Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Markets and Risk are the subjects of the conversation I am sharing. With the market cycles, you want to evaluate your portfolio and review your risk. If you have cash, it's a good time to buy into some stock or eliminate what you have if there is too much risk. Take a look at all your options to buy low and sell high. Here are a few of the topics of today's discussion: Market volatility Cash Beta Rates Equities This podcast is about moving forward with new decisions. Make sure you are taking a look at the stocks and check my website to see the ones I think will be paying good dividends. Or better yet, give me a call or send me an email with your list, and we can talk.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:59] - I have seen more volatility with the market up and down in the last few months. [03:50] - Are you holding some cash in your investment portfolio? [05:10] - Buy low and sell high is how you make money in the stock market. [08:29] - It's not criminal if your advisor gives you bad advice. [09:16] - The beta rating is the market volatility of the stock. [12:52] - Make sure you are evaluating what you're looking at now and that it is within your comfort zone. [13:42] - There's a mixed tactical investment in the financial industry. [16:24] - I know the market stinks but don't lose sleep and keep the faith. [16:44] - I would not recommend selling off all your investments. [17:26] - I share a comment about being in equities. [18:25] - Thank you and closing remarks.   ContactMark MelroseWealth ManagerUnity Wealth Management980-262-4118m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Risk is the subject of the conversation I will be sharing with you. I am going to go over the five categories of risks I define in such a way that helps you look at your portfolio and investments. It will help you figure out how much risk you are taking and under which risk category. Here are the five different risk categories I define: Credit Risk Market Risk Inflation Risk Interest Risk Currency Risk Be smart and make sure you are making decisions that you are comfortable with. Make sure you are asking yourself the right questions and also determine how much risk you're taking. Ensure you are evaluating the risks you are taking and if you have any questions, please email, or set up a consultation.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:58] - When you think about risk, people think about just credit risk. [03:49] - The two questions I want you to know are: how much risk should you take? And how much risk are you taking? [04:40] - If you are having trouble sleeping at night because of your investments, then you need to make big changes. [05:00] - The first risk factor I go over is credit risk. [06:40] - The second risk category I go into detail about is market risk. [08:23] - When it comes to market risk, it comes down to how long you can let that money invest. [10:19] - Market risk can be minimized by time because we've seen the market. [11:55] - The third risk that takes no credit or market risk is the inflation risk. [13:22] - We are currently seeing the fourth risk right now; it is interest rate risk. [14:57] - The fifth risk I discuss is the currency risk. [16:00] - These risk categories should not be treated equally. [16:56] - I go over some examples and give you some questions you should ask yourself with your investments and portfolio. [18:56] - Thank you and closing remarks.   ContactMark MelroseWealth ManagerUnity Wealth Management980-262-4118m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to be talking about what I look at and what you can look at when trying to figure out if the market is low enough and if your stocks are low enough too. Here are a few key points about today's topic: Markets Technical Analysis Tactical Thinking The best advice I can give you is that you have to work within your comfort zone. One of the advantages of using a professional to help with your investments is you don't have to worry about them getting emotionally invested and they can work within your comfort zone. Please reach out for a consultation and we can discuss what works best for you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:03] – I mention the date because last week we had a very big down market. [02:56] – Let's take a look at what I look at to find the bottom. [03:59] - I don't make decisions on buying or selling based on day-to-day activities. [06:45] - Then there are also up trends and down trends. [08:24] - It's not that simplistic to call two consecutive quarters of negative GDP defined as a recession. [09:18] – I'll give you a perfect example of a tactical basis with the market. [12:52] - Let's first figure out what we're calling the market. [14:59] - I don't overuse the past, but it gives me a feel of how investors and things work. [16:41] - The hardest part of investing for anybody is to stay unemotional when it comes to your money and your investments. [19:06] – Thank you and closing remarks   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to be going over the differences between mutual funds vs individual equities. I will be talking about which options are going to benefit you and how much money you have to invest. Here is a rundown of some of today's points: Funds Equities Fees (Money) Manager Make sure you are picking someone who can verbally dictate to you their process or be able to show you their process. Be knowledgeable and find yourself a good portfolio manager. I have a process and I would be more than happy to explain how my process works to your benefit. Please visit my website and send me an email.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:30] - Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of mutual funds to start with and things you need to consider. [05:25] - You're taking on less risk by diversifying amongst individual equities and stocks. [06:17] - You got to be careful with fees. [08:28] - Who's deciding what equities to own? What's their background and experience? [10:01] – I list some questions that you should be asking the person who will be managing your investments. [10:50] - Let's talk about fees. [11:49] - Some money managers will use ETFs to help with diversification. [12:51] - Be aware of anything being managed. [13:48] - These are all outlined on Morningstar reports that you can easily check out. [14:54] - If you've worked hard, I think you should adjust your thinking and know more mutual funds. [15:39] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to go over a few different topics, from GDP to inflation and interest rates, to our look at the cost of goods and employment growth. Here is a rundown of some of today's points: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Feds Fund Rate Flat Yield Curve Consumer Price Index (CPI) Be an educated consumer of information. Learn so that you can make the right decision for yourself. I am offering my opinion and advice on what is happening in our economy. You should consult your professional advisor if you have questions or concerns. If you are looking for a consult, please contact me.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:32] – Let's start talking about GDP. [03:15] - What's the biggest change that has happened? [05:50] – Inflation and interest rates are having a big effect on life. [07:15] – What is really interesting is seeing the cost of goods coming down. [08:40] – A lot of people are talking about a recession. [10:00] – We have not caught up with the employment numbers from 2020. [11:15] – The economy shed 22 million jobs at the start of the pandemic. [12:30] – The labor market is slowly heading toward complete recovery from the pandemic. [14:05] – Be careful of what you see on the news from our politicians about our economic numbers. [15:58] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about the special investing needs of veterans. However, this information can be applied to anyone regardless of the number of years served or if you are active or retired. I am a veteran so I understand where you are coming from and how to best help you. Here are some points I cover about veterans: Adaptability Comfort Zones Tactical Investing Active Duty Investing Mutual Funds You had a guaranteed paycheck and a guaranteed retirement plan. But where do you go now? Where do you start? The person you need to talk to is someone who is knowledgeable, knows you, and someone you can trust. I will personally talk to any veteran or any person who is active duty who sends me an email. It is very important to talk about what will work for you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:05] – I recap last week's episode. [02:51] – My company is serviced disabled, veteran-owned, small business. [04:07] – Veterans are adaptable. [05:22] – One thing I noticed when talking to veterans is what is their comfort zone. [08:09] – There are a lot of things you don't get to learn while you are in the service. [08:21] – I explain a little about tactical investing. [09:05] – With all this advice out there, it might be hard to determine who is right and who is wrong. [11:51] – Cashflow is great and you are stuffing it into your savings account. [13:40] – As military men and women, we have a pretty good handle on when someone is bluffing. [14:25] – I share an example of a top mutual fund: Microsoft. [15:10] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about retirement plans for small businesses. As a small business owner, you are making money so now is the time to talk about putting some of that money away in a retirement account. It's best not to rely on others when it comes to securing your retirement plans. Here are some of the retirement plans I cover today: IRA Based Plans Defined Contribution Plans Defined Benefit Plans For some of these plans, it is best to have a professional help you set them up. For anyone who is looking into retirement, send me an email. I have some great resources to guide you. You can also set up a free consultation with me, and I would be happy to help you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:03] – I give examples of small businesses. [03:05] – There are three basic retirement accounts. [06:10] – A simple IRA plan is another easy plan. [07:29] – Several plans fall under the general category of Defined Contribution. [09:36] – The Defined Benefit Plans are good for older employees. [11:48] – Let's talk about women and retirement plans. [13:14] – Women live longer than their male counterparts. [16:35] – Contributions change every year. [17:57] – Everybody needs to set up a retirement plan. [18:16] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going over part three of a three-part series on estate planning and trusts. Remember an estate is a living document and as things in your life change, you want to make sure your document reflects your wishes. It can be complicated to designate your assets to the right people. Here are some of the topics I cover today: Finalizing estate plans Legal authority documents Guardians & health care proxy Long-term care policies Make sure you review all the important details with your trustee and professional advisors. If you need help through this process, please send me an email or give me a call. I am happy to help you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:11] – I give a summary of parts 1 and 2. [03:41] – I talk again about each document and its importance. [04:50] – You want to make sure you have the right people as guardians for your dependents. [07:07] – A power of attorney is only good while you are living. [07:54] – I go over what a trustee is and does for you. [09:25] – What are you reviewing regularly and getting updated? [12:08] – You can have all these documents but you also need to have conversations. [14:40] – The purchasing of a home. [16:00] – Events such as career changes. [17:12] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going over part two of my three-part series on estate planning and trusts. We will be talking about your strategic estate plan and going over the 5 questions you should ask yourself. Estate planning is something that you need to talk about with the people in your life who will be making the decisions on your behalf. Here are some of the topics I cover today: Life insurance Irrevocable trust Naming the right beneficiaries Taxes Make sure the professionals you are working with, either attorney or CPA, specialize in estate planning. You don't want anyone to take advantage or put you in a situation that may cause issues down the road. A good wealth planner can help you navigate through the prep work. If you are looking for a consult, please contact me. Or if you have a question about estate planning, send me an email and I will answer it on the podcast.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [03:05] – First, let's go over the 5 questions you need to be asking. [05:40] – Leaving real estate to your heirs can be a little more complicated. [06:55] – Life insurance benefits are also part of the estate. [08:10] – It is important to have a conversation with your beneficiaries. [10:51] – How do you get this conversation started? [12:30] – This conversation is important, and it is in their best interests. [13:10] – I go over some important details when it comes to estate planning. [16:40] – It is okay to revisit and make changes as time goes on and your children get older. [17:22] – Privacy is always important and why you set up a trust. [20:15] – You need to reevaluate state tax if you move. [21:00] – What about the unused portion of the exclusion? [23:20] – You can continue your philanthropic goals. [25:07] – Do not fall into the income tax trap. [26:40] – Make sure that the life insurance policies are there to support any taxes. [30:00] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. I am doing a three-part series on estate planning and trusts. On today's episode, I get into why you need an estate plan and go over the different kinds you can choose from. I share some tools to make sure your wishes are followed and you keep control of your wealth and the protection of your legacy. Here are a few topics I cover today: Wills & Probates Trusts Taxes Beneficiaries You should use an attorney when creating a trust and also possibly have them look over your wills or other estate planning documentation. You can research on your own how to set some of these plans but working with a wealth manager or someone familiar with this process would help give you the best information possible. An expert can also make the process easier. If you are looking for a consult, please contact me.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [03:13] – Let's talk about why you need an estate plan. [04:13] – The process is a team approach. [06:18] – We want to maximize your assets. [07:00] – A basic understanding of federal and state taxes. [09:40] – Also, your spouse can inherit your full estate without any estate tax. [11:00] – The taxing is part of the estate plan. [11:28] – I share a little bit about wills and trusts. [12:23] – Through a will, you get to name your beneficiaries and who gets to care for your children. [13:49] – When you name those beneficiaries, you are bypassing the delay of probate. [16:00] – Along with your will, you should have a health proxy. [16:45] – A trust gives you more control & flexibility on how you want your wishes to be handled after you have passed. [18:43] – Probate is a public record that allows anyone to review your assets. [20:30] – There are two broad-based trusts. [22:55] – Having a trust is the greatest way to make your wishes happen. [23:12] – What is the big takeaway here? [26:13] – You want to make sure you are always ready for special circumstances. [27:42] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about investment properties that you may own or are considering purchasing – either residential or commercial properties. I discuss where you should allocate your resources and liquid assets. Are you diversifying your investments? We all know that rates are jumping and will continue to jump and this will affect how and what you invest. Make sure you buy low and sell high. Here are a few topics I cover in today's episode: Mortgage Rates Real Estate Markets Psyche Investment I Property Management Data If you are unsure or uncomfortable with making these decisions, please contact a professional advisor. I can't see the future and tell you what is going to happen. I can only use my personal experience and look at the odds of how things may happen. If you are looking for a consult, please contact me.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:49] – Let's start talking about the market. [03:17] – People should own real estate. [03:42] – We are going to look at the return on investments when it comes to the stock markets and/or investments in real estate. [05:14] – How much is the mortgage? How much you are going to pay in interest? It all comes into play if you should do investment properties. [06:07] – I give a brief description of psyche investment. [07:55] – I talk about two things that are working for you. [08:50] – There are two ways you can create equity or return on your investment. [09:55] – Is that money better placed in the stock market? Will the stock market give you more than 4 or 5 percent? [10:39] – Should you sell your investment now? [11:28] – Let's have a quick look at people who have done well with real estate over time. [13:49] – Should you consider buying equities here at this price? [15:28] – Just because you are smarter doesn't make you right. [16:15] – Your investment net worth, it's not liquid, is it? [17:09] – Will it get back to the highs? It won't need to. [17:49] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about international investing. It is a common asset to allocate. If you want to invest internationally, I give you my opinion on some of the best ways to do it. Here are the topics I cover in today's international investing episode: Mutual fund ETF Country Risk Currency Risk ADR The world economy and international markets are something we need to be paying attention to because both it is a big global world and we can affect each other. As always this is my salty wisdom and opinion that hopefully you can take this information and put it to good use. You should consult your professional advisor if you have questions or concerns. If you are looking for a consult, please contact me.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [03:17] – Let's take a look at the difference in returns. [05:35] – International investing can be a good strategy. [06:27] – I share some risks with international investing. [08:58] – Economists do a lot of homework in foreign countries. [09:11] – China is at a much higher risk than the United Kingdom. [10:34] – The disclosure information is difficult to get from some of these companies. [12:24] – I am not a big fan of investing internationally. [14:39] – Our stock market is going through a bit of turmoil, along with other countries. [15:01] – One developed country can affect other countries. [17:07] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about what is happening all over the place with rising prices: inflation. I talk about some positive things that can come out of inflation, and yes, you can benefit even in this time of gas and grocery prices. The topics and examples on today's episode: Car leasing Saving bonds Maximize your Social Security Happiness These are some ideas on how you can take advantage of inflation. Take a look at what makes you happy, your spending habits, and see how you can get a higher return for your happiness. I am offering advice on what is happening in our economy. You should consult your professional advisor if you have questions or concerns. Send me an email and we can discuss what stocks and investments will work for you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:18] – How can you benefit from high inflation? [03:08] – I share my experience with my car lease and buying it out. [04:13] – Let's talk about inflation hedge investments. [07:17] – You may want to hold off on taking your social security benefits. [08:34] – Your cost of inflation may be different than other people. [09:15] – I give an example of how you can remain happy but within your budget. [10:11] – Let's just talk about what inflation does to new income investors. [12:15] – Take advantage of discretionary items. [13:30] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about how to go about determining your personal investment strategy. I am sharing this knowledge with you so that when you sit down with your advisors to discuss your investment strategy, you can understand your investment but also be able to make the decisions that best fit your needs. I go over the following topics: making sure you understand your goals & objectives knowing what your risk tolerance is & how it can change over time paying attention to what is happening remembering that no plan should ever stay stagnant This information is my own opinion and based on my experience. As always, consult your professional advisor if you have questions or concerns. You can also call me for a consultation.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:13] – I explain what a strategic approach is for your investment. [03:20] – First of all, you want to be able to understand your goals and objectives. [04:39] – You also want to prioritize what is important. [05:25] – Next thing you want to do is define your risk tolerance. [08:38] – You can't just judge past performance. [09:23] - You want to make sure you understand the inflation aspect of your investment. [11:16] – Once you have put this plan into place, you don't ignore it. [13:41] – Nothing should ever stay static forever, life events happen. [14:39] – No plan can last without change. [16:30] – I give you suggestions on what to do when your portfolio is down. [19:00] – Closing remarks and thank you.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about your worries and concerns regarding your retirement. The biggest suggestion I can give you to help elevate your retirement worries is to constantly review your plan. It is my suggestion to not chase the newest trend because not everything will work for you and your specific retirement plan but also because nothing is stagnant, things change. I give a couple of examples of this concern, including inflation. Remember when planning to think forward. Plan. Review. Adjust. Please set up a consultation if you have concerns regarding your retirement plan. Or if I didn't go over a topic, send me an email, I get my podcast ideas from you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:15] – The number one concern I come across is outliving your money. [02:45] – I provide you with some suggestions to help elevate this concern. [03:44] – One thing that contributes to this issue is inflation. [05:50] – I have learned that no one strategy works all the time. [08:40] – Don't chase the current market guru cause things don't last forever, you need to monitor your plan. [10:26] – What you should also have in your retirement is income. [10:50] – I believe that having cash is really important. [12:52] – The other thing about your retirement is about caring. [15:11] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about Social Security. This is one of the questions I get asked often about.  I am also going to go over how the reduced benefits work and the taxation of your Social Security. And give you some retroactive tips as well. When planning for your retirement, make sure you include Social Security and understand what your reduced benefits are. Make sure you are checking your Social Security account at ssa.gov. If you are in your thirties and you have never reviewed your account, I encourage you to do so now. Better to understand and prepare now before your retirement, than wait until the last minute. Please contact me if you have any questions or thoughts about your retirement and Social Security. I get some of my best ideas for my podcast from my audience. Thank you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [03:00] – Why should you care in your fifties or sixties about Social Security. [05:40] – The year you are born can determine when you can collect your full benefits. [07:13] – Let's talk about taxation and reduced benefit. [08:26] – Social Security is always taxable. [11:25] – Check every year and see if your additional earnings may increase your monthly benefit. [14:10] – In another situation, you can have the opportunity to take a big retroactive check from Social Security. [18:20] – Make sure you are paying attention to your Social Security. [19:15] – You can find a retirement benefits guide on the ssa.gov website or email me directly. [20:36] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118 m.melrose@unitywealthmanagement.com   Resources ssa.gov

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to talk about how to work with a wealth manager. I will go over the differences between a wealth manger and an investor advisor. Plus, the best ways to select and evaluate your wealth manager. I give you tips on what you want to be clear about regarding what you are looking for, and don't be distracted by just their job title. Make sure you research what their goals are and how they will best benefit you and your future. Be honest and straightforward with your needs when looking for your wealth manager. Find someone you can trust, you can be honest with, and who is good at what they do. This person should be able to talk through their process and answer all your questions, don't follow them blindly. Please contact me if you have any questions or share any thoughts.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:45] – I give a summary of what is a wealth manager. [03:17] – I share a brief statement of what is an investor advisor. [04:40] – The best thing you can do is interview your perspective wealth manager. [06:55] – A key aspect with a wealth manager is comfort. [08:00] – You also want to be comfortable with your wealth manager's experience. [10:00] – You are looking for the wealth manager's expertise, so don't go it alone. [11:38] – A good wealth manager will work with you to make all your dreams come true. [12:19] – Have a conversation with your advisor or manager who is not calling and talking with you about the changes happening in the market. [13:35] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I am going to discuss growth versus value but also provide a historical perspective on growth and stocks. I think that value and growth can be overrated and don't really hold hard and fast. I touch on the time of rising interest rates and growth outperforming value. Interest rates were on the rise before, and today we have interest rates on the rise again. I give examples of companies that fall in both the growth and value. To help put these examples into perspective, I go over products, like toothpaste or even the razor. You buy a razor but then you have to go back and purchase more blades. There are different returns on either the value or the growth. You want income and you want growth. Is the economic environment there for the company? You want to make sure you check on the value and growth for any company or stock you plan to invest in.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [03:03] – How I am defining value versus growth. [05:16] – Value is something that may be intrinsic. [08:40] – I start on the growth versus value from a historical perspective. [10:58] – Year-to-date, we have seen value do better over growth. [13:30] – Over the last two-year period of time, growth was big over value. [16:14] – Value really comes into play when we are talking about income. [19:18] – There are two big things I look at for growth. [22:33] – Less than an effect of buying value, people are upgrading to quality. [23:22] – Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today we are talking about history and investing. I go over economics from a historical perspective that helps you to understand what we should do in the current economy or how to tactically invest. Economics are used as a weapon, and the same is true throughout history. I go into detail about countries like China and Russia using economic debt and economic advantage to gain leverage and control in international affairs. Investments are directly impacted. Pay attention to the world if you want to clearly envision what's next. You could make a lot more money if you look through your portfolio, notice where history repeats itself, and compare what you notice with current world events.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:47] - Economic debt and economic advantage can be used to stifle human freedoms. [04:52] - I share an example of using economics as a weapon. [06:26] - I talk about the countries that control the natural resources of manufacturing. [08:30] - Not every country has the same disclosure standards. [10:54] - Resource shortages are part of economic weapon use. [12:24] - History repeats itself. [14:39] - Understand the world around you by paying attention and doing research. [16:34] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today we are continuing our talk about interest rates and bonds. We touch more on how interest rates affect the different types of markets and our economy. I have a special guest who is a subject matter expert on fixed income, Michael “Mike” Gregson. We talk about individual bonds and the markets and what they're doing. Mike shares his experience working with individuals and institutions, and the best decisions to make based on trends and how you can use this information to your best advantage.  We provide you with the knowledge you may need when working with your professional advisor or doing the research yourself. Remember knowledge is power, and please feel free to give me a call and I can answer any questions you may have.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:39] - I ask Mike Gregson to introduce himself and tell us about his background. [06:22] - Anything we talk about is not an endorsement or recommendation, it is knowledge to help you make decisions.   [07:10] - What is the correlation between what we are hearing about the treasury yield? [10:32] - Most retail investors have some kind of portfolio of fixed income securities. [11:15] - As we see the interest rate rise, we are seeing the bonds go down. [13:54] - Well how much money do you need to buy individual bonds? [15:33] - If you are buying an individual bond, where is the sweet spot? [17:43] - I ask Mike to talk about munies and tax brackets.  [20:44] - What are you seeing with institutions, and what are they doing with their larger clients? [22:48] - Mike and I have known each other for about ten years. [23:30] - Interest rates are going to keep rising. We are not at the top of the curve. [25:17] - From my experience, understanding fixed income and the market is hard to do. [27:42] - Bonds are kind of an after thought for most, but for investors, they play a critical role in a portfolio and generating income. [29:06] - With a fixed income, there is a level of safety with a bond. [31:11] - What do you do if we need a little bit more yield with structured investments? [34:26] - These are not for everyone, and it is not just about understanding how structured investments work. [36:20] - I share a Salty Wisdom example. [38:57] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118   Michael Gregson Fulcrum Point Financial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gregson-453b1333/

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today we are talking about interest rates. I go over how interest rates are affecting corporate bonds, the unemployment rate, the financial markets, economic growth, and corporate profits. The federal reserve wants to make sure that the labor market stays up, that the unemployment rate is low, and that the people are spending money. Also I talk about the effects of inflation and how that may reflect on some businesses. And the possibility of some market changes. Make sure you understand the risks you are taking. In this rising interest rate economy, it may make sense to make some changes, don't be afraid to move your fixed income into investment grade bonds.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [04:10] - I go over the details of the unemployment rate. [05:39] - We are seeing interest rates rise and the treasurer rates going up affects the rise up. [07:34] - Some wisdom to keep in mind, be wary of rates above the merit market. [08:12] - I touch on corporate bonds. [10:37] - I share the story of the 1970's, with odd license plates and when you could get gas. [12:27] - We want to keep the economic growth going well. [13:25] - It's costing more money to borrow money. [14:42] - When listening to the federal reserve and what they are trying to do with money, watch out for unemployment rate and growth. [16:42] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today we are talking about investment performance and ways to measure your performance investment. I go over some of the different categories to look into for your investment performance and give you some basic knowledge to get an idea of what works best for you and your portfolio. I also talk about looking at it from a risk adjusted basis. You also need to make sure you are checking the rating and the type of investment you are selecting. I touch base on some ways to check when reviewing your investment performance and ways to measure them, like looking at the standard deviation. It also doesn't hurt to make sure you look over the portfolio to make sure you get a better return. You want to check that you don't have any huge overlap with all the options you have for investing. Your investment performance is very important, and I hope this information helps. Be sure and check out my site for additional resources or to set up a consultation. Thanks for listening, and I look forward to hearing from you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:54] - I kick it off by talking about allocation. [05:27] - It's time to make a change and re-asset allocate. [07:08] - You don't want to over allocate to any one industry. [08:45] - I talk about the number one consideration when looking at performance in asset allocation. [09:19] - I get more into the risk adjusted performance world. [12:14] - Remember, the higher the number the better the benefit. [14:23] - Then I talk about the risk versus the return. [16:27] - Make sure you take a look at risk adjusted performance income versus growth. [18:49] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today we are talking about trusts and they are not just for the wealthy; they can be helpful for anybody. I talk about the different assets that can go into a trust, the main players that are involved with the trust. Trusts can be very positive, and they fall into two broad categories. Trusts can also provide a regular income stream. They can also be set up so that the beneficiary doesn't have to make decisions or manage the trust. Make sure you do your research and understand the responsibilities of creating a trust but also work with your professionals to make sure it is done correctly. Let me know what other topics you would like to hear. I look forward to hearing from you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:22] - There are three key folks you want to work with when dealing with a trust. [03:21] - I define what a trust is and some of the language. [04:44] - Trusts are flexible because you can put almost anything in them. [06:20] - Trusts can be established two different ways. [07:19] - A quick summary and recap of what I just covered. [08:30] - Some avantages, features, and benefits of a trust. [11:56] - I share a trust story. [13:51] - Using a trust can be a great benefit. [15:04] - Trusts are designed to serve a certain purpose. [17:40] - You get to determine how the assets are distributed. [19:47] - Trusts can be really good for taking care of your family. [21:40] - It is important to determine who will handle the trust and be the trustee. [24:27] - I go over the Q-Tip Trust. [26:22] - A popular trust is a life insurance trust. [29:01] - There might be some people who are not comfortable being a trustee. [31:09] - See Salty Widom for setting up a professional trustee. [33:15] - You don't need to have a lot of money. [34:00] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I will be talking about your employer retirement plans and what to do with it when you leave. I go over the pros and cons and some of them depend on how you look at it. I share a few pointers like making sure you look at the cost, understanding some have fees, but remember you make the choice. I cover a few options but of course not everything. My biggest advice to you would be to check out the IRA guide I have on the Unity Wealth Management resource page. You can always check with a professional financial advisor, to make sure you are making the right choice for your investment needs. Let me know what other topics you would like to hear, I look forward to hearing from you.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [03:25] - Generally when you leave the company, you have four decisions to make. [03:52] - Let's talk about the easiest decision. [04:25] - The next choice, you can leave it with the current employer. [06:18] - Distribution options out of your plan. [08:20] - Participating with the new company's plan. [09:00] - You still may have the option to move your plan. [12:16] - Let's talk about moving it to an IRA. [14:20] - You now have choices and can choose. [17:00] - I obviously have not covered it all but I have covered a lot in a short amount of time.  [18:07] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. Today I will be talking about tactical investing, one of the four tier strategies I have when it comes to managing a stock portfolio. We will talk about some of the advantages and disadvantages of tactical investing. Before making any decisions, I will give you a sound understanding, and a foundation of which questions to ask when you start doing your own research. I touch on how tactical investing can be both short and long term and how core investments are different from tactical investing. I also talk a little about tactical strategy and tactical intelligence and I share some real world examples. It is important to keep in mind that I am not telling you which industries or companies are right for you. You should schedule a free consultation with me or any professional financial advisor to make sure you are meeting your investment needs.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:17] - Let's define what we mean by tactical investing. [03:23] - I share an example for easier understanding. [06:15] - Something that needs to be evaluated on a regular basis: current economic conditions. [07:16] - Now let's look at defense stocks. [09:57] - I am not saying tactical investing should be a trading strategy. [12:15] - We have different economic and different financial environments here to consider. [14:01] - Here are some questions to ask to get you started. [16:00] - I offer up a different look at tactical strategy involving tactical intelligence. [18:30] - When you are making day to day decisions, you are making a tactical decision.  [19:15] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. I have a special guest, John Felker, who is a subject matter expert in today's topic: cyber security. John and I talk about different kinds of cyber security going over events that have happened in the world as real examples.  We talk about how you should always understand the company and make sure you do your own research. We share what you need to know about cybersecurity, different details to look at and possible concerns that may arise. We also go over different types of cyber security; looking at cyber security as more than software but also as intel. This is to help you get a good understanding of cyber security, by looking at the different elements and scenarios. Please keep in mind that none of the companies we talk about are a recommendation, and you should always speak with a professional advisor before making any decisions.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:08] - I have a special guest on today's episode, John Felker. [03:40] - John shares his background and career experience. [09:30] - I talk a little about my tactical approach from my 4-tier plan. [10:22] - We have concerns about cyber security, and John and I talk about a few examples. [13:11] - We talk about a computer protection program. [15:30] - John tells us the key thing to remember is that a human is always involved. [17:45] - John explains the difference between government contracts and corporate companies. [19:35] - Yes, these companies make money, but do they ever share the information they gather? [21:08] - John mentions the Cyber Threat Alliance. [23:32] - There is plenty of intelligence out there that is unclassified that could be shared, and an example is the international organization called FIRST. [25:35] - How does the U.S. government decide which company they are going to give a contract to?  [28:05] - John shares what you need to look at when conducting your own research. [31:29] - The capital, the human portion, and the culture are areas within cyber security to review. [33:49] - We understand that there are a lot of moving parts. [35:00] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118   Link & Resources John Felker LinkedIn | Twitter

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. On today's episode we will highlight employee retirement plans. Do you know what kind of retirement plan you have? Are you fully funding your 401k? These are some of the questions I will help you answer. I will walk you through getting to know your own retirement plan a little better. I will guide you so that you can take a look and understand your retirement plan and learn to understand your own risk tolerances. I want to encourage everyone to start planning your retirement now if you haven't already. Make sure you are contributing to your 401k plan; don't be average. Do better than average. Retirement is a journey, and it will be unique to your needs. Retirement allows you to do what you want when you want.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:06] - We will highlight employee retirement plans. [04:08] - Do you know what funds are in your 401k? And do you know what funds you're invested in with your 401k? [07:35] - I give you a wonderful example of starting early versus late. [09:25] - I share a couple of other reasons to start early with your retirement plan. [10:15] - A message for my military and active duty friends. [11:30] - Do you know and understand what you are investing in? [14:10] - Here is a breakdown of 5 individual funds. [17:10] - On my website, Unity Wealth Management, I have a risk analyzer on the resource page. [18:40] - I also have an IRA rollover guide on my website to help answer some questions. [21:50] I would like to know from you, what I am doing right or wrong and what you want to hear in future episodes. [23:00] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

Welcome back to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. On today's episode, we are going to talk about the different types of income securities. I will be going over investing with income securities: such as bonds, preferred stocks, dividend paying stocks, REITs, and structured products. I touch a little bit on why I wanted to start this podcast and give some background on my education, asking, “Are you in a class to be educated or tested?” Before making any decisions, make sure you understand how income products are structured and the risk reward. This is to make sure you make the best investment possible while also making sure you don't have investors' remorse. Make sure you understand each type of income and how they can work for you. Do the research and hire a professional. Having a professional investment advisor, or CPA, can be worth its weight in gold, if they are a good one.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:50] - I share my objectives of starting a podcast and a little bit about my education experience. [06:17] - We are going to talk about investing in income securities.  [07:15] - First we are going to talk about bonds. [08:03] - There is a rating system to figure out if you have a credit worthy bond. [09:53] - Another important tip, bonds pay a coupon/fixed interest rate. [12:21] - Preferred stocks are another investment income. [15:47] - Make sure you are paying attention to the history of the company. [16:58] - Other income producing vehicles are REITS. [17:50] - I also want to talk briefly about Master Limited Partnership. [18:49] - Then, we have structured products, an Index CD. [20:08] - There are some upsides, and there are also some downsides. [21:29] - Understand the inverse relationship to interest rates and the price of bonds/preferreds. [23:05] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118

This is our third episode and is the final part of the series called: Money Decisions You May Need to Make in the Next Twelve Months. Part three is about potential discussion points. I have many topics for our discussion points today. Ranging from starting a new job, to understanding your retirement plan, and to what happens next in your life. Make sure before any new change in your life you have about 3-6 months worth of savings, and make sure you are organized. Determine all the benefits and if it is something that you are passionate about. Never stop saving for retirement and remember some of these discussion points are taxable. Make sure you do your research, and keep asking questions. Don't be afraid and go it alone. Keep planning because things can always change.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:18] - Discussion points for a new job. [03:34] - Consider the risks and rewards for changing jobs. [04:40] - Another group to address are veterans who are looking for a new job. [06:29] - Make sure you are being realistic with your timeline. [07:00] - Your retirement plan is always evolving. [07:57] - Make sure you are aware and understand the earning limits. [09:20] - Don't make these basic retirement planning mistakes. [11:30] - We love our kids, but don't support your children at the detriment of your own financial security. [13:50] - You are no longer investing in the stock market because you are retired. [16:28] - Don't ignore long-term care and estate planning. [17:41] Make sure you know your target retirement plan date. [18:02] - We discuss some fun things that may be coming up, like a wedding. [19:45] - At least 10% of your money should be put into savings. [20:46] - Your priorities should evolve as you age. [21:34] - Now we move on to planning for your children and possible grandchildren. [23:00] - I share my father's, grandfather's, and my old man wisdom. [23:50] - Another discussion point, are you planning for a divorce? [25:50] - Listen to your lawyer, and try to keep emotions out of the situation. [26:21] - Let's talk about moving. [28:01] - It's wonderful when you plan and everything comes out successful. [28:48] - Some simple advice when you are starting a new business. [30:25] - I share a really good retirement story. [32:05] - A near and dear discussion about becoming a caregiver. [34:00] - We are just having a quick discussion about these topics so you can prepare and plan. [35:58] - Other family issues and levels of responsibility. [36:39] - Discussing some legal issues. [37:44] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118   Link & Resources Moody's Analytics  A Place for Mom

This is our second episode, but is also part two of a three part series called: Money Decisions You May Need to Make in the Next Twelve Months. Part two is about your existing money. I talk about the difference between CDs, your savings, bonds, and different types of retirement plans. When navigating these different options remember to be a wise consumer and be able to ask the right questions. This is all a part of a strategic plan, and getting investment advice is always best. As always make sure you understand the tax implications, and don't be afraid to ask for advice. Be smart and plan how to utilize your existing money.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:40] - Now we are going to talk about existing money decisions, and we start with CD's. [04:20] - What are you going to do with the excess money that you have built up? [05:50] - There is an inverse relationship to the price of bonds and interest rates. [06:48] - Now we talk about stocks and other mutual investments. [08:35] - Other assets may be limited partnership, non-traded REITs. [10:05] - We are in the middle of resignations and unemployment. [10:35] - Decisions you now have to make about your retirement funds. [11:39] - Things to consider for your IRA rollover/401k. Check out my guide. [13:07] - I list some of the potential benefits for your IRA rollover/401k. [15:00] - Getting money back from a loan you granted. [16:20] - You have the opportunity to sell your real estate. [17:42] - What might be new to you is how you can take the proceeds you earn and put them into a different type of investment. [18:16] - Business owners and selling your business. [19:55] - The conclusion to part two and your existing money. [20:40] - Preview what's to come for episode three. Part three is about money decisions you may need to make in the following year. [21:22] - I also have a veterans benefits guide on my website. [21:45] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118   Link & Resources IRA Rollover Guide

Welcome to the Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies podcast. This is our first episode, and it is also part one of a three part series called: Money Decisions You May Need to Make in the Next 12 Months. Part one is about getting new money. I break down this episode by telling you what you need to know and some decisions you may need to make when getting new money. I talk about different types of new money, how to not fall into buyers remorse, and I discuss taxes and tax implications as well as paying off debt, like student loans and mortgages. Being debt free is a wonderful thing. Be patient and don't spend what you don't have. As always make sure you get professional advice, and don't go it alone. Be smart and plan for new money.   In This Episode [01:54] - Welcome to Salty Wisdom Wealth Strategies! [02:13] - Getting new money, like a tax refund. [03:55] - Let's talk about you getting an inheritance. [05:33] - I share a study I came across and read some quotes. [06:47] - Remember to take it slowly. [08:34] - Depending on the asset, make sure you get professional advice. [09:17] - If you are worried about tax consequences, a professional advisor can help. [11:48] - You have paid off your debt and now you want to invest. [13:11] - I share a story about a 529 plan. [15:32] - What happens next? Splurge and have fun. [16:00] - What about if you get a generous severance package? [17:29] - Now to talk about a legal settlement. [18:49] - What may be taxable from a legal settlement? [20:00] - How about other monetary winnings, like the lottery. [22:00] - How to not end up with buyers remorse: plan and take your time. [22:15] - Up next is part 2, episode 2, about money decisions you may need to make in the following year. [23:02] - Preview of what we will talk about in part 3, episode 3. [23:45] - Thank you and closing remarks.   Contact Mark Melrose Wealth Manager Unity Wealth Management 980-262-4118