Tag Archives: Garrett Smith

Ascend Investment Podcast

#18 Family Dynamics



Family Dynamics

Today we will be talking about family dynamics. When you’re transitioning from one generation to the next, there’s often some hard conversations that need to take place. When do you bring a child in and what should they know, or if you’re a child helping out mom and dad, what should you know and what can you do to help?

Here are a few topics we will cover:

  • When to loop in the professionals – typically the sooner, the better
  • The important documents
  • What you can do to minimize any surprises
  • Cleaning up beneficiaries
  • Settling estates

Connect with Ascend Investment Partners:

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#17 Ways Your Retirement Can Get Off Track



Ways Your Retirement Can Get Off Track

Today we are talking about ways your retirement can get off track. We discuss common mistakes that we’ve seen, and ways you may be able to avoid them. We also talk about questions you should be asking yourself through various financial stages.

Here are a few topics we will cover:

  • 4 Common ways retirement can fall short
  • Work-optional phase
  • Side work or part-time work
  • Long-term savings
  • Starting early and being consistent
  • Earnings increases taxes
  • Having multiple tax buckets to draw from
  • What’s good now but what’s best for the future
  • Keeping your options open as much as you can for as long as you can

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#16 SECURE ACT 2.0 – What You Need To Know



SECURE ACT 2.0 – What You Need To Know

 

Today we are talking about the recent legislation that was passed known as the SECURE ACT 2.0, we cover our approach to financial planning around the ever-changing legislative landscape, what unique financial planning opportunities the SECURE ACT 2.0 presents, and how you can fold this into your financial plan.

 

Rules are always changing in Washington. Since Covid, there’s been the Care’s Act, Inflation Protection Act, Secure Act, and now you’ve got the Secure Act 2.0, and all of them impact retirees and potential retirees.

 

 

Here are a few topics we will cover:

 

  • Sunset Provisions
  • ROTH Options
  • RMD’s – Checking the new rules
  • Penalties

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#15 What To Do With Extra Savings



What To Do With Extra Savings

 

In today’s episode, we will be talking about what to do when you have extra savings. We will discuss how to think through the different trade-offs and balancing those with your financial goals, how to approach paying down debt and more.

 

The problem everyone wants to have – extra savings! We will be discussing what accounts and considerations you should have if you have extra savings.

 

 

Here are a few topics we will cover:

 

  • Ongoing Savings vs Lumpsums
  • Being Retired vs Still Working
  • Emergency Funds
  • Interest Rates
  • 529 Plans

 

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#14 Budgeting



Budgeting

 

Budgeting can be one of the most boring categories, but it can also yield the most information in our financial spending life.

 

In this episode, you get just me, Garrett! I will be covering four types of budgets that may work for you and how to decide if it’s one that you should implement. While budgeting takes a lot of work, it can give you the clearest picture in your financial life, especially during times of transition.

 

 

Here are a few topics I will cover:

 

  • 50-30-20 Budget
  • Envelope Budgeting Method
  • Zero Based Budget
  • Value Based Budget

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#13 Cybersecurity



Cybersecurity

 

Everything and anything you use online is a potential problem – check out today’s episode for some cybersecurity tips to protect yourself and your loved ones.

 

In this episode, you get just me, Garrett! I will discuss some cybersecurity ideas and tips around fishing and identity theft. I will also be discussing some things you can do around password management and some available resources to help you navigate and maintain good internet hygiene.

 

Here are a few topics I will cover:

 

  • Public computer risks
  • Leaving information laying around
  • Giving out information
  • Reusing passwords
  • Clicking links
  • Money movement verification

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#12 Starting The Year Out On The Right Foot



Starting The Year Out On The Right Foot

 

What are some different things you can do to start the year out on the right foot financially?

 

In this episode, we discuss what issues you should consider at the start of the new year. We talk about personal goal setting and how to line up your investments insurance and estate planning up with your goals. We also touch on the importance of an emergency fund to make sure you can have a successful new year.

 

Here are a few topics we will cover:

 

  • Being purposeful with your spending
  • Protect the emergency fund – only using it for true emergencies
  • Reviewing your insurances for the year
  • Tax notices
  • Trusts

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#11 End of Year Planning



End of Year Planning and Execution

 

What are some different things you can do to wrap up the year financially?

 

In this episode, we discuss different issues you should consider before year end. We cover what to look out for, as well as the areas you may need to pay attention to. We also discuss why it’s good to look back over your favorite and least favorite purchases of the year and any last minute tips before the end of the year.

 

Here are a few topics we will cover:

 

  • Tax Loss Harvesting
  • Loss Carryforward
  • Making sure all 401K contributions get in by EOY
  • Did the money go where your goals were?
  • Charitable giving

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#10 All About Annuities



All About Annuities

 

What is an annuity?

 

In this episode, we discuss what an annuity is, the types of annuities, and when you should be buying them.

 

Here are a few topics we will cover:

 

  • Fixed annuities
  • Variable annuities
  • Shifting risks
  • Other options and alternatives

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200


Ascend Investment Podcast

#9 The Retirement Danger Zone



The Retirement Danger Zone

 

Common mistakes and considerations for the years right around the time of retirement.

 

In this episode, we discuss different mistakes and considerations on how to make retirement enjoyable so you can sleep well at night.

 

Here are a few topics we will cover:

 

  • Plan for a longer than planned life expectancy – it’s better to be overfunded
  • Having the right numbers
  • Cost of living increases
  • Having a handle on any debts
  • Medical costs
  • Insurance coverage
  • Getting too conservative too soon
  • Put together a plan that makes sense to your particular situation

 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions about today’s episode let us know.

 

https://ascendinvestment.com/

(801) 476 – 1200