The more things change, the more they stay the same. We’re still dealing with high inflation and interest rates and the silent recession continues with the average household still feeling the pinch at the grocery stores and gas pumps. And now, the Federal Government says that we’re in a deflationary period while adding $1 trillion to the national d…

With 30-year mortgage rates at 7.5%, inflation continuing to impact our spending power, and gas pushing almost $4 a gallon, we’re seeing higher bankruptcy rates and hearing talk of a lost decade. So what do we do to keep our financial plan as healthy as possible? In today’s episode, we’re talking about what’s going on in America–and the silent rece…

“We’re overspending $5.1 billion a day more than we’re bringing in because of interest rates.” - Ed Siddell Today, we're talking about how good news can actually lead to bad news when it comes to the economy. When something looks good, it usually comes at a cost. We’ve all lived through a whole lot of craziness since 2020, and we’ve experienced maj…

There are things that are within our control and some that are not. Time doesn’t stop, and everybody gets older, but one thing that is within our control is to take action before it’s too late to secure your legacy and avoid headaches like probate. For anyone who has been able to put money away and generate enough wealth to leave assets behind, we …

Fear of missing out is a real thing. Everyone is looking for 15-20% returns and this can prompt people to make risky decisions–especially when it comes to retirement. Right now, we have a bull market in the S&P, volatility is low and tech is back on the rise. So, is it time to go all-in, or should investors beware? Today, we’re talking about why ou…

Consumer credit is at an all-time high. Credit card debt is pushing $1.25 trillion and headed upwards. Inflation’s high, consumer spending is high, and employers are cutting good jobs with benefits. Even if you’re steadily employed or running a healthy business and your personal debts are manageable, these macroeconomic factors can still affect you…

After a brief hiatus, we’re back with a timely episode to answer a popular question: Is it better to save with pretax dollars or a Roth? Inflation continues to be an issue in today’s economy, which is why it’s so important to make every dollar count. Everything is more expensive now, and saving for retirement is not a one-size-fits-all plan because…

Between inflation, a possible recession, and bank failures, our economy feels chaotic right now. However, that doesn’t mean that now’s the time to panic. Instead, this is your opportunity to get a better understanding of these complex situations and make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your individual financial plan strong and healthy.…

You worked hard. You built a life, had a career, and hit some milestones along the way–and now you’re retired. So what are you going to do? Now that you’ve got all this free time, what’s your plan or purpose now? Today’s episode is all about answering one of the toughest questions we get asked: “What do I do now?” We dig into how it feels to retire…

Ads for gold, silver, and other precious metals are everywhere. But even with the dollar coming off its high and inflation pushing over 7%, are they a good hedge? If so, what are you supposed to buy, and what should you avoid? We’ve had lots of people asking us where they can purchase gold and silver. With that in mind, today’s episode is all about…

When everything we buy costs more, every dollar in our pocket and our bank account is worth less. You can cut back on unnecessary expenses here and there, but there’s only so much you can do to cut back on groceries or gas. That’s why factoring inflation into your retirement plan is so important right now. In today’s episode, we walk you through ho…

Let’s face it, everyone has to face their own mortality at some point. But if you’ve planned ahead, your family and beneficiaries will thank you because settling an estate can be stressful when you’re starting from scratch. Today’s episode is all about how to make legacy planning as simple as possible. We’ll walk you through what needs to be done t…

As inflation soars, more and more people are dipping into their savings–or going into debt–to make ends meet. While it may not be an emergency (yet!), it may be time to take a step back and assess your situation. With that in mind, today’s episode is all about how to make sure that your money lasts. We’re talking about why it’s so easy to accidenta…

No matter what financial shape you’re in right now, it’s never too late to find new ways to do better in the years to come. If you’re thinking about retiring (or trying to figure out if you still can retire), concerned about today’s economy, or simply want to make sure that everything is in place before you make that decision, this episode is for y…

If you’ve been watching the markets over the last few weeks, you probably have questions. Is the current market rally evidence that we’re experiencing a rebound, or are we still in a bear market? Pundits love to share good news; they don’t love to talk about the underlying pressures that make markets act the way they do. This means that if you’re n…

Our economy feels like a pretty uncertain place right now–especially if you’re approaching retirement age (or recently retired). Whether you’re reading the headlines or not, you’re probably feeling the effects of inflation and market volatility every single day. And if you’re of retirement age, you were there for the hyperinflation of the 1970s, th…

On June 15th, the Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates by 75 basis points. Understandably, this leads to a lot of questions: how is this going to affect bonds and the stock markets? How will this impact the economy and employment? Will there be a recession? No matter what happens, a comprehensive financial plan is your best defense in un…

It's difficult to prepare for every worst-case scenario. When the most likely scenarios are considered, it can help avoid panic and overwhelm when the rough days rise to the surface. Imagine that you're on your way to an important business meeting or picking your spouse up from the airport when one of your tires suddenly goes flat. If you have a sp…

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re all on a roller coaster ride this year. As investors, it’s virtually impossible to predict what’s going to happen when it comes to leverage, supply chains, and rampant inflation. However, we can do our research, ask questions, and do our best to make sense of what’s going on so we can best expect the unexpected. I…

Rampant inflation seems like it’s here to stay for at least a while longer. Everyone’s feeling it at the grocery store, the gas pump, and seemingly everywhere else. In part one of this two-part series, we’ll discuss why it’s happening and dive into how to make sure your retirement plan can sustain your lifestyle, even if costs continue to go up. We…

Inflation’s constantly in the news, and it’s easy to see why. When everything we buy costs more, each dollar in our pocket is worth less. And while it’s easy to cut back on some unnecessary expenses, no one wants to make severe changes to their lifestyle to cover simple costs like gas and groceries. That’s why it’s so important to factor inflation …

No one who was there remembers the lineups at the gas pumps in the 1970s with any fondness. And though we’re not seeing long gas lines yet, we are seeing extremely high gas prices, rampant inflation, and extremely volatile markets–what we not-so-fondly refer to as stagflation. However, an energy or economic crisis doesn’t have to become a wealth cr…

Back in the 1970s, we experienced a combination of economic stagnation and inflation. Energy prices were high and the stock market went up and down like a roller coaster, very similarly to what we’re experiencing right now. Back then, it was called stagflation–and we’re hearing that word more and more in 2022. Unfortunately, stagflation can have re…

Tax season is about much more than just how much money you owe the IRS each year. It’s also a golden opportunity to review your investment strategy, your estate plan, and what your taxes will look like in the years to come. With the April 18th due date coming ever closer, the national debt ballooning, and inflation continuing to rise, today’s episo…

If you’re watching the financial news every day, you’re probably feeling a little unsettled. We’re in the midst of 40-year high inflation over 7% year-over-year. The Fed has announced three rate hikes when major firms are saying we need at least five to seven. Cryptocurrency has gone through a series of even more extreme ups and downs, with investo…

Cryptocurrency is in the news every day. We hear stories all the time of people making big money with crypto. Billionaires like Elon Musk can affect its value with a single tweet, and potential regulation could change the field very soon. Having said that, the questions that we hear from our clients are still the same. “Should I invest in crypto? A…

If there is one thing that is very obvious about the near future, it’s that we’re living in very unpredictable times. Who would’ve thought we would still be in the middle of a pandemic? And who could’ve imagined interest rates to still be as low as they are now? Simply put, you can’t always know what’s going to happen–and you need to be able to be …

If you think back to where you were a year ago, you were probably excited for life to get back to some kind of normal. As we have come to find out, this year proved to be full of surprises with ongoing labor shortages, disrupted supply chains, and high inflation. With that in mind, we know we can’t predict the future–but we can help you create a pl…

We’re all busy this time of year–not just with holiday parties and shopping for gifts, but with a number of major financial deadlines. On top of that, it’s also time to look back at how you did financially in 2021 and create a plan to take you into 2022 and beyond. Whether you’re giving to charity, making contributions to retirement accounts, or pr…

It’s the holidays–and that means we’re gearing up for Black Friday deals, Christmas gifts, and more. Giving (and receiving) gifts can be a whole lot of fun–but it’s also one of the easiest times of the year to overspend, rack up credit card debt, and make financial decisions that feel better in the moment than they do in the long run. With that in …

Nanette Pfister is the VP of Sales for Epcon Communities, a community planning company operating in 29 states across the country. They’re a hugely successful franchise business with over 150 corporate employees, and as a housing provider, they were an essential business over the course of the COVID-19 crisis. Today, Nanette joins the podcast to tal…

Today, we’re talking to Fred DeBiasi. He’s the CEO of Valley Central Bank, a community bank here in Ohio. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s shifted his business model and worked to deliver a different kind of consumer experience in the face of a wide array of challenges. In his words, Valley Central experienced a triple whammy: an inte…

We’re all living with inflation. We’re watching prices climb out of control, whether we’re at the grocery store or doing our holiday shopping. It’s everywhere. It’s hard not to notice that gas is up over $1.25 a gallon when you’re filling up the gas tank. So, as you watch your costs balloon, what can you do to protect your finances and best take ca…

In the last few years, we’ve all heard about preppers–people who have outfitted their basements with emergency supplies, like food and water. The fact that it’s suddenly become hard to find products like paper towels, toilet paper, and even bottled water has prompted this topic to rear its head all over again. But what if we told you that financial…

Once again, the tax bill is coming–and the biggest asset for so many Americans, with the exception of their real estate, is a pre-tax retirement plan. This could be a 401(k), a 403(b), a thrift savings plan, an IRA, or something else. And no matter what people say, their biggest expense is not healthcare–it’s taxes. Taxes go up as retirees withdraw…

Here at The Retirement Trainer, we’ve spent the last few months focused on giving back to small businesses. Along the way, you’ve been asking us two questions more than any other: “What’s most important as a business owner,” and “how can I start a new business of my own?” If you’re a small business owner (or want to launch one), today’s episode is …

Scholl’s Landscaping and Design, located in Columbus, Ohio, was shut down for only a few weeks in March of 2020, but their journey back to any sort of “normal” has been a fascinating one. Despite significant success, they’re now facing issues including labor shortages, supply chain issues, and skyrocketing costs for materials. In today’s episode, w…

Over the course of the last year, demand for veterinary care has exploded. No one in the industry can remember being this busy, and this growth has come with plenty of positives, but some very real challenges as well. Knapp Veterinary Hospital, here in Columbus, Ohio, has faced massive demand, but also had to cancel and postpone lots of important v…

The Winchester Institute of Chiropractic Health and Wellness, here in Dublin, Ohio, stayed open as an essential business–even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a team of chiropractors, massage therapists and exercise physiologists, they’re able to deliver a combination of supplementation, functional medicine, and rehabilitation for a tot…

When everything shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020, the uncertainty was crippling for many businesses. In this episode, you’ll hear how Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa was able to turn lemons into lemonade thanks to their membership-based business. Located in the Lewis Center in Columbus, Ohio, this outpost of a well-known franchise provid…

Bill and Sandy Wymard own and operate Aquarium Adventure in Hilliard, Ohio. Guests can see fish from all over the world in their public aquarium, take home fish for their own aquariums, and purchase retail merchandise as well. Aquarium Adventure has carved out a truly unique niche for themselves as a specialty retailer with loyal, long-term custome…

Iron Pony is one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in the Midwest. They grew from a NAPA auto parts store into a thriving business selling parts, apparel, accessories, vehicles, and more. The company has never stopped evolving, and this proved true again in 2020, when they didn’t just survive, but thrived, over the course of the COVID-19 pandem…

2020 has been one of the toughest years in history for small businesses. Many companies have needed to pivot, change their entire operational model, and adopt and adapt to new technologies in order to keep the lights on. However, a number of businesses didn’t just survive over the last year - they thrived. One of them is Columbus Car Audio. For ove…

For years, the conventional wisdom has been to grow your assets tax-deferred while you work, then pay taxes on that money when you’ve entered a lower tax bracket. Unfortunately, that wisdom has gone out the window. Why? It’s simple: America’s massive unfunded liabilities in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the interest on the national debt.…

Why is it important for women to have a written income plan? Why is it more important for women than men? It’s simple: 80% of all men die married, while 80% of women are single when they pass away. To make matters worse, 50% of all women die broke. Women need more than someone who charges them a fee to manage their investments. They need someone wh…

Staying in shape has a huge impact not just on your physical health, but your mental and financial health as well. If you want to make changes, you probably have some big questions: how do I get in shape? And what’s the connection between health and wealth? Joining us to help answer these questions is Alex White, who is back for round 2 on the podc…

Every new year, people make resolutions to lose weight or just get in shape. So, what does that have to do with retirement? It’s simple: working out can be a stress reliever, can help us get healthier, and allows us to be more productive. And being healthier later in life gives us more time, strength, and energy to do all the things we said we were…

In the first part of this series, Pat Puhl joined the podcast to talk about operating a sustainable nonprofit in 2020, what he did to ensure that their entire calendar’s worth of fundraising didn’t need to be scrapped or canceled, and the many potential tax benefits available to you when you give to charity. If you haven’t yet, click here to listen…

Charitable giving is more important now than ever before. The challenges, setbacks, and losses caused by COVID-19 have affected not just families and businesses, but the organizations they support as well. That said, there are a lot of people out there who are rising to the occasion and doing good. One of them is Pat Puhl, who is a co-founder of Fa…

Business owners have a lot of choices when it comes to providing employee benefits, and one of the biggest benefits available is the 401(k). However, many employers don’t know how they work, what their liability is, or how to protect themselves. If you’ve had a job with benefits, you’ve likely had a 401(k), but implementing one as an employer is an…