Category: Financial Services

FEATURE
Let’s Communicate Before We’re Gone with Pat Miles Zimmerman (Ep. 31)

Let’s Communicate Before We’re Gone with Pat Miles Zimmerman (Ep. 31)

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Can you imagine being in a situation where your spouse passes away, and you have no idea about their finances?

It can be an overwhelming and complex journey, to say the least. 

In this episode, Pat Miles Zimmerman joins Rob Curtiss to talk about her experience losing her husband and the struggle of sorting out financial and legal components while navigating the fog of grief. 

Sharing valuable insights from her book, “Before All Is Said And Done,”  Pat reveals what she didn’t know about her husband’s estate and the problems that surfaced from the lack of information she first had access to.

Pat discusses:

  • How she lost her husband and why she chose to share her experience
  • The value of having a written record of your financial plans
  • Why you should consider writing an ‘intention letter’ 
  • The cost of not communicating with your loved ones 
  • From passwords to the key of your safety deposit box: Tips and tricks to getting organized 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Pat Miles Zimmerman:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Pat Miles Zimmerman, esteemed for her professionalism by viewers, listeners, and colleagues, became one of the Minneapolis region’s premier television news anchors and radio talk hosts.

After earning her master’s degree in journalism at the University of Missouri, Pat worked in both radio and television news in Colorado before joining WCCO TV in 1978 as a reporter and weekend anchor. Her intelligent reporting and authoritative delivery soon brought her to the anchor desk of WCCO’s 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM newscasts.

She covered every major news event for WCCO TV but was most proud of A Time to Weep, her documentary on the famine in Africa. In 1990, she moved to KARE TV, where she anchored the 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM newscasts and developed A Pat Miles Special, using her writing and interviewing prowess to tell the stories of notable Minnesotans. 

When she left TV news in 2001, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by becoming the host of The Pat Miles Show on weekday mornings on WCCO Radio.

A role model for women in the industry, Pat has received numerous honors for her work in broadcasting and the community, including the National Television Academy’s Silver Circle Award. She is also in the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

FEATURE
Saving on Taxes to Retain Wealth with Tony Watson (Ep. 30)

Saving on Taxes to Retain Wealth with Tony Watson (Ep. 30)

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We all want to save as much as possible before heading into retirement. So, how to protect the wealth we save from high tax rates?

In this episode, Robert Curtiss is joined by Tony Watson, senior tax consultant at Robert Hall & Associates. This week, Tony explains how to protect wealth and decrease taxation. He also unpacks some corporate strategies while detailing how transforming a corporation into an LLC provides new opportunities to secure wealth for the future.

Rob and Tony discuss:

  • When is a good time to incorporate entities into investment plans
  • How taxation through a corporation differs from self-employed taxes
  • The benefits of self-employment taxation 
  • Reasons insurance is not a substitute for entity structures
  • The importance of working with a professional when developing new tax strategies
  • The value of planning ahead
  • And more! 

Resources:

Connect with Tony Watson:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Tony Watson manages clients with over 350 million dollars in real estate holdings and has spoken for hundreds of trade organizations throughout the state of California.

 Holding a federal license as an Enrolled Agent tax practitioner, Tony can advise, represent, and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, and any other entity with tax-reporting requirements. Currently, Tony holds educational workshops helping his clients navigate the complex tax environment for real estate investors.

Aside from his full-time position at Robert Hall & Associates, Tony is an active real estate investor and entrepreneur and enjoys short and long-term trading. With over a decade and a half of experience, Tony (along with his team at Robert Hall & Associates) actively looks for the newest and most up-to-date strategies to implement on client tax filings.

FEATURE
The Role of Alternative Investments In Investment Planning with Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® (Ep. 29)

The Role of Alternative Investments In Investment Planning with Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® (Ep. 29)

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With market volatility and political uncertainty being a few reasons, the truth is that the investment market doesn’t always cooperate with our portfolios.

But as an advisor, how can alternative investments protect our client’s portfolios? Do you know?

In this episode, Robert Curtiss speaks with Sam Miller, the director of research and marketing at Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA). Sam talks about the role of alternative investments in building (and diversifying) a portfolio and the ways they are being integrated within existing client investment plans.

Sam discusses:

  • What you need to know about alternative investments
  • The four key tenets of SEIA’s due diligence process 
  • What kind of income and volatility do alternative investments face compared to public stock markets
  • How institutional investment strategies have trickled down to investment advisory firms and the changes that have been made for individuals rather than institutions
  • The value of identifying what’s important to your clients
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Sam Miller:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® is the Director of Research & Marketing and a member of the SEIA investment management and research department, where he contributes thought leadership and expertise to the due diligence, portfolio construction, and investment selection processes. He works closely with SEIA’s Investment Committee to formulate and communicate opinions on the economic and investment environment.

FEATURE
Measuring Longevity Risk: Here’s What You Need To Know About SEIA’s Wealth GPS with Julia Fahlen (Ep. 28)

Measuring Longevity Risk: Here’s What You Need To Know About SEIA’s Wealth GPS with Julia Fahlen (Ep. 28)

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Your health and longevity play a crucial role when it comes to your financial future, especially when it comes to retirement planning. 

Get ready to explore the fascinating world of longevity risk and why it’s becoming an increasingly important topic for people of all ages in this episode of The Millionaire Next Door.

This week, Robert Curtiss is joined by fellow team member and wealth coordinator at SEIA, Julia Fahlen, to unpack the ins and outs of the firm’s Wealth GPS and its role in measuring their clients’ longevity risk to ensure they don’t run out of money in retirement.

Rob and Julia discuss:

  • Ways SEIA Wealth GPS provides a holistic approach to evaluating their clients’ financial picture
  • The firm’s cash flow modeling system and reasons it’s a critical component when it comes to financial planning 
  • Tips for handling finances (and spending) going into and in retirement
  • The value of being mindful of your finances 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Julia Fahlen:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Julia Fahlen, CPA, is a Wealth Coordinator in SEIA’s Pasadena office. She assists with gathering information needed to create client profiles for financial reports and plans.

Previously, Julia worked at Deloitte Tax LLP in the National Federal Tax Services group, assisting companies deduct transaction costs.

FEATURE
Here’s What You Need To Know About Value-Added Service Teams with Mike Cy (Ep. 27)

Here’s What You Need To Know About Value-Added Service Teams with Mike Cy (Ep. 27)

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Professionals collaborating with other professionals can lead to more creative solutions, more innovative ideas, and ultimately better results for advisors and their clients.

In this episode, Rob Curtiss is joined by returning guest and business consultant at Pareto Systems, Mike Cy, to talk about value-added service teams while referring to the importance of advisors collaborating with like-minded advisors to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.

Listen in and discover how Rob’s relationship with his clients goes beyond their investments and the ways he leverages strategic partnerships within his business.

Rob and Mike discuss:

  • Ways the financial planning strategy they have been building together can benefit you and your clients 
  • Why (and how) to incorporate life coaching aspects into your client’s financial planning process
  • Tips and tricks you need to build valuable connections with other professionals within your industry
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

Connect with Mike Cy:

About Our Guest:

Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr. has enjoyed a 14-year career in the financial services industry. Mike is a passionate and energetic leader that enjoys developing business refinement and practice management strategies and thrives on helping his clients achieve their goals.

He got his start in the industry at a large insurance-marketing organization where he consulted financial advisors across the country with product and marketing solutions for their businesses. It was during his time with this firm that he was introduced to Pareto Systems and began learning about the Pareto Process.

After six years of coaching and consulting advisers, Mike decided to become a financial advisor himself and built a practice with his father in Overland Park, KS. Together they managed millions of dollars of assets and utilized various insurance-based products. In an incredibly competitive marketplace, Mike knew the value of creating professional contrast and began implementing many of Pareto’s processes.

FEATURE
Exploring The Benefits of Direct Indexing with Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® (Ep. 26)

Exploring The Benefits of Direct Indexing with Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® (Ep. 26)

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Want to know how to personalize and customize your investment portfolio while potentially gaining tax benefits?

Let us introduce you to direct indexing!

In this episode, Robert Curtiss sits down with Sam Miller, the director of research and marketing at Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA), to talk about direct indexing and its advantages for investors. 

Listen in as they delve into various cases of direct indexing, including its tax benefits, ESG customization, and active engagement with companies.

Sam discusses:

  • Direct indexing and how it allows investors to personalize and customize their portfolio with individual stocks while applying ESG aspects
  • Various cases of direct indexing, including setting a tax budget, customizing portfolios based on ESG or faith-based values, and active engagement with companies through proxy voting
  • The minimum required for direct indexing
  • Direct indexing as a flexible and customizable tax-efficient tool (which can be used in various investment scenarios, including in IRAs).
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Sam Miller:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest: 

Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® is the Director of Research & Marketing and a member of the SEIA investment management and research department, where he contributes thought leadership and expertise to the due diligence, portfolio construction, and investment selection processes. He works closely with SEIA’s Investment Committee to formulate and communicate opinions on the economic and investment environment.

FEATURE
The Many Facets of Insurance: Here’s What You Need To Know with Dana Dattola (Ep. 25)

The Many Facets of Insurance: Here’s What You Need To Know with Dana Dattola (Ep. 25)

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Planning out your insurance can widely vary, from home to auto, business, and even cyber security insurance. 

What to consider when planning or adding someone to your insurance policy? Do you know?

In this episode, Rob Curtiss speaks with Dana Dattola, a business insurance broker at Weaver & Associates. Dana details the ins and outs of insurance policies and outlines how it fits within financial and tax planning. 

Listen in as Dana shares tips for managing and understanding your insurance policy while highlighting some must-know tips to increase your insurance protection.

Dana discusses:

  • The most important tips you need to know about insurance 
  • How moving assets into an LLC changes an insurance coverage
  • The insurance coverage that’s often missed and neglected by business owners
  • The importance of maintaining documentation when it comes to home updates and renovations
  • What you should know about commercial, property, and cyber security insurance 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Dana Dattola:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

Dana Dattola is a Certified Insurance Consultant (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM). Born & Raised in Los Angeles, she is a third-generation property & casualty insurance broker. Weaver & Associates specializes in assisting growth-focused Southern California-based businesses where the owner(s) are actively involved in the operations and value a culture of safety and improvement.

FEATURE
The SECURE Act 2.0 And Its Retirement Planning Changes with Emily Vincent (Ep. 24)

The SECURE Act 2.0 And Its Retirement Planning Changes with Emily Vincent (Ep. 24)

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The age requirement is only one of the changes made in the SECURE Act 2.0.

In this episode, Robert Curtiss is joined by Emily Vincent, President of Douglas M. Farr and Company. Emily unpacks the retirement planning changes reflected in the SECURE Act 2.0. Additionally, when it comes to businesses and business owners, Emily reveals how the size of the company impacts the benefits of providing retirement plans to employees.

Emily discusses:

  • How the changes to the SECURE Act 2.0 impacts older retirement plans
  • Who is included in the automatic opt-in for company retirement accounts
  • How to make the most out of company retirement accounts
  • Ways the SECURE Act 2.0 is changing its approach towards spousal-related companies
  • What you should know about Long-Term Part-Time Employees (LTPTs)
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Emily Vincent:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest:

President of Douglas M. Farr & Company, Inc, Emily Vincent’s focus is retirement plan design and administration for businesses with 1-500 employees.

FEATURE
What You Should Know About ESG and SRI in Investment Planning with Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® (Ep. 23)

What You Should Know About ESG and SRI in Investment Planning with Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® (Ep. 23)

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The idea of aligning our money with our goals is a common practice. However, the focus today is aligning our investments with what we are truly passionate about.

In this episode, Robert Curtiss is joined by Sam Miller, the director of research and marketing at Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA). Together they unpack the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and socially responsible investing (SRI) within portfolio planning and how personal beliefs influence investment planning.  

Sam discusses:

  • How the term ESG entered the mainstream media
  • The value of aligning our ESG and SRI investments with what we are passionate about
  • How to implement ESG and SRI investments within our portfolio 
  • What you should know about the different financial planning vehicles and their role in how financial plans are built
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Sam Miller:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

About Our Guest: 

Sam Miller, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA® is the Director of Research & Marketing and a member of the SEIA investment management and research department, where he contributes thought leadership and expertise to the due diligence, portfolio construction, and investment selection processes. He works closely with SEIA’s Investment Committee to formulate and communicate opinions on the economic and investment environment.

FEATURE
SECURE Act 2.0: Here’s What To Do Differently in 2023 (Ep. 22)

SECURE Act 2.0: Here’s What To Do Differently in 2023 (Ep. 22)

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The SECURE Act 2.0 has brought significant changes to retirement planning in 2023 and beyond, especially in IRA and 401(k) plans.

In this episode, Robert Curtiss shares key highlights from the SECURE Act 2.0 and how you can use the new provisions to save in taxes, contribute more effectively to your retirement accounts, and improve your overall retirement picture.

Rob discusses:

  • How’s the SECURE Act 2.0 impacting required minimum distributions (RMDs)
  • When you might be able to accelerate your retirement savings
  • Legislative changes starting in 2024 (which you should start thinking about now)
  • Major changes around 529 plans, catch-up contributions, and Roth conversions
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Robert Curtiss:

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