Category: Finances
Part 2: Are you ready for a 30% Market Decline? (Pay Attention to Valuations, Not Headlines) (Ep. 33)

Part 2: Are you ready for a 30% Market Decline? (Pay Attention to Valuations, Not Headlines) (Ep. 33)

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In a climate where volatility is the price of admission to long-term wealth, are you truly prepared—not just emotionally, but structurally—for a significant market downturn?

This week on Red Carpet Retirement, Adam Scott, CFP®, takes us deeper into the mindset and math that drives resilient investment strategies. Building on the theme of being ready for a potential 30% (or even 50%) drawdown, Adam goes beyond emotional readiness and unpacks one of the most misunderstood tools in modern investing: valuation metrics.

🔍 Spoiler alert: If your portfolio doesn’t factor in CAPE ratios, you may be flying blind.

🎧 Adam dives into:

✅ The mental prep investors need when headlines start screaming and prices start falling

✅ Why the CAPE ratio (Cyclically Adjusted P/E) isn’t just academic—it’s your market compass

✅ How historically high P/E ratios should inform—not terrify—your allocation decisions

✅ Building a portfolio that doesn’t just grow—but endures storms and thrives after

✅ Asset classes that offer better value right now, including overlooked international and bond opportunities

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Are You Ready for a 30% US Stock Market Decline? (Ep. 32)

Are You Ready for a 30% US Stock Market Decline? (Ep. 32)

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How would you react if the US stock market suddenly dipped by 30% or even 50%? The unpredictability of financial markets can be intimidating, but fear not—there are ways to prepare and to protect your portfolio.

Join host Adam Scott, CFP® as he dives into the volatile world of market declines, addressing common investor fears and discussing the importance of mindset and a well-planned portfolio. Adam shares real-life anecdotes and valuable insights that challenge the knee-jerk reactions to headline-grabbing news events. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of why unexpected events, like AI’s influence on the market or significant political trends, can be opportunities in disguise… whilst the real dangers may lurk beyond the headlines… and how to protect yourself from them.

Adam discusses: 

  • The reality of unexpected market downturns and how to handle them [00:00:54]
  • The dangers of reacting to headline news and its fleeting nature [00:03:15]
  • Why mindset matters more than market predictions [00:09:14]
  • How market declines can benefit your portfolio [00:14:24]
  • Understanding valuations and their important role in investment decisions [00:18:42]
  • And more!

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Optimizing your MPI Pension Plan with CEO David Asplund (Ep. 31)

Optimizing your MPI Pension Plan with CEO David Asplund (Ep. 31)

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How can Entertainment Industry members best ensure financial stability in retirement? 

Understand how the Motion Picture Industry and Health Plans work as this episode explores the benefits, strategies, and vital decisions shaping retirement for industry members.

Adam Scott, CFP® interviews David Asplund, CEO of the Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan, who explains the robust framework supporting financial and healthcare security for entertainment professionals. David addresses common misconceptions, clarifies plan options, and emphasizes the importance of informed retirement planning.

David discusses:

  • The difference between the pension plan and the individual account plan (IAP) and how both benefit retirees
  • How residuals act as a financial safety net, ensuring stability during challenging times
  • The health-only retirement option that provides coverage without tapping into pension funds
  • The role of accurate work-hour predictions in sustaining the financial health of the plans
  • How industry trends like strikes and new media residuals impact the funding and future of the plan
  • And more!

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About Our Guest: 

David Asplund is the CEO of the Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan, where he oversees the financial and operational management of retirement and healthcare benefits for professionals in the entertainment industry. With extensive experience in finance and plan administration, David is dedicated to work on the long-term stability and success of these critical programs. His leadership focuses on delivering robust resources, educating plan participants, and adapting to the evolving needs of the industry.

The information presented here is general, high-level, and educational in nature. Please see the Plans’ Trust Documents and the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) for the complete set of rules that cover the Plans. In case of any inadvertent errors, the rules defined in the Trust Documents and SPDs will govern.

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Examining The Financial Impacts of a Trump Presidency – Part 2 (Ep. 30)

Examining The Financial Impacts of a Trump Presidency – Part 2 (Ep. 30)

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Do political changes redefine financial strategies, or do fundamentals remain king?

This episode of Red Carpet Retirement delves into the potential impacts of Trump’s policies on investments, taxes, and the economy.

Adam Scott discusses tax cuts, corporate profits, interest rates, and their influence on the national deficit. He also emphasizes separating political views from portfolio decisions and focuses on sustainable financial strategies.

Key takeaways include: 

  • The implications of extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its effect on individual and corporate tax rates
  • The role of the federal deficit and potential challenges of rising interest rates on national debt management
  • How deregulation policies could influence corporate profitability and stock market performance
  • Investment opportunities in sectors such as cryptocurrency, energy, and bonds in light of economic shifts
  • The importance of focusing on investment fundamentals rather than letting political biases influence financial decisions
  • And more!

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Examining the Financial Impacts of a Trump Presidency – Part 1 (Ep. 29)

Examining the Financial Impacts of a Trump Presidency – Part 1 (Ep. 29)

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From tariffs to immigration, the implications of a Trump presidency ripple through economic policy and investment strategies. What does this mean for your portfolio?

In this episode of Red Carpet Retirement, Adam Scott analyzes the potential investment and economic effects of the newly re-elected Trump administration. 

He dissects key topics such as tariffs, immigration policies, deregulation, and budget cuts while questioning their long-term impact on markets, businesses, and investors.

Adam discusses:

  • The economic and investment outcomes of tariffs, focusing on their role in inflation and industry competition
  • The controversial divide within the Republican Party regarding immigration, low-wage labor, and innovation
  • Potential massive budget cuts and their implications for government employment and economic stability
  • Deregulation trends and their effects on industries, including energy, technology, and finance
  • The role of short-term financial pain versus long-term benefits in government downsizing strategies
  • And more!

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Is Life Insurance a Good Investment Vehicle? (Ep. 28)

Is Life Insurance a Good Investment Vehicle? (Ep. 28)

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Life insurance products are often marketed as essential tools for financial planning, but are they really the best solution for everyone?

How do popular strategies like Infinite Banking and Rich Man’s Roth measure up for real retirement security? What financial moves make sense as you age and your financial needs shift?

In this episode of Red Carpet Retirement, Adam Scott addresses the pros and cons of life insurance as a retirement tool and debunks some of the myths and sales tactics that promote it.

From understanding when life insurance is truly necessary to recognizing alternative savings options, Adam provides a clear view of what works and what may not.

Adam discusses: 

  • His encounter with a hybrid advisor promoting a questionable life insurance strategy
  • How permanent life insurance works and common misconceptions
  • The downsides and complex nature of Index Universal Life policies
  • Pros and potential benefits of tax-deferred growth within life insurance
  • The truth behind the “Be Your Own Banker” concept
  • And more!

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Should You Claim Social Security Early or Wait? (Ep. 27)

Should You Claim Social Security Early or Wait? (Ep. 27)

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With the Social Security Trust Fund potentially running out by 2035, should you claim your benefits now or wait for a better payout? Let’s address the reality behind Social Security’s future and its impact on your retirement plans.

In this episode, Adam Scott talks about the complexities of Social Security, exploring the imminent depletion of the trust fund projected for 2035 and what this means for retirees. As he unpacks whether to claim Social Security early or delay it, you’ll gain insights into the nuanced decision-making process, the potential policy solutions, and the broader financial strategies to consider amidst this uncertainty.

Adam discusses: 

  • The current state of the Social Security Trust Fund and its projected exhaustion by 2035
  • The political sensitivity surrounding Social Security reforms, often referred to as the “third rail of politics”
  • The pros and cons of claiming Social Security early versus delaying benefits
  • Policy options to address the shortfall, including raising taxes and adjusting benefits
  • And more

 

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The 3 Worst Mistakes to Make in an Election Year (Ep. 26)

The 3 Worst Mistakes to Make in an Election Year (Ep. 26)

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Do you struggle with investment decisions during election years? Discover the three worst mistakes you should avoid to keep your portfolio safe.

In this episode of Red Carpet Retirement, Adam addresses the three biggest investment blunders investors make during election years. You’ll learn some shocking statistics about market performance during election cycles, why sitting in cash can cost you, and how not to let political biases cloud your investment decisions. He discusses the importance of maintaining a steady hand in volatile markets and offers insights based on historical data to help you navigate financial decisions amidst political uncertainty.

Adam discusses: 

  • The three worst investment mistakes to avoid during election years
  • How letting political passions influence investment decisions can be costly
  • Why markets have historically performed well regardless of the political party in power
  • Why it’s crucial not to let political passions influence your investment decisions
  • The impact of trying to time the market and how it can jeopardize your retirement plans
  • And more

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10 Ways to Protect Yourself From the Sneakiest Online Financial Fraud (Ep. 25)

10 Ways to Protect Yourself From the Sneakiest Online Financial Fraud (Ep. 25)

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Do you know if your online banking details are truly secure?

Today on Red Carpet Retirement, Adam addresses the alarming rise in sophisticated online financial frauds and discusses ten crucial ways to protect yourself. From phishing and vishing to smishing and pharming, you’ll understand the different tactics used by cyber criminals and learn the best practices to safeguard your financial information.

Adam discusses: 

  • The intricacies of phishing, spear phishing, and common scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace
  • The threat of vishing calls and how criminals can spoof phone numbers from trusted entities
  • Detailed insights into smishing and the risks associated with links in text messages.
  • Pharming tactics that redirect you to fake websites despite navigating to your trusted bank’s URL
  • And more

Arm yourself against financial predators. Tune in and share these vital tips with your loved ones.

Stay tuned for our next episode, “Will the Election Affect Your Finances?”

Resources:

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Protecting You and Your Loved Ones from Financial Fraud (Ep. 24)

Protecting You and Your Loved Ones from Financial Fraud (Ep. 24)

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Americans lost $13BN to fraud in 2023. Young adults are particularly vulnerable – along with the elderly – as social engineering becomes increasingly sophisticated. Don’t think it can’t happen to  you.

Today on Red Carpet Retirement, Adam Scott, CFP®  delves into the concerning rise of financial fraud and offers practical tools to help safeguard against these threats. Joined by a young man, George Baker, who shares his personal experience of being scammed at the tender age of 18, this episode aims to educate listeners about the increasing sophistication of scams and the critical steps to avoid becoming a victim. By tuning in, you’ll learn essential prevention strategies to protect your family and hear firsthand accounts that underline the importance of vigilance and prompt action.

Adam and George discuss: 

  • How to identify and understand phishing scams and their evolution into targeted spear phishing
  • The psychological tricks scammers use, such as urgency and emotional manipulation
  • Steps to take immediately if you think you’ve been scammed, including involving third parties
  • Real-life stories highlighting both the complexities and preventable measures in financial fraud scenarios
  • And more

 

Resources:

 

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