People who don’t like losing money in the stock market are often described as “risk-averse”. In reality, behavioral scientists will say that you may not be RISK averse, but rather LOSS averse. There is a difference, and it matters when you are designing your financial plan.  Las Vegas is loaded with people who are not risk averse. In fact, they take pleasure  in taking a risk.   But all of them are LOSS averse. Today, we'll clearly define the difference and why you need to know it when determining HOW to allocate your investments for retirement, and it may SHOCK you! Then health insurance and Medicare expert Shelley Grandidge joins us for the Q & A.  An important show you don't want to miss....MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!

Question: do the rich GET rich at the expense of the poor? Many people believe that the rich ONLY become rich at the expense of OTHERS. This world view is called “zero-sum thinking” because its adherents regard economic life as a zero-sum game, just like tennis, where one player has to lose for the other to win. Dr. Rainer Zitelman, writing in Forbes pointed out the flaw of zero-sum thinking. Zitelman was awarded his first doctorate in 1986 and his second Ph.D. in 2016-- and has written 22 books. In Forbes, Zitelman recalled the German poem: “Said the poor man with a twitch: Were I not poor, YOU wouldn’t be rich.” Today, we'll explore how Zitelman blows up that myth in a special evidence-based report you don't want to miss. Then Steve reveals cutting edge tips for building retirement wealth the SMART way. ...MASTERING MONEY is on the air!

One of the key challenges for amateur investors is the attraction to RISING PRICES. When the prices of most consumer goods such as gasoline or vegetables rise, people tend to either cut back or find a substitute. However, with financial assets, the opposite seems true. Many investors are attracted to a stock whose price has risen more than one whose price has fallen. This tendency often results in poor investment performance. It is difficult for an individual investor to effectively construct and maintain a portfolio that is properly diversified, minimizes fees and taxes, avoids overlapping assets, and stays in its lane without emotion. THAT'S why in retirement, hiring a professional to manage your assets with a clear WRITTEN strategy is so wise. Today, we'll review the most practical and pragmatic approach to your investments,  then Shelley Grandidge joins us for the Q & A. Don't miss it....MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!

Growing your retirement money without losses while owning a guaranteed lifetime income far more than that of quality bonds is the key to retiring without the worry of going poor later in life. These benefits are only attainable with a principal-secure low cost, high income NEXT GENERATION retirement annuity. Pensions have all but disappeared  for today's retirees, but the need for predictable secure income for life is still a pressing need. Who wants to worry about running out of money?  This need for permanent safe income without market risk has led to growing demand for a new type of flexible retirement annuity. Steve will get into the details for you today, revealing which ones pay the most and cost the least.  A really timely show you don't want to miss...MASTERING MONEY  is on the air!!!

Today on Mastering Money...It’s a MOTLEY FOOL MONDAY!! The Motley Fool Money Show is one of the most popular stock market TALK SHOWS in America today, featuring timely insights from top analysts.    "MOTLEY FOOL MONEY"  is heard by millions of listeners coast to coast—including Saturdays right here on Money Radio at 5pm!  First we'll update breaking financial news and get a read on all the indexes, THEN,  we'll take you to an exclusive broadcast of the Motley Fool Money Show, with fresh ideas to help you become a more informed investor. Steve will cap it off with proven money-making and money-SAVING ideas that you DON'T want to miss! -- A jam-packed show --and we're READY TO ROLL !    ... MASTERING MONEY IS ON THE AIR!!!  

Historically, we’ve always referred to the traditional sources of retirement income as a three-legged stool, composed of:
1. Government entitlement programs (Social Security and Medicare)...2. Personal savings and investments ...and , 3. Employer-sponsored defined benefit plans like pensions.  In the past, retirees could typically count on ALL three sources for retirement income roughly divided into thirds. With this traditional scenario, both the government and employer-sponsored plans were considered predictable, reliable income sources that may also be adjusted for inflation. So two thirds of your plan for retirement was set. Only one-third was the responsibility of the individual. Today, TWO thirds of the responsibility is yours, and the other leg--Social Security--is getting a little loose in the screws. Today we'll examine how COVID 19 may affect your Social Security, and then Medicare specialist SHELLEY GRANDIDGE joins us for a show you don't want to miss!  MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

Most of us can agree on one main goal for 2020: make life simpler and easier.  Behavioral economists have proven that the best financial decisions are those that are pre-considered and then AUTOMATED. If your bills get deducted on auto-pay, you are never late with a bill. Your credit score goes up. You never pay late fees.   If your strong 401(k) contribution is automatically deducted from your paycheck for 30 years, you end up a millionaire at retirement. Today we'll outline how to get your money running like a well oiled machine--one where you get PAID to own your investments, and you prevent life surprises from turning into financial emergencies! You're going to love today's show MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!

So, what happens if you retire at or near a Market Peak? Have you thought about that? Statistically, people are more inclined to retire during the top end of a bull market. It only makes sense. That's when confidence and peace of mind are higher. The trouble, as we all know, is that "what goes up also comes down" and if it comes down soon after we retire, that's a problem. Also, statistically, the ten year periods following really strong ten year periods are not so hot. Withdrawing steady income from a declining balance can run a retirement off the road. Today, we'll tell the story of Donna, whose great grandparents, grandparents, and parents ALL retired during market peaks going back to 1928, 1973, and 1999, and what Donna has decided to do with her retirement. Then Medicare specialist Shelley Grandidge joins us.
Don't miss today's show MASTERING MONEY is on the air!!!