128 – 7 Steps Before Big Financial Decisions

It has happened to the best of us. We have a big financial decision, and we jump the gun to make a large purchase before we ask for advice or really think things through, leaving us financially vulnerable afterward. Since making big financial decisions is something that we all face eventually, Bob and Shawn have put together seven recommended steps you should take before making a large purchase.

These steps can be used for anything, such as buying a new car, your first house, or even new appliances. Gaining advice and insight through using these seven steps can help take away the stress and fear of the unknown when it comes to your finances. Knowing you have the monetary means to confidently make a large purchase can offer an indescribable feeling of financial freedom.

127 – Annuities 101: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Bob and Shawn discuss the pros and cons of an annuity, i.e. the good, the bad, and the ugly. What exactly is an annuity? It is an insurance contract issued and distributed by financial institutions with the intention of paying out invested funds in a fixed income stream in the future. We discuss the types of annuities – variable annuities, fixed annuities, and fixed indexed annuities.

Did you know many annuities don’t require you to be a financial advisor to sell them? This is why it is so important to always go through a fiduciary-based investment advisor when dealing with annuities and other investment products. For example, fixed and fixed indexed annuities are the MOST sold annuities but are NOT regulated by the SEC or FINRA, which can lead to abusive selling practices. This, along with several other issues, may lead to severe complications in the future for investors. There are some good qualities as well, which are also touched upon in this episode, but we want you to get the full story.

126 – 10 Flaws Of DIY Investing

Bob and Shawn delve into the investing realm to discuss why investing isn’t something that you should just DIY. This episode is super important for anyone who has ever thought about investing on their own. Investing correctly involves time, tools, and expertise. You really might be surprised at the flaws of DIY investing, and why it is not something that we recommend you do solo!

Christian Financial Advisors has the tools to help you with an investment portfolio, and these tools come at a price of both money and time. Think of how many things in your life you normally wouldn’t attempt to do-it-yourself: fixing household appliances, car maintenance, roofing, etc. You call a professional! These same conditions also apply to investing. Find out why you should stick to a professional, fiduciary based financial advisor when it comes to your investment portfolio.

125 – The Basics of Estate Planning

We discuss the basics of an estate plan, documents that should be included, and the importance of a financial power of attorney. How long has it been since you last updated your estate plan, or do you even have one? There are obvious considerations, like having a new child, and not-so-obvious reasons like your child just became a legal adult.

No matter your rationale, it is crucial to keep your estate plan as up-to-date as possible, usually every 3-4 years. These topics and more are broken down into an easy-to-follow conversation to help you better understand the importance of updating and creating an estate plan.