Financial Decoder

After you listen:

• Learn more about the story of how May Day became National Investing Day.

In this bonus episode, Mark takes a deep dive into the evolution of investing accessibility over the past century. From the barriers that once kep the public out of financial markets to key moments like May Day, he expolores the forces that gradually opened the door to broader participation in investing.

Financial Decoder is an original...

After you listen:

• To learn about the news and policies from Washington that impact your portfolio, listen to the WashingtonWise podcast.
• For weekly insights on the market and economy, listen to the On Investing podcast.

Market volatility can stir powerful emotions, making it tempting to abandon long-term financial plans in favor of short-term reactions. In this episode, Mark Riepe is joined by Susan Hirshman, a director of we...

After you listen:

• Listen to our episode "How Can You Build Your Pre-Retirement Checklist?"
• Read more on the topic in Rob Williams' article "The Most Important Ages of Retirement."

Certain birthdays carry more financial weight than others. In this episode, Mark walks through the ages that matter most in retirement planning. From increased contribution limits to withdrawal requirements, he explains why these checkpoint dates ar...

After you listen:

• Read Patrick's article, 7 Car Buying Mistakes That Could Cost You

In this episode, Mark Riepe and Patrick Means explore the financial and behavioral aspects of car buying, including the biases that can cloud our judgment when making the decision. Their conversation covers practical advice on financing, maintenance, and the importance of research and preparation.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

• Kelley Blu...

After you listen:

• Explore more of Schwab's market commentary and education for bond investors.

In this episode, Mark Riepe and Kathy Jones delve into the essentials of bond investing. They discuss the fundamentals that every investor should understand, including the nature of bonds, the significance of credit risk, the relationship between interest rates and bond prices, and the concept of duration. Their conversation also t...

After you listen:

• Explore more of Schwab’s education on fraud prevention.

In this episode, Mark Riepe discusses the rising threat of cybercrime, focusing on the psychological tactics used by modern fraudsters to exploit their victims. Featured guest and Certified Fraud Examiner Lisa Lang emphasizes the importance of skepticism and awareness among other strategies for protecting yourself from financial scam attempts.

Links men...

After you listen:

• Visit Schwab Moneywise to learn more about financial literacy.
• Read more insights from experts like Cindy Scott on Schwab's Money Talk.

In this episode of Financial Decoder, Mark Riepe discusses the complexities of setting financial goals with Cindy Scott. They explore the emotional challenges of goal setting, the importance of specificity, and how to prioritize multiple goals. The conversation also touches ...

After you listen

• Read Cooper Howard's 2025 Municipal Bond Outlook.
• Read Collin Martin's 2025 Corporate Bond Outlook.
• Read Kathy Jones's 2025 Treasury Bonds and Fixed Income Outlook.
• Follow the Schwab Center for Financial Research on X @SchwabResearch.

Is the bond market caught between the Federal Reserve's plans to cut interest rates and the risk of higher inflation and federal debt levels? In Part 2 of our 2025 Market Outlook,...

After you listen

Follow the hosts on social media:

• Kathy Jones on X and LinkedIn.
• Liz Ann Sonders on X and LinkedIn.

After another year of the bull market, what's in store for stocks in 2025? In this year-end episode, Schwab experts look ahead to consider what investors might expect from the markets in the new year.

First, Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab's chief investment strategist, speaks with senior investment strategist Kevin Gord...

After you listen:

• Check out the 2024 tax rates and brackets.
• Learn more about donor-advised funds.
• Explore more tax-planning content.

Mark Riepe breaks down important 2024 tax updates, covering changes to income tax brackets, standard deductions, and retirement contribution limits. He shares actionable year-end tax strategies to help you maximize savings, including tips on retirement account contributions, HSAs, and charitable...

After you listen:

• Listen to the Choiceology podcast, hosted by Katy Milkman.
• Read the article "Charitable Donations: The Basics of Giving."
• Read the article "12 Tax-Smart Charitable Giving Tips for 2024."

In this special episode of Financial Decoder, the team explores the theme of gratitude through personal stories, scientific insights, and reflections on holiday traditions. The conversation highlights the emotional and psycho...

After you listen:

• Watch the video version of this episode on the Charles Schwab YouTube Channel.
• Visit the Schwab Wealth Advisory site to learn more about Schwab's approach to wealth management.
• Discover helpful educational resources about personal finance at Schwab Moneywise.

In this special episode, host Mark Riepe is joined in-studio by Stephanie Shadel, a senior wealth advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory, to help define weal...

Mark Riepe is joined by Michael Townsend, managing director of legislative and regulatory affairs at Schwab, to discuss the cognitive and emotional biases that influence political decision-making, the gap between campaign promises and legislative realities, and the complexities surrounding federal debt and entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. 

Their conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the legis...

In this episode of Financial Decoder, host Mark Riepe delves into the key aspects of succession planning for business owners, including how our behavioral tendencies may influence the decisions we make around a business's future. 

He's joined by Austin Jarvis, a director of estate, trust, and high-net-worth tax at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, to discuss the unique challenges faced by business owners when keeping a busin...

In this episode of Financial Decoder, host Mark Riepe and Susan Hirshman discuss the financial aspects of owning a pet. Susan highlights the responsibilities, costs, and emotional attachment that come with pet ownership, emphasizing the importance of financial planning. Mark asks her about the role of pet insurance in covering unexpected expenses and for tips for comparing policies. They also explore creative workarounds for those ...

Taxes are just one part of estate planning. People are also asked to consider custody arrangements, medical decisions, and legal issues. But it comes as no surprise that people who have worked their whole lives to build an estate are wary of letting taxes and fees eat away at their hard-earned assets. 

Further complicating the current environment is the fact that lifetime estate and gift tax exemption thresholds are poised to be cu...

Summary

Mark Riepe is joined by Rob Williams and Susan Hirshman to examine one of the most critical retirement decisions: When should you take Social Security?

After you listen:

• Check out the helpful resources Susan mentions on the Social Security Administration's website.
• Listen to Mike Townsend's WashingtonWise podcast to stay abreast of the policy debates surrounding government programs like Social Security and Medicare.

In ...

After you listen:

• Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show.
• Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes.
• Listen to the Schwab podcast Choiceology with Katy Milkman.

Starting July 26th, athletes from around the world will compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Decision-making biases affect many aspects of the Olympic Games, from prospective host cities' bids to judges' scores to who...

The conversation around financial planning is often dominated by long-term goals like retirement or saving to buy a home. But what about saving for short-term goals that are still important to you, like travel and vacations? 

On this episode of Financial Decoder, Cindy Scott, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Charles Schwab with 25 years of experience, returns to the show to explain how to prioritize and save for short-...