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...]
474 Plus: Who Really Owns Our Stock Shares, a New Private Tech Company CEF, and a Canadian Cash Equivalent
In Plus episode 474, we review what it means that investors who purchase stock through a brokerage firm don't really own the stock but are only entitled to the dividends. We explore a new closed-end fund, DXYZ, that invests in private technology companies like SpaceX. Finally, we review a Canadian cash equivalent ETF, HSAV, that allows investors to avoid paying income tax. … [Read more...]
463: How to Lock in Higher Yields in Case Interest Rates Fall
With cash yields expected to fall, here's how you can keep your portfolio income elevated by purchasing longer-term individual bonds and bullet ETFs Topics covered include: How future short-term interest rates, inflation expectations, and term premiums impact long-term interest rates How each of those rate drivers contributed to the close to 1% drop in interest rates in the past three months How yield to maturity is our guide to locking in a fixed return using individual bonds … [Read more...]
450: How Higher Interest Rates Alter Our Financial Blueprint
We explore six impacts of higher interest rates on housing, capital projects, stock buybacks, excess returns for stocks, bonds, and other asset classes, and individual opportunity costs. Topics covered include: Where current interest rates stand Central banker predictions for how long cash yields will stay this high Why housing is the least affordable since the early 1980s Why new apartment building construction has collapsed What has been the excess return for stocks, … [Read more...]
449 Plus: Retaining an Investment Advisor, Money Market Funds, Repos, and a QT Update
In Plus episode 449, we answer a member's question about retaining an investment advisor. We compare bank-offered money market accounts and money market mutual funds. We review what repurchase agreements are and discuss at what point the Federal Reserve will need to stop allowing its bond holdings to mature as part of quantitative easing. … [Read more...]
447 Plus: The Tax Impact of Active Stock Funds, Municipal Bonds, and Balancing Cash and Longer-term Bonds
In Plus episode 447, we discuss how to calculate the performance impact of capital gains tax distributions for an active stock mutual fund. We answer a member's question on what to do with a portfolio of individual municipal bonds selected by their previous investment advisor. Finally, we explore the decision between holding high-yielding cash or locking in higher coupon rates on longer-term bonds. … [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...]
284 Plus: Mid Month Update, Mega Cap Stocks, and Investing Annuity Targeted Assets
In Plus episode 284 for the week of January 25, 2020, we review the latest economic releases to see if they show improvement. We review the massive inflow into bond funds as U.S. investors appear to be rebalancing their portfolios after a strong year for stocks. We consider the increasing concentration in the top 10 global stocks including Apple and Microsoft and how to mitigate that. Finally, we explore how a member should invest the funds that will be used to buy an immediate annuity in … [Read more...]
277 Plus: Investing Cash, Closed-end Funds, Volatility Risk Premium and Rights Offerings
In Plus episode 277 for the week of November 16, 2019 we look at different cash investing options. We review how to evaluate closed-end funds with a focus on recent closed-end funds David has invested in, including one that harvests the volatility risk premium. Finally, we look at how rights offerings work. … [Read more...]
260: July Mid Month Update, Asset Allocation Example, Evaluating Municipal Bonds and How To Buy Gold and Cryptocurrencies
In Plus episode 260 for the week of July 19, 2019, we look at stock and bond market performance month-to-date as well as recent economic releases. Using a member as an example, we walk through the tools on Money For the Rest of Us Plus for deciding on a new asset allocation target. We evaluate a Vanguard municipal bond fund and compare it to the overall bond market. Finally, we discuss how to buy and store gold and cryptocurrencies. … [Read more...]
