[00:38] – Tech Companies Going Public In 2019

• Uber, Lyft, Peloton, Pinterest, and Zoom all have plans to go public in 2019.
• Joel examines whether it’s wise to invest in initial public offerings (IPOs).
• It’s hard to know whether tech startups will make for home run investments.
• Joel defines how IPOs work. He explains why it’s hard to get IPO shares as a general investor.
• IPOs are “sexy,” but they aren’t relevant to the retirement planning conversation.

[6:00] – Do Couples Talk About Retirement Planning?

• Many couples haven’t had deep and significant conversations regarding financial matters.

[7:00] – What Do Couples Need To Discuss?

• Couples need to make concrete decisions together about income needs and living situations.
• Consider how much you’ll want to spend in retirement.
• There are other softer issues you need to discuss. Talk about your financial dreams and fears.
• Your dreams and fears can have a profound impact on your retirement.

[8:30] – What Do Couples Disagree About?

• People disagree about spending, but Joel explains why that’s not the root of the issue.
• Your background will affect your views about money.
• Couples tend to disagree on how to help their kids in retirement.
• Couples also disagree on when to retire. It’s not uncommon for one spouse to want to continue working while the other wants to retire.

[16:20] – A Mailbag Question About Divorce

• Donna and her husband are getting a divorce. They’re trying to determine how to split up their assets. She can take $200,000 from her husband’s 401(k) or cash/money market account. She wants to know which is the better option.

[18:31] – A Mailbag Question On Timing The Market

• Charlie almost got out of the market before it dropped in the fourth quarter. Now he’s back to where he was before, and he wants to know whether to get out now.
• Joel explains the dangers of market timing and the necessity of an investment plan.

[19:37] – A Question On Legacy Planning

• Leo is fortunate enough to have more money than he’ll ever need. He’s excited about the opportunity of leaving a legacy, but he’s also sad about saving all this money he’ll never use.
• Proper estate planning is important. You need to decide how you want to leave your legacy.
• You need to protect your kids from poor circumstances and decisions.