Keep It Simple

It's easy to find ourselves making compulsive decisions under duress— and that is especially true of investors. Adam Morse talks candidly on how to keep a steady footing during market volatility and how to wrangle our emotions to keep our investment strategy on track.  Have a suggestion for an episode topic?  Email us at podcast@assetbuilder.com

Annuities are contracts issued and distributed (or sold) by financial institutions where the funds are invested with the goal of paying out a fixed income stream. But are they good for everyone? Find out on today's episode with the great Michael French and Adam Morse.    Find the show notes for every episode at assetbuilder.com/podcast Email us with episode suggestions and comments at podcast@assetbuilder.com

Cryptocurrency is one of the most highly contested subjects in modern-day finance. Should you add it to your portfolio? Find out in today's episode of Keep it Simple with Michael French and Adam Morse.    Email us with episode suggestions and corrections at podcast@assetbuilder.com Find our show notes for every episode at assetbuilder.com/podcast

What is inflation, and what influences it? What is hyperinflation? And why, as investors, should we care? Michael and Adam discuss this along with how to fortify your portfolio against changes in inflation.    Have an episode suggestion or correction? Email us at: Podcast@assetbuilder.com   Show notes: assetbuilder.com/podcast 

There are endless considerations to make when picking the right time to take social security. Is it better to delay? What happens if you take it at 62? Find out all of this and more in another knowledge-packed episode of Keep it Simple.  Have an episode suggestion or correction? Email us at: Podcast@assetbuilder.com   Show notes: assetbuilder.com/podcast 

Michael and Adam discuss and debate the quality and quantity of modern-day financial news and analysis. Is the media helping us make intelligent investment decisions— or are they just here to entertain us? Join us on another thoughtful episode of Keep it Simple.      Do you have an interesting investment topic for Adam and Michael? Send us an email at podcast@assetbuilder.com   Find the show notes for every episode at assetbuilder.com/podcast 

Michael and Adam pinpoint useful ways to reduce your tax bills during (and long before) retirement.     Email us with any corrections or episode suggestions at podcast@assetbuilder.com 

529s can be especially complicated because their rules and regulations vary from state-to-state. Michael and Adam break down 529 accounts; their parameters, benefits and drawbacks; and how they function within the state of Texas.   

Today, Kennon and Michael discuss how to "right-size" (not downsize) your living situation in order to better prepare for retirement.    Show Notes assetbuilder.com/podcast   Email us with episode suggestions at: podcast@assetbuilder.com

Show notes can be found at assetbuilder.com/podcast   Please email us with any suggestions for future episodes at podcast@assetbuilder.com

Kennon and Michael discuss four risks that could hamper your retirement in the long run.  Show notes can be found at assetbuilder.com/podcast Please email us with any suggestions for future episodes at podcast@assetbuilder.com

Michael and Adam talk about whether or not it is a good idea to cash out during moments of volatility in order to avoid potential losses.  For links to studies visit our show notes at:assetbuilder.com/podcast Email us with any tips, studies, comments or suggestions at:podcast@assetbuilder.com   

Michael and Adam discuss whether ESG portfolios are really responsible or if conscious investing is just another Wall Street gimmick. The conversation evolves into an overarching discussion on morality.    Find links to studies and articles in our show notes!   Email us with ideas and suggestions!podcast@assetbuilder.com

Michael and Adam are back to offer their personal and professional antidotes on how to handle marital money matters. Do you and your partner have an interesting take on handling the family finances? Email us at podcast@assetbuilder.com and clue us in!  Northwestern Mutual: Planning and Progress Study 2018https://news.northwesternmutual.com/planning-and-progress-2018 Show noteshttps://assetbuilder.com/podcast Email us with any suggestions or questions at: podcast@assetbuilder.com

Studies show that mental cognition tends to decline as we age in retirement. Kennon and Michael discuss some useful ways to continue to train your mind during your post-career life.  Early Retirement can Accelerate Cognitive Declinehttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191029131506.htm Show noteshttps://assetbuilder.com/podcast Email us with any suggestions or questions at: podcast@assetbuilder.com

Michael and Adam are back to discuss whether or not it’s a good idea to add innovation companies into your portfolio. They also discuss what characteristics constitute an “innovation” fund.  Ark Investhttps://ark-funds.com/  Investing in Innovation  https://www.franklintempleton.com/forms-literature/download/FDTF-BR Show noteshttps://assetbuilder.com/podcast Email us with any suggestions or questions at: podcast@assetbuilder.com

AssetBuilder's own Kennon Grose and Michael French discuss how to financially prepare your loved ones in the event of your sudden passing. Both Michael and Kennon provide key points, while offering their own personal antidotes.  Show noteshttps://assetbuilder.com/podcast Email us with any suggestions or questions at: podcast@assetbuilder.com 

From ssa.gov, “the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3% in 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced last week.” Michael and Adam discuss how that is assessed, what it means for retirees, and how to maximize social security for the future. Here’s the announcement. A Step-by-Step of How Social Security's COLA Is Calculatedhttps://www.fool.com/retirement/2019/03/09/a-step-by-step-of-how-social-securitys-cola-is-cal.aspx Here's the Average Social Security Benefit in 2021https://www.fool.com/retirement/2020/10/25/heres-the-average-social-security-benefit-in-2021/ Other References: 2018 Loss of Buying Power Study Social Security Benefits Lose 34% Of Buying Power Since 2000https://seniorsleague.org/assets/2018-Loss-of-Buying-Power-Report.pdf Consumer Price Indexhttps://www.bls.gov/cpi/questions-and-answers.htm#:~:text=The%20Consumer%20Price%20Index%20for%20Urban%20Wage%20Earners%20and%20Clerical,at%20least%20one%20of%20the Why Social Security’s annual increase doesn’t actually keep up with cost of livinghttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/making-sense/why-social-securitys-annual-increase-doesnt-actually-keep-up-with-cost-of-living Show noteshttps://assetbuilder.com/podcast Email us with any suggestions or questions at: podcast@assetbuilder.com 

Michael and Adam deconstruct the political standpoints between an an advisor and their client. How do your politics play into your investment?  Partisan Impact on Economic Expectationshttp://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/files/partisanimpact201709.pdf Why Advisors Should Keep Politics Out of Portfolioshttps://www.thinkadvisor.com/2018/04/05/keeping-politics-out-of-the-portfolio/ How To Shield Your Portfolio From Political Biashttps://www.forbes.com/sites/duncanrolph/2018/04/26/how-to-shield-your-portfolio-from-political-bias/#12be1bb57cdf Hartford Studyhttps://www.hartfordfunds.com/investor-insight/investor-behavior-strategies/2020-election-survey.html Podcast Show notesAssetBuilder.com/podcast Contact Us! Podcast@assetbuilder.com   

In light of the current US presidential election, many investors wonder how the stock market will react to whoever wins the presidency. Michael and Adam look back in time to see how the market has reacted to past elections and they breakdown who and what also affects the market.  Interactive Graph depicting the market during each presidency, starting with Hoover. https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/insights/how-much-impact-does-the-president-have-on-stocks Why Stocks Don’t Care Who The President Ishttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center/articles/why-stocks-dont-care-who-the-president-is Show Notes https://assetbuilder.com/podcast  

The NASDAQ toppled down earlier in September worrying some investors that we may be headed for a tech crash. Michael and Adam discuss whether or not we are facing an imminent correction due to a tech bubble. Aggregation Theory    https://stratechery.com/aggregation-theory/ AssetBuilder Knowledge Center https://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center Keep it Simple Podcast Pagehttps://assetbuilder.com/podcast email us at podcast@assetbuilder.com

Michael and Adam go head-to-head to see who knows more about the intricacies of trust funds. We sure learned a lot in this one and we know you will, too.  Do you have questions or suggestions for Keep it Simple? Just email us at podcast@assetbuilder.com Taken from a How Stuff Works articlehttps://play.howstuffworks.com/quiz/trust-funds-quiz Supplemental Informationhttps://www.quicken.com/blog/trust-fund AssetBuilder Knowledge Centerhttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center Show Notes https://assetbuilder.com/podcast 

10 Frequently asked 401k Questions—AnsweredCan I use my 401K before I retire? Can I contribute to both a 401K and IRA? Michael and Adam diligently answer 10 common questions about our 401Ks. Have questions or suggestions for a new episode? Email us at podcast@assetbuilder.com. 10 Frequently Asked 401K Questions by Motley Fool https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/01/14/10-frequently-asked-401k-questions.aspx  John Bogle—The Little Book of Common Sense Investing (book)https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Common-Sense-Investing/dp/1119404509/ref=bmx_1/132-5129669-6398206?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1119404509&pd_rd_r=addd5950-6e36-4741-b5c2-a5ab415bacc2&pd_rd_w=4bqvm&pd_rd_wg=gJsFg&pf_rd_p=8cea7b83-adee-4ac8-bcfe-dcc442eb852a&pf_rd_r=D1VXHN1X3REC4TTARXC9&psc=1&refRID=D1VXHN1X3REC4TTARXC9 The Great Crash Ahead (book)https://www.amazon.com/Great-Crash-Ahead-Strategies-2012-09-11/dp/B01K3KT4DU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+great+crash+ahead&qid=1598458849&s=books&sr=1-2  Andrew Hallam—The Millionaire Teacher (Book)https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Teacher-Wealth-Should-Learned/dp/1119356296/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Andrew+Hallam&qid=1598458928&s=books&sr=1-1  The Broke Millennialhttps://www.amazon.com/Broke-Millennial-Scraping-Financial-Together/dp/0143130404/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MI10WUP5OKQ&dchild=1&keywords=the+broke+millennial&qid=1598459011&s=books&sprefix=THe+broke+mill%2Cstripbooks%2C176&sr=1-1 AssetBuilder Shownotes https://assetbuilder.com/podcast

Michael and Adam react to 4 unique investing horror stories that have happened to real people. Learn about some of the darker corners of the investment world. 

For the Kids! If you're a young teen looking to get a leg up on life—listen in! Michael and Adam breakdown how to get started in investing, because the name of the game is getting in early!  AssetBuilder Knowledge Centerhttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center Show Notes https://assetbuilder.com/podcast  

Michael and Adam discuss the importance of talking to our children about investing and finance at an early age—even offering personal antidotes about how they do so with their own children.  Money habits are set by age 7. Teach your kids the value of a dollar now.https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/making-sense/money-habits-are-set-by-age-7-teach-your-kids-the-value-of-a-dollar-now Research Statistic on Financial Windfalls and Bankruptcyhttps://www.nefe.org/press-room/news/2018/research-statistic-on-financial-windfalls-and-bankruptcy.aspx Everything You Know About the Fate of Lottery Winners Is Probably Wrong, According to Sciencehttps://time.com/5427275/lottery-winning-happiness-debunked/   Inheritance and Savinghttps://www.nber.org/papers/w12569 Financial Education Impact 2017 Surveyhttps://www.nefe.org/research/research-projects/consumer-poll/2017/financial-education-impact-2017-survey.aspx AssetBuilder Knowledge Centerhttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center 

Michael and Adam discuss the pros and cons of investing with an advisor in contrast to investing on your own. Vanguard—Assessing the value of advice. https://www.vanguard.com/pdf/assessing-value-advice.pdf AssetBuilder Knowledge Center https://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center  

Michael and Adam discuss why the market continues to rise amid global disrupt and media sensationalism. Why Stocks Go Up— Even During Crisishttps://mailchi.mp/734bf65a11b2/what-you-missed-on-assetbuildercomHow the S&P is not correlated to GDP (including chart):  https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-06-09/stock-market-has-almost-always-ignored-the-economyChart showing largest 50 day S&P Gains and what happened 6 and 12 months later:  https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stocks-biggest-50-day-rally-what-they-did-next-past-2020-6-1029282236?Why Haven’t Stocks Crashed During The Economic Freeze?https://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center/articles/why-havent-stocks-crashed-during-the-economic-freeze 

Michael and Adam discuss and define inflation, how it should be understood, and what that means for your investment.US inflation Calculator:  https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/ Are we seeing signs of deflation?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2F2Qg6m3Ic&t=649s Inflation or Deflation—what happens next? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFiJw6QoTL4&t=697s Knowledge Centerhttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center

Michael and Adam discuss the key indicators of a recovering economy and what that means for your investment. NY Times Articlehttps://messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com/template/oakv2?campaign_id=116&emc=edit_pk_20200512&instance_id=18415&nl=paul-krugman&productCode=PK®i_id=94146631&segment_id=27424&te=1&uri=nyt%3A%2F%2Fnewsletter%2F6b27f312-af62-4ac3-b058-87e81a8135a4&user_id=5feb0eea292dc4b269982e39c192c2cf Knowledge Centerhttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center

Our regular host correspondent, Michael French, chats with world-renowned author, Andrew Hallam to discuss a whole array of investment topics, including how to retire abroad.  The Millionaire Teacherhttps://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Teacher-Wealth-Should-Learned/dp/1119356296/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=millionaire+teacher&qid=1565905064&s=books&sr=1-1 Millionaire Expat: How To Build Wealth Living Overseashttps://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Expat-Wealth-Living-Overseas/dp/1119411890/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=millionaire+expat&qid=1564761510&s=books&sr=1-1 Websitehttps://andrewhallam.com/ Knowledge Centerhttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center

World renowned author, Andrew Hallam, and I discuss his fascinating life, how to invest for a bright future and why we should stay away form market media headlines. The Millionaire Teacherhttps://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Teacher-Wealth-Should-Learned/dp/1119356296/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=millionaire+teacher&qid=1565905064&s=books&sr=1-1 Millionaire Expat: How To Build Wealth Living Overseashttps://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Expat-Wealth-Living-Overseas/dp/1119411890/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=millionaire+expat&qid=1564761510&s=books&sr=1-1 Websitehttps://andrewhallam.com/ Knowledge Centerhttps://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center

The CARES act has provided an unprecedented stimulus to the US economy.  In this episode, Adam and Michael discuss the benefits in the CARES act and how those benefits may provide relief not only to individual Americans but also the impact on the overall economy. They also discuss the size of the stimulus in relation to other historic stimulus packages and explore what the potential impact may be to the economic recovery.Retirement Withdrawals During Uncertain Times https://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center/articles/retirement-withdrawals-during-uncertain-timesCARES Act overview https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares Specific info for small businesseshttps://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act Link to CARES act billhttps://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr748/BILLS-116hr748enr.pdf Short term economic effects of the cares acthttps://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2020/4/8/short-run-effects-of-the-cares-actMeet the Hostshttps://assetbuilder.com/podcast 

Michael and Adam compare our current market/economic climate with past downturns and contextualize the possible repercussions. 

Michael and Adam discuss the impact of COVID-19 thus far and what that means for you as an investor. 

In this short episode, Michael and Adam definitionally distinguish ETFs and Mutual Funds and discuss which one may be more appropriate for your investment.  

Some investors say they can predict the market. Others say they can't. Is there individual merit to each approach? Or is one objectively better than the other? Adam and Michael explain. 

The US stock market has been on a huge upswing—but an inverted yield curve back in mid-2019 has left investors wondering: is a recession on the horizon? Michael and Adam discuss. 

Whether you've contemplated annuities or maybe you're enrolled in one today, learn something new about these insurance products and what they could mean for your post-career life.

Should you continue to work in retirement? How do you make sure you rebalance correctly? How do you understand the impact of medical costs? And, when is the best time to take social security?Michael and Adam tackle 4 common missteps in retirement. Based on this article: https://www.investopedia.com/retirement/how-sabotage-your-retirement/

Millennials are saddled with more student debt than any previous generation. Will they be able to overcome that and retire at 65? RIA, Adam Morse, and CIO, Michael French dive in. 

The 4% rule has been a rule of thumb for retirees for decades—but does it actually work? 

What's the best way to handle your IRA while approaching retirement, transitioning to retirement and even during your retirement? What are the main benefits of rolling over your IRA for retirees? Should you always rollover?