"I’m 60 and feel paralyzed every time the market drops. I’ve missed several rebounds because I waited too long. How do I stop letting fear run my portfolio?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! I’m 64 and financially ready to retire, but I just can’t bring myself to stop working. How do you know when it’s really time to step away? I’m 63 and just retired. I’m holding off on Social Security until 67. What’s the best way to generate income in those four years without draining my retirement accounts too fast? Our daughter is 28 and still needs help with rent occasionally. We’re both 60 and trying to stay on track for retirement. How do we know when to say no? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired 11/5/2025

The S&P 500 has hit two all-time highs in the past two months — and it’s surged 85% since October 2022. That kind of run has many investors wondering: Is a pullback coming soon? In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down key historical data showing why a year-end rally is actually the most likely outcome — not a crash. Since 1950, when the S&P 500 was up more than 10% through October, it kept rising in 30 out of 33 years, averaging another 4.8% gain before December closed. Even more striking — when it was up over 16% by the end of October, it finished higher 19 out of 19 times. That means if the market doesn’t rise from here, it would be unprecedented in history.

"My spouse and I disagree on how much we need to retire. I think we’re fine with $1 million, she’s convinced we need $2 million. Who’s right — and how do we find out?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! I’m 66 and planning to downsize next year. We’ll have about $200,000 left over after the move. Should we invest it or use it to generate income? I’m 61 and recently inherited an IRA from my brother. I’ve heard the rules are different for inherited IRAs now — what do I need to know? We’re both 56 and still carrying a small mortgage and two car payments. Should we prioritize paying those off before retirement, or just keep the payments and keep investing? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired10/29/2025

Social Security checks are getting a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 — but don’t get too excited. That’s only about $56 more per month for the average retiree. The problem? Healthcare costs are climbing faster than inflation, and Medicare premiums are expected to jump 11.6%, eating away nearly half of that “raise.” In this week’s Fastest Four Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman explains why your Social Security increase won’t go as far as you think — and what you can do to keep your retirement income ahead of rising costs. Why COLA increases aren’t keeping up with real expenses How Medicare and inflation erode your buying power Smart strategies to protect and grow your income in retirement

"I’m 64 and retiring soon. I have the option to take a lump sum from my pension or monthly payments for life. How do I evaluate which one is better for us?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! We’re 67 and 65 and just paid off our house. We’ve heard that having a trust avoids probate, but our estate isn’t that complicated. How do we know if a trust is worth the cost? We’re in our early 60s and plan to sell a rental property in a few years. Should we be thinking about capital gains tax planning now, or wait until we’re ready to sell? I’m 61 and recently divorced. I’m keeping the house, but it’s still got a mortgage, and I have about $500,000 in retirement accounts. How do I rebuild my plan now that I’m on my own? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired10/22/2025

The U.S. national debt just crossed $38 trillion — up $3 trillion in only 12 months. What does that mean for interest rates, inflation, and your retirement savings? In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down the real impact of America’s exploding debt and why it’s more than just a Washington headline. You’ll learn: Why economists say the debt-to-GDP ratio matters more than the total number How rising interest costs threaten programs like Social Security Why an unchecked debt could weaken the U.S. dollar and your long-term wealth Don’t miss this quick breakdown of one of the biggest financial threats facing America’s future — and what it could mean for yours.

"I’m 65 and plan to work a few more years. I’ve got a good amount saved, but I’ve never actually thought through how I’ll turn that into income. Where do I even start?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! I’ve always contributed to a traditional 401(k), but my employer just added a Roth option. Should I switch, and if so, how much? We’re in our 50s and want to help our grandchild with college in the future. What’s the best way to do that without messing up our own retirement? We created a will when our kids were little, but now they’re in their 30s and we haven’t updated anything. We’re both in our mid-60s. How often should estate plans be reviewed, and what needs to change now? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com!Originally aired10/15/2025

A new IMF report says President Trump’s tariffs haven’t hit the U.S. economy as hard as expected — and growth might even be stronger than feared. In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down the numbers: GDP growth projections: 2% in 2025 and 2.1% in 2026 Inflation is cooling faster than expected New trade deals may be offsetting tariff pressure But the risk isn’t gone — if companies start passing more costs to consumers, that could change fast. Scott explains what this means for investors, why market volatility will likely continue, and why staying invested for the long-term is still the smartest move.

"I’m 62, just retired, and don’t plan to take Social Security until 67. Should I be converting some of my IRA to a Roth during these lower-income years?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! We’re 70 and have three adult children. One is financially responsible, the other two—not so much. Can we structure our estate so that they’re not getting a lump sum all at once? We’re 68 and recently retired. With all the market ups and downs lately, we’re nervous. Should we move more into cash, or is that just reacting emotionally? I’m 60 and managing most of our finances online — banking, investments, even our family photos. Should digital assets be part of our estate plan, and if so, how do we do it? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired 10/8/2025

Are we living through another stock market bubble? With headlines warning of “frothy markets” and “sky-high valuations,” it’s easy to feel like we’ve seen this movie before. But according to LPL Research, today’s AI-driven rally looks very different from the dot-com boom of the 1990s. In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down: How the AI revolution compares to the internet craze of the 90s Why today’s valuations, while high, are supported by stronger profits and real cash flow What history teaches us about staying disciplined through market highs The bottom line? Fear should never drive your investment decisions. A diversified portfolio and a written financial plan are your best defenses against market noise.

"I’m 54 and getting serious about retirement planning. We’ve got about $500,000 saved, but no clear budget for what retirement will actually cost us. How do we figure that out?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! I keep hearing about rebalancing your portfolio, but I don’t really understand what that means or when I’m supposed to do it. Can you explain? I’m 47 and just changed jobs. I rolled over my 401(k), but my new employer doesn’t offer a match. Should I still use their plan or just go all-in on a Roth IRA? We’re in our early 60s and thinking about retiring next year, but we’ve never worked with a financial advisor. What should we be looking for, and how do we know who’s actually qualified? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired 10/1/2025

A government shutdown began on October 1st, and while markets are still sitting at all-time highs, the impact could grow the longer it drags on. In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down: Why Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits keep flowing (but with possible delays) How a prolonged shutdown could trigger market volatility and impact Federal Reserve decisions The real economic cost — from furloughed workers missing paychecks to GDP shrinking Bottom line: short-term uncertainty can rattle investors, but sticking to your financial independence plan is key.

"My wife wants to retire next year at 62, but I’d like to keep working until 68. What’s the best way to plan income and investments with two different timelines?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! I’m 60 and have both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. When the time comes, how do I know which one to withdraw from first? I’m 66 and thinking about gifting money to our adult kids now, instead of leaving it to them later. Are there smart ways to do this without triggering taxes or regrets? We’re both 55 and feel like we’ve done a decent job saving — about $600,000 so far. But we’ve never had an actual plan. How do we know if we’re even on track? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired 9/24/2025

Gold is having its “precious” moment, soaring more than 40% this year — its best run since 1979. But is it really the safe-haven hedge investors think it is? In this episode of The Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down: Why gold prices are skyrocketing (weaker dollar, Fed rate cut expectations, central bank demand) The risks of treating gold as a hedge or “can’t lose” investment How gold compares to long-term stock market returns Before you rush to buy, remember: gold is speculative, volatile, and doesn’t produce earnings or dividends. The bottom line? It may play a role in your portfolio, but it should never be driven by fear.

"I’ve got about $400,000 in an old 401(k) from a job I left years ago. Should I leave it where it is or roll it into something else now that I’m 55?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! I’m 61 and worried about inflation eating into our savings. We’ve got about $850,000 saved, but how do we protect our purchasing power without taking on too much risk? We’re 57 and got spooked by the market last year. We moved a big chunk of money into cash. Now we’re not sure when—or if—we should get back in. Did we mess up? We’re 63 and have some cash in the bank that we don’t need right away. Is it better to park it in a high-yield savings account or invest it for growth? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired 9/17/2025

The Fed has entered the second year of its rate-cutting cycle—so what does history tell us about stock market performance from here? In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down: How the S&P 500 has historically performed in year two of rate-cutting cycles. Why the outlook for 2026 depends heavily on avoiding a recession. The mix of tailwinds (AI, productivity, fiscal stimulus) and headwinds (deficit spending, job market risks, tariff challenges) shaping the road ahead. LPL Research suggests growth could continue, but uncertainty always remains. The key? Control what you can control—stay diversified and stick to your plan for true financial independence.

"How do you handle long term care if you don't qualify for long term care? What if I'm too old? What if I have health issues to preempt me from qualifying?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! I’m 59 and recently remarried. We both have adult kids and separate finances. How do we make sure our assets are protected but still plan together for retirement? With so much of my financial life online now, how do I know if I’m really protected? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired 9/10/2025

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates next week—possibly the first of several moves before Jerome Powell’s term ends. But what does that mean for unemployment, inflation, and the stock market? In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down: Why unemployment and inflation data are pushing the Fed toward cuts How rate cuts could impact businesses, consumers, and recession risk The massive amount of cash sitting in money market funds—and what happens if it flows back into stocks Bottom line: while the Fed may be data driven, your portfolio should be plan driven. Staying invested through volatility is still the best path toward your long-term goals.* *All investing involves risk and no strategy assures success.

"I’m 58, own a small service company, and would like to retire around 65. I don’t have a formal succession plan or buyer lined up. What steps should I take now to transition out without leaving value on the table?" We're answering YOUR questions on this week's Get Ready For The Future Show! And we're joined by special guest Kaleigh Marsh, Employee Benefits Consultant with Gallagher, for help answering your benefits questions! I’m 51 and run a consulting business with just me and one part-time assistant. I already max out my Roth IRA, and my SEP IRA contributions vary based on income. I’d like to save more consistently—should I switch to a Solo 401(k), or consider taxable investments for more flexibility? I’m 47 and recently converted my business from sole proprietorship to an S-Corp. I’m taking a salary plus distributions, but I’m not sure I’m using the best tax strategy. What should I be thinking about from a financial planning standpoint? My wife and I are both 55 and run a family business together. Most of our net worth is tied up in the business, and we’ve fallen behind on personal retirement savings. How do we balance reinvesting in the business with securing our own future? And if you've got a question you want answered on the show, call or text 501.381.5228! Or email your question to show@getreadyforthefuture.com! Originally aired 9/3/2025

Is today’s stock market priced too high? Economist Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors, has been warning that the market is overvalued by roughly 40% based on his fair value model of the S&P 500. In this week’s Fastest 4 Minutes in Finance, Scott Inman breaks down Wesbury’s analysis: Why rising Treasury yields could drag stock values lower Why First Trust has set a year-end S&P 500 target of 5,200 (a potential 19% drop) What AI, big tech, and other sectors may mean for long-term growth opportunities Bottom line: Expect volatility in the coming months, but remember—the key is to stay invested for long-term growth while working with a financial advisor to make smart adjustments along the way.