In this questions from listeners episode we take on three big topics that come up often!

Questions Michael, CFP®, EA & Jacqueline discuss:

💭 Could doctors write off scrubs, stethoscopes, and other medical essentials if they form an LLC?

💭 Can parents set up and fund Roth IRAs for their kids before the kids are official adults?

💭 They look at how taxes shift depending on whether a doctor is a W2 employee, a contractor, or someone who moonlights and owns part of a practice. That difference changes almost everything when it comes to business expenses.

💭 They'll also get into the rules around hiring your kids for potential tax strategies

💭 When should you get a will?

If you like straight answers with a few stories along the way, this one is a good time.

Stay curious.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Listener Questions

00:42 Can Doctors Set Up an LLC & Get Work Write Offs?

01:39 Self-Employed Doctors Get Expense Deductions?

05:18 Setting Up Roth IRAs for Minor Children

09:10 Don't Forget the Standard Deduction

10:06 Kid Receives the Assets at Adult Age

11:22 UGMA/UTMA Accounts

12:24 When Should I Get a Will?

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

In this episode of Common Curiosities Retirement, we break down one of the most common debates we see on social media: What is the actual difference between the S&P 500 index and the Total Stock Market index?

Influencers love shouting what one you should have, sho the past returns alone but what would a trained professional want to know about them? Michael a CFP®, EA and a professional investment advisor want to know when looking at both of these?

This is not a recommendation. It is not tied to any investment company. It is simply a quic look under the hood so you can understand why these two popular funds overlap more than people realize.

Here is what we unpack

💭 What you really own in the S&P 500

💭 What “total stock market” actually includes

💭 Why both funds are still dominated by large US companies

💭 What market cap weighting means

💭 Does one have more diversification?

💭 What people misunderstand about these for diversification

💭 Why expense ratios matter for these index funds

💭 Where active managers try to add value around index changes

Whether you love index funds, are building a long term plan, or just want clarity beyond social media hot takes, this episode breaks it down in simple, digestible language.

Stay curious and thanks for watching.

Chapters:

00:00 S&P 500 vs Total Stock Market Index

01:30 Under the Hood of the S&P 500

02:48 Looking Under the Hood of Total Stock Market Index

04:00 Do I Get Much Diversification with S&P & Total Index?

04:20 Passive or Active Investment Fund Teams?

05:31 Analyze Costs Expenses for Funds

06:33 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

If you have ever looked at your accounts and wondered, “Should I start pulling back the risk in my investments?” this episode is for you. Michael, CFP®, EA unpacks portfolio de-risking.

We look at what happens when your time horizon shrinks, why the often forgot about sequence of returns risk can quickly wreck a person's plan, and how to think about shifting from growth mode to enjoy your savings mode. JFK shows up with a surprisingly useful quote, football metaphors sneak into the conversation, and we explore that tension between wanting more and protecting what you've already built.

You will walk away with a clearer understanding of how de risking works and how you may want to think about things like stocks, bonds, cash, options, alternatives, diversification, and the spicy annuity conversation. It is all about taking calculated risk.

Topics:

💭 Why sequence of returns risk is a silent retirement killer

💭 When to maybe start planning for risk adjustments

💭 How stocks, bonds, cash, and alternatives can work together

💭 Why too conservative can hurt just as much as too aggressive

💭 What to know before considering annuities

💭 How to think about “winning the fourth quarter” of your retirement plan

If you have ever wondered how to balance growth and safety on the doorstep of retirement, this episode gives you a roadmap to start thinking it through.

Chapters:

00:00 Risk vs Reward in Retirement

00:41 Opportunity vs Crisis

02:16 Reassessing your partnership with risk

03:01 New Planning Pieces When Nearing Retirement

03:48 What does de-risking look like?

04:29 Why is De-Risking Important?

06:03 Bonds and alternatives for potential portfolio changes?

06:52 What Type of Equities we May Consider

08:23 Thoughts on Annuities?

09:50 How Much De-Risking Should I Consider?

11:05 Role of Taxes on Your Plan

11:50 Is There an Easy Button?

12:34 Let's Win the Fourth Quarter

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.