Sarah Daly and Kristen Boyd, along with Maria Raber, are chairs of this year’s 2023 Heroes In Transition gala. The 14th gala’s theme is Legacy of Love and will be held on Friday, September 22nd at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth. Heroes in Transition started in 2009, when Ken and Cyndy Jones lost their only son Captain Eric Jones in an Afghanistan helicopter crash. Since then, they continue to keep Eric’s legacy of service alive to active military members and veterans and their families through various programs that help develop a sense of community and resiliency for this population. The programs that they offer fill the gap between what government and other agency programs don’t provide. They offer a veterans’ equine warrior program, families in transition, couple retreats, etc. Tickets for the gala are available on their website. This year’s keynote speaker is Tim Whalen. John Terrio is the auctioneer. The live auction offers a Provincetown weekend, a weekend at the White Elephant on Nantucket, lobster boat cruise, Bruins opening night tickets, dining across Cape Cod, etc. The silent auction is open during cocktail hour and opens up for digital bids on September 15th. 100 raffle tickets will be sold for $100 each for a trip for two to Nashville at the Vanderbilt Hotel. It includes airfare, a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and more. Kristen and Sarah thank this year’s sponsors who have generously donated: Asset Management Resources, Boyd & Boyd, P.C., Cape Cod Retractable, Cape Cod Five, Catalyst Architects, Cyndy Jones, The Goosey Fund, Devadign, Valle Group, Dellbrook, Rockland Trust, Bill and Linda Zammer’s Foundation. Thank you also to Roche Brothers and Coonamessett Inn. Recorded on August 17, 2023.  

How much do you need to retire? This number is personal based on your desired lifestyle and goals (e.g., do you want to retire early, do you want to travel, etc.). It can also be a moving target because factors like inflation, interest rates, health issues, etc. may change. Brian encourages investors to know what they are investing in and to use the services of a financial professional to help with your portfolio. Some investments like ETFs, Index Funds, Money Market Funds, are easier to understand and you may not need all of the tools in the toolbox to do well. He suggests that investors: -        Get an emotional self-check -        Build a portfolio that you can stick with for the long-term -        Build an investment that you can understand and hold during difficult times He also says that consistent, persistent and investments that are predictable/growing at nice price will help investors to outperform market.

Are you about to get a divorce or currently going through one? Here are some things to consider from Scott Birmingham, CFP® and Jeff Tomaneng, CFP®,  who both hold their CDFA® (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst) certification and help individuals going through a divorce with their financial plan. Ø  Use an attorney who specializes in divorce or family law. Ø  Have money in the bank for typical life emergencies and to cover moving/housing expenses. Ø  Look at what expenses will look like down the road – what happens when alimony or child support ends? Ø  Set up a journal or cash transactions Ø  Freeze joint credit cards Ø  Consider if all asset divisions are equitable – some may have additional expenses associated with them If you need help with your financial plan call Asset Management Resources at (866) 771-8901. We offer a complimentary consultation. Recorded on August 17, 2023.

Scott Birmingham, CFP®, AMR’s Lead Financial Planner shares some of the things to consider if you are planning to retire early:       - You may not be eligible for Social Security, penalty-free IRA distributions, or Medicare.        - Typically, people have the bulk of their investments in retirement plans and therefore cashflow can be challenging when retiring early.      - If you retire early risk (are working fewer years) will you have enough money to cover your expenses?      - Another consideration is healthcare insurance. Pre-Medicare health insurance can be expensive.  Through the Internal Revenue Service 72T program (Substantial Periodic Payments) you can withdrawal from retirement accounts and avoid the 10% penalty. There are several restrictions, however, with this approach. If you need help with your retirement plan, reach out to Asset Management Resources at (866) 771-8901  if we can help. We offer a complimentary consultation. Recorded August 17, 2023.

Life insurance is especially important to have during your primary working years if someone (children, spouse, other) is dependent upon your income. If not one depends on your income, you may not need life insurance. It is important to know what kind of insurance you have and what it covers. In the event of severe weather, you may need additional insurance to cover extreme heat, floods, wind, fire, etc. In the case of life insurance, do you have whole life, universal, or a variation of universal life insurance? Are you familiar with the terms of your insurance policy? Some life insurance policies become void if premiums have not been kept up or there is an outstanding cash balance on the policy.  Chris and Jeff recommend that you put life insurance into context of your financial plan. If you need help with your financial plan, contact us at (866) 771-8901. To learn more about Asset Management Resources, visit AMRfinancial.com. Recorded August 10, 2023.

Scott and Jeff, Investment Advisor Representatives at Asset Management Resources, LLC, are both CDFAs (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst). In this episode, they share things to consider if you think you might be heading for divorce. First, is to get organized. Make sure you have knowledge of all of your joint and single financial assets. Make copies of three months of bank statements, investment statements, and tax returns. If there are financial records that don’t add up (e.g., high income spouse now not able to work, etc.), consider hiring a forensic accountant to do some research. Alimony and child support are not taxable or tax deductible, so consider that when developing a plan. The biggest financial items affecting one’s quality-of-life following divorce are court-ordered QDRO’s (Qualified Domestic Relations Order), which indicate how 401(k)s and pensions will be divided. Housing is also a big financial consideration when divorcing. If you are thinking about a divorce, Scott and Jeff encourage you to work with a divorce financial planner to develop a financial plan and a qualified divorce lawyer to develop a legal plan. If you need help with your financial plan, contact us at (866) 771-8901. To learn more about Asset Management Resources, visit AMRfinancial.com. Recorded August 10, 2023.

Should you be concerned about last week’s CPI numbers, which implied an uptick for inflation? Brian explains that it was expected and that the market yields responded favorably after the reading. 90% of the increase was caused from a shelter number. It is expected that the shelter is going to come down in the next few months as the lag data comes in. Brian, Chris, and Jeff, also discuss if it Is wise to leverage your debt? This is the subject of Brian Regan’s article “Using Debt Intelligently”, which was recently published on The Street|Retirement Daily. Brian’s argument is that in some cases the math makes sense to leverage the debt. If you can borrow at a low interest rate and invest at a higher rate, you earn the spread. This is the case when someone takes a mortgage out on their house and invests their money at a higher rate, rather than paying the mortgage off. One big caveat in leveraging debt is to make sure that you have the discipline to keep accessible cashflow to pay the debt down/off. Also, even if the math works it can give some people greater comfort knowing they are debt free. If you need help with your financial plan, contact us at (866) 771-8901. To learn more about Asset Management Resources, visit AMRfinancial.com. Recorded August 10, 2023.

Saving for college is investing in the future. You will have to pay for a future liability (e.g., college) – whether that be saving for it today or paying off a loan tomorrow. Families have different values when it comes to paying for a college education. In some families the parents pay and in others the parents believe that the children should work and pay for it. Parents who try to do good and borrow to pay for children’s college expenses need to ensure that they have cashflow to handle that debt or their financial plan may not work.  What do you do if your financial plan doesn’t work? If you are in or near retirement, there are small things that you can do that may make a difference. These things include cutting spending, going back to work, starting retirement later, helping others less, etc., or a combination of things. Just get started towards making positive progress right away. Every person/family should have: 1) A cash flow statement or budget to make sure your money is going where you want it to go, and 2) A balance sheet or net worth statement to see how much money/assets you have in aggregate.  If you need help with your financial plan, contact us at (866) 771-8901. To learn more about Asset Management Resources, visit AMRfinancial.com.  Recorded August 10, 2023.

Frank Frederickson joins Jeff Perry for a special Something More with Chris Boyd Cape Cod episode. Frank recently retired after 43 years with the Yarmouth Police Department, 12 as the Police Chief. Chief Frederickson showed his exceptional ability to lead in 2018, when Officer Sean Gannon was murdered and his canine was injured. Frank has taken on a new role as Director of Governmental Affairs for the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police. He talks with Jeff about some of the challenges that police face, what he plans to focus on, and how he is getting started. That includes setting priorities and working collaboratively on common goals.  Recorded August 3, 2023.

Brian Regan, CFA, Chief Investment Officer at Asset Management Resources, LLC, explains that stocks are ownership in a business. Fundamental analysis is analyzing the fundamentals of the business, applying valuation to that business, and comparing that valuation to the price currently being held in market. Everyone knows you should buy low and sell high. It’s hard to know what is low and what is high if don’t know what a company's’ value is worth. Value is what you get and price is what you pay, so you want to make sure you pay less than the value of the business. Brian encourages people not to make emotional investment decisions or play the market, and to use the resources of a certified financial planner fiduciary for your investment portfolio. If you need help with your financial plan, contact us at (866) 771-8901. To learn more about Asset Management Resources, visit AMRfinancial.com. Recorded August 3, 2023.

Jeff Tomaneng and Jeff Perry discuss Jeff Perry’s latest blog. “Take Control Over Your Financial Goals” focuses on how to take control of your life and purposely plan what to do with your money through setting SMART Goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Relevant, and Time-Based.  Read Jeff’s and other AMR Perspectives blogs at https://amrfinancial.com/resource/perspectives/ If you need help with your financial plan, contact us at (866) 771-8901. To learn more about Asset Management Resources, visit AMRfinancial.com. Recorded August 3, 2023.

Do you ask yourself “When my financial advisor provides me with a long-term projection for my financial plan, how often should I review the projections?” This episode’s “Ask the Advisor” question is answered by AMR’s Lead Financial Planner Scott Birmingham. Many factors go into making a financial plan, including income, expenses, comfort with the market, goals (retirement date, helping grandkids, travel, etc.). Scott encourages you to make a financial plan with goals so you will be putting your money towards the things in life that matter to you. Some of the top reasons that people don’t meet their financial goals in retirement are: Spending too much Not taking inflation into account           Not considering taxes           Not saving for capital expenses (e.g., new car, etc.)           Not planning for unexpected health issues Scott develops financial plans for hundreds of individuals each year. The Monte Carlo software that he uses runs thousands of simulations on a portfolio to determine their probability of success. He suggests that you review your plan with your advisor annually or more often if significant changes occur. If you need help with your financial plan, contact us at (866) 771-8901. To learn more about Asset Management Resources, visit AMRfinancial.com.

People may leave their financial advisor if they feel that goals are mismatched, there are excess or unexpected fees, and if communication and/or follow-up is poor. Make sure your advisor is a fiduciary, keeps your money at an insured 3rd party custodian, and is transparent about fees.

Asset Management Resources (AMR) uses our Active Allocation approach to recognize what’s happening in market and adjust based on a client’s risk profile. During the first half of the year, AMR set up the investment portfolio to protect clients against inflation, while another part was setup for recovery. During inflation we took less interest rate risk on the bond portfolio, less beta in the equity portfolio, and were underweight in equity as a defensive stance. We kept some assets that could rally in the face of falling inflation and maintained some intermediate duration bonds. AMR went overweight in companies that we thought were getting punished too much (e.g., recognizable mega-cap names), that recovered nicely. We have seen the big rally from mega-cap growth stocks in the first half of this year. The reality is that there are other stocks that can benefit from falling inflation and that haven’t’ caught up –some small cap and high dividend yielding stocks. Where some people might be more excited about stock market today than last October – that is the opposite way to think. We are more interested in stocks that can move in the future – those who are valued on cashflow, growth, and consistency. If you’d like to view the latest “Economic & Market Update” webinar, where we cover Q2 performance and what we see for the future, visit https://amrfinancial.com/resource/webinars/ or our You Tube channel @somethingmorewithchrisboyd4246.  You may also be interested in reading the latest “Investment Insights” newsletter, where Brian Regan, CFA, AMR’s Chief Investment Officer reviews financial news that he thought was based on false narratives, such as the exaggerated mania over inflation. AMR’s newsletters can be found at https://amrfinancial.com/media/eresources-review/. AMR’s next financial planning webinar “Are You Ready for the Retirement Red Zone?” will be held on September 20, 2023 @ 10 a.m., ET via Zoom. Register here - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TJi6Jo0uQmq2b-IBSn4K1w#/registration    Recorded July 27, 2023.

Chris talks with Jeffrey Kleintop, CFA, Chief Global Investment Strategist & Managing Director with Charles Schwab about the state of the global economy, inflation, and the possibility of recession. What are the potential opportunities and risks with international exposure? Opportunities include recovery from recession and risks include geo-political concerns and weather. When it comes to investing, geo-political risks are not necessarily higher today than in the past. Extreme weather could cause some disruptions at a time when the global economy is already vulnerable. Weather disruptions most significantly impact food production and transportation of goods. What does a global recession mean for investors? Only manufacturing and trade currently seem to be in a global recession. Services (education, travel, financial, etc.) are doing ok; however, there is concern that this sector may be weaking in the 2nd half of the year and lead to layoffs. On the good side, a slowing economic picture means that prices have come down. The CPI inflation is coming down rapidly and it will probably be the last Federal Reserve & European Central Bank rate hikes we are going to see this cycle. In the U.S. we seem to be in a rolling recession. In 2020, we experienced a service recession; now manufacturing and consumer spending is weakening, and the service sectors are strong. When these two pieces are put together, we end up with a mild overall recession in the U.S. We are however reminded that domestic investors are not exempt from geo-political (debt ceiling issue) and weather-related (heat) concerns. Japan is the best performing global market this year, closing on a new high in 30 years. Are we entering a period of foreign markets outpacing US markets? Recorded July 27, 2023.

Brian joins Chris and Jeff to talk about the current condition of the economy. The Federal Reserve made a decision to raise rates by a quarter point last week. Some question if it was necessary and that prior rate hikes need time to filter through the economy.   The CPI (Consumer Price Index) rate is at 3%. Core CPI is a little higher but coming down significantly – when housing is factored we could be looking at a CPI rate of under 2% if there are no big surprises.   Recession is less of a risk now then had been – the question now is when and how will it come? We have been in a low growth economy for a while now. From GDP growth of 7-9% in 2021, to 2nd quarter 2023 supposed to be at a reasonable growth at of 1-1/2-2%. With labor tight and credit contracting, we could be one step away from a recession if we experience some significant event or blow up in a sector. Recession is not guaranteed, but we shouldn’t be complacent.   There is still an issue with the profitability of regional banks. Banks borrowed short with deposit growth and lent at higher rates, then deposit growth transferred to higher earning assets. Regional banks are not as diversified as the larger banks – they don’t have investment banking or asset management fee-generating businesses.   With tighter credit some may be turning to home equity and credit cards. Consumer debt recently reached a record high level. Credit default has not been a problem, but there is a possibility of risk if the economy slows down.   Next week is peak week– where over 50% of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings. Thus far, earnings have been good. No doubt, we have had slowdown in the economy, but the economy is not contracting either.  Recorded July 27, 2023.    

So, you finally won the lottery. Avoid the common pitfalls of sudden wealth and take these steps to protect yourself: Secure your ticket – take a copy and place in a safety deposit box Hire good counsel – a financial advisor, CPA, and an estate lawyer  Set up a trust  Hire media representation Don't give it all away to charity or friends/family Have a plan figured out before you start spending Recorded July 20,2023  

Medicare is a complex program and can sometimes be confusing. Susan Flanagan of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts joins Chris and Jeff to break it down. If you are planning for retirement, you will definitely want to listen in. Susan answers these questions and more: What are the different parts of Medicare? Who is eligible for it? Do I need supplemental insurance? What if I’m still working at 65? What if I quit working before 65?

Chris Fitzgerald, General Manager of the Falmouth Commodores joined Something More with Chris Boyd to talk about the Cape Cod Baseball League and the Commodores. The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) is comprised of 10 teams. They play 44 games per season (June and July) and the top 4 in each division go to the playoffs.  1 in 6 MLB players played in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Each team recruits 30 NCAA players from around the country. It’s a moving target with some players coming late due to college playoffs, some getting selected to play in Team USA, some getting drafted in the MLB. This year 26 Commodores players were drafted. The Commodores organization is supported by coaches, interns, a Board of Directors, volunteers, host families, and sponsors. Games are free and the organization is entirely run on donations from fans and sponsors. Plus, the team participates in community events and every home game recognizes a different community organization. This is the Cape Cod Baseball Leagues and the Falmouth Commodores 100-year anniversary since they were officially formed in 1923.

Jeff and Jeff review a BankRate.com survey (April 2023) about money and stress. 52% said money has a negative impact on their health and causes stress. 82% of the 52% say it’s economic factors (e.g., inflation, interest rates, etc.) that are causing their stress. Middle generations are more stressed about money. Jeff Tomaneng attributes this to middle generations being homeowners and starting families. Their advice for couples who are stressed about money is to: - Construct a balance sheet and statement of cash flows - If saving for high ticket expenses (e.g., college, etc.), cut down on expenses like dining out, etc.  - Seek out the help of a financial planner.  Recorded July 13, 2023.

Jeff and Jeff discuss some of the top mistakes people make when planning for retirement from a MarketWatch article. They are:       Not planning for long-term care expenses. They suggest that this should be considered as part of a comprehensive financial plan that is developed well before the need arises.       Not accounting for Inflation over one’s lifetime. Inflation is bound to happen. They suggest to determine the future cost of what a new car or other major expenses will cost.           Being too cautious. If you are in or near retirement and are too risk adverse, you may not be able to earn enough income to keep up with inflation Not being prepared for surprises. Health issues may occur as we get older, there may be the need for a roof, etc. Cash flow needs to be available to cover these unexpected expenses

Jeff hosts for Chris. He reviews some key financial indicators that recently came out: Consumer Price Index rate of inflation was less than anticipated Producer Price Index for June only Rose 110th of 1%. The unemployment rate is 3.6% in the United States, that means 66 million people who are looking for a job in the United States were not able to find a job. The labor participation rate is 62.6% and that's numbers holding steady. So basically we are seeing strong numbers for the employment front, with low levels of unemployment. Jeff and Cathi talk about her most recent blog “When I’m 64 – or 66-1/2 – 80”.  People can retire from their current job at any age. That doesn’t mean that can’t continue to work another job, a volunteer position, or wherever their passion may take them.

Chris and Jeff discuss a CNBC article, "Don’t be Fooled by Common Money Myths Financial Gurus Make". 1) Financial ‘advice’ always has your best interests at heart A fiduciary advisor has a legal duty to put your economic and financial interests ahead of their own. How one is compensated may flavor their interest. 2) You must pay for frequent credit report access “The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives us the right to one free credit report every 12 months from AnnualCreditReport.com. 3) Paying off your mortgage early isn’t worth it If your mortgage interest rate exceeds your likely return in the market, it generally makes sense to pay off the mortgage faster and visa-versa. But a mortgage paydown is akin to a guaranteed return. 4) You don’t need emergency savings These accounts shouldn’t be considered as part of a long-term savings plan for college tuition, a new car or a vacation. Instead, this fund is a safety net to be tapped only during emergencies. 5) You must monitor the stock market daily Focusing on daily market swings can contribute to making moves you’ll later regret, like selling at an inopportune time. 6) Money can make you happiest Studies have linked money with happiness. But it’s what people do with that money that ultimately makes them happiest.

Doug MacDonald, President & CEO of Murray & MacDonald Insurance Services joins to discuss things you don’t typically think about with property and casualty insurance. Doug suggests that your watercraft policy give you replacement cost coverage for partial damage. You should encourage everyone on your boat to wear a life vest and have an umbrella policy as an additional layer of liability. Your homeowner’s policy extends to physical damage as well (e.g., your golf ball accidentally hits someone’s head and creates a lot of damage). Hurricane season runs June through November, and with that comes floods and erosion. Erosion is not typically covered in your homeowner’s policy, nor is a mudslide or sinkhole. Homeowner policies will give you a sinkhole rider. In Florida, where they are common, they mandated that homeowner policies must cover sinkhole coverage. Earthquake coverage is also not covered on a standard homeowner’s policy. There are about 5,000 earthquakes felt each year in the U.S., so there’s going to be exposure. New England is an earthquake prone zone area. The Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) will often come in and offer home owner loans on more favorable terms to provide those affected a place to live and dry clothes, but they’re not going to rebuild. There are three deductibles that you'll see with a wind storm – windstorm, storm, and hurricane. There are also named storm deductibles that go into effect if your home is damaged in a storm that's been named by the National Weather Service or National Hurricane Center. There have been 9 catastrophic events in the last three years, each one of those over $10 billion in claims. This is causing the reinsurance marketplace to raise rates, so a lot of people are seeing that homeowner prices are going up due to the cost of repairs.

Chris and Jeff talk about books and podcasts – and the Something More with Chris Boyd podcast now available on YouTube! They discuss the latest IRS scam where unclaimed tax notices are being mailed on what appears to be IRS letterhead. People are asked to fill out their Social Security number, etc. and provide a copy their driver’s license. Unfortunately, there are so many nefarious individuals out there trying to take advantage of trusting people. If you receive anything that does not appear to be legitimate, don’t respond immediately. In this case, get the actual number to the IRS and call them to verify the legitimacy of the letter.  

Chris, Brian, and Jeff talk about biased and fear-based investing. Many make investment decisions based on factors such as politics or where a certain stock sector is going and time the market wrong. When people get nervous, they often sell low vs. using it as a buying opportunity. They encourage people to do their research, be in for the market for the long-term, and not act on impulse.

Brian’s back. He talks with Chris and Jeff about improving financial indicators, which indicates that the economy is starting to normalize. Where has the 18-month promise of a recession been?  Brian discusses other false narratives, such as the housing suffering, and if he thinks the banking crisis is over? The Fed put a floor on the immediate crisis and the largest US banks did well on their recent stress tests.   They also talk about the employment picture and the “graying of America”. 

Chris and Jeff chat about the July 4th holiday weekend. They answer an “Ask the Advisor” question “Should I convert my 401(s) to an IRA or ROTH IRA? Last but not least, they discuss a CNBC article about what money matters cause strife in a marriage.  

Chris & Jeff discuss the 12 retirement mistakes to avoid from a "US News & World Report" article. Some of the mistakes are not getting an early start in saving for retirement, agreeing to support adult children, overlooking contribution opportunities, etc. Listen in as they provide tips on how to manage these potential retirement planning setbacks.

In this episode, Chris talks with Ric Edelman, investor, author, and founder of Edelman Financial Engines about digital assets and blockchain. Ric also started a Digital Asset Council of Financial Professionals (DACFP), which provides courses and a certification on crypto.   Their conversation includes the difference between cryptocurrency and crypto assets. Ric feels that crypto should be considered part of a diversified portfolio, but not more than 1%.  Ric cautions against financial advisors offering clients an account to buy Bitcoin, but suggests a better way is to buy securities that invest in the crypto space.  At 50 minutes, Chris and Jeff Perry continue the crypto convo. They question how crypto assets are valued, how to identify those “bad” actors (e.g., FTX, etc.), and that retirees may not have time to recover from downward fluctuations of crypto.

Attorney F. Keats Boyd, III, President at the Law Offices of Boyd & Boyd, P.C., joins Chris. Keats reviews basic estate planning documents and when they are applicable. It’s never to early to have a Healthcare Proxy, Power of Attorney, Will, Revocable Trust, and HIPPA Authorization in place to ensure your desires are carried out if you become incapable of doing so.  

Chris and Jeff talk about the benefit of having life insurance at different stages of one’s life. Life insurance can serve as a temporary tool to give one time to create the wealth that has not yet been created. How much life insurance you need should ideally be determined in the context of your financial plan. Most people purchase life insurance to pay off debt and create an income stream to support their family members after their death. There are different types of life insurance. It is important to determine your need, review the cost and terms of the policy, etc., before purchasing life insurance. Life insurance policies are underwritten by health and financial capacity based on statistical data – since you likely pay a higher rate if you have existing health conditions,  it can make sense to get life insurance while healthy. 

Chris & Jeff talk about the market. This week the Federal Reserve paused on interest rate hikes for May and the market is reacting favorably. The Core Inflation Rate is still at 5+, so it is unclear if rates will be hiked in future months. Chris discusses a Morningstar article “5 Charts on the Super Concentrated Stock Market”. For the first five months of 2023, 10 stocks accounted for 97% of the totals gain from the Morningstar US Large-Mid Index.

Chris has a great conversation with Robert Powell, award-winning journalist about retirement planning. They talk about bucket lists (once you reach 65 you have on average 8,000 days left on this earth), cashflow (using guaranteed income for essential expenses), retirement risks (inflation, divorce, policy change, etc. - plan ahead for those that you can), and elder planning.   Listen in for considerations regarding planning for a secure retirement, and follow Robert Powell on Finstream.TV and at Retirement Daily.net.  

May was Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we celebrate Jeff Tomaneng, CFP®. Jeff is a first generation Filipino American and was recently recognized as a nationwide leader in the article “Amplifying 8 Asian-American Voices in Financial Planning”. Jeff is a wealth manager at AMR and a co-host of the FPA Wicked Pissah Podcast, produced by the Financial Planning Association of New England to provide thought leadership for financial advisors.   Chris and Jeff talk about what to do and not do in market down turns. In any market, make sure that your risk profile fits your temperament. They also discuss the debt ceiling and Republican Presidential candidates.   Recorded May 27, 2023

Scott Birmingham shares a survey (How well do people perceive their readiness for retirement?) by The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Roughly 20% of people interviewed are in bad shape for a secure financial retirement and know it, 40% are in good shape and know it, and 40% are not aware of how they are doing. Chris and Jeff, talk about the SEC injunction against Binance (cryptocurrency). The SEC claims that $2.2BN of investor’s funds are at significant risk due to the company co-mingling them with that of the founders' investments.

Kristen Mitchell-Hughes, Vice President of Tourism, from Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce joins Chris and Jeff. She shares what special events are planned for this summer season and the challenges the hospitality industry faces. Visit CapeCodChamber.org for a list of events. Mark Skala, President & CEO, Cape & Islands United Way talks with Chris and Jeff about the important mission that they provide to help with education, health, financial stability, and affordable housing on the Cape. Their 25th annual Best Night Gala will be held on June 23rd from 6-10pm and honor 25 people critical in the early days. Recorded June 1, 2023

Is Social Security going to be around when you need it?  Chris and Jeff talk about a CNBC Social Security poll that shows bi-partisan support for reducing benefits for high earners, raising the amount of Social Security benefits, raising the retirement age, and increasing payroll tax.  They discuss a Schwab article about when to take Social Security and how much you can withdraw annually from your portfolio for cashflow needs. People are often uncomfortable about taking withdrawals after they have saved so long for retirement. The general rule has been if you are in a 50/50 type portfolio and withdraw 4% annually with an adjustment for inflation, that you have a high probability of not running out of money over 30 years of retirement. There is more pressure on the 4% rule when stocks are not performing at their long-term average or when inflation is high, etc. A good practice is to have a separate bucket for liquidity to withdraw from if the market is not favorable at the time cash is needed. It is important to have a financial plan to know if you are on a path that is sustainable or if you have room to take higher cash withdrawals.

MA State Rep. Steven Xiharos shares his experience being a Gold Star Father of his son Nicholas and what Memorial Day means to him. Michelle DeSilva, Cape Cod Cares for the Troops, discusses their annual Troops in the Spotlight event.

The AMR team talks about the #market – how is it doing, biases people may have– political or fear, and bank credit tightening. They also review a couple of lessons learned – portfolio allocation and quick money. #financialplanning #investments #stocks

Guest David Walker, US Comptroller General of the United States from 1998-2008 and advocate for federal fiscal responsibility, talks with Chris and Jeff Perry about the dangers if the deficit is left untreated. Recorded on May 18, 2023.

Chris and Jeff discuss the debt ceiling and the politics around it. They also cover Social Security Reform and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). With graduation season underway, they discuss the job situation and the importance of financial literacy for new grads. 

CEO Chris Boyd, CFP®, and IAR Jeff Perry, JD, are joined by Jean Chatzky. Jean is an award-winning journalist, podcast host, radio show co-host, and CEO and founder of the HerMoney Podcast. She joins us to discuss the unique financial challenges women face in the workplace and in life. Chris and Jeff get into personal finance, discuss financial planning matters, and bring up the importance of budgeting while introducing AMR's Something More Mentoring complimentary personal finance program.

Host and CEO Chris Boyd, CFP®, and Jeff Perry, JD, are joined by Chris's mother, Ina Boyd, to share stories and express appreciation for all mothers out there. AMR team members express their gratitude and share lessons from their moms.

CEO Chris Boyd, CFP®, IAR Jeff Perry, JD, and CIO Brian Regan, CFA®, get into financial planning considerations while discussing AMR's upcoming complimentary Social Security and Medicare seminar on June 6th, which will provide insight for plans and strategies that can increase your understanding of social security and Medicare. As different people view debt differently, the team brings up types of debt, good debt vs bad debt, when to borrow vs when to use cash, and how to leverage debt to build wealth. Brian shares insight on what a Realistic Rate of Return is, different methods of measuring a good rate of return, and how the Realistic Rate of Return fits into a financial plan. They get into institutional investing and wealth management as it relates to banks, pension funds, endowments, insurance companies, and these institutional investors should manage money.

We are joined by Nicole Spencer, Executive Director of Heroes in Transition (HIT), to discuss HIT's 8th annual Ruck race. The 200+ mile race runs through all 15 towns on Cape Cod, is roughly 36 hours in duration, and raises funds for HIT’s continuing effort to never leave a fallen hero behind. Visit https://heroesintransition.org/ for more information.  

Something More with Chris Boyd celebrates its 16-year anniversary. Chris reflects on the start of the show and his firm. Chris and Jeff discuss the Federal Reserve’s recent decision of another Fed funds rate hike, their goals of slowing the economy and how it has affected markets. They talk about moments of difficulty and challenge with recent bank failures and ask about the value of these banks. Chris and Jeff get into a political discussion around US debt ceiling concerns, considerations, hopes, and more.

Host and IAR Jeff Perry, JD, and CIO Brian Regan, CFA®, take the hour to discuss financial matters. They start by giving an economic and market update by commenting on GDP numbers, how the stock market is priced, the role earnings and interest rates has on stocks, employment rates, the Federal Reserve’s actions, and consumer sentiment. Brian then reviews corporate earnings and shares his impressions on specific “mega cap” stocks. He discusses the differences between these “mega cap” companies and what he finds important when valuing a stock. Jeff and Brian go down the path of AI technology and how the rise in AI will affect some of these businesses. Later, Jeff asks Brian about his recent article “Investors Beware! Celebrities and Companies Can Mislead You” published on TheStreet, covering ways investors can be mislead by celebrity endorsements.