4-Minute Money Ideas

The Best Way to Invest When You Want to Gift Money

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

Recently, a couple with four children of various ages asked me for advice on how to invest funds that they had just inherited. They didn’t need the inheritance for themselves, and they wanted to pass it along to their children.

The couple’s oldest child was married and wanted to buy a house, so getting her share of the funds now made a lot of sense. “What stocks should we invest in for her?” the clients asked. “None,” I said. “Money that you want to use in the short term should be in cash or short-term bank deposits because it needs to be safe. The stock market carries risk.”

As the next two children wouldn’t need the money for the next four or five years, they could afford to take some risk and try to grow their gift. A broadly diversified portfolio that included stock and bond funds could increase their odds of growth. Before getting started, though, I explained the level of the risk and tried to give the clients a sense of what to expect with regard to volatility.

Should you invest aggressively?

The couple’s youngest child was only 14 and would not need the money for some time. So the clients thought that they could afford to take more risk with his portion and put it all into stocks. I warned them that even though the stock market has traditionally offered stronger returns than other asset classes, growth is not guaranteed and they could lose money. In the end, the couple chose to use a “money manager” to handle that portfolio as they felt that this would be the best way to diversify and manage these funds.

To find out more about using a money manager, watch the 12-minute video at www.profile-financial.com/videos/SMA. To start a conversation about handling your investments, call my office (02-624-2788).

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Why Interest Rate Risk is Important

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®

Conservative investors who buy bonds to avoid high risk might inadvertently be exposing themselves to a potentially devastating risk: interest rate risk.

If you are concerned that you may have interest rate risk or other hidden risks in your investments, call my office at 02-624-2788 to discuss your portfolio.

Are bonds safe?

When you buy a bond, you lock in a specific interest rate that you'll earn until the bond matures. Assuming the issuer of the bond remains solvent, you'll receive your interest payments (usually every six months), and on the "maturity date" you'll get the principal value of the bond. That's what happens in most cases. But…

When interest rates rise, people who have locked in a lower yield discover that their bonds decrease in value. For example, let's say you own a $50,000 bond that pays 3%. After you have bought the bond, if rates for similar issues rise, say to 5%, the principal value of your investment drops. It drops, since a 3% return pales in comparison to a 5% yield. If you hold your 3% bond to maturity, you will get your principal paid back, but if you need to sell it beforehand, you will likely lose money. That is interest rate risk – the fear that if you have to sell your bonds before maturity you'll potentially lose out on regaining your full principal.

Longer term bonds and preferred stocks

If the bonds you own will reach maturity relatively soon, the rise in interest rates will have a limited effect on their price. But longer term bonds and preferred stocks (which often act like long-term bonds) can drop in value significantly if interest rates rise.

If you own bonds and would like to discuss the risks, please call (02-624-2788). If you see yourself as a conservative investor but worry that you might be exposed to interest rate risk, be in touch right away.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. Accounts carried by Pershing LLC., Member NYSE/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates

Why Interest Rate Risk is Important

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP®

Conservative investors who buy bonds to avoid high risk might inadvertently be exposing themselves to a potentially devastating risk: interest rate risk.

If you are concerned that you may have interest rate risk or other hidden risks in your investments, call my office at 02-624-2788 to discuss your portfolio.

Are bonds safe?

When you buy a bond, you lock in a specific interest rate that you'll earn until the bond matures. Assuming the issuer of the bond remains solvent, you’ll receive your interest payments (usually every six months), and on the "maturity date" you’ll get the principal value of the bond. That’s what happens in most cases. But…

When interest rates rise, people who have locked in a lower yield discover that their bonds decrease in value. For example, let's say you own a $50,000 bond that pays 3%. After you have bought the bond, if rates for similar issues rise, say to 5%, the principal value of your investment drops. It drops, since a 3% return pales in comparison to a 5% yield. If you hold your 3% bond to maturity, you will get your principal paid back, but if you need to sell it beforehand, you will likely lose money.  That is interest rate risk – the fear that if you have to sell your bonds before maturity you’ll potentially lose out on regaining your full principal.

Longer term bonds and preferred stocks

If the bonds you own will reach maturity relatively soon, the rise in interest rates will have a limited effect on their price. But longer term bonds and preferred stocks (which often act like long-term bonds) can drop in value significantly if interest rates rise.

If you own bonds and would like to discuss the risks, please call (02-624-2788). If you see yourself as a conservative investor but worry that you might be exposed to interest rate risk, be in touch right away.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. Accounts carried by Pershing LLC., Member NYSE/SIPC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates

What You Need to Know About Financial News

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

Should financial news and media reports affect the way you make your investment decisions?

Recently, a client said: "I just read about _________ (fill in Israeli company name) in The Jerusalem Post, and I'd like to buy 1000 shares." I hear comments like this fairly often. Since I help people who live in Israel with their U.S.-based IRA and brokerage accounts, I am able to help them trade stocks. However, before putting in an order, I recommend that they ask a few questions before considering buying an investment.

How accurate is the news?

The media frequently misrepresents information. News reports are only as accurate as the journalist's orientation. Therefore, it may be reasonable to assume you are not getting the complete story.

Is the information fresh?

Once "hot" news reaches the general media outlets, it probably isn't hot any longer. It might be warm at best. Some types of news items about long-term company strategies might give you an indication of where the firm wants to focus its growth. Such reports (e.g., that the company wants to enter the self-driving automobile market) may not have an immediate impact on its stock price. However, if you believe in the future of the product/company then it may be appropriate to invest. However, if short-term news breaks, for instance, a drug company receives FDA approval, and you think the stock will shoot up in value as a result of the new information, be aware that you're possibly already too late for the party.

Does news make you a better investor?

Studies have compared investors who have made decisions with the input of news versus those who made decisions in a news vacuum. Interestingly, those folks who weren't distracted by the media hype outperformed their well-informed peers. I wrote about this, along with many other behavioral finance facts, in Rich As A King: How the Wisdom of Chess Can Make You a Grandmaster of Investing. Check it out, and sign up for the free articles and podcast at www.RichAsAKing.com.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

What You Need to Know About Financial News

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

Should financial news and media reports affect the way you make your investment decisions?

Recently, a client said: “I just read about _________ (fill in Israeli company name) in The Jerusalem Post, and I’d like to buy 1000 shares.” I hear comments like this fairly often. Since I help people who live in Israel with their U.S.-based IRA and brokerage accounts, I am able to help them trade stocks. However, before putting in an order, I recommend that they ask a few questions before considering buying an investment.

How accurate is the news?

The media frequently misrepresents information. News reports are only as accurate as the journalist’s orientation. Therefore, it may be reasonable to assume you are not getting the complete story.  

Is the information fresh?

Once “hot” news reaches the general media outlets, it probably isn’t hot any longer. It might be warm at best. Some types of news items about long-term company strategies might give you an indication of where the firm wants to focus its growth. Such reports (e.g., that the company wants to enter the self-driving automobile market) may not have an immediate impact on its stock price. However, if you believe in the future of the product/company then it may be appropriate to invest. However, if short-term news breaks, for instance, a drug company receives FDA approval, and you think the stock will shoot up in value as a result of the new information, be aware that you’re possibly already too late for the party.

Does news make you a better investor?

Studies have compared investors who have made decisions with the input of news versus those who made decisions in a news vacuum. Interestingly, those folks who weren’t distracted by the media hype outperformed their well-informed peers. I wrote about this, along with many other behavioral finance facts, in Rich As A King: How the Wisdom of Chess Can Make You a Grandmaster of Investing. Check it out, and sign up for the free articles and podcast at www.RichAsAKing.com.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

How to Increase Your Retirement Cash Flow

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

When you retire, your cash flow changes. Since most pensions won't replace 100% of your pre-retirement income, you need other ways to increase your monthly cash flow.

A bank may not meet your needs

If you put your money in a regular savings account in the bank, you have little risk of losing your principal. But, you also will receive relatively low interest, as banks normally pay the lowest yields in the world of fixed income. This prevents you from "growing" your money. Whatever money you have may lose value due to inflation. If you have the tolerance to take on some level of risk, consider adding bonds to your portfolio. (Watch a 12-minute video on bonds at www.profile-financial.com/bonds.)

Bond coupons are usually higher than bank rates

A bond is a loan that you make to a country or company. You lend them money, they pay you interest on a set schedule, and at some point in the future, on the "maturity date," they return your principal. The main risk of bonds is that the issuer of the bond will default. However, default in the quality bond market is not common. Bonds are rated according to their risk level, and more conservative investors choose high-rated quality bonds to generate income from their portfolio.

An easy tool to buy bonds

Depending on the amount of money you want to invest, you may buy a portfolio of individual bonds yourself, or you might find a bond mutual fund (or exchange traded fund - "ETF"). These investment vehicles own lots of different bonds and you own a piece of the whole pie, which gives you instant diversification. Make sure to check with an investment advisor and read the prospectus before investing, though, since there are real risks.

If you are worried about cash flow during retirement, email me ([email protected]) to start a conversation about whether bonds make sense for you.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

How to Increase Your Retirement Cash Flow

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

When you retire, your cash flow changes. Since most pensions won’t replace 100% of your pre-retirement income, you need other ways to increase your monthly cash flow.

A bank may not meet your needs

If you put your money in a regular savings account in the bank, you have little risk of losing your principal. But, you also will receive relatively low interest, as banks normally pay the lowest yields in the world of fixed income. This prevents you from “growing” your money. Whatever money you have may lose value due to inflation. If you have the tolerance to take on some level of risk, consider adding bonds to your portfolio. (Watch a 12-minute video on bonds at www.profile-financial.com/bonds.)

Bond coupons are usually higher than bank rates

A bond is a loan that you make to a country or company. You lend them money, they pay you interest on a set schedule, and at some point in the future, on the “maturity date,” they return your principal. The main risk of bonds is that the issuer of the bond will default. However, default in the quality bond market is not common. Bonds are rated according to their risk level, and more conservative investors choose high-rated quality bonds to generate income from their portfolio.

An easy tool to buy bonds

Depending on the amount of money you want to invest, you may buy a portfolio of individual bonds yourself, or you might find a bond mutual fund (or exchange traded fund - “ETF”). These investment vehicles own lots of different bonds and you own a piece of the whole pie, which gives you instant diversification. Make sure to check with an investment advisor and read the prospectus before investing, though, since there are real risks.

If you are worried about cash flow during retirement, email me ([email protected]) to start a conversation about whether bonds make sense for you.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

What to Do When You Inherit an IRA?

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

If you inherit an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), you may be tempted to simply withdraw the funds and put them into your own name. But if you do, you would possibly be making a big mistake. Instead, you should transfer the money into a "beneficiary IRA" account.

Money in an IRA is tax deferred in America, meaning that any interest, dividends, and capital gains inside the account are not subject to U.S. taxation. Once you withdraw the money, or move it overseas, you'll probably owe money to the IRS. So by asking the brokerage firm to set up a beneficiary IRA for you, and moving the assets directly from the deceased's IRA account into a beneficiary IRA in your name, you can continue to benefit from the tax-deferred status.

Can I open a beneficiary IRA from Israel?

Many Americans living outside the United States find that brokerage firms are not willing to set up an account for them, due to restrictions imposed by strict anti-money laundering legislation. But this does not apply to all companies.

Besides keeping the American tax-deferred status of your inheritance, there are many advantages to having an American brokerage account. For example, U.S. markets are among the most efficient and investor-friendly in the world. You can also diversify easily through the various investment vehicles that a U.S. brokerage account offers, and having this type of account makes U.S. tax reporting a lot easier.

If you are interested in finding out more about opening a beneficiary IRA account to deal with an inheritance or any other issue concerning American brokerage accounts, check out www.Profile-Financial.com/10-Steps, or call 02-624-2788 and let's review your situation.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

What to Do When You Inherit an IRA?

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

If you inherit an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), you may be tempted to simply withdraw the funds and put them into your own name. But if you do, you would possibly be making a big mistake. Instead, you should transfer the money into a “beneficiary IRA” account.

Money in an IRA is tax deferred in America, meaning that any interest, dividends, and capital gains inside the account are not subject to U.S. taxation. Once you withdraw the money, or move it overseas, you’ll probably owe money to the IRS. So by asking the brokerage firm to set up a beneficiary IRA for you, and moving the assets directly from the deceased’s IRA account into a beneficiary IRA in your name, you can continue to benefit from the tax-deferred status.

Can I open a beneficiary IRA from Israel?

Many Americans living outside the United States find that brokerage firms are not willing to set up an account for them, due to restrictions imposed by strict anti-money laundering legislation. But this does not apply to all companies.

Besides keeping the American tax-deferred status of your inheritance, there are many advantages to having an American brokerage account. For example, U.S. markets are among the most efficient and investor-friendly in the world. You can also diversify easily through the various investment vehicles that a U.S. brokerage account offers, and having this type of account makes U.S. tax reporting a lot easier.

If you are interested in finding out more about opening a beneficiary IRA account to deal with an inheritance or any other issue concerning American brokerage accounts, check out www.Profile-Financial.com/10-Steps, or call 02-624-2788 and let’s review your situation.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.

Do You Need to Worry About a Market Crash?

By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel

No one knows if or when there will be another market crash. Anyone who could accurately predict the ups and downs of the market on a consistent basis would make an absolute fortune.

Even if the market's exact moves can't be predicted, you can be sure that the market will take a hit sometime in the future. In fact, if you're planning to hold investments for the next few decades, get ready for many crashes, of varying degrees. That's the way the market works. Successful investors, by and large, are those who are well prepared to ride out volatility.

Smooth out the ride

Naturally, you don't want your account to nosedive. So what should you do? If you are the kind of person who would sell out in the event of a huge collapse in the stock market, maybe it is better if you don't get in at all. On the other hand, if you have the tolerance to take on some level of risk, there are tools that can help to minimize the risk inherent in market volatility.

One tool to minimize market risk is diversification. By spreading your investments among different sectors, you minimize the chance of all your investments dropping in value simultaneously. Own some positions in equities (a.k.a. "stocks") and some in bonds, cash, or funds that invest in other areas, like real estate. By diversifying, you can lessen risk. Some money managers try limiting volatility in their investments by adjusting the amount of cash in their portfolios in line with macro-economic trends.

Do you have an investment account in the United States? If you are worried about its risk level or that it might lose value, call the office (02-624-2788) to discuss the risk level in your account. Also, subscribe to our free newsletter for tips on handling your money and managing risk at www.profile-financial.com.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.