rich & REGULAR with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

Many of Kiersten’s family members have been involved in the insurance business, so the Saunders are smashing through the stigma and delivering the life insurance low-down this week. They mull over the purpose of life insurance and perform a cost-benefit analysis on the two types of policies, term and whole life, while offering their two cents on which one to invest in. Julien and Kiersten also answer significant questions like who qualifies for life insurance, which of the two types is best, and what lifestyle factors will increase your premium. The soaring cost of premiums may make some people exclude insurance altogether if they don’t know the big picture, so they let listeners know what to look for and if eliminating the middleman and investing your funds in other accounts can lead to better financial outcomes. Listen along as Kiersten shares her experience with over-investing in multiple types of insurance and how she’s adjusted her strategy over the years. She advises, however, that the market is constantly changing and not always for the best for people looking for insurance, saying, “If you’re eligible to get a life insurance policy now, you should get one NOW.” Tune in to find out more!----Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts. Check out their video podcast “Cashing Out” on YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Each person’s retirement planning strategy is deeply personal. There are so many options for retirement accounts because they’re designed to be suitable for people with many different needs and lifestyles. But from 403(b)s, 501(c)3s, and 457(b)s, and other accounts, the amount of alphabet soup associated with retirement planning can be stupifying. Without financial education, confusing retirement account and tax code names can be a huge barrier for people trying to set themselves up for their future. This week, Kiersten and Julien break down all of your retirement account options and the pros and cons of each while shining a light on some murky topics like incentives, contribution limits, income ceilings, and deferred retirement account taxes.Julien and Kiersten ask, “When should you stop contributing?” and provide some helpful guidelines and tools for listeners, including factoring in your longevity risk and using retirement calculators or Monte Carlo simulators to predict your future financial needs. Kiersten ultimately cautions listeners to plan ahead carefully, saying, “Retirement isn’t a team sport. [...] My theory is that the reason [the government does] this is so that when they don’t provide you enough at the time you need it, they can say, ‘Hey man, I gave you every unfair advantage before this, so it’s not really on me to help you figure out a solution.’ It’s not fair, but it’s the system we’re operating in.”----Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts. Check out their video podcast “Cashing Out” on YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Julien and Kiersten celebrate the beginning of financial literacy month (and tax season) by diving into tax jargon. There are so many things to complain about regarding taxes, but they do pay for community essentials like roads, schools, defense, social services, and more. The existing tax system was set up “to incentivize certain behaviours, things like charitable giving and homeownership…. But then, in the 1950s… [governing bodies] introduced tax write-offs as a way for businesses to reduce their taxable income, and things have just gotten more complicated since then,” says Kiersten.Kiersten asks, “Is the juice worth the squeeze?” when it comes to learning tax codes to save money and lands on “yes,” - but with exceptions. Learning taxes is the key to unlocking wealth. You don’t want to leave deductions on the table just because you don’t know how to identify them. As Julien wryly observes, “Rich people, if there’s one thing they know, it’s taxes.” Pull back the veil of secrecy around taxes with Julien and Kiersten this week so you can get the most out of your yearly donation to the public coffers.----Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts. Check out their video podcast “Cashing Out” on YouTube. **SUCCESS Enterprises and its affiliates and guests do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Divorce is rising across all generations and has nearly doubled since 1990. The numbers are no small potatoes: 50% of couples today file for divorce. Divorce is expensive - you can lose significant wealth between lawyer fees, alimony, and the general splitting of assets. Julien and Kiersten delve into the controversial topic of prenuptial agreements in this episode. Prenuptial agreements, or “prenups,” can dictate how assets are allocated, debts will be paid, and children will be raised. Kiersten wryly observes that without a prenup, it’s a bit like building an IKEA chest without directions. Prenups are about planning for the unexpected, almost like marriage insurance. However, as vital as they are, there is a stigma around them. Follow along as the Saunders explore the ins and outs of prenups and how they ultimately might be, and Kiersten says, “the most romantic thing.”----Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts. Check out their video podcast “Cashing Out” on YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Do you love to travel? Have you considered investing in a timeshare? The Saunders discuss the value of timeshares versus regular resort rates. Kiersten used to manage the lead funnel of a timeshare directly, and Julien also dealt with timeshares as a portion of his previous work, so the Saunders both have boots-on-the-ground insights to provide.Timeshares have a complicated, polarizing reputation. Those who love them, love them, and those who hate them, hate them. There are two types to invest in, deeded and right-to-use timeshares. While timeshares might be easier for wealthier people to swing, it’s not impossible for a sensible investor if it meets their needs. Discover the pros and cons of investing in a sold good like timeshares and why salespeople get a reputation for being pushy. Listen in as Kiersten and Julien suggest some strategies to implement for whatever stage of timeshare ownership you’re at - acquiring a timeshare, rescinding an offer, and getting out of your contract. Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

In this episode of The Rich & Regular podcast, The Saunders answer the question: why should you join AARP? According to the myAARPmedicare website, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is “the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organisation dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age." While it used to have an age limit of 55 and over, AARP now allows members aged 18 and up. So why is joining AARP a wise financial choice? A membership appeals to people across generations because of the amazing perks, discounts, and coupons offered across multiple industries and budget ranges. These categories include travel, finances, insurance, shopping, groceries, restaurants, technology, entertainment, transportation, home, real estate, and health and wellness. The organization also has a loyalty program, top-notch members-only content, and lobbying and giving back initiatives to assist seniors.  Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This is the 100th episode of “Rich & Regular,” which explores life at the intersection of money! Today we investigate the question, “Are ‘collectibles’ investments?” From limited edition Legos, comic books, stamps, alcohol, sneakers, art, jewelry, and sports memorabilia, Kiersten and Julien explore if sinking money into collections of material items is worthwhile.Many collectibles do have appreciating value, yes. The Saunders present some of the challenges acquiring and maintaining collectibles and offer their two cents on what to consider when investing in collectibles and how to make sure you protect your collection - or at least how to get reimbursed if something does happen.Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

What’s the difference between mutual funds and EFTs (Exchange Traded Funds)? This week on the rich & REGULAR podcast, Kiersten and Julien ask registered investment advisor Rich Compson (Fidelity) this question and more. Rich explains how direct indexing works, where you own a portion of all the stocks in an index, like the S&P 500. This enables you to have more personal preferences when investing, focusing on companies that reflect social or environmental values, for example. Rich also talks starting simple with investing, fractional shares, how portfolios work, and offsetting tax gains and losses. Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support rich & REGULAR by sharing and rating us five stars on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Has tipping culture gotten out of control? The typical American spends about $700 a year tipping in restaurants. And that’s just at restaurants. Tipping is often expected in hair salons and spas and for hotel housekeeping and valet service. But the rise of mobile payment technology and fast-casual restaurants have changed who we tip and how much. And there has been a push to move away from tipping altogether.This week, Kiersten and Julien dive into the messy conversation of tip culture. They outline AARP suggestions on what to tip for everything from buffet restaurants to electricians and plumbers. As well as how tipping has become gamified with some restaurants and delivery services requesting gratuities up front. They discuss questions like do you tip on the pre-tax amount or the total bill? And is a gift for a teacher a tip? Mentions:Tipped by Barbara Sloan  Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Leave us a tip! Support rich & REGULAR by rating and reviewing on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Couponing has evolved from clipping paper to digital deals, with many strategies available online. The hosts discuss how to leverage apps and websites like Camel Camel Camel for tracking prices and maximizing savings. They explore the staggering amount of unused gift cards and innovative ways to redeem them. Tips on avoiding impulse spending while taking advantage of local discounts and loyalty programs are shared. This conversation emphasizes the importance of thoughtful financial choices in today's economy.