Finerate

Bill and Anastasia cover a concept everyone is familiar with but might not know how to explain - specifically, what are corporations? How are they related to other business entities like sole proprietorships, LLCs, LPs, etc? Who runs a corporation? What's the difference between a CEO, a COO, and a CFO? What power do shareholders have? Bill also provides insight into what he considers about a corporation before he decides to invest in one.

From a moral standpoint, are corporations only incentivized to make profits to keep shareholders happy? How much difference does a CEO have on making ethical or environmentally-friendly decisions? Do corporations deserve a bad rap?

For comments and questions, you can email us at [email protected].

From the perspective of a financial advisor, Bill and Anastasia tackle the meaty topic of U.S. health care in this two-part episode series. In Part Two, Bill offers strategies that consumers can use to help mitigate the cost of health care. Bill and Anastasia touch on different health insurance options and the benefits of a HSA (Health Savings Account).

If you haven't yet, be sure to listen to Part One before starting this episode. In Part One, Bill covers reasons why the U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any country in the world. Additionally, why are Anastasia's friends receiving bills before insurance kicks in of $38,000+ for a baby delivery without complications? Why is insulin so expensive when the inventor originally sold the patent for $1?

For comments and questions, you can email us at [email protected].

From the perspective of a financial advisor, Bill and Anastasia tackle the meaty topic of U.S. health care in this two-part episode series. In Part One, Bill covers reasons why the U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any country in the world. Additionally, why are Anastasia's friends receiving bills before insurance kicks in of $38,000+ for a baby delivery without complications? Why is insulin so expensive when the inventor originally sold the patent for $1?

Bill relates his experience serving on the board of a local hospital. For 25 years, Bill served Broadlawns Medical Center, the publicly owned community hospital in Polk County, Iowa (the Greater Des Moines Metro Area) - 11 years as a non-paid publicly elected member of the Board of Trustees, including three years as Board Chair, and 14 years in an advisory role to the Board's Finance Committee. Bill has been credited with being the "architect of the turnaround" at the hospital, designing a plan that led to higher quality care at a more affordable price for all of Polk County citizens.

Be sure to check out the rest of this topic, including strategies consumers can use to mitigate health care costs, during Part Two in two weeks!

For comments and questions, you can email us at [email protected].

With the recent stock market volatility, Bill and Anastasia set out to provide some perspective on persevering during the ups and downs. Bill discusses how investors and the overall market are feeling, how he is feeling personally, and how this volatile period compares to the rest of his career. Bill analogizes Mito Pereira's recent PGA Championship loss to what is needed to weather difficult markets, and addresses whether investors should change their strategy at this time.

To submit questions to the podcast or send comments on current episodes, you can email us at [email protected].

Bill explains the basic concept behind inflation, why core CPI is lower than actual inflation, how often inflation occurs, and how governments may stop it, before outlining steps that individuals can take to reduce the impact of inflation on their budgets. Bill answers the question of whether investing in the stock market is still a good way to combat inflation while markets are trending downward. Anastasia discusses how inflation has been impacting her household's budget and choices.

To submit questions to the podcast or send comments on current episodes, you can email us at [email protected].

Bill and Anastasia continue answering listener questions in this second of a two-part series. In Part Two, they discuss what to do if your significant other has different spending priorities, why a 401(k) plan is named "401(k)," how to know whether you are saving enough for retirement, when is a good time to set up a checking or savings account for children, and what exactly is an inverted yield curve and does it reliably predict recessions?

Bill and Anastasia have covered each of these topics generally in previous episodes, but it can help to hear how others are applying these concepts in specific situations. For relevant former episodes to today's questions, check out "Discussing Finances With Your Life Partner," "When Can You Retire?" "Discussing Finances With Family," and "Bonds 101."

To submit your own question for a future episode, you can email us at [email protected].

Bill and Anastasia tackle several questions from listeners in this two-part series. In Part One, they discuss rolling over a 401(k) account, how to prioritize credit card repayment, contributing to a Roth vs. a traditional IRA and how to prioritize contributions to various retirement accounts, and whether to get a second credit card.

Bill and Anastasia have covered each of these topics generally in previous episodes, but it can help to hear how others are applying these concepts in specific situations. For relevant former episodes to today's questions, check out "How to Manage Your 401(k)," "Pay Off Debt vs. Start Investing," "Investing in Common Stock" two-parter, and "What Should You Know About Credit Scores?"

To submit your own question for a future episode, you can email us at [email protected].

Bill and Anastasia discuss the many different kinds of stocks (stalks?) out there.

For questions and comments, you can email us at [email protected].

What are paper hands versus diamond hands, and is it effective to think in these terms when it comes to investing? Bill and Anastasia use these terms to dive into several recent questions they've been receiving from nervous or curious investors. Should you change your investment strategy in anticipation of a downturn? Are there certain strategies that work better in an upmarket than a down-market? How much can outside events, like war, affect the stock markets? Bill wraps up the discussion with some investing truths that have worked for him. Anastasia mentions the "Blade Runner curse" that plagued many corporations after the release of the 1982 movie starring Harrison Ford.

If you like this episode, consider listening to (or re-listening to) previous episodes, "The Rise of GameStop (GME) Stock" from February 2021 and "Is Investing in the Stock Market the Same as Gambling?" from September 2021.

For questions and comments, please email us at [email protected]

What should you know about credit scores? What actually affects your credit score, and what doesn't? Bill and Anastasia dive into the evolution of credit lending and offer advice and information for those with credit or looking to start.

Bill and Anastasia also briefly covered this topic in "Life Advice From Financial Experts," as well as the pros and cons of credit cards in "Cash vs. Credit," so be sure to check out those episodes if you haven't already.

For questions and comments, please email us at [email protected].