Intelligent Money Minute Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Bethany Winston, owner, and Editor-in-Chief of Kidding Around Greenville, as she shares valuable insights on the finances of starting a business.

The Profit-First Approach

Bethany shared valuable insights into her experience and how she has applied financial strategies to ensure her business’s success. She highlighted the book “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz as a valuable resource. This book discusses transforming a business from a cash-eating monster into a money-making machine.

One key lesson Bethany learned from “Profit First” is the concept of setting up separate bank accounts and allocating income into various categories. This method involves segregating income into different accounts, such as operating expenses, dividends, taxes, and profit. By doing so, entrepreneurs can ensure that they’re not only generating revenue but also consistently turning a profit.

The Importance of Manual Management

Bethany found that a hands-on approach allows her to assess her financial situation regularly and make informed decisions. While there might be automated solutions, the act of personally managing the finances provides a deeper understanding of the business’s financial health.

We discussed the significance of planning for taxes, especially in a small business setting. Setting aside funds for taxes prevents financial stress when tax season arrives. It’s a practice that not only saves money but also eases the burden on the family and ensures the business remains in good financial standing.

The 10, 20, 30, 40 Rule

In addition to Bethany’s insights, I shared a simple financial plan, the “10, 20, 30, 40 Rule,” which encourages entrepreneurs to allocate percentages of their income to different financial categories. This structured approach includes dedicating a portion to giving, savings, housing, and discretionary spending. It’s a framework that can help business owners strike a balance between enjoying their earnings and securing their financial future.

Bethany’s experience and the financial strategies she shared serve as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Navigating the complexities of business finance requires careful planning, discipline, and the right mindset. By adopting strategies like those discussed in this episode, entrepreneurs can chart a path to financial success in their ventures.

We’ll be interviewing Bethany on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts.

Bethany Winston Bio

Bethany Winston is the owner and editor-in-chief of Kidding Around Greenville & Kidding Around Spartanburg. She enjoys exploring parks, discovering local events, and meeting the people who make Greenville an amazing place to live.

Kidding Around Greenville is known for tapping into the heart of Greenville and bringing readers firsthand reviews of the best things to do and see in the Upstate and Southeast region. Readers use Kidding Around® to find things to do, places to visit, and businesses and resources they need, helping them to make wonderful memories with their families.

Credits: This blog was written in part by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content of this blog reflects the knowledge and opinions of ChatGPT, may or may not reflect the knowledge and opinions of Intelligent Investing, and is protected by copyright laws. Please do not reproduce or distribute without giving proper credit to ChatGPT and OpenAI.

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, we had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Siegel, the director of the CFA Institute Research Foundation and a prolific investment management author. We dive into a discussion with Larry on the benefits of continuing to work beyond the traditional retirement age.

The Financial Advantage

First and foremost, extending your career offers a significant financial advantage. Most jobs pay better than the retirement benefits that follow. By working longer, you can bolster your income, reducing the need to draw from your retirement savings. This, in turn, allows your nest egg to last longer.

For instance, if you retire at 70 instead of 62, you have eight fewer years of retirement to finance with your savings. This can translate to a more comfortable retirement lifestyle. Additionally, working longer provides you with an opportunity to save more, further strengthening your financial position.

Mental Stimulation and Social Interaction

Beyond financial considerations, working beyond the traditional retirement age offers vital mental stimulation and social interaction. Engaging in meaningful work can keep your mind sharp and active. It prevents the feeling of life becoming a waiting game, as Larry aptly puts it.

The human need for intellectual engagement and social connection remains a driving force. Continuing to work allows you to maintain a sense of purpose, contribute to society, and interact with colleagues, fostering personal growth and well-being.

Personal Fulfillment

Larry Siegel stresses how remaining intellectually active and engaged can be personally fulfilling. By continuing to write books, give talks, and interact with colleagues and clients, he not only sustains his mental acuity but also enjoys the sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes with it.

At Intelligent Investing, we understand that the transition into retirement can be challenging. Husbands and wives often have differing goals and concerns. Our mission is to unify families through effective financial communication, helping couples make a successful transition into retirement.

Explore our retirement resources on our website to gain valuable insights into this transformative phase of life. We are passionate about minimizing financial stress and maximizing the quality of life for our clients.

Larry Siegel Bio

Laurence B. Siegel is the Gary P. Brinson director of research at the CFA Institute Research Foundation and an author, consultant, and speaker on investment management and economics. Before retiring from full-time work in 2009 he was director of research at the Ford Foundation and, before that, head of research at Ibbotson Associates (since acquired by Morningstar). He attended the University of Chicago (BA 1975, MBA 1977). His book, Fewer, Richer, Greener, has been published by Wiley and is available, along with his other work, at https://www.larrysiegel.org.

 

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, I had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Swedroe, head of Financial and Economic Research at Buckingham Strategic Wealth, on the topic of whether gold is truly a good inflation hedge.

Evaluating Gold’s Track Record

Gold and Bitcoin have often been promoted as potential shields against inflation. However, to make an informed decision, we turn to empirical evidence. Let’s explore whether history validates gold’s reputation as a reliable inflation hedge.

When scrutinizing gold’s performance in the face of inflation, we find surprising results. Take, for instance, the period from 2020 to 2022, a time marked by significant inflation. Curiously, gold ended this phase down by about 4%, while inflation surged by approximately 14%. In essence, gold’s value slipped by 18% in real terms, negating its purported role as an inflation hedge.

An even more striking example stretches over two decades, from 1980 to 2002, a period characterized by high inflation. During these 22 years, gold lost over 85% of its real value. These historical data points prompt a reevaluation of gold’s effectiveness as an inflation hedge.

Alternative Perspective

Interestingly, gold’s claim to being an inflation hedge stands on firmer ground when we extend our horizon to a century or more. Across this extended span, an ounce of gold has maintained its purchasing power, reflecting its role as a long-term inflation hedge. However, this century-long hedge comes at the cost of a lack of real returns.

As Intelligent Investing, we believe in providing our high-net-worth clients with well-informed financial guidance. Gold’s questionable track record as a short-term inflation hedge underscores the importance of considering other strategies to preserve wealth and manage risks.

We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts.

Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.

Larry Swedroe Bio

Since joining Buckingham Strategic Wealth in 1996, Chief Research Officer Larry Swedroe has spent his time and energy educating investors on the benefits of evidence-based investing.

In his role as chief research officer and as a member of the firm’s Investment Policy Committee and Board of Directors, Larry regularly reviews the findings published in dozens of peer-reviewed financial journals, evaluates the outcomes and uses the result to inform the firm’s formal investment strategy recommendations.

Larry’s dedication to helping others has made him a sought-after national speaker. He has made appearances on national television shows airing on NBC, CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg Personal Finance. Larry is a prolific writer, contributing regularly to multiple outlets, including Advisor Perspectives and ETF.com.

Before joining Buckingham, Larry was vice chairman of Prudential Home Mortgage and senior vice president at Citicorp.

Larry holds an MBA in finance and investment from NYU and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Baruch College.

Credits: This blog was written in part by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content of this blog reflects the knowledge and opinions of...

In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Bethany Winston, owner, and Editor-in-Chief of Kidding Around Greenville, as she shares valuable insights on setting and attaining financial goals.

Personal and Business Financial Goals

Bethany opens up about her personal financial goals, which include purchasing a home with her husband. After living in church housing for 14 years, they finally achieved their dream of buying a house next to their closest friends. Additionally, Bethany and her husband aspire to secure a comfortable retirement without burdening their children with financial responsibilities, including providing debt-free college education.

On the business front, Bethany discusses the rebranding of her company as “Kidding Around Media.” Her future plans entail expanding the brand beyond Greenville, aiming for Columbia, Charleston, and Charlotte. However, she recognizes the importance of maintaining the quality of content across cities and is open to adjusting expansion plans to ensure a healthy work-life balance.

The Importance of a Written Financial Plan

Bethany’s journey highlights the significance of having a written plan to achieve financial goals. As we often say at Intelligent Investing, “if you fail to plan, then you’re planning to fail.” We understand the value of a well-structured financial plan for our high-net-worth clients, revisiting it annually to ensure they stay on track.

At Intelligent Investing, we leverage our proprietary Intelligrations® to seamlessly integrate our clients’ financial lives. By organizing their financial details into a one-page integrations report, we simplify their journey towards financial success. Our goal is to minimize financial stress and maximize the quality of life for our clients.

We’ll be interviewing Bethany on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts.

Bethany Winston Bio

Bethany Winston is the owner and editor-in-chief of Kidding Around Greenville & Kidding Around Spartanburg. She enjoys exploring parks, discovering local events, and meeting the people who make Greenville an amazing place to live.

Kidding Around Greenville is known for tapping into the heart of Greenville and bringing readers firsthand reviews of the best things to do and see in the Upstate and Southeast region. Readers use Kidding Around® to find things to do, places to visit, and businesses and resources they need, helping them to make wonderful memories with their families.

Credits: This blog was written in part by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content of this blog reflects the knowledge and opinions of ChatGPT, may or may not reflect the knowledge and opinions of Intelligent Investing, and is protected by copyright laws. Please do not reproduce or distribute without giving proper credit to ChatGPT and OpenAI.

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, we had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Siegel, the director of the CFA Institute Research Foundation and a prolific investment management author. The discussion revolved around why people stop working even when it may benefit them to continue working. In this blog, Larry Siegel sheds light on the reasons behind early retirement and the potential benefits of working beyond traditional retirement years.

The History of Traditional Retirement Age

Larry Siegel explains that the age at which most people stop working, typically between 62 and 67, can be traced back to the 1880s when Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in Germany established the National Pension Scheme. This age has persisted through the establishment of Social Security in the US by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935 and the subsequent eras of defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. Tradition and inertia have played a significant role in preserving this retirement age. Additionally, physical limitations and a desire for easier work, which often coincide with age, have also influenced the decision to retire.

The research indicates that for physically demanding jobs, retirement in the mid-sixties may be appropriate. However, for those in less physically demanding roles, retirement at this age might be premature. The concept of retirement has evolved, and now many of us are engaged in think work, which does not necessarily require physical stamina. For such individuals, retirement at this age may be too early, as their skills and productivity could still be valuable to the workforce.

Lack of Flexibility in Retirement Decisions

Despite the potential benefits of continued work, many employees face challenges in transitioning to easier roles or negotiating part-time work arrangements. Rigidity in employment laws and established customs often limit the options for workers who wish to continue working beyond the traditional retirement age. The result is that many employees are forced to retire when they could still contribute meaningfully to the workforce.

The decision to retire should be individualized, considering the unique circumstances of each person and their specific employment situation. At Intelligent Investing, we believe in customizing financial strategies to suit our clients’ goals and preferences. We leverage our proprietary Intelligrations® to help our clients run various scenarios, such as unexpected health crises or part-time work arrangements, to achieve optimal financial outcomes. Our passion is to minimize financial stress and maximize the quality of life for our high-net-worth clients.

Larry Siegel Bio

Laurence B. Siegel is the Gary P. Brinson director of research at the CFA Institute Research Foundation and an author, consultant, and speaker on investment management and economics. Before retiring from full-time work in 2009 he was director of research at the Ford Foundation and, before that, head of research at Ibbotson Associates (since acquired by Morningstar). He attended the University of Chicago (BA 1975, MBA 1977). His book, Fewer, Richer, Greener, has been published by Wiley and is available, along with his other work, at https://www.larrysiegel.org.

 

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, I had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Swedroe, head of Financial and Economic Research at Buckingham Strategic Wealth, on the topic of how intelligent investors should respond to volatility. As a CFA and CPA, I understand the importance of navigating market volatility and its impact on investment strategies. In this blog, I will summarize the insightful discussion with Larry, providing key takeaways on the causes of volatility and how intelligent investors can respond to market uncertainties.

Causes of Volatility

Larry Swedroe begins by explaining that volatility is primarily caused by unexpected events. Since these events are unforecastable, investors should expect and prepare for periods of high volatility. Intelligent investors should incorporate this certainty into their investment plans and avoid taking more risks than necessary. Swedroe suggests assessing one’s ability, willingness, and need to take risks, ensuring that the investment portfolio aligns with these factors. He also highlights recent trends that have contributed to increased volatility, such as the shift from active to passive strategies like indexing. The rise of passive investing has led to lower turnover and reduced liquidity, resulting in greater volatility in pricing. Additionally, changes in trading rules and the Volcker Rule have further limited liquidity in the markets, amplifying volatility.

Intelligent Investor’s Response to Volatility

In response to market volatility, intelligent investors should adopt a well-structured investment plan. Swedroe emphasizes the need for a diversified portfolio and advises against taking excessive risks. He recommends keeping equity exposure within a range of 25-30% for those with enough wealth. Building a portfolio with more diversified assets can help mitigate risk without sacrificing returns. Additionally, Swedroe emphasizes the importance of sticking to the plan and not succumbing to panic-driven selling. By setting realistic expectations and aligning risk tolerance with portfolio composition, intelligent investors can navigate market volatility more effectively.

The Price of Admission

Volatility is often referred to as the price of admission for higher expected returns. Intelligent investors understand that market fluctuations are an inherent part of investing and should be prepared to weather these storms. By accepting the uncertainty and having a well-defined investment plan, investors can focus on long-term goals and avoid making impulsive decisions driven by short-term market fluctuations. Swedroe and I agree that risk should be carefully evaluated based on an investor’s financial situation, willingness to take risks, and specific investment goals.

Volatility is an unavoidable aspect of investing, but intelligent investors can respond effectively by incorporating it into their investment plans. By understanding the causes of volatility, such as unexpected events and shifts in market dynamics, investors can adjust their strategies accordingly. Building diversified portfolios, aligning risk tolerance with portfolio composition, and maintaining a long-term perspective are key elements of intelligent investing in the face of market volatility. Remember, a well-structured investment plan and disciplined approach can help you weather market uncertainties and maximize your investment potential.

We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts.

Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Winning-Investment-Strategy-Beyond/dp/0525944354/ref=sr_1_2?