The word “recession” is enough to make any economist shudder. But sometimes recessions happen and it’s important to be prepared.  In this episode, Marc Bautis explains whether we should be worried about an impending recession and how to combat one if it does happen. In this episode, you will learn:  The four phases of the … Continue reading Episode 22 – What Would You Do If There Was a Recession? →

Do you want your investments to align with your personal values? If so, you may be interested in socially responsible investing! In this episode of Agent of Wealth Podcast, Marc Bautis explains socially responsible investing and how to use environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments in your portfolio.  In this episode, you will learn: The … Continue reading Episode 21 – How to Use ESG Investments in Your Portfolio →

Should you be investing in real estate?  In today’s episode, Marc Bautis breaks down what investing in real estate involves and the benefits of adding it to your investment strategy.  In this episode, you will learn: The main reasons to consider incorporating real estate into your portfolio The different types of real estate options available … Continue reading Episode 20 – Adding Real Estate to Your Investment Strategy →

Do you know how much your business is worth? You deserve to know your business’s value throughout its entire lifecycle, not just when you go to exit. In this episode, Marc Bautis speaks with guest Jason Early, chief revenue officer at BizEquity, about the advantages of knowing your business’s value and how to overcome barriers … Continue reading Episode 19 – Benefits to Knowing Your Business’s Value Now — With Guest Jason Early →

In this episode of Agent of Wealth Podcast, you will meet Victoria Finlay, a financial advisor at Bautis Financial. Victoria studied financial planning at Virginia Tech University and has been working at Bautis Financial for about a year. In this episode, you will learn: What the first year of work at a financial advising office … Continue reading Episode 18 – Meet Victoria Finlay of Bautis Financial →

Agent of Wealth Podcast Summary Have you prepared a budget that you stick to regularly? Wondering why you should? In this episode of Agent of Wealth Podcast, Marc Bautis is joined by Judy Lawrence, a personal finance counselor, speaker on money management, and author of two financial bestsellers. Marc and Judy discuss the importance of … Continue reading Episode 17 – Budgeting to Make Your Money Work for You — With Judy Lawrence →

Perhaps you feel emotionally ready to retire, but are you financially ready? Stop the Google search and discover which financial issues to consider before you retire. In the final episode of this two-part series, Marc Bautis covers action items to take care of before retirement, including asset allocation, tax planning, and long-term planning. In this … Continue reading Episode 16 – What Issues Should I Consider Before I Retire? – Part 2 →

Making the transition to retirement can be stressful unless you’re fully prepared for the financial, mental, and emotional changes that go with it. In this episode of Agent of Wealth Podcast, Marc Bautis gives you an exclusive walk-through of his retirement preparation checklist and offers expert recommendations along the way.   In this episode, you … Continue reading Episode 15 – What Should I Consider Before I Retire? →

You planned and saved for the cost of college, and then you spent more than you ever could have imagined. Let’s face it: Student loans are daunting, and you may need help to navigate the next financial steps. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast, Marc Bautis sits down with student loan expert Jan Miller of Miller Student Loan Consultants to explain how you can pay off student debt as efficiently and pain-free as possible. In this episode, you will learn:How Jan analyzes potential clients’ financial standings to determine their next steps.What the four pillars of student loan repayment are and the difference between each one.How working for a non-profit organization may save you money on loan repayment.How to tell if your debt-repayment plan is going to be the best plan for you.And more!This is the third installment of a three-part college planning series. Listen to the first installment, “How To Start Saving and Planning For College,” and the second installment "How to Cut The Cost of College" — both with guest John Williams, Wealth Advisor.Resources:Episode Transcript & Blog | Bautis Financial: (862) 205-5000

As technology continues to advance, cyber security is becoming a necessary topic of conversation. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast, host Marc Bautis is joined by John Williams, Wealth Advisor at Bautis Financial. Together, they discuss the most common cyber security threats for individuals’ and small business’ finances, and how to combat them. In this episode, you will learn: The importance of having workflows in place to ensure online security.Why individuals should request a credit report twice a year.How to tell if an email is dangerous.Ways to strengthen your passwords to ensure security across platforms.And more!Resources:Episode Transcript & Blog | Bautis Financial: (862) 205-5000

You’ve spent your life saving for your child’s education, and now the time has come for those savings to be used. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast, host Marc Bautis sits down with college planning expert John Williams to discuss how you can get the most out of your college savings. In this episode, you will learn:The importance of applying for financial aid, even if you think you’re ineligible.Which financial-aid applications you should fill out based on your situation.Why attending a college that’s not on the water may actually save you money.Whether you can exclude assets from your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation.Why you should remain realistic and upfront when planning for college.And more!This is the second installment of a three-part college planning series. Listen to the first installment, “How To Start Saving and Planning For College,” and the third installment "How to Pay Off Your Student Loan" with student loan expert Jan Miller of Miller Student Loan Consultants.Resources:Episode Transcript & Blog | Bautis Financial: (862) 205-5000

Even the least financially savvy people know that saving for college is a lengthy but important process. If you’re not sure where to begin, let The Agent of Wealth host Marc Bautis and his colleague John Williams be your guides.In this episode, you will learn:When you should start saving for your own (or your kids’) college education.Why 529 plans have become almost synonymous with college planning.How investing in real estate may help you save for schooling.Why it’s important to be flexible when it comes to planning for college.And more!This is the first installment of a three-part college planning series. Listen to the second installment, "How to Cut The Cost of College," which also features John Williams. And the third installment, "How to Pay Off Your Student Loan" with Jan Miller of Miller Student Loan Consultants.Resources:Episode Transcript & Blog | Bautis Financial: (862) 205-5000

Marc Bautis’ newest series covers content from the financial planning workshops that he and his team put on in North Jersey. In this first part, Marc teaches you how to maximize your Social Security benefit and he clears up common misconceptions along the way. In this episode, you will learn: How Social Security adjusts for … Continue reading Episode 10 – Financial Workshops Part 1: Maximizing Your Social Security →

Right now the markets are a little precarious and have been more volatile in the last month than they have been over the past decade. Are you wondering how much risk exposure you have in your portfolio? Today, Marc Bautis explains how investors can incorporate enough risk in their portfolios to achieve their goals—while still … Continue reading Episode 9 – Understanding Risk in Your Portfolio →

g7us9p4g A lot of people want to achieve big goals, like starting a business, losing weight, investing in a real estate project—or all of the above. But many people don’t achieve their biggest goals. Why is that? In this episode, Marc Bautis shares what successful people do differently to land their achievements. In this episode … Continue reading Episode 8 – This is How Successful People Achieve Big Goals →

For the past few years, investors have experienced mostly smooth sailing conditions in the stock market. However, the markets have become rockier since October, prompting investors to wonder what actions they should be taking. Today, Marc Bautis dives into the current state of the economy, outlining what’s going on, what’s causing the recent turbulence, and … Continue reading Episode 7 – Breaking Down the Current State of the Economy →

How often do you reassess your tax planning or insurance policies? In the fourth and final part of Marc Bautis’ mini-series on year-end financial planning, Marc shares several ways you can reassess your taxes and insurance to maximize your financial potential. In this episode, you will learn: How the new tax laws will affect your … Continue reading Episode 6 – Last Chance Financial Planning: Part 4 →

It’s time for part three of Marc Bautis’ financial planning series! Today, Marc details how you can plan for major life transitions, like selling a home or adopting a child. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to determine if downsizing will actually save you money Four options for your 401(k) or retirement account if you … Continue reading Episode 5 – Last Chance Financial Planning: Part 3 →

In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast, host Marc Bautis is back to share part two of the 2018 Year-End Financial Planning Checklist. In this part, you’ll learn everything you need to know about making retirement plan contributions before 2019 begins.  In this episode, you will learn:The benefit of making contributions to your retirement plan.The contribution limits and deadlines for the most common retirement plans.Bautis Financial’s strategy for clients who can’t contribute to an IRA or Roth IRA because their income exceeds the limit.Recommendations for automating year-round contributions.What to consider when deciding to convert to an IRA to a Roth IRA.And more!Resources:Episode Transcript & Blog | Download the Checklist | Bautis Financial: (862) 205-5000

Do you wait until April to look over your finances? If so, you’re not alone; most people wait until spring to do a review. But there are financial matters that need to be taken care of by December 31st. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast, host Marc Bautis kicks off a series on the Last-Chance Financial Planning Checklist covering eight key areas:TaxesRetirementInvestmentsInsuranceMilestonesHealthChangesFamilyListen to the rest of the 2018 Year-End Financial Checklist Podcast Series:Part 2Part 3Part 4Resources:Download the Checklist | Bautis Financial: (862) 205-5000