Welcome to Planning Made Simple, where Paul Durso takes the stress out of important decisions. With a blend of wisdom and wit, Paul delivers insightful, easy-to-understand advice on everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the important aspects of life. Tune in weekly for conversations that are equal parts entertaining and educational, helping you navigate a complex world full of decisions—and maybe a laugh or two along the way!
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What if your retirement account bought a stock you never intended to own... and you didn't even know it happened? In this episode of Planning Made Simple , Kyle, Niki, Cal, and Mike explore how many 401(k)s, ETFs, and index funds automatically purchase companies based on algorithms and market capitalization—not your personal investment decisions. Using the recent SpaceX addition to major indexes…
Should you use a 529 plan or build a dividend portfolio to pay for your child’s education? In this episode of Planning Made Simple , we compare the tax advantages and structure of a 529 plan with the flexibility and income potential of a dividend-focused brokerage account. We discuss investment limitations, taxes, scholarships, changing career paths, Roth IRA rollover opportunities, and what…
AI can analyze financial data, compare companies, and make dividend stock research faster—but should you trust the answers it gives you? In this episode of Planning Made Simple, the team explains how dividend investors can use AI as a powerful research assistant without treating it as an investment strategy. They discuss where AI performs well, why context changes the quality of its answers, and…
Should you use your dividend income to pay off debt—or continue reinvesting it for the future? In this episode of Planning Made Simple , the team examines how the answer depends on the kind of debt you have, its interest rate, and your long-term financial goals. They compare high-interest credit card debt with lower-interest obligations, explain the benefits of dividend reinvestment, and explore a…
Divorce can change nearly every part of your financial life—from your income and monthly expenses to your retirement goals and long-term plans. When emotions are high, however, making major financial decisions too quickly may create even more challenges. In this episode of Planning Made Simple , the team discusses why patience may be one of the most important financial strategies after divorce.…
You’ve spent years building wealth through growth stocks—but what happens when it’s time to turn that growth into dependable dividend income? For many investors, the biggest obstacle is taxes. Selling highly appreciated investments can create a significant capital gains tax bill, leaving some investors feeling trapped in a portfolio that may no longer support their retirement goals. In this…
In this episode of Planning Made Simple, we explain why young investors may have a huge advantage when it comes to building lasting wealth. Instead of chasing the highest returns and hoping everything works out decades from now, learn why building a growing stream of dividend income can create real financial independence. www.planningmadesimple.com
What if seeing your portfolio fall could actually be a good thing? In this episode of Planning Made Simple , the team explains the "Dividend Growth Gap"—the difference between what investors feel is happening during a market decline and what's actually happening. Through a real client story and simple math, they show how falling share prices, dividend reinvestment, and compounding can actually…
In this episode of Planning Made Simple , we break down four dividend-paying companies currently on our watch list: Bank of Nova Scotia, General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie . Rather than chasing the highest dividend yield, we explain why successful dividend investors focus on strong businesses, healthy balance sheets, consistent cash flow, and long-term income. You'll also learn why…
You spent decades saving, investing, and building your retirement nest egg. But what if a large portion of that money isn't actually yours? In this episode of Planning Made Simple, Paul, Kyle, and the team uncover one of the biggest retirement planning blind spots: taxes. From Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) to the hidden tax snowball that can grow throughout retirement, they explain why…
Most people think inheritance is about leaving money behind. But what if the real goal is leaving behind an income stream that lasts for generations? In this episode, the Planning Made Simple team explores how dividend investing can create a multi-generational legacy that continues producing income long after you're gone. They discuss the critical difference between passing down assets and passing…
Is the “Barbell Strategy” a brilliant investing framework… or just another flashy trend? In this episode, the team breaks down the growing popularity of barbell portfolios — putting most of your money into dividend investments while using a smaller percentage for speculative growth plays like crypto or aggressive investments. Most importantly, this episode challenges investors to stop starting…
