The Decision Dividend

Should You Sell or Borrow from Your Portfolio?


Listen Later

Many investors assume that if they need cash, even for short-term expenses, they have one option: sell their investments.


In Episode 30 of Return on Reason, we discuss a less widely understood option, borrowing against your investment portfolio. It may be one option for accessing short-term liquidity, but it also introduces tradeoffs that stretch beyond the interest rate.

You’ll learn:

  • Four ways to access cash from your portfolio
  • Six criteria to consider when evaluating tradeoffs
  • How to use this framework in three example situations
  • Even if you don’t need this today, understanding how it works may help inform your decision if the need arises.

     

    Chapters

    00:00 Why Liquidity Builds Confidence

    Why having access to cash affects how confidently you invest your portfolio

    02:15 Temporary Liquidity vs Permanent Leverage

    Why borrowing should be time-constrained and where it can become risky

    04:30 The Four Ways to Access Cash

    Selling securities, portfolio lines, HELOCs, and traditional loans

    07:45 The 6 Tradeoffs That Matter

    Origination, cost, taxes, rate structure, behavior, and risk

    12:45 Case Study 1: Helping a Child Buy a Home

    A short-term need where avoiding capital gains can make a difference

    15:45 Case Study 2: Business Working Capital

    Using a portfolio when traditional lending isn’t available or practical

    18:45 Case Study 3: Funding a Major Purchase

    Why flexibility can become a downside without a repayment plan

    21:30 Key Takeaways: Simplicity vs Flexibility

    Why selling is often the answer and when borrowing makes sense

     

    Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/greenstream/id1795467982

    Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26NYX6WD7godcJAYVE0Yk8?si=Qxj-H7HiRdGmbNlW8uuV9g

    Subscribe for Email Updates: https://greenspringadvisors.com/greenstream-podcast

    Meet with Pat & Marcus: https://outlook.office365.com/book/MarcusCalendaratGreenspringAdvisors@Greenspringos33.onmicrosoft.com

     

    Sources

    1Securities Backed Line of Credit Explained (FINRA. 2024)

    2Know What Triggers a Margin Call (FINRA, 2023)

    Information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. It is not intended as the primary basis for financial planning or investment decisions and should not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any investor. This material has been prepared for information purposes only and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The Decision DividendBy Greenspring Advisors

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    7 ratings