As we approach the new year, it's essential to stay informed about the financial changes that could impact your retirement planning. The latest episode of the Caffeine and Cash Flow podcast will provide you with updates for 2025, focusing on pension and retirement plan contribution limits.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The maximum amounts you can put into different types of IRAs.
• Should you be maxing out the catch-up contributions?
• Something that’s brand new for 2025.
• Social Security COLA increase and other changes to benefits.
• The gift tax exclusion is going up as well.

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897

We’ll continue with part two of our conversation on how the economy has grown under previous presidential administrations. In the previous episode, we discussed some of the more recent administrations, but this time we’ll go back deeper into history and take a good look at older data.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• How inflation factors into growth for certain asset classes.
• How WWII tied into the economic recovery out of the Great Depression.
• Stock markets generally stayed strong during the Depression and through the war.
• Building a portfolio that’s resistant to politics.

Learn more: https://caffeinecashflow.com/

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897

With the election behind us, we now know that former President Trump will have another four years in the White House. While that could mean policy shifts in all sorts of areas, we want to focus on how it may impact the economy so Michael will take a deep dive into the data on different economic growth factors, and what the numbers have looked like under both Republican and Democratic administrations over the years.

In part one of this two-part conversation, we’ll break down how the stock market and the economy are not necessarily the same thing, and how they don’t always go hand in hand. We’ll also discuss how the stock market has grown substantially over the last 97 years across many administrations of both parties. Then, we’ll get into specific growth numbers and what exactly they mean.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The stock market and the economy are not the same thing, and they’re not always hand in hand.
• The shocking growth of the stock market over the last 97 years.
• The role of risk and how it can impact expected returns.
• How different growth metrics have done across different Presidential administrations.
• Even when the market is a whole is doing well or poorly, there will still be differences in different sectors.

Learn more: https://caffeinecashflow.com/

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897

When it comes to planning for retirement, there's no shortage of advice out there. Unfortunately, much of it can be misleading or only half-true. That can be a problem for investors because they end up following guidance that doesn’t apply to their situation. Today we continue our two-part discussion on these potentially misleading statements by shedding light on some of the most common retirement half-truths and explain why they might not tell the whole story.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

• Half-truth #6: You should withdraw 4% annually from your retirement savings.
• Half-truth #7: Saving just enough to match your employer’s 401(k) contribution is sufficient.
• Half-truth #8: You don’t need a retirement plan if you plan to work throughout retirement.
• Half-truth #9: Medicare will take care of all your healthcare needs after retirement.
• Half-truth #10: Social Security will cover your basic expenses in retirement.

Learn more: https://caffeinecashflow.com/

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897

We hear a lot of half-truths in the financial world, not necessarily because people try to make misleading statements, but because sometimes a simple statement just doesn’t quite tell the whole story.

Join us for part one of this discussion as we cover common misconceptions about market losses, portfolio fees, mortgage interest, diversification, and bonds. We’ll provide insights on why these half-truths can be misleading and how to navigate them for better financial planning.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

• Half-truth #1: The market always goes up in the long run, so don’t worry about individual losses.
• Half-truth #2: The fees in your portfolio are less than 1 percent.
• Half-truth #3: If you have a low interest mortgage, you’re better off investing than paying off the house early.
• Half-truth #4: Diversification is THE key to investing.
• Half-truth #5: Bonds will significantly reduce the risk in your portfolio.

Learn more: https://caffeinecashflow.com/

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897

Paying for college has become increasingly harder with rising costs. Starting early for your child's or grandchild's education can make a big difference and reduce the need for excessive borrowing later. In this two-part series, we’ll cover the key aspects of college financial planning from both the parent and grandparent perspectives.

Part one broke down the costs associated with college, how much they’ve risen, and how to determine if the value is worth it over time. Now we’re focused on the strategies for saving money to cover rising tuition costs, determining who should pay for college, and the various tools available for funding education.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• How much and how early should you be saving?
• What are the best savings vehicles or accounts for college savings?
• Should you risk your own retirement to help fund your child’s education?

Learn more: https://caffeinecashflow.com/

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897

Paying for college has become increasingly harder with rising costs. Starting early for your child's or grandchild's education can make a big difference and reduce the need for excessive borrowing later. In this two-part series, we’ll cover the key aspects of college financial planning from both the parent and grandparent perspectives.

From understanding the true purpose of college to comparing the opportunity costs and exploring various saving methods, this first episode is packed with practical advice to help you plan effectively for one of life's biggest expenses. We’ll break down how the costs have risen significantly over time and whether it’s truly worth the price at many schools.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Details on tuition costs at different public and private schools and how much that’s changed over the past few decades.
• The purpose of college is to increase your future earnings but at what cost?
• The importance of strategic planning when it’s time to make your decision.

To learn more about the cost of college, visit this link: https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college-by-year#:~:text=In%201999%2D2000%2C%20tuition%20at,schools%2C%20from%20%244%2C975%20to%20%248%2C274.

Learn more: https://caffeinecashflow.com/

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897

In any sport, it is often the smallest, most consistent actions that make the biggest difference. In today’s episode, Michael shares insights from his experience coaching youth baseball to show that this philosophy is just as important in financial planning as it is on the field. Listen in as he shares 15 “little things” that everyone should focus on in their finances to achieve winning personal finance.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Do you have a clear understanding of what portion of your assets and income are protected from lawsuits?
• Do you know what percentage of your income you are currently saving and investing for the future?
• Do you understand when and how you can access the money inside your retirement account?
• Do you know how to measure the risk inside your investments and retirement accounts?

Learn more: https://caffeinecashflow.com/

Get in touch with Michael-

Web: https://www.westpacwealth.com/team/michael-schulte

Email: michael.schulte@westpacwealth.com

Phone: 702-767-4897