Shootin’ It Straight with Stan®

Today's topic is Annuity Companies Aren't Smarter Than Banks. They're not, just more regulated. Let me tell you a little story. A long time ago, a few years ago, there was this pandemic. Some say it came from a wet market where turtles were making out with bats, who were loving on ducks, who were then kissing the snakes. I didn't know what was going on.

Welcome to another Shooting It Straight With Stan blog. I am Stan The Annuity Man, America's annuity agent, licensed in all 50 states, every single one of them. I do that all the time, and then someone on a YouTube video the other day commented, "Are you licensed in Kentucky?" Yes, I'm licensed in Kentucky, but I'm revved up today because the topic is "live off the interest until you can't." What am I talking about, Stan The Annuity Man? I'm talking about current interest rates.

Today's topic is if you'd have owned it 10 years ago. Now, if you've been to the bad chicken dinner seminar, the expensive steak dinner seminar, the marble office with the guy that says he has a too-good-to-be-true product and gives you upfront funds, market upside with no downside, unicorns chasing butterflies, and you're saying to yourself, wait a minute, that sounds too good to be true.

Thank you so much for joining us on this hot topic. Not a Hot Pocket, those are the things you eat if you're a computer dude or dude-ette. It's a hot topic. The topic is, If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Is. Every single time with annuities without exception.

Today's topic comes from a client of mine. I was on a phone call with her today, and she said something, and I said, "Stop. Stop talking. I got to write this down," because most of my really good video and blog ideas come from you. When I get on the phone with you, I use my mouth and ears proportionately, two ears, one mouth. I'm listening to you.

Today's topic is, Are You Surfing Beside a Cruise Ship? I want you to think about that. Have you ever been on a cruise and you're like, "Man, that is a big boat." I always wondered how does that boat float with all that weight? I don't get it. No one ever really explained cruise ships and how they float to me.

Today's topic is Chapter Two Should Be All About You. What is chapter two, Stan The Annuity Man®? Are we talking about books? Are we talking about movies? What are we talking about? Chapter two is the second part of your life after you stop working.

Today's topic is four words. Never touch the principal. Those are the four words I want you to focus on. Never touch the principal. What am I talking about? I am talking about the interest rate environment we're in right now at the time of this blog.

Today's topic is a heady one, one that will make you scratch your head a little bit and go, "Man, Stan, I didn't know you were that smart. I didn't know you were that well-read. My goodness."

Great topic today. It's a head-scratcher, and it's going to make you think. The topic is Market Needle or Annuity Haystack. We'll talk about markets, ups and downs, volatility, crypto, people trying to thread the needle to get these market returns, and if you're dependent upon so much unknown.

Today's topic's a good one; it hits close to home but might also hit close to home with you. It's called Fly First Class or Your Kids Will. I want you to think about that. I'm notorious for saying, "There are no U- Hauls behind hearses."

Today's topic is a good one, it's personal, and it's come up a few times in part of the conversation with some people I've been working with. The topic is hiring an advisor that grew up poor. And I know you're saying, wait a minute, don't people change? What does that mean?

Today's topic is, three years in or three years out when you're looking at fixed rates. My rule is, if it's three years or in, you're buying CDs and treasuries. If it's three years and out, you're buying Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities or Fixed Rate Annuities, the annuity industry version of a CD.

The topic today is buying the annuity drink. Now, let me explain that. My mom is a great soul. My dad passed away five years ago, and she's pivoted living her life. She has her circle of friends and travels and has fun.

Today's topic is a good one and one that will make you think. The title is The Scars of Scarcity: Fear of Running Out. Not fear of missing out, fear of running out. Now, I have to give full credit to "The scars of scarcity" to my lovely wife, Christine, who came up with it.