A solid portfolio isn’t about finding the perfect stock — it’s about building a smart mix of investments that matches your goals, your timeline, and your ability to handle risk.

In this episode of The WealthWise Show, I break down how to build an investment portfolio step-by-step in a way that’s simple, practical, and focused on long-term success — whether you’re just getting started or tightening up what you already have.

We cover:

• The 3 building blocks: goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance
• What asset allocation is and why it drives most outcomes
• How diversification works (and common mistakes people make)
• How to think about stocks vs. bonds vs. cash in real life
• The difference between growth, value, and income approaches
• How often to rebalance — and how to avoid overreacting to headlines
• A simple framework you can use to evaluate if your portfolio still fits your life

🎧 If you’ve been overwhelmed by options, this episode will help you simplify the process and build with confidence.

The WealthWise Show is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Benowitz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser registered in the State of Florida. Advisory services are offered only to clients or prospective clients where the firm is properly registered or exempt from registration. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Any examples discussed are for illustration and educational purposes only and are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to implement any specific strategy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should consider their individual objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance and consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

Market pullbacks and corrections can feel stressful — especially when headlines get loud and your account balance starts moving fast. But here’s the truth: declines are a normal part of investing, and how you respond matters more than the drop itself.

In this episode of The WealthWise Show, I break down how to handle stock market pullbacks and corrections with a clear, practical game plan — so you can stay focused, avoid panic decisions, and protect your long-term strategy.

We cover:

• The difference between a pullback, a correction, and a bear market
• Why market drops happen (and why they’re not always “bad”)
• The biggest mistakes investors make during volatility
• How to pressure-test your portfolio: risk, diversification, and time horizon
• When it makes sense to rebalance (and when it doesn’t)
• Simple habits that help you stay disciplined when emotions are high
• How long-term investors think during uncertain markets

🎧 If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I get out?” or “Should I wait?” — this episode will help you replace fear with a real plan.

The WealthWise Show is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Benowitz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser registered in the State of Florida. Advisory services are offered only to clients or prospective clients where the firm is properly registered or exempt from registration. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Any market commentary is general in nature and not a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to adopt any investment strategy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should consider their objectives and risk tolerance and consult a qualified financial professional regarding their individual situation before making investment decisions.

Balance sheets can look intimidating — but once you know what you’re looking for, they tell a powerful story about a company’s financial strength (or hidden risk).

In this episode of The WealthWise Show, I break down how to read a balance sheet in plain English and how to use it to understand what a company owns, what it owes, and how stable it really is. Whether you’re a DIY investor, business owner, or just trying to get financially sharper, this episode will help you make sense of the numbers without getting lost in accounting jargon.

We cover:

• What a balance sheet is and why it matters
• Assets: cash, inventory, receivables, property, and what “liquidity” really means
• Liabilities: short-term vs. long-term debt and why timelines matter
• Shareholders’ equity: what it represents and what it doesn’t
• Key things I look for: current ratio, debt levels, working capital, and red flags
• How to spot strength vs. stress before you ever look at the stock price

🎧 If you’ve ever said, “I don’t really understand financial statements,” this is your starting point

The WealthWise Show is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Benowitz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser registered in the State of Florida. Advisory services are offered only to clients or prospective clients where the firm is properly registered or exempt from registration. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Any examples referenced are for illustration and educational purposes only and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should consult a qualified professional regarding their individual financial situation.

Everyone talks about investing — but how do you actually research a company before putting money at risk?

In this episode of The WealthWise Show, I walk you through how I personally research and evaluate companies, from a long-term, fundamentals-driven perspective. This is not about hype, hot tips, or trying to time the market. It’s about understanding businesses, managing risk, and making informed decisions.

We cover:

• Where I start when analyzing a company
• How I look at financial statements and business fundamentals
• Why cash flow, debt, and margins matter
• How management quality and business models factor into decisions
• The role of risk, valuation, and long-term trends
• Why not every good company is a good investment
• And how research fits into a diversified portfolio

This episode is designed to help listeners better understand how professional research thinking works, whether you invest on your own or work with an advisor. My goal is to give you clarity, not complexity — and to help you think more critically about the companies behind the investments you own.

🎧 If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes into real investment research, this episode pulls back the curtain.

The WealthWise Show is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Benowitz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser registered with the State of Florida. Advisory services are offered only to clients or prospective clients where the firm is properly registered or exempt from registration. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Any examples discussed are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual investments or recommendations. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Listeners should consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Healthcare is one of the biggest expenses retirees face — and for members of the Florida Retirement System, the Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS) can play an important role in helping offset those costs.

In this episode of The WealthWise Show, we break down the FRS HIS in plain English so you can clearly understand:

• What the Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS) is
• Who qualifies for the subsidy
• How the monthly benefit is calculated
• When the benefit starts
• How HIS works alongside Medicare
• Common misunderstandings that could cost retirees money

Whether you’re planning to retire soon or already receiving FRS benefits, understanding how the HIS fits into your overall retirement income and healthcare strategy is essential. This episode is designed to help you make more informed decisions and avoid surprises when it comes to healthcare costs in retirement.

🎧 If you’re an FRS member, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

📌 SEC & Florida Disclosure

The WealthWise Show is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Benowitz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser registered in the State of Florida. Advisory services are offered only to clients or prospective clients where the firm is properly registered or exempt from registration. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Any references to the Florida Retirement System or its benefits are general in nature and may not apply to every individual situation. Listeners should consult with a qualified financial professional regarding their specific financial circumstances.

In this episode of The WealthWise Show, we take a clear, simple, and practical look at the FRS Investment Plan — what it is, how it works, and how you can make smarter retirement decisions based on your goals, timeline, and long-term needs.

If you’re a member of the Florida Retirement System, understanding the Investment Plan can be a major key to building retirement income. We break down:

• How contributions work
• Investment fund options
• Risk levels and allocation decisions
• Vesting
• Fees
• What happens when you leave employment
• And how the Investment Plan compares to the FRS Pension Plan

Whether you’re early in your career or close to retirement, knowing how to align your investment choices with your goals may be one of the most important financial steps you ever take.

🎧 Tune in for real education, clear guidance, and a deeper understanding of how

The WealthWise Show is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Benowitz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Florida. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where the firm is properly registered or exempt from registration. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Listeners should consider their unique financial needs and consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions related to the FRS or other retirement plans.

In this episode of Derrick Thoughts, I share my honest perspective on the markets as we head into 2026—and why trying to predict what will happen next often does more harm than good.

Every year, investors are flooded with bold forecasts, confident predictions, and “sure bets” for the coming year. The reality? Markets don’t move on calendars, headlines, or opinions. They move on uncertainty, human behavior, and events no one sees coming.

I break down why forecasting the markets is so difficult, the common mistakes investors make when they rely too heavily on predictions, and what actually matters more when positioning your portfolio for a new year. This episode isn’t about calling the next big winner—it’s about thinking clearly, managing risk, and staying disciplined when the future is uncertain.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by market noise or unsure who to believe as a new year approaches, this episode will help you reset your perspective and focus on what you can control.

For educational and informational purposes only. This podcast does not constitute investment advice.

In this episode, Derrick breaks down the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan in plain English—no jargon, no confusion. You’ll learn how the pension formula works, how your years of service and AFC affect your benefit, what early retirement really means, and how to avoid costly mistakes before you leave the system. If you’re a teacher, first responder, state employee, or county worker relying on FRS for your retirement income, this episode gives you the roadmap you deserve.

In this episode of The WealthWise Show, we break down one of the most misunderstood retirement benefits available to eligible employees: DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program).

I explain, in plain language, what DROP actually is, how it works, and why the decisions you make during your DROP period can have a lasting impact on your retirement. From how your pension is calculated to what happens to your DROP balance, we walk through the key details many people overlook.

More importantly, we talk about strategies to help maximize your DROP—not just during the DROP years, but when you exit and transition into retirement. This includes how DROP fits into your overall retirement plan, common mistakes to avoid, and why having a coordinated investment, tax, and income strategy matters.

Whether you’re thinking about entering DROP, already in it, or approaching your exit date, this episode will help you better understand your options and make more informed decisions about your future.

For educational purposes only. This podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice.

In this episode of Derrick Thoughts, I share my honest perspective on the markets as we head into 2026—and why trying to predict what will happen next often does more harm than good.

Every year, investors are flooded with bold forecasts, confident predictions, and “sure bets” for the coming year. The reality? Markets don’t move on calendars, headlines, or opinions. They move on uncertainty, human behavior, and events no one sees coming.

I break down why forecasting the markets is so difficult, the common mistakes investors make when they rely too heavily on predictions, and what actually matters more when positioning your portfolio for a new year. This episode isn’t about calling the next big winner—it’s about thinking clearly, managing risk, and staying disciplined when the future is uncertain.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by market noise or unsure who to believe as a new year approaches, this episode will help you reset your perspective and focus on what you can control.

For educational and informational purposes only. This podcast does not constitute investment advice.