Beyond Your Money

The truth is that not everyone across the United States knows about money, savings, and retirement planning. In fact, the average 65-year-old has yet to save for retirement. Mike Dukovich wants to help change that… This week, Mike explores the importance of financial literacy, budgeting, understanding credit, managing debt, and retirement planning. Mike highlights the lack of financial education in the US while stressing the need for individuals to have the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. Mike discusses: * The reality of financial education for people of all ages, including high school and college students  * The value of saving early on and ways investing what you save can help you down the road  * The difference between good and not-so-good debt * His financial advice for parents and their college children  * The nuances of investing  * Why you should always seek professional financial advice * And more! Resources: * “The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money & Investing” [https://www.amazon.ca/Street-Journal-Guide-Understanding-Investing/dp/0684869020] by Kenneth M. Morris And Virginia B. Morris Connect with Mike Dukovich: * michael.dukovich@rbc.com [michael.dukovich@rbc.com]  * MichaelDukovich.com [https://us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/web/michaeldukovich/] * (724) 933-4446 * RBC Wealth Management [https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/] * LinkedIn: Mike Dukovich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldukovich/] * LinkedIn: RBC Wealth Management [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rbc-wealth-management/]

No more hiding behind the couch cushions to escape the tuition talk!  It’s time to face the facts, set realistic goals, and find the perfect balance between supporting your child’s dreams while preserving your wealth and sanity, too. This week, Mike Dukovich reveals the truth about paying for college tuition and expenses. Mike unveils everything you need to know about college savings plans (529 plans) while exploring the different aids you can leverage while supporting your child in this new phase of life.    Mike discusses: * From scholarships to loans, grants, and more: What’s available to pay for your child’s college expenses * The importance of having the ‘money talk’ * Tracking your financial goals and savings as you plan for your child’s education * Savings vehicles to help you think ahead * The benefits of a 529 plan * What happens if your child decides not to go to college * And more! Resources: * Here’s What You Need To Know About The SECURE 2.0 Act (Ep. 19) [https://beyondyourmoney.blubrry.net/2023/06/28/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-secure-2-0-act-ep-19/] Connect with Mike Dukovich: * michael.dukovich@rbc.com [michael.dukovich@rbc.com]  * (724) 933-4446 * RBC Wealth Management [https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/] * LinkedIn: Mike Dukovich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldukovich/] * LinkedIn: RBC Wealth Management [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rbc-wealth-management/]   For more information regarding college savings plans, please visit the College Savings Plans Network. [https://www.collegesavings.org/] Participation in a 529 Plan does not guarantee the investment return on contributions, if any, will be adequate to cover future tuition and other higher education expenses. State programs vary, and therefore, you should carefully review individual program documents before investing or sending money. Federal income tax on the earnings and a 10 percent penalty on distributions for non-qualified expenses may apply. RBC Wealth Management is not a tax advisor. All decisions regarding the tax implications of your individual investments should be made in connection with your independent tax advisor. Investment and insurance products offered through RBC Wealth Management are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.

Get ready to kick off the start of season 2 of Beyond Your Money with an in-depth look at the SECURE 2.0 Act (Setting Every Community Up For Retirement Enhancement). In this episode, Mike Dukovich is back to share its ins and outs, which entail a significant update to the retirement savings landscape.  The original SECURE bill was signed into law in 2019, and its successor, the SECURE 2.0 Act, was signed into law on December 29, 2022. While there are numerous changes introduced by this bill, Mike focuses on the ones that are particularly relevant to his clients. Mike discusses: * The changes to the required minimum distribution (RMD) age and how that may impact you * The role of potential tax saving strategies when it comes to the SECURE 2.0 Act * The expansion of catch-up contribution limits * If you don’t see it, you don’t miss it: The value of saving for retirement  * What you need to know about student loan payments and college savings * And more! Connect with Mike Dukovich: * Michael.Dukovich@rbc.com [Michael.Dukovich@rbc.com]  * (724)933-4446 * RBC Wealth Management [https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/] * LinkedIn: Mike Dukovich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldukovich/] * LinkedIn: RBC Wealth Management [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rbc-wealth-management/] Investment and insurance products offered through RBC Wealth Management are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. RBC Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice. All decisions regarding the tax or legal implications of your investments should be made in connection with your independent tax or legal advisor. No information, including but not limited to written materials, provided by RBC WM should be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.

When going through the process of obtaining a mortgage, you likely have a lot of questions. Like, what type of mortgage should you apply for, and at what term? In this episode, Mike Dukovich sits down with Kevin Giza, president of The Giza Group, at Crosscountry Mortgage, LLC as they discuss mortgages. Kevin shares his knowledge of how the process works, what you need to know before beginning the process, and some tips on how to help you become the successful buyer of a home. Kevin discusses: * What pre-qualification is, what it does, and how long it lasts * What you need to prepare ahead of time before beginning the mortgage process * The job of the underwriter and the processor * Types of mortgages and how they work * When refinancing makes sense * And more Connect With Mike Dukovich: * michael.dukovich@rbc.com [michael.dukovich@rbc.com]  * (724)933-4446 * RBC Wealth Management [https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/] * LinkedIn: Mike Dukovich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldukovich/] * LinkedIn: RBC Wealth Management [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rbc-wealth-management/] About Our Guest: Kevin is the president of the Giza Group and he’s the originating branch manager for the Pittsburgh office of Cross Country Mortgage, LLC. Kevin has been recognized as a top producing loan officer in Pittsburgh and nationally for many years, with numerous corporate awards, industry nominations and features in various publications over the last 20 years in the industry.

In recent years, we have seen an increase in ESG Scores being used to determine whether or not individuals get involved with a specific investment.  ESG Scores are used to determine the efforts made by companies in the areas of environment, social and governance.  In this episode, Mike Dukovich sits down with Kent McClanahan, vice president of responsible investing with RBC Wealth Management, as they discuss the topic of ESG in relation to investing. Kent shares information that points to ESG becoming something more people are looking toward when creating investment portfolios. Kent discusses: * What ESG Scores are and how they are determined * Where you can find information regarding a company’s ESG * How companies are changing due to the popularity of ESG * Examples of environmental, social and governance factors fitting into ESG * And more Connect With Kent McClanahan: * RBC Wealth Management [https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/] * LinkedIn: Kent McClanahan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-mcclanahan-cfa-a6187169/] * LinkedIn: RBC Wealth Management [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rbc-wealth-management/] Connect With Mike Dukovich: * michael.dukovich@rbc.com [michael.dukovich@rbc.com]  * (724)933-4446 * RBC Wealth Management [https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/] * LinkedIn: Mike Dukovich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldukovich/] * LinkedIn: RBC Wealth Management [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rbc-wealth-management/] Resources: The studies discussed in this podcast were: * Intangible Asset Market Value study done by Ocean Tomo in 2020 (https://www.oceantomo.com/intangible-asset-market-value-study [https://www.oceantomo.com/intangible-asset-market-value-study]),  * MSCI study on cost of capital from 2018 (https://www.msci.com/www/blog-posts/esg-and-the-cost-of-capital/01726513589 [https://www.msci.com/www/blog-posts/esg-and-the-cost-of-capital/01726513589]),  * Sustainable Reality report done by Morgan Stanley in 2019, covering the years between 2004-2018.  (https://www.morganstanley.com/content/dam/msdotcom/ideas/sustainable-investing-offers-financial-performance-lowered-risk/Sustainable_Reality_Analyzing_Risk_and_Returns_of_Sustainable_Funds.pdf [https://www.morganstanley.com/content/dam/msdotcom/ideas/sustainable-investing-offers-financial-performance-lowered-risk/Sustainable_Reality_Analyzing_Risk_and_Returns_of_Sustainable_Funds.pdf] About Our Guest: Kent McClanahan is tasked with leading responsible investing efforts, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) and impact investing, in coordination with colleagues across the organization. His responsibilities in this role are advisor and client education, thought leadership and due diligence across a number of investment types and vehicles.