Flourish Insights

Episode #48: Update on Personal Savings and Spending Rates

The COVID crisis changed the landscape of the American economy. One bittersweet consequence is that the average American family is in better financial shape today than they were before the pandemic. So, what shifted over the past 18 months - and what are the implications for the near future? In this episode, Jay Pluimer explores the pandemic’s impact on personal finances, including personal spending rates, average debt, and savings habits.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 47: What's Up with the Housing Market?

The state of the housing market is a frequent topic of conversation these days, with prices soaring, homes selling in days, and sellers fielding multiple offers above the asking price. In this episode, Jay Pluimer provides historical and supply chain context for the current market, and shares advice for those who may be considering selling in order to capitalize on what is, perhaps, the best seller’s market in history.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 46: Revisiting the Inflation Question

Inflation is once again a hot topic among economists and investors. Now that we have four months of economic data for 2021, coupled with multiple inflammatory headlines and notable comments from the Federal Reserve, should Americans expect prices for their everyday purchases to rise? In this episode, Jay Pluimer discusses inflation versus transitory inflation, the role the Federal Reserve plays, and why inflation is such an important topic for investors.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 45: Should Anybody Sell in May and Go Away?

If you’ve heard the common investing refrain, “Sell in May and go away”, then you may be wondering if taking a break from the markets each summer is a smart move. Although there is historical context for this idea, Jay Pluimer explains why it’s time to stop taking investment advice from a century ago. After all, time in the market is a lot more important than timing the market. Check out this week’s episode to learn why, and for the modern summer market data that should drive your evidence-based investment decisions.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 44: ESG vs. Big Oil

Environmental, Social, and Governance investments have been a popular topic, both on this podcast and in the wider investment context. An important theme in the conversations is that a growing number of institutional and individual investors are taking a new perspective when making investment decisions, specifically to support companies in the clean energy sector. Today, we’re talking about one of the most important days in ESG’s history - May 26, 2021, when three of the oldest and largest oil companies in the world had the universe turned upside down.

Jay Pluimer shares the bombshell news and discusses whether it marks a turning point from old energy to sustainable investments in this episode of Flourish Insights.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 43: A Comprehensive View of Your Investments

It’s common to have an incomplete picture of your savings and investments. Even the most organized people have the occasional pension plan that has been turned into a cash balance plan, a forgotten or unknown side account set up by a grandparent, or a 401(k) or 403(b) from an old job. Additionally, most people have changed jobs, banks, or brokerages at some point in the last few decades, which can make it hard to keep track of all your accounts. However, it’s an important aspect of wealth management to get a consolidated understanding of all your assets and liabilities. If you’ve lost track of any of your savings or investment accounts, Jay Pluimer shares where to start with locating them and getting organized, including analyzing your overall market risk and assessing your total fees.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 42: The Return of Value Investments

Value-oriented investments have returned to prominence in the stock market, with indications that they may lead the next market cycle. This investment style has shown strong returns over the past eight months, and it is characterized by investing in companies with positive but moderate earnings and profits, usually in the single digits and above, that are trading at low prices relative to similar stocks.

Value stocks, essentially, are trading at prices below what they are currently worth. In contrast, a growth-oriented style of investing is characterized by seeking companies with strong earnings and revenue growth in the mid-teens and above, even if the companies aren’t profitable yet. Growth investments have dominated over the last ten years, with significantly better returns. However, value stocks are making a comeback. Jay Pluimer explains why - and what it could mean for your portfolio - in this episode of Flourish Insights.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 41: Can You Get Back Into the Market Now?

It’s been over a year since the bottom dropped out of the stock market during the midst of the coronavirus crisis. At Flourish, we encouraged our clients to stay in the market and focus on the long-term throughout the turmoil. However, not all investors were able to withstand the emotional, psychological, and financial strain of watching account balances drop on a near-daily basis. As a result, many people sold when the market was on its way down, or even at the bottom. The question then becomes, when is it wise to get back in?

In this episode, Jay Pluimer shares his perspective about why now is a good time to reinvest in the market, based on both historical trends and current data.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 40: The Income Replacement Dilemma

As you approach retirement, it is essential to plan for how you will replace your current income and support your preferred retirement lifestyle. There are many ways to structure your investments prior to retirement, but the goal should always be to build a long-term saving, investing, and spending plan.

Whether you want to travel, buy a second home, or start the business you always dreamed of, you’ll need a plan to accomplish this with no paycheck to count on. Instead, you’ll rely on your investments to support your financial needs. Can your portfolio truly replace your former salary, though? In this episode, Jay Pluimer explores whether or not it’s possible to generate a consistent and reliable income stream from an investment portfolio in the current market environment.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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Episode 39: To Crypto, or Not to Crypto?

Cryptocurrency is a term used to describe a variety of digital currencies, with the two best known and largest being Bitcoin and Ethereum. Cryptocurrencies have a market capitalization of over $2 trillion as of mid-April 2021, but they are still a very small part of the investment universe when compared to the global stock market at $95 trillion. As a relatively new investment option, it’s important to consider the potential merits of crypto -- as well as potential disadvantages.

In this episode, Jay Pluimer discusses how Flourish Wealth Management views crypto as a potential investment for client portfolios, while analyzing crypto as an investment option compared to traditional investments like stocks, bonds, real estate, or commodities.

Always check back next week for more Flourish Insights with Jay Pluimer and don't forget to check out our insights blog at https://www.flourishinsights.com

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