Common Sense Investing with Victor McClure

Hosted by McClure Capital

Business Investing

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Episodes

423

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Victor has been helping families find the financial freedom and confidence they deserve since 1988, the year he returned to his home state of Texas from serving our country in the military. As president and owner of McClure Capital and McClure Capital Advisors, Victor is a financial professional who can offer investment and insurance products and services. Victor shares his financial and retirement expertise on “Common Sense Investing,” which airs weekly. Victor has been using his show to help listeners find solutions to their financial concerns for almost 30 years. Disclosure: Fee-based products and services offered by McClure Capital Advisors Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) in the state of Texas. Insurance products are offered by McClure Capital, Inc., an insurance agency in the state of Texas.

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60 recent

June 13, 202642 min

From Family to Finance: Real Solutions with Victor and Diana McClure

This week on the Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure was joined by Diana McClure, Victor’s wife and an important member of the McClure Capital team. With Steve Ringo out, Diana shared her evolving role—from office management to directing the firm’s rapidly growing video and social media efforts, including outreach to the Hispanic community. The show highlighted the value of connecting through multiple platforms, the benefits of bilingual services, and the importance of being proactive about retirement planning. The hosts emphasized the firm’s approach to providing no-cost retirement stress tests and the hands-on support available for client questions and second opinions.The show also featured answers to listener questions on major retirement topics. Victor addressed long-term care insurance, explaining pros and cons of various options and stressed the need to run the numbers before making decisions. Other topics included strategies for retiring during layoffs, contributing to grandchildren’s education without jeopardizing one’s own retirement, and assessing retirement dreams like opening a bed and breakfast. Throughout, the team underscored the importance of comprehensive planning, continual learning, and honest client communication.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

June 6, 202642 min

The Magic Retirement Number and Tax Shock

This week on the Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo tackled the latest headlines about the so-called "magic number" for retirement. Referencing a new Northwestern Mutual study, they discussed Americans’ perception that $1.46 million is now needed to retire comfortably—up considerably from the old standard of $1 million. Victor and Steve emphasized that the ideal retirement savings number varies significantly based on individual lifestyle, spending habits, and income expectations. The hosts highlighted that factors like inflation, taxes, and the unpredictability of market returns mean retirees should focus more on generating reliable income and less on reaching a specific account balance. They also urged listeners to avoid pitfalls like “lifestyle creep” and to plan ahead for longevity, noting that more Americans expect to live to age 100 and must prepare for potentially decades-long retirements.The conversation further explored how higher incomes and larger portfolios do not always equate to financial security in retirement, especially given rising expenses and unexpected tax obligations from required minimum distributions. The show stressed the importance of a detailed, written retirement plan, holistic tax strategies, and maximizing employer-sponsored retirement accounts such as 401(k)s—always crafted with each individual's goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon in mind.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

May 30, 202642 min

Retirement Abroad: Pitfalls, Pensions & Planning

What happens when your long-held retirement dreams meet real-world curveballs—like international moves, unexpected expenses, or changing family dynamics? This episode peels back the often-overlooked realities facing today’s retirees, from navigating health care abroad to learning why cash flow, not just savings, determines true peace of mind. Upbeat banter and candid stories set the tone as the hosts tackle listener questions and share personal lessons, revealing both the joys and challenges of building a future you’ll love. Which trade-offs are worth it—and what surprising lessons do even seasoned experts learn along the way?For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

May 23, 202642 min

Beyond the Bull Market: Building a Durable Retirement Portfolio

This week on the Common Sense Investing Radio Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo discussed the importance of simplicity and safety in retirement planning. Victor emphasized the need for reliable cash flow throughout retirement, underscoring that a written retirement plan and proper asset distribution—beyond just equities—help maintain financial stability regardless of market or economic conditions. Real-life scenarios illustrated how tax strategies and portfolio stress testing can impact long-term outcomes, including the decision to convert IRAs to Roth accounts or take required minimum distributions. The hosts stressed that every retirement decision requires careful mathematical analysis because mistakes, especially later in life, can be costly.The conversation also addressed common misconceptions related to recent market performance, cautioning listeners against basing future expectations on the past decade’s unusually high returns. Victor and Steve advocated for diversified, durable retirement plans. The show wrapped up by reminding listeners to seek fiduciary, unbiased financial advice, periodically review their options, and consult professionals before making significant financial decisions. As always, all information was shared for educational purposes only, encouraging listeners to consider personal risk tolerance, time horizon, and to consult their legal or tax advisors for guidance specific to their situations.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

May 16, 202642 min

The Confidence Gap

On this week’s Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo addressed the growing concern among Americans over retirement confidence, highlighted by recent surveys showing 39% of workers lack confidence in their retirement outlook. The discussion centered around the reasons behind this trend—including market volatility, inflation, uncertain government policies on Social Security and Medicare, and the broader economic climate. Victor emphasized the importance of individualized retirement planning, cautioning against risky investment schemes, overreliance on default options like target date funds, and underscoring the necessity of rigorous portfolio stress testing to ensure adequate, reliable cash flow in retirement.Listeners were also reminded of the value of eliminating debt, maximizing guaranteed income, and planning for rising living costs and changes in health or government programs. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, Victor clarified common misconceptions about Social Security’s future and the risks of underestimating expenses or over-rating market assumptions. Questions were answered, covering topics like best uses for inheritance, managing life insurance proceeds, and the critical role of aligning expenses with sustainable, secure income sources.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

May 9, 202642 min

Building Essential Retirement Income

This week on the Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo discussed the ongoing economic uncertainty stemming from global conflicts and the Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report. The team provided insights into how current market volatility, rising costs, and inflation are impacting both the economy and personal retirement planning. They highlighted the importance of not delaying retirement decisions by “waiting for the dust to settle,” encouraging listeners to run their numbers, account for taxes and inflation, and secure guaranteed income sources for essential expenses. The conversation also emphasized the shift from the accumulation phase to the distribution phase in retirement and why having a flexible yet realistic written plan is crucial in today’s fluctuating environment.The hosts addressed audience questions about healthcare costs and longevity risks in retirement, underscoring the importance of including medical and long-term care expenses in financial plans. Victor and Steve encouraged retirees to seek out quality supplemental insurance, consider realistic spending strategies, and ensure that their essential expenses are backed by guaranteed income such as Social Security, pensions, or annuities.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

May 2, 202642 min

Financial Habits to Break & The Love Letter

For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

April 25, 202642 min

The AI Aftershock & Healthcare Heist

This week on the Common Sense Investing (CSI) Show, Victor McClure and Steve Ringo took a deep dive into how the ongoing AI boom and big tech market dynamics are impacting retirement portfolios. The team discussed the influence of major tech stocks in key indexes, noting the increased volatility and risks associated with their high concentration in mutual funds and ETFs. Drawing from past market cycles, Victor emphasized the importance of true portfolio diversification and using hedging strategies to help protect against potential corrections—especially for listeners nearing or in retirement.The second half of the program focused on retirement income strategies, including a critical discussion of the 4% withdrawal rule, Social Security optimization, and the rising importance of effective healthcare planning in retirement. Victor and Steve broke down the difference between maximizing Social Security benefits and truly optimizing them within a comprehensive financial plan, taking into account each individual’s timeline, risks, and needs. They also highlighted the high costs of healthcare in retirement and stressed the value of Medicare supplement plans.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

April 18, 202642 min

The Marathon of Her Life: Helping Secure a Woman's Financial Future

This week, the Common Sense Investing Show tackled timely financial topics, beginning with the impact of global events like the conflict in Iran on everyday portfolios. Victor McClure and his team discussed how rising petroleum prices ripple through the economy, affecting everything from gas and food costs to overall consumer sentiment and inflation. The importance of stress-testing retirement plans was emphasized. Listeners were also encouraged to utilize resources such as Victor’s book, “Common Sense Investing Guide to Retirement,” and to reach out for personalized advice and comprehensive portfolio reviews.A major segment focused on women in retirement, highlighting unique challenges such as longer lifespans, loss of Social Security income, and higher taxes for surviving spouses. The show covered the critical need for women to be included in financial planning conversations and addressed common issues like gaps in work history from unpaid caregiving. Victor and the team stressed the importance of dynamic, holistic retirement planning, factoring in inflation, changing expenses, and ensuring sustainable cash flow.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/

April 11, 202642 min

The Cost of Conflict & Legacy Planning

This week on the Common Sense Investing Show, Victor McClure and co-host Steve Ringo tackled pressing topics affecting today’s retirees and pre-retirees, especially with ongoing global conflicts and economic uncertainty shaping market conditions. Listeners were guided through the current landscape of rising inflation, volatile interest rates, and the ripple effects on everything from gas to groceries. Victor emphasized the importance of portfolio protection and adapting to shifting market realities, including reviewing asset allocations and understanding how inflation and interest rate changes impact your retirement income, spending power, and long-term plans. The team also underscored the necessity of a comprehensive, written retirement plan and encouraged stress testing portfolios—a complimentary service available through McClure Capital.In the latter part of the show, legacy and estate planning took the spotlight. Victor discussed key considerations for passing on wealth—such as the advantages and drawbacks of trusts, proper use of primary and contingent beneficiaries, and smart strategies to avoid unnecessary taxes or probate headaches. He also shared practical advice for ensuring heirs are cared for without putting one’s own retirement security at risk and introduced the “family love letter,” a tool to organize and communicate vital financial, legal, and personal information for loved ones. Throughout the episode, listeners were reminded that clear planning, regular reviews, and honest family conversations are essential steps.For more information about Victor McClure, Steve Ringo and the McClure Capital team, visit https://mcclurecapital.com/