Your Life Simplified: A Financial & Wealth Management Podcast

The goal of this episode is to educate you on life insurance – why you need it, the role it can serve in your financial plan, the differences in types, and more. Most importantly, we want to simplify the context of life insurance so you can make an informed decision about your own wealth plan. According to the Life Insurance Market Research Association (LIMRA) and LifeHappens.org, three in five adults have life insurance, but 61 percent know they don't have enough insurance, but think they can't afford to buy more. Find out why life insurance is something you seriously need to consider as you evaluate how to navigate your financial future. Questions for our host? Email us at podcast@mainerwealthadvisors.com

For years, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were thought of as "the cheap insurance" because consumers paid more out-of-pocket expenses, which resulted in lower premiums for both the consumer and the employer. How do you know if an HSA is a good fit for your medical insurance needs? First, analyze your medical spending habits. Are you a relatively healthy person, or a minimal spender on healthcare? Or, are you on many medications or make frequent trips to the doctor, which would make you a high spender. What are your views on investing? An HSA is an investment too. It's designed to be a long-term investment. You can invest the funds in the account so they have the opportunity to grow. If you can afford it, let that account grow and pay cash out of pocket for your medical expenses. This podcast, with host Brian Leitner, will walk you through the pros and cons of an HSA, simplifying the decision on if it is right for you. Questions for our host? Email us at podcast@mainerwealthadvisors.com

Shanna Hutcheson, a registered dietitian, talks about how you can improve your health through what you put in your body. She breaks down the pros and cons of the "fad" diets and detox methods out there today, such as Atkins, Keto, cleanses and Paleo, and why she doesn't endorse any of them. She also explains that "carb" is not a four-letter word, the right carbs to eat daily and why it's important to eat them every day. The timing behind when you should eat carbs and how to fuel your body before and after a workout is also discussed. Shanna gives tips on how to fill your plate in a healthy manner and portion control. Have a gluten allergy or avoid eating gluten? She provides tips on healthy foods to focus on in your daily diet. This podcast covers the gamut of health and nutrition topics and tips to simplify your healthy eating. If you have questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email podcast@marinerwealthadvisors.com

The good news is that whether you realize it or not, you already have an estate plan. Every state in the union provides a process that will pass on your assets upon your death, unless you've planned otherwise. The bad news is that it may not be the one you want. In our podcast, Simplifying the Estate Planning Process, Brian Leitner and George Fernandez from Mariner Wealth Advisors break down how to make sure your assets are passed on the right people at the right time and the right way. They take the legal-speak out of the discussion and make it simple. This podcast provides information to help ensure your wishes regarding your assets are considered…and simplifies the entire process. If you have questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email podcast@marinerwealthadvisors.com

Research indicates that people will spend more time planning a vacation than they do their retirement plan. Why not make it easier? In our podcast, Travel Hacks To Simplify Your Life, guest Shiraz Dalal, a commercial pilot and a travel consultant, shares with host Brian Leitner travel tips and hacks that everyone should be aware of when planning their next vacation. These tips can save you time, money and frustration when you're trying to book travel, hotels and excursions. Sometimes getting started with the planning is the hardest part. Shiraz also discusses seasons you should travel, when to use a travel agent and when to "do it yourself." If you have questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email podcast@marinerwealthadvisors.com

In our podcast, Can Money Buy Happiness?, host Brian Leitner and guest Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, explore the research behind how you spend money and the impact that may have on your happiness. Dr. Dunn will give tips to "happier spending" as well as how to get the biggest happiness bang for each dollar you spend. If you have questions or topics you would like us to cover, please email podcast@marinerwealthadvisors.com

Host Brian Leitner welcomes Kristen Christian and Lisa Foley, the owners of Bee Organized, to this week's podcast. Lisa and Kristen share tips on how being organized can not only help you simplify your life, but also bring peace-of-mind and a calmness to your family or yourself. They offer tips on: How to determine if you need more organization in your life How to take the first step How to be successful in your goal to simplify or de-clutter Things to think about if you're planning on leaving valuables to loved-ones Points to ponder if you have a knack for holding on to lots of "things" if you are worried you will lose the memories Everyone has a relationship with "stuff". Consider if it's a healthy relationship, or one that brings you down. Is it bringing you negative energy or positive? Often, people hold on to "stuff" because it represents a time in their life. This podcast addresses the psychological aspect of holding on to "things" and what it can do to your life when you "let go".

At the end of 2017, President Trump approved the 2017 Tax cuts & Job Act (TCJA). The new law includes some of the largest tax changes since 1986 in an effort to simplify the tax code. What does this mean for you and your 2018 filings? This podcast covers the biggest changes and their impact to tax payers, how you should take advantage of the changes, and what you need to be thinking about now when it comes to deductions. Topics covered include: Changes to tax rates/withholding tables Changes to standard deductions/itemized deductions Changes to child tax credit Charitable giving strategies Changes to how you use 529 plans Changes to deducting interest from home equity lines of credit Much more This podcast also includes the pdf 5 Most Common Questions About The Tax Cuts & Job Act

Our goal, at Mariner Wealth Advisors, is to help you live your best possible life. The Your Life, Simplified podcast will discuss topics that will not only help you make more informed financial decisions, but also address topics that could improve your life in other ways. This might be by hearing from doctors, nutritionist and other professionals. Or, by hearing about favorite travel hacks, how to protect your digital profile, the benefits of being organized, exercise tips, and much more. In addition, we want to answer your questions and discuss what you want to hear. You can email topics or questions to podcast@marinerwealthadvisors.com and our host, Brian Leitner will address them in the future.