Financial Choices Matter
Welcome to the ”Financial Choices Matter” podcast, hosted by Charles C. Scott, AIF®, CDP®, the Founder and President of Pelleton Capital Management in Scottsdale, Arizona. With over three decades of experience in financial advisory, Charles is dedicated to helping families assemble their financial puzzles. This podcast brings you in-depth guidance on the Five Pillars of Comprehensive Financial Planning: Cash Flow, Risk Management, Tax, Investment, and Estate Planning. Each episode aims to be your ”box top,” providing the clear vision needed to achieve a financial future tailored to your unique goals. Join us as we explore how to prioritize, organize, and seamlessly fit each piece of your financial puzzle into a cohesive whole. Tune in for strategies to maximize assets, minimize taxes, and provide peace of mind for you and your family. Upholding the principles of being fiduciary, independent, and objective, ”Financial Choices Matter” is your trusted resource for practical and profound financial insights. Subscribe and journey with us toward a secure and well-planned future.
Episodes
Most retirees take their required minimum distributions (RMDs) in cash without realizing there's another option that might offer more long-term value. In this episode, Charles highlights a lesser-known strategy: taking RMDs “in-kind” by moving stocks or mutual funds from a retirement account into a taxable account, without actually selling anything. It’s a tactical move that creates a new cost basis and may reduce future tax exposu...
April was a volatile month, and if you’re feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. But how we respond in moments like this often has roots in the crashes we’ve lived through before. In this episode, Charles looks at how past market meltdowns shaped investor psychology, how today’s chaos might be leaving its own mark, and what lessons we can take with us to navigate what’s next.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Wh...
What if you could be held financially responsible for your parents' unpaid medical or long-term care bills? It’s not a theoretical question- in 25 U.S. states, filial support laws are on the books, and enforcement may be on the rise. In this episode of Financial Choices Matter, Charles and Marc shine a spotlight on a little-known legal concept with potentially huge implications for families.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this...
Ever wondered how members of Congress manage to grow their wealth while in office? In this episode, Charles Scott dives into the controversial topic of investing like politicians. We explore the ETFs tracking political investments- NANC and KRUZ- and unpack the historical (and sometimes shady) relationship between lawmakers and insider trading.
We'll also touch on why everyday investors might find these political ETFs fascinating (...
In this episode of Financial Choices Matter, Charles and Marc dive into the top fears that have been gripping Americans for years according to a recent Chapman University study. From fears of illness to financial instability, they break down why these concerns persist and how modern technology might be amplifying our anxieties. More importantly, they discuss how fear often influences financial decisions and why taking control of wh...
According to a 2024 Gallup poll, 74% of retired Americans have enough money to live comfortably- and no, you don’t need to be a millionaire to get there. But there are some mistakes you can actively avoid to steer your financial future in the right direction. In today’s conversation, Charles and Marc will cover 6 retirement blunders that successful American millionaires tend to avoid.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
...In today’s episode, we’re playing a little game of what are the odds? For example, do you know the chances of being in a house fire, or having your car totaled? What about the likelihood of being hospitalized? Listen in as we break down these probabilities and compare them to the chances of having a long-term care event.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:56 – The odds you might be in a house fire
2:59 ...
As we wrap up the whirlwind that was 2024, many of you at home may be reflecting on the past year- both personally and as a whole. While you’re in that reflective mindset, it’s the perfect time to ask: Are your insurance policies still meeting your needs?
Join Charles as he explains the importance of an end-of-year insurance review. Whether it’s life insurance, health insurance, or long-term care insurance, it’s important to stay a...
In this episode of Financial Choices Matter, Charles recounts a time when he and Sheri helped two sisters navigate a tough financial situation. After watching one of Charles’ webinars, the sisters sought his advice after a troubling annuity product was sold to them. Tune in as Charles explains how they fought for their clients' best interests, ultimately helping them get back nearly $1 million from a poor investment choice.
Here’s ...
Inflation is one of those financial topics that can feel elusive and often misunderstood. Despite recent reports showing a decline in Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers, many of us still haven’t felt any real relief when it comes to our day-to-day expenses. Why does this disconnect exist? Listen in as Charles makes it easy to grasp the impact of inflation on everyday life.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intr...
Obviously, we all have to pay taxes. But, depending on income levels, some people are paying more into the system than others. In this episode, Charles breaks down exactly who is paying what, using clear charts and visuals to make it easy to understand.
This can stir up a lot of frustration, especially if you or someone you know feels they’re shouldering more (or less) of the tax burden than they should. We’ll explore the sources o...
Think of your financial future like a jigsaw puzzle. Each piece- whether it's taxes, insurance, retirement accounts, or estate planning- represents a critical part of your financial life. Without the box cover it’s hard to know how each piece fits.
Understanding how the pieces of your financial puzzle interact is key to achieving your long-term goals. That’s why having someone to help you put it all together who understands the big...
Long-term care is a topic that often gets swept under the rug, but it is such a critical part of retirement planning. In this week’s episode, Charles and Marc discuss an article from Investment News that highlights some interesting statistics and misconceptions surrounding long-term care. Did you know that three out of four people will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime? Despite this, only a small percentage actu...
We’ve got another listener question episode for you today! Tune in as Charles answers a few questions from podcast listeners like you. In this week’s edition, a listener named Wendy asks if it's okay to have all her 401k money invested in American Funds or if she should diversify into other investments.
Charles also tackles a question about how aggressive one’s retirement savings goals should be to retire by 60. He explains how the...
According to a recent survey by Bankrate, roughly 25% of Gen Zers and 21% of Millennials are not saving enough for emergencies. This statistic is alarming, considering that 44% of Americans said they couldn't cover a $1,000 emergency out of pocket. What’s causing this?
While some claim that inflation is to blame, Charles points out that one of the biggest obstacles to financial stability is financial illiteracy. The lack of financi...
Ever had that “light bulb” moment when everything just clicks? Retirement planning is full of them. Charles has had many clients experience these moments of clarity throughout the planning process, one of which he’s going to share with us today.
If you're ready to experience your own "aha" moment and take control of your retirement planning, reach out to Charles Scott and his team at Pelleton Capital Management.
Here’s some of wh...
In this episode of Financial Choices Matter, Charles Scott tackles some common yet critical retirement planning questions from listeners. Charles offers insightful advice on managing portfolios, Social Security benefits, and the importance of risk allocation. He also delves into the pros and cons of consolidating old 401(k) plans and the complexities of having investments, taxes, and legal documents handled by the same firm.
Tune i...
In today's episode, we're taking it back to the basics to start 2024 on the right foot. Listen in as we cover the 5 crucial parts of financial planning. From understanding income and expenses to risk management, we'll cover the pillars that make up a comprehensive plan.
Show Notes:
0:48 - Main Topic: 5 Part To Financial Planning 2:00 - Income 4:41 - Tax Planning 8:22 - Estate Planning 11:10 - Investment Planning 14:44 - Ris...
In today's episode, we're focusing on a critical aspect of retirement planning: healthcare costs. How well-prepared are you to handle medical expenses after you retire? We'll discuss everything from Medicare complexities to strategies for managing unexpected health-related expenses. Tune in as we break down the essentials of healthcare financial planning for retirees.
Show Notes:
0:45 - Main Topic: Strategic Planning for Retiree...
There's a lot going on in the financial industry. In today's episode, Charles is going to address some of the things that are driving him crazy in the community, from the plethora of confusing financial designations to the lack of attention given to long-term care planning. At the end of the episode, Charles answers a listener question about combining finances and discusses the importance of financial communication in a relationshi...
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