Wealth Vision 20/20 Podcast
Wealth Vision 20/20 removes the haze surrounding financial information about the markets, the economy and money helping you understand, what is happening, why it’s happening and most importantly, what to do about it. Craig Pluta, a CFP®, has over 25 years’ experience guiding through economic bull markets and collapses while at the same time, keeping people informed, educated and sticking to strategies that help deliver them to their intended goals. This insightful vision guides Alliance Wealth Management Milwaukee’s clients up to and through the retirement phase, dealing with every aspect of managing and keeping your wealth, including investment planning, tax planning and estate planning.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
EPISODE 55: Year End Planning 12/6/24
Today’s episode is called “Year End Planning” where we discuss the upcoming end of year deadlines for IRAs, Required Minimum Distributions, Qualified Charitable Distributions and Roth Conversions, certain tax planning tips that may reduce your overall tax bill, and an increase in Social Security. With less than 30 days to go before we wrap up the year we’ll arm you with the information needed to give you a jump start on 2025.
EPISODE 54: America Votes: Insights on the Presidential Showdown 11/7/24
Today’s episode is called “America Votes: Insights on the Presidential Showdown” where we discuss the recent election along with the potential red wave seizing control of both the House and the Senate, Jay Powel’s decision for cutting interest rates further, and the market’s reaction to it all. Why did this take so many people by surprise and are we in the throes of political party reinventions?
Andrea Carroll joins me as we discuss that and more
EPISODE 53: Welcome to the battle of AI and US Shipping Ports 10/24/24
Today’s episode is called “Welcome to the Battle of AI and US Shipping Ports” where we discuss the Fed’s newest move to start cutting interest rates, the latest challenge to the economy with the potential longshoremen’s strike that could shut down US ports all along the east coast, what the union wants besides the 77% wage increase, and why the use of AI in other ports around the world has the union unnerved. Is the US at risk of falling behind and ignoring the AI train that’s coming down the track and why is the administration suddenly silent?
EPISODE 52: From the Hum Drum to Stranger than Fiction 9/4/24
Today’s episode is called “From the Hum Drum to Stranger than Fiction” where we discuss the Fed’s shift in focus from inflation to the other half of the dual mandate, maximum employment, the 2 week countdown to the first Fed rate cut since March 2020, and election Moneyball strategy that reveals what paths each side has to gain the White House and one very real possibility of a electoral college tie. If you think it’s been weird so far, just wait, we’ll let you know what could happen and how the founding fathers anticipated this in 1804.
EPISODE 51: It's Not When, But Why 8/2/24
Today's episode is called "It's not when, but why?" where we discuss the forgone conclusion of a rate cut in the month of September and how the market may react short term vs long, the uncomfortable position of Jay Powell cutting rates just before an election, and the welcome distraction of the Summer Olympics. If you thought this election year was full of drama so far…..just wait. The temperature is about to rise.
EPISODE 50: Financial Literacy Crisis in America 7/2/24
Today’s episode is called “Financial Literacy Crisis in America” where we discuss the Milken Institute study, highlighting the disturbing fact that financial literacy in the US is alarmingly low and shows little indication of improvement. We’ll look at the facts, discuss the challenge and point out why this subject is so important. Are Americans doomed to financial ignorance and missteps or can the proper plan of action right the ship for upcoming generations?
EPISODE 49: Divergence of Policy 6/4/24
Today’s episode is called “Divergence of Policy” where we discuss the Eurozone’s divergence from the US policy of higher for longer as the EU plans for rate cuts in June, the conundrum of how to please 20 members of the EU when one member has inflation of only 2.5% while another is still at 9.5%, and the effect that all of this may have on the US. Is Europe really ahead of us in the inflation fight, or is all this talk of rate cutting a desperate move to avert a European recession.
EPISODE 48: Threatened Independence 5/3/24
Today's episode is called "Threatened Independence" where we discuss the recent article in the Wall Street Journal about the Federal Reserve Board and a desired change by some that would challenge the Boards independence. Would it be better for the Federal Reserve to be more in line with the administrations it serves, or would that just reduce the most powerful government agency to a mere pawn in the messy game of politics?
EPISODE 47: New Beginnings 4/4/24
Today’s episode is called “New Beginnings” where we discuss the decision for the Fed on when to cut interest rates and the danger of waiting too long, the Baltimore Bridge collapse and how even if only a minor impact to GDP means just more evidence to cut sooner than later, and why staying the course in your portfolio is usually wiser than you may know. Am I the only one to notice that this past 5 years was wickedly bazaar, but oh... so... profitable?
EPISODE 46: When Doves Cry 3/4/24
Today's episode is called "When Doves Cry" where we discuss the surprising stubbornness in the inflation number, the Fed's backing off of early rate cuts along with what their "Dot Plot" reveals, and the markets nervousness that maybe it went a little too high a bit too quickly. Is the market looking to pause a bit or is the bull market still intact?
EPISODE 45: Running with the Bulls 2/2/2023
Today’s episode is called “Running with the Bulls” where we discuss the latest economic data that has the Fed eyeing victory over inflation, the hot debate over when the Fed’s first rate cut will be and the stock market blasting past it’s all time highs. It’s 2024 and we’re running with the Bulls. Could it be, that the S&P500 breakout on January 19th is the beginning of the new Bull Market?
EPISODE 44: Santa, the Grinch and all things China 1/5/2023
Today’s episode is called “Santa, the Grinch and all Things China” where we discuss the Santa Clause rally which sent at least one of the market averages back to it’s all time high, the Fed’s new concern as inflation seems under control but the EU flirts with recessionary GDP numbers, and a January Election in Taiwan that could have serious implications on US, China and Taiwan relations.
EPISODE 43: Year End Planning 12/4/2023
Today’s episode is called “Year End Planning” where we discuss the upcoming end of year deadlines for IRAs, Required Minimum Distributions, Qualified Charitable Distributions and Roth Conversions, certain tax planning tips that may reduce your overall tax bill, and an increase in Social Security. With less than 30 days to go before we wrap of the year we’ll arm you with the information to give you a jump start on 2024.
Andrea Carroll joins me as we discuss that and more.
EPISODE 42: Pivot Point 11/4/23
Today’s episode is called “Pivot Point” where we discuss the Fed’s double pause and what that means, 3rd quarter earnings and how the market is interpreting them, and a new Speaker of the House and what that means for the legislative priorities in congress for the remainder of the year.
Andrea Carroll joins me as we discuss that and more.
EPISODE 41: Turmoil on Capitol Hill and in Detroit 10/4/23
Today’s episode is called “Turmoil on Capitol Hill and in Detroit” where we discuss the Fed’s rate hike pause, the pressures that the economy may be exposed to with one Debt Ceiling crisis after another, the UAW strike and what that means both economically and for the fed’s calculations and the market’s reaction to it all as it sets its sights on 2024.
Could we see the all time high touched by the end of this year, or will earnings disappoint and put the recovery on hold?
Andrea Carroll joins me as we discuss that and more.
EPISODE 40: Drugs and Money 9/1/23
Today’s episode is called “Drugs and Money” where we discuss the stock market’s rise as earning come out better than expected, the Fed’s hint that we may have done enough to squash inflation and the upcoming battle between the Federal Government who is entering into negotiations with the drug companies to lower the cost of 10 major prescription drugs for Medicare recipients………..Tune in as we layout the arguments on both sides so that you can better understand the debate as it rages forward.
Andrea Carroll joins me as we discuss that and more.
EPISODE 39: You Are Cleared For Landing 8/4/23
Today’s episode is called “You Are Cleared For Landing” where we discuss the Fed’s interest rate cycle hikes that appear to be ending, Inflation that has cleared a hurdle and now stands at 3%, GDP that surprisingly increased over the last quarter and 2nd Quarter earnings that are coming in a bit better than expected. Is it possible that Jay Powell has engineered the elusive “soft landing”?
EPISODE 38: And Then There Were None 7/5/23
Today's episode is called "And Then There Were None" where we discuss the Fed's pause and whether that means the rate hikes are over or the pace has simply been slowed down, the stock markets narrow leadership and what that means for a diversified portfolio, and the challenging environment for real estate as the Fed signals that rates will remain higher for longer.
EPISODE 37: The Sausage Factory 6/5/23
Today's episode is called "The Sausage Factory" where we discuss the final version of the Debt Ceiling Bill and look at what's all included in it, the Fed's upcoming pivot or pause decision as more members of the board express dissenting opinions on raising rates further, and the stock markets' reaction to it all. Could it be that all of the drama and hype is a bit overdone? …..again?
EPISODE 36: The Pause that Refreshes 5/8/23
Today's episode is called "The Pause that Refreshes" where we discuss the latest Fed signaling that the end of rate hikes is either near or already here, the stress on the mid-size banking system from those rate hikes and the delicate balance to not go too far and create a new problem, and the effort to increase the debt ceiling for a whopping 79th time. Is all this drama and rhetoric unnecessary or does it somehow serve and important purpose?
EPISODE 35: It's Darkest Before the Dawn 4/5/23
Today’s episode is called “It’s Darkest Before the Dawn” where we discuss the workings of the bond market and why it just produced its worse return in 188 years, the collapse of Silicon Valley bank and how that related directly to the ailing bond market, the latest inflation numbers that point to the Federal Reserve soon wrapping up their rate hikes and the stellar first quarter results of both the stock and bond markets.
EPISODE 34: When Good News is Bad News 3/1/23
Today’s episode is called “When Good News is Bad News” where we discuss the strong jobs numbers, strong retail spending, greater than expected GDP growth, and the smallest rate hike from the fed in 11 months. Could it be that all this good economic news is actually bad news? Welcome to the upside-down world.
We’ll also update you on the Ukraine war now that it has stretched past a year
EPISODE 33: Preparation, Preparation, Preparation 2/3/23
Today’s episode is called “Preparation, Preparation, Preparation ” where we discuss tax time, which is right around the corner and how you should prepare for it, the 8th Fed rate hike which has ramped down and may be one the last hikes before their long awaited pause, and the Market's great start for 2023 which no one has noticed. Could it be that the light at the end of the tunnel is something other than a train coming our way?
EPISODE 32: A Break for the Taxpayer 1/6/23
Today’s episode is called “A Break for the Taxpayer” where we discuss the 2023 changes in the tax tables, increased standard deduction amounts, a new required minimum distribution age, new IRA and 401(k) contribution limits, and a new solution to overfunded 529 plans. Could it be that the IRS became just a little bit friendlier?
EPISODE 31: Economic Jigsaw Puzzle 12/5/22
Today’s episode is called “Economic Jigsaw Puzzle” where we discuss the intricacies in US and EU sanctions which are about to institute a cap on the price of Russian oil, China’s failed zero Covid policy and how they are likely to maneuver out of it amid the riots and discontent spreading among their populace, and the first sign that the Federal Reserve is looking to moderate their rate hikes giving a bit of clarity while traveling down this foggy road and the markets reaction to that.
EPISODE 30: Year End Planning 11/2/2022
Today’s episode is called “Year End Planning” where we discuss the upcoming end of year deadlines for IRA Required Minimum Distributions, Qualified Charitable Distributions and Roth Conversions, certain tax planning tips that may reduce your over all tax bill, and the most sizeable increase in Social Security since the 1980’s, and wait for it….no increase in Medicare premiums! With less than 60 days to go before we wrap of the year we’ll arm you with the information to make help good decisions.
Stay tuned as we discuss that and more.
EPISODE 29: New Ways Forward 10/4/2022
Today’s episode is called “New Ways Forward” where we discuss the new guidance by the fed for when they will wrap up the interest rate hikes, the stock markets negative reaction to that new guidance, the upcoming mid term elections where we make predictions on the House and Senate outcome and a new venture by Elon Musk that just might make it more difficult for totalitarian regimes to censor information. The two word tweet from Elon over Iranian censorship that said ……“Activating Starlink”
EPISODE 28: Chess Match 9/2/2022
Today’s episode is called “Chess Match” where we discuss the Fed’s final chess moves to secure a checkmate on inflation, the difference between headline inflation and the Fed’s core inflation and why it’s different, and the complicated moving target called semiconductor chips and why the end of the shortage is far more elusive than you might think.
EPISODE 27: Recession or No Recession, that is the question 8/3/2022
Today’s episode is called “Recession or No Recession, that is the Question” where we discuss the implications of 2 quarters of negative GDP and the real definition of a recession, the delusion on capital hill that we can kill inflation without sacrificing jobs, the consumer spending spree, and a stock market that just posted its best month all year.
Stay tuned as we discuss that and more.
EPISODE 26: 2nd Half Jitters 7/5/2022
Today’s episode is called “2nd Half Jitters” where we discuss the absence of peak inflation, the meteoric rise in mortgage rates, the compression of PE ratios, and the Growth/Value cycle. Is the Fed on the brink of finally decreasing demand as desired or is the consumer not going to cooperate and just keep spending?
EPISODE 25: Freebies 6/3/2022
Today’s episode is called “Freebies” where we discuss the proposal for a college loan forgiveness program along with all its complications, new weapon systems about to be shipped to Ukraine from the US as well as Germany, the war on inflation including its effect on the stock market, and upcoming client events from summer to fall.
EPISODE 24: Wicked Problem 5/4/2022
Today’s episode is called “Wicked Problem” where we discuss China President Xi Jinping’s zero covid policy, it’s likely failure, and the repercussions of the new wave of lock downs affecting more than 300 million Chinese people, the stock markets 1st quarter earnings and future guidance, GDP dropping from 6.9% to -1.4%, stubborn inflation that has yet to peak, and the pickle the fed finds them selves in.
EPISODE 23: THE LONG AND WINDY ROAD 4/5/2022
Today’s episode is called “The Long And Windy Road” where we discuss the latest jobs report signaling more growth ahead, inflation numbers pointing to the worst inflationary backdrop in 40 years, the Feds first move in its war on inflation and the market’s resilience in the face of it all. Is the end of inflation anywhere in sight or are we in store for a longer struggle than we think?
EPISODE 22: CHESS PIECES 3/2/2022
Today’s episode is called “Chess Pieces” where we discuss the recent communique between Russia and China pledging unprecedented cooperation, the long-awaited Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federal Reserve and how all of the geopolitics plays into the calculus for controlling inflation, and why the stock market moved up once the invasion started. Is this the beginning of the end of recent hostilities or just one chess piece moving in a long game involving more players than we thought?
EPISODE 21: BREAKING POINT 2/3/2022
Today’s episode is called “Breaking Point” where we discuss the rapid pace of inflation, the Fed’s latest announcements of steps to control it, Russia’s massive buildup of 100,000 troops armed with scores of tanks on the Ukrainian boarder, and how all of these play together to bring us our first market correction of more than 10% in a couple of years. Is this the breaking point for the markets, or just a pause in the post Covid expansion we’ve become accustomed to?
EPISODE 20: FALLING DOMINOES 1/5/2022
Today’s episode is called “Falling Dominoes” where we discuss how the administrations signature legislation know as the Build Back Better Bill hit a major snag as a key democratic Senator says he will vote no, inflation registering its highest read in 40 years causing the fed to abruptly change course before it’s too late and what this all means for 2022, stock and bond market volatility and your portfolio. If you were recently celebrating being done with 2021, hang tight in 2022, we might have new challenges we’ve never faced before.
EPISODE 19: THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2021 12/6/2021
Today’s episode is called “The Year in Review 2021” where we discuss the stock market performance that exceeded most people’s expectations, the obsessive focus on inflation and some of its causes, what to look for in 2022 and a few tips on what you still can do before year end to enhance your future.
EPISODE 18: THE PRUNING OF AMERICA'S RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS 11/2/2021
Today's episode is called "The Pruning of America's Retirement Accounts" where we discuss the outrage Congress exhibited to a 5 billion-dollar Roth account, new rules to prevent "Mega retirement accounts" of all varieties, and the shut down of Roth Conversions and the back door contributions for high income earners. Are we on the cusp of a new era where governments make deals to entice tax revenue only to later renege on them?
EPISODE 17: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND 10/04/2021
Today’s episode is called “To Infinity and Beyond” where we discuss the congressional horse trading in an attempt to approve an infrastructure bill while at the same time increasing the debt ceiling to levels never seen, the inflation spiral and the oh-so-complicated global supply chain, and the new frontier, where SpaceX and the Inspiration4 for the first time have sent civilian astronauts 367 miles high into space, well past the Karman line, circled the earth at 23x the speed of sound and safely landed.
EPISODE 16: A BRAVE NEW WORLD 9/3/2021
Today’s episode is called “A Brave New World” where we discuss the congressional move to tie the infrastructure bill to the 3.5 trillion social spending bill, proposed new taxes on both personal income, capital gain income and corporate income, and the tipping point for electric vehicles, namely the electric truck wars that will be erupting in the next few months. Whether it’s politics or trucks…..the world as you know it, might be changing sooner than you think.
EPISODE 15: SUMMER DOLDRUMS 8/4/2021
Today’s episode is called “Summer Doldrums” where we discuss Jerome Powell’s Fed and the tightrope walk with inflation, the details of a bi partisan infrastructure bill and the ever-present political wrangling over the legislative process with each side trying to gain an advantage over the other.
EPISODE 14: KABUKI DANCE 7/1/2021
Today’s episode is called “Kabuki Dance”, where we discuss the bipartisan effort for an infrastructure bill, the growing concern for structural inflation, and the new revolt brewing as a survey reports that the majority of workers do not want to return to the office. Are we getting back to normal or is that more difficult than we think?
EPISODE 13: NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED 6/1/2021
Today’s episode is called “No Good Deed goes Unpunished“ where we discuss the unintended consequences of the federal unemployment supplement, wage pressures, growing concerns about inflation, and a revolt from 21 states who refuse to take money from the federal government for fear that it’s ruining their economies.
EPISODE 12: DEATH AND TAXES 5/4/2021
Today’s episode is called “Death and Taxes” where we discuss the new tax proposals of the Biden administration, Who’s likely to be paying more and what the impact may be on the US economy and global competitiveness. Are we being fiscally prudent or killing the golden goose?
EPISODE 11: MOUNTING A COMEBACK 4/1/2021
Today’s episode is called “Mounting a comeback” where we discuss the relentless vaccine march toward herd immunity, the latest good news on the employment front, GDP coming in at over 4% and a dive into the risky dynamics of short selling, where investors become gamblers and someone is left holding the bag.
EPISODE 10: A MESSY RESTART 3/4/2021
Today’s episode is called “a messy restart” where we discuss the positive shifting mood of the public, the challenges of waking up the global supply chain, the latest in the vaccine rollout, positive corporate earnings, and where this all leads us, including dealing with our potential future enemy …….. called inflation.
EPISODE 9: 2021 AND THE NEXT BULL MARKET 2/1/2021
Today’s episode is called “2021 and the next bull market“ where we discuss the new administration, behavioral finance, both portfolio construction & rebalancing, new tax proposals and the single solution that just might fix nearly everything wrong with the economy. Do we need more stimulus or just to ask congress to do something uncharacteristic; follow through on what they’ve started.
Episode 8: A New Year with New Hopes - 1/4/2021
Today's episode is called "A New Year with New Hopes" where we discuss the end of 2020 dominated by the Corona Virus, the potential of a vaccine glut before summer, the timeline of workers returning to the office, and the new 900 billion dollar stimulus package with Helicopter money. Did we finally get ourselves out of the woods or did we just dig a very deep hole?
Episode 7: Mixed Bag - 12/2/2020
Today’s episode is called “Mixed Bag“ where we discuss the still undecided makeup of the Senate 4 weeks after the election, rising COVID cases along with the big three vaccine makers who predict producing 1 billion doses each by the end of 2021, and a rocketing 3rd quarter GDP of 33.1%, which helped move markets to all time highs. Is this an early Christmas gift or will Santa be taking back some of gifts already received?
Episode 6: The Path Forward - 11/1/2020
Today’s episode is called “the path forward” where we discuss the fed’s new policy and view toward inflation and what that means for the economy, the race for a vaccine in 2020 and what the difference are of some of the top makers, and the markets consolidation at a level higher than the pre-Covid high but just under our newly established high of September. Is America being too overly pessimistic or are the optimists too naïve?
Episode 5: Presidents and Stock Markets - 10/1/2020
Today’s episode is called “Presidents and Stock Markets” where we talk about my recently published paper that dives into 40 years of economic data to find out what presidential party has the greatest economic success. Who is actually better for the stock market, Democrats or Republicans? Or is it possible that it just doesn’t matter?
Episode 4: Recovery - 9/3/2020
Today’s episode is called “recovery” where we discuss the systematic decline of COVID cases from the recent highs, the stock markets rise back to its all time high, and a little know rule that allows taxpayer who use the standard deduction to still get an additional charitable deduction in 2020. Did stocks just signal a new 10 year bull market has started?
Episode 3: Emerging Green Shoots - 8/3/2020
Today’s episode is called “emerging green shoots“ where we discuss the recent rise in the markets, the meteoric pace toward a new vaccine and actionable things you can do right now to better your situation in this post COVID world. Despite the rise in COVID cases all is not lost, in fact ……….there’s reason for optimism.
Episode 2: A New Beginning - 7/2/2020
Today’s episode is called “a new beginning” where we discuss the reopening of the economy, the feds stimulus and the markets reaction. Is this market overvalued or just misunderstood? Stay tuned as we discuss that and more to find those answers and many others.
Episode 1: Countdown to reopening - 6/2/2020
Today’s episode is called “Count down to reopening”, where we’ll discuss the Corona virus, the markets and how they actually relate to each other or how they don’t……….. And……… you just might be surprised.
