Something More With Chris Boyd Show Podcasts

Chris and Cathi talk about National Financial Awareness Day on Saturday, August 14th. Jeff Perry discusses the $1.2T Infrastructure bill and what’s included. He also talks about the $3.5T budget plan and what has to happen for it to be approved. Chris answers a question from the client mailbag: “As a retiree, where should I take money from for a $100,000 roof replacement?”

Chris and Brian discuss the increased cost in housing, cars, and other goods. Does this mean inflation? Brian answers clients' questions:  “How high can the market go?” "Why are airline and cruise line stocks not going up?” Our interns Ryan Boyd and Ilya Boyd share their experience while working at AMR this summer.

Chris’ guest is Michael Townsend, Managing Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at Charles Schwab. They discuss what’s happening in Washington and how it affects investors. Things to look out for are: The Debt Ceiling – The US is currently at the debt ceiling so Congress will either need to raise it or suspend it for a given period of time. Taxes – The increase in corporate taxes and individual top income tax rate are likely to pass. Less likely to pass are the capital gains taxed as ordinary income for filers with over $1M adjusted gross income and step-up in basis for inherited assets. Crypto-currency - SEC is looking at rules. ESG Investing - SEC looking at new rules to expand disclosure by public companies around climate change.    

Chris talks with Kathy McNamara, CEO at Cape Cod Community College Education Foundation about the new state-of-the-art STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) building being built on campus. The building broke ground a year ago and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2022. It is being funded by the Commonwealth of MA, Cape Cod Community College, and donations through the Cape Cod Community College Foundation. Visit ccccfoundation.org to learn more about this important initiative.

Nicholas Membrillo, Senior Mortgage Lender at Peoples Home Equity (aka Cardinal Financial), talks with Chris and Scott about real estate and mortgage financing in the greater Nashville market. He touches on historic low interest rates and whether it’s more advantageous to finance for 30 years or a shorter term. Due to tightened financial practices, Nicholas doesn’t foresee a housing crisis as in 2008. Less supply and remodeling are leading to increased values in home prices. Nicholas feels that real estate can be a good long-term investment.

Chris and Cathi talk about the Covid-19 Delta variant trends. Gretchen Arvanitopoulos, VP at CORD (Cape Organization for rights of the Disabled), Mike Perna and Jeff Tomaneng of AMR join Chris to talk about financial planning for people with disabilities. CORD helps connect people with disabilities to available resources. They discuss the following and more: It is important to utilize a financial planner and lawyer who have experience in this field and can help navigate the process. Reach out early to understand the benefits that are available to younger children. Plan for guardianship well before the disabled child turns 18 years of age. Think about a plan to care for the disabled child when you cannot; consider a special needs trust. Realize that care needs may change in the future and a personal care attendant may be in order so consider cashflow and investment needs. Use a reputable/monitored rep payee if needed to manage bill payment and money needs. Life insurance may be of benefit in covering costs on

Chris and Jeff Perry discuss the July 31st Debt Ceiling deadline. Once the Congress borrowing limit is reached, lawmakers must raise the ceiling before Treasury can issue more debt (e.g., bonds) to pay US obligations. The national debt is currently $28 trillion, not counting entitlements ( https://www.usdebtclock.org provides more data on US debt information). They also discuss the Infrastructure Deal, which includes proposals for transportation, water, etc. The Infrastructure Deal is not complete and will be going through the amendment process starting this week.  

The AMR team talks about the recent Wall Street Journal article on life expectancy dropping by 1-5 years in 2020 - the largest decline since at least World War II. Scott shares financial planning tips for widowhood. One of the most important is ensuring that cashflow needs are being met to cover expenses. Chris answers a mailbag question from a client on the cost of annuities. With Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Richard Branson all recently traveling to space, triggered AMR team members to share what they would each do if they had unlimited funds. Listen in for an engaging discussion on financial matters – and some fun too!

Chris and Brian discuss performance for the first half of 2021 and the factors driving the market. The S&P average annual returns have been at 14% for the prior decade and the all-stock index has surpassed 14% over the last six months. Covid continues to be a concern, with the Delta variant 3x more contagious. However, we are getting near herd immunity with fewer hospitalizations and death. The Federal Reserve and AMR use Core PCE to measure long-term inflation. (News outlets often us CPI to measure inflation, which includes energy and food and is more volatile.) This measure has been running at 2.45% annualized rate of return over the last 2 years. Last quarter it ran at 3.39%, which is higher than targeted but not absurd. Inflation could be transient and settle at slightly higher than historic norms. Housing prices have been high with 10-20% gains. This will probably moderate from where it’s been due to low supply and high demand during Covid. Housing prices in 2021 are on par with where were 2018. Cos

Do you have financial and personal goals? Jeff Perry and Jeff Tomaneng discuss SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals and why they are important. Brian discusses how energy prices affect inflation and the markets. The oil sweet spot price is where marginal cost meets marginal demand; however, this can not be controlled in a free-market economy.   AMR team member share their favor financial book and why: Brian – Crisis Economic, Little Book for Beating the Stock Market Cathi – Too Big to Fail Jeff Tomaneng – The Truth About Money Scott Birmingham - The Millionaire Next Door, The Smartest Guys in the Room Jeff Perry – One up on Wall Street  

Scott reviews AMR's 360 financial planning process. This process intends to understand one's comprehensive picture in order to provide the best financial guidance in consideration of a clients financial and life goals.  Jeff and Cathi discuss National Give Something Away Day. Don't forget to tell us about your favorite financial book by commenting to our July 15th Facebook post. You could win a copy of Susan B. Turnbull's "The Wealth of Your Life: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will" or a Something More with Chris Boyd coffee mug!

Divorce is the 2nd most stressful thing that one can face in life. Scott talks about how to prepare financially before, during, and after. Get organized by pulling tax returns, bank statements, credit card statements, etc. It’s important to discuss Social Security, work pensions, homes, and other individual and shared assets. Keep your beneficiary and estate plan up to date. Questions are answered from AMR’s  Mailbag on the Didi rideshare IPO and  international investments.

Jeff Perry hosts for Chris this week. Sunday was World Population Day. Did you know there are 7.8BN people on Earth and 332M in the US? Brian and Scott review highlights from AMR’s recent tax webinar. They discuss: the proposed tax reform provisions under the Biden administration, how they may impact portfolios, and potential strategies to implement. AMR’s next "Quarterly Economic & Market Update" webinar will be held on July 21st 2 10:00AM. You may register on AMRfinancial.com Previous webinars are available on the AMRfinancial.com Resources page.

Bill Zammer, owner of the Flying Bridge and other local restaurants made a significant contribution to the Cape Cod community. In tribute to him, Chris plays a “Something More With Chris Boyd” radio segment from September 2008, in which he interviewed Bill regarding his success.

Chris introduces AMR’s Margaritas & Money program.  Scott Birmingham, CFP®, ChFC, CDFA®, CAP, CLU, Investment Advisor Representative and Chief Compliance Officer at Asset Management Resources, and his fiancée Kristi Curling critique margaritas at Nashville area restaurants and include 30 seconds of financial information in the process. It’s lots of fun and informative at the same time. Chris, Scott, and Jeff Perry also talk about a change to the Secure Act proposed for January 1, 2022. This change would raise the age in which people are required to take Required Minimum Distributions from 72 to 73, and gradually to 75.  

Brian talks about stock valuations and what drives P/E (price-to-earnings ratios). He also discusses how real estate investments fit into a portfolio during today’s real estate boom.  

The S&P average annual return is 14.82%. Brian, Chris, and Jeff Perry discuss if it is better to stay invested or if now is the right time to get out of the market. Brian discusses the likelihood of inflation and the benefits/disadvantages of an inflationary economy. He also discusses the Covid Delta Variance and if now is a good time to be increasing foreign investment exposure.

Jeff Perry shares lessons from his personal financial journey. He suggests: Writing down goals, amending them annually, and reviewing them quarterly to stay accountable. Do not get emotionally involved in an investment and know what you are investing in. Get professional help to review various scenarios and make sure you are on track.

The AMR team discusses saving for college. Their key advice is something is better than nothing and it’s better to start sooner than later (use the power of compounding to your advantage). 529 plans are target-date college investment plans that grow tax-free. Withdrawals are also tax-free if payments are made directly to the college. Payments can be used towards tuition, room and board, books, school fees, and now even computers and printers.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) forms are due soon. Jayson Tinsley, Assistant Vice President, Financial Aid (Counseling) at University of Maryland Global Campus, joins Chris and Brian to discuss what the FAFSA is and best tips for obtaining college financial aid. AMR reviews the cost of raising a family.