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...]
470: How the Economy Really Works: Savings, Investing, Consuming and Market Distortions
A primer on how the economic engine works through coordination between savers, investors, consumers, producers, governments, and banks. How hoarding and unfair competition can lead to economic distortions. Topics covered include: How spending and saving are connected including the paradox of thrift How borrowing money can lead to higher income and savings and potentially to bubbles How hoarding differs from investing and why too much hoarding can deprive businesses of … [Read more...]
304: A 15% Guaranteed Return? Lending on the Fringes of Finance
An analysis of the returns and risks of a cash advance company called DriverLoan Investor Club that promises to pay a 15% annual percentage yield. In addition, a look at different lending platform options including asset-based lending, unsecured peer-to-peer lending, and cryptocurrency lending. Jump to transcript Topics covered include DriverLoan Investor Club that promises a 15% guaranteed return U-haul Investors Club and other asset-based lending … [Read more...]
297 Plus: May 2020 Investment Conditions and Portfolio Review
In Plus episode 297 for the week of May 8, 2020, we review the latest economic trends, market valuations and market internals. We review the intrinsic value of stocks, why they historically have declined during recessions and why stocks may be acting differently during the current global recession. Finally, we review the criteria for when the allocation to stocks would be increased in the Money For the Rest of Us Plus model portfolios. … [Read more...]
297: How To Protect Your Savings
How to protect your savings from monetary threats like devaluation. Why high yield savings accounts exist and are they worth it. Topics covered include: Why Lebanon defaulted on its national debt and announced it will devalue its currency by 57%.Why some depositors in Lebanon will probably lose some of their bank savings.What investors can do to protect themselves from currency devaluations.What are stablecoins and why are they useful.Why some online banks pay above-average interest … [Read more...]
264: What Happens If U.S. Interest Rates Turn Negative?
Recently, the yield on the 30-year government bond in Germany went negative for the first time ever. Now there are 15 trillion dollars of bonds around the world, about 25% of the world’s bond supply that are priced so they earn a negative yield. That effectively means that investors are paying someone to hold their money. That there’s a cost to actually investing. The Math Behind Negative Yielding Bonds Most bonds that have a negative yield were not issued with a negative interest … [Read more...]
128: Is There Too Much Savings?
How holding onto goods longer before replacing them and a global savings glut impact the economy, interest rates and stock returns. Photo by Adam Wilson In this episode you'll learn: How a cartel and planned obsolescence impacted the lifespan of incandescent bulbs.Why consumers are holding on to their items longer and how that impacts the economy.How a global savings glut pushes down interest rates and what is causing it.How Treasury Inflation Protections Securities … [Read more...]
