Fear of Missing Out — better known as FOMO these days — is a strong human emotion, to begin with, and when money is involved, its already considerable influence becomes even more powerful. You can make a pretty strong case that nothing taps into this alchemy of money-fueled emotion quite like IPOs do. In the financial and mainstream media alike, it seems that we’re constantly regaled with stories of people “on the inside” who have amassed fortunes simply by “getting in on the ground floor” of an IPO opportunity that’s enjoyed a meteoric rise — think Google, Amazon, Facebook, Tesla, and many others. This may have caused you to feel left out, wondering, “Why can’t this happen to me?”

In reality, IPOs are very far from the “can’t miss” wealth vehicles they’re often made out to be. For every winner the media can point to, there are also quite a number of IPOs that not only fall rapidly from their initial IPO valuations, but also never recover. In fact, plenty of them fail outright. Further, the idea that the general public can somehow buy into an IPO at its initial offering price is just a fable. Those who actually get a crack at the initial IPO offering are the most prominent clients – typically large financial institutions – of the investment banks entrusted with handling IPOs like Goldman Sachs. While the Average Joe on the other hand, only gets dibs once they’re actively trading, at which point hordes of investors are often feverishly trying to add them to their own portfolios. 

Where FOMO is concerned, giving in to emotion is often a prescription for financial loss for investing outsiders. In most cases, the price per share of IPOs drops below their initial offering price within the first six months — often substantially. And yet it’s hard to get those IPO success stories out of our heads. We’d sure hate to regret our lack of action if the company in question becomes a successful household name without us being on board. Surely there must be a roadmap to IPO success, right?

If you’re wondering this very thing, we’ve got you covered. Listen in to the newest episode of A Place of Possibility™, as Richard and Angela offer you an honest, clear-eyed view of these captivating and largely misunderstood investments. They’ll clear up some of the misconceptions that surround IPOs and explain why they’re rarely — if ever — the financial panacea they’re often portrayed to be.

We’ll be talking about:

• The motivations that lead a company to offer its stock to the public in the first place
• Why our current economic conditions make the IPO route even more attractive for companies seeking additional capital
• Who actually sets the initial share price of an IPO, and why a true (Dutch) auction — where actual buyers of the stock set the price — isn’t even considered an option anymore
• The forces that conspire to make things difficult for independent investors seeking to mirror the IPO moves of well-connected financial institutions

And more!

We look forward to giving you an honest, unbiased perspective on IPOs to help you become a more prudent and well-informed investor. We hope you’ll pass this episode along to your family, friends, and anyone else who you think might benefit from it.

The end of 2022 is upon us, and boy, has it been a bit of a roller coaster this year with inflation. But with only a few weeks left, it’s time for us to make some important financial decisions and adjustments before that December 31st deadline. The heart-to-heart you have with your finances now could reduce the burden of your taxes and increase Medicare savings, retirement savings, investments, and more. On top of that, federal law and government rule changes taking effect in 2023 will also impact our daily lives. While some of these are inflation adjustments, others are here to stay. In this episode, we will be teeing up all the year-end and new year planning strategies you need to know about, including:

• Maximum Retirement Contribution – Increases to IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401ks, and 403Bs
• The Increased Income Limit for Roth IRA Contributions
• Information about the Secure Act 2.0 and How That Will Impact Retirement Savers if Passed
• Required Minimum Distribution Changes for Those Who Inherit an IRA
• Limit Increases on Retirement Accounts and Plans for Those Who Are Self-Employed
• Some Eye-Opening Changes with Medicare – Premiums Are Going Down, and New Insulin Copay Caps
• The Social Security Tax Hike for Certain High Earners
• New Income Tax Brackets

Plus, a host of other planning tools for you to consider.

At Del Monte Group, we love this time of year. Not only are you taking a deeper look at getting your finances in order, but you’re measuring successes and exploring opportunities for the year ahead. It’s a time to take a more proactive and strategic approach to ensure that you, your family, and the lifestyle you want to live are fully supported. Our goal with this episode is to help you get down to the nitty-gritty and take action starting now!

Medicare Open Enrollment – a term that may be very familiar to you and nearly everyone else, but especially to those who are already on Medicare and want to drop or switch plans.

October 15th through December 7th of each year is the period known as open enrollment and allows individuals ample opportunity to investigate whether they can benefit from switching up their coverage. But Medicare is confusing, and there can be some caveats to switching or, unfortunately, in some instances, you may not be able to change at all. You would think that because it’s a government program for virtually everyone, they would make it clear and easy to understand, but hey, we’re talking about the government here, so it comes as no surprise that it’s about as clear as mud.

In this episode of A Place of Possibility™, we’ll be going through the nuts and bolts of Medicare so that you’ll come away with a better understanding of how the program works and, most importantly, how to make the right decisions when it comes time to choose your coverage when you join or update it later on during this the open enrollment period.

We will be talking about:

• The history and motivation behind the creation of Medicare
• How you qualify for Medicare
• An in-depth breakdown of the various Medicare options you’ll choose from — Parts A, B, C, and D — including their pluses and minuses (Here’s where you’ll see why your choices matter so much)
• What Medigap coverage is and the options you’ll have to base your premium on. We’ll also make our recommendation
• The upside and downside of obtaining Medigap coverage through a broker
• Why you really DON’T want to miss your enrollment period

And more!

Selecting Medicare coverage is a big decision. With it comes a variety of implications, including several potentially serious pitfalls that could keep you from getting the right coverage for your needs. Our goal with this episode is to help you get on the right path to an informed decision from the very beginning of the process.

Property insurance.

Even if you consider yourself responsible, it might not be something you give much thought to — a “set it and forget it” item. At one time, you probably went out and bought the coverage you THOUGHT you needed, likely based on an incomplete set of considerations. And we’re going to take a wild guess that you haven’t really given your property insurance much thought over the years that followed, pulling it out of your desk drawer only when you experienced a significant life event, such as moving up in the housing market, putting a new car in your garage or maybe preparing to hand the car keys to your son or daughter for the first time.

Unfortunately, without the proper insight or guidance, as your life has evolved, you might not be covered as thoroughly as you think. While you’ve been moving up the career ladder, maybe focusing on your family and adding to your net worth, there’s a strong chance you’ve also become increasingly underinsured without even knowing it.

“My agent is totally above board and has my best interests in mind,” you might say. This may very well be true, but it might not be enough. Agents don’t necessarily know all that much about home values or rebuilding costs, so you may still be underinsured and not find out until it’s too late. Do you really want to wait until a catastrophic event, such as a sewer disaster or fire, puts your property insurance coverage to the test?

Sounds foreboding, doesn’t it? But worry not! In our newest episode of A Place of Possibility™, we’re happy to introduce a guest who will demystify the world of property insurance and help you become a savvier insurance consumer. Brian Trouette, founder of Trouette Insurance Agency, not only has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of his industry, but we’re confident you’ll also find him thoroughly entertaining.

Yep, you read that right — Brian has an uncanny ability to impart his homeowner's insurance wisdom in a uniquely entertaining manner.

We’ll be talking about:

• How even the most well-intentioned property owners may find themselves drastically underinsured
• Some of the biggest mistakes that might jump off the page when a qualified professional reviews your insurance portfolio
• Why even high-profile insurance companies — including some household names — may have honorable intentions, but still, leave you with insufficient coverage
• What priority do insurance companies REALLY put front and center when designing their policies

And more!

Our goal with today’s episode is to give you a greater understanding of the property insurance landscape so that you’ll come away with the information you need to ask your insurance carrier the right questions, ultimately securing the coverage you really need. After all, this coverage is a key element in your “financial defense” as you move through life.

We look forward to giving you some valuable insight to help you become a well-informed and properly covered homeowner insurance consumer. We hope you’ll pass this episode on to your family, friends, and anyone else who might benefit from it.

You’ve probably pondered the idea of investing in real estate, but with today’s high prices, you might feel that it has become the exclusive territory of the wealthy. Or maybe the prospect of becoming a landlord brings more anxiety, with visions of late-night calls from tenants, water leaks, mold problems, and more.

If you look at real estate investment from a traditional perspective, your concerns are justified. But what if we told you the average person could easily accumulate a solid rental real estate portfolio that has the potential to provide an increasing income stream for the rest of your life and future generations of your family? And on top of that, it doesn’t have to be a landlord’s nightmare.

In this new episode of A Place of Possibility™, we’ll share some creative ideas to make real estate accessible to nearly everyone. And spoiler alert, you may even be able to do it with little to no money out of pocket. That 25% you have to put down is a lot of money, especially in California. We’ll share real-life examples of how you can work around those traditional lending options and show you how to be a solution for the seller and as a landlord while doing really well for yourself.

We’ll be talking about:

• Why recent changes in real estate market conditions have created opportunities that weren’t there several months ago
• How hiring a good, professional property management company can actually SAVE you money in the long run
• Several creative strategies that will allow you to avoid that high down payment and get into real estate investing once and for all
• How unique financing strategies can lead to the creation of a sizable portfolio, often without any out-of-pocket investment

And more!

Our goal with today’s episode is to give you an arsenal of somewhat unconventional tools that help you take advantage of the current real estate market and its many benefits. It may seem like a formidable landscape, but, armed with the right strategies and knowledge, we’re confident that you will be ready to jump into action right away. We look forward to sharing our insights with you, and hope you’ll share this episode with your family, friends, and anyone else who might benefit from it. 

Where stocks and other liquid assets are concerned, nearly all of us are familiar with the time-tested axiom, “Buy Low, Sell High.” But, as much as we try to adhere to that principle whenever possible, there are times when it does make sense to sell at a loss, specifically, when tax time rolls around, as doing so can provide some decided benefits. This is a strategy known as tax-loss harvesting, and despite its potential advantages, several factors must be taken into consideration before deciding whether to put it to use. And, please rest assured that no tractors or other farming equipment is involved.

In this new episode of A Place of Possibility™, we’ll cover the nuances of tax-loss harvesting, including the factors determining whether or not it makes sense in a given situation.

We’ll be talking about:

• What tax-loss harvesting entails
• Why tax-loss harvesting can be a powerful financial strategy at tax time
• When tax-loss harvesting makes sense . . . and just as important. . . when it DOESN’T
• An additional gifting strategy to fund college education that surprisingly quite often makes more sense than traditional college financing

And more!

Our objective with this episode is to enhance your understanding of this potentially powerful strategy that can substantially reduce your tax liability under the right circumstances. Because knowledge is power, right? We look forward to sharing some of our insights on tax-loss harvesting with you and hope you’ll pass this episode on to your family and friends.

years, and it seems like it’s taking us out for another ride as it works its’ way back to “normal.” Today, the seller’s market is cooling down as interest rates begin to rise. In fact, mortgage applications are down 75% from a year ago—the lowest in 22 years. If you’re in the market to purchase a new home or are considering refinancing your existing home, you might feel a sense of panic. Does it make sense to buy in this market? Will interest rates continue to rise? What’s really happening is the equalization of a market that’s been running rampant for years, resulting in low inventory, fervid competition, and massive price gains.

In a new episode of A Place of Possibility™, we’re shedding light on everything you need to know about current interest rates and refinance options. We also discuss some of the programs currently available for first-time home buyers and welcome Del Monte Group’s support advisor Leo Bojorquez to explain how they work and how he has benefited from these programs personally. Tune in to hear more about:

• Why interest rates are rising but will most likely stabilize soon
• How a HELOC is more beneficial to you than refinancing your home if you need quick access to cash
• Why adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) can actually be beneficial for home buyers
• Programs available for moderate-income first-time home buyers for forgivable down payment loans and grants that pay closing costs

And more!

We know it’s hard right now to purchase affordable homes or make investments, and you may be holding out, hoping prices drop. While that may not happen, hope is not lost. Download a copy of our free guide and listen in for strategies to help you stay on top of your housing and real estate investment game.

More and more older adults are choosing to sell their homes or downsize as they enter retirement. There are a number of reasons for this trend. For one, many find that they don't need as much space as they did when raising a family. Additionally, maintaining a large home can be expensive and time-consuming. Downsizing to a smaller home or condo can free up a lot of time and money. Retirees may also want to downsize to simplify their lives and reduce their possessions. In this podcast, we’re joined by Senior Real Estate Expert Dayna Wilson from Keller Williams Realty to discuss some of the important things to consider when selling a home and moving during your later years in life. Together we will talk about,

• How to prepare for a home sale
• Some common mistakes older adults make when considering a move
• What older adults need to take into consideration concerning their health and well-being
• How to choose the right realtor

And more.

Moving can be a challenge no matter what stage of life you’re in, but when it comes to moving post-retirement, there are many unique situations an individual or family must consider. It’s not just about buying and selling a property but finding the right living solution for the older adults and their families to ensure everyone is thriving. If you’re considering a move or know someone who is, we hope this episode will help act as a guide to a smooth and more peaceful transition.

Did you know that the average American holds 70-80% of their net worth in their home equity? For most retirees, it is their largest asset. Did you also know that you can use home equity to help boost your income during retirement? You may have heard of a little thing called a reverse mortgage. Yes, they do tend to get a bad rap, but if used correctly, they are a powerful financial tool offering flexibility and an added income source that won’t impact your other investments. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today with our guest, Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Amanda Keith. Amanda is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator specializing in the HUD-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and the new Jumbo Reverse Mortgages. As an experienced financial professional, Amanda works to help clients understand how this program can be used to improve retirement cash flow.

Together we are going to discuss everything you need to know about reverse mortgages, including:

• What a reverse mortgage is
• What the qualifications are for borrowers
• How Americans are using reverse mortgages to help “problem-solve” in their finances
• When they make sense, when they don’t

And much more!

The goal of the episode is to give you the knowledge on reverse mortgages to have more options for a sustainable retirement. So, whether you think you might want a reverse mortgage someday or know somebody close to you who is considering one, this episode can help you weigh your options.

Raise your hand if you’re on the edge of your seat right now because of all the recession hype on the news? Don’t be afraid. Let those hands fly. Many people are nervous right now because of inflation, high-interest rates, and the slightly negative growth we saw last quarter. And, yes, if it continues for the next quarter, we could see a recession, but a very mild one at that. The thing is, recessions are a normal part of the economic cycle. They are not catastrophic to your wealth, and you don’t have to go DEFCON 5 on your investment decisions.

With that said, in a new episode of A Place of Possibility™, we are going to be talking about all things recession. We will talk about,

• What a recession actually is
• The economic cycles and what leads to a recession
• The history of recessions and what we’ve learned
• Why you can’t rely on the stock market for investment decisions

And more!

Our goal with this episode is to help ease your mind. No matter what happens, you will endure, and if you don’t make any drastic changes to your portfolio, you will make out pretty good on the other end – history has proven so! We can’t wait to share our insights with you and hope that you will pass this episode on to your family and friends.