Keep It Simple
Meet the Hosts
Michael French
Michael brings more than 25 years experience in global financial services to every conversation. In addition to portfolio construction and risk management, Michael works closely with many retired clients.
Adam Morse
Adam has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, including spending time in the risk and pricing area of the mortgage industry. He works directly with hundreds of investors, and has a passion for educating them on the fundamental keys to investing .
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Episodes
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Understanding the Financial Media
May, 4 2021 - 38 minsMichael and Adam discuss and debate the quality and quantity of modern-day financial news and analysis. Is the media helping us make intelligent investment decisions— or are they just here to entertain us? Join us on another thoughtful episode of Keep it Simple.
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Show Notes expand_more How to Get TAX-FREE Income in Retirement
April, 20 2021 - 33 minsMichael and Adam pinpoint some very useful ways to reduce your tax bills during (and long before) retirement.
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Show Notes expand_more Taxation of Retirement Income
https://www.finra.org/investors/learn-to-invest/types-investments/retirement/managing-retirement-income/taxation-retirement-incomeReverse Mortgage FAQ
https://www.irs.gov/faqs/other/for-senior-taxpayers/for-senior-taxpayersIf you have any corrections, inquires or episode suggestions email us at podcast@assetbuilder.com.
Should You Open a 529 Account for Your Kids?
April, 5 2021 - 41 mins529s can be complicated— especially because their conditions may vary from state-to-state. Michael and Adam break down 529 accounts; their parameters, benefits and drawbacks; and how they function within the state of Texas.
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Show Notes expand_more 6 things you may not know about 529 plans
https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/college-planning/dispelling-529-plan-mythsWhich 529 Plan Should Texas Residents Use?
https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/which-529-plan-should-texas-residents-useShould You Sell Your House Before Retirement?
March, 16 2021 - 25 minsToday, Kennon and Michael discuss how to "right-size" (not downsize) your living situation in order to better prepare for retirement.
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Show Notes expand_more Information on reverse mortgages
https://www.reversemortgage.org/Counselors certified by HUD
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/hccDo you NEED a Fiduciary Advisor?
March, 1 2021 - 28 minsMichael and Adam discuss why it’s important that your advisor be a fiduciary.
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Show Notes expand_more Have You Thought of These 4 BIG risks in Retirement?
February, 15 2021 - 25 minsKennon and Michael discuss four risks that could hamper your retirement in the long run.
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Show Notes expand_more Should You Cash Out During Market Volatility?
February, 1 2021 - 29 minsMichael and Adam talk about whether or not it is a good idea to cash out during moments of volatility in order to avoid potential losses.
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Show Notes expand_more Are ESGs all that Ethical?
January, 19 2021 - 28 minsMichael and Adam discuss whether ESG portfolios are really responsible or if conscious investing is just another Wall Street gimmick. The conversation evolves into an overarching discussion on morality.
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Show Notes expand_more Based on an AssetBuilder original article: Are ESGs All That Responsible?
https://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center/articles/are-esgs-all-that-responsibleSustainability Accounting Standards Board
https://www.sasb.org/ESG Standards
Motley Fool:
https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/types-of-stocks/esg-investing/Agencies:
https://www.unpri.org/https://www.globalreporting.org/
SASB Map:
https://materiality.sasb.org/Know the Chain
Know the Origin
https://knowtheorigin.com/pages/standards
DFA Annual Report
https://www.mydimensional.com/dfsmedia/f27f1cc5b9674653938eb84ff8006d8c/43993-source/2020-annual-stewardship-report.pdfEmail us with ideas and suggestions!
podcast@assetbuilder.comMoney & Marriage
January, 4 2021 - 44 minsMichael and Adam are back to offer their personal and professional antidotes on how to handle marital money matters. Do you and your partner have an interesting take on handling the family finances?
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Show Notes expand_more Northwestern Mutual: Planning and Progress Study 2018
https://news.northwesternmutual.com/planning-and-progress-2018How to Maintain Mental Acuity in Retirement
December, 15 2020 - 26 minsStudies show that mental cognition tends to decline as we age in retirement. Kennon and Michael discuss some useful ways to continue to train your mind during your post-career life.
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Show Notes expand_more Early Retirement can Accelerate Cognitive Decline
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191029131506.htmShould You Add “Innovation” Funds to Your Portfolio?
December, 1 2020 - 38 minsMichael and Adam are back to discuss whether or not it’s a good idea to add “innovation” companies into your portfolio. They also discuss what characteristics constitute an innovation fund.
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Show Notes expand_more Are Your Loved Ones Prepared for Your Passing?
November, 17 2020 - 26 minsAssetBuilder's own Kennon Grose and Michael French discuss how to financially prepare your loved ones in the event of your sudden passing. Both Michael and Kennon provide key points, while offering their own personal antidotes.
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Show Notes expand_more Will Your Social Security be Enough?
November, 4 2020 - 28 minsFrom ssa.gov, “the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3% in 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced last week.”
Michael and Adam discuss how that is assessed, what it means for retirees and how to maximize social security for the future.
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Show Notes expand_more What if Your Advisor has Different Political Views Than You?
October, 20 2020 - 31 minsMichael and Adam deconstruct the political standpoints between an an advisor and their client. How do your politics play into your investment?
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Show Notes expand_more How Will the Market React to Who Becomes President?
October, 6 2020 - 39 minsIn light of the current US presidential election, many investors wonder how the stock market will react to whoever wins the presidency. Michael and Adam look back in time to see how the market has reacted to past elections and they breakdown who and what also affects the market.
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Show Notes expand_more Are We in a Tech Bubble?
September, 22 2020 - 38 minsThe NASDAQ toppled down earlier in September worrying some investors that we may be headed for a tech crash. Michael and Adam discuss whether or not we are facing an imminent correction due to a tech bubble.
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Show Notes expand_more What You Don’t Know About Trust Funds
September, 14 2020 - 35 minsMichael and Adam go head-to-head to see who knows more about the intricacies of trust funds. We sure learned a lot in this one and we know you will, too.
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Show Notes expand_more 10 Common 401K Questions—Answered
September, 1 2020 - 35 minsCan I use my 401K before I retire? Can I contribute to both a 401K and IRA? Michael and Adam diligently answer 10 common questions about our 401Ks.
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Show Notes expand_more Investing HORROR STORIES
August, 17 2020 - 44 minsMichael and Adam react to unique investing horror stories that have happened to real people. Learn about some of the darker corners of the investment world.
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Show Notes expand_more FOR THE KIDS! How to start investing at a young age—and why you should
August, 3 2020 - 25 minsIf you're a young teen looking to get a leg up on life—listen in! Michael and Adam breakdown how to get started in investing, because the name of the game is getting in early!
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Show Notes expand_more How Old Were You When You First Learned About Finances? How About Your Kids?
July, 15 2020 - 39 minsMichael and Adam discuss the importance of talking to our children about investing and finance at an early age—even offering personal antidotes about how they do so with their own kids.
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Show Notes expand_more Do You Really Need an Investment Advisor?
July, 1 2020 - 26 minsMichael and Adam discuss the pros and cons of investing with an advisor in contrast to investing on your own.
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Show Notes expand_more Why Are Stocks Still Rising Despite a Pandemic and Riots?
June, 12 2020 - 24 minsMichael and Adam discuss why the market continues to rise amid global disrupt and media sensationalism.
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Show Notes expand_more How Should We, As Investors, Respond to Inflation?
June, 9 2020 - 25 minsMichael and Adam discuss and define inflation, how it should be understood, and what that means for your investment.
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Show Notes expand_more Are We in a Recovery? How Can We Tell?
May, 29 2020 - 36 minsMichael and Adam discuss the key indicators of a recovering economy and what that means for your investment.
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Show Notes expand_more Keep It Simple Podcast: Should You Retire Abroad? THE MILLIONAIRE TEACHER returns
May, 20 2020 - 49 minsOur regular host correspondent, Michael French, chats with world-renowned author, Andrew Hallam to discuss a whole array of investment topics, including how to retire abroad.
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Show Notes expand_more An Interview with The Millionaire Teacher
May, 4 2020 - 36 minsWorld renowned author, Andrew Hallam, and I discuss his fascinating life, how to invest for a bright future and why we should stay away from market media headlines.
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Show Notes expand_more - The Millionaire Teacher
https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Teacher-Wealth-Should-Learned/dp/1119356296/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=millionaire+teacher&qid=1565905064&s=books&sr=1-1 - Millionaire Expat: How To Build Wealth Living Overseas
https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Expat-Wealth-Living-Overseas/dp/1119411890/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=millionaire+expat&qid=1564761510&s=books&sr=1-1 - Andrew's Website
https://andrewhallam.com/
Understanding the CARES Act
April, 16 2020 - 28 minsThe CARES act has provided an unprecedented stimulus to the US economy. In this episode Adam and Michael discuss the benefits contained in the CARES act and how those benefits may provide relief not only to individual Americans but also the impact that different benefits may have to the overall economy. They also discuss the size of the stimulus in relation to other historic stimulus packages and explore what the potential impact may be to the economic recovery.
- The stimulus check
- Will it be taxed?
- How will it affect Americans?
- Will you still have to take Required Minimum Distribution?
- What about Social Security? My IRA?
- What are the long-term effects?
- How does stimulus package differ from the past?
- How will it impact GDP?
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Show Notes expand_more - Retirement Withdrawals During Uncertain Times
https://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center/articles/retirement-withdrawals-during-uncertain-times - CARES Act overview
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares - Specific info for small businesses
https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act - Link to CARES act bill
https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr748/BILLS-116hr748enr.pdf - Short term economic effects of the cares act
https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2020/4/8/short-run-effects-of-the-cares-act
How Does Our (potential) Recession Compare to Past Recessions?
April, 6 2020 - 35 minsMichael and Adam compare our current market/economic climate with past downturns and contextualize the possible repercussions
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What does COVID-19 mean for my portfolio?
March, 17 2020 - 29 minsIn this special episode, Michael and Adam discuss the impact of COVID-19 thus far and what that means for you as an investor.
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Show Notes expand_more ETFs and Mutual Funds—What’s the Difference?
March, 15 2020 - 12 minsIn this short episode, Michael and Adam definitionally distinguish ETFs and Mutual Funds and discuss which one may be more appropriate for your investment.
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Active vs. Passive Investing: Which is Better?
March, 1 2020 - 27 minsSome investors say they can predict the market. Others say they can't. Is there individual merit to each approach? Or is one objectively better than the other? Adam and Michael explain.
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Will the 08 Market Crash Happen Again
February, 14 2020 - 24 minsThe US stock market has been on a huge upswing—but an inverted yield curve back in mid-2019 has left investors wondering: is a recession on the horizon? Michael and Adam discuss.
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The Ins and Outs of Annuities
February, 2 2020 - 15 minsWhether you've contemplated annuities or maybe you're enrolled in one today, learn something new about these insurance products and what they could mean for your post-career life.
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Show Notes expand_more 4 Common Missteps Before and During Retirement
January, 15 2020 - 24 minsShould you continue to work in retirement? How do you make sure you rebalance correctly? How do you understand the impact of medical costs? And, when is the best time to take social security?
Michael and Adam tackle 4 common missteps in retirement.
Based on this article: https://www.investopedia.com/retirement/how-sabotage-your-retirement/
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Show Notes expand_more Will Millennials be Able to Retire?
January, 3 2020 - 40 minsMillennials are saddled with more student debt than any previous generation. Will they be able to overcome that and retire at 65? RIA, Adam Morse, and CIO, Michael French dive in.
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Does the 4% Rule Work
December, 16 2019 - 25 minsThe 4% rule has been a rule of thumb for retirees for decades—but does it actually work?
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Everything IRA
November, 26 2019 - 20 minsWhat is the best way to handle your IRA while approaching retirement, transitioning to retirement, and even during your retirement? What are the main benefits of rolling over your IRA for retirees? Should you always rollover?
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