November 29, 2025 • 24 mins
This week on Safe Money Strategies, Kelly Kelly opens the hour with a special Forever Young conversation alongside her son, William Kelly Jr. Together, they reflect on Thanksgiving, the importance of family, and slowing down during the holiday season. William also shares that his book, Only the Good Invest Young, is now available on Amazon and already receiving strong feedback. Kelly invites listeners to the Kelly Financial Holiday Drop-By & Toy Drive on Saturday, December 6 at both the Burlington and Braintree offices, encouraging the community to bring a new, unwrapped toy and help spread holiday cheer.
Later in the program, Mike Doucette and Greg Workman break down what your Thanksgiving table may reveal about rising costs, the Federal Reserve, and inflation’s impact on families and retirees.
Mary Madeline Kelly and Greg Murray walk listeners through a critical year-end task reviewing beneficiary designations to ensure accounts are aligned and loved ones are protected.
Kelly and William return to close the hour with reminders about managing emotional spending, staying alert to cyber threats, and protecting both your heart and your finances this holiday season. The program concludes with meaningful Wit and Wisdom from Bill Kelly.
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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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 voice
(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 your 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 (02:08):
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 around the kitchen table. This
is a part of the show we call Forever Young,
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 most when you're
(02:30):
planning for the future. Sometimes it's light, sometimes it's thoughtful,
but it's always real. Good evening. William, how are you mom?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
I'm fine?
Speaker 1 (02:39):
How are you I'm great. I'm still full from Thanksgiving.
To be honest, I.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Agree with you. That's a good way to put it.
We've got a million leftovers in the fridge, and we
had a wonderful time with our family, and we had
some guests, yes, Sir Mary Nodaland's boyfriend whom which we
anonymously named Timmy, Timmy himself, his mom and his dad,
and some animals. It was a wonderful time. And ladies
(03:05):
and gentlemen, we obviously hope that you had a wonderful
Thanksgiving as well. Hopefully it was peaceful, you know, you
didn't have a crazy uncle talking politics and then the
getting really angry, you know, because maybe they're on different
crops side of the spectrum for some reason. Every Thanksgiving
I feel like this is like a universal experience. Politics
comes into the equations. I mean, I'm the type of
(03:26):
person personally I'm like, bring it on, you know what
I mean?
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Yeah I don't.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Yeah, But but honestly it's not really much.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
I mean typically every Thanksgiving we have the cooners here.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yes, we missed the we do it.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
They were visiting family in Canada, so you know, they
had a good excuse. But but we always, we all
enjoy it, oh yeah, always. And John Boudris is always here.
So politics is definitely a topic. Oh yeah, and we're
all on the same team.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So it's like you're you're asking for a reaction with
with the cooners here with John with us.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yeah, but we have we had a little different mix
here this year.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
We did yeah, different.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
So we stayed away from it.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
We did.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah, so it to be nice, Yeah, just in case.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah, we don't want to upset Timmy nor his parents.
We love them. They're great people and it was a
pleasure to meet them. They're very interesting.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
I don't think it upset Timmy.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
But no, Timmy doesn't care. Timmy is very you know,
he's a smart guy and you're can have a very
constructive conversation with him. But yeah, Thanksgiving was wonderful.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
It sure was.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Now my book has been coming in. I mean, some
folks have been ordering it on Amazon only the good
invest Young if you're interested, and people have just been
saying that it's it's been answering a lot of their questions.
I've been reading some of the reviews, and I've been
getting reviews from you know, close friends of mine and
folks who really enjoyed the book. I'm happy to see
(04:53):
that people are having a great experience and feeling a
lot more confident after reading it, and especially those who
I mean, these are folks who are in their thirties
and forties and some folks who are in their teens
still who are reaching out to me. And I'm just
so grateful that I'm able to help people realize their
potential here.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yeah, what I mean.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
If you're looking for a similar experience, ladies and gentlemen,
my book is available on Amazon, or if you've already
signed up for us to send you a complimentary copy,
we'll send it your way. It's going to take a
little bit more time. If you'd like to purchase the
e book. The e book is also on Amazon as well.
You can purchase it on a kindle and maybe one
day I'll do an audiobook. We'll see.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I have a feeling you will.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
That'd be cool. Yeah, I'm happy that it's just making
people work incident.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
And if you would like to come to our toy
drive and our Christmas drop in on December sixth, we
will have his books there and William will be signing
his book right there in Burlington in our Burlington office,
and we will have them available in our brain Tree office.
(06:00):
Our team will be split up for that day, those
two hours accepting unwrapped toys for children, and it'll be nice.
It'll be great hugging our clients and shaking hands and.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
It'll be really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
That will be awesome. And to give toys to the
to the unfortunate, I think we'll make somebody's Christmas. Yes,
I think that will just imagine that, you know what
I mean, You probably don't get toys, and you can't
your family can't afford it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Yeah, and to have something.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
And I know our clients and our prospects and the
people that listen.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
To our show, everyone's been so generous over the past
couple of years.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Yeah, they don't.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Just I'm very proud.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
For our toy drive.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yes, we're very grateful that we have these types of people.
And I know, I know, I don't think we say
it enough. And I'm just excited for this year's toy drive.
Last last toy drive went really successful.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Oh it sure did. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
I think this is a smart way, you know, to
use our platform, you know what I mean. Agreed, Yeah,
So make a kid's day, make a kids Christmas by
you know, what, I'll sign a book, come get a
copy of my book. If you'd like to come and
speak with me, If you'd like to speak with some
folks at Kelly Financial as well, they'll be there and
no pressure, you know what I mean. Just come come
on by.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Yeah, just pop in for a few minutes. And if
you're out shopping or you know, running errands, just pop
in either office, whichever one is the most convenient for you.
It'll be good.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, And there'll be cookies there allegedly.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Right, we'll have a gift bag with a little gift
in there, and and of course he'll get your book
and I think a cookie.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yeah, delicious, So that little thing.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
So December sixth, so I'm very excited. So Timmy and
Mary Madaline they both went for a nice run in Philadelphia.
Mary Madeline ran it too.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
No, she did the ten k, that's right.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
And so him, I'm sat.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Last Saturday and then and then he ran the marathon
the next day.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
So Timmy.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
For those who don't know, Timmy's also not only getting
his PhD, but he's an ultra marathon runner. This guy
is the full passage and he's fast, very fast. So
Timmy's completed a marathon. He did a fantastic job.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
He's last weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
He I don't know how he does it, but he
gets subbed four hour marathons, which is just incredible, ladies
and gentlemen. It's like that is a fast, fast pace consistently.
So he's on a different level. I remember one time
he came over to the house and you know, it
was morning. I woke up and I get a text
at like six point thirty in the morning and Timmy
(08:41):
texts the group chat and he says, folks, I'm gonna
go run a quick ten and I'm like ten.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
What ten miles?
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Ten is nothing for him.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Nothing, It's like eating breakfast. He just does it.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
And he's like, there's nothing more refreshing th they' running
a ten mile or coming back drinking some black coffee.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Would They shared the app with me, and so I
was able to track their runs and send them like
way to go and pictures of the animals, pictures of us.
That's the doorab So I think that helps.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
So MM did a great job. Since MM is not
quite an ultra marathon runner yet, but she's still a
great runner. She did the ten k instep, so they
had a very fun weekend together and I'm very proud
of them. Congratulations them for completing their ten k and
Timmy for completing his marathon.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Absolutely, do keep us on your dial. We've got a
lot of great content coming your way. Mike do Set
and Greg Workman will break down what Thanksgiving dinner revealed
about inflation, the recent FED rate cuts, and what the
shifting economy could mean for your investments and retirement in
the year ahead. Mary, Madeline Kelly and Greg Murray will
(09:50):
walk you through one of the most overlooked Yarin tasks,
reviewing your beneficiary designations to ensure your money goes exactly
where you intend and avoid costly mistakes. I will be
back with William. We will share practical ways to protect
your wallet, your identity, your retirement from emotional spending and
(10:11):
rising cyber threats this holiday season. And of course we'll
close the hour with some wit and wisdom from the
Lake Bill Kelly. His words continue to inspire and guide us.
That's wrap for forever, young, Thank you for listening, William,
thank you for joining me. We'll be back with more
great content. I love you, Honey, I love you to
(10:32):
you Mom, call us today at eight eight eight hundred
and eighty one or.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Visit us online at Kellyfinancial dot org to schedule your
complimentary retirement income analysis.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Welcome back to Safe Money Strategies on this post Thanksgiving weekend.
I'm Mike Ducett, chief operating officer at Tellyfinancial, and joining
me as always is our investment advisor Greg Workman.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Greg. How was Thanksgiving? It was great, Mike. I was
at my parents' house, just a few towns over and
we had about ten people gathered around the table, enough
people that we needed folding chairs, but not so many
that we needed a seating chart, a lot of food,
a lot of football, and a lot of leftovers that
we will be eating for days.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
My Thanksgiving was at my sister in laws place. We
had around twenty people this year, so it was full
on holiday chaos. Kids running around, people talking over one another,
every burner on the stove being used at once. But
it was great and hopefully everyone listening tonight was able
to enjoy the holiday and spend meaningful time with friends
and family.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
And I think we can admit that we got off easy.
We didn't have to host this year exactly.
Speaker 4 (11:44):
We avoided the stress test of hosting Thanksgiving, but we
both know we're paying the price at Christmas when everyone
comes to our houses. That's when the real marathon of cooking, cleaning,
and last minute errands begins. We talk a lot about
money on this show, so Thanksgiving has actually become a
good annual benchmark for us. Every year people ask the
same question, was Thanksgiving more expensive this year or less expensive?
Speaker 3 (12:09):
And this year the answer was a bit of both. Overall,
the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is slightly cheaper
this year, with the national average cost dropping by five percent.
Turkey prices were down, which surprised a lot of people.
Last year, we had some supply constraints that pushed prices up,
but this year we had better production numbers. Some side dishes,
(12:33):
including potatoes and certain vegetables, were reasonably steady. But anything processed,
especially baked goods, rolls, stuffing, desserts, those continued to be
on the rise.
Speaker 4 (12:46):
And that's really the story of inflation right now. It's
no longer across the board. It's pockets, some easing, some stubborn.
We've moved away from the everything is up eight or
nine percent environment from a couple of years ago. Now
it's more nuanced, which frankly is easier for households to navigate.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
And the timing makes a difference too. We're now heading
into December, holiday shopping season, family gatherings, winter travel, and
the overall inflation backdrop is a bit more stable. It's
not perfect, but it is not the runaway situation that
we saw in twenty twenty two and early twenty twenty three.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
And for retirees and pre retirees, the people listening to
this show that stability matters. When inflation is unpredictable, it
complicates planning, but when inflation moderates, people can make decisions
with more confidence. And a big part of that improved
inflation pitchure is what the Federal Reserve has done right.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
The Fed delivered its first rate cut of the year
in September, followed quickly by another twenty five basis point
cut in October, bringing the federal funds rate into the
three point seventy five to four percent range, and most
economists think that we'll see another cut at the December
meeting if labor and economic data continue trending softer.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
And that shift has already started to affect everything from
mortgage rates to corporate borrowing costs to bond yields.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
The FED itself is a little split. Some members want
to keep cutting because the job market is showing some
signs of cooling. Others want to be slower and more
cautious because inflation is still above target levels. But the
overarching direction is clear. The FED is easy.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
And that gives us a very different landscape heading into
twenty twenty six compared to what we've been dealing with.
Instead of planning for rising rates or plateaued rates, investors
now have to plan for declining rates, and that changes
the opportunity set. And speaking of opportunity sets, this is
where investors really need to pay attention because interest rate
direction impacts the entire financial system absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Let's start with stocks. Historically, markets respond very positively to
a FED easing cycle. Lower borrowing costs fuel capital investment,
mergers and acquisitions, business expansion, and consumer spending. Cheaper money
tends to push valuations higher, and you.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Can already see it in parts of the market technology industrials,
real estate areas that are very sensitive to financial conditions.
Investors are watching the FED closely because the next few
quarters could determine where growth opportunities emerge.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
And then there's bonds. We haven't been able to talk
positively about bonds for some time, but now we can.
Bond prices move inversely to interest rates, so when the
FED cuts, bond values typically rise. Investors who stuck with
bonds through the rough patch may finally start seeing some tailwinds.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
And here's the other part. People who've been sitting on
a lot of cash because money market funds we're paying
four and a half or five percent, those yields will
fall quickly. Take long for short term rates to adjust
once the Fed is in an easy mode. So if
someone is overweight cash and underweight stocks or bonds, now
is the time to start reassessing.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
The next twelve to eighteen months may look very different
from the last twelve to eighteen months. Rate cycles don't
last forever, but they do create windows of opportunity.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
And this is where retirement rarely intersects with the broader economy.
Interest rates affect everything, income planning, withdrawal strategies, fixed income allocations,
annuity payouts, CD ladders, you name it.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
And that's why we keep emphasizing the period between Thanksgiving
and New year's as a key planning window. This is
the time of year when people actually slow down enough
to take inventory of their finances, and.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
With the FED cutting rates, retirees should be thinking about
whether their portfolios align with the environment we're heading into.
Are they positioned for rising bond values? Are they prepared
for falling cashields? Are they benefiting from sectors that thrive
in easing cycles.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Those are the kinds of questions we help clients with
every year, but this December is particularly important because we're
at the beginning of a major shift.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Stay with us after the break, we'll get into what
this new rate environment means specifically for your retirement portfolio,
the opportunities emerging in both stocks and bonds for twenty
twenty six, and the key steps to take before year
end to ensure your plan is aligned with the new reality.
You are listening to safe money strategies.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Hi, everyone, this is William Kelly. If you've ever wished
you'd learned about money sooner, That's why I wrote Only
the Good invest You, 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
(17:54):
momentum even when you're starting small, whether you're eighteen or eighty.
This 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.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
To start strong.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
For our listeners, we're sending out complimentary copies. Just call
eight eight eight eight hundred and twenty eight one or
email Kelly at Kellyfinancial dot org and we'll send you
one at no charge. You can also purchase a softcover
on Amazon or an ebook on Kendle. I'm William Kelly,
and I hope this book helps someone you love to
take their first step.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Welcome back to Safe Money Strategies. I'm Kelly Kelly here
with my son, William Kelly Junior, and today we're talking
about something a lot of families are dealing with right now,
the aftermath of Black Friday, the start of the holiday
rush and the pressure that comes with it. Now, for years,
Black Friday was all about bargains. People stood in line,
(18:57):
rushed into stores, grabbed what they could, trying to beat
the deal.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
But in twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Five, Black Friday isn't really about savings anymore. It's about psychology.
It's about urgency, pressure, emotion, and it's designed to get
you to spend money you didn't plan to spend. And
the truth is a sale is not as savings if
it steals from your retirement.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
That's such an important point, mom, because a lot of
people think, well, I'm saving money because it's forty percent off,
but they're not actually saving anything if that purchase wasn't
in the plan in the first place. And honestly, I
think the most dangerous purchases right now are the unplanned ones,
the impulse buys people make just because something is on
the sale.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Exactly. The strongest financial strategy during the holidays isn't finding
the best deal, it's knowing what you actually need before
you see what's on sale. And in twenty twenty five,
so many families are already under pressure. Prices are up,
credit card balances are higher than they were a year ago,
Savings CA counts are shrinking. Studies from firms like Deloitte
(20:03):
and Mackenzie show that shoppers are actually buying fewer items
this year, but spending more because everything costs more, and
that creates what I call the holiday hangover. That's when
January arrives and suddenly the credit card statements due to
For retirees and pre retirees, that pain lasts even longer.
(20:27):
But overspending today means borrowing against tomorrow. And the most
damaging mistake I see people make, especially around the holidays,
is dipping into retirement money to cover short term spending.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
And that's a really big deal because retirement accounts aren't
meant to be your holiday fund. They're meant to support
the rest of your life. When you pull money out early,
not only are there sometimes penalties and taxes, but that
money also loses time to grow, So the real cost
of that gift or that shopping spree is much more
than just the sticker price.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
That's right, William. You don't need more credit, You need
more clarity. And along with all the spending pressure, there's
another major threat this time of year, especially in twenty
twenty five, and that's cybercrime. Black Friday isn't just in
stores anymore. Is online, is on your phone, is in
your email, is in your text, and that means scammers
(21:23):
have access to more people than ever before.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
We're seeing fake websites, bogus ads, and even counterfeit tracking
pages that look just like Amazon or ups or FedEx,
and today with AI, these scams look incredibly real. They're
written better than ever before, and they're designed to make
you panic, click and respond without thinking. Your email, your text,
even your browser. All of those are entry points for scammers,
(21:50):
and retirees are a prime target because scammers assume they
have savings and.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Listen to this carefully. The most expensive purchase this season
could be the one you never made, calls by a
scam that steals your identity instead. That's why at Kelly
Financial we take cybersecurity extremely seriously. We created an investor
guide called Cybersecurity Self Awareness for Your Self Protection to
(22:18):
help everyday families understand how these crimes actually happen. In
simple terms, it explains the different ways criminals attack what
the professionals called vectors of attack, things like phishing, fishing,
phone scams, fake websites called farming, malware and ransomware, business
(22:40):
email compromise, in stolen credentials. These aren't just technical terms,
they're the real ways criminals get access to your information
and in twenty twenty five AI is making these scams
even more dangerous.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
But the good news is when you know how a
scam works, you're much harder to trick. Some of the
biggest flags to watch out for our urgency, pressure, secrecy,
or being told to act immediately. You should never click
on links in unexpected delivery texts. You should always shop
on secure websites that you type in yourself, not links
(23:15):
in emails or ads. We also recommend using credit cards
instead of debit cards because they offer stronger fraud protection
and something very important, enable two factor authentication on your
shopping and bank accounts.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Slow down before you click, because speed is a scammer's
best friend, and protecting your retirement isn't just about what
you invest in. Is about protecting your identity, your access
to accounts, and your digital behavior. That's why our Cybersecurity
Investor Guide is so important. It gives you simple checklists,
(23:50):
clear warning signs, steps to safeguard your information, and ways
to reduce your digital footprint. When you combine smart spending
with strong cybersecurity, that is a true safe money strategy.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
So if you're listening right now and you want to
feel more confident heading into the rest of the holiday season,
I encourage you to request your free copy of our
Investor Guide Cybersecurity Self Awareness for your self protection. It's practical,
easy to understand, and written for real families, not tech experts.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
And when we come back, William and I are going
to talk more about how to protect not just your wallet,
but your identity and your retirement. All season long, you're
listening to Safe Money Strategies right here on WBZ.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Safe Money Strategies with Kelly Kelly and her team. Call
Kelly Financial at eighty eight eight hundred twenty one or
go to Kelly Financial dot org. That's Kelly at Kellyfinancial
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 voice
(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 your 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 (02:08):
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 around the kitchen table. This
is a part of the show we call Forever Young,
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 most when you're
(02:30):
planning for the future. Sometimes it's light, sometimes it's thoughtful,
but it's always real. Good evening. William, how are you mom?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
I'm fine?
Speaker 1 (02:39):
How are you I'm great. I'm still full from Thanksgiving.
To be honest, I.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Agree with you. That's a good way to put it.
We've got a million leftovers in the fridge, and we
had a wonderful time with our family, and we had
some guests, yes, Sir Mary Nodaland's boyfriend whom which we
anonymously named Timmy, Timmy himself, his mom and his dad,
and some animals. It was a wonderful time. And ladies
(03:05):
and gentlemen, we obviously hope that you had a wonderful
Thanksgiving as well. Hopefully it was peaceful, you know, you
didn't have a crazy uncle talking politics and then the
getting really angry, you know, because maybe they're on different
crops side of the spectrum for some reason. Every Thanksgiving
I feel like this is like a universal experience. Politics
comes into the equations. I mean, I'm the type of
(03:26):
person personally I'm like, bring it on, you know what
I mean?
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Yeah I don't.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Yeah, But but honestly it's not really much.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
I mean typically every Thanksgiving we have the cooners here.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yes, we missed the we do it.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
They were visiting family in Canada, so you know, they
had a good excuse. But but we always, we all
enjoy it, oh yeah, always. And John Boudris is always here.
So politics is definitely a topic. Oh yeah, and we're
all on the same team.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So it's like you're you're asking for a reaction with
with the cooners here with John with us.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yeah, but we have we had a little different mix
here this year.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
We did yeah, different.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
So we stayed away from it.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
We did.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah, so it to be nice, Yeah, just in case.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah, we don't want to upset Timmy nor his parents.
We love them. They're great people and it was a
pleasure to meet them. They're very interesting.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
I don't think it upset Timmy.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
But no, Timmy doesn't care. Timmy is very you know,
he's a smart guy and you're can have a very
constructive conversation with him. But yeah, Thanksgiving was wonderful.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
It sure was.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Now my book has been coming in. I mean, some
folks have been ordering it on Amazon only the good
invest Young if you're interested, and people have just been
saying that it's it's been answering a lot of their questions.
I've been reading some of the reviews, and I've been
getting reviews from you know, close friends of mine and
folks who really enjoyed the book. I'm happy to see
(04:53):
that people are having a great experience and feeling a
lot more confident after reading it, and especially those who
I mean, these are folks who are in their thirties
and forties and some folks who are in their teens
still who are reaching out to me. And I'm just
so grateful that I'm able to help people realize their
potential here.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yeah, what I mean.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
If you're looking for a similar experience, ladies and gentlemen,
my book is available on Amazon, or if you've already
signed up for us to send you a complimentary copy,
we'll send it your way. It's going to take a
little bit more time. If you'd like to purchase the
e book. The e book is also on Amazon as well.
You can purchase it on a kindle and maybe one
day I'll do an audiobook. We'll see.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I have a feeling you will.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
That'd be cool. Yeah, I'm happy that it's just making
people work incident.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
And if you would like to come to our toy
drive and our Christmas drop in on December sixth, we
will have his books there and William will be signing
his book right there in Burlington in our Burlington office,
and we will have them available in our brain Tree office.
(06:00):
Our team will be split up for that day, those
two hours accepting unwrapped toys for children, and it'll be nice.
It'll be great hugging our clients and shaking hands and.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
It'll be really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
That will be awesome. And to give toys to the
to the unfortunate, I think we'll make somebody's Christmas. Yes,
I think that will just imagine that, you know what
I mean, You probably don't get toys, and you can't
your family can't afford it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Yeah, and to have something.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
And I know our clients and our prospects and the
people that listen.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
To our show, everyone's been so generous over the past
couple of years.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Yeah, they don't.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Just I'm very proud.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
For our toy drive.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yes, we're very grateful that we have these types of people.
And I know, I know, I don't think we say
it enough. And I'm just excited for this year's toy drive.
Last last toy drive went really successful.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Oh it sure did. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
I think this is a smart way, you know, to
use our platform, you know what I mean. Agreed, Yeah,
So make a kid's day, make a kids Christmas by
you know, what, I'll sign a book, come get a
copy of my book. If you'd like to come and
speak with me, If you'd like to speak with some
folks at Kelly Financial as well, they'll be there and
no pressure, you know what I mean. Just come come
on by.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Yeah, just pop in for a few minutes. And if
you're out shopping or you know, running errands, just pop
in either office, whichever one is the most convenient for you.
It'll be good.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, And there'll be cookies there allegedly.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Right, we'll have a gift bag with a little gift
in there, and and of course he'll get your book
and I think a cookie.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yeah, delicious, So that little thing.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
So December sixth, so I'm very excited. So Timmy and
Mary Madaline they both went for a nice run in Philadelphia.
Mary Madeline ran it too.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
No, she did the ten k, that's right.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
And so him, I'm sat.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Last Saturday and then and then he ran the marathon
the next day.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
So Timmy.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
For those who don't know, Timmy's also not only getting
his PhD, but he's an ultra marathon runner. This guy
is the full passage and he's fast, very fast. So
Timmy's completed a marathon. He did a fantastic job.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
He's last weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
He I don't know how he does it, but he
gets subbed four hour marathons, which is just incredible, ladies
and gentlemen. It's like that is a fast, fast pace consistently.
So he's on a different level. I remember one time
he came over to the house and you know, it
was morning. I woke up and I get a text
at like six point thirty in the morning and Timmy
(08:41):
texts the group chat and he says, folks, I'm gonna
go run a quick ten and I'm like ten.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
What ten miles?
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Ten is nothing for him.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Nothing, It's like eating breakfast. He just does it.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
And he's like, there's nothing more refreshing th they' running
a ten mile or coming back drinking some black coffee.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Would They shared the app with me, and so I
was able to track their runs and send them like
way to go and pictures of the animals, pictures of us.
That's the doorab So I think that helps.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
So MM did a great job. Since MM is not
quite an ultra marathon runner yet, but she's still a
great runner. She did the ten k instep, so they
had a very fun weekend together and I'm very proud
of them. Congratulations them for completing their ten k and
Timmy for completing his marathon.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Absolutely, do keep us on your dial. We've got a
lot of great content coming your way. Mike do Set
and Greg Workman will break down what Thanksgiving dinner revealed
about inflation, the recent FED rate cuts, and what the
shifting economy could mean for your investments and retirement in
the year ahead. Mary, Madeline Kelly and Greg Murray will
(09:50):
walk you through one of the most overlooked Yarin tasks,
reviewing your beneficiary designations to ensure your money goes exactly
where you intend and avoid costly mistakes. I will be
back with William. We will share practical ways to protect
your wallet, your identity, your retirement from emotional spending and
(10:11):
rising cyber threats this holiday season. And of course we'll
close the hour with some wit and wisdom from the
Lake Bill Kelly. His words continue to inspire and guide us.
That's wrap for forever, young, Thank you for listening, William,
thank you for joining me. We'll be back with more
great content. I love you, Honey, I love you to
(10:32):
you Mom, call us today at eight eight eight hundred
and eighty one or.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Visit us online at Kellyfinancial dot org to schedule your
complimentary retirement income analysis.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Welcome back to Safe Money Strategies on this post Thanksgiving weekend.
I'm Mike Ducett, chief operating officer at Tellyfinancial, and joining
me as always is our investment advisor Greg Workman.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Greg. How was Thanksgiving? It was great, Mike. I was
at my parents' house, just a few towns over and
we had about ten people gathered around the table, enough
people that we needed folding chairs, but not so many
that we needed a seating chart, a lot of food,
a lot of football, and a lot of leftovers that
we will be eating for days.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
My Thanksgiving was at my sister in laws place. We
had around twenty people this year, so it was full
on holiday chaos. Kids running around, people talking over one another,
every burner on the stove being used at once. But
it was great and hopefully everyone listening tonight was able
to enjoy the holiday and spend meaningful time with friends
and family.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
And I think we can admit that we got off easy.
We didn't have to host this year exactly.
Speaker 4 (11:44):
We avoided the stress test of hosting Thanksgiving, but we
both know we're paying the price at Christmas when everyone
comes to our houses. That's when the real marathon of cooking, cleaning,
and last minute errands begins. We talk a lot about
money on this show, so Thanksgiving has actually become a
good annual benchmark for us. Every year people ask the
same question, was Thanksgiving more expensive this year or less expensive?
Speaker 3 (12:09):
And this year the answer was a bit of both. Overall,
the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is slightly cheaper
this year, with the national average cost dropping by five percent.
Turkey prices were down, which surprised a lot of people.
Last year, we had some supply constraints that pushed prices up,
but this year we had better production numbers. Some side dishes,
(12:33):
including potatoes and certain vegetables, were reasonably steady. But anything processed,
especially baked goods, rolls, stuffing, desserts, those continued to be
on the rise.
Speaker 4 (12:46):
And that's really the story of inflation right now. It's
no longer across the board. It's pockets, some easing, some stubborn.
We've moved away from the everything is up eight or
nine percent environment from a couple of years ago. Now
it's more nuanced, which frankly is easier for households to navigate.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
And the timing makes a difference too. We're now heading
into December, holiday shopping season, family gatherings, winter travel, and
the overall inflation backdrop is a bit more stable. It's
not perfect, but it is not the runaway situation that
we saw in twenty twenty two and early twenty twenty three.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
And for retirees and pre retirees, the people listening to
this show that stability matters. When inflation is unpredictable, it
complicates planning, but when inflation moderates, people can make decisions
with more confidence. And a big part of that improved
inflation pitchure is what the Federal Reserve has done right.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
The Fed delivered its first rate cut of the year
in September, followed quickly by another twenty five basis point
cut in October, bringing the federal funds rate into the
three point seventy five to four percent range, and most
economists think that we'll see another cut at the December
meeting if labor and economic data continue trending softer.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
And that shift has already started to affect everything from
mortgage rates to corporate borrowing costs to bond yields.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
The FED itself is a little split. Some members want
to keep cutting because the job market is showing some
signs of cooling. Others want to be slower and more
cautious because inflation is still above target levels. But the
overarching direction is clear. The FED is easy.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
And that gives us a very different landscape heading into
twenty twenty six compared to what we've been dealing with.
Instead of planning for rising rates or plateaued rates, investors
now have to plan for declining rates, and that changes
the opportunity set. And speaking of opportunity sets, this is
where investors really need to pay attention because interest rate
direction impacts the entire financial system absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Let's start with stocks. Historically, markets respond very positively to
a FED easing cycle. Lower borrowing costs fuel capital investment,
mergers and acquisitions, business expansion, and consumer spending. Cheaper money
tends to push valuations higher, and you.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Can already see it in parts of the market technology industrials,
real estate areas that are very sensitive to financial conditions.
Investors are watching the FED closely because the next few
quarters could determine where growth opportunities emerge.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
And then there's bonds. We haven't been able to talk
positively about bonds for some time, but now we can.
Bond prices move inversely to interest rates, so when the
FED cuts, bond values typically rise. Investors who stuck with
bonds through the rough patch may finally start seeing some tailwinds.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
And here's the other part. People who've been sitting on
a lot of cash because money market funds we're paying
four and a half or five percent, those yields will
fall quickly. Take long for short term rates to adjust
once the Fed is in an easy mode. So if
someone is overweight cash and underweight stocks or bonds, now
is the time to start reassessing.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
The next twelve to eighteen months may look very different
from the last twelve to eighteen months. Rate cycles don't
last forever, but they do create windows of opportunity.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
And this is where retirement rarely intersects with the broader economy.
Interest rates affect everything, income planning, withdrawal strategies, fixed income allocations,
annuity payouts, CD ladders, you name it.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
And that's why we keep emphasizing the period between Thanksgiving
and New year's as a key planning window. This is
the time of year when people actually slow down enough
to take inventory of their finances, and.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
With the FED cutting rates, retirees should be thinking about
whether their portfolios align with the environment we're heading into.
Are they positioned for rising bond values? Are they prepared
for falling cashields? Are they benefiting from sectors that thrive
in easing cycles.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Those are the kinds of questions we help clients with
every year, but this December is particularly important because we're
at the beginning of a major shift.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Stay with us after the break, we'll get into what
this new rate environment means specifically for your retirement portfolio,
the opportunities emerging in both stocks and bonds for twenty
twenty six, and the key steps to take before year
end to ensure your plan is aligned with the new reality.
You are listening to safe money strategies.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Hi, everyone, this is William Kelly. If you've ever wished
you'd learned about money sooner, That's why I wrote Only
the Good invest You, 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
(17:54):
momentum even when you're starting small, whether you're eighteen or eighty.
This 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.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
To start strong.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
For our listeners, we're sending out complimentary copies. Just call
eight eight eight eight hundred and twenty eight one or
email Kelly at Kellyfinancial dot org and we'll send you
one at no charge. You can also purchase a softcover
on Amazon or an ebook on Kendle. I'm William Kelly,
and I hope this book helps someone you love to
take their first step.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Welcome back to Safe Money Strategies. I'm Kelly Kelly here
with my son, William Kelly Junior, and today we're talking
about something a lot of families are dealing with right now,
the aftermath of Black Friday, the start of the holiday
rush and the pressure that comes with it. Now, for years,
Black Friday was all about bargains. People stood in line,
(18:57):
rushed into stores, grabbed what they could, trying to beat
the deal.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
But in twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Five, Black Friday isn't really about savings anymore. It's about psychology.
It's about urgency, pressure, emotion, and it's designed to get
you to spend money you didn't plan to spend. And
the truth is a sale is not as savings if
it steals from your retirement.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
That's such an important point, mom, because a lot of
people think, well, I'm saving money because it's forty percent off,
but they're not actually saving anything if that purchase wasn't
in the plan in the first place. And honestly, I
think the most dangerous purchases right now are the unplanned ones,
the impulse buys people make just because something is on
the sale.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Exactly. The strongest financial strategy during the holidays isn't finding
the best deal, it's knowing what you actually need before
you see what's on sale. And in twenty twenty five,
so many families are already under pressure. Prices are up,
credit card balances are higher than they were a year ago,
Savings CA counts are shrinking. Studies from firms like Deloitte
(20:03):
and Mackenzie show that shoppers are actually buying fewer items
this year, but spending more because everything costs more, and
that creates what I call the holiday hangover. That's when
January arrives and suddenly the credit card statements due to
For retirees and pre retirees, that pain lasts even longer.
(20:27):
But overspending today means borrowing against tomorrow. And the most
damaging mistake I see people make, especially around the holidays,
is dipping into retirement money to cover short term spending.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
And that's a really big deal because retirement accounts aren't
meant to be your holiday fund. They're meant to support
the rest of your life. When you pull money out early,
not only are there sometimes penalties and taxes, but that
money also loses time to grow, So the real cost
of that gift or that shopping spree is much more
than just the sticker price.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
That's right, William. You don't need more credit, You need
more clarity. And along with all the spending pressure, there's
another major threat this time of year, especially in twenty
twenty five, and that's cybercrime. Black Friday isn't just in
stores anymore. Is online, is on your phone, is in
your email, is in your text, and that means scammers
(21:23):
have access to more people than ever before.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
We're seeing fake websites, bogus ads, and even counterfeit tracking
pages that look just like Amazon or ups or FedEx,
and today with AI, these scams look incredibly real. They're
written better than ever before, and they're designed to make
you panic, click and respond without thinking. Your email, your text,
even your browser. All of those are entry points for scammers,
(21:50):
and retirees are a prime target because scammers assume they
have savings and.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Listen to this carefully. The most expensive purchase this season
could be the one you never made, calls by a
scam that steals your identity instead. That's why at Kelly
Financial we take cybersecurity extremely seriously. We created an investor
guide called Cybersecurity Self Awareness for Your Self Protection to
(22:18):
help everyday families understand how these crimes actually happen. In
simple terms, it explains the different ways criminals attack what
the professionals called vectors of attack, things like phishing, fishing,
phone scams, fake websites called farming, malware and ransomware, business
(22:40):
email compromise, in stolen credentials. These aren't just technical terms,
they're the real ways criminals get access to your information
and in twenty twenty five AI is making these scams
even more dangerous.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
But the good news is when you know how a
scam works, you're much harder to trick. Some of the
biggest flags to watch out for our urgency, pressure, secrecy,
or being told to act immediately. You should never click
on links in unexpected delivery texts. You should always shop
on secure websites that you type in yourself, not links
(23:15):
in emails or ads. We also recommend using credit cards
instead of debit cards because they offer stronger fraud protection
and something very important, enable two factor authentication on your
shopping and bank accounts.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Slow down before you click, because speed is a scammer's
best friend, and protecting your retirement isn't just about what
you invest in. Is about protecting your identity, your access
to accounts, and your digital behavior. That's why our Cybersecurity
Investor Guide is so important. It gives you simple checklists,
(23:50):
clear warning signs, steps to safeguard your information, and ways
to reduce your digital footprint. When you combine smart spending
with strong cybersecurity, that is a true safe money strategy.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
So if you're listening right now and you want to
feel more confident heading into the rest of the holiday season,
I encourage you to request your free copy of our
Investor Guide Cybersecurity Self Awareness for your self protection. It's practical,
easy to understand, and written for real families, not tech experts.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
And when we come back, William and I are going
to talk more about how to protect not just your wallet,
but your identity and your retirement. All season long, you're
listening to Safe Money Strategies right here on WBZ.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Safe Money Strategies with Kelly Kelly and her team. Call
Kelly Financial at eighty eight eight hundred twenty one or
go to Kelly Financial dot org. That's Kelly at Kellyfinancial
dot org.
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