “Buy Term and Invest the Difference” Really Work?
“Buy term and invest the difference” sounds like a great idea on paper. But does it actually work? Continue Reading Does “Buy Term and Invest the Difference” Really Work?
Being a Millionaire Ain’t What It Used to Be
It wasn’t that long ago that Regis Philbin drew massive viewers with his TV program Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Never mind the fact that the top prize was $1 million before taxes, which is considerably less than $1 million after taxes. But in today’s economy, being a millionaire does not necessarily project the same status it once did. Or does it? Continue Reading Being a Millionaire Ain’t What It Used to Be
Going Paperless: To Be or Not to Be?
Over the years, it seems that each of us—whether by choice or not– has been moving gradually from paper statements and checks to digital. Is it time to cut the cord completely? Continue Reading Going Paperless: To Be or Not to Be?
Important Tax Considerations for Newlyweds
Episode 365 – Have you gotten married recently? The next steps are considerably less exciting. There are some important financial steps you need to take. Continue Reading Important Tax Considerations for Newlyweds
Six Ideas on How to Manage Debt Revisited
Episode 364 – According to an estimate by Experian, the average American adult holds $6,501 in credit card debt. Is there a way out? Here are six things that you might want to try. Continue Reading Six Ideas on How to Manage Debt Revisited
Be Skeptical of Financial Advice on Social Media
Episode 363 – It is perhaps not surprising that a lot of the financial advice you get on social media is misleading. A recent study shows us just how bad the situation is. Continue Reading Be Skeptical of Financial Advice on Social Media
Do You Really Want to Disinherit a Family Member?
Episode 362 – So, you’ve been estranged from one of your children for years now. Your feelings are hurt, and the relationship seemingly has no chance of recovery. Now what? You can certainly disinherit your child if you wish. But beware: it’s more complicated than you may realize. Continue Reading Do You Really Want to Disinherit a Family Member?
Are You Ready for the New York LLC Transparency Act Starting January 1, 2026?
Episode 361 – The effective date of the New York Limited Liability Company Transparency Act, January 1, 2026, is nearly upon us. If your business was created in, or authorized to do business in, New York, you may be affected. If so, are you prepared to comply with its mandates and regulations? Continue Reading Are You Ready for the New York LLC Transparency Act Starting January 1, 2026?
The Latest on the Scamming Front
Episode 360 – It seems like online scammers usually have the upper hand. The bad guys come up with a new scheme, and eventually the good guys figure it out and make changes. But then bad guys come up with more new schemes. Here are some of the latest tricks of the scamming trade. Continue Reading The Latest on the Scamming Front
Nine Mistakes Wealthy People Make
Episode 359 – A few weeks ago we took an in-depth look at some of the things wealthy people understand that the rest of us tend to miss. Today, we’ll take a look at the opposite: some financial mistakes that even wealthy people tend to make, and how we can help avoid them. Continue Reading Nine Mistakes Wealthy People Make
Should I Use My Savings to Delay Collecting Social Security?
Episode 358 – Deciding when to collect Social Security is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. Make a mistake there and you’ll pay for it—every month for the rest of your life. But what if you want to retire early? That doesn’t mean you also need to collect early. A “bridge” strategy can be an important tool to get you through those years between giving up your job and collecting Social Security. It could make you much better off in the long run. Continue Reading Should I Use My Savings to Delay Collecting Social Security?
What Wealthy People Know That the Rest of Us Don’t
Episode 357 – Do the ultra-wealthy belong to some secret club that no one else knows about? Of course not. But it’s safe to say that they do some things differently. And the rest of us could learn a few lessons from what they’ve figured out. Continue Reading What Wealthy People Know That the Rest of Us Don’t
Is a 529 Plan Really Your Best Option?
Episode 356 – 529 plans are certainly popular these days, and with good reason: high contribution limits and potentially tax-free growth. But they’re not for everyone. Here are four other potential alternatives for funding a college education. Continue Reading Is a 529 Plan Really Your Best Option?
