Episodes

Have you ever considered revisiting and reviewing your financial plan every quarter? The beauty of planning ahead is that it opens up space for relaxing and being present. In this episode, Peter Raskin shares ideas on how to become a better steward of your money by using a checklist. Raskin Planning Group has created a family annual checklist to help you plan your year financially. With this, you will be able to keep better track of your goals for savings or affording that big vacation and ensur...

“Trust” is defined as having a reliance on the integrity, ability, and surety of a person or a thing. In short, trust equals certainty. With estate planning, anyone who sets up a trust does so because they want to feel certain about a future outcome. In this episode, Peter Raskin is joined by Dean Mioli, director of investment planning at SEI Private Trust Company, to unpack the numerous benefits of establishing a trust. This is a conversation that answers basic questions about trusts and dives ...

When you align your financial plans with your personal values, it becomes much easier to achieve your goals. In this episode, Peter Raskin explains how he helps his clients align their values with their financial plans through an approach called responsible investing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to choose the companies they invest in, not only based on financial criteria, but also with a strong consideration of environmental, social, and governance issues. In this episode,...

Our lives can be divided into thirds: young life, adulthood, and retirement. During adulthood, we’re in the thick of experiencing life, yet this is when we must invest the most time in planning for our final third, retirement. In this episode of Wealth Is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin sits down with Karen Wasserman, director of Your Elder Experts, to discuss planning for the final third of your life. In this episode, you will learn: When Karen suggests you should begin planning for the f...

For many Americans, the idea of “risk” when it comes to your investments can be scary. You want to feel secure in your finances, especially when it comes to your future. In this episode, Peter Raskin debunks common misconceptions about risk in the market and explains why risk can be a good thing. In this episode, you will learn: What makes risk in your investments different from risk in gambling Why Peter says you can construct a portfolio to meet all levels of risk tolerance The four aspects o...

It’s important to build your financial plan around more than just your needs — to consider your wants as well. In this episode of Wealth is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin speaks with guest Jacqui Lewis, president and managing director of Audley Travel North America. Jacqui gives you special insight into the travel expertise she shares with clients and emphasizes the value of a well-planned trip. In this episode, you will learn: Why it’s vital to determine your priorities when planning for...

Are friends and media your main sources of financial information? Today, Peter Raskin answers his clients’ top questions with a special focus on Social Security benefits. This is an informative conversation that will help you gain clarity that media (and even friends) can’t offer when it comes to getting expert financial advice. In this episode, you will learn: How social media and mainstream media may impact your notions about Social Security Why you shouldn’t plan for a shorter retirement jus...

It’s an age-old question: to Roth or not to Roth? Deciding whether to use a Roth IRA for your retirement savings can be a tricky decision. In this episode of Wealth Is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin explains the parameters of the Roth IRA and helps you to decide whether it’s right for you. In this episode, you will learn: The difference between the traditional and Roth IRA How a Roth IRA can save you money in taxes Who is eligible for a Roth IRA What happens with inherited Roth IRA funds ...

Biases are a part of everyday life. Financial assumptions can be harmful to your financial goals…but not always! In this episode, Peter Raskin explains how assumptions can impact your long-term financial goals, both positively and negatively. In this episode, you will learn: Why you need to be cautious when making assumptions about finances How small nuanced changes can help set you up for financial success How inflation plays into the need for a spend-down strategy Why you shouldn’t be scared ...

In today’s world, more and more people are investing in a target date fund (TDF) when saving for retirement. In this episode, Peter Raskin discusses why target date funds are so popular and then helps you to consider whether this investment approach is right for you. In this episode, you will learn: How risk and rate of return fluctuate on TDFs throughout your life Why it’s important to understand what type of fund your money is invested in Why your rate of return may disappoint you — and why t...

Planning your own funeral may seem morbid, but in reality, it is the final thoughtful gift you can leave for your loved ones. In this episode, Peter Raskin sits down with licensed funeral director Carl Goldman to discuss why you should plan for your funeral and what steps are involved. In this episode, you will learn: About the major financial advantage to prepaying for your funeral The four steps involved in creating your final arrangements Why Carl recommends prepaying rather than relying on ...

No one likes to spend a lot of time thinking about bad things that might happen. However, in the economic reality in which we live, it is critical and prudent to be prepared. In this episode, Peter Raskin sits down with guest Bob Mansfield, an expert in property and liability insurance at HUB International, to hear his insights on how to protect property and financial assets. In this episode, you will learn: Why having a higher deductible may save you money in the long run Why Bob believes that...

How will you handle the transition from using your employer’s health insurance plan to individual insurance once you retire? This is a shift that many people find overwhelming. This episode is all about giving you the support and answers you need to prepare for that transition. Peter Raskin is joined by health care insurance specialist Camille Barron to discuss your options and clear up your concerns about health care insurance and Medicare. In this episode, you will learn: Why Raskin Planning ...

Many things in life are outside of our control. However, planning for those uncontrollable events places you back in the driver’s seat. In this episode of Wealth Is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin discusses contingency planning and how what we plan for is something we can control. In this episode, you will learn: Why it is so important to discuss mortality with your financial advisor, no matter how morbid it may feel How to use life insurance as a part of your contingency plan Different ta...

Think of your retirement as a three-legged stool: Social Security is the first leg, your employer-sponsored plan and IRAs are the second leg, and the third leg is your non-retirement investments and savings. In this episode of the Wealth Is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin focuses on the first leg, Social Security, and how it fits into your personal investment plan. In this episode, you will learn: How much of your pre-retirement income Social Security is meant to replace When to start coll...

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are becoming increasingly popular as more employers make them available to their employees. However, with a new savings option comes more to learn. In this episode of Wealth Is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin explains the ins and outs of HSAs and how to use them to your benefit. In this episode, you will learn: The difference between HSAs and flexible spending accounts How to tell if you are eligible for an HSA Tax advantages and disadvantages of HSAs What ha...

Life is unpredictable, and trying to prepare for everything makes it difficult to be fully prepared for anything. In this episode of Wealth Is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin gives you direction as he pinpoints the five biggest retirement risks and how to prepare for them. In this episode you will learn: The five biggest risks to retirement How inflation impacts purchasing power and how that impacts you during retirement How to make the most of your investments How taxes can pose a risk to...

Thanks to technology, humans are living longer than ever before, and it is important to consider that when planning for retirement. On that note, Peter Raskin explains the importance of contingency planning in retirement with a special focus on healthcare costs. In this episode, you will learn: How to insure your long-term care costs in order to save you money should you require in-home or institutional care The basics of purchasing long-term care insurance Why married couples who purchase an i...

When planning for retirement, most people think about the fun things they’ll do or the real estate they plan on buying. However, very few people plan for the worst — they typically don’t think about potential illness or other ailments — and their finances reflect that. In this episode of Wealth Is in the Details Podcast, Peter Raskin discusses contingency planning for retirement, specifically long-term care. In this episode, you will learn: How to use Medicare alongside additional coverage to r...

When it comes down to it, knowing where your money is going is essential for creating wealth. In this episode of Wealth is in the Details Podcast, Peter explains why he strongly recommends that his clients focus on the controllable spending in everyday life. In this episode, you will learn: Why knowing how much you spend on a daily basis is a critical step towards building wealth About the importance of knowing how much you spend on non-essential purchases and calculating your retirement planni...

Is giving to charity one of your financial goals? If so, you’ll be happy to discover the many benefits that your donations can bring—not only to the receiver but to you and your family! In today’s episode, Peter Raskin shares his expertise in charitable giving and how it can be a win-win-win for all involved. In this episode, you will learn: How you can make charitable contributions from your IRA (as long as you meet two requirements from the IRS) About the advantages of using a tax-exempt irre...

Did you stop for coffee and breakfast this morning, and do you plan on grabbing a sandwich at a café for lunch? Have you considered how eating out every day could be taking a bite of your wallet? In this episode, Peter Raskin explains how the small decisions we make can be consequential— and why financial decision making isn’t always rational. In this episode, you will learn: How confirmation bias can impact the stocks you buy, and why this isn’t necessarily a good (or bad) thing Why the tenden...

A mini-series about year-round tax planning wouldn’t be complete without discussing investment tax management. In part four, Peter Raskin discusses his investment tax management recommendations, including the advantages of capital gains and dividend tax rates. Then he dives into the ins and outs of stepped-up basis and gifting strategies. In this episode, you will learn: How to take advantage of gains (and losses) in the market to keep more of your overall financial portfolio Why you shouldn’t ...

In part three of his series, Peter Raskin discusses how asset location can make a difference in your tax plan. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn which strategies Peter uses to help his clients reach their wealth goals. In this episode, you will learn: About a case study in which a couple withdrew money from a traditional IRA but still managed to minimize their tax liability How selling stocks at a loss can actually save you money in the long run (note: there are some limits to that!) About P...