KPC Smart Money

Being a Mom is the most important "job" in life. It is the most fulfilling, and sometimes heart wrenching, thing you will ever do. Moms makes tough decisions and choice all the time. Today we want to celebrate all Mother's and thank you with all our heart.

Key takeaways:

• Moms have many varied roles and responsibilities
• Stay at home and working Moms
• Mom's are learning as they go and yet teaching their children at the same time
• Use all the resources available to you - Mom groups, books, your own Mom

You are getting married and your life is going to change in many ways. An often-overlooked topic however is finances, yet it is one of the top reasons for marital stress. Here are our thoughts on what to discuss and plan for when you are getting married.

Key Takeaways:

• Wedding budgets & expectations
• The wedding is just the first day of the rest of your life
• Common or Community property state
• Taxes in Marriage

You are getting married and your life is going to change in many ways. An often-overlooked topic however is finances, yet it is one of the top reasons for marital stress. Here are our thoughts on what to discuss and plan for when you are getting married.

Key Takeaways:

• Do you know your partner's income, debt, spending habits and credit score?
• Do you plan on merging finances or keeping them separate?
• What will your new household budget be?
• What are your attitudes towards saving and spending?

Generating income from dividends isn't just for retired people. It is a great strategy to have in your investment portfolio. But what companies should you invest in and how to you set up a diversified dividend portfolio? We will answer these questions as well as talk about the taxation of dividends versus interest on this week's show.

Key Takeaways:

• Reinvest the dividends or take as income
• High Yield versus growth
• Be prepared for Volatility
• Be diversified

Generating income from dividends isn't just for retired people. It is a great strategy to have in your investment portfolio. But what companies should you invest in and how to you set up a diversified dividend portfolio? We will answer these questions as well as talk about the taxation of dividends versus interest on this week's show.

Takeaways:

• What are dividends?
• How to Build a dividend paying portfolio
• What types of dividend paying stock to look for

In this 2 part series we talk about some of the important financial decisions when becoming new parents. There is so much that will change as you prepare and learn about parenthood and the financial aspects can be ignored or dropped. Listen in today to find out what financial steps are important no this new journey in your life.

Takeaways:

• Tax Breaks for Parents
• Update Tax Withholdings
• Start saving for College
• Childcare
• Find a Financial Planner or Take Some Classes

In this 2 part series we talk about some of the important financial decisions when becoming new parents. There is so much that will change as you prepare and learn about parenthood and the financial aspects can be ignored or dropped. Listen in today to find out what financial steps are important no this new journey in your life.

Takeaways:

• Employer and State options for income while on maternityleave
• Budget and Spending Plan
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Emergency and Retirement Savings
• Create or Update Your Will

Have you heard the saying "If you have a million dollars saved in retirement, and just withdraw 4% you can retire"? Today we talk about how that doesn't always work. The key to retirement is spending. And you want to have enough to cover not just your retirement budget but also your fun stuff, health care, taxes, lifestyle, and downturns in the stock market. So, what do you really need? Call us for a complimentary Retirement Blueprint.

Key Points:

• What is your spending?
• Do you have money set aside for fun and lifestyle?
• Do you have tax free income in retirement?
• What about increasing health care costs as you get older?

Have you ever overspent at Christmas and had big credit card bills in January? That can take some of the fun out of gift giving at Christmas and can hurt your financial plans. Here are some ideas to keep Christmas spending down.

Key takeaways:

• Secret Santa - one gift per adult
• Kids don't need lots of expensive toys
• Love is about your time & affection, not gifts
• Write "You are Special because" letters

We all have family Christmas Traditions, and they change over time and as we and our children build traditions of their own. This week we share some of our family traditions. Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• Our Christmas Meals - then and now
• Family Gift Giving
• Christmas decorations
• Family Gatherings