Category Archives: Finance

FEATURE

Smart Retirement Strategies Amid Changing World Demographics (Ep 51)



Is your retirement nest-egg safe from the unexpected shifts in global demographics, economy, and trade? Tune in to “Your Financial Advocate” podcast where Greg DuPont explores what the next 15 years may look like for pre-retirees and retirees.

Tune in to this episode and you will:

  • Grasp the economic, political, and sociological perspectives that could impact your retirement plan in the next 15 years
  • Gain insight into global demographic changes and how they’re poised to affect the workforce
  • Understand why being proactive and aware of changing market dynamics is crucial for financial stability
  • And more!

Don’t miss out on this insightful episode that could change the way you approach your retirement.

Recommended Reading: The End of the World Is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization by Peter Zeihan

Connect with Greg DuPont


FEATURE

Preparing for the Next Economic Revolution (Ep 50)



In this eye-opening episode, Greg DuPont dives deep into the potential for a massive market correction and the economic shifts we might face. You won’t want to miss Greg’s insights on preparing for financial upheavals and safeguarding your future.

Listen in as we discuss:

  • Historical Comparisons: They cyclical nature of historical economic “revolutions” and their impacts, drawing parallels to today’s situation
  • Key Influential Books: Discover key points from Ray Dalio’s “Principles for a Changing World Order” and “The Fourth Turning” by Neil Howe
  • Debt and Deficit Concerns: Recognize the staggering predictions for U.S. debt and unfunded liabilities by 2032
  • Tax Implications: Explore the potential for increased taxation as a means to address the growing fiscal imbalance, and how it may affect your family
  • Personal Financial Strategies: Learn about practical steps to protect your finances, such as Roth conversions and tax-free saving vehicles

Connect with Greg DuPont


FEATURE

Navigating Medicare with Suzanne McClain (Ep 49)



For many years we have been struggling to find a trusted partner in the Medicare industry, until Suzanne McClain came along!

Suzanne is a down-to-earth ‘Medicare Ninja’ that helps her clients find the right plan and potentially save thousands of dollars in the process.

Listen in as Greg and Suzanne discuss:

  • The importance of filing for Medicare at the right time to avoid penalties
  • How the “Medicare Joy” process can give you personalized advice, solutions and peace of mind
  • Case studies on how Suzanne has saved her clients hundreds of thousands of dollars
  • The significance of yearly reviews and plan adjustments
  • And more!

Connect with Suzanne McClain

Contact Greg DuPont

About Our Guest

Suzanne takes pride in advising her clients in the area of Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans.  She thoroughly enjoys learning about her clients and then finding the best insurance solutions to fit their unique and individual needs. As opposed to simply being just their Medicare Advisor, she aspires to be a true guide and looks to form long-lasting relationships with her clients. Helping hundreds of Medicare clients in central Ohio has earned Suzanne multiple sales awards with the various insurance carriers. Including being ranked in the top ten in the state and in the top twenty nationally. Still, she considers being selected as the “Official Medicare Advisor of the Columbus Bar Association” as one of her most prized achievements. Suzanne serves on the board of directors for the Columbus Association of Health Underwriters.  She has had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. and weigh in on legislation that positively impacts those on Medicare. When Suzanne is not engaged in heroics as the superwoman of Medicare, she is busy being the mom of two teenage boys and a wife to her husband of 20+ years. 


FEATURE

Navigating Retirement: Balancing Emotions and Finances with Lindsay Troxwell (Ep 47)



A few key factors determine if a person will have an enjoyable retirement or a sluggish one.

Many seniors worry about loosing their purpose in retirement and being bored, others look forward to the trips and unlimited free time.

In this episode, Greg sits down with Lindsay Troxell, Head Coach of Our Coaching Initiative, to explore the emotional and practical aspects of retirement planning.

Join Greg and Lindsay as they delve into the intricacies of pre-retirement financial planning and the transition into retirement life.

Lindsay discusses:

  • Strategies for managing energy levels to thrive in retirement
  • The importance of addressing emotional concerns during the transition to retirement
  • The role of identity and purpose in retirement planning
  • Resources available for both consumers and financial advisors navigating retirement planning
  • And more!

Connect With Lindsay Troxwell

30 Day Roadmap to Retirement Readiness Workbook

Connect with Gregory DuPont

About Our Guest:

Lindsay Troxwell is a Certified Life Coach and International speaker changing the landscape of financial services. Since 2005, Lindsay Troxell has worked thousands of teams across the United States and in Europe with a focus on practice management, business development, client experience, team dynamics, and mindset.


FEATURE

The Shred Method: A Revolutionary Way to Achieve Debt Freedom with Adam Carroll (Ep. 46)



Debt is one of the biggest challenges facing many people today. It can limit your choices, reduce your savings, and stress you out.

But what if there was a way to get rid of your debt faster and easier than you ever thought possible?

This week, Greg DuPont is joined by Adam Carroll, Professional Speaker & Founder of The Shred Method, to explore how the Shred Method can help achieve debt freedom in 3 to 7 years. They emphasize the importance of financial discipline and managing discretionary income to accelerate debt repayment, not just for mortgages but also for other loans.

Adam discusses:

● The Shred Method as a unique tool for achieving debt freedom within 3 to 7 years
● How to use money more effectively through the Shred Method
● The effectiveness of leveraging a home equity line of credit to pay off mortgage
● Exactly what type of consumers could find the Shred Method helpful
● The effectiveness of the Shred Method in tackling student loan debt and its role in building equity
● And more!

Connect With Adam Carroll:

LinkedIn: Adam Carroll
Website: The Shred Method (get $200 off)

Connect with Gregory DuPont:

About Our Guest:

Adam Carroll has decades of experience working with families and business owners who are interested in creating massive efficiencies when it comes to their income and wealth building capacity. With an unwavering commitment to helping people make the most of the money they make, while limiting risk, reducing tax liabilities, and increasing liquidity, Adam Carroll has spent 15 years helping people do more with the money they make. He is an internationally recognized financial literacy expert, author of three Amazon best-sellers, a two-time TED talk speaker with over 6 million views on YouTube and TED.com, and is the creator of the Broke, Busted & Disgusted documentary which aired on CNBC and is shown in hundreds of high schools and colleges across the country. He is the host of the Build A Bigger Life podcast, the curator of MasteryOfMoney.com and founder of The Shred Method™.


FEATURE

Becoming Debt Free for Life with Tracey Spikes, CLU, FICF (Ep 45)



For countless Americans, debt is the most significant problem preventing them from living the life they want and retiring comfortably.

If you stay awake at night stressing about your mortgage and student loans, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are better ways to pay off debt than Dave Ramsey’s strict ‘debt snowball’.

In this eye-opening episode of Your Financial Advocate, host Greg DuPont is joined by Tracey Spikes, Sr. Executive Distribution and Development Officer of the SMART Advisor Network. Tracy illuminates the path to financial liberation through the Debt Free for Life program, sharing insights from personal experience and professional practice.

Tracey discusses:

  • The psychological aspects of debt and its ramifications on financial health
  • His personal experience paying of a staggering $600,000 in debt in just six and half years
  • The differences between effective interest cost and APR
  • An inside look at how the Debt Free for Life program crafts bespoke solutions aligning with individual fiscal circumstances
  • And more!

Connect With Tracey Spikes

Connect with Gregory DuPont:

About Our Guest

Tracey Spikes believes debt and taxes are two of the greatest detractors to wealth accumulation and spendable income that Americans face today. He’s studied income in America extensively and came to the shocking conclusion that well over 50% of what we earn over our lifetime goes to paying taxes and/or interest.

It’s for these reasons he uses the Smart Advisor Tools suite of software that includes Debt Free 4 Life™️ and Tax Smart 4 Life™️ as part of his advisory work with clients, and trains similarly-minded advisors.

DF4L is a debt elimination app utilizing risk management based products, like life insurance, to modify a “snowball” approach to debt elimination and cash flow management.


FEATURE

The Power of Real Estate Investing with Taylor Vick, CFA (Ep 44)



Real estate is one of the most popular forms of investment. It offers a variety of benefits, such as income generation, capital appreciation, tax efficiency, and diversification.

However, real estate investing also comes with its own challenges, such as finding the right properties, managing them effectively, and navigating the complex legal and financial aspects.

That is why investors must be well educated in this field in order to provide the proper guidance to their clients.

Greg DuPont sits down with Taylor Vick, Managing Director at Blue Ridge Asset Management, to explore the ins and outs of real estate investing. Taylor shares his expertise on various types of real estate investments and the benefits of using self-directed IRAs. He also covers strategies for leveraging tax benefits to enhance investment returns.

Taylor discusses:

  • The wealth-building potential and steady income real estate offers
  • The liquidity aspect of real estate investments
  • The tax advantages of real estate investment
  • Exploring asset management, 1031 exchanges, and diversification strategies for real estate investments
  • Insights on real estate deals in the current market with higher interest rates and strategies for future potential refinancing
  • Incorporating real estate into trusts for estate planning to transfer valuable assets and minimize estate taxes
  • And more!

Connect With Taylor Vick:

Connect with Gregory DuPont:

About Our Guest:

Taylor Vick has pursued a passionate commitment to the real estate investment community in and around the upstate for decades. Obtaining his CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation, Taylor continued to drive his passion for real estate investing at a high level pursuing the most advanced training, traveling the globe attending industry-leading conferences, and continuing to stay at the leading edge of the investment world each and every day. His tenacity for reaching industry-leading milestones for Blue Ridge has shown year after year, including an increasingly growing total of $150+ million in real estate funds managed.

As Principal and Managing Director, Taylor has a wide range of industry expertise and involvement including private company investments, acquisitions, commercial loans, agency debt, insurance company loans, non-recourse financings, 1031 exchanges, leases with purchase options, originating mortgage notes to buyers, receiving mortgage notes from sellers, contract assessments and equity cash-out refinancing among a variety of strategies that lead the industry in both performance and success.

Taylor’s success is not only driven by the impressive numbers, tenacity, and hunger to lead the industry but in the relational side of Blue Ridge. With an investor-first mindset, Taylor prioritizes investor relationships as the foundation of Blue Ridge’s advancement in the industry and the ever-growing investor client list is proof of his unwavering relational commitment.

You can also find Taylor involved heavily in supporting local community missions, organizations, and events as his local roots remain strong in supporting the upstate’s growth surge sustainably.


FEATURE

The Hidden Dangers & Benefits of Life Insurance with David Kottler, J.D., C.A.P. (Ep 43)



Life insurance is more than just a way to protect your loved ones in case of your death. It has the potential to be a powerful tool to enhance your wealth, optimize your taxes, and secure your financial future.

However, not all life insurance policies are created equal, and many people are unaware of the hidden risks and opportunities that lie within their contracts.

In this episode, Greg DuPont sits down with David Kottler, ‘The Life Insurance Doctor’, to explore the power of life insurance as a wealth protection tool. They touch on the concept of “DOA” (Dead on Arrival) and the critical issues that lead to policy lapses. David shares real-life success stories where he helped clients maximize retirement income and avoid financial loss.

Greg and David discuss:

  • David’s background as The Life Insurance Doctor
  • The waste that occurs with life insurance policies and the importance of a policy review to eliminate this waste
  • The three critical problems that lead to life insurance lapses: design flaws, omission to fund the policy properly, and a lack of professional review
  • And more!

Connect With David Kottler:

Connect with Gregory DuPont:

About Our Guest:

David Kottler has helped clients generate over $10MM of cash and tax benefits in the past 12 months utilizing his “True Value” Life Insurance Review Process. Clients need advocates for their life insurance portfolios to both bring the needed information regarding their rights and values as well as uncovering hidden problems and resolving them. Life insurance is a complicated contract with many nuances that most clients and advisors are not aware of.

It is gratifying for him to be in a position to help such clients and enable them to meet their family and legacy goals through his work. His passion is philanthropy. There is a great need for education and guidance for high net-worth clients who wish to align their life goals with their hard-earned wealth to enable them to understand the “Why” component of their planning. His objectives are to collaborate with clients and his strategic relationships to produce the best results for them financially and philanthropically.


FEATURE

The State of the Market in 2024 (Ep. 42)



Welcome to an eye-opening exploration of what’s really happening with the markets as we usher in 2024. If you thought 2023 was a rollercoaster, prepare yourself for what this year has in store. In this episode, Greg dives into the unexpected twists and turns that shaped our economy last year, how the market is performing now, and what experts predict is yet to come.

Whether you’re managing your own portfolio or just curious about your financial future, understanding market dynamics gives you the power to make informed decisions and stay one step ahead. Knowledge is an investor’s best asset.

Greg discusses:

  • How the U.S. managed to sidestep a dreaded recession in 2023
  • The forces that propel market performance
  • What’s impacting GDP and the job market in Q1
  • What the economic experts foresee for 2024 and beyond
  • How to protect yourself from market turbulence
  • And more!

View the full presentation (with slides) on YouTube:

Connect with Gregory DuPont:


FEATURE

Simplifying the Complexity of Indexes with Laurence Black (Ep. 41)



Choosing the right index for your investment goals can be a daunting task, especially when there are millions of options available.

How do you know which one is best suited for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and expected returns? How do you evaluate the performance and design of different indexes and ETFs?

These are some of the questions that many investors face when they enter the world of index-linked products.

In this episode, Greg DuPont chats with Laurence Black, Founder of The Index Standard®,  a company that rates and evaluates ETFs and indices used in the insurance and structured product space. They explore the challenge of choosing the right index among the many available and the importance of forward-looking due diligence. Laurence emphasizes the need for diversification and preparing for unforeseen events in the investment world.

Together they discuss:

  • The importance of taking a forward-looking approach when choosing an index
  • The Index Standard’s three-step forecasting process
  • The significance of diversification in dealing with unknown risks and protecting oneself in the investment world
  • The benefits of exchange traded funds (ETFs) compared to mutual funds
  • How The Index Standard evaluates and categorizes the largest index-linked ETFs based on their robustness and design
  • The valuable insights you’ll gain from the training with Laurence, simplifying the complexity of insurance indices for informed decision-making
  • And more!

Connect With Laurence Black:

Connect with Greg DuPont:

About Our Guest:

Laurence Black is the founder of The Index Standard® and an index advisor to Robert J. Shiller, Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University.

Before founding The Index Standard®, Laurence was Managing Director and Head of Quantitative Indices and Strategies at Barclays, where he oversaw the development of the Barclays index family. In addition to designing some of the first smart beta/factor indices, Laurence spearheaded Barclays’ index partnerships with Professors Robert Shiller and Nouriel Roubini, as well as Novus Partners.

Before Barclays, Laurence was Head of Indices at ABN AMRO in London, where he successfully launched indices with well-known investors such as Jim Rogers and Joel Greenblatt. Before ABN AMRO, Laurence worked at Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank, and Credit Suisse.

Laurence holds an MBA from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cape Town. When not thinking about financial matters, he can mostly be found on a tennis court.