December 20, 2025 • 24 mins
On this week’s Safe Money Strategies on WBZ, Kelly Kelly and her son William Kelly Jr. bring you thoughtful, practical conversations designed to help families stay grounded and confident as the year comes to a close.
In the Forever Young segment, Kelly and William reflect on Christmas traditions, family moments, and the importance of slowing down during a busy season - sharing a conversation about what truly matters as we look ahead to a new year.
Mike Doucette and Greg Workman break down how holiday spending, seasonal market headlines, and year-end noise can impact retirees and why staying focused on long-term planning is especially important this time of year.
Mary Madeline Kelly and Greg Murray discuss what real financial confidence looks like today, exploring how everyday habits and thoughtful decision-making quietly build long-term stability.
Kelly and William return to talk about healthcare planning in retirement, including Medicare considerations, long-term care conversations, and why planning ahead can help reduce financial stress in the years ahead.
The hour concludes with timeless Wit and Wisdom from the late Bill Kelly reminding us of the values that continue to guide families through every season of life.
Make Safe Money Strategies part of your Saturday night tradition. Have questions or want to schedule a complimentary consultation? Call 888-800-1881 or email kelly@kellyfinancial.org.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Good evening and welcome to Safe Money Strategies right here
on WBZ News Radio. I'm Kelly Kelly, founder of Kelly
Financial Services, and your host tonight. I'm so glad you're
with us. Every Saturday night at nine pm, we bring
you real conversations about retirement, resilience and protecting the life
(00:27):
you've worked so hard to build. We're a proud, family
run firm based right here in New England, and for
over twenty two years, we've helped thousands of families plan
for the next chapter with clarity and confidence. You may
know us from our two decades on the AM airwaves,
and now we're thrilled to bring that same trusted boys
(00:50):
to WBZ. This show is about more than just money.
It's about peace of mind purpose in making smart decisions
that support the people you love. Each week, I'm joined
by my children, William Kelly Junior and Mary Madeline Kelly,
along with our incredible team of fiduciary advisors. Together, we
(01:11):
share practical strategies, personal stories, and a few laughs along
the way. We'll cover everything from inflation and taxes to
InCom planning, market trends, and how to leave a lasting legacy.
Because retirement isn't The end of the story is the
beginning of a new one. So if you're winding down
(01:32):
for the evening, pour something relaxing, settle in and spend
a little time with us. You're in good company and
we're glad you're here. This is Safe Money Strategies where family, finance,
and your future come together.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Safe Money Strategies with Kelly Kelly and her team called
Kelly Financial at eighty eight eight hundred and twenty and
one or go to Kelly Financial dot org. That's Kelly
at financial dot org.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Each week on Safe Money Strategies, we take a moment
to step back from the headlines and have a real conversation,
the kind you might have her on the kitchen table.
This is a part of the show we call Forever
Young is where I sit down with my son, William
Kelly Junior and we talk about life, what's going on
in the world, and our family and what really matters
(02:29):
most when you're planning for the future. Sometimes is light,
sometimes it's thoughtful, but it's always real. Good morning, William.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
How are you mom?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I'm fine?
Speaker 1 (02:39):
How are you I'm doing great? Good to hear Santa
Claus is coming to town.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
That's true. Of asked Santa Claus for a barbelle thera
gun and half a cow.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Half a cow.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So Mary Madaline is coming over this weekend with her
very good friend from high school that we've known for eternity,
and she is a therapist. She's a great woman.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Yeah, she's bringing her little dog, Ginger.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
And Marray Maddain is going to bring Marshall.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
That's right. Marshall has a lover. I forgot Marshall. See
he acts as interested, he acts like grossed out, but
you know he won't leave the vicinity. No, he's a
little interested. And Mary Maddeline will be drink, bringing her
a little rast.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
She doesn't really play with Ginger.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
No, No, I think Ginger is too I think she's
too overbored about it, and so that pushes him away
a little bit. With Marshall, you can't push, you know
what I mean, you gotta if you ever, if you
want to pet him, he can't walk up to him
or else he'll he'll hide behind a tree, you know
what I mean. True, he'll hide behind something. But if
you just like kind of lay on the floor and
(03:50):
pep around, he's like he'll kind of like zig zag
and then he'll walk towards him. He's like, okay, you
can pet me. That's fine, you have my permission. So
Marshall's a little tough cookie to figure out. Melle, on
the other hand, Mellie's very interesting. Mellie is a submissive dog.
So a dog will, you know, when she meets a
new dog, a dog will kind of like bite her,
(04:11):
or you know, not bite her, but snap at her
to show her his boss. And Mellie's just like, okay,
your boss. She's lays in her belly, sweetest dog ever.
But Mellie's intentional about this, so she becomes friends with them.
You know, She's like, you're the boss. Whatever, you're the boss,
you're my friend. I'm your friend. And then once they
become good buddies, once the hierarchy's established, Mellie what she'll
(04:33):
do is she likes to cause chaos. And so what
Mellie does is she likes to play fight, and so
she'll play fight, play fight, playfight. She'll get a snap
and then playfight, play fight, play fight until it becomes routine.
And then whenever Melly comes and all the dogs are together,
including Marshall, she starts playfighting and the whole house turns
into chaos. So it's gonna be a fun weekend and
(04:55):
we're going to be eating al Fourno's.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
And holy one of her favorite places.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
If you've not been to Italy and you want to
taste to Italy, Alflorno's is the place in Providence. Ye.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
True, absolutely, Well, we have to share some news. We
have been talking about my father coming and we were
so excited, had everything set up, and he was unable
to come. He's okay, but he will have a pacemaker
put in soon. His heart rate was so great. Yeah,
(05:30):
his resting heart rate was thirty five, so very calm.
So but it's all good and this is happening very soon.
So if you can say a prayer for my father,
and I think I think it's going to help him
feel a lot better. So I'm glad that that this
was identified before he traveled. Yeah, his doctor declined right before,
(05:56):
so that was you know all those life sometimes it
is it is well, that is.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
True, like you said that at least the doctor caught that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
I know. I know, so it in my mind is
just delaying his trip a little bit.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
And I'll see them sometimes.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Yes, yes, I was looking forward to this visit so much,
and you know it's just but when something like this happens,
you're dealing with reality, so you know. But it was
like that night, that's when I had my meltdown and
then I got it out and then.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I was okay.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
But I knew I knew it.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Was different Mom as well.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
But you know, I was just couldn't wait. He was
excited too, I know. But you know what, they'll be
here when he comes, that's right. And I sent some
gifts through Cardiff.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Aven be better or the spring, because that's.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
That's what he said.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Be warmer. Yeah, you know it won't be too warm, but.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
It won't be The bedroom shoes good, He'll love those
big times.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Those are very nice. Those are great shoes. Those are
great shoes.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Besides that, we've been getting plenty of book orders lately.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Oh my goodness, they've been flying out the.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Door, don't I don't even know, ladies and gentlemen. If
I didn't have my mom to help me upkeep all this,
I would just be in shambles. Mom has helped organize everything. Yeah,
I would say. She has prepared the packages for me
and she just gives me the list and you guys whenever.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Well, you've been writing them to sons and daughters and grandchildren.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
And so if you have any personalization, like if you
would like it for an individual, be as specific. Oh yes,
the more specific you are about something, the better. If
you even want me to write a certain message, if
you say, write it only to my son, because what
I do is that if you if I receive like
this is from my son Jerry, for example, from Laura,
(07:56):
I'll say to Laura and to your son Jerry, God
bless when Kelly yes, and so that's that's usually what
I write. But if you don't want me to put
your name, or if you want it a not like
you know, not personalized, or if you want some kind
of message on there.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Yeah, just let me know. And when you call in
or or contact us, you'll most likely be speaking directly
with Michelle or Carter or Kayla, and just let them
know and we can handle the details.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
That's true.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
We're detail oriented, yes.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
They are not.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
We I'm not part of that. You guys are in
your own way exactly. You guys are detail oriented in
that respect. I don't know where I'm detail oriented. Just
I guess different.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's okay. God made us all different.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
That's true. We were all the same, it wouldn't really work.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
That well, No, it would be a boring life if
everyone was the same.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
That is true.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Well, Merry Christmas it'll be. It'll be December twenty seventh
when we come back, wow for our show. Yees, So
I hope all of you have a very merry Christmas. Agreed, yes,
and we'll be back for you before the end of
the year.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
That's true. Wow, it's going to be twenty twenty six,
just like that.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
I know. Blink our eyes and another year is going by.
Do keep us on your dial. We've got a lot
of great content coming your way. Mike do Set and
Greg Workman will be breaking down what holiday spending and
seasonal market headlines really mean for retirees and why short
term noise should never derail a long term retirement plan.
(09:34):
Mary Madeline Kelly and Greg Murray will be talking about
what the millionaire next door really looks like in twenty
twenty five and how everyday habits, not flashy income, quietly
build long term wealth and financial confidence. William and I
will be back to discuss how to make smart Medicare
coverage decisions, plan for long term, and build a healthcare
(09:58):
bucket so rise healthcare costs in twenty twenty six, don't
derail your retirement income. And of course we'll close the
hour with some wit and wisdom from the late Bill Kelly.
His words continue to inspire and guide us. That's a
wrap for forever. Young thank you for listening, and William,
thank you for joining me. We'll be back with more
(10:21):
great content. I love you, honey, I.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Love you Toama. Call us today at eight eight eight
hundred and eighty one or visit us online at Kellyfinancial
dot org to schedule your complimentary retirement income analysis.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Welcome back to safe money Strategies.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
I'm like du said, chief operating officer at Kelly Financial,
and as always, I'm joined by my colleague, the man
who somehow receives more Amazon deliveries.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
This time of year than Sanna's entire toy factory, mister
Greg Workman.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
I can explain those boxes are most likely my wife's
last minute holiday purchases. I'm just the guy who gets
to carry them inside.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
This is the week where everyone's in full on holiday mode.
We've got Christmas right around the corner. The malls are packed,
Online spending is hitting new records, and a lot of
people are wondering what does all of this mean for
the economy and for the markets heading into twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
And on top of that, this is the week where
people start asking about the quote unquote the Santa Claus
Stock market rally. You'll hear analysts on TV throwing that
phrase around like holiday confetti exactly.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
So that's our focus tonight.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Our holiday spending and seasonal market behavior really tie into
retirement planning, and we're going to do it in a
way that cuts through myths, gives you some perspective, and
maybe helps you avoid the financial equivalent of eating too
many Christmas cookies. Let's start with consumer spending. The holiday
season is the super Bowl for retailers, but it's also
(11:57):
one of the most important economic signals we look at
each year.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
Right, roughly twenty five to thirty percent of annual retail
revenue happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and because consumers make
up about seventy percent of the US economy, these few
weeks can tell us a lot.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
The big mistake retirees make is assuming the economy fails bad,
therefore spending must be bad, but that's not usually the case.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
No.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
In fact, even in years when people are stressed about prices,
interest rates, or world events holidays, spending always tends to
hold up. People shop for their grandkids no matter what's
happening in Washington or on CNBC.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
And that matters because strong spending often means companies start
the next year on better footing. Week spending can signal caution,
but is just one data point.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
The danger is people try to extrapolate short term headlines
into long term portfolio decisions, and that usually ends badly.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Let's bring in a client story.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
Earlier this month, we met with a couple call them
Tom and Linda, both in their mid sixties, newly retired,
very responsible savers.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Great couple, but they came in feeling anxious. Their exact
words were, the news says the consumer is tapped out?
Does that mean we should get out of the stock
market entirely?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
And this is very common.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
People hear one negative headline and think it's a forecast
for all of next year.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
So we walked them through the real numbers. We showed
them how consumers often say they feel negative, but their
spending behavior doesn't actually change that much. We also reminded
them that their retirement plan is not dependent upon whether
Target sells an extra five hundred PlayStations this week.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
And the big takeaway for them and for our listeners
was this short term seasonal spending tells us something about
the economy, but it should never drive your long term
investment decisions.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
Their entire mood changed. They walked out of that meeting
with a fresh perspective and a plan instead of fear
and anxiety.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
All right, Greg, let's talk about the fame seasonal pattern.
The Santa claus rally.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
One of my favorite topics. So here's the real definition.
It's not the whole month of December. It's actually a
seven trading day window, the last five trading days of
the year and the first two of January.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
And historically those days tend to be positive more often
than negative. As a reminder, historical performance does not guarantee
future results.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
Correct, But the reason why is important. Markets are quieter,
big institutions have closed their books on the year. Retail
investors tend to be optimistic during the holidays. There's lower
trading volume, and some of it is simply statistical noise.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
In other words, it's a pattern, but it's not a
strategy exactly.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
You don't build a retirement plan based on a seven
day market quirk.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
The Santa Claus rally is fun to talk about, it's festive,
but retirees who try to play it usually end up
chasing returns, increasing risk, or creating taxable events at the
worst possible time.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Your long term plan diversification, risk management, income strategy. That's
what matters, not whether December twenty eighth happens to be
a good trading day or not.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
Now, Greg, let's pivot to something extremely important, the calendar.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Yes, listeners need to hear this loud and clear. You
have only a handful of days left before December thirty first.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
And many year and financial moves must be done before
midnight on the thirty first. Rmds, roth conversions, tax loss harvesting,
charitable giving and qualified charitable distributions.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
And even though you legally have to wait until the
thirty first, financial institutions get overwhelmed this week, so if
you wait until the thirtieth, you may already be too late.
Speaker 5 (15:46):
We don't want people waking up in January realizing they
missed something important or worse facing penalties.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
So if you have any questions about year end planning,
please call us, even if it's just hey, guys, can
you double check that I'm not forgetting something.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
One quick point before the break? The holidays are emotional.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
People spend more, they worry more, and sometimes make reactive decisions.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
And emotions are the enemy of good investing. Fear excitement,
holiday optimism, holiday stress, all of these can push people
into decisions that don't align with their long term goals.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
So our message tonight is simple, enjoy the season, understand
the data, but stay committed to your plan.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
And if you don't have a plan, now is the
perfect time to build one.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Stick around.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
When we come back, we're going to take a deep
dive into what this year's holiday spending trends might mean
for the economy and the markets in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
And we'll talk about what retirees should and should take
away from all of this.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
You are listening to save money strategies will be right back.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Hi, everyone, This is William Kelly.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
If you've ever wished you'd.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Learned about money sooner, that's why I wrote Only the
Good invest y'all, a simple encouraging guide with real world
steps anyone can follow. I kept seeing the same thing
people wishing someone had explained the basics earlier. How to save,
build good habits, avoid costly mistakes, and create momentum even
when you're starting small, whether you're eighteen or eighty. This
(17:12):
book is about confidence, clarity, and taking action. And with
the holidays coming up, only the good invest young makes
a great Christmas gift for a child, a grandchild, or
anyone who needs that nudge to start strong. For our listeners,
we're sending out complimentary copies. Just call eight eight eight
eight hundred twenty eight one or email Kelly at Kellyfinancial
(17:33):
dot org and we'll send you one at no charge.
You can also purchase a softcover on Amazon or an
ebook on Kindle. I'm William Kelly, and I hope this
book helps someone you love take their first step.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Good evening, and welcome back to Safe Money Strategies. I'm
Kelly Kelly, and I'm here with my son, William Junior.
As we head toward the end of the year and
we aren't looking ahead to twenty twenty six, one topic
continues to come up in retirement planning conversations, and that's
(18:09):
health care. Cost not just monthly premiums, but the total
cost of care over time, how quickly those costs are changing,
and how that impacts retirement confidence.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
That's right, mom. Healthcare has become one of the most
important pieces of retirement planning because it affects income, lifestyle,
and peace of mind all at the same time.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
And the reality is healthcare costs are rising faster than
most other expenses retirees face. That makes understanding the trends
now before they show up unexpectedly more important than ever.
One of the biggest challenges heading into twenty twenty six
(18:52):
is health care inflation. Medical care costs continue to rise
faster than overall inflation, and that directly impacts purchasing power
in retirement, even when inflation cools in other areas things
like gas goods or travel, healthcare has historically followed its
(19:15):
own path upward, and retirees feel that difference quickly. Because
healthcare is not optional and.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
These aren't one time expenses, Medical costs tend to be ongoing,
and for many people, they increase gradually over time. That's
why healthcare planning needs to be approached differently than other
retirement expenses.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
To put this into perspective. Fidelity estimates that a sixty
five year old couple retiring today may need around three
hundred and fifteen thousand dollars over their lifetime just for
health care expenses. That number has increased over the years
and is expected to continue rising as we move further
(19:59):
into twenty six. That estimate doesn't mean everyone will spend
that amount exactly, but it does give retirees a realistic
framework for planning now.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
When people hear a number like that, the first reaction
is often worry, but that's not the goal here exactly.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
The goal isn't fear, is clarity. When people understand what's
driving healthcare cost higher, they're in a much better position
to make thoughtful decisions. The good news is retirees today
have more options, more transparency, and more tools than ever before.
(20:37):
Planning has evolved, and that gives people more control than
they might realize, and.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
That control often comes from understanding how small decisions add
up over time. Healthcare planning isn't about predicting every medical event.
It's about being prepared for categories of expenses that are
most likely to show up.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Another important part of this conversation is wellness preventative care,
regular movement, good nutrition, and healthy sleep habits don't just
support the quality of life, they can significantly reduce long
term health care costs. Staying active, keeping up with routine screenings,
(21:17):
and addressing small issues early often helps people avoid larger,
more expensive problems later.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
We're also seeing more retirees explore alternative care models for
routine services, things like cash pay practices or membership based care.
In some cases, those options can be more cost effective
than traditional insurance for everyday.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Needs, and this is where awareness matters. Simply reviewing medications
once a year, understanding what's covered, and paying attention to
how care is accessed can make a meaningful difference over time.
Medicare is another critical part of this discussion. Medicare cost
(21:59):
are changed, and those changes matter. Heading into twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
We've seen increases in Part B premiums, deductibles trending upward,
and shifts in prescription drug coverage. While recent changes have
helped in some areas like capping certain out of pocket costs,
other parts of Medicare are becoming more expensive.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Medicare remains one of the most powerful tools retirees have,
but it's not something to put on autopilot coverage changes,
premiums adjust, and personal needs evolve over time. Reviewing coverage
periodically can help avoid unnecessary cost and surprises.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Another challenge heading into twenty twenty six is that certain
healthcare categories are rising much faster than others. Home healthcare,
diagnostic imaging, and behavioral health services have all seen sharp increases.
These are areas people often don't think about until they
need them, and that's when costs can come as a surprise.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
And often where care is received matters just as much
as the care itself. Choosing preferred facilities, asking about alternatives,
and understanding pricing differences can result in meaningful savings without
sacrificing quality. Small choices like where an MRI is done
(23:23):
or which pharmacy is used, can add up over time.
One of the most important and often overlooked areas of
health care planning is long term care. Medicare does not
cover it, and costs continue to rise. Most people won't
need full time nursing care, but many will need some
(23:45):
level of support at some point, such as help with
daily activities, mobility, or recovery after an illness. Planning ahead
creates options. It helps people stay independent longer remain in
familiar surroundings and make decisions on their own.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Terms and having a plan in place often brings peace
of mind, not just for retirees, but for their families
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
When we come back, we'll talk about practical strategies, coverage decisions,
income planning, and how retirees can protect their retirement income
from rising healthcare costs.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
We'll also cover some important conversations families should be having
now to avoid stress and confusion later on.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
You're listening to save money strategies, stay with us. We'll
be right back after the break.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Safe money Strategies with Kelly Kelly and her team. Call
Kelly Financial at eighty eight eight hundred and twenty one
or go to Kelly Financial dot org. That's Kelly at
Kelly Financial dot org
Good evening and welcome to Safe Money Strategies right here
on WBZ News Radio. I'm Kelly Kelly, founder of Kelly
Financial Services, and your host tonight. I'm so glad you're
with us. Every Saturday night at nine pm, we bring
you real conversations about retirement, resilience and protecting the life
(00:27):
you've worked so hard to build. We're a proud, family
run firm based right here in New England, and for
over twenty two years, we've helped thousands of families plan
for the next chapter with clarity and confidence. You may
know us from our two decades on the AM airwaves,
and now we're thrilled to bring that same trusted boys
(00:50):
to WBZ. This show is about more than just money.
It's about peace of mind purpose in making smart decisions
that support the people you love. Each week, I'm joined
by my children, William Kelly Junior and Mary Madeline Kelly,
along with our incredible team of fiduciary advisors. Together, we
(01:11):
share practical strategies, personal stories, and a few laughs along
the way. We'll cover everything from inflation and taxes to
InCom planning, market trends, and how to leave a lasting legacy.
Because retirement isn't The end of the story is the
beginning of a new one. So if you're winding down
(01:32):
for the evening, pour something relaxing, settle in and spend
a little time with us. You're in good company and
we're glad you're here. This is Safe Money Strategies where family, finance,
and your future come together.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Safe Money Strategies with Kelly Kelly and her team called
Kelly Financial at eighty eight eight hundred and twenty and
one or go to Kelly Financial dot org. That's Kelly
at financial dot org.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Each week on Safe Money Strategies, we take a moment
to step back from the headlines and have a real conversation,
the kind you might have her on the kitchen table.
This is a part of the show we call Forever
Young is where I sit down with my son, William
Kelly Junior and we talk about life, what's going on
in the world, and our family and what really matters
(02:29):
most when you're planning for the future. Sometimes is light,
sometimes it's thoughtful, but it's always real. Good morning, William.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
How are you mom?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I'm fine?
Speaker 1 (02:39):
How are you I'm doing great? Good to hear Santa
Claus is coming to town.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
That's true. Of asked Santa Claus for a barbelle thera
gun and half a cow.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Half a cow.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So Mary Madaline is coming over this weekend with her
very good friend from high school that we've known for eternity,
and she is a therapist. She's a great woman.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Yeah, she's bringing her little dog, Ginger.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
And Marray Maddain is going to bring Marshall.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
That's right. Marshall has a lover. I forgot Marshall. See
he acts as interested, he acts like grossed out, but
you know he won't leave the vicinity. No, he's a
little interested. And Mary Maddeline will be drink, bringing her
a little rast.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
She doesn't really play with Ginger.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
No, No, I think Ginger is too I think she's
too overbored about it, and so that pushes him away
a little bit. With Marshall, you can't push, you know
what I mean, you gotta if you ever, if you
want to pet him, he can't walk up to him
or else he'll he'll hide behind a tree, you know
what I mean. True, he'll hide behind something. But if
you just like kind of lay on the floor and
(03:50):
pep around, he's like he'll kind of like zig zag
and then he'll walk towards him. He's like, okay, you
can pet me. That's fine, you have my permission. So
Marshall's a little tough cookie to figure out. Melle, on
the other hand, Mellie's very interesting. Mellie is a submissive dog.
So a dog will, you know, when she meets a
new dog, a dog will kind of like bite her,
(04:11):
or you know, not bite her, but snap at her
to show her his boss. And Mellie's just like, okay,
your boss. She's lays in her belly, sweetest dog ever.
But Mellie's intentional about this, so she becomes friends with them.
You know, She's like, you're the boss. Whatever, you're the boss,
you're my friend. I'm your friend. And then once they
become good buddies, once the hierarchy's established, Mellie what she'll
(04:33):
do is she likes to cause chaos. And so what
Mellie does is she likes to play fight, and so
she'll play fight, play fight, playfight. She'll get a snap
and then playfight, play fight, play fight until it becomes routine.
And then whenever Melly comes and all the dogs are together,
including Marshall, she starts playfighting and the whole house turns
into chaos. So it's gonna be a fun weekend and
(04:55):
we're going to be eating al Fourno's.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
And holy one of her favorite places.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
If you've not been to Italy and you want to
taste to Italy, Alflorno's is the place in Providence. Ye.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
True, absolutely, Well, we have to share some news. We
have been talking about my father coming and we were
so excited, had everything set up, and he was unable
to come. He's okay, but he will have a pacemaker
put in soon. His heart rate was so great. Yeah,
(05:30):
his resting heart rate was thirty five, so very calm.
So but it's all good and this is happening very soon.
So if you can say a prayer for my father,
and I think I think it's going to help him
feel a lot better. So I'm glad that that this
was identified before he traveled. Yeah, his doctor declined right before,
(05:56):
so that was you know all those life sometimes it
is it is well, that is.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
True, like you said that at least the doctor caught that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
I know. I know, so it in my mind is
just delaying his trip a little bit.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
And I'll see them sometimes.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Yes, yes, I was looking forward to this visit so much,
and you know it's just but when something like this happens,
you're dealing with reality, so you know. But it was
like that night, that's when I had my meltdown and
then I got it out and then.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I was okay.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
But I knew I knew it.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Was different Mom as well.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
But you know, I was just couldn't wait. He was
excited too, I know. But you know what, they'll be
here when he comes, that's right. And I sent some
gifts through Cardiff.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Aven be better or the spring, because that's.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
That's what he said.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Be warmer. Yeah, you know it won't be too warm, but.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
It won't be The bedroom shoes good, He'll love those
big times.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Those are very nice. Those are great shoes. Those are
great shoes.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Besides that, we've been getting plenty of book orders lately.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Oh my goodness, they've been flying out the.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Door, don't I don't even know, ladies and gentlemen. If
I didn't have my mom to help me upkeep all this,
I would just be in shambles. Mom has helped organize everything. Yeah,
I would say. She has prepared the packages for me
and she just gives me the list and you guys whenever.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Well, you've been writing them to sons and daughters and grandchildren.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
And so if you have any personalization, like if you
would like it for an individual, be as specific. Oh yes,
the more specific you are about something, the better. If
you even want me to write a certain message, if
you say, write it only to my son, because what
I do is that if you if I receive like
this is from my son Jerry, for example, from Laura,
(07:56):
I'll say to Laura and to your son Jerry, God
bless when Kelly yes, and so that's that's usually what
I write. But if you don't want me to put
your name, or if you want it a not like
you know, not personalized, or if you want some kind
of message on there.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Yeah, just let me know. And when you call in
or or contact us, you'll most likely be speaking directly
with Michelle or Carter or Kayla, and just let them
know and we can handle the details.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
That's true.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
We're detail oriented, yes.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
They are not.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
We I'm not part of that. You guys are in
your own way exactly. You guys are detail oriented in
that respect. I don't know where I'm detail oriented. Just
I guess different.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's okay. God made us all different.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
That's true. We were all the same, it wouldn't really work.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
That well, No, it would be a boring life if
everyone was the same.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
That is true.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Well, Merry Christmas it'll be. It'll be December twenty seventh
when we come back, wow for our show. Yees, So
I hope all of you have a very merry Christmas. Agreed, yes,
and we'll be back for you before the end of
the year.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
That's true. Wow, it's going to be twenty twenty six,
just like that.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
I know. Blink our eyes and another year is going by.
Do keep us on your dial. We've got a lot
of great content coming your way. Mike do Set and
Greg Workman will be breaking down what holiday spending and
seasonal market headlines really mean for retirees and why short
term noise should never derail a long term retirement plan.
(09:34):
Mary Madeline Kelly and Greg Murray will be talking about
what the millionaire next door really looks like in twenty
twenty five and how everyday habits, not flashy income, quietly
build long term wealth and financial confidence. William and I
will be back to discuss how to make smart Medicare
coverage decisions, plan for long term, and build a healthcare
(09:58):
bucket so rise healthcare costs in twenty twenty six, don't
derail your retirement income. And of course we'll close the
hour with some wit and wisdom from the late Bill Kelly.
His words continue to inspire and guide us. That's a
wrap for forever. Young thank you for listening, and William,
thank you for joining me. We'll be back with more
(10:21):
great content. I love you, honey, I.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Love you Toama. Call us today at eight eight eight
hundred and eighty one or visit us online at Kellyfinancial
dot org to schedule your complimentary retirement income analysis.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Welcome back to safe money Strategies.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
I'm like du said, chief operating officer at Kelly Financial,
and as always, I'm joined by my colleague, the man
who somehow receives more Amazon deliveries.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
This time of year than Sanna's entire toy factory, mister
Greg Workman.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
I can explain those boxes are most likely my wife's
last minute holiday purchases. I'm just the guy who gets
to carry them inside.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
This is the week where everyone's in full on holiday mode.
We've got Christmas right around the corner. The malls are packed,
Online spending is hitting new records, and a lot of
people are wondering what does all of this mean for
the economy and for the markets heading into twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
And on top of that, this is the week where
people start asking about the quote unquote the Santa Claus
Stock market rally. You'll hear analysts on TV throwing that
phrase around like holiday confetti exactly.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
So that's our focus tonight.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Our holiday spending and seasonal market behavior really tie into
retirement planning, and we're going to do it in a
way that cuts through myths, gives you some perspective, and
maybe helps you avoid the financial equivalent of eating too
many Christmas cookies. Let's start with consumer spending. The holiday
season is the super Bowl for retailers, but it's also
(11:57):
one of the most important economic signals we look at
each year.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
Right, roughly twenty five to thirty percent of annual retail
revenue happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and because consumers make
up about seventy percent of the US economy, these few
weeks can tell us a lot.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
The big mistake retirees make is assuming the economy fails bad,
therefore spending must be bad, but that's not usually the case.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
No.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
In fact, even in years when people are stressed about prices,
interest rates, or world events holidays, spending always tends to
hold up. People shop for their grandkids no matter what's
happening in Washington or on CNBC.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
And that matters because strong spending often means companies start
the next year on better footing. Week spending can signal caution,
but is just one data point.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
The danger is people try to extrapolate short term headlines
into long term portfolio decisions, and that usually ends badly.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Let's bring in a client story.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
Earlier this month, we met with a couple call them
Tom and Linda, both in their mid sixties, newly retired,
very responsible savers.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Great couple, but they came in feeling anxious. Their exact
words were, the news says the consumer is tapped out?
Does that mean we should get out of the stock
market entirely?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
And this is very common.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
People hear one negative headline and think it's a forecast
for all of next year.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
So we walked them through the real numbers. We showed
them how consumers often say they feel negative, but their
spending behavior doesn't actually change that much. We also reminded
them that their retirement plan is not dependent upon whether
Target sells an extra five hundred PlayStations this week.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
And the big takeaway for them and for our listeners
was this short term seasonal spending tells us something about
the economy, but it should never drive your long term
investment decisions.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
Their entire mood changed. They walked out of that meeting
with a fresh perspective and a plan instead of fear
and anxiety.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
All right, Greg, let's talk about the fame seasonal pattern.
The Santa claus rally.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
One of my favorite topics. So here's the real definition.
It's not the whole month of December. It's actually a
seven trading day window, the last five trading days of
the year and the first two of January.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
And historically those days tend to be positive more often
than negative. As a reminder, historical performance does not guarantee
future results.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
Correct, But the reason why is important. Markets are quieter,
big institutions have closed their books on the year. Retail
investors tend to be optimistic during the holidays. There's lower
trading volume, and some of it is simply statistical noise.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
In other words, it's a pattern, but it's not a
strategy exactly.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
You don't build a retirement plan based on a seven
day market quirk.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
The Santa Claus rally is fun to talk about, it's festive,
but retirees who try to play it usually end up
chasing returns, increasing risk, or creating taxable events at the
worst possible time.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Your long term plan diversification, risk management, income strategy. That's
what matters, not whether December twenty eighth happens to be
a good trading day or not.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
Now, Greg, let's pivot to something extremely important, the calendar.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Yes, listeners need to hear this loud and clear. You
have only a handful of days left before December thirty first.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
And many year and financial moves must be done before
midnight on the thirty first. Rmds, roth conversions, tax loss harvesting,
charitable giving and qualified charitable distributions.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
And even though you legally have to wait until the
thirty first, financial institutions get overwhelmed this week, so if
you wait until the thirtieth, you may already be too late.
Speaker 5 (15:46):
We don't want people waking up in January realizing they
missed something important or worse facing penalties.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
So if you have any questions about year end planning,
please call us, even if it's just hey, guys, can
you double check that I'm not forgetting something.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
One quick point before the break? The holidays are emotional.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
People spend more, they worry more, and sometimes make reactive decisions.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
And emotions are the enemy of good investing. Fear excitement,
holiday optimism, holiday stress, all of these can push people
into decisions that don't align with their long term goals.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
So our message tonight is simple, enjoy the season, understand
the data, but stay committed to your plan.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
And if you don't have a plan, now is the
perfect time to build one.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Stick around.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
When we come back, we're going to take a deep
dive into what this year's holiday spending trends might mean
for the economy and the markets in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
And we'll talk about what retirees should and should take
away from all of this.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
You are listening to save money strategies will be right back.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Hi, everyone, This is William Kelly.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
If you've ever wished you'd.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Learned about money sooner, that's why I wrote Only the
Good invest y'all, a simple encouraging guide with real world
steps anyone can follow. I kept seeing the same thing
people wishing someone had explained the basics earlier. How to save,
build good habits, avoid costly mistakes, and create momentum even
when you're starting small, whether you're eighteen or eighty. This
(17:12):
book is about confidence, clarity, and taking action. And with
the holidays coming up, only the good invest young makes
a great Christmas gift for a child, a grandchild, or
anyone who needs that nudge to start strong. For our listeners,
we're sending out complimentary copies. Just call eight eight eight
eight hundred twenty eight one or email Kelly at Kellyfinancial
(17:33):
dot org and we'll send you one at no charge.
You can also purchase a softcover on Amazon or an
ebook on Kindle. I'm William Kelly, and I hope this
book helps someone you love take their first step.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Good evening, and welcome back to Safe Money Strategies. I'm
Kelly Kelly, and I'm here with my son, William Junior.
As we head toward the end of the year and
we aren't looking ahead to twenty twenty six, one topic
continues to come up in retirement planning conversations, and that's
(18:09):
health care. Cost not just monthly premiums, but the total
cost of care over time, how quickly those costs are changing,
and how that impacts retirement confidence.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
That's right, mom. Healthcare has become one of the most
important pieces of retirement planning because it affects income, lifestyle,
and peace of mind all at the same time.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
And the reality is healthcare costs are rising faster than
most other expenses retirees face. That makes understanding the trends
now before they show up unexpectedly more important than ever.
One of the biggest challenges heading into twenty twenty six
(18:52):
is health care inflation. Medical care costs continue to rise
faster than overall inflation, and that directly impacts purchasing power
in retirement, even when inflation cools in other areas things
like gas goods or travel, healthcare has historically followed its
(19:15):
own path upward, and retirees feel that difference quickly. Because
healthcare is not optional and.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
These aren't one time expenses, Medical costs tend to be ongoing,
and for many people, they increase gradually over time. That's
why healthcare planning needs to be approached differently than other
retirement expenses.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
To put this into perspective. Fidelity estimates that a sixty
five year old couple retiring today may need around three
hundred and fifteen thousand dollars over their lifetime just for
health care expenses. That number has increased over the years
and is expected to continue rising as we move further
(19:59):
into twenty six. That estimate doesn't mean everyone will spend
that amount exactly, but it does give retirees a realistic
framework for planning now.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
When people hear a number like that, the first reaction
is often worry, but that's not the goal here exactly.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
The goal isn't fear, is clarity. When people understand what's
driving healthcare cost higher, they're in a much better position
to make thoughtful decisions. The good news is retirees today
have more options, more transparency, and more tools than ever before.
(20:37):
Planning has evolved, and that gives people more control than
they might realize, and.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
That control often comes from understanding how small decisions add
up over time. Healthcare planning isn't about predicting every medical event.
It's about being prepared for categories of expenses that are
most likely to show up.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Another important part of this conversation is wellness preventative care,
regular movement, good nutrition, and healthy sleep habits don't just
support the quality of life, they can significantly reduce long
term health care costs. Staying active, keeping up with routine screenings,
(21:17):
and addressing small issues early often helps people avoid larger,
more expensive problems later.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
We're also seeing more retirees explore alternative care models for
routine services, things like cash pay practices or membership based care.
In some cases, those options can be more cost effective
than traditional insurance for everyday.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Needs, and this is where awareness matters. Simply reviewing medications
once a year, understanding what's covered, and paying attention to
how care is accessed can make a meaningful difference over time.
Medicare is another critical part of this discussion. Medicare cost
(21:59):
are changed, and those changes matter. Heading into twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
We've seen increases in Part B premiums, deductibles trending upward,
and shifts in prescription drug coverage. While recent changes have
helped in some areas like capping certain out of pocket costs,
other parts of Medicare are becoming more expensive.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Medicare remains one of the most powerful tools retirees have,
but it's not something to put on autopilot coverage changes,
premiums adjust, and personal needs evolve over time. Reviewing coverage
periodically can help avoid unnecessary cost and surprises.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Another challenge heading into twenty twenty six is that certain
healthcare categories are rising much faster than others. Home healthcare,
diagnostic imaging, and behavioral health services have all seen sharp increases.
These are areas people often don't think about until they
need them, and that's when costs can come as a surprise.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
And often where care is received matters just as much
as the care itself. Choosing preferred facilities, asking about alternatives,
and understanding pricing differences can result in meaningful savings without
sacrificing quality. Small choices like where an MRI is done
(23:23):
or which pharmacy is used, can add up over time.
One of the most important and often overlooked areas of
health care planning is long term care. Medicare does not
cover it, and costs continue to rise. Most people won't
need full time nursing care, but many will need some
(23:45):
level of support at some point, such as help with
daily activities, mobility, or recovery after an illness. Planning ahead
creates options. It helps people stay independent longer remain in
familiar surroundings and make decisions on their own.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Terms and having a plan in place often brings peace
of mind, not just for retirees, but for their families
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
When we come back, we'll talk about practical strategies, coverage decisions,
income planning, and how retirees can protect their retirement income
from rising healthcare costs.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
We'll also cover some important conversations families should be having
now to avoid stress and confusion later on.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
You're listening to save money strategies, stay with us. We'll
be right back after the break.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Safe money Strategies with Kelly Kelly and her team. Call
Kelly Financial at eighty eight eight hundred and twenty one
or go to Kelly Financial dot org. That's Kelly at
Kelly Financial dot org
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