Better Money Decisions

There are multitudes of mistakes that people make when it comes to investing, and incorporating Environmental Social and Governance funds can make it that much more complicated. Today Kate Stalter gives her top tips to help avoid the most common mistakes people make when it comes to socially responsible investing. To give yourself the best chance to achieve the financial outcome you want, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions. Show Highlights: The necessity for wide diversification to smooth your return and reduce your risk The issues with over-concentration Approaches to avoid using when selecting investments Determining a clear investment objective and your goals Getting a fiduciary to create the roadmap for your financial plan Links: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars: Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here: Better Financial Decisions Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

We all want to invest our money in funds and companies that align with our values, but that isn’t always the best metric. Often times, Stockbrokers and other financial planners who don’t have your best interest in mind will encourage you to buy “sustainable” and “ethical” funds, which sound good, but that isn’t always the case. Today Kate Stalter shares how you can evaluate these funds and determine what is and isn’t worth investing your time and money in. To learn how you can become a better investor and spend less to achieve the same goals, tune into this episode of Bette Money Decisions.  Show Highlights: Evaluating which sustainable funds will be the most beneficial to your situation How mutual funds and exchange-traded funds work Additional fees funds may cost you Why you should pay attention to fund expense ratios Putting your money to work for you instead of handing it over to a fund manager Links: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

Most of us want to invest in companies that we believe in and morally support, but feeling good isn’t going to put money in your pocket. In this episode, Kate Stalter shares how you can incorporate those sustainable funds into your asset allocation without jeopardizing your portfolio. If you’re interested in maintaining an ethical portfolio and making it fit your current retirement plan, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions. Show Highlights: Incorporating sustainable funds into your asset allocation Having diversified funds to balance each other out Picking and choosing outside of your proper allocation What to do if you’re holding too much domestic stock Links: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? We Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

Saying you’re “socially responsible” sounds like a good thing to say, but what does that really mean? Putting your own values into perspective, that could mean something different for everyone. In this episode, Kate Stalter explains the metrics used to measure progress and what distinctions are made between sustainable and socially responsible investing. If you want to know more about what fund families really mean or simply how to avoid picking a good feeling over a good investment, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions. Show Highlights: Causes that socially responsible funds tend to embrace Deciding where you want to put your money and pinpointing your values What a socially responsible portfolio looks like How different values dictate what socially responsible means How ownership stakes influence management Why you shouldn’t let a good cause take away from a good return Supporting causes that are important to you Links: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? wecanhelp@bettermoneydecisions.com For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

You want to have confidence in where your investment dollars are going. It doesn’t feel good at all to find out that your money is being invested in ways that don’t align with your values. This episode continues our focus on Sustainable Investing, which began in Episode 56. In today’s show, we dive deeper into sustainable investing, what it is, and how you can be sure your investments align with your values. Show Highlights: “Sustainable” means transparent, measurable factors that can be tracked as far as whether a company is improving in areas like greenhouse gas emissions, land use and biodiversity, toxic spills, and more. For sustainability to be measurable, it has to be data-driven and factual There is a difference in sustainable and socially responsible (we’ll talk more about this in our next episode). The primary consideration is the environmental impact Why we like the dimensional approach because it reduces the exposure to stocks of companies with less sustainable business practices How it IS possible to evaluate a company based on these criteria As always, you should maintain broad diversification in companies with strong sustainability practices from different industries, companies, regions, and market capitalizations. Follow the same investment rules and don’t sacrifice return Why most people operate on the impulse to screen out the companies they don’t like How these companies are “scored” on variables, and a higher score means more progress toward the goal of cleaning up these problems areas Be sure you understand the criteria that are used in measuring what’s important to you Resources: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? We Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

We’d all like to know the money we’re investing is being used in a way that aligns with our own goals and motives, but how can you ensure that? Today Kate Stalter talks about sustainable and socially responsible investing and how to practice morally aligning investments. This episode covers how to invest in companies you support, how to measure a companies’ goals, and much more. To learn how to get your money to work by spreading positive values tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions. Show Highlights: The start and philosophy behind ethical investing ESG Investing Why the factors behind ESG are important Putting your money to work Measuring a companies’ goals How to identify what is a good investment and what isn’t Links: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? We Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions  

If you’ve been investing for a long time, chances are you’ve heard the saying “Sell in May and Go Away”. But is that sound advice you should take? Today Kate Stalter dissects the trivialities of global investments and explains why going off monthly data may not be your best strategy. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions to better your understanding on relevant data and to help you know what you might expect in the market. Show Highlights: Understanding how seasonality works in the market Where you’re supposed to “go” Why May tends to open wealth and how to manage expectations Market data that helps you know what you might expect Why smaller gains are better long term The home country bias International diversification Why you shouldn’t sell in May Links: Stock Trader’s Almanac iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? We Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

Have you ever wondered what your future finances will look like? Many of us have! Today Kate Stalter talks about how you can get a glimpse into your financial future with proper financial planning and execution. If you’re interested in your financial projection, this episode explains how you can get a glimpse of your future, along with managing expenses, and setting goals. To get your financial plan in order today tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.  Show Highlights:  Factors in your finances that you have control over  How to figure out future expenses and income  Working out your financial plan  Being engaged and held accountable in your financial process  Having something to work towards no matter what the stock market looks like  Links:  Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show?  Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? We Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

Many companies quarterly release their sales, revenue, expenses, and other financial data, but what does that mean for you? Well, in some cases it may not be applicable to your particular case, but these earnings reports do predict market fluctuation and can impact your personal portfolio. Today Kate Stalter explains how earning reports impact individual stocks and the many factors that can contribute to stock movement. To learn more about these quarterly reports and how they affect your investments, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions. Show Highlights: How earning season works and impacts individual stocks Companies that will publicly release data Why Wallstreet watches these companies closely year-round How quarter estimates are put into practice How institutional investors drive stock price movements What it means when a stock fluctuation meets or doesn’t meet expectations How earnings reports contribute to stocks moving up or down Links: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? We Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

As a consumer, you’ve probably been solicited at least a time or two for your opinion on a product or service that you’ve purchased. Businesses like to hear the opinion of actual customers because those opinions can inform the decisions the business will make and how they can appeal to a larger audience. When it comes to investing, it’s pretty common knowledge that you don’t want to invest based on emotions. If you were asked whether men or women investors tend to be guided more by emotion, you would probably say that women are the emotional investors and men are more data-driven. And, you’d be wrong. There is lots of evidence in the marketplace that men are much more emotionally invested in their investments than women are. Today, we’re talking about your opinion of the markets and how that plays a role (or shouldn’t) in your investment strategy. Show Highlights: Your opinion of the market predictions should never guide your investing strategy. The market is non-emotional and non-personal, don’t try to make it otherwise. You don’t get emotional about buying fruit, so don’t get emotional about buying stocks. Don’t wrap emotion in logic in order to make investment decisions. Your opinion will never affect market movement. You can avoid many common investment mistakes by not letting your opinion guide you. Resources: Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show?   Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? We Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

It’s easy to trick ourselves into thinking “it’s different this time”, but more often than not, that isn’t the case. When it comes to the stock market, cycles tend to repeat themselves and the research that’s been proven over the years is still relevant to todays market. In this episode, Kate Stalter talks why “it’s different” is a misleading mindset that will result in negative repercussions. To learn more about how to avoid this trend and to stop making decisions out of emotional biases tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions. Show Highlights: Behavior finance and cognitive biases that lead to bad decisions How recency bias misleads us Why we shouldn’t be too optimistic Markets being driven by human components Rebounds that occur after negative events Reflecting on history to avoid falling into a trap Links: Episode 13: The Behavioral Investor With Daniel Crosby US News & World Report: 7 Behavioral Biases That May Hurt Your Investments Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show? Can Help Better Money Decisions For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email We Can Help Better Money Decisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 We Can Help Better Money Decisions Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook: Better Money Decisions Twitter: ​Financial Better Instagram: ​Better Financial Decisions LinkedIn: Better Money Decisions

It’s common to hear words like “stocks”, “assets”, or “index funds” thrown around when it comes to finances, but what do those words really mean? When it comes to your investments, it’s important to know what the importance of every decision truly has. While you may have heard that index funds are a good investment, do you know why? Today Kate Stalter dissects these buzzwords to help you better understand the impact and purpose they have. To learn more about broad market returns in the form of index funds and how to simplify your finances, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions. Show Highlights: Understanding basic investment terminology What an Index Fund is Fund fact sheets and where to find them The Renaissance IPO exchange-traded fund Basic index funds and what that means Examples of major and widely used index funds What would happen if every investor stopped chasing performance Exploiting mispricing Links: Episode 18: Indexes and Exchange Traded Funds with Daniel Prince US News & World Report: Should You Really Invest In That Hot IPO? Fact Sheet for SPY ETF Fact Sheet for IPO ETF Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show?   For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email: WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program Register for upcoming webinars Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here Kate’s Forbes articles Kate’s US News & World Report articles Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

When it comes to stocks, chances are that no matter how credible the source is, they still don’t have the answer. It’s easy to become fixated on the idea of certainty and security, but the truth is that no one person can really predict the outcome. In todays’ episode, Kate Stalter talks about putting aside desire for certainty, the common misconceptions people have about stocks and how to shift that mindset. To learn more about avoiding bad market prediction and how to determine what works best for your personal portfolio, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.    Show Highlights:    The common obsession with market prediction and certainty  The loss and gains sensation  What determines stock prices  Commonalities between credible people giving bad predictions Correlations between the economy and the stock market  How to avoid guessing what might cause buyers and sellers to act    Links:    The Dangers of Listening to Financial Pundits  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dangers-listening-financial-pundits-130000552.html  Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show?  WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com  For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email  WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here:  www.betterfinancialdecisions.com  Kate’s Forbes articles:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/katestalter/#799df653349f  Kate’s US News & World Report articles:  https://www.usnews.com/topics/author/kate_stalter  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

We’ve all heard of, and probably occasionally use Uber for quick and easy transportation. But have you ever heard of Lyft? Lyft is a ride sharing company, like Uber, but smaller and less known. Recently, Lyft’s stocks became available to the general public for investments and trading, but just because you can, does that mean you should? Today Kate Stalter explains why trend investments aren’t always a good idea, along with why smaller companies are sometimes more promising. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions to learn why well-known companies, despite gaining popularity, aren’t always the safest or most profitable investment.  Show Highlights:  Why companies go public with shares  How investors are rewarded from small companies going public  Why popular companies aren’t always a good investment  What makes picking IPO's risky  Reasons why you shouldn’t jump into trading because it goes public The reality of stocks when companies settle back into real sales and earnings expectations  Better ways to get your retirement plan aligned with your goals      Links:  Got investing questions you’d like me to answer on the show?  WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com  For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email  WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here:  www.betterfinancialdecisions.com  Kate’s Forbes articles:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/katestalter/#799df653349f  Kate’s US News & World Report articles:  https://www.usnews.com/topics/author/kate_stalter  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/

Education is a great and powerful thing, but some things require more than reading a few articles. Naturally we turn to professionals when we’re in legal and medical crises, so why don’t we do the same with our finances? Today Kate Stalter talks why seeking professional guidance is the best thing to do for your personal and complex financial situation. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions to learn how you can take action and execute a program that works for you.    Show Highlights:    When you should educate yourself vs. when you should consult a professional  What education consists of  Why it’s important to have your finances calculated for your particular case  Using education to avoid taking action  Combining education with taking action  Why mass market education isn’t beneficial for your finances  Showing up and following a personal program to see results  Incorporating full-transparency and executing a personal plan      Links:  For Your Free Report, “5 Serious Mistakes You Can Avoid in Retirement”: Email  WeCanHelp@BetterMoneyDecisions.com  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here:  www.betterfinancialdecisions.com  Kate’s Forbes articles:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/katestalter/#799df653349f  Kate’s US News & World Report articles:  https://www.usnews.com/topics/author/kate_stalter  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

Many Americans are unaware of the steps they need to take to be well-prepared for their retirement. Not only are they neglecting planning, but the average American doesn’t even start saving until after 55. Today Kate Stalter talks about the predicted retirement crisis that this upcoming generation is going to face and the factors to consider that people may not have had to worry about in the past. To learn how you can avoid these major roadblocks, leave the legacy you want with your money, and insure you can cover long term expenses, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with Kate Stalter.    Show Highlights:    The predicted retirement crisis  Why we have to plan better for retirement than people have in the past  Factors we should consider when planning  The biggest retirement roadblocks  The issue with not being knowledgeable about the stocks you own  Making sure your investments match your risk tolerance  Neglecting a retirement income plan      Links:    Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here:  www.betterfinancialdecisions.com  Kate’s Forbes articles:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/katestalter/#799df653349f  Kate’s US News & World Report articles:  https://www.usnews.com/topics/author/kate_stalter  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

What’s best for you long-term doesn’t always feel good in the present, but those who put in the time and hard work will thank themselves in the future. Today Kate Stalter shares why you should look at the long-term horizon and how to build the endurance necessary to deal with the inevitable ups and downs in the market. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with Kate Stalter to learn more on why you should invest in yourself, your family, and your future.  Show Highlights:  The issue with saving vs. investing  The power of compounding  The role risk and returns play in investing  Looking at the long-term horizon  Factors that determine risk tolerance  Dealing with inevitable downturns in the market Why it’s never too late to invest  Taking steps to achieve the future you want  Enduring pain now to experience joy later  Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Want our library of financial education topics? It’s all right here:  www.betterfinancialdecisions.com  Kate’s Forbes articles:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/katestalter/#799df653349f  Kate’s US News & World Report articles:  https://www.usnews.com/topics/author/kate_stalter  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

Many people go all in on companies that seem to have promising growth, but what happens when they make a mistake? Believe it or not, this is more common than you’d think. Today, Kate Stalter talks the risks of investing in single stocks and why you should be cautious of only investing in specific companies. For more on how to avoid risky investments and secure smooth returns, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.      Show Highlights:    The issues Boeing is facing  The effects the Ethiopian Air crash had on stocks  Why current issues are relevant to your investments  The risk of investing in biotech  How to smooth out your returns  The risk of single stocks      Links:    Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

No matter how much you have in the bank, you can’t afford to not save for retirement. There are many factors to consider when planning for retirement and it’s important to make sure you’re prepared before it’s too late. Today Kate Stalter shares the most widespread reason people can’t afford to retire and how to avoid it. If you want to live your best life in retirement, live comfortably and securely, and give your finances a fighting chance tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.    Show Highlights:    Why many people can’t retire comfortably  Using the blame factor to avoid responsibility  Protecting and using your hard-earned money the way you want  Most common and reliable solutions to have more funds for retirement  Why a large sum of money doesn’t ensure you’ll be okay  Elements of retirement money that go beyond investing      Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

No one can consistently pick stocks that’ll result in the highest returns, but you can learn how to make the market work for you. Most people tend to think their finances are completely out of their control, although there are many techniques you can implement to mitigate risk and generate more income. Today, Kate Stalter shares insight on how you can take control of your finances and what strategies to use in order to drive higher returns. To hear more on how you can reach your financial goals and set yourself up for the retirement of your dreams, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.    Show Highlights:    Aspects of investing that you can control for a successful outcome  Calculating your time horizon and risk tolerance to achieve your goals  Structuring your portfolio around dimensions of return  What drives returns  How to get the science to work for you  Diversifying broadly and reducing expenses  Buying and selling different elements within a fund  Formulating a withdraw strategy  Understanding how to respond to financial surprises      Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

We all tend to believe the flashing headlines on our television screens, but when it comes to the market they’re almost always wrong. No one has the ability to time the market, not even journalists, but how do we avoid buying into the screaming propaganda? Today Kate Stalter shares how to avoid buying into our own biases, how to ignore the top headlines, and the most refutable sources for better investing. Tune into this episode of Better Money decisions if you want to learn how you can become a better investor.    Show Highlights:    News highlights that impact todays market  Why you shouldn’t trade based on news  The motive behind news channel headlines  Avoiding buying into confirmation bias  The worst thing you can do during a market downturn  How mistakes can devastate retirement  Why you shouldn’t use media as a tool for investing      Links:    “7 Behavioral Biases That May Hurt Your Investments” by Kate Stalter, US News & World Report  https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/mutual-funds/articles/2015/05/26/7-behavioral-biases-that-may-hurt-your-investments  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions

Many people don’t realize how blinding emotions can be, especially when it comes to the stock market. It’s easy to let temporary feelings and market fluctuations dictate long-term goals.    Today Kate Stalter talks about why we should put those emotional attachments aside and look at the stock market from a logical standpoint. Not only does she share how to navigate every aspect of your financial life, but this episode also covers how to avoid the emotional downturns that accompany it. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions to learn how to manage your emotions to live your best financial life.    Show Highlights:    Navigating all the qualitative aspects of financial life Basing investments on emotions instead of science  Why keeping with cash diminishes your spending power  Creating a life you value  How to avoid emotional traps heading into retirement  The importance of having a vision  Developing a philosophy about the market  Anticipating losses when investing  Riding through low points in the market  Removing personal feelings from investments  How to be sure you’ll achieve your goals and avoid emotional downfalls    Links:    Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

It’s easy to get distracted by empty promises and stock brokers claiming they know “the next big thing”, but if it were that easy we’d all be millionaires. Learning how to decipher the difference between bad products and investments is necessary to help you avoid market timing. It’s vital to start tuning out these uneducated marketers now and to start making more logical investments. To learn more about how you can invest tactically, avoid market timing and being sold poor products, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with your host, Kate Stalter.  Show Highlights:  Why you shouldn’t listen to stock brokers  How people justify emotional investing  Embracing the logistics of investing  Avoiding using investing as entertainment  How to stop wasting your time, energy and money trying to outguess the market  The best way to capture market returns    Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

There will always be outside sources that claim to know the next best thing when it comes to investing, but the best thing you can do is ignore them. No one knows what you need to reach your goals better than you do. In todays’ episode, Kate Stalter talks diversification and how to build a portfolio that correlates with the life you want. To learn more about how to take educated risks, avoid common mistakes and create a multi-faceted portfolio, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.  Show Highlights:  How the media botches portfolio construction  How diversification can improve your return  Owning international and global stocks  The most common mistakes investors make  How broad diversification came about  The risk you need to take to generate return  What qualifies as a diversified portfolio  Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/

Perhaps you’re one of the many people who don’t understand why bonds are necessary for your portfolio. Stocks on their own seem to be enough, but what many people don’t know is that bonds are much less volatile than stocks.  In fact, having a more diversified portfolio will increase the stability of your stocks in the future.  In today’s episode, Kate Stalter shares tips on how to help you identify which bonds are the most financially beneficial and why you should invest. If you want to retire in a position where you can have fun, give back to others, and enjoy the family and life you’ve built, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions to enhance your probability of accomplishing those goals.  Show Highlights:  Why you need bonds  What happens when interest rates go up and you own bonds with lower rates  Primary reasons why long-term bonds are subject to greater interest rate risks than short-term bonds  Why you want to tilt towards a shorter-term bond  How debt effects bonds  How to identify junk and high yield funds    Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

Unlike cooking and doing the laundry, investing isn’t necessarily something instilled in us through life. Despite this, people tend to be embarrassed by not knowing how to invest, which causes them to continue to dabble in the stock market without ever reaching out to a professional. In today’s episode, Kate Stalter explains why “Do It Yourself” investing isn’t the best strategy and the importance of consulting a professional. If you want to learn how to invest in stocks that’ll drive high returns and avoid the most common investing mistakes tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.    Show Highlights:    Why talking about becoming a better investor is important  Mistakes “Do it Yourself” Investors are prone to  Why investing based on political opinions is detrimental  How to know which investments are most likely to drive returns Differences in expected returns  Creating a financial plan and structuring investments  What drives returns’ in the stock market  Why sitting with cash isn’t a smart strategy Having exposure towards small cap stocks  Investing in stocks over seas  Determining value stocks  Why value is so important  Investing in companies with high profitability to see higher returns  Adding profitability to your other screens      Links:    Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

It’s easy to let news programs and propaganda dictate our investment decisions, but these aren’t necessarily the most reliable sources. More often than not, current news is the most refutable source for investment decisions. In today's’ episode, Kate Stalter shares why you should stop trying to use current events to play the market and simply let the market work for you. Frankly, it’s that simple to avoid silly mistakes and set yourself up for complete financial wellness. If you’re interested in how you can do better in your investments and improve your returns, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions.  Show Highlights:  Letting the market work for you  Identifying your reason to invest  Not letting short term news events dictate investments  Improving your returns by diversifying internationally  Aiming for broad market returns  Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decision

Most people tend to think that past performance is a good indicator for future trajectory, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. When it comes to stocks, bonds, and other financial investments, there’s no telling what that market will look like in the future. This is why you should resist chasing past performance and rely on a diversified portfolio. In todays’ episode of Better Money Decisions, Kate Stalter shares more efficient ways to choose investments, why you shouldn’t depend on past winners, and avoiding riding out momentum. Tune in to learn more about how you can expand the variety of your portfolio and become a successful investor.    Show Highlights:    How to choose your investments  The effects of momentum on stocks  Why you shouldn’t chase past winners  Acknowledging diversification and avoiding clickbait  Being patient and focusing on the future      Links:    Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

Despite common belief, short-term investing isn’t the most profitable method. While it’s tempting to play the market “safe” and to undertake the risk of trying to outguess the market, it’s unlikely anyone can successfully do so. There are many other methods in which you will see higher returns long-term, and Kate Stalter shares them in this episode. If you want to become a better investor, live the life you deserve after retirement, and receive the returns you deserve, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with your host, Kate Stalter,      Show Highlights:    Why attempting to outguess the market isn’t rational  Throwing short term thinking out the window  Why picking cash isn’t the best method for investing  Calculating returns and comparing mutual funds  Taking advantage of public information  Having higher risk exposure and settling for a lower return  Getting the return you need to live the life you want after retirement      Links:  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

In order to see returns on your investments, you have to learn how to play the market smart. In todays’ episode, Kate Stalter talks about how you can become a better and more tactful investor. She covers topics such as how supply and demand dictate equilibrium, expanding your portfolio, and remaining disciplined through market downturns, all based on research by Dimensional fund advisors. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions for more tips on how you can become a better and smarter investor.      Show Highlights:    Embracing market pricing  Prices adjusting according to previous buyers  How new information dictates the equilibrium price point  Accepting market prices and understanding returns  Building a well-diversified portfolio around drivers of returns  Remaining disciplined through declines in the market      Links:    Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/  Jim Parker PDF: “A Question of Equilibrium.” - https://betterfinancialdecisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/AQuestionofEquilibrium.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1Vd8XYmBCcqQKl3z-0wNv1Ksj_4Jsa8l9oVd7b4Y2EZeOHi_6lr3dDXZA

There are many factors that make up a good investor. Learning how to work the market without making hasty assumptions, attempting to outguess the market, and managing your emotions can take years, but it doesn’t have to.    In this episode, Kate Stalter introduces helpful strategies that will be further discussed on upcoming episodes. We’ll discuss important resources, such as credible sources for market statistics, how to eradicate emotions from investment decisions, and how to hold the right mix of assets. To learn more about how you can pursue a better investment experience, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with financial expert, Kate Stalter.        Show Highlights:    Why chaos in the market shouldn’t deter investors  Avoiding trying to outguess the market  Resisting chasing past performance  Not giving in to emotions to experience returns  Stocks vs. Bonds  How small companies outperform larger corporations  Keeping bonds short term and high-credit quality  Smart diversification  Staying updated with market-timing  Managing your emotions  Not listening to the media to make your investments  Managing personal expenses  Staying disciplined throughout market dips and swings      Links:    Video: The value of a dollar over time    Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program    Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review: BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700 WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/

As a woman it is equally as important to be well informed on your finances and to have a well-devised retirement plan set in place. There are many obstacles women are forced to overcome that men do not have to encounter. In this episode, Kate Stalter talks about how to plan according to these challenges, how to harness your spending power, and why women shouldn’t be reluctant to invest in stocks. To learn more about how you can prepare for your financial future and stay ahead of the financial market, join your host in this episode of Better Money Decisions.      Show Highlights:      The financial gap between men and women  Common stock market investment differences between men and women  Why men are more vulnerable to impulsive behavior Why women have lower risk tolerance  Staying ahead of inflation  How work years impact women’s savings for retirement  Why women should become more involved in monitoring retirement savings  How to know if you’re working with an advisor who is making investments that are right for you  The importance of making sure you’re financially stable before you take care of anyone else  What you should do if you feel like your advisor isn’t right for you  Identifying tax efficient strategies to talk to your financial planner about        Links:      7 Behavioral Biases That May Hurt Your Investments  https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/mutual-funds/articles/2015/05/26/7-behavio ral-biases-that-may-hurt-your-investments  Boys Will Be Boys: Gender, Overconfidence, And Common Stock Investment  https://faculty.haas.berkeley.edu/odean/papers/gender/boyswillbeboys.pdf  Our proprietary Financial Wellness For Life program  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/  Register for upcoming webinars and get your no-obligation portfolio review:  BetterMoneyDecisions.com/webinar  Contact Better Money Decisions:  (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

The market is constantly changing and adjusting to fit current economic circumstances in the US and internationally. While you could be discouraged by this fluctuation, you can also use it to your advantage.  In this episode, Kate Stalter talks about global market developments, expanding your portfolio to international investments, and why market declines aren’t necessarily a bad thing. To learn more about discerning the market and how to build a portfolio that will help you reach your financial goals tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions, with your host, Kate Stalter.  Show Highlights:  Global market developments  What is causing the growth decline in China  How international economic decline dictates the market  The effects of tariffs imposed  Having exposure to markets outside of the US  Why fluctuation in the market shouldn’t deter you  Factors to consider in international investments  Why timing the market isn’t reliable  The importance of rebalancing your portfolio regularly    Links:  Better Money Decisions Website Forbes article on China MSCI emerging markets index  Contact Better Money Decisions: (844) 507-0961 Extension 700  WeCanHelp@bettermoneydecisions.com  Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram  LinkedIn  

Rumor has it that January is the most important month to dictate the course of the annual market. According to credible sources, such as the Stock Traders’ Almanac, these allegations seem to continuously prove to be true. Although, what’s even more important is how you choose to invest your money throughout the rest of the year. If you’re leery about bonds or simply aren’t sure whether or not they should be included in your portfolio, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with Kate Stalter to see how you can beneficially integrate bonds into your portfolio.  Show Highlights:  Tracking January’s performance to indicate the annual market  Bonds of fixed income variety  Dampening the volatility of stocks  Finding solutions to bond declines  Avoiding “junk bonds” Utilizing the exposure that bonds offers  Balancing equity risks  Shortening bond durations  Links:  www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/ https://www.stocktradersalmanac.com/  Visit us on social media: Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/

As many of you may already be aware, the founder and chief executor of the Vanguard group, Jack Bogel, has recently passed. What you may not be aware of is the significance behind his work and the investing methods in which he is known for proving to be effective.    This episode of Better Money Decisions explores the pioneering of index funds, why actively managed markets are not always stable, and the importance of acknowledging that there is no fool-proof method to investing. To learn more about index funds and how to manage your investments join your host, Kate Stalter, in this weeks’ episode of Better Money Decisions.      Show Highlights:   The purpose of an index fund  Why Jack Bogel invented the index fund  Why actively managed funds underperform  Why Jack emphasized investing in a broader market  Recognizing that systems are not fool-proof     Links:    www.https://bettermoneydecisions.com/financial-wellness-for-life/   

Many people think you have to be a multimillionaire or have diamonds in the bank to give charitably but that just isn’t the case. Arlene Cogen is a philanthropist, the author of the Amazon bestselling book, Give to Live, and is passionate about improving human welfare. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can give more generously or simply want to get started in philanthropy, this is a great introductory and informative episode. Join your host, Kate Stalter, in exploring charitable giving and eliminating any preconceived beliefs that limit you from supporting charities you believe in   Show Highlights: Moving from a career from Wall-street to a more traditional career  Finding a career that brings fulfillment  Consulting a career coach and networking  The disconnect between platforms and the gap in communication  Who should be considering philanthropic giving  Improving human welfare  Tactics to set up a significant charitable gift  Limiting objections to making donations  Determining the key thing that is restricting you from giving  What multi-generational giving means  The inspiration behind writing “Give to Live”  How to get started in giving and identifying core values Creating donor designated funds  Tracking and monitoring your giving    Links:  Arlene’s Website Give to Live: Make A Charitable Gift You Never Imagined Visit us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/

If you want to ensure that your finances are secure and in place to be ahead in 2019, this interview with Christine Benz can assist you with just that. Christine is the Director of Personal Finance for Morningstar and is the author of several personal finance books. She knows how to tactfully manage taxes and how to get your portfolio out of aggressive and detrimental positions. If you want to start off this next year with a well-organized portfolio by making educated tax-deductible decisions, listen in on this episode of Better Money Decisions with your host and financial advisor, Kate Stalter.      Show Highlights:    Things people need to do to wrap up 2018 and jumpstart 2019  Ways to improve your portfolio  Properly managing IRA accounts  Strategies for tax law holdings and gains  Working with wash sale rules  Why capital gains distributions within mutual funds can be a tax trap  Meeting redemptions from departing sale holders  Step up in cost basis to account for tax distributions  How inheriting money is beneficial in litigating taxes  Charitable giving and itemizing  Qualified charitable distribution strategies  Clustering procedures and donor advised funds  The importance of evaluating your portfolio and sourcing portfolio withdrawals  Strategizing withdrawals to minimize taxes  Taking advantage of temporarily low tax brackets  When to take social security      Resources:    Christine’s article on Morningstar.com:  https://www.morningstar.com/articles/891899/retirees-yearend-taxplanning-guide.html  The Bodacious Benefits of A Donor Advised fund, by Lorraine Ell:  https://www.kiplinger.com/article/taxes/T054-C032-S014-the-bodacious-benefits-of-a-donor-advi sed-fund.html  Visit us on social media: Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/  LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

For some reason, we prioritize our health, our home, our family, and often exclude one of the most important factors, our finances. Handling our money properly is crucial to being able to live the life we want, but it isn’t a task we should take on our own.  In this interview, Nick Stuller, author of “The Truth Shall Set Your Wallet Free”, explains the vitality of having a trustworthy financial advisor and how to identify red flags. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with Kate Stalter to learn more about how to manage the market and your money strategically.  Show Highlights:  Recognizing how few people actually understand financial advisors.  The necessity for financial help.  The general public and investors being misinformed.  Different types of investor facing advisors.  The importance of outside objective input Becoming educated in your finances and seeking an advisor. How the market affects clientele  How to determine between a bad and professional advisor  Questions to identify red flags  Links:  The Truth Shall Set Your Wallet Free Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Kate's Contact: 844-507-0961

The stock market can be wildly unpredictable but understanding patterns and algorithms can help any investor make better financial decisions. It can also be beneficial when understanding when it is better to invest or trade, when to make a move in your portfolio, and the best strategies to implement. Anne-Marie Baiynd, Chief technical strategist and CEO at thetradingbook.com, and author of The Trading Book, is known as the worlds’ most successful trader and has professional insight on todays’ market. If you’re interested in learning how to strategize trading, tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with Kate Stalter.  Show Highlights:  What long term investors can learn from trading  The patience that comes with looking forward  How to be more strategic  The importance of simplicity  Price and volume action  Balancing why and evaluating patterns  Broadening perspective  How to discern between short-term and long-term market movements  Comparing and contrasting past market crashes to now  Foreign loans and debt  Collateralized debt  Why a current defensive posture is necessary  Managing emotions around downturns  Creating a trading journal Evaluating and engaging with our why’s  Resources:  The Trading Book: https://thetradingbook.com/TTB/  Visit us on social media: Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/FinancialBetter Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/betterfinancialdecisions/ LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-money-decisions/ 

As medicine and society has advanced, life expectancy has increased. This only makes the importance of preparing for the future that much more vital. In this episode of Better Money Decisions, strategies for long term investing, preparing for a market downturn, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and how to achieve happiness is discussed. If you’re striving to achieve a happy, healthy, and successful lifestyle then todays guests, Dr. Marissa Pei and the Dividend Sensei, have plenty of credible tips to help you accomplish that goal. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with your host, Kate Stalter, to learn how you can generate a plan for your financial and future success.        Show Highlights:    Recognizing the complexity of the global economy  Confirmation bias  Following courses of asset class investment  Causes of financial crises and liquidity  Why 88% is the most achievable number for happiness  Tuning out negativity  Media being used as a weapon  The choice factor  How to ensure a happy and healthy retirement  Maximizing creativity  The benefits of forgiveness  How to change your mindset Morning routine that’ll redirect the outcome of your day  The damage complaining causes    Resources:  Dividend Sensei on Seeking Alpha  www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions  audibletrial.com/bettermoneydecisions  Dr Marissa Pei  bettermoneydecisions.com or (844)-507-0961  

We're really happy to have Larry Israel, the president and founder of Exchange Analytics, with us today. On the show today, Larry talks about futures markets. He discusses the reason for futures markets to exist, and how they help to mitigate price risk. He also explains how he got into the business world, and how he found his very specific niche with the futures industry. Listen in today to hear what Larry has to share. Exchange Analytics is a leading supplier of interactive online compliance training courses to the futures, derivatives, and securities industry. They are the largest supplier of ethics training courses that satisfy the requirements of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association. Listen in to find out more. Show Highlights: The reason for futures markets to exist. A classic example of protecting a company against price risk. How futures markets can help mitigate price risk. Most people don't really understand what commodities, futures, and derivatives are.  Larry explains what he does and what his company does. The derivatives market has exploded since Larry started his career. Larry explains what a derivative is and what futures and options are. Ensuring that there's integrity in the marketplace. The historic significance of the futures industry, and how it has been an integral part of the whole financial system. Why Chicago has become the center for commodities trade for futures and options. How the markets have become more regulated over time. What an individual investor needs to know about commodities and futures. The difference between speculation and gambling. Links and Resources: Larry's website:  https://exchangeanalytics.com/ To begin your Audible trial membership go to http://www.audibletrial.com/bettermoneydecisions.com Audible's book about behind the scenes of the futures and derivatives industry: Zero Sum Gain. The Rise of The World's Largest Derivatives Exchange by Erica S. Olsen  

Will Rhind joins Kate on the show today to have a candid conversation about commodities. Will is Founder and CEO of GraniteShares, an ETF company. GraniteShares from an idea to a successful start-up garnering the attention of Bain Capital and other well-known ETF investors who support his passion to create products that will change the way people see investing. Will is a graduate of the University of Bath, in England, with a Bachelor of Arts in French, Russian, Politics and Economics. He has spent 17 years in the ETF industry, which began with iShares. He then transitioned to ETF Securities, and lastly, became the CEO of GLD before founding GraniteShares. Will has worked with both European and US ETF Markets, has a wealth of experience under his belt, and is an entrepreneur working hard to disrupt the financial industry with a start-up that’s gaining success. Listen to today’s episode to find out more! Show Highlights:  Will discusses how GraniteShares focuses on commodities and high income passthrough securities. Will defines commodities as the most economically significant and most traded commodities in the world. Ie. energy market, agriculture market, metals market and food market. Will further tells us that this works by not investing in commodity companies, but in commodities themselves. Will says these can pair nicely complement to a portfolio. Both COMB and COMG funds pull from a different pool of assets than those of stocks or bonds. The COMB and COMG funds seek to do the same thing, which is to provide commodity exposure at a low cost and tax efficient manner to investors. Will says the main difference between the two funds is that the COMB is a more diversified fund and the COMG has more exposure to oil and energy. To break it down further,  Will says the investment will be 80% in Treasury Bonds,  and the shares/holdings are held in a subsidiary company, which eliminates the K1 at tax time. Will explains the cap of exposure you can get with the COMB fund. Will addressee why, at times, exchange traded funds underform. Will explains how his company fits into various portfolios based on diversification. Longer-term plans vs. shorter-term investing is explained by Will. Will explains how approachable his company is, and encourages investors to reach out to anyone on his team. Resources:  www.graniteshares.com www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions audibletrial.com/bettermoneydecisions

More often than not, we want to go with whatever investment plan is the newest rage just because it’s a hot topic. What people don’t realize is that just because a strategy is hot right now, doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you. Exchange traded funds are popular right now because of their convenience, and while it doesn’t mean it’s the right strategy for you, it’s good to familiarize yourself with different investment techniques. In this episode, Kevin Quigg, the Chief Strategist at Exponential ETF’s and host of Exponential ETF’s Podcast, talks about a unique system developed at his firm and how it fits in a strategy with your general investments. Today, our focus is on the American Customer Satisfaction Investable Fund, which is an EFT. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with Kate Stalter to enhance your investment knowledge.  Show Highlights:  The core of the investment thesis  The relationship between customer satisfaction and security performance  Creating an index  How a portfolio turnover happens  Utilizing data  Satisfaction in action  Sector weightings  Consumer discretionary market place and market share  How investors should view the potential performance of specialty ETF’s  Risk and return rates  How to balance funds  Getting exposure or complimenting your company  Large cap domestic growth  Utilizing different processes  Enhancing customer experience  Adapting to provided services  Creating data that makes informed decisions  Hedge funds    Resources:  https://exponentialetfs.com/  www.facebook.com/bettermoneydecisions  audibletrial.com/bettermoneydecisions 

If you’re tired of the same old financial tips like “stop buying lattes” then you have come to the right place. This is financial advice for grownups who have serious financial questions as you approach retirement and your next chapter in life. You’ve already worked hard and saved money now it’s time for the real financial challenges. Your host today, a top investment columnist for Forbes and US news & World Report, as well as a licensed investment advisor and president of nationally known asset management and financial planning firm “Better Money Decisions” Kate Salter.   Kate talks with Bob Lang on the show, he launched Explosive Options. We hear about his book on options, and some great information how you can use Options to protect you.    Show Highlights: Financial wellness and some cold brutal truths Paying a planner by the hour and why it is not good Resources you need to retire Options and Bob Lang’s book Buying a call and what it means with examples Buying puts and what it means with examples What people need to know about options Controlling emotions Volatility implied and Realized and what they are What Bob’s take is on all the media and TV talking heads Some success stories Bob has found significant  Explosive Options and what they offer  What type of environment Explosive Options is Resources: Better Money Decisions Show on Facebook Explosive Options AudioBooks Free Trial

One of the things that financial writers, and financial advisors talk a lot about is indexes. Dow Jones, S&P 500, NASDAQ. Some people don’t know exactly what an index is. Today we talk with Daniel Prince, the head of iShares product consulting at Black Rock. iShares operates a number of funds based on indexes. Daniel will explain exactly what these things are. Daniel will also discuss what Exchange Traded funds (ETF’s) and how you can use them as part of your asset allocation. ETF’s are often based on indexes and help track them. Stocks and bonds, mutual funds, ETF’s, are just vehicles to help you invest, to help you achieve what you want in life.   Show Highlights: What is the very basic definition of Index Brief example using S&P 500 to illustrate the points of index Indexes were first formed to help measure yourself against the market Some indexes are accepted more as standards Some indexes are just something someone designed to sell a product Not all indexes are created equal Every index can look differently Number one benefit is to do your research, and understand what the different indexes are Can it be risky that there are so many choices out there with indexes? Broad definition of Exchange Traded Fund Most ETF’s today, not all, are tracking an index Building an Asset allocation, trying to put your dollars to work Broad market exposure helping build your portfolio Resources: Better Money Decisions Show on Facebook www.ishares.com

You often hear people talking about a particular investment thesis. A few popular ones would be water, Bio-tech, Cannabis. Logic and investing are not as closely related as you may think. Any thesis is not right one hundred percent of the time. Different sectors may move in and out of leadership, which is normal. You should be knowledgeable about the investing universe so you can make informed decisions and choose the right for your risk tolerance, your time horizon, and your own unique financial objectives. Along these lines today we hear from Bill Studebaker president and chief investment officer of Robo Global. Robo Global runs the robotics and automation index ETF. Bill will explain exactly what all that means and his approach on investing in companies that are at the forefront of using robotics and artificial intelligence, rather than trying to segment out to companies that only specialize in that space.   Show Highlights: Background on Robo Global Robotics and automation index How personally Studebaker became interested in it Brief History of Robo Global FANG Stocks (Big consumer techs): Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google The fear of artificial intelligence and robotics Using AI and robotics helps you move forward in your business Some applications Bill is most excited about right now that are poised to make a big impact Discuss some of the other sectors/industries that are represented in this index How Bill envisions investors using Robo Global How Robo Global finds companies that they feel have a technological mode to run the business Robo Global’s target market How Studebaker suggest investors use this fund Robo Global is planning on launching new products How listeners can learn more about Robo Global Resources: Better Money Decisions Show on Facebook Robo Global Website

We all like clean cut predictions but unfortunately stocks aren’t like the weather. It is impossible to know exactly when or how the market will fluctuate, which is why it is important to always be prepared. If you’re looking for the best solutions to manage and prepare your stocks for future market corrections, Kate Stalter is here to teach you how. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions for the best advice on how you can avoid major risks with your stock investments.    Show Highlights: Normal market correction  Making predictions for the market correction  Stock fluctuation  Buying in large  Runaway inflation  Uncertainty and risk  Determining retirement money  Being conscious of who you’re taking investment advice from  Preplanning investments  Looking at your current spending  Taking on market risk  Avoidable risks  Resources: Join the Better Money Decisions Facebook Group

The first step to money success is to build a good relationship with money, yet many of us are unaware of how to do that. Learning how to change your money mindset and limiting beliefs on money is the first step to financial freedom.  Barbara Huson is a money coach and financial expert with a plethora of tips on how to use money to live life on your own terms. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with your host, Kate Stalter, to learn how to use your money to achieve your goals and live with the financial freedom you deserve.  Show Highlights: How love encourages self-acceptance  Being smart with money  The process of working with finances  Dealing with money beliefs  Having confidence to make smart money decisions  Fearing the consequences of intelligence  Collective learning about money  Openly talking about money  The wealth connection Creating a safe place to talk about emotions behind money  Finding individual values  Why it is important to create wealth  Living life unapologetically  Finding emotional healing  Participating in financial decisions  Steps to follow for financial success    Resources: Barbara's Website Join the Better Money Decisions Facebook Group

At some point we’d all like to retire but what that looks like is different for all of us. No one wants to have to downsize their home, lack necessities, or have to work excessive hours in order to build up savings for retirement. Building up savings requires discipline and planning, yet many are unaware of how to do that. Fritz Gilbert, this weeks’ guest, is here to teach life lessons and valuable financial tips to help you build your retirement savings. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with Kate Stalter to learn how you can start compound investing and building your net worth.    Show Highlights:   Retiring early  Being unprepared for retirement  Techniques to prepare for retirement  Advantages to saving later in life  Making difficult decisions  Resisting change  Reduction in lifestyle  How to begin planning for retirement early  Personal retirement stories  Lifestyle change  Finding balance  Keeping up with the Joneses  Being on the same page financially as your spouse  Recognizing the logistics of finances  Automating your savings  Being consistent  Finding true contentment  Developing a steady stream of income  Making financial decisions based on political views  Having liquidity and diversifying investments  Domestic travel  Mindset to have in retirement  Knowing how to pivot    Resources Mentioned:   Www.theretirementmanifesto.com  Twitter & Facebook: Fritz Gilbert  10 commandments of retirement article  Betty and Gordon article

It can be difficult to separate personal or political views from finances. Often times we see negative or positive things occurring in media and assume they change the trajectory of the financial market. As investors, we must learn to separate ourselves from cognitive biases when making financial decisions. Daniel Crosby is a financial advisor who wants to share the secrets to acquiring wealth and investing successfully with you. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with your host, Kate Stalter, to learn how to identify any biases hindering your investing success and how to overcome it.     Show Highlights: A deep dive in cognitive investing  People believing their time is always the most volatile  Misunderstanding the market  Biggest behavioral issues in investors  Investing according to politics  Being optimistic about human potential  Overcoming being surrounded by negativity  Understanding broad market trends  Positive effects coming from negative things  How to be informed consumers  Transitioning from psychology to finance  Developing models and how they correlate with human behaviors  Finding data that supports your approach  Behavioral components  Determining which investment philosophy is the best  How to control emotions and tune out tips in the news  Making good choices and staying in your lane  What makes women better investors than men  Overconfidence and cognitive biases    Connect with Daniel: The Behavioral Investor by Daniel Crosby Twitter: @DanielCrosby  LINKEDIN: Dr. Daniel Crosby 

The industry around cannabis is growing rapidly and making monumental advancements. Many new products and technology have been developed that will not only benefit growers of cannabis, but will make a tremendous impact agriculturally.  While the majority of this industry is still in the shadows, Debra Borchardt, the Co-founder and Editor of Green Market Report, is here to help those who are interested in cannabis stock investments. Tune into this episode of Better Money Decisions with your host, Kate Stalter to learn all aspects of cannabis investing, economics, and the opportunities for you to make stocks a part of your investment portfolio.    Show Highlights: The initial attraction to starting this business  Penny stocks  Stock promotion  Listing requirements and IRS issues  Canadian companies and US exchange  401K benefits and umbrella companies  Challenges for individual or institutional investors  Publicly traded stocks  Legality of cannabis  Advances and indoor growing  Resurgence in depressed areas  Ag-Tech being used in the future  Getting started in investing    Resources: www.greenmarketreport.com