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Stacy has been providing financial advice for 41 years: 10 as a financial advisor and 31 as a personal finance journalist. Miranda has been writing and podcasting about money since 2005. But they’re learning more every day.
We hope you too want to learn new things! And that’s why we periodically respond your questions: those you send us at [email protected].
Today we have great questions on topics like retirement and annuities, I bonds, real estate, and the best time to buy a TV.
As usual, the host Stacy Johnson is joined by the financial journalist Miranda Marquet. Listening and sometimes contributing is productive Aaron Freeman.
Before you begin, remember that this is not financial advice. We can only make observations and share what we could do. So be sure to do your own research and take responsibility for your own money.
You can watch this episode below, or if you prefer to listen, you can do so with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:
do not forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you get the most for your money and our YouTube page for more videos.
Your questions about retirement
We address the following retirement questions:
- Arben: Do you recommend fixed index annuities as an option with other forms of investment, such as SEP IRA, 401(k), traditional IRA?
- Elizabeth: What are some tax-efficient ways to spend IRA accounts in retirement? What about real estate, especially in heavily inflated areas like California? Is it worth withdrawing funds from the IRA to buy a house in a higher cost area right now?
- Joseph: My question is about RMD. Is the required distribution age 72 or is it now 73? I turned 72 in September 2022. I keep reading that the new age is now 73. Can you confirm it?
If you want to learn more about retirement, we have great articles and podcast episodes on various retirement-related topics:
Questions about I bonds and inflation
With Series I savings bonds offering much higher yields than they have in years because the yield is linked to inflation, it’s no surprise people are interested in them. We also had a question about inflation and how to save money during this time.
- Daisy: Where do you buy bonds?
- jerry: Can you buy two I bonds, one for the husband and one for the wife?
- Heater: With inflation rising and our salary staying the same, how do we continue to eat well and run a home with all the rising costs of groceries and retail stores? Any ideas for ordinary people to live well when our money doesn’t go that far?
Not only do we answer questions about I bonds, but we have plenty of resources on how to use them in your own strategy and how to fight inflation in your own life.
Other questions: buying a TV, spender vs saver, where to keep the money and more
We answer questions about the best time to buy a TV (maybe it’s not Black Friday), what happens if you marry a spendthrift but are a saver, where you should keep your money and what happens to your mortgage when the business is taken over.
- Charlie: My mortgage company was taken over by a larger company. I’m a 78 year old widow and I’m afraid they won’t charge me anymore. Can the company make changes to my original mortgage and require me to pay more each month? I’m already in a hurry and I want to be able to keep my house.
- The four: I often hear Stacy say keep some money in cash. I don’t know what that means. I know you don’t want to put it in a sock drawer, but are you saying it should be in some type of precious metals ETF, low interest money market account, or what? I have money in a brokerage ‘settlement’ account which I assume earns more than my bank (0.06%) but is this the best place to put ‘money’ right now ? Thanks.
- Frustrated woman: So my husband refuses to save some of his money. He is 71 years old, retired and suffers from hypertension, diabetes and fibromyalgia. He is currently living on social security with no other savings and believes his money should be spent enjoying life, not having to save it. I am also 71 years old and work full time. I have no more reasons to give him as to why he should save his money as he gets older. Are there any suggestions you can give me to help her understand the importance of saving money?
- Jeff: I appreciate the information you provide daily. An idea when the best time to buy a tv is? I heard that before the Super Bowl is a good time for sales. Thoughts?
For more information and ideas on managing mortgages, saving money, and dealing with partner money issues, see the following resources:
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About Hosts
Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He is a CPA and he has also been licensed in stocks, commodities, principal options, mutual funds, life insurance, stock supervisor securities and real estate.
Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She has covered personal finance and investment topics for nearly 20 years. When she’s not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading, and the outdoors.