Map Your Money

BGA Teams

Map Your Money aims to help you make smarter financial decisions.   Hosted by Jaime Benedetti, CFP®, CEO of BEAM Wealth Advisors, and Jeff Cone, CFA®, CAIA®, CIO, the show combines real-world financial planning experience with institutional investment insight.   We break down what’s happening, why it matters, and key considerations that are often weighed over time.

  1. 6d ago

    #40 - Stock Picking is Hard, So We Tried it Anyway.

    Picking stocks can sound easy, especially when every investment comes with a compelling story. In practice, it is much harder. In this episode, financial advisor Jaime Benedetti and Chief Investment Officer Jeff Cone put that idea to the test. Each selects five individual stocks, records the starting prices, and explains the investment thesis behind each pick. Their selections span artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data centers, energy, copper, cybersecurity, software, and casino and resort properties. They will monitor all ten stocks through the end of the year and return to evaluate the results, without changing the rules, revising their reasoning, or benefiting from hindsight. The exercise is competitive, but the larger lesson is serious. Even when an investor correctly identifies a powerful long-term trend, an individual company can still be affected by unexpected operational problems, management decisions, valuation changes, or simple bad timing. While specific companies and investment themes are discussed, the purpose of this episode is to illustrate the challenges of stock selection and the importance of diversification, not to recommend any particular security or investment strategy. Jaime and Jeff also discuss why diversified portfolios can provide exposure to many of the same investment themes while reducing the risks associated with relying on a single company. Topics covered include: • Jaime and Jeff’s five stock selections • The investment thesis behind each company • AI infrastructure and semiconductor bottlenecks • Growing demand for electricity, memory, cooling, and copper • The difference between identifying a trend and selecting the winning stock • The role of luck, timing, and company-specific risk • Why diversified investing remains the foundation of portfolio construction • The rules—and possible punishment—for the stock-picking challenge The selections are in. Now we'll see how the ideas perform over time. This discussion is for educational purposes only and is presented as a hypothetical stock-picking exercise. The securities discussed are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any investment. Any opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the recording date and are subject to change without notice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Available to listen on: Youtube: https://youtu.be/FQJNgDUnkzk

  2. Jul 3

    #39 - I Own Bitcoin… But I'm Still Skeptical | The Crypto Skeptic Series ft. Garrett Leroux

    Cryptocurrency continues to spark strong opinions among investors, financial professionals, and the broader public. While some view digital assets as a transformative innovation, others remain skeptical about their long-term role in investing. In this episode of Map Your Money, Jaime Benedetti and Jeff Cone, CFA®, welcome fellow Beam Wealth Advisors financial advisor Garrett Leroux for the first installment of the Skeptic Series—an open conversation exploring both the opportunities and uncertainties surrounding crypto. Rather than debating who is right or wrong, the discussion focuses on thoughtful investing, challenging assumptions, and evaluating digital assets through a disciplined portfolio management framework. Topics covered include: • Bitcoin's role as a store of value and how it compares to gold • Real-world use cases for blockchain technology and digital assets • Whether Bitcoin still behaves as investors originally expected during geopolitical and economic events • The impact of regulation, government involvement, and the proposed CLARITY Act • How investors can think about crypto allocation, volatility, and long-term portfolio construction • What developments could strengthen—or weaken—the long-term investment case for digital assets Whether you're crypto-curious, skeptical, or already an investor, this episode offers a balanced discussion designed to help you better understand both sides of the debate and make more informed investment decisions. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Cryptocurrency investments are highly volatile and may not be suitable for all investors. Any opinions expressed are those of the speakers at the time of recording and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific digital asset or security. Available to listen on: Youtube:  https://youtu.be/oZ042WmxVHw

  3. Jun 10

    #38 - Can a Great Company Be a Bad Investment? | The SpaceX IPO

    SpaceX is widely regarded as one of the most innovative companies in the world, and a potential public offering would likely attract significant investor attention. But does an exceptional company automatically make for an exceptional investment?     In this episode of Map Your Money, Jaime Benedetti and Jeff Cone, CFA®, discuss how investors should think about a potential SpaceX IPO through the lens of portfolio construction, valuation, and long-term investing principles.     Rather than focusing on headlines or speculation, Jaime and Jeff explore the factors that may influence an investor's decision-making process if SpaceX were to become publicly traded. They also discuss the distinction between a company's business success and the investment return an investor may ultimately experience. Topics covered include: • What makes SpaceX unique within the aerospace and technology industries  • Why private companies often generate significant investor interest  • The difference between a great company and a great investment  • Key considerations when evaluating an IPO opportunity  • Lessons investors can learn from past high-profile IPOs Whether you are a long-time follower of SpaceX or simply interested in how professional investors evaluate new opportunities, this episode provides a framework for thinking through one of the most anticipated potential public offerings in recent memory. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Any discussion of SpaceX or a potential IPO is hypothetical in nature and does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/FknFBeB-1V8

  4. Jun 8

    #37 - The $113,000 Retirement Risk Nobody Wants to Talk About (Long Term Care)

    What if one of the most overlooked financial risks in retirement isn't a market crash, but the potential cost of needing long-term care? In this episode, Jaime Benedetti and Jeff Cone explore the financial realities of long-term care planning. They discuss what long-term care actually is, the situations that commonly create a need for care, and why many families misunderstand what Medicare and Medicaid may and may not cover. Jaime and Jeff also examine why long-term care planning is often an important consideration for middle-income retirees, review how care expenses can affect a retirement plan, and explain how traditional and hybrid long-term care insurance solutions are generally structured. Whether you're approaching retirement or helping aging parents evaluate their options, this conversation offers practical insights to help you make more informed planning decisions. Topics Covered: • What long-term care is and when it may become necessary • Common misconceptions about Medicare and Medicaid coverage • The potential financial impact of long-term care expenses • Why long-term care planning is often an important consideration for middle-income families • Traditional and hybrid long-term care insurance strategies • Key factors to consider when evaluating your options Content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice. Any examples discussed are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Individuals should consult their own qualified professionals before making financial decisions. Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey (2025). Costs vary significantly based on location, level of care, and provider. Example shown reflects private nursing home room costs in Georgia and is for illustrative purposes only. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/J3BW9Cov-DA

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Map Your Money aims to help you make smarter financial decisions.   Hosted by Jaime Benedetti, CFP®, CEO of BEAM Wealth Advisors, and Jeff Cone, CFA®, CAIA®, CIO, the show combines real-world financial planning experience with institutional investment insight.   We break down what’s happening, why it matters, and key considerations that are often weighed over time.