Invested Poorly: Sad Tales of FInancial Fails

Jeff Harrell | Are You FI
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When it comes to navigating the twists and turns of stock market investing, do you choose poorly? Or wisely? Experience suggests most of us are bad investors, although you may not hear this from speaking with friends and family. Sadly, the compounding effect of poor investment decisions can add up to a lot of money lost and time wasted. On “Invested Poorly: Sad Tales of FInancial Fails,” host Jeff Harrell offers unique perspective and energy as he guides you through common pitfalls that trap everyday investors. You’ll hear real-life investing stories sure to make you laugh, cry, think, and learn. These “don’t let this happen to you” lessons teach you to recognize, and eliminate, the bad behavioral tendencies most investors have—so you can become the hero of your own investment story. You might be surprised (or you might not!) when you realize just how attainable financial independence (FI) can be if you invest simply and “ignore the noise.” Start with the show "Introduction" episode and join Jeff on the investing adventure today!ABOUT YOUR HOST:  Jeff Harrell spent over two decades as a financial advisor, portfolio manager, and public speaker. He left his financial services career for a more flexible, less stressful, location independent (LI) lifestyle, and now enjoys educating family, friends—and everyday investors—on how to invest their money wisely.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    Investment Phases…Accumulation to Transition to Drawdown (S3 E1)

    S3 E1: The three investment phases we all go through are accumulation, transition, and drawdown. This episode explains how to invest during each phase and what changes you should make as you shift from one phase to the next.  Host Jeff Harrell shares his unique strategy to navigate all three phases. Using his personal FI journey as a guide, you will be able to steer your own path to FI success based on your specific situation.  In less than 15 minutes, you’ll learn how to manage a portfolio over multiple decades and life changes. Simplifying your portfolio and having a strategy based on your stage of life, not market conditions, should lead to peace of mind when it comes to managing your investments.  (Season 3 Episode 1)  Resources Mentioned in Episode: Cody Garrett (Measure Twice Money) video, "Retirement Savings Order of Operations"Measure Twice Money YouTube ChannelTarget Asset Allocation by Investment Phase table - illustrates recommended target asset allocations by asset class during the three investment phases of Accumulation, Transition, Drawdown - See episode Show Notes on our websiteOther Episodes Referenced: I’ll Wait to Invest When the Stock Market Pulls Back…Why? (S1 E7)BONUS: My Investment Portfolio…From Stocks to Bonds to CashPodcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    14 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    You Know Enough About Investing to…Still Mess Everything Up (S3 E2)

    S3 E2: Discovering FI (financial independence) can be thrilling and it’s tempting to quickly make changes to your finances and investments. This episode cautions you to proceed slowly to ensure you fully understand the financial ramifications of your actions. Because you don’t want to win the battle, but lose the war. “Small things” like transaction fees, taxes, and placing trades are easily misunderstood or overlooked, thereby altering the timeline to reach FI. Another common failure discussed is not reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions. Jeff Harrell explains how such oversights are easy to fix if identified early. But if they go unnoticed, they could slow your FI journey significantly. Remember, a bit of knowledge goes a long way. (Season 3 Episode 2) Resources Mentioned in Episode:  Mad FIentist article, “HSAs – The Ultimate Retirement Account”Morningstar article, “Key Rules for a Backdoor Roth IRA Contribution”Other Episode Referenced: Asset Location Is All About…Taxes, Taxes, Taxes (S2 E5)Podcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    15 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Index Funds Are the “Right” Way to Invest…Maybe?? (S3 E3)

    S3 E3: Index funds are perhaps the greatest invention in the history of financial markets, but there may be circumstances where an alternative strategy could be superior. If you’re interested in learning a little more about building a portfolio of individual stocks, this episode is a must-listen. Host Jeff Harrell acknowledges there is nothing an investor can do to change the overwhelming odds against outperforming the market. But… he likes to play devil’s advocate! Coupling the benefits of index funds with strategic decisions that incorporate risk tolerance, taxes, and diversification could result in higher total returns over long periods of time. Jeff tells the story about how he began using a sector neutral strategy and shares some details about his own security selection process, as well as his thoughts on bond indexes. This episode is perfect for the investor who recognizes the benefits of index funds but wants to spice up their portfolio to keep things interesting. (Season 3 Episode 3) Other Episodes Referenced: Investing in Bonds…Funds or Individual Securities? (S3 E4)High-Yield Bonds…Junk or Treasure? (S3 E5)Podcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    16 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Investing in Bonds…Funds or Individual Securities? (S3 E4)

    S3 E4: The debate around buying individual bonds versus bond mutual funds and ETFs is a polarizing one in the investment world. Proponents of individual bonds tout the benefit of a maturity date, which the other securities generally don’t offer. Jeff Harrell will give you all the information you need to decide for yourself if this benefit is worth the tradeoff. Most investors are completely unaware of the advantages that bond funds have over individual bonds for the average retail investor. In just over 10 minutes, you’ll gain a wealth of knowledge as Jeff explains the role bonds play in a portfolio and how bond prices work, and shares his experience with the actual performance of individual bonds compared to bond mutual funds and ETFs. This is another episode that will debunk common financial market assumptions that are all-too-often made without real-world empirical evidence. (Season 3 Episode 4) Other Episode Referenced: High-Yield Bonds…Junk or Treasure? (S3 E5)Podcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    16 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    High-Yield Bonds…Junk or Treasure? (S3 E5)

    S3 E5: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” aptly describes high-yield, or “junk,” bonds. Host Jeff Harrell offers insight into their characteristics and how they may be the most misunderstood asset class in the financial markets. You’ll get recommendations on how to incorporate these securities into a diversified portfolio, with strategies that differ from typical advisor and investor approaches. Understanding that high-yield bonds rely on mathematical calculations with predictable returns over time may lead you to consider them for your portfolio. It is advisable to listen to this entire episode before investing in junk bonds, as risks associated with these investments must be fully understood before deciding to include them in your investment allocation. (Season 3 Episode 5) Resource Mentioned in Episode:  Kiplinger article by Jeff Harrell, “Searching for Yield? Making a Case for High-Yield Bonds”Other Episodes Referenced: Investing in Bonds…Funds or Individual Securities? (S3 E4)Investment Phases…Accumulation to Transition to Drawdown (S3 E1)Podcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    16 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Legacy Planning…What Are You Waiting For? (S3 E6)

    S3 E6: Everyone eventually faces their ultimate demise, and when this occurs, it triggers a distressing chain of events that families dread. Not only are family members in mourning after a death, but they must address financial and estate plan matters as well. This exacerbates an already stressful time, and occasionally causes familial discord. If maintaining a positive family legacy is important to you, it’s essential to take the necessary steps now to ensure your loved ones are prepared to handle your passing. Like it or not, neglecting this preparation will imply to your family that it was not a priority. While there is no universal blueprint for legacy planning, Jeff Harrell highlights a few estate planning missteps he’s seen repeatedly and a couple resources to help you avoid the same common oversights. (Season 3 Episode 6) Resources Mentioned in Episode:  EmergencyBinders.comTrust & WillPodcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    16 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Neglecting Privacy and Security…A Recipe for Financial Disaster (S3 E7)

    S3 E7: Scamming people out of their money is a billion-dollar global industry. Ignoring this fact in hopes it will never impact you is not only naïve, but in many ways irresponsible. Putting basic safeguards in place before you are the target of a financial scam is not very difficult, but does require a time commitment. Host Jeff Harrell is stepping a little outside his comfort zone to address a topic that may not seem directly investment-related, but is crucial to your financial well-being, He outlines a few of the fundamental ways to minimize your risk of becoming a victim, with details about freezing your credit, using a password manager (properly), monitoring your account activity, and much more. He also tells the tale of the most memorable identity fraud incident he witnessed. Failure to take security measures now because of the necessary time commitment could lead to countless more hours of stress, frustration—and potentially financial loss—later. After listening, you can decide for yourself if you would rather be proactive and prevent someone violating your privacy, or reactive and clean up the mess after you’ve been scammed. (Season 3 Episode 7) Resources Mentioned in Episode: ChooseFI podcast episode, “Cyber Security Update: Social Engineering & Pig Butchering” Credit Reporting Agencies (Credit Freeze page of their site): Equifax, Experian, TransunionDo Not Call RegistryData Removal Services: Deleteme, IncogniAdditional Resources: Charles Schwab article, “10 Tips for Keeping Your Accounts Secure”More Fraud Prevention articles from SchwabScams – FTC Consumer AdviceHave I Been Pwned?Are password managers safe in 2025?Podcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    17 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    You Spend…More Money Than You Think You Do (S3 E8)

    S3 E8: How can you know where you’re going, if you don’t know where you’re at? This principle is crucial for achieving FI, particularly when it comes to your spending. If you’re on the path to financial independence, having a comprehensive understanding of your living expenses can reward you with a sense of comfort. This reassuring information is not only empowering but can also allow you to envision future possibilities. Imagine having time and lifestyle freedom!?! For individuals on the journey to FI, consistent tracking of expenditures must become an integral part of the daily routine. Fortunately for all of us, modern resources greatly facilitate the process of expense tracking, for those prepared to make a little effort. Jeff Harrell shares his story and approach to monitoring his spending, along with practical guidance on how you can implement similar practices. (Season 3 Episode 8) Resources Mentioned in Episode: Monarch MoneyCopilotEmpower Personal DashboardOther Episodes Referenced: Introduction - Invested Poorly: Sad Tales of FInancial FailsNeglecting Privacy and Security…A Recipe for Financial Disaster (S3 E7)Podcast produced by Ted Cragg of QuickEditPodcasts.com Music Credit: Dream Cave / Adventure Awaits / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    14 min
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When it comes to navigating the twists and turns of stock market investing, do you choose poorly? Or wisely? Experience suggests most of us are bad investors, although you may not hear this from speaking with friends and family. Sadly, the compounding effect of poor investment decisions can add up to a lot of money lost and time wasted. On “Invested Poorly: Sad Tales of FInancial Fails,” host Jeff Harrell offers unique perspective and energy as he guides you through common pitfalls that trap everyday investors. You’ll hear real-life investing stories sure to make you laugh, cry, think, and learn. These “don’t let this happen to you” lessons teach you to recognize, and eliminate, the bad behavioral tendencies most investors have—so you can become the hero of your own investment story. You might be surprised (or you might not!) when you realize just how attainable financial independence (FI) can be if you invest simply and “ignore the noise.” Start with the show "Introduction" episode and join Jeff on the investing adventure today!ABOUT YOUR HOST:  Jeff Harrell spent over two decades as a financial advisor, portfolio manager, and public speaker. He left his financial services career for a more flexible, less stressful, location independent (LI) lifestyle, and now enjoys educating family, friends—and everyday investors—on how to invest their money wisely.

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