Planned Solutions

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112

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Planned Solutions is an Independent Financial Planning Firm - looking out for our client's best interests. With over 30 years in the financial planning business, we at Planned Solutions will help guide you to a secure financial future. At Planned Solutions, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional will sit down with you, review your current situation and work with you to develop an individualized financial plan and implement an asset management strategy. We are very familiar with the range of options available today – investment opportunities, savings, pension plans and insurance products – and will help you identify which choices are best suited for both you and your family’s goals. Financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, estate planning, insurance analysis, and tax planning and preparation are our specialties. Please give us a call for a complimentary initial consultation, where we will discuss your goals and help design a plan of action.

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August 27, 202630 min

0% Capital Gains Strategy • Understanding Separate, Marital, and Community Property in Marriage • Donor Advised Funds

This episode of the Planned Solutions Incorporated Podcast explores three important financial planning topics:0% Capital Gains Tax Bracket: In 2026, the 0% capital gains threshold is $49,450 for single filers and $98,900 for married couples filing jointly. Retirees may be able to realize gains tax-free, but Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and Medicare premium considerations can compete for the same tax space. Annual planning can help determine the best strategy. Marriage & Property Ownership: Marriage does not automatically make all assets jointly owned. Property may be classified as marital/community or separate property depending on state law, with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements helping clarify ownership. Donor Advised Funds: DAFs allow individuals to contribute cash or investments, receive an eligible tax deduction, and recommend charitable grants over time. Contributions can grow tax-free, but donations are permanent and irrevocable. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board -We are now taking registrations for our annual charity golf tournament. The deadline to register is Monday, September 28th, 2026. Giveaways for the tournament are being delivered daily, and we are gathering donations for the silent auction. We hope you will be able to attend (either golf or the reception) or donate to a cancer charity to support our efforts. The Harlan D. Wood and Debbie Druivenga Memorial Cancer Charity Golf Tournament Date: Friday, October 9th, 2026Location: Rancho Murieta Country Club – North Course 7000 Alameda DriveRancho Murieta, CA 95683 Time: 1:00pm shotgun start, 5:30pm reception All profits go to cancer research and education. You can help by attending the tournament or donating. Not golfing? Bring friends and attend the reception. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

August 13, 202628 min

Choosing between an S-Corp and a C-Corp, The Growing Cost of Health Care in Retirement & Should You Borrow from Your 401(k)?

This episode of the Planned Solutions Incorporated podcast breaks down the essential differences between S-Corp vs C-Corp business entities. If you are a business owner or planning your tax strategy, understanding these classifications helps clarify your liability and tax obligations. We also examine the rising healthcare costs retirement planning requires, providing a realistic look at how to prepare for these future expenses. Additionally, we discuss the financial implications of borrowing from 401k accounts. While accessing retirement funds can seem like a viable short-term fix, we analyze why this strategy often carries long-term consequences for your nest egg. This session is designed for professionals and retirees looking for actionable insights on managing their assets effectively. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board -We are now taking registrations for our annual charity golf tournament. The deadline to register is Monday, September 28th, 2026. Giveaways for the tournament are being delivered daily, and we are gathering donations for the silent auction. We hope you will be able to attend (either golf or the reception) or donate to a cancer charity to support our efforts. The Harlan D. Wood and Debbie Druivenga Memorial Cancer Charity Golf Tournament Date: Friday, October 9th, 2026Location: Rancho Murieta Country Club – North Course 7000 Alameda DriveRancho Murieta, CA 95683 Time: 1:00pm shotgun start, 5:30pm reception All profits go to cancer research and education. You can help by attending the tournament or donating. Not golfing? Bring friends and attend the reception. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

July 30, 202629 min

529 vs UTMA vs Trump Accounts | Which Saves Your Kids More Money?

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, we compare 529 plans, UTM, and Trump accounts family savings options to choose the right financial path for your household goals.This guide breaks down how different savings vehicles function to help you decide which account fits your long-term financial strategy. Whether you are prioritizing education funding or general wealth building, understanding the nuances of a 529 plan versus a custodial account is essential for effective family financial planning. We analyze these options so you can manage your assets with greater clarity.Gifting appreciated stock can provide tax benefits compared to giving cash. Instead of selling shares and paying taxes, you transfer the stock and the recipient inherits your cost basis, paying taxes only when they sell. This can be beneficial if the recipient is in a lower tax bracket. However, inherited stock receives a step-up in basis, erasing any capital gains.We examine the strategic petroleum reserve and how its current status impacts energy prices and inflation. Understanding the connection between national energy policy and your personal budget is vital for navigating current economic trends. By comparing these investment accounts and monitoring broader market risks, you gain a clearer picture of how to protect your family's purchasing power. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board -It was Katie Dunnam’s birthday on Friday! We celebrated by ordering sandwiches from a local Sandwich Shop called Capriotti’s.On Sunday, Spain beat Argentina 1–0 in the final of an exciting World Cup tournament that brought fans together from around the world! To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

July 16, 202628 min

Restricted Stock Vesting, Understanding Legacy Gifting Options & Gift Splitting

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, when making investments in taxable accounts, People tend to mishandle equity comp by treating Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) like a stock pick instead of compensation. When RSUs vest, they’re taxed as ordinary income. It’s like receiving a cash bonus and then automatically buying your company’s shares. Paying the tax doesn’t justify holding the stock. A large position in employer stock is risky because your job and the stock can fall at the same time. Instead, consider selling enough to meet your cash needs, cover taxes, limit concentration, and diversify. Legacy giving allows individuals to support charities while receiving financial and tax benefits. Common options include charitable gift annuities, which provide fixed lifetime income; charitable remainder trusts, which pay income before remaining assets go to charity; and charitable lead trusts, which benefit charities first before passing assets to heirs. Each strategy offers different advantages depending on a donor's income needs, tax goals, estate planning objectives, and charitable intentions. Current IRS law allows an individual to give another individual up to $19,000 per year without having to file a gift tax return. However, gift splitting allows a married couple to increase this amount to double the annual limit ($38,000 in total) because both spouses may be treated as giving their $19,000 annual exclusion to each gift recipient. In addition, these gifts of up to $38,000 may be given to multiple recipients without needing to file a gift tax return. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board -It has been brought to our attention that after signing a document through DocuSign, you may be prompted to create a DocuSign account for a fee. Creating a DocuSign account is not required to complete your transaction with Planned Solutions. To avoid any unexpected charges, select the option to decline account creation or close the account registration prompt after you have completed the signing process. Do not provide any payment information. If you have any questions about the signing process or receive a message you are unsure about, don't hesitate to get in touch with our office. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

July 2, 202625 min

The Tax Tail and the Investment Dog, Charles Schwab Expands into Prediction Markets, and Fixed Indexed Annuities

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, when making investments in taxable accounts, there is a balance that must be struck between investment strategy and tax efficiency. Unfortunately, these decisions are often out of balance with tax efficiency, given too much weight, which can negatively impact investment results. Therefore, many investors would actually benefit from paying more in tax in order to implement their investment strategy more efficiently, thus trading short-term tax costs for long-term investment benefits. Charles Schwab's entry into prediction markets reflects growing investor interest in alternative ways to express views on future events. In addition, it highlights the increasing connection between traditional financial markets and emerging market structures. However, these markets are largely untested and may be subject to manipulation. So, while they offer increased flexibility, they can also result in large losses. Fixed Income Annuities are complex financial products that often do not generate the long-term rate of returns that investors expect. This is because these policies use complex formulas to determine the contract’s rate of return. These formulas include a participation rate, which limits the rate of return that a contract may earn when the underlying index is performing well. Often, these caps on return have a larger-than-expected impact on the overall rate of return over time. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board -Planned Solutions will be closed on Friday, July 3rd for the Fourth of July Holiday. Happy 250thbirthday, America! To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

June 18, 202624 min

Business Margins Get Squeezed, Senior Loan Officer Survey & Motor Vehicle Sales Remain Strong

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the recent increase in consumer prices has made headlines, but the larger increase in producer prices has largely been ignored. When producer prices increase faster than consumer prices, it puts downward pressure on business profitability. This could negatively impact business earnings reports, as it has in past similar periods, or it could lead to businesses passing on more of the commodity price inflation they are currently experiencing if they get to the point where they cannot eat the lion's share of the higher prices. A healthy economy requires access to credit for businesses that seek to expand and hire, and for consumers who may leverage future earnings to make large purchases now. Therefore, the health of the lending markets, as gauged by the Senior Loan Officer Survey, can offer some insight into the health of the economy and future trends that may improve or diminish the pace of economic growth. Two major industries in the US can be bellwethers of the pace of economic growth: the home-building industry and the motor vehicle industry. Currently, the motor vehicle is posting good results with the total value of motor vehicles and parts shipments up 9.5% year-over-year, reaching a record of over $73 billion a month. Despite high interest rates and increasing inflationary pressures, these good results may signal that the US consumer remains resilient. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Planned Solutions had another two-day business development session with our business consultant, Lori Frasier. In an effort to grow smarter and to maintain the cultural aspects that have made us unique while continuing to add new people and scale, we have engaged Lori to make sure we are being intentional in the decisions that we make. The two-day session included a morning with Chase to review a Leadership Circle assessment (similar to a 360 leadership assessment) and discuss gaps in leadership skills as well as areas of strength that can be capitalized on. This was followed by an afternoon session with the Planned Solutions Leadership Team (Chase, Daryl, Joel, Shannon, and Katie) to review the progress thus far on key initiatives and how it can be communicated more effectively, and how to find efficiencies through scale rather than just growth. Finally, the second day involved the whole office and focused on naming and continuing Planned Solutions Core Values and how these values can be protected while still making room for growth and change. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

June 4, 202623 min

Yield Spreads: Did the Yield Curve Get It Wrong? Trustee vs. Power of Attorney

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, Interest rates, or the price of money, are important indicators of the future financial and economic climate. In addition, interest rate spreads (comparing one interest rate to another) can offer additional information about data such as the future path of inflation and the pace of economic growth. Currently, common yield spread indicators are signaling higher inflation expectations over the next 5 years, but continued strong economic growth and a low probability of a recession. The Federal Reserve Yield Curve Recession Indicator has historically been an accurate predictor of a recession within the next year. However, in recent years, the indicator may have been wrong: in May 2024, it predicted a 60% probability of a recession within the following year, but the recession failed to materialize. Now the indicator sits at just a 15% probability of a recession, possibly signaling that the economy is in the clear for now. A well-crafted estate plan often includes a trust as well as a financial power of attorney. The trustee of the trust is responsible for the trust assets, while the power of attorney is responsible for non-trust assets. In many cases, this may be the same person, but that is not always the case. A major difference being that a power of attorney may need to manage an individual’s financial affairs before death, such as in the case of incapacity, whereas a trustee may manage the trust before death but also be responsible for administering the trust after death. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Planned Solutions sponsored the first annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sacramento golf tournament. The tournament was hosted by former Sacramento Kings center Brad Miller. Despite the windy conditions, the tournament went well, and Shannon, Candice, Carter, and Matt were able to enjoy a day outside working the Planned Solutions hole. The picture to the left shows Candice and Brad Miller on the 7th hole at Del Paso. We can’t agree on whether Brad is really tall, Candice is really short, or both. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

May 21, 202630 min

Interest Rate Policy, Diversifying in Digital Assets and IRS Direct Deposit

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, Recent economic disruptions have caused the Fed and investors to rethink their expectations for the future path of interest rates. Higher inflation, largely due to increased oil and commodity prices, has reduced the likelihood of lower interest rates in the future, as the Fed will likely be hesitant to lower rates in a rising inflation environment. In addition, investors may be less willing to accept lower interest rates on longer-term bonds because of higher inflation risk. Digital assets, such as crypto, fall under a broad category of investments called alternative investments. Alternatives are intended to create greater diversification within a portfolio to complement more common investments, such as stocks and bonds. Therefore, when investing, it is important to consider the diversification benefits between holdings rather than being overweight in just one asset class, including digital assets. The Department of the Treasury, pursuant to a recent Executive Order, is now pushing taxpayers to receive their tax refunds via electronic transfer rather than issuing paper checks. This move is intended to speed up payment processing and reduce fraud. While paper checks will still be issued under some exceptions, taxpayers should shift to the electronic payment platform where possible to avoid delays. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Planned Solutions is working on filing Form 5500s for clients who have Solo 401k plans. The Form 5500 is an informational form filed with the Department of Labor. There is no tax due with the filing, but a failure to file penalty can be as high as $250 per day. Planned Solutions has also started filing the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). These informational reports are required to be filed by US citizens, green card holders, and residents who have an ownership interest in a foreign bank account with an aggregate valuethat exceeded $10,000 at any time during 2025. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠ www.PlannedSolutions.com Intro 00:00 Interest Rate Policy 01:09Diversifying in Digital Assets 13:19IRS Direct Deposit 20:05PSI Office Bulletin Board 24:31

May 7, 202626 min

S&P 500 Earnings Surge 21% YoY, But Here's What's Slowing AI

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the current boom in Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment has fueled stock market gains. However, these investments are based on high growth expectations and an eventual path to profitability for the largest AI companies. While AI software is inherently scalable, the hardware (data centers) required to support it is not as easy to scale. This could be the constraint that causes the AI growth rate to slow, extending the timeline to profitability, which could make these investments look less attractive. The S&P 500 earnings season has started out strong. With roughly 50% of companies having already reported, S&P 500 earnings for the first quarter are projected at $70.10, a 10.35% increase from the prior quarter and a 21.51% increase from the same quarter a year ago. These strong earnings are likely what is driving stock prices higher despite the recent geopolitical risks. Foreign stocks had a good run in 2025. This trend appeared to be poised to continue in 2026, with the foreign stock index strongly outperforming the US stock market for the first two months. However, with the start of the war with Iran, the US market has recovered to new highs, whereas foreign stocks have not performed as well. Now the return between US stocks and foreign stocks has converged, with foreign stocks having a slight edge this year. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Chase, Shannon, Joel, and Daryl played in a golf tournament at Ancil Hoffman Golf Course supporting a local charity that provides activities for teens with mental development disorders. While we did not play our best, they did a great job putting on a good tournament to raise money for a good cause. Carter and Matt have survived their first tax season. As a reward, they have been promoted from the shared back office to their own offices with a window. This will also put them closer to the front of the office, which hopefully will make it easier to hear clients dropping in when some of the people normally up front are out of the office, away from their desk, or in the back working on compiling paperwork. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

April 23, 202632 min

What Is Going On With The Private Credit Fallout? Understanding Credit Card Rewards & Bundled Banking Services

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the private credit market has rattled Wall Street and the broader credit markets recently. The story follows a common theme. A smaller market is promoted heavily by investment marketers, causing many investors to flood into a market that does not have the infrastructure to support it. Then something goes wrong, and investors run for the exit, but the market does not have enough liquidity to handle the levels of redemptions, causing prices to fall and, in some cases, redemptions to be suspended. Credit card rewards have become an area of increasing competition between card issuers. As a result, many cards offer attractive rewards for cardholders who are heavy users of a specific product or service. However, in many cases, these rewards have been reduced or become subject to limitations in recent years. This makes it important for cardholders to review their usage and benefits to create a strategy to maximize their rewards. Many banks and their parent financial institutions offer their customers extra perks if they use two or more of the bank’s services. These “extra” benefits may appear attractive, but are often less than what could be found at a different financial institution. Therefore, it is advisable to look at all of the options available to determine the best option for each service before committing to one institution, which is unlikely to be the leader in multiple services. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Tax season has finally come to an end. However, that does not mean it is time to stop thinking about taxes. This year, especially, many taxpayers learned that their results during tax time were largely driven by how much time and effort they put into tax planning during the year. Carter was recently asked to speak at the 2026 Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Conference for Child Welfare and Probation. The theme for this year’s conference is Breaking Barriers and Building Brave Leaders. It will bring together professionals from across California in probation and child welfare. The audience will include decision-makers, practitioners, and leaders who are actively working with youth and families. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com