Planned Solutions

Hosted by Planned Solutions

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

107

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

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

April 9, 202628 min

Oil Rate Surge Affects Feds Interest Rate Plans

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady thus far in 2026 and recently signaled that it will likely remain on pause as the committee monitors the impact of higher oil prices and reduced oil supply. Earlier this year, the market priced in the expectation that the Fed would keep rates steady in early 2026 and cut rates later in the year. The market is now pricing in a 52% probability that the Fed will raise interest rates at least once in 2026, a major reversal.S&P 500 earnings growth rebounded in early 2025 and accelerated during the year. By the third quarter, the year-over-year earnings growth rate increased to more than 20%, with the fourth quarter expected to report similar results. This strong earnings growth may be one reason that the stock market has been more resilient thus far to increased geopolitical uncertainty than would be expected.Several US stock indexes entered correction territory, which means prices declined by 10% or more from their previous all-time highs. Corrections are considered normal, whereas a bear market (a decline of 20% or more) is considered much more serious and often signals a future economic recession. So the market activity so far is concerning, but signals that it is too early to take action, given the uncertainty currently impacting the markets and the economy.Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Anyone unable to complete and file their personal income tax returns by the April 15th deadline may file for an automatic six-month extension to file their taxes, making the extended deadline October 15th. However, an extension of time to file income tax returns is not an extension of time to pay any taxes that may be due. Instead, taxpayers are required to estimatetheir income, deductions, and credits, even if they do not have all the final numbers available, and if there is tax due, make a payment with their request for an extension.If an extension is filed and the final tax returns are filed after April 15th with a balance due, the IRS and state tax authorities may assess interest on the amount due as well as underpayment penalties. Therefore, it is important to complete as much of the tax return as possible before the April 15th deadline so the tax liability, if any, can be estimated as accurately as possible.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

March 26, 202632 min

Is Oil the New Toilet Paper? Flexible Spending Account Insight and Medicare IRMAA

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the price of oil per barrel surged in response to the war with Iran. Businesses are understandably hoarding oil, often by buying futures contracts, to ensure they have access to a critical input. This, combined with oil's unique nature that demand often remains steady even when prices rise, makes it a market that is especially volatile in response to an increase or a decrease in the level of supply. The amount of money that can be allocated to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for childcare expenses increased from $5,000 per year to $7,500 per year in 2026. Using this type of plan to pay for childcare expenses on a pre-tax basis is typically attractive for high-income taxpayers who know they will incur childcare expenses within the FSA plan year. Income tax planning often involves balancing many factors that may not be related directly to income taxes. For example, income tax planning following the recent tax law changes may involve increasing income to take advantage of new tax deductions. However, additional income may result inphased-out deductions, credits, or additional costs, such as the Medicare IRMAA (a means-testing surcharge) that increases monthly Medicare premiums for higher-income taxpayers. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - There is approximately one month remaining in tax season. So, if you have not already done so, now is the time to start gathering your tax information and making plans to have your income taxes prepared. Many tax preparers are inundated in late March and early April by clients who delay submitting their tax documentation. If the backlog is too large, the preparer may not be able to play catch-up and may have to put clients on extension. Joel attended an economic update symposium put on by River City Bank. The event features speakers discussing both the local Sacramento economy and the national economy. 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

March 12, 202631 min

Is Your ROTH Conversion Strategy Still Valid After OBBBA?

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, we discuss several new tax deductions available in 2025. In addition, the qualifications and income limits for some existing tax deductions have changed. With so much change, it can be beneficial to review a summary of some of the deductions that may be available and the requirements to be able to qualify for the tax benefit. The increased tax deduction for taxpayers over age 65 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act may create a reason to rethink Roth IRA conversions. The added deduction could cause taxpayers to have more room in lower tax brackets to add income through a Roth conversion that will be taxed at lower tax rates. However, the math is complicated, so it is advisable to consult a tax professional before committing to a strategy. Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are a common form of employee compensation in some industries. Under these plans, employees receive shares of stock as part of their overall compensation. The value of the shares when they vest is then taxable to the employee and is subject to income tax withholding, as well as Social Security and Medicare tax withholding. The shares sold to cover these taxes must be reported on the employee’s income tax return. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Non-retirement Form 1099s are often delayed or, if issued on time, subject to later corrections. According to Schwab, this year, the final batch of 1099s was due to be posted by the end of February. Therefore, the most current forms now available should be the final 1099s and can be used to file 2025 income tax returns with little risk of a correction that may require an amended tax return. The markets have already reacted to the recently initiated military activity in Iran. The impact has been felt in the currency markets, commodity markets, and stock markets. While it is still too early to know the overall impact that this increased instability in the Middle East will have on the markets in the longer-term, we have risk management tools in place that are specifically designed to address this type of uncertainty. We will continue to monitor developments closely and make investment changes based on these developments should they become warranted. 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

February 26, 202625 min

Precious Metals Market Bubble Housing Now a Buyer’s-Market No Tax on Overtime

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, Gold and silver prices increased sharply over the past several years, originally spurred by increases in global central bank buying. These big price increases caught the attention of other investors and market speculators, causing prices to surge to major highs. However, the recent massive selloff in gold and silver may be a sign that the speculative bubble is unwinding. This could make gold and silver far riskier investments going forward, as prices may be dictated by always-changing investor psychology rather than solid fundamentals. The housing market became a strong seller’s market during the COVID years, with bidding wars and all-cash offers the norm. Then the market transitioned into a tug-of-war between buyers and sellers, with the market largely stagnating for the past several years. Now, data suggests that the market is transitioning into a buyer’s market, with buyers able to demand price reductions and better terms from sellers. Starting in 2025, taxpayers may be able to deduct a portion of their overtime pay. In many cases, the amount that is eligible as a tax deduction will be reported in box 14 on a taxpayer’s form W-2 issued by their employer. The deduction is based on the definition of overtime used in federal law, which may differ from state law, so not all overtime listed on a paystub may be eligible for the overtime tax deduction. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Chase was a guest on the @MagicKeyCast , a YouTube Channel produced by Jason LaChance, who also produces the Planned Solutions podcast. The Magic Key Cast is Disney-focused, and Chase was on the podcast to discuss the potential business and investment ramifications of the recent Disney leadership shakeup. Schwab has posted many of the Form 1099-Div and 1099-B for non-retirement accounts. However, historically, Schwab has issued corrected 1099s in late February or early March. 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

February 12, 202629 min

Health Savings Account (HSA) The Investment Most People Miss

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the focus begins with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—a powerful yet often underutilized financial tool. While many people use HSAs like a tax-advantaged checking account to pay current medical expenses, these accounts frequently include investment sub-accounts. Investing HSA funds can support long-term growth, help offset rising healthcare costs, and even serve broader retirement or wealth-building goals. The episode also highlights an important tax law change impacting gambling income. Starting in 2026, gamblers will only be allowed to deduct gambling losses up to 90% of their winnings, meaning at least 10% of winnings will be taxable—even if total losses exceed gains for the year. This change further reduces the financial appeal of gambling by worsening its cost-benefit and tax treatment. Finally, the discussion covers the introduction of Section 530A accounts, commonly known as Trump Accounts, which are now available for children under age 18. These accounts function as investment vehicles with specific rules around access and usage, but unlike custodial Roth IRAs, they do not require the child to have earned income, making them a flexible option for families looking to invest on behalf of minors. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Tax season is here. The IRS is now officially accepting tax returns, but some of the state agencies are not yet ready for filings. In addition, some tax documents are not yet du,e so they may not be available for a few days or even several weeks. However, that does not mean you must wait to getstarted on your tax filings. Daryl, Chase, Carter, and Matt attended the Financial Planning Association of Northern California (FPANC) Winter Symposium. Once again, the FPANC did a great job of putting together a solid slate of speakers. 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: ⁠⁠FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠

January 29, 202625 min

Stock Market Opens the Year Strong And 2026 Tax Updates

In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the US stock market has started the year strong with the S&P 500 returning nearly 1.4% in just 11 trading days. However, the US large-cap index has underperformed foreign stocks, which led major index returns in 2025, and small- and mid-sized stocks, which lagged in 2025 but started 2026 strong with an 8.0% rate of return. The strong returns in the foreign market may be a sign of a continued trend favoring non-US investments, while the strong returns in small/midcap returns may be a sign of a healthy stock market rally in the US. Tax season is not just a time to look backward to the prior tax year, but also a good opportunity to look forward to planning for the current tax year. This may include changing tax withholdings for 2026 to either cover any projected shortfall or to reduce tax withholdings if a large refund is expected. This may be especially important this tax season, as several changes to the tax law may result in larger projected refunds than in the past. Additionally, the new tax law provisions offer tax benefits for some employees who receive tip income and/or who work overtime. However, the reporting requirements for this income do not go into effect until the 2026 tax year. Therefore, employees who believe they may qualify may need to prove their deductions by referencing their pay stubs for the year in addition to their Form W-2. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - The new year is a good time for review and renewal. In that spirit, Planned Solutions held an all-hands offsite meeting to discuss our core values and what is important to us going forward. Shannon recently reached an impressive milestone. He has been working with Planned Solutions for 25 years! Needless to say, during his tenure, Shannon has had a big impact on Planned Solutions and is a big reason for the company’s success over that time. 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.co⁠m⁠WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com