In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Paul and Garrett explore the evolving world of cryptocurrency—what it is, how it works, and where it might fit in an investment portfolio. They discuss the history and mechanics of Bitcoin, the volatility of speculative assets, and the psychological factors that influence investment decisions. The conversation covers strategies like dollar cost averaging, the importance of portfolio sizing, and balancing risk with diversification. Paul and Garrett also share thoughts on who might consider cryptocurrency, how to avoid common pitfalls, and why a measured approach is key to handling this high-risk, high-potential asset class.

Key Points From This Episode

● Defining cryptocurrency and its origins with Bitcoin.

● How cryptocurrencies function as digital tokens outside the traditional financial system.

● Viewing crypto as a speculative asset and its place in a diversified portfolio.

● The impact of early investment experiences on long-term investor behavior.

● Why starting with foundational investments is important before entering high-risk assets.

● Using dollar cost averaging to manage volatility in speculative investments.

● The relationship between concentration, diversification, and certainty in investing.

● Portfolio sizing strategies to manage risk from volatile assets.

● Recognizing the role of human emotion in buying high and selling low.

● Identifying who may be suited for cryptocurrency and the risks of “fear of missing out.”

● The increasing accessibility of crypto through ETFs and financial products.

● Caution against high fees, low transparency, and unsuitable crypto investments.

● Balancing potential growth with the ability to sleep well at night.

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Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of "Your Investment Partners," hosts Garrett and Paul explore the foundational concept of diversification—what it is, why it matters, and how to approach it thoughtfully. They break it down into three main categories: tax diversification, time diversification, and type diversification. The discussion touches on how each helps manage risk, maintain flexibility, and prepare for the unknowns of both markets and life. With practical examples and long-term perspective, they guide listeners toward building a well-rounded, adaptable investment strategy.

Key Points From This Episode

● Why diversification is a long-standing financial principle

● The difference between having multiple advisors and actual diversification

● Overview of tax diversification and the value of varied account types

● Tax flexibility through Roth IRAs, taxable, and tax-deferred accounts

● Understanding time diversification with short-, intermediate-, and long-term needs

● The importance of aligning investment types with time horizons

● Core principles of type diversification—stocks, bonds, real estate, crypto, and more

● Balancing risk by layering speculative and conservative assets

● Signs your diversification is working: peace of mind, flexibility, and stability

● Using diversification to withstand emergencies and market swings

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Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Garrett and Paul explore security-backed lending—how it works, when it makes sense, and the risks involved. They discuss the strategy often referred to as "buy, borrow, die," highlighting how high-net-worth individuals leverage their investment portfolios for liquidity without triggering taxable events. The conversation covers practical use cases, including funding real estate purchases, managing cash flow for businesses, and handling large expenses efficiently. They also outline the key limitations, such as restrictions on IRA accounts and the risks of margin calls. Whether you’re an investor with a concentrated stock position or simply looking for financial flexibility, this episode provides valuable insights into using investment assets strategically.

Key Points From This Episode

● Common psychological traps investors fall into, including loss aversion and overconfidence

● How anchoring to certain numbers can distort decision-making

● The influence of recency bias and how media reinforces it

● The impact of herd mentality and fear of missing out (FOMO)

● Risks of all-or-nothing decisions in response to market conditions

● Practical strategies to reduce emotional reactions, like using time buffers and bucketing money

● The importance of knowing your top financial priorities

● Role of consistent investing through both good and bad news

● Using long-term planning to counteract short-term market noise

● Encouragement to seek advice and maintain perspective during volatile times

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Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Paul and Garrett explore how to offer financial help to others—particularly family members—without compromising your own stability. They discuss the emotional and practical aspects of giving, sharing cautionary tales and personal anecdotes. The conversation includes strategies for standing on solid financial ground before offering assistance, alternative non-monetary ways to support loved ones, and the importance of boundaries to avoid enabling irresponsible behavior. Tune in for practical tips on generous giving that preserves your financial health.

Key Points From This Episode

● Why it’s important to be financially secure before helping others

● The difference between giving out of support versus guilt or emotional obligation

● Common pitfalls when helping family members with money

● The role of emergency funds and debt management in financial preparedness

● Strategies for long-term planning to assist children or loved ones

● Creating dedicated “giving” funds for spontaneous or future generosity

● The risk of get-rich-quick schemes disguised as charitable intentions

● Ideas for helping others through non-monetary support

● Structuring financial assistance as loans or matched savings

● Balancing generosity with the responsibility to avoid enabling others

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Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Paul and Garrett explore when and why it might be time to revise your financial goals. They discuss the importance of flexibility in financial planning and identify key moments that could prompt change—such as life transitions, shifting values, or changes in market conditions. They also stress the importance of avoiding knee-jerk reactions, regularly reassessing your goals, and focusing on one priority at a time. Whether you're ahead of schedule or facing unexpected obstacles, Paul and Garrett provide guidance on how to thoughtfully adapt your financial plan.

Key Points From This Episode

● Recognizing life events that may trigger financial goal adjustments.

● The importance of setting flexible goals from the outset.

● Real-world examples of goals evolving with career and family changes.

● How shifting values can impact long-term financial planning.

● The role of external factors like job loss, tax policy, and market changes.

● Avoiding overreactions to short-term events or “false alarms.”

● Regularly revisiting goals to assess progress and course-correct.

● Differentiating between short-, medium-, and long-term goals.

● Looking backward to refine future goal-setting.

● Focusing on one priority at a time to reduce overwhelm.

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Useful Links

Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Garrett and Paul explore security-backed lending—how it works, when it makes sense, and the risks involved. They discuss the strategy often referred to as "buy, borrow, die," highlighting how high-net-worth individuals leverage their investment portfolios for liquidity without triggering taxable events. The conversation covers practical use cases, including funding real estate purchases, managing cash flow for businesses, and handling large expenses efficiently. They also outline the key limitations, such as restrictions on IRA accounts and the risks of margin calls. Whether you’re an investor with a concentrated stock position or simply looking for financial flexibility, this episode provides valuable insights into using investment assets strategically. 

Key Points From This Episode 

• What security-backed lending is and how it works 
• Common misconceptions around "buy, borrow, die" 
• How wealthy individuals use investment portfolios for liquidity 
• When security-backed loans make financial sense 
• The risks involved, including market volatility and margin calls 
• Why these loans cannot be used with IRA or 401(k) funds 
• Scenarios where a security-backed credit line can be beneficial 
• How business owners can leverage these loans for operations 
• Practical considerations for setting up and managing a credit line 

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Useful Links 

Garrett on LinkedIn 

Paul on LinkedIn 

Ascend Investment Partners 

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Garrett and Paul discuss essential financial planning steps to start the year off strong. They emphasize the importance of setting financial goals, reviewing cash flow, and making strategic adjustments to investments. The conversation covers inflation’s impact on savings, maximizing tax opportunities, and reviewing insurance and estate plans. They also highlight key considerations for Roth conversions, debt management, and identity protection. Tune in to ensure your financial foundation is aligned with your long-term objectives. 

Key Points From This Episode 

• Importance of setting financial goals at the beginning of the year 
• Reviewing cash flow and day-to-day spending habits 
• Inflation’s impact on long-term financial health 
• Evaluating tax-saving opportunities, including Roth conversions 
• Managing debt and reassessing mortgage or loan payments 
• Checking insurance coverage to avoid being over- or underinsured 
• Reviewing estate plans and beneficiary designations 
• Strategies for protecting against identity theft and credit fraud 
• Adjusting investment allocations to align with upcoming expenses 
• Preparing for tax season and potential changes in tax laws 

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Garrett on LinkedIn 

Paul on LinkedIn 

Ascend Investment Partners 

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Garrett and Paul discuss practical steps to prepare for a market downturn while the economy is thriving. They explore strategies like reviewing emergency funds, optimizing portfolio allocations, and managing debt to maintain financial resilience. The conversation also highlights the importance of aligning investments with personal goals, maintaining a diversified portfolio, and using strong markets as an opportunity to enhance savings and generosity. Whether you're planning for retirement, navigating career changes, or simply looking to safeguard your finances, this episode offers actionable advice to keep you on track.

Key Points From This Episode

• Understanding the inevitability of market corrections and long-term financial planning.
• Reviewing and adjusting emergency funds to suit current life circumstances.
• Avoiding the psychological trap of portfolio “high water marks.”
• Realigning portfolio allocations, including stocks, bonds, and international investments.
• Rebalancing and diversifying across asset classes and company sizes.
• Evaluating and reducing debt levels during favorable market conditions.
• Using strong markets as an opportunity to increase savings habits.
• Exploring charitable gifting and intergenerational wealth transfers.
• Revisiting spending habits to ensure resilience in future downturns.

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Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of "Your Investment Partners," hosts Paul and Garrett examine the concept of a 351 Exchange and how it applies to taxable accounts with highly concentrated positions. They delve into strategies for achieving diversification while deferring taxes, exploring how this specialized section of the tax code allows investors to reallocate portfolios without realizing immediate tax liabilities. The conversation highlights the process, benefits, and limitations of using 351 ETF exchanges to manage large, concentrated positions effectively. Tune in to learn how this approach might help you reduce portfolio risk and maintain tax efficiency.

Key Points From This Episode

• Introduction to the concept of 351 Exchanges.
• Comparison with 1031 Exchanges used in real estate.
• Focus on taxable accounts with concentrated positions.
• Explanation of diversification benefits and tax deferral.
• Specific rules for eligibility, including limits on individual positions.
• How 351 ETF exchanges enable portfolio rebalancing without immediate taxes.
• Advantages of ETFs over mutual funds for tax efficiency.
• Step-by-step process for executing a 351 Exchange.
• Benefits of liquidity and flexibility post-ETF exchange.
• Considerations for choosing partners and professionals for implementation.

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Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of "Your Investment Partners," hosts Paul and Garrett explore the complexities of paying off low-interest debt, focusing on considerations like cash flow, liquidity, inflation, and tax implications. They address when it might make sense to hold onto low-interest debt while earning higher returns elsewhere and the peace of mind that comes with eliminating debt. The conversation highlights balancing financial optimization with life quality, especially as retirement nears. Whether it’s maintaining liquidity or weighing the impact on future goals, Paul and Garrett offer practical strategies and insights to help you make informed decisions about managing low-interest debt.

Key Points From This Episode

• The challenge of managing low-interest debt in today's financial environment.
• Balancing financial optimization versus peace of mind in debt management.
• The importance of maintaining liquidity when deciding whether to pay off debt.
• Using inflation to your advantage by holding onto low-interest debt as wages increase.
• Strategies for spreading out tax burdens when selling investments to pay off debt.
• Factors to consider: interest rates, cash flow, and tax implications when paying off debt.
• The value of opening a separate account to save for debt payoff while maintaining liquidity.
• How to align debt payoff strategies with future goals like education or retirement.
• The flexibility and importance of maximizing financial optionality in debt decisions.

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Useful Links

Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners