Episodes

There is no shortage of charitable causes—and it’s impossible to give to every single one. It’s important to ask yourself some critical questions to help determine where you would like to allocate your funds: What is the cause? Who is the money going to? Why should I give my money away? In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Ken Nopar, vice president & senior philanthropic advisor at the American Endowment Foundation*. Ken shares how he got into the field of philanthropy, along with how and...

How well do you understand the process of developing a trust or designating a trustee to your retirement accounts? In this episode, Peter Raskin speaks with Christopher Holtby, co-founder of Wealth Advisors Trust Company*. Christopher shares what a trust fund is, what a trustee is and the different types of trust fund accounts. He also discusses the best practices in how to get the most out of your trust fund. Christopher discusses: The three different types of trustees How to pick the correct ...

A company’s environmental and social impact is becoming increasingly important to investors. In this episode, Jeff Wildermuth, a portfolio strategist at Aris investment, a division of AssetMark*, joins Peter Raskin. Jeff shares the wide world of ESG investing, revealing how individuals can invest based on personal values. He also discusses the increasing desire for sustainable and ethical companies and shares how advisors are increasing their use of ESG rating systems when advising clients. Jeff...

You don’t want your assets going to the wrong place or person, right? That’s why reviewing your financial accounts annually is important. In this episode, Peter Raskin reviews stewardship checklist tasks that you should be reviewing annually. Peter teaches you how you can ensure your assets go to the places you want them to through various beneficiary designation options, including transfer on death. Peter discusses: What happens to assets when we pass away Why probates should be avoided Benefi...

The holidays are filled with love, joy and gratitude. But those feelings shouldn’t only exist during the holidays—it’s important to be grateful year-round. In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by his team at Raskin Planning Group, Katherine, Alex, Brian and Connor. Each share what they are grateful for, both in their professional and personal lives. Peter discusses the importance of gratitude and how it can impact your daily life. Peter discusses: The importance of being grateful year-round ...

Storing money under your mattress may give you easy access to those funds, but it is also a far less secure saving strategy. Depositing your cash in the bank gives you access and security. In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses the importance of liquidity and cash within your financial plan. He reveals how your cash is protected while in the bank and why you should maintain easily accessible assets in case of emergency. Peter shares options for saving your liquid assets, why you should consider...

When creating your retirement plan, the income you set aside needs to last throughout your entire retirement. The most important step of your plan is protecting what you put aside. In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses the importance of protecting your income during retirement. He reveals the importance of considering longevity, inflation and sequence of return risk when investing or retirement and how each impacts your retirement income. Peter discusses: What to consider when determining how...

Let’s face it—everyone loves a tax-deferred financial strategy, and the real estate business is no different. Enter: the 1031 tax exchange, which allows the owner of US real estate to defer the capital gains tax owed on the sale of the property. In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Paulo Aguilar, vice president at Inland Securities Corporation, to discuss the 1031 tax exchange, and how real estate investors can utilize this tax-deferred strategy. Paulo reveals the origins of the 1031 and i...

Do you have a plan in place for long-term care in case you reach a point in life where you can no longer care for yourself? In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses five reasons to include a long-term contingency plan in your overall retirement plan. Peter reveals the questions you should ask yourself and your loved ones about your wants and needs when selecting the best option for you and your family. Peter discusses: The importance of having the difficult discussions with loved ones when creat...

The American dream can be easily imagined, with a loving partner, children and the perfect home. Have you considered including your child’s first step towards the American dream in your financial plan? In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses the steps for children buying their first home and the role of the parents during this process. He shares personal anecdotes from both his children and his clients, and provides insight into various options for helping your children finance their first prope...

The healthcare system can be difficult to navigate—between the technical terms, the insurance and the after care for patients. Healthcare advocates offer support as they guide you down the path to making the best decisions for you. In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Dianne Savastano, founder and principal of Healthassist. Dianne shares her personal experience as a healthcare advocate and as someone who has used the same tips she gives to others. Dianne provides examples of how healthcare...

Having a financial planner on call provides peace of mind for your money. How can you provide that same peace of mind for your health? In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Dr. Ned Legare, MD, FACP, to discuss his approach to wellness. Ned shares how the shift to concierge care benefits his patients, in terms of cost and time. Peter and Ned discuss: Why he shifted from internal medicine practice to concierge care doctor The cost difference between concierge care and care providers How the ...

The media always talks about how you should invest and why you should avoid high interest bonds. But what is the real truth about bonds? In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Stan Sattler, vice president of Belle Haven Investments. Stan discusses what bonds are, how they work within your portfolio and the potential risks and rewards for investing in bonds. Stan discusses: The role of bonds within your portfolio Why higher interest rates in your bonds can be beneficial The importance of cho...

Creating a financial plan for retirement requires answers to what the future will bring. While we can’t predict what’s to come with one hundred percent accuracy, we can create adjustments during life’s journey to make an educated gamble. In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses different factors to consider when creating your financial plan. Peter discusses an analytical tool used at Raskin Planning Group called the Monte Carlo simulation and how it could benefit your financial planning today and...

Your financial plan is only as good as the different components it is made up of, similar to the way a nonprofit is only as good as the organizational structure. In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Charles Gagnon, CEO of Volunteers of America Massachusetts. Charles leads the strategic vision and mission to build and benefit the community from the ground up, which he says is similar to building a holistic financial plan. Discover the importance of starting from the bottom to complete the p...

As we begin to reopen, what have we learned about our financial plan during the pandemic? How will it mold our actions during the next crisis? In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses the five biggest financial planning mistakes people made during the pandemic. He looks back at the lessons we all learned and how to be better prepared for this type of event in the future. You will learn: The five mistakes people made during the pandemic when it came to financial planning How investments made out ...

Good financial planning takes into account all possibilities, even the possibilities that you don’t want to consider. In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Abe Shtulsaft, director of planning at Lincoln Financial Advisors. Peter and Abe discuss special needs and disability planning and the potential planning struggles faced by families in these situations. Abe discusses: The definition of special needs and disabilities planning and why it’s important to plan The necessity of including the ...

Not everyone enjoys tax planning, but it’s important to remember that the benefits earned through preparedness are enjoyable for all. In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses the role of taxes within financial planning. He discusses the different types of investments, how each is taxed and the role they play in your overall portfolio. You will learn: The difference between tax-deferred and tax-free The three income attributes of any type of investments Why you might sell a stock at a loss—and th...

It’s no secret that our kitchens and bathrooms constantly need improvements and upgrades, and JM Construction’s Jeff McLinden is here to help. In this episode, Peter Raskin sits down with Jeff McLinden, owner of JM Construction, a small high-end remodeling company based in Framingham, Massachusetts. Jeff shares his company’s perspective around proprietorship, management, and homeowner-related recommendations and services. You will learn: JM Construction’s strengths and weaknesses How the firm’s...

The Renaissance Group’s one-page strategic plan is all about helping business owners build a great business and live a great life. In part two of this two part series, Peter Raskin sits down once again with The Renaissance Group’s Kevin Poland to address everything surrounding strategic planning so that you too can start outlining future goals. You will learn: Why you should build a one-page strategic plan as a way to define the future of your business The importance of balancing long and short...

The Renaissance Group provides advice and guidance to businesses that are ready to build a great business and live a great life. In this episode, Peter Raskin sits down with his former business coach, Kevin Poland from The Renaissance Group. Today, Kevin addresses his organization’s coaching and consulting model designed to help you develop the mindset, strategies, and skills you need to achieve your entrepreneurial dream. In this episode, you will learn: Leadership and management skills: The R...

Most of you have been working for a long time, and as a result, have become good savers. However, at some point in life, you will retire, rely upon the wealth you built, and eventually pass down everything you have to someone or something you care about. While preparing your assets to be passed on, it’s critical to consider which will be “live on” assets, and which will become “leave on.” Find out how to do this in this episode, as Peter Raskin helps you understand the difference between these t...

You’ve worked hard on creating an estate plan that will transfer your wealth and values to those you love. However, if not appropriately implemented, all that hard work could go to waste. To help you learn the steps that will help you to properly carry out your estate plan, Peter Raskin sits down with Brett Kaufman for today’s episode. As an estate planning and tax attorney, Brett offers his expertise in the estate planning arena to help you better understand the estate planning, design, and exe...

Many of us tend to behave like income machines, working hard each day to bring in money to support our lives. However, at some point in life, that income machine stops working. In this episode of Wealth Is In The Details, Peter Raskin explains how different financial planning strategies can help you plan ahead for the day that you decide to (or have to) stop working and being an income machine. In this episode, you will learn: How to overcome an optimism bias and discuss potential life risks D...