In Plus episode 483, we analyze the Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC), which invests in business development companies (BDCs), leveraged loans, and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). We review the characteristics of all those asset categories. We also discuss the appropriate cash balance for retirees and consider whether a retired member's portfolio has too much in stocks. … [Read more...]
483: Don’t Lose Access to Your Cash: Comparing Banks, Neobanks, and Fintech Platforms for Cash Savings
Millions of fintech app users have lost access to their cash. In this episode, we explain why this happened and show you how to protect yourself when placing cash with traditional banks, neobanks, and fintech platforms. Topics covered include: The mass chaos in the fintech space spawned by the bankruptcy of Synapse Financial Technologies What are FBO accounts, and why they are so troublesome What is the difference between a traditional bank, a neo bank, and a non-bank What to … [Read more...]
443 Plus: U.S. Debt Downgrade, Vanguard Cash Plus Account, and Crowdstreet Fraud
In Plus episode 443, we consider the repercussions of Fitch downgrading U.S. government debt and how to monitor the debt situation. We analyze Vanguard's new cash options. Finally, we review the recent fraud accusations for one of the real estate investments hosted on the Crowdstreet real estate platform. … [Read more...]
412: Where to Invest Your Cash Savings for Higher Yields
What are the best options for safely investing cash. Topics covered include: High-yield savings accounts Certificates of Deposits Government Bonds Money Market Mutual Funds When should you invest in long-term bonds Why some savings apps try to look like banks but they are not What happens when central banks lose money Where not to deposit cash for safety Show Notes a16z-backed Tellus wants to offer consumers a much better savings rate. Here’s how. by … [Read more...]
392: What Is Money and How to Use It
David and his son Camden hold a conversation about money, its attributes, how it's created, and how money differs from investments. Topics covered include: How our earliest money memories impact our views on money The difference between public and private money What are the two primary attributes of money Why money should be accepted with no questions asked How some countries use more cash than others How money differs from investing Why private money can be … [Read more...]
294 Plus: Mid Month Update, Is Cash Safe and Investing in Oil
In Plus episode 294 for the week of April 18, 2020, we review financial market performance and investment conditions as of mid-April. We also review what investment conditions were at the market bottom in March 2009 during the Great Financial Crisis. We discuss the rationale behind adding investment-grade corporate bonds at this time. We consider the safety of bank savings account and money market mutual funds. Finally, look at ways to speculate in oil and whether it is worth it. … [Read more...]
MNY108 Plus: REITs versus Crowdfunding, and Raising Cash
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we discuss the differences between investing in real estate investment trusts and real estate deals on crowdfunding sites. I also answer member questions on raising cash to fund retirement expenses and raising cash based on market conditions. Finally, we discuss portfolios for a three to five year timeframe. The episode length is 15 minutes. … [Read more...]