In this episode of Five Minute Finance, Matt Robison and Mike Morton tackle the age-old question: how much should you have in bonds? Spoiler: The old rules of thumb, like “your age in bonds” or “the 60/40 portfolio,” might be doing more harm than good. Mike lays out a smarter, more personalized approach using the “bucket strategy,” aligning your investments with short, medium, and long-term spending needs. They also cover why target date funds can be too conservative, and how to protect yourself from sequence of return risk in retirement.Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle? Let’s Connect.Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/
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29:08
Market Volatility - Panic Methodically
When the stock market is anything but calm, it’s tempting to panic, but this week, we explain why you should panic methodically instead. Drawing inspiration from WSJ columnist Jason Zweig, Matt Robison and I explore how to keep your cool when market volatility, political drama, and economic uncertainty are everywhere.Don’t confuse the world’s chaos with your long-term investing plan. Use market downturns to reassess your true risk tolerance. Thoughtful strategies like diversification, rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting can turn volatility into opportunity. Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle? Let’s Connect.Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/
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30:21
How to Choose Investments: A 4-part Framework 4 Choosing the Best 4 Your Portfolio
This week on Five Minute Finance, Matt Robison and I break down a simple, stress-reducing, four-part framework for choosing your investments. Yes, we still love low-cost index funds—but smart investing is more than just picking one and hoping for the best.We explore how to think about asset allocation, minimize costs, rebalance your portfolio, and stay aware of market trends without falling into the trap of market timing. Backed by academic research and built for real life, this approach is practical, repeatable, and designed to boost your confidence.Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle? Let’s Connect.Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/
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25:20
Taxes: A Guide to Filing with Confidence
Join Mike Morton and Matt Robison this week as they break down the income tax funnel, helping you understand how your earnings flow from total income to taxable income and, ultimately, to what you owe the IRS.They dive into key tax deductions, credits, and how different income types are taxed, all through the lens of a jaw-dropping $500,000 tax return mistake. Whether you're looking to maximize deductions, take advantage of tax credits, or simply make tax season less stressful, this episode delivers practical, easy-to-digest insights to help you stay ahead. Tune in for a quick, no-nonsense guide to making smarter tax decisions!Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle? Let’s Connect.Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/
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28:55
College / Retirement Savings & Spending ⚖️
Are you saving enough for retirement? How much should you set aside for college? And can you enjoy your money now without sabotaging your future? In this week’s episode, we put co-host Matt Robison in the hot seat to tackle these real-life financial questions. From retirement benchmarks to college savings strategies and optimizing investments, we break down the numbers, share key rules of thumb, and explore the balance between saving and spending. Whether you’re planning for the future or trying to enjoy life today, this episode will help you create a financial roadmap that works for you. Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle? Let’s Connect.Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/
Are you super busy with your career, kids, and life? Discover ways to get organized and enjoy a wonderful life! We cover smart strategies for personal finance, investing, and how to enjoy your time and money. Breakthrough the complicated financial landscape with easy-to-understand information that you can actually follow. I discuss how to become wealthy: tips and habits to change in your life to achieve financial freedom. I dive into topics such as savings, investing, education planning, insurance, tax planning, and more. If it's related to financial planning and financial success, you can be sure we'll cover it.
I love to discuss listener questions, so please connect and follow me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton
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