Planned Solutions

Planned Solutions

Planned Solutions is an Independent Financial Planning Firm - looking out for our client's best interests. With over 30 years in the financial planning business, we at Planned Solutions will help guide you to a secure financial future. At Planned Solutions, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional will sit down with you, review your current situation and work with you to develop an individualized financial plan and implement an asset management strategy. We are very familiar with the range of options available today – investment opportunities, savings, pension plans and insurance products – and will help you identify which choices are best suited for both you and your family’s goals. Financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, estate planning, insurance analysis, and tax planning and preparation are our specialties. Please give us a call for a complimentary initial consultation, where we will discuss your goals and help design a plan of action.

  1. Precious Metals Market Bubble Housing Now a Buyer’s-Market No Tax on Overtime

    6H AGO

    Precious Metals Market Bubble Housing Now a Buyer’s-Market No Tax on Overtime

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, Gold and silver prices increased sharply over the past several years, originally spurred by increases in global central bank buying. These big price increases caught the attention of other investors and market speculators, causing prices to surge to major highs. However, the recent massive selloff in gold and silver may be a sign that the speculative bubble is unwinding. This could make gold and silver far riskier investments going forward, as prices may be dictated by always-changing investor psychology rather than solid fundamentals. The housing market became a strong seller’s market during the COVID years, with bidding wars and all-cash offers the norm. Then the market transitioned into a tug-of-war between buyers and sellers, with the market largely stagnating for the past several years. Now, data suggests that the market is transitioning into a buyer’s market, with buyers able to demand price reductions and better terms from sellers. Starting in 2025, taxpayers may be able to deduct a portion of their overtime pay. In many cases, the amount that is eligible as a tax deduction will be reported in box 14 on a taxpayer’s form W-2 issued by their employer. The deduction is based on the definition of overtime used in federal law, which may differ from state law, so not all overtime listed on a paystub may be eligible for the overtime tax deduction. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Chase was a guest on the  @MagicKeyCast  , a YouTube Channel produced by Jason LaChance, who also produces the Planned Solutions podcast. The Magic Key Cast is Disney-focused, and Chase was on the podcast to discuss the potential business and investment ramifications of the recent Disney leadership shakeup. Schwab has posted many of the Form 1099-Div and 1099-B for non-retirement accounts. However, historically, Schwab has issued corrected 1099s in late February or early March. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

    26 min
  2. Health Savings Account (HSA) The Investment Most People Miss

    FEB 12

    Health Savings Account (HSA) The Investment Most People Miss

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the focus begins with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—a powerful yet often underutilized financial tool. While many people use HSAs like a tax-advantaged checking account to pay current medical expenses, these accounts frequently include investment sub-accounts. Investing HSA funds can support long-term growth, help offset rising healthcare costs, and even serve broader retirement or wealth-building goals. The episode also highlights an important tax law change impacting gambling income. Starting in 2026, gamblers will only be allowed to deduct gambling losses up to 90% of their winnings, meaning at least 10% of winnings will be taxable—even if total losses exceed gains for the year. This change further reduces the financial appeal of gambling by worsening its cost-benefit and tax treatment. Finally, the discussion covers the introduction of Section 530A accounts, commonly known as Trump Accounts, which are now available for children under age 18. These accounts function as investment vehicles with specific rules around access and usage, but unlike custodial Roth IRAs, they do not require the child to have earned income, making them a flexible option for families looking to invest on behalf of minors. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Tax season is here. The IRS is now officially accepting tax returns, but some of the state agencies are not yet ready for filings. In addition, some tax documents are not yet du,e so they may not be available for a few days or even several weeks. However, that does not mean you must wait to getstarted on your tax filings. Daryl, Chase, Carter, and Matt attended the Financial Planning Association of Northern California (FPANC) Winter Symposium. Once again, the FPANC did a great job of putting together a solid slate of speakers. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠

    30 min
  3. Stock Market Opens the Year Strong And 2026 Tax Updates

    JAN 29

    Stock Market Opens the Year Strong And 2026 Tax Updates

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the US stock market has started the year strong with the S&P 500 returning nearly 1.4% in just 11 trading days. However, the US large-cap index has underperformed foreign stocks, which led major index returns in 2025, and small- and mid-sized stocks, which lagged in 2025 but started 2026 strong with an 8.0% rate of return. The strong returns in the foreign market may be a sign of a continued trend favoring non-US investments, while the strong returns in small/midcap returns may be a sign of a healthy stock market rally in the US. Tax season is not just a time to look backward to the prior tax year, but also a good opportunity to look forward to planning for the current tax year. This may include changing tax withholdings for 2026 to either cover any projected shortfall or to reduce tax withholdings if a large refund is expected. This may be especially important this tax season, as several changes to the tax law may result in larger projected refunds than in the past. Additionally, the new tax law provisions offer tax benefits for some employees who receive tip income and/or who work overtime. However, the reporting requirements for this income do not go into effect until the 2026 tax year. Therefore, employees who believe they may qualify may need to prove their deductions by referencing their pay stubs for the year in addition to their Form W-2. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - The new year is a good time for review and renewal. In that spirit, Planned Solutions held an all-hands offsite meeting to discuss our core values and what is important to us going forward. Shannon recently reached an impressive milestone. He has been working with Planned Solutions for 25 years! Needless to say, during his tenure, Shannon has had a big impact on Planned Solutions and is a big reason for the company’s success over that time. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

    25 min
  4. How Proper Estate Planning Saves Time, Money, and Stress

    JAN 15

    How Proper Estate Planning Saves Time, Money, and Stress

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, we explore critical financial planning topics that can have a lasting impact on your wealth, legacy, and peace of mind—starting with estate planning, an area where many financial plans fall short. While creating an estate plan can feel time-consuming or costly, failing to plan often results in far greater expenses, court involvement, and stress for loved ones. We discuss why investing time and money in proper estate planning can lead to long-term savings, smoother transitions, and confidence in the event of death or disability. We also reflect on the retirement of legendary investor Warren Buffett, who stepped down from Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025. Buffett’s disciplined, common-sense, and fundamentally sound investment philosophy has shaped generations of investors and advisors. In this episode, we examine the lessons his career offers investment managers and individuals who want to build wealth the right way—ethically, patiently, and with clarity. Additionally, we take a closer look at Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) and their evolving role in estate tax planning. While higher federal estate tax exemptions have reduced their popularity, ILITs can still provide meaningful benefits for individuals with potentially large estates. We wrap up with insights from the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board, including important reminders for preparing your 2025 income tax return, gathering essential tax documents like Forms 1098 and 1099, and navigating the growing shift toward online tax forms. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Before preparing your 2025 income tax return(s), it is important to make sure that you have all tax forms and other tax information that you need. In some cases, this may mean being patient until all your investment forms have been issued. In other cases, it may mean being careful to thoroughly go through your mail looking for tax forms. For example, mortgage companies often send out Form 1098, which reports the interest paid during the year, with the monthly mortgage statement. So, it is important to sort through all the pages in the mailing to see if your tax form was included with the most recent statement. Also, more and more companies are posting tax forms online rather than mailing them. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.co⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com

    27 min
  5. •What YOU Need to Know About Market Assumptions, Beware Survey Data and Headlines & Q4 State Estimated Tax Payments

    JAN 1

    •What YOU Need to Know About Market Assumptions, Beware Survey Data and Headlines & Q4 State Estimated Tax Payments

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, Many financial models are communicated to the public as if they are completely factual. However, the accuracy of these modelsrequires that the assumptions at the heart of these models hold true, which does not always happen. This can cause investors and business decision makers to put too much confidence in the output of financial models because they donot understand the flaws in these models’ assumptions. The future is uncertain; it can be modeled, but the model output is only as good as the assumptions used for the model. There appears to be a divide between how the US economy and financial markets are actually performing and how people feel about it. This has led to a big divergence in quantifiable economic data and the economic survey results that track how people are feeling. The result is headlines, based on survey data results, that paint a very different picture than what economists are actually seeing. The expansion of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction from $10,000 per year to $40,000 per year may change tax strategy for some taxpayers. Taxpayers who have not maxed out the $40,000 limit for 2025 and are likely to itemize their deductions may benefit from paying any state estimated tax payments due before year-end to claim the deduction in 2025 rather than making the payment when it is due on January 15th, 2026. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - As a reminder, financial planners are not allowed to conduct business using mediums of communication that cannot be efficiently captured and archived. This most typically applies to text messages sent to a planner’s personal phone. We agree that this seems excessive given that text messages are a common form of communication, but often, government regulations do not keep up with societal changes. . Cybersecurity is a hot topic as incidents of cybercrime continue to increase. Planned Solutions invests a lot of time and effort to make sure our systems are as safe and secure as possible and to safeguard our clients’ information using industry best practices. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.com⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com

    33 min
  6. Conceptualizing the AI Landscape & Bitcoin Selloff Explained — What Investors Must Know

    12/18/2025

    Conceptualizing the AI Landscape & Bitcoin Selloff Explained — What Investors Must Know

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is nothing new. In fact, the term dates back to the 1950s, and many AI solutions have been implemented since then. The difference between then and now is that the capabilities, and therefore the investment in AI, have accelerated, leading to a period of rapid change. This follows the pattern of many other technological advancements, including the internet, which was invented well before the technological capabilities and societal norms were in place to enable mass adoption. Bitcoin prices have declined by 33% from its high in early October. This loss of wealth may be adversely impacting the US stock market as risky investors, those more inclined to invest in cryptocurrencies, may be taking losses on Bitcoin, which causes them to de-risk other assets, including riskier stock holdings. Also, companies that supply cryptocurrency companies or investors may be repricing as well. The annual gift tax exclusion amount remains $19,000 for 2026. This allows anyone to give anyone else a gift up to $19,000 without having to report it. The lifetime gift and estate tax exemption for 2026 will be $15 million per person. This is the total amount that can be gifted (over and above the annual exclusion amount) or left to heirs at death without paying gift or estate tax. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - With the holidays quickly approaching, we want to make sure you are aware of our holiday schedule for this year. Planned Solutions will be closed on December 24th, December 25th, December 26th, and January 1st. Given the above holiday schedule, as well as the holiday schedule of many of the companies that we work with, we ask that any forms or other requests that must be completed before year-end be submitted as soon as possible. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.com⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com

    28 min
  7. What Does the Job Market Really Look Like Now?

    12/04/2025

    What Does the Job Market Really Look Like Now?

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, with the reopening of the federal government, the Department of Labor is once again publishing jobs data. The most recent reports show that the job market remains reasonably strong and may be accelerating after a brief period of weakness earlier in the year. The US economy added 119,000 jobs in September, the unemployment rate ticked up but remains fairly low, and initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits, the forward-looking indicator, remain at low levels. The IRS increased the standard deduction that taxpayers are allowed to use to shelter income from taxation for 2026. In addition, the limitation on the amount of State and Local Taxes (SALT) that can be claimed as an itemized deduction was increased. So, going forward, taxpayers will need to pay closer attention to whether they will benefit from claiming the standard deduction or should itemize their deductions. Retirement plan contribution limits will increase in 2026 in most cases. Therefore, those who seek to contribute the maximum amount allowable under the law should make sure to adjust their contributions to ensure that they will contribute the maximum amount by the end of the 2026 tax year. In addition, some new rules for taxpayers age 60-63 will be implemented, which may impact the amount that those taxpayers may contribute for 2026. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - A client recently used Planned Solutions tickets to take his son to the Kings game. His son was excited to see one of his favorite players, Domantas Sabonis, play live. They got there early and were fortunate enough to run into Sabonis coming out of the tunnel. The Kings’ star was gracious enough to take a picture and sign the young man’s hat. What a great heart-warming moment. Go Kings! Carter and Matt both sat for the Certified Financial Planner ® exam recently. After years of studying and hours of preparing for the exam, we are excited to announce that they both passed. Now they just need to complete the required number of hours working in financial planning to fulfill the requirements to hold the Certified Financial Planner ® designation. Great jobguys! To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.com⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com

    27 min
  8. The Shocking Truth About Manufacturing vs Service Sector Growth

    11/20/2025

    The Shocking Truth About Manufacturing vs Service Sector Growth

    In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, with the official government economic data currently unavailable, the private data sources are getting more attention. This includes the ISM reports on the manufacturing and services sectors in the US. These reports show that the manufacturing sector is contracting at a slow pace, while the services sector is growing at a slow pace. Given that the US is primarily a services-centric economy, the whole of this data is slightly positive. However, this data is based on surveys, which have become decreasingly useful over time. The advantages of using a private fiduciary rather than tasking friends or family with the difficult job of overseeing the administration of a trust and/or will have made this option increasingly popular. Private fiduciaries bring a professionalism to the tasks of making financial and health care decisions for an individual without the influence of family dynamics that can sometimes make the process even more difficult. The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be 2.8%, a number in line with the official inflation statistics. However, Medicare premiums will increase 11.6% which means the average Social Security recipient will see their take-home Social Security benefit increase by much less than the 2.8% COLA. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Daryl, Carter, and Matt recently attended a Pension and 401k Seminar hosted by a local Third-Party Administrator. This is an annual event that we look forward to so that we can stay up to date with current Retirement Plan rules and limits. This is the 400th newsletter Planned Solutions has produced since we started publishing our own newsletter in-house over 15 years ago. If you are enjoying the newsletter or have some feedback on how we can improve it, please feel free to let us know. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Katie@PlannedSolutions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠Shannon@PlannedSolutions.com⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com ⁠Intro 00:00 Institution for Supply Management Reports 01:46 Private Fiduciaries 11:09 Social Security Updates 16:45 Bulletin Board 19:42

    26 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Planned Solutions is an Independent Financial Planning Firm - looking out for our client's best interests. With over 30 years in the financial planning business, we at Planned Solutions will help guide you to a secure financial future. At Planned Solutions, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional will sit down with you, review your current situation and work with you to develop an individualized financial plan and implement an asset management strategy. We are very familiar with the range of options available today – investment opportunities, savings, pension plans and insurance products – and will help you identify which choices are best suited for both you and your family’s goals. Financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, estate planning, insurance analysis, and tax planning and preparation are our specialties. Please give us a call for a complimentary initial consultation, where we will discuss your goals and help design a plan of action.