1) Thanksgiving Thoughts   

I love this time of year, and like most Americans, I have incalculable reasons to be thankful this holiday season. I think it’s important to remember that, as often we take for granted all the bounty we enjoy in this country. As for the markets, the Trump rally continues, and that’s sent the major indices to new, all-time highs. In today’s leadoff segment, we look at a host of other observations to be made about this market, many of which are extremely encouraging for investors. Plus, why bonds have made such a huge move to the downside.

2) Preparing for 2017—Financial Planning

The new year is just around the corner, and that means now is the time to start getting your financial plan in order. I know that for many, financial planning is a task that’s worse than a root canal… but it doesn’t have to be. In today’s second segment, I talk about preparing for 2017 via financial planning, and it all starts with your “personal balance sheet.” 

3) Preparing for 2017—Estate Planning  

Do you want to make sure the people you love most are taken care of after you’re gone? Of course, we all do, but doing so can be difficult if you don’t know where to start. In today’s final segment, I tell you about what is perhaps the most-important part of your estate plan… getting your paperwork in good order. Plus, why Thanksgiving dinner serves as a great reminder to us all about the need to prepare in 2017.

1) The Post-Election Rally 

It’s been a little more than a week since the surprise victory of now President-elect Donald Trump, and so far, the market has responded with a decided move to the upside. Although there hasn’t been time for any policy changes yet, the mere expectation of renewed pro-growth economic policies in Washington is something Wall Street has embraced. So, how did stocks perform over the past week? What about bonds? Bond yields have surged of late, but by how much? What about the soaring U.S. dollar? Find out all the poignant particulars in today’s leadoff podcast segment. Plus, why some sectors have had bull-market surges since Election Day.

2) A ‘Path to Cash’ Update

If you’ve listened to my post-election presentation, “Your Path for Cash,” you know I’m a big advocate of emerging market stocks. Yet since the Trump victory, there has been a selloff in emerging markets right down to their 200-day average. Higher interest rates and a stronger U.S. dollar are negatives for emerging markets, so what does that mean for my EM thesis? Then we have precious metals, which also have fallen since the Trump win. Again, a rising dollar is not good for precious metals, but does that mean the recent bull market in PM is over? In today’s second segment, I update you on these and other sectors featured in “Your Path for Cash,” and I tell you why it’s important to stay patient and pick your spots. Plus, why financial stocks are soaring.  

 3) You’re Nervous, So What Do You Do Now?  

Your stomach is churning, and you don’t know what to do with your money next. So, how do you start figuring it all out? In today’s final segment, I give you a strategy for determining how you can start concretizing your goals so that you know what you need to achieve… because knowing what you need is the first step in knowing how to get there. Plus, why you need your money to be both flexible and diversified.

1) The Post-Trump Trade

Nearly all the pundits—both political and investing—got the election results wrong and the market reaction wrong. Most thought stocks would selloff hard on a Trump win while gold and bond prices would rise. Well, the exact opposite of that happened. In today’s leadoff segment, I talk about the election results, the market’s reaction, and how the different asset classes and market sectors did in this historic week. Plus, why the market is acting on classic behavioral economics.

2) Expectations for 2017

There’s a new president, but the first year of a new president is historically a mediocre year for the stock market. Meanwhile, bond returns are likely to be pressured next year, as their glory days of getting both income and price appreciation are likely over, too. So, what do you do with your money in 2017? In today’s second segment, I offer a few thoughts on how to reorient your thinking about what’s in store for the year ahead. Plus, why it’s a must you listen to my post-election presentation, “Your Path for Cash.”

3) Buy Low, Sell High  

Stocks in many sectors are going straight up in the wake of the Trump victory, but does that mean you should be buying those sectors? In today’s final segment, I talk about the contrarian ways to invest for a Trump presidency, and it all starts with looking at some of the areas that have sold off recently, but that are still very attractive sectors for the year ahead. Plus, why incremental purchasing is the best way to approach this market.

1) The Markets and Pre-Election Jitters

Stocks experienced another string of down days, with eight-consecutive losing sessions on the S&P 500. That hasn’t happened in years, but does it mean we are in for a more serious decline? The answer is no, and I explain why in today’s leadoff segment. Of course, I also give you the skinny on how all the major market sectors performed in this pre-election, jittery market. Plus, a few election thoughts before the vote.

2) Thoughts from an ETF Conference     

I attended a great ETF industry investment conference this week, and among the many things I learned this week is that many income investors are facing a dilemma. That dilemma is that the math in bonds is bad. Due to the rising interest rate environment, bonds prices are no longer going to go up the way they have in the past. That means your total returns are going to likely be less in bonds. In today’s second segment, we cover all the particulars regarding this bad bond math. Plus, why behavioral economics can explain self-destructive investor behavior.

3) Getting Mentally Prepared for Risk  

Risk is relative, and how much risk an investor is willing to take is dependent on a lot of factors. Yet for nearly every investor going forward, it is likely a reality that you must take on more risk going forward if want to get the same kind of returns you’ve been getting in recent years. In today’s must-listen final segment, I give you a few reasons why it’s important to get mentally prepared for taking on more risk. And, if you are holding a lot of cash the way so many investors are right now, the biggest risk is not putting that money to work. Plus, why you should never leave $40,000 just sitting on the sidewalk.

1) Another Lackluster Pre-Election Week  

Stocks bounced around this week amidst election paralysis, mixed earnings reports and mixed economic data. In today’s leadoff episode, we cover all the pertinent particulars, including the sectors of the market that are above and below their respective 200-day moving averages. Plus, why a Fed rate hike is a near certainty. 

2) From a Technical Perspective    

If you look at the price movement on the charts, you can tell a lot about where the markets have been… and where they may likely be headed. In today’s second segment, I offer up a few thoughts on where the market has been, and what’s likely in store as we head into year’s end. Plus, why the Dow has been in a “two-year trip to nowhere.” 

3) Time for Some Tax Planning

This time of year is a great time for some year-end tax planning. In fact, it’s never too early to get your financial house in order, and ready for Uncle Sam’s visit. In today’s final segment, we tell you about a few ways we’ve helped our Personal Wealth Coaching clients implement techniques that are going to help ease their tax burden. If you are worried about your tax picture (and who isn’t?) then this segment is a must listen.

1) Election Paralysis   

Markets are churning right now in a tight trading range, and that is largely due to what I call, “election paralysis.” And while there was relatively low volume this week, there were a few twists and turns in the markets worth noting. Find out all of the highlights of the week, along with my analysis, in today’s leadoff segment. Plus, more about our upcoming “path for cash” presentation.

2) The Crowd’s in Cash    

Markets love to mess with the wisdom of crowds. In fact, markets love to fake out the masses, and all too often investors are doing exactly the wrong thing with their money. Right now, the crowd’s in cash, but should that be the case? In today’s second segment, we explore current crowd psychology, and how it can influence investments. More importantly, we look at why this strategy isn’t usually the best way to invest. 

3) Managing Traditional and Roth IRAs. Roth IRA 

It’s RMD (required minimum distribution) season, and for those investors in retirement it means it’s really time to start thinking about how you are going to properly manage both your traditional and Roth IRAs. In today’s final segment, I go over the difference between proper management for both traditional and Roth IRAs, and why you should consider a Roth conversion as a tool for legacy planning. If you’re a retired investor, this segment is a must listen.  

1) Dealing with Election and Market Stress

It was a week of volatility for financial markets, as the stress of this most-unusual presidential election is taking its toll on equities, commodities, the dollar and bonds. So, will the market stress continue until Election Day? I think so, and that means now is a time to exercise caution and patience. And, how did the market end up this week? Find out all of the particulars in today’s premier podcast segment. 

2) The Case for Inflation   

Inflation has been absent in recent years, but many of the components in the “CPI” index have started to edge higher. So, is this the start of an inflationary environment? If so, what does this mean for bonds, stocks and the economy? Find out my macro take in today’s middle segment. Plus, why this year’s allocations won’t be next years, and which sectors of the market will outperform in an inflationary environment. 

3) A Path for Cash 

The single largest allocation for self-directed investors is an asset class that pays virtually nothing… cash. While many investors are understandably hunkered down, cash is not a place to be if you want to achieve your investment goals. So, what are some of the best ways to put cash to work for you? That’s the subject of today’s must-listen final segment. Plus, why the RMD can kill your IRA.

1) More on the Markets, the Elections, Bonds and Gold

This week, markets continued to bounce around with just a slight decline, as traders continue to assess the economic data, a rise in bond yields and a decline in gold and precious metals. So, how did all of the markets shake out this week, and are there any new buying opportunities lurking in the wings? Find out in today’s leadoff segment. Plus, the latest on the presidential election polls, the betting odds, and which candidate the market thinks will win (and what will happen if the market is wrong). 

2) Inflation Preparation  

I’ve been telling listeners for the past few months that bonds are not going to be the long-term total return opportunity that they’ve been in the past. Part of that is because of rising interest rates, and those rising rates are likely to translate into inflation. Of course, there are other factors that could boost inflation, including higher oil prices. So, how can you prepare your portfolio for the possibility of higher inflation? Find out today in this must-listen segment. 

3) What Are Your Feelings About Money? 

Are your attitudes about money motivated by fear? Are they motivated by compassion? What about happiness? In today’s final segment, I tell you about some recent research I was presented that could very well help you understand your money motivation, and help you understand what you need to do to maximize your financial situation. Plus, why this understanding is a key part of our Personal Wealth Coaching program.

1) Markets and the Election  

This week markets were focused on the first presidential debate, as traders are trying to figure out if the status quo candidate (Clinton) will win, or whether the wildcard candidate (Trump) can pull off an upset. The more uncertainty there is, the more volatile markets are likely to be. So, how did that volatility shake out in markets this week? Find out all of the particulars in today’s leadoff segment. Plus, what’s up with European banks, and why we are about to see huge buying opportunities in many asset classes? 

2) My 7% IRA Strategy

If you are an investor that’s approaching age 70, and if you have an IRA account, you are about to be forced to take your required minimum distribution, or RMD. Given that investments like cash are paying basically zero, the RMD can quickly eat away at even a substantial principle. What this means is you need a strategy that grows your money so you don’t burn through your entire nest egg. In today’s must-listen segment, I reveal what I call my “7% IRA strategy.” If you want to make sure your IRA money is working for you, this segment is a must. 

3) So, What’s Your Next Big Move? 

The answer to the question of what’s your next big move varies for everyone, but until you realize that you must always be moving forward, and looking at what is next, you are likely to get stuck where you’re at. If you want to figure out what your next big move is, then this segment is for you. Plus, why I love my Personal Wealth Coaching program, and why you will too.

1) The Fed Holds Steady 

Stocks jumped this week, largely on a relief rally from the “no surprises” decision by the Federal Reserve on interest rates. While there’s about a 50-50 chance the Fed will hike in December, for now interest rates will likely remain calm. So, what happened in the bond market, commodities, currencies, international equities and the rest of the key market indicators? Find out in today’s leadoff segment. Plus, why you need to get things done, like Tyler. 

2) My 5 Best Investing Ideas 

The Fed is behind us, and the presidential election uncertainty is just starting. So, what should you do now with your money right now? While I can’t make specific recommendations for listeners, I can give you a few of my favorite ideas to “chew” on for potential digestion. In today’s must-listen second segment, I give you four of my favorite investing ideas, plus one key “bonus” idea for those of you with smaller investment accounts, or for those looking for a very well-researched investment.   

3) What I Learned This Week 

I love learning, and there is nothing I learn from more than my Personal Wealth Coaching sessions. In today’s final segment, I tell you about what I learned this week about the new estate tax rules. I also tell you why, with proper planning, you should never have to pay the full freight of estate taxes.