Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest: Recent Episodes
Glenn Leest
Embark on a journey into the financial and technological future as Glenn Least from WT Wealth Management joins us to dissect the AI revolution's impact on everything from NVIDIA's soaring stock to our very way of life. You'll be privy to our enlightening banter about the rise of large language models like ChatGPT, deep machine learning's infiltration into industries, and the profound effects these advancements could have on your job, your creativity, and even your family time. We're not just analysts with charts; we're soothsayers at the cutting edge, forecasting how today's tech marvels might shape our tomorrows.
As we navigate the twists and turns of a presidential election year, we also cast our gaze over historical market trends and the vital signs of today's economy that could herald prosperity. Will the specter of a Trump-Biden rematch send ripples through the financial sector? Listen as we delve into the tantalizing world of political power plays and their influence on our wallets. And rest assured, we keep it lively with a dash of humor, musing over technology's portrayal from silver screen to sitcoms—ever wondered how Futurama might prophesize our futures with robots? Tune in and find out.
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
Prepare to fortify your financial know-how as Glenn Lee from WT Wealth Management joins us to dissect the complex organism that is the US banking system. This episode promises to not only reveal how banks truly work but also demystify the pivotal concept of fractional reserve banking, where banks hold only a fraction of your deposits. We scrutinize the double-edged sword of this system, exploring both its role as an economic catalyst and its inherent risks as recent banking events have shown. As interest rates climb, we'll help you grasp the repercussions on the investments that are the bedrock of banking stability.
Venture further into the banking frontier as we deliberate the imminent rise of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and the seismic shifts they may trigger within the financial landscape. With Glenn's expertise, we evaluate the potential overhaul of traditional banking functions and the federal government's prospective role in direct lending. The episode doesn't stop there; we also shine a light on the comprehensive suite of services that banks offer, from credit cards to investment advice. Safeguarding against economic turmoil, we reflect on the stringent regulations born from the 2008 crisis, ensuring you're armed with the foresight to navigate the banking world's evolving tides.
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
Unlock the secrets to a prosperous financial future with the assistance of Glenn Leest from WT Wealth Management, who's here to guide you through the building blocks of savvy investing. Eager to understand how compound interest can work wonders for your wallet? Glenn unpacks the mesmerizing power of starting your investment journey early, illustrating the stark differences outcomes based on when and how much you begin with. He also demystifies the allure of being part of colossal companies like Amazon and provides down-to-earth advice for burgeoning investors and parents alike. Embrace the philosophy of patient, long-term investment tactics, and witness how foresight in saving can sculpt your financial horizon.
Navigating the investment landscape with a conservative compass can be a daunting endeavor—but fear not, as Glenn lays out the blueprint for aligning portfolios with personal conviction and steering clear of the 'woke' investment hype. By dissecting the role of bonds and the Federal Reserve, he emphasizes the critical nature of financial literacy. If you've ever questioned the merit of professional advice, this episode challenges you to weigh the learning curve of solo endeavors against the profound impact a financial advisor can have on your assets' growth. Plus, you'll learn why resisting the siren call of market timing and neglecting expert insights can be a treacherous path for your portfolio. Tune in for an episode charged with wisdom that's essential for anyone serious about fortifying their financial well-being.
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
Join us, Glenn Leest and Jeff Oravits, as we chat with Casey Dubravcic in this compelling episode of Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest. We delve into a topic of utmost importance: the profound significance of investing in your mental health. Our discussion centers on the idea that your mental well-being is not just a part of your life – it's your greatest asset.
The episode features expert insights, personal stories, and practical advice on nurturing and enhancing your mental well-being. We delve into mindfulness practices, stress management, and strategies for maintaining a positive outlook, emphasizing that investing in your mental health is a lifelong journey.
Tune in as we underscore the importance of making mental health a top priority in your life, and how this investment can yield immeasurable returns.
Casey is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Casey and his wife Jill Dubravcic run Revitalize Ketamine Clinic, the premier Ketamine treatment provider in Flagstaff, AZ. They specialize in helping Depression, OCD, Substance Abuse, Anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar and Chronic Pain treatment through medically assisted Ketamine infusions. You can learn more about the services they offer and learn more about some of the new and exciting developments in the mental health field by visiting their website:
Casey Dubravcic - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
https://revitalizeketamine.com/
1800 South Milton Road, Suite 26, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
Office Number for the clinic: (928) 440-8762
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
In this episode, Glenn Leest takes you on a personal journey through his career and shares how he became a senior investment advisor. But this episode isn't just a tale of personal growth; it's a roadmap for anyone looking to navigate the world of investing. So, whether you're a financial novice or a seasoned pro, tune in to discover how Glenn got to where he is today and why the path to becoming an intelligent investor is so important for your financial future.
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
In this episode, join Glenn Leest as we continue to delve into the fascinating and rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various industries. We discuss the positive and negative implications of AI and the importance of responsible AI development. This episode isn't just for tech aficionados or finance professionals; it's a conversation for everyone intrigued by the ever-widening reach of AI across industries.
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
In this episode, join Glenn Leest as we delve into the fascinating and rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various industries. We discuss the basic functions of AI as well as the positive and negative implications. We also discuss the importance of responsible AI development. This episode isn't just for tech aficionados or finance professionals; it's a conversation for everyone intrigued by the ever-widening reach of AI across industries.
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
The Origins of ESG
What is PRI:
· Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is a set of six principles that provide guidance to investors on how to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investment decisions. The PRI was founded in 2006 by a group of investors, and it now has over 4,000 signatories, which represent trillions of dollars in assets.
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has played a significant factor in the development of ESG in the following ways:
· Setting standards and guidelines: The PRI has developed a set of six principles that provide guidance to investors on how to incorporate ESG factors into their investment decisions. These principles have been widely adopted by investors and organizations around the world, and they have helped to standardize the way that ESG is measured and managed.
· Providing resources and support: The PRI provides a variety of resources and support to its signatories, including training, research, and networking opportunities. This support has helped investors to learn more about ESG and to develop the skills they need to incorporate it into their investment decisions.
· Advocating for ESG: The PRI advocates for responsible investment policies and practices at the international level. They work with regulators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to promote the integration of ESG factors into the financial system.
· Measuring and reporting: The PRI has developed a set of standards for measuring and reporting ESG performance. These standards help investors to assess the ESG performance of companies and investments, and they provide a common language for communicating ESG information.
· Building a community: The PRI has built a global community of investors who are committed to responsible investment. This community provides a forum for investors to share ideas, learn from each other, and collaborate on initiatives to promote responsible investment.
PRI 6 Principles
- Incorporate ESG factors into investment decisions: The PRI wants investors to consider ESG factors when making investment decisions, such as the environmental impact of a company's operations or the social impact of its products and services.
- Promote transparency and accountability: The
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
What is ESG?
- Environmental: This includes factors such as a company's impact on the environment, its use of natural resources, and its emissions of greenhouse gases.
- Social: This includes factors such as a company's labor practices, its treatment of employees, and its impact on the community.
- Governance: This includes factors such as a company's corporate governance structure, its executive compensation, and its transparency.
How is ESG Measured?
- Climate change: This is one of the most important ESG factors, as it has the potential to have a significant impact on businesses and the economy. Companies that are taking steps to reduce their carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change are seen as being more ESG-friendly.
- Labor practices: This includes factors such as a company's treatment of employees, its wages and benefits, and its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Companies that have strong labor practices are seen as being more ESG-friendly.
- Human rights: This includes factors such as a company's impact on human rights, its supply chain practices, and its commitment to ethical sourcing. Companies that respect human rights are seen as being more ESG-friendly.
- Governance: This includes factors such as a company's corporate governance structure, its executive compensation, and its transparency. Companies that have strong governance practices are seen as being more ESG-friendly.
The Cons of ESG
- ESG investing can be more expensive: ESG funds often have higher fees than traditional funds. This is because they require more research and due diligence to identify and select ESG-friendly companies.
- ESG investing can be less diversified: ESG funds may be more concentrated in certain sectors or industries, which can increase risk. For example, an ESG fund that focuses on renewable energy may be more exposed to the risks of the solar or wind power industries.
- ESG investing can be subjective: There is no single definition of ESG, and different investors may have different interpretations of what it means to be environmentally and socially responsible. This can lead to confusion and inconsistency in the market.
- ESG investing can be difficult to track: ESG data is often not as standardized as traditional financial data. This can make it di
Thanks for joining us on Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest! Your go-to source for navigating the complex world of finance and becoming an intelligent investor. We appreciate your trust in us and your commitment to your own financial future.
Connect with Us:
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Office Phone: (928) 225-2474 Office
Email: intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
Website: https://www.wtwealthmanagement.com/team/glenn-leest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentinvestingwithglenn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlennLeestIntelligentInvesting/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IntelligentInvestingGlennLeest?si=d6S0y14lghz0eaHa
**Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.
Your feedback helps us provide you with more valuable content.
We'll be back with more insights into intelligent investing and how it relates to your world.
Stay informed and make those smart financial choices.
Until next time, this is Intelligent Investing with Glenn Leest, helping you make your money work for you.
...
Gold and Silver and Lithium
- Gold, its been around forever and we used to tie our currency to it. What role does it play in our lives today and in our portfolios?
· Gold is one of the most valuable and sought-after metals in the world and has been used for thousands of years as a currency, a symbol of wealth, and in jewelry and decorative arts.
· The use of gold has evolved over time, from its use as a currency and a symbol of wealth to its use in electronics, dentistry, and medical devices. Today, gold is still widely used in jewelry and decorative arts, as well as in investment products such as gold bars, coins, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
· The price of gold is influenced by a variety of factors, including global economic conditions, political instability, inflation rates, and supply and demand dynamics. Gold is often seen as a safe-haven asset during times of economic uncertainty or geopolitical tensions, as it is considered a store of value that can preserve wealth even during times of market volatility.
2) What influences the price of Gold?
· Supply and Demand: The supply and demand of gold can also be manipulated, particularly in instances where there are fluctuations in the supply or demand of gold. For example, during periods of high demand, gold producers might withhold supply to increase prices, or during periods of low demand, gold producers might flood the market with supply to lower prices.
· Geopolitical Events: Gold prices can also be affected by geopolitical events, such as political tensions or conflicts that can impact the supply and demand of gold. For example, a disruption in gold supply due to political tensions can cause prices to increase.
3) How has Gold performed over the last 50 years?
· Its at $2009 an ounce now.
· In 1970 it was $36 an ounce.
4.Silver – How is that used and how is it compared to Gold?
- Silver has been used for thousands of years for currency, jewelry, and decorative arts, and is also widely used in industrial applications due to its high thermal and electrical conductivity.
- Silver is also widely used in the production of electronics, including batteries, solar panels, and computer components. It is also used in the production of mirrors, silverware, and photographic film.
- Industrial Applications: Silver is widely used in industrial applications due to its high thermal and electrical conductivity, reflectivity, and antimicrobial properties. It is used in the production of electronics, batteries, solar panels, and medical devices, among other products.
- Jewelry and Decorative Arts: Silver has been used for thousands of years in the production of jewelry and decorative arts. It is prized for its beauty, luster, and durability, and is often used in the production of silverware, mirrors, and other decorative items.
- Currency: Silver has been used as a currency for thousands of years and was even used as a form of currency in the United States until the mid-20th century. While it is no longer used as a form of currency, it is still considered a store of value and a hedge against inflation.
5) What about Silver as an investment?
· Investment: Silver is often used as an investment, particularly during times of economic uncertainty or market volatility. It is seen as a safe-haven asset that can preserve wealth and provide a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations.
6) Does Silver have any other applications and what about its price over the last 50 years?
· In
Commodities – Oil and Natural Gas
1) This episode is all about commodities, why did you choose to cover this topic? And what are you hoping the listeners get out of it?
· Commodities should have a part in every investor’s portfolio, so it is important to understand what they are, how they work, and the differences between them.
2) So, what are commodities and what are some that people are familiar with?
- Oil
- Natural Gas
- Gold
- Silver
- Lithium
- Wheat
- Sugar
- Soy
- Timber
- Steel
· Commodities are raw materials or primary agricultural products that can be bought and sold in the marketplace. There are many types of commodities, Such as Oil, Natural Gas, Gold, Silver, Lithium and Wheat.
· Commodities are generally interchangeable with other similar goods and are traded in large quantities, often on futures exchanges, where buyers and sellers agree on a price for delivery of the commodity at a future date. They are an important component of international trade and can be used as a hedge against inflation and other economic risks.
3) Lets start off with oil then, what are some of the basics, how it is used and what influences its price?
Oil- The Basics
- Oil, also known as petroleum or crude oil, is a fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.
- Oil is an important energy source and is used to power cars, airplanes, ships, and other forms of transportation. It is also used in the production of many products such as plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals.
- Oil is traded on commodity markets and its price is influenced by a range of factors such as global supply and demand, geopolitical events, and economic conditions.
4) Why is oil so important?
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Energy: Oil is a primary source of energy for the world, powering transportation, electricity generation, heating, and many other processes. Without oil, many modern societies would struggle to function.
- Driving your vehicle
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- Combustion engines – Farm Equipment, industrial machines, Trains,
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Consumer goods – Plastics
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7% of global petroleum use is for plastics.
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§ Economic Growth: The oil industry is a significant contributor to many national and global economies. It creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and supports industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and construction.
§ Global Trade: The global trade of oil is a major component of international commerce. Countries that produce oil can export it to other countries, providing a vital source of income and strengthening their economic ties with other nations.
5) What about some of the products that oil is used in?
· Products: Oil is used to make a wide range of products, including plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals. Without oil, many of the products that we use daily would not exist.
· Pens, Upholstery, Boats, Sports Car Bodies, Fishing Lures, Bags, Cassettes, Dishwasher Parts, Tool Boxes, Helmets, Shower Curtains, Purses, Dashboards, Percolators, Life Jackets, Linings, Skis, TV Cabinets, Tool Racks, Car Battery Cases, Umbrellas, Toilet Seats, Fishing Rods, Speakers, Plastic Wood, Tennis Rackets, Dice, Trash Bags, Paint, PVC Pipes, Roller Skates, Surfboards, Wheels, Paint Rollers, Guitar Strings, Luggage, Safety Glasses, Awnings, Eyeglasses, Toothbrushes, Ice Chests, Combs, CD's & DVD's, Brushes, Vaporizers, Balloons, Sungl
The Federal Reserve in More Detail
1. We have covered the federal reserve in previous episodes, why are you doing another episode on it?
a. The Federal Reserve has been more prominent in the daily lives of Americans over the past 3 years.
b. The policies they set are impacting all Americans, so understanding its function will help us be well informed. An informed investor is usually a successful investor.
2. What is the Federal Reserve?
a. The Federal Reserve System, also known as the "Fed", is the central banking system of the United States. Its primary purpose is to promote a stable and healthy economy by regulating the money supply, managing interest rates, and overseeing the banking system.
b. The Federal Reserve is composed of twelve regional banks located throughout the country, with a central Board of Governors in Washington D.C. The Board of Governors consists of seven members appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate, who serve 14-year terms.
3. Monetary Policy, what does that mean and how does the Fed effect monetary policy?
a. One of the primary tools used by the Fed to influence the economy is monetary policy. The Fed can adjust the money supply by buying or selling government securities in the open market, which affects the interest rates that banks charge for loans. By changing interest rates, the Fed can influence borrowing and spending by consumers and businesses, which can in turn impact economic growth and inflation.
b. Open Market Operations: The Fed buys or sells government securities in the open market to influence the supply of money in the economy. When the Fed buys securities, it injects money into the economy, which increases the money supply and lowers interest rates. Conversely, when the Fed sells securities, it removes money from the economy, which decreases the money supply and raises interest rates.
c. Discount Rate: The discount rate is the interest rate that banks pay to borrow money from the Fed. By raising or lowering the discount rate, the Fed can influence the cost of borrowing for banks, which can affect the amount of credit available to consumers and businesses.
d. Reserve Requirements: Banks are required to maintain a certain percentage of their deposits as reserves. By raising or lowering reserve requirements, the Fed can influence the amount of money that banks can lend, which can affect the money supply and interest rates.
e. Forward Guidance: The Fed can use its communications to provide guidance on its future policy intentions. For example, the Fed can signal to the markets that it plans to keep interest rates low for an extended period, which can influence market expectations and affect borrowing and spending decisions.
f. Quantitative Easing: In extreme circumstances, the Fed can use quantitative easing to inject large amounts of money into the economy. This involves purchasing long-term securities or other assets from banks, which increases their reserves and encourages lending.
g. Overall, the Federal Reserve's monetary policy tools are designed to promote economic growth and stability by influencing interest rates, credit availability, and the money supply. The Fed must balance these goals against the risk of inflation and other potential economic imbalances.
4. Reserves responsibilities – What are they and how are t
The US Banking System Part 1
1. Why are you doing an episode on the banking system?
o With the recent failure of SVB and other banks, educating my clients and others about how our banking system works will help us be better investors.
o The more you understand about our monetary, the more you will be able to understand what is happening with our money and why it is happening.
2. What is the US Banking System?
o The banking system is a network of financial institutions that provide a variety of services to individuals and businesses. The basic function of banks is to accept deposits from customers and use those funds to make loans and investments.
3. So the banking system takes deposits of its customers and invests it and loans it out? Can you walk us through how that is done?
· The US banking system creates new money through the lending process in a few ways:
o Fractional reserve banking: Banks are required to hold a fraction of their deposits as reserves, but they are allowed to lend out the rest. This means that when a bank makes a loan, it creates new money by increasing the borrower's account balance. For example, if a bank has $100 in deposits and a 10% reserve requirement, it must hold $10 in reserves and can lend out $90. If it makes a loan for $90, the borrower's account balance increases by $90, and the bank's liabilities (the borrower's deposit) also increase by $90. The bank now has $100 in deposits and $90 in loans outstanding, which means it has created $90 in new money.
o Interest: Banks charge interest on loans, which means that borrowers must pay back more money than they borrow. This increases the money supply because the additional money paid back in interest did not exist before the loan was made.
o Secondary market transactions: Banks can sell the loans they make to other financial institutions, such as investment banks or government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This can free up the bank's balance sheet to make more loans, and the purchasers of the loans can use them as collateral to borrow additional funds. This process can increase the money supply in the economy.
o Overall, the US banking system creates new money through the lending process by expanding credit through fractional reserve banking, charging interest on loans, and facilitating secondary market transactions.
4. How did SVB get in trouble and why didn’t they have enough to cover all of their deposits?
o When a customer deposits money into a bank account, the bank can use that money to make loans to other customers. Banks make money by charging interest on the loans they make, which is usually higher than the interest they pay on deposits. Banks also make money by charging fees for various services, such as checking account maintenance, ATM usage, and wire transfers.
o The process of banks loaning out money is called "credit creation". When a bank makes a loan, it creates new money in the economy. For example, if a bank has $100 in deposits and a reserve requirement of 10%, it can lend up to $90. When the bank makes a loan of $90, the borrower will deposit the money into their account, increasing the bank's deposits to $190. The bank will then be able to loan out up to $81 of this new deposit, creating more credit and increasing the money supply in the economy.
5. What is Over lending
o Over lending by banks occurs when banks lend more money than they can afford, either by using more of their deposits or borrowing from other sources, and eventually become unable to recover the loans. This can result in a
Unhealthy and healthy Expectations if you work with an Advisor Part 2 of 2
- Lets pick up from last week and review why discussing unhealthy expectations of your advisor will help you be a happier and more successful investor.
- Unhealthy Expectation #1: My advisor or any advisor is out there to get me or to rip me off.
- Unhealthy Expectation #2: If I leave working with my advisor in a way that is rude or unprofessional, they should just deal with it. “It only business” “Don’t take it personally.”
- Unhealthy Expectation #3: I want to see results and I want them now. If in the first year, they don’t have amazing returns, I am leaving.
- Unhealthy Expectation #4: Any sort of service request should happen instantaneously and should never take more than 24 hours.
- Unhealthy Expectation #5: Everything is bad, and the world is going to collapse
- Unhealthy Expectation #6: The grass is greener and this other advisor I have been talking to is going to solve everything and it will be perfect.
- Unhealthy Expectation #7: Why didn’t my advisor see this _______ coming? They should have sold out before the market went down.
- Unhealthy Expectation #8: Timing the market is easy, I can day trade my account and do better than my adviser.
- Unhealthy Expectation #9: Anyone can do the type of work my advisor does, its really not that hard.
- Unhealthy Expectation #10: I expect my advisor to help me reach my goals, but I am not willing to make any changes.
Unhealthy and healthy Expectations if you work with an Advisor Part 1 of 2
- Glenn, you have been doing this for over a decade, I am sure you have had a lot of great people you have worked with, but I would also imagine you have worked with people who are difficult or have unhealthy expectations. Why are you wanting to do this series on having reasonable expectations when working with an investment professional such as yourself?
- So, lets talk about some of the expectations that clients have had for you that maybe weren’t reasonable and what would be reasonable?
- Unhealthy Expectation #1: I can always reach my advisor instantly at any hour of any day, and if I don’t, then the advisor isn’t providing good customer service.
- Unhealthy Expectation #2: That my advisor always knows the answer to any question and if they don’t, then they are not fit to manage my money.
- Unhealthy Expectation #3: My advisor must have a finance degree and if they don’t, they are incapable of excellence.
- Unhealthy Expectation #4: I want the very best that the industry has to offer, but I don’t want to pay full price for it. I want a discount!
- Unhealthy Expectation #5: All that matters is performance. If my advisor doesn’t beat the market every single year, I am kicking them to the curb!
- Unhealthy Expectation #6: I won’t listen to my adviser’s recommendation because I know better than them. But will still blame them when my plan doesn’t work out.
- Unhealthy Expectation #7: I don’t want to pay my advisor if they don’t make me money.
- Unhealthy Expectation #8: I expect my adviser to always deliver positive returns, period.
- Unhealthy Expectation #9: I can say whatever or treat my advisor however I want, because the customer is always right.
- Unhealthy Expectation #10: My advisor should never be out of the office, if they happen to be out on vacation when I need a question answered, than I will be upset
In this episode Glenn explores tips to being a Successful Investor in a Down Market The Do's and Do Not's Part 2
Glenn unpacks concerns and how he walks clients through these concerns. He also explores the truth and the misconceptions about each.
1) Should I move everything to cash?
2) I only want to invest when stocks are going up
3) Why is my portfolio down? Isn't there something you can do to make it so it never has a temporary draw down
4) I don't want to pay for investment management if my account is down
5) Look how much I have lost, my account lost _______ amount of dollars
6) What about Gold, I hear that is safe. What if I move everything over to Gold?
7) The market is going to zero.
8) What should I do if we enter a recession?
9) I heard about this annuity from my neighbor that pays 7%, should I move a large amount of my $$ into that?
In this episode Glenn explores tips to being a Successful Investor in a Down Market The Do's and Do Not's Part 1 of 4
Glenn unpacks concerns and how he walks clients through these concerns. He also explores the truth and the misconceptions about each.
1) Glenn I am sure you have been a lot of calls recently about what to do in a down market. What types of concerns have you been seeing lately?
2) Should I move everything to cash?
3) I only want to invest when stocks are going up
4) Why is my portfolio down? Isn't there something you can do to make it so it never has a temporary draw-down
5) I don't want to pay for investment management if my account is down
6) Look how much I have lost, my account lost _______ amount of dollars
7) What about Gold, I hear that is safe. What if I move everything over to Gold?
8) The market is going to zero.
In this episode Jesse Saul and Glenn Leest discuss what it takes to build a small business.
Investing in Your Own Small Business
- The thrill of being a business owner
- Challenges of being a small business owner in Flagstaff
- Retaining employees while competing against rising cost
- Working on your business vs working in your business
- The importance of having a vision
- The challenges of working with people
- Glenn’s favorite part about being a business owner
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474 Office
813 North Beaver Street, Flagstaff, AZ
86001
Aspen Veterinary Clinic
7861 US-89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-526-2423
info@aspenvetflagstaff.com
In this episode Jesse Saul and Glenn Leest discuss what it takes to build a small business.
- The one thing small business owners wish they knew before they became an owner
- Investing in People
- The challenges behind growing a business
- The importance of building a strong team
- The most rewarding thing of being a small business owner
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474 Office
813 North Beaver Street, Flagstaff, AZ
86001
Aspen Veterinary Clinic
7861 US-89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-526-2423
info@aspenvetflagstaff.com
In this episode Bill Baker and Glenn Leest discuss year end tax planning for Small Business owner and Self Employed Individuals.
- Why it is important to have a plan for your taxes come the end of the year
- Why having your investment advisor and Tax Person on the same page or Team can benefit you
- The most under utilized investment tool
- The most under utilized tax benefit
- What are the deadlines for tax benefit contributions?
- The concerns for the 87,000 new IRS agents
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474 Office
813 North Beaver Street, Flagstaff, AZ
86001
Granite Mountain Accounting, LLC
Bill Baker
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/portfolio-item/bill-baker/
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/contact/
CONTACT
Bill H. Baker, Jr.
Enrolled Agent
928-699-6096 – cell
billbaker@granitemtnaccounting.com
Arizona
2717 N. Fourth Street, Suite 160
(Dahl Professional Building)
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-699-6096 office
New Mexico
2990 N Main St., Suite 2D
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-521-7700 office
575-521-7702 fax
In this episode Bill Baker and Glenn Leest discuss year end tax planning for Small Business owner and Self Employed Individuals.
•Enrolled Agent Vs Certified Public Accountant
•Why having your investment advisor and Tax Person on the same page or Team can benefit you
•Why a Solo 401k plan is a great tool for Self Employed or owner only companies
• Scenarios of how the solo 401k can help. Real life examples
•Differences between a solo 401k and a full 401k
•AZ Tax Credits – Why this is a fantastic tool that you should be doing or consider doing
•What is Glenn take on the phrase “My CPA is conservative or my CPA is creative or Aggressive”
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474 Office
813 North Beaver Street, Flagstaff, AZ
86001
Granite Mountain Accounting, LLC
Bill Baker
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/portfolio-item/bill-baker/
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/contact/
CONTACT
Bill H. Baker, Jr.
Enrolled Agent
928-699-6096 – cell
billbaker@granitemtnaccounting.com
Arizona
2717 N. Fourth Street, Suite 160
(Dahl Professional Building)
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-699-6096 office
New Mexico
2990 N Main St., Suite 2D
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-521-7700 office
575-521-7702 fax
In this episode Glenn Leest interviews Ben Jacobsen of IDX digital assets. We talk about cryptocurrencies and the current state they are in. We also discuss:
•What is Bitcoin?
•What is the Block Chain?
•More information and thoughts surrounding the FTX bankruptcy
•Applications thatthese technologies have today and what could they look like in the future
•Overall thoughts about the digital assets space
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
(928) 225-2474 Office
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
Investing in your physical and mental health part 2 of 2
In this episode Glenn Leest and Jeff Oravitz talk with Glenn's guest Casey Dubravcic about investing in your mental health. Casey is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In this Episode we discuss:
•Why is investing in your mental health crucial to your career development
•What benefits has Casey seen with the medical interventions he is providing for clients.
•Trauma, why is this something we need to discuss?
•Doesn’t time heal all wounds?
•If something traumatic happened to us growing up, does it just go away with time? Glenn what are your thought in that area
•When someone’s mental health int going well, what sort of consequences or negative affects might we see in their physical well being, one’s work life, family life or really any area?
•What is something Glenn wish he knew earlier in his life regarding mental health?
Casey and Jill Dubravcic have a clinic that specializes in helping Depression, OCD, Substance Abuse, Anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar and Chronic Pain treatment through medically assisted Ketamine infusions. You can learn more about the services Casey offers and learn more about some of the new and exciting developments in the mental health field.
Casey Dubravcic - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
https://revitalizeketamine.com/
https://revitalizeketamine.com/about/
https://revitalizeketamine.com/contact-us/
1800 South Milton Road, Suite 26, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
Office Number for the clinic: (928) 440-8762
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
(928) 225-2474 Office
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
In this episode Glenn Leest and Jeff Oravitz talk with Glenn's guest Casey Dubravcic about investing in your mental health. Casey is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In this Episode we discuss:
· Which areas of your life can be impacted when your mental health is struggling
· Nationwide mental health stats in America and ideas of why it is a growing problem in Adults, Children, and teenagers
· How Casey’s career went from being an ICU Nurse to now owning his clinic
· Why investing in your mental health may be more significant than you might think
· What prompted Glenn to start investing in his own mental health and the positive impact its has had on his career, relationships, health and over perspective in life
· Some of the services that Casey’s clinic offers and why they can greatly speed up the healing process for certain mental health concerns
Casey and Jill Dubravcic have a clinic specializes in helping Depression, OCD, Substance Abuse, Anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar and Chronic Pain treatment through medically assisted Ketamine infusions. You can learn more about the services Casey offers and learn more about some of the new and exciting developments in the mental health field.
Casey Dubravcic - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
https://revitalizeketamine.com/
https://revitalizeketamine.com/about/
https://revitalizeketamine.com/contact-us/
1800 South Milton Road, Suite 26, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
Office Number for the clinic: (928) 440-8762
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
(928) 225-2474 Office
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
In this episode Glenn talk about some of the reasons he got into the industry as well as the thing he enjoys most about this line of work.
- Helping Clients reach their goals
- Time Flexibility
- Creative control on Marketing
- Monetary Rewards
- Interacting with lots of different people
- Being to use my brains and not my bronze
- Building Relationships
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474 Office
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
In this Episode Glenn Leest talks about the challenges of being a financial advisor. Why this industry has over a 90% wash out rate within the first 5 years. Some of the challenges include:
1. Rejection Rate, why your going to hear a whole lot
2. Number of people you need to talk to
3. Marketing yourself and company effectively
4. Being able to explain complicated financial subjects in an understandable manner
5. Asking for people’s business
6. The financial strain of the first few years. Its hard to survive when you make little to no money in the first couple of years
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
Office 928-225-2474
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
In this episode, Glenn breaks down the procedure that occurs when transferring a client's investments over to the beneficiary as well as what happens to the estate when they pass away.
- The process that happens when transferring investments over to a beneficiary
- The process that happens when transferring investments over to the spouse
- How this impacts the estate
- Does the will take precedence over the beneficiary?
In this episode Glenn Leest gives an account of almost dying due to a severe bacterial and viral infection about 2 weeks ago. Glenn spent 4 days in the ICU at FMC and was out of the office for almost 2 weeks.
- What caused the infection and why was it so dangerous.
- My airway swelling almost completely shut
- My experience at FMC and why I am thankful to all who helped administer care at the hospital. The entire team there was nothing short of amazing when it came to my care. My daughter drew a picture thanking everyone for taking care of her Daddy.
- Why this near death experience helped me shift my perspective on the things that matters most in life.
- Cody and I also talk about interest rates and their impact on home buyers
- Why our high cost of energy is compounding our inflation issues.
- We also talk about how policies affect the economy
- Flagstaff minimum wage is going to $16.80 in Jan of 2023. What impact will higher wages have on our community, cost of living and food prices?
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
928-225-2474 Office
GLEEST@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
In this episode Glenn Leest and Cody Harmon (Glenn's Adviser Assistant) talk about what it like to be a financial adviser. Is what Cody is learning in his financial degree applicable to the everyday work as an investment adviser?
- What are the exciting parts of this job?
- What are things that were explained in School about being an Adviser?
- What are the most important areas of focus in being a financial Adviser?
- Marketing, Communication and relationship building. Why these three areas are of utmost importance to success in the industry.
In This episode I talk with Wendy Thompson of Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions. Part 2 of 2
We discuss:
•Deadlines for setting up employer sponsored retirement plans
•Depreciation or mileage for work vehicles?
•Why credits are better than deductions
•Should your company be a sole proprietor, LLC, C-Corp or S-Corp?
•Employee Retention Tax Credit
A little about Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions:
Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions helps people and businesses maximize their money!
Whether it’s tax preparation, payroll, or bookkeeping – they are the best in the business. With 30+ years of tax preparation experience, they are known for providing the “absolute” best service for their clients, which is why they have a positive & strong reputation.
Call (928) 440-5022 today to schedule a no obligation consultation or an appointment for your next tax preparation.
Loyal – Dedicated – Committed
Phone: (928) 440-5022
5200 E Cortland Blvd E110, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
http://www.absolute.tax/
Wendy is happy to do a prior tax analysis for you. If items/deductions/credits were missed that could benefit your company, Wendy can go back and amend previous returns up to the last 3 years. Getting a second opinion on your taxes is probably one of the best things you can do every few years for your business.
In This episode I talk with Wendy Thompson of Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions.
We discuss:
•Important year end items that Business owners need to thing about
•Deduction vs Credit – Which one is better?
•Should your company be a sole proprietor, LLC, C-Corp or S-Corp?
•What are some of the differences between the tax structures and how does it impact your taxes
•Setting up Employer Sponsored Retirement plans to offset and lower company taxes
A little about Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions:
Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions helps people and businesses maximize their money!
Whether it’s tax preparation, payroll, or bookkeeping – they are the best in the business. With 30+ years of tax preparation experience, they are known for providing the “absolute” best service for their clients, which is why they have a positive & strong reputation.
Call (928) 440-5022 today to schedule a no obligation consultation or an appointment for your next tax preparation.
Loyal – Dedicated – Committed
Phone: (928) 440-5022
5200 E Cortland Blvd E110, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
http://www.absolute.tax/
Wendy is happy to do a prior tax analysis for you. If items/deductions/credits were missed that could benefit your company, Wendy can go back and amend previous returns up to the last 3 years. Getting a second opinion on your taxes is probably one of the best things you can do every few years for your business.
Glenn’s First house renovation project updates. Where are we at in the process and what does the next 3-4 months look like?
What is a renovation loan?
What resources have been helpful for me during this process?
How to pencil out if the project will be successful or not.
What things are out of our control and what things can we control in a project like this?
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
928-225-2474 Office
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
In this episode Glenn Leest talks about the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. Enjoy!
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. The term was first coined in 1990 by researchers John Mayer and Peter Salovey, but was later popularized by psychologist Daniel Goleman
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
1. Self-awareness
2. Self-regulation
3. Motivation
4. Empathy
5. Social Skills
https://www.mindtools.com/ax3ar6w/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/emotional-intelligence-eq.htm
https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Intelligence-2-0-Travis-Bradberry/dp/0974320625
-Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
928-225-2474 Office
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
In this episode Bill Baker and Glenn Leest discuss tax subsidies, credits, deductions and how policy shapes behavior.
•How the Earned Income Tax Credit has impacted our culture
•How college Tax Credits in the late 90’s combined with changes to the student loan program led to a proliferation of college enrollments
•If you want less or something, tax it more
•If you want more of something, tax it less
•Have municipal subsidies to attract businesses been beneficial?
•What are the pros and cons of offering tax subsidies and incentives to corporations?
•How are businesses taxed differently than individuals?
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474 Office
813 North Beaver Street, Flagstaff, AZ
86001
Granite Mountain Accounting, LLC
Bill Baker
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/portfolio-item/bill-baker/
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/contact/
CONTACT
Bill H. Baker, Jr.
Enrolled Agent
928-699-6096 – cell
billbaker@granitemtnaccounting.com
Arizona
2717 N. Fourth Street, Suite 160
(Dahl Professional Building)
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-699-6096 office
New Mexico
2990 N Main St., Suite 2D
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-521-7700 office
575-521-7702 fax
In this mini episode I give a quick market update on upcoming events and how they may effect the stock market, real estate market and the economy.
- Mid-Term Elections
- Federal Reserve Pace for raising interest rates
- Holiday spending
- Domestic Energy policies
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474
In this episode I talk with Pam Sculthorp of Bodybliss. Pam bought this business about 6 years ago and has been actively trying to grow and refine it. We talk about her experiences as a small business owner and her successes and challenges. This is a great episode for those wanting to know and learn more about what it is like running and managing a small business.
Pam and I discuss:
- Challenges with supply chain disruptions
- Finding the right people to hire for her business in a small community
- Creating a culture of excellence within her organization
- How to retain great employees through incentives and benefits
- How some of the unemployment benefits and stimulus monies affected her workforce
- Her favorite thing as a business owner
- Things she wished she knew about being a business owner when she first started
- The products her business offers and their applications
- The challenges of being a business owner
Pamela Sculthorp
Owner of Bodybliss
https://bodyblissfactorydirect.com/
Use Code "II40" to get 40% your first order at Bodybliss
Bodybliss – with its headquarter in Sedona – is the dedicated leader in Organic Aromatherapy using only the highest, most efficacious quality ingredients to ensure best results for customers, clients and therapists alike.
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Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474
This episode was recorded with Jeff Oravits and has some of the same content from “Intelligent Investing - Taxes - Their origin and misconceptions with Bill Baker of Granite Mountain Accounting”
To start this series off we will look at:
- How Taxes came to be in the United States
- Where the power to tax comes from in the United States
- Who determines tax changes in our country?
- If you want to propose changes our tax laws, who do you need to contact to communicate is a progressive tax system?
- Why is this setup not efficient for maximum economic productivity
- Common Misconceptions about our tax system
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
In this episode I ask Mike Casey a local CPA some of the most commonly asked tax questions.
- How can I reduce me tax bill?
- Retirement account contributions
- Health Savings Accounts
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- What kinds of deductions do I qualify for? (Individuals)
- What are the differences between marginal and effective tax rates?
- Which is better; a tax credit or a tax deduction?
- Should I itemize or claim a standard deduction?
- What are some of the new tax law changes in 2022 and 2023?
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
Office (928) 225-2474
Email: INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
Mike Casey
West Christensen & Associates PC
http://flagstaffaccountingservices.com/company/meet-the-team/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-casey-30243514
Address: 705 N Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ 860
Phone: (928) 774-3636
In this episode Glenn Leest talks about investing in people, Leadership 101 and the importance of building a world class team. Part 2
Doug Sweet joins us for this multi part series. Doug Sweet has extensive experience in leadership via his days in the military, the corporate world and ministry.
- Do you know your team and does your team know you?
- What is extreme ownership and how does that apply to leadership?
- Glenn and Doug’s top qualities of a strong leader
- Why having patience and giving yourself time before making decisions can help you avoid emotional responses
- Why being intentional about building relationships can help you be more effective as a team
- Do you know your team and does your team know you?
- What is extreme ownership and how does that apply to leadership?
-Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474
Doug Sweet
CEO of New Perspective Coaching LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-sweet-371b936
In this Episode Jacob Biliack (Of WT Wealth Management) and Glenn Leest discuss managing emotions during this challenging stock market.
- What things have been helpful when talking with clients to help them stay the course and be successful over the long haul?
- Why is having an emergency fund critical to your investing success
- Why is having the right time horizon important when looking at your investment portfolio
- What are some practical tips to help you be a disciplined investor
- Jacob and Glenn's market outlook over the next year and beyond
- Will raising interests rates negative impact consumer spending this holiday season?
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
In this episode Glenn Leest talks with Bill Baker of Granite Mountain Accounting about taxes.
To start this series off we will look at:
- How Taxes came to be in the United States
- Where the power to tax comes from in the United States
- Who determines tax changes in our country?
- If you want to propose changes our tax laws, who do you need to contact to communicate
- What is a progressive tax system?
- Why is this setup not efficient for maximum economic productivity
- Common Misconceptions about our tax system
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Adviser
WT Wealth Management
Granite Mountain Accounting, LLC
Bill Baker
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/portfolio-item/bill-baker/
https://granitemtnaccounting.com/contact/
CONTACT
Bill H. Baker, Jr.
Enrolled Agent
928-699-6096 – cell
billbaker@granitemtnaccounting.com
Arizona
2717 N. Fourth Street, Suite 160
(Dahl Professional Building)
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-699-6096 office
New Mexico
2990 N Main St., Suite 2D
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-521-7700 office
575-521-7702 fax
In this episode I talk about the first rental property the I (My wife and I) bought and the journey thus far. How I found the house, the buying process, renovations and more. I give an in depth account of how we were able to purchase the home and where we are at 30 days into the projection.
- Where to start?
- Creating a vision for the home
- Mapping out the floor plan and considerations
- Trying to understand what did I buy and what issues am I finding.
- Plumbing issues
- Drywall and Fixture Removal
- Supplies need to start doing the demolition
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
Glenn's First Rental House Renovation - 30 Days into the project (Bonus Episode)
In this episode Glenn Leest talks about investing in people, Leadership 101 and the importance of building a world class team.
Doug Sweet joins us for this multi part series. Doug Sweet has extensive experience in leadership via his days in the military, the corporate world and ministry.
- We discuss the importance of strong leadership in any organization
- What makes a good leader?
- Why having the right leader can make or break an organization
- How to build a team and why that is critical for success
- Why having dissension among leadership can fracture an entire organization
- Some of Doug's Favorite Leaders
- Before you can lead, you must first learn how to follow
- How you can disagree, but still commit. Why this leadership principle can either make or break your trajectory
-Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
928-225-2474
Doug Sweet
CEO of New Perspective Coaching LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-sweet-371b936
In today's episode Glenn covers baby steps 5,6, & 7 of the Financial Peace University.
How to navigate which college savings plan to use. Why paying off your house early is a great idea. Why building wealth and being generous is enjoyable.
Step 5: Save for College Funds
By this step, you've paid off all debts (except the house) and started saving for retirement. Next, it's time to save for your children’s college expenses (that is, if they pass Algebra II and Chemistry). We recommend 529 college savings plans or ESAs (Education Savings Accounts).
Step 6: Pay Off Your House
Now, bring it all home. Baby Step 6 is the big dog! Your mortgage is the only thing between you and complete freedom from debt. Can you imagine your life with no house payment? Any extra money you can put toward your mortgage could save you tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in interest.
Step 7: Build Wealth and Give
You know what people with no debt can do? Anything they want! The last step is the most fun. You can live and give like no one else. Keep building wealth and become outrageously generous, all while leaving an inheritance for your kids and their kids. Now that's what we call leaving a legacy!
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps
In today's episode Glenn covers the first 4 baby steps in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University. Glenn gives practical application as to how you can apply these steps according to the FPU principles.
Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps:
- Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 in an emergency fund
- Baby Step 2: Pay off all debt (except your mortgage) using the debt snowball method
- Baby Step 3: Save 3-6 months of expenses in an emergency fund
- Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of your household income for retirement
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps
In this episode Glenn Leest has Amy Hammond who is an insurance specialist. We look at Cyber Security, Home Owners and Umbrella insurance. (Part 2)
What are the basics of these insurances and what are things we need to pay attention to.
Amy Hammond
VIP Insurance
Phone 480-696-6438
In this bonus episode, Glenn shares his wild experience of owning and selling over 100,000 books before he was in the investment industry.
This was Glenn and Breanna Leest's first business venture together as a married couple in late 2010.
Where did Glenn buy 100,000 Books?
Where did he store them?
How did he sell all those books?
Why did he decide to sell books while being a paramedic?
What did Glenn learn about business during this 4 year venture?
What does 100,000 books look like and why didn't Glenn open a brick and mortal store?
All this and more...
We need the company "My Summertime Books"
-Glenn
In this Episode we talk with Billie Mcgraw a local Realtor about why it is so important to have a realtor you can trust
- National Stats on For Sale By Owner Versus listing with a Realtor
- Why having the right Real Estate Agent will net you more money and save you stress
- Realtor's do so much more for you than you might expect.
- What Billie does behind the scenes to help you be successful in buying or selling your home
- Why all offers may not be the same even if they all are at the same price.
- Why the type of financing or contingencies may make all the difference when receiving offers to buy
Billie Mcgraw
Billie@billiemcgraw.com
928-699-4513
In this episode Glenn Leest has Amy Hammond who is an insurance specialist. We look at Auto & Health insurance.
What are the basics of these insurances and what are things we need to pay attention to.
Amy Hammond
VIP Insurance
Phone 480-696-6438
In this episode I interview Gina Darlington who has extensive experience with rental properties, house flips, renovations, long term rentals and home buying through the auction process.
We share stories of doing house flips, finding cash to buy homes and whether or not to do local or out of state real estate deals.
We talk about buying mobile homes, stick built homes, apartment complex and even homes that are in disrepair via the auction process.
Drew Darlington
Realtor with Realty One
928-600-2261
What changes have we made to our client portfolios in the last 3 weeks? Listen in for a market update of what we have done to be more defensive and opportunistic in our client portfolios.
Glenn Leest
Senior Investment Advisor
WT Wealth Management
In this episode Glenn Covers the first 6 baby steps of the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University.
Additionally Glenn talks about the impact that FPU has had in his own financial life and why he believes everyone can benefit from the wisdom of this program.
Dave Ramsey's 7 Budgeting Baby Steps
BABY STEP 1 – Save $1,000 to start an emergency fund
BABY STEP 2 – Pay off all debt using the debt snowball method
BABY STEP 3 – Save 3 to 6 months of expenses for emergencies
BABY STEP 4 – Invest 15% of your household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement funds
BABY STEP 5 – Save for your children’s college fund
BABY STEP 6 – Pay off your home early
BABY STEP 7 – Build wealth and give
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/how-to-win-with-money-in-7-easy-baby-steps
Did you know that Glenn Leest is an ELP with Dave Ramsey? Glenn aligns with the Dave Ramsey principals and believes they provide the foundation for long term financial success. What baby step are you on???
In this episode, Erin Lockward and I look into more detail Indexed Universal Life Insurance.
How do these policies work?
What are the positives and negatives of IUL Policies?
Real Life Applications of IUL's
Things to know about IUL and who they are not a good fit for.
Glenn Leest
928-225-2474
intelligentinvesting@wtwealthmanagement.com
In this episode I have Mike Casey a local CPA speak about his experience in both working for and with the IRS.
What divisions did he work in?
What were some of the most common tax problems that small businesses faced?
What are the 87,000 new tax agents tasked with doing?
What is the role and function of the IRS and why does it matter?
All this and more in this episode.
Mike Casey
West Christensen & Associates PC
http://flagstaffaccountingservices.com/company/meet-the-team/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-casey-30243514
Address: 705 N Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ 860
Phone: (928) 774-3636
In this Episode we talk with Billie Mcgraw a local Realtor about investment properties. Things to consider, how to get started and how to manage risk.
How to get qualified for an investment property
Short term rental and long term rental differences
How to operate your rental like a business and removing emotion from the equation
Pros and Cons of each rental type
Billie Mcgraw
Billie@billiemcgraw.com
928-699-4513
Glenn Leest with WT Wealth Management
Billie Mcgraw
928-699-4513
Billie@billiemcgraw.com
In this Episode we talk about being a first time home buyer. Why owning real estate is a great asset and why you should strive to be a real estate owner if your aren't already.
This is the first episode is on first time home ownership.
The next part in the series investment properties.
-Glenn
Glenn Secrets to Financial Success Part 3 of 3
1)Before we talk about traditional investments, are there areas we should focus and invest in?
- Our Physical Health
- Relationships
- Skills and Abilities
- Giving Back
- Hobbies and extracurricular activities
- Our life goals (What have you always wanted to do or see?)
- Education
2)How you evaluate risk and why is never taking a risk the biggest risk of all when it comes to financial success?
3)Accountability – Why do you believe that having someone to be accountable to is crucial when it comes to financial success?
4)Flexibility – Why is being flexible important?
5)Generosity – Giving back, how will it help you be more successful financially?
Glenn Secrets to Financial Success Part 2 of 3
1) How important is having a budget? Why is this a crucial part of financial success?
2) How should we view debt? Is there such a thing as good debt and bad debt?
3) Which bad debts should we pay off first?
4) Saving – Where should we start?
5) Why should be excited about saving each month?
6) Should we focus on enjoying today or should we postpone enjoyment for the future?
7) When should we start investing? And why is it vital we be good savers before we become investors?
Glenn’s Finance 101 – Financial Success Advice
Section 1 – Goals, Visions & Reflection
1. Goals - Why is it important to have a clear goal(s) when it comes to your financial life?
2. Vision – What do you mean by having a vision? Is that like a vision statement, but for your financial life?
3. Where do you start? Retirement? College Savings for Kids? Paying off Debt?
4. Following up with the previous question, how do your prioritize these goals? If I came in and sat down to talk with you about my potential financial goals, how would you help sort out the most important place to start?
5. In the last question you mentioned having buckets for short, mid and long range goals. Can you expand on what that might look like for a hypothetical client aged 45?
6. Why is it important to develop all three of these above buckets? Do you ever come across people who may focus too much on any one area and has that negatively Impacted them?
7. Why is it important to reflect on your financial goals and give them intentional thought and research?
Glenn Leest talks with Shane Therrien about Real Estate, Digital Assets and artificial intelligence
Shane Therrien is an author, husband, entrepreneur, leader in business, Real estate enthusiast, Cryptocurrency student and long time friend to Glenn Leest.
Topics:
- Glenn and Shane talk about the rapidly changing real estate market in both Flagstaff and Phoenix Arizona.
- Discussion of the future of digital assets, their applications, downside and potential.
- Will artificial intelligence disrupt our society? For better or for worse?
- How will our society cope if 10-15% of the work force is replaced with automation and what affects will that have on our country/society as a whole?
08.05.22
In this bonus episode I interview Dave Johnson of WT Wealth Management. Dave Johnson is the President and Chief Compliance Officer of WT Wealth Management.
Dave oversees over 7 resorts and properties of Western Trust in the United States and Canada.
Glenn and Dave discuss:
· Travel trends post pandemic
· New challenges within the labor market and how it has affected their industry
· Canada and United States tourism; has there been any trends or travel differences between the two countries?
· How WT Wealth Management came to be and some of the exciting developments on the horizon
· What does it take to be a successful investment advisor?
08.08.22
Listen to our bonus episode where we talk behind the scenes with IDX Digital Assets.
Ben McMillian - Chief Investment Officer of IDX
Ben Jacobson - Managing partner of IDX
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Adviser with WT Wealth Management
Ben McMillian - Chief Investment Officer of IDX
Ben Jacobson - Managing partner of IDX
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Adviser with WT Wealth Management
In this episode we cover:
What is the future of Block Chain?
What applications does this technology have?
What are some concerns about Cryptocurrency and how to navigate?
Things to consider and educate ourselves about before diving into this space.
Ben McMillian - Chief Investment Officer of IDX
Ben Jacobson - Managing partner of IDX
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Adviser with WT Wealth Management
In this episode we cover:
What is Bitcoin?
When did it start?
What is the Block Chain?
How does the Block Chain work and what are some ways it is used now?
II 35 - Inflation, Government Regulations, Taxes and their affect on free markets
This week we continue from last week and explore how Government regulation, subsidies, taxes and other incentives affect the free markets.
What impact does government subsidies have on different industries?
How does government regulation impact sectors of the free market? Do they help? Do they hinder?
The impact of corporate taxes on industry. Glenn's perspective on this issue may surprise you.
II34 - Supply/Demand, Origins of Inflation - Economic Principles
Supply and Demand
- What is Supply and Demand at its most basic level
supply and demand, in economics, relationship between the quantity of a commodity that producers wish to sell at various prices and the quantity that consumers wish to buy. It is the main model of price determination used in economic theory. The price of a commodity is determined by the interaction of supply and demand in a market. The resulting price is referred to as the equilibrium price and represents an agreement between producers and consumers of the good. In equilibrium the quantity of a good supplied by producers equals the quantity demanded by consumers.
- What happens when Supply and Demand get out of balance?
Give example of the tickle me elmo, PS5, or any other high demand low supply product. Think hotels charging more for fri and sat night and less m-w.
- What happens when the government intervenes with the natural supply and demand curve?
We have seen examples where the government wishes to stabilize the price of a commodity as to either not make it to cheap or to kept it profitable. One example is how at times farmers may be paid not to farm a certain crop or may get a subsidy to farm a more in demand crop. While this can be a good tool, it should be used with caution as it is easy to have intended consequences as a result of government intervention on supply/demand. For example if the government helps bail out an unprofitable industry, that could can ripple effects throughout the economy. What if the government subsidized the farming of corn, which for this example assume is unprofitable. Then the economy will get used to those cheap prices and if/when the subsidiary is removed, could cause collapse in that industry.
Inflation
- Where did inflation first begin in modern history? What were some of the effects?
The first century emperor of Rome, Nero caused inflation by debating its currency. They replaced valuable silver coins with not a valuable copper coins. They continued this practice until the 4th century when wheat prices were over 2 million times higher than in the mid 2nd century. The corrupt governments debased their currencies over and over and by the 5th century Rome was finished.
- What are the two types of inflation
Monetary and non monetary.
Non monetary refers to events that happen outside the control of a government like a natural disaster effecting the ability to pump oil via off shoring oil rigs. This short term disruption in production will cause prices to increase. Eventually they will return back to equilibrium once the affected areas are back online and production can keep up with demand.
Monetary inflation is the government creating new money out of thin air or on a computer. This practice of creating more zeroes on a computer or printing more on paper will cause more dollars to be in circulation. That in turn will put downward pressure on the value of the currency since there is more in circulation. A distortion in perceived value in the currency. Since our money isn't tied to anything like gold in the 70's, public trust in our money system is extremely important. Without a stable currency, what would our society look like? How would we go about our lives?
- What are some of the consequences of inflation if left unchecked?
Lets explore the tragic story of Zimbabwe or Venezuela. These are two cautionary tales of how inflation can cause catastrophic effects for a society for decades.
Commonly asked investing questions Part 2
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Advisor
Cody Harmon - Advisor Assistant
Jeff Oravitz - Host
- What are some common types of investments?
- The secret to making money in stocks?
- What is dollar-cost averaging?
- Invest for the long term? Why does this matter?
- Why is diversification and strategic asset allocation so important?
Commonly asked investing questions Part 1
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Advisor
Cody Harmon - Advisor Assistant
Jeff Oravitz - Host
1. What is the difference between saving and investing?
2. Why should I invest?
3. When should I invest?
4. How do I invest?
5. How much should I invest?
Tune in next week for the 2nd half of Commonly asked Investing Questions (Episode 33)
In this bonus episode our listeners will get a chance to be a fly on the wall for some of our internal weekly investing discussions. Unscripted and authentic discussions from two professionals with over 50 years combined investing experience. (06.23.22)
Glenn Leest (Senior Investment Advisor) and John Heilner (Chief Investment Officer) discuss:
1) Their thoughts on the markets
2) Discounted stocks
3) Talking with Clients and the struggles of the current market environment
4) Interest Rates and the Fed
5) Ways to take advantage of the current market sell off
6) How we remain positive in light of the current conditions
7) Durable companies that we below every investor should own
If you enjoy this format, please let us know so we can have more bonus episodes in the future.
INTELLIGENTINVESTING@WTWEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM
The Federal Reserve Part 2
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Adviser at WT Wealth Management
John Heilner - Chief Investment Officer at WT Wealth Management
1) What are some ways the Federal reserve can affect unemployment and inflation through monetary policy?
Overnight Fed Funds Rate
- This is the rate the Federal Reserve charges to lend money to the government and banks overnight
- Overnight rates are the rates at which banks lend funds to each other at the end of the day in the overnight market.
- The goal of these lending activities is to ensure the maintenance of federally mandated reserve requirements.
- When a bank cannot meet its reserve requirement, it will borrow from a bank that has a surplus reserve.
- Overnight rates are predictors of short-term interest rate movement in the broader economy and can have a domino effect on various economic indicators such as employment and inflation.
- The higher the overnight rate is, the more expensive it is for consumers to borrow money, as the increased cost to banks is passed onto consumers.
Quantitative easing
- This is the process of the Federal Reserve buying Bonds from the US government, Corporations, Cities, and mortgage back securities
- The debts are then put on the Balance Sheet of the Federal Reserve
- The Balance Sheet of the federal
- The Fed, by law, can only purchase government-backed debt, but in severe emergencies, it’ll create a special “lending facility” that it’ll fund, along with funding from the Treasury Department as a backstop. Then, it’ll use that facility to purchase other types of debt, such as corporate or municipal bonds. Those special facilities are then listed on the Fed’s balance sheet, as they were in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis
2) What affect does rising interest rates have on the overall economy?
- When interest rates increase, the cost of borrowing goes up. This mechanism causes people to usually borrow less due to the high cost of debt.
- 30-year 700k mortgage @ 3.0% is $2951 a month
- 30-year 700k mortgage @ 6.0% is $4196 a month
- 30-year 700k mortgage @ 8.0% is $5136 a month
- From 3.0% to 6.0% $1245 a month or 42%
- From 3.0% to 8.0% is $2185 a month or 74%
- These interest rate increase also flow through to Car Loans, Credit Card Debt, Student Loan debt and pretty much any other interest-based loans.
3) How do rising interest rates effect a 20- or 30-year long term bond?
- The increasing interest rates will devalue the current long-term bonds
- When long term yields go up, the current issued bonds with the same maturity will decrease in value
- This phenomenon is called interest rate risk in the bond markets
4) Why is inflation called a silent tax
- The rule of 72 and how it relates to inflation
- @ 2% costs double every 30-35 years
- @ 10% costs double every 6-7 years
- @ 20% costs double in a little over 3 years
- My home has appreciated almost 45% in 3 years for Flagstaff. That is wild!
o “Gas and food prices soared last month, and consumers responded by cutting back on nonessential purchases,” the report said. "Affordability concerns for household expenses like groceries and housing payments escalated, affecting higher-income adults as well as the most financially vulnerable. Discretionary purchases’ share of wallet trended lower to make space for the rising cost of household staples in recent months. The pullback in
The Federal Reserve Part 1
1) Let’s talk about the federal reserve. What is it, why was it created and what purpose does it seek to accomplish?
2) When was the reserve was it created and why?
- Banks needed a source of emergency reserves to prevent the panics and resulting runs from driving them out of business. A particularly severe panic in 1907 resulted in bank runs that wreaked havoc on the fragile banking system and ultimately led Congress in 1913 to write the Federal Reserve Act
3) What about how the Federal Reserve is setup:
- Is it a government agency?
- How are members selected to serve in this group?
- How often do they meet?
4) What are the main directives of the Federal Reserve?
· Regulate inflation
· What is Inflation and why is it important to the economy?
- Inflation is a sustained rise in overall price levels. Inflation is the decline of purchasing power of a given currency over time
2. Moderate inflation is associated with economic growth, while high inflation can signal an overheated economy. If economic growth accelerates very rapidly, demand grows even faster, and producers raise prices continually.
a. Stagflation - Stagflation is a period when slow economic growth and joblessness coincide with rising inflation
b. Deflation is the decrease of asset prices or the prices of goods and services. Also known as a negative inflation rate, deflation occurs when prices fall. As prices deflate, purchasing power increases, meaning consumers can use the same amount of money to purchase a larger amount of goods or services.
c. Hyperinflation refers to rapid and unrestrained price increases in an economy, typically at rates exceeding 50% each month over time.
3. Inflation In Venezuela
a. The rising inflation numbers have caused severe economic hardships for its people
b. 95% of Venezuela are living in extreme poverty
- Its hard to argue that hyperinflation hasn’t been one of the main culprits for this phenomenon
Venezuela - Inflation Data
“Pasta is an affordable staple in the U.S where two pounds (which is approximately one kilogram) is just $2.50. In Venezuela, a kilogram of pasta currently sells for 3,000 bolivares ($301.50 USD) on the black market, CNN reported. This means for the price of one box of pasta in Venezuela, people in the U.S. can buy 120.6 boxes.
When people talk about affordable sources of protein, eggs are often first on the list. Unfortunately in Venezuela, a dozen eggs can cost 1,500 bolivares ($150.76 USD) on the black market, the Los Angeles Times noted. In the U.S.,
Intelligent Investing #29 - Inflation, PPI & Defensive names
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Advisor
Cody Harmon - Advisor Assistant
Jeff Oravitz - Host
1) Inflation – Why is this the #1 economic issue we are facing today?
a. Higher costs effect everyone. Period.
b. Those most effected are who are on fixed income and in the lower economic brackets and or third world nations.
c. Need to stop printing money and have more responsible fiscal policies
d. Genie is out of the bottle, now we must work through the inflationary environment.
e. Russia is at 23%!!!! – Video Log on youtube of grocery store with prices jumping 30-40% on basic goods in Russia.
2) What is inflation currently at as of March and where do you see it going moving forward?
a. WSP is @ 11.2% and is an indicator of where CPI will be moving forward
b. Increased production and energy cost will lead to higher consumer goods costs such as wheat, coffee, groceries etc.
c. America will probably be okay but get used to paying for much higher prices for everything.
d. Higher wages and higher production costs will also affect company profits moving forward. Can’t lower wages that quickly and can only raise prices so fast.
3) Recovery Times – How long does it take to recover from different drawdown periods and why is that important for investors?
a. The greater the drawdown, the higher the recovery needs to be to be back at even
b. Reduce the Downside! And you won’t need as great an upside
4) What is WTWM doing to reduce the downside potential while preserving growth potential?
a. More defensive names
b. Adding in uncorrelated Assets such as PRIVX and BTIDX
5) Why is having longer term Fixed Income risky moving forward?
a. Long term Fixed income is going to struggle as they continue to raise interest rates over the next year or two.
Intelligent Investing #28 - Commodities, Rising Interest Rates and Alternative Investment Options
Glenn Leest - Senior Investment Advisor
Cody Harmon - Advisor Assistant
1) 2022 has been a tough year for a lot of areas in our world. Has there been any sectors that have done well in 2022, and if so, what are they? (Sector Analysis)
a. Oil, Commodities, Pharma
2) What is WTWM doing in their portfolios to get exposure to the above sectors?
a. (Mckesson, Mondolez, Coke, UNH, Southern Company, McDonalds)
3) Are there additional sectors that you think will do well in 2022 that are worth exploring?
a. Crypto, Real Estate, FinTech Companies, Commodities
4) The Fed is raising interest rates in 2022, how will that impact the mortgage and housing industry?
a. Mortgage Rates
b. Will put pressure on those not paying cash to buy less of a home
c. Should cool of the housing market a little, but probably won’t halt it
5) Are people getting back out to traveling in the US and how does WTWM track those trends?
a. TSA Travel Numbers
b. TSA numbers are still recovering but not back the high points in 2019
c. One reason could be less business travel due to technology innovations such as zoom and other virtual meeting software
In this episode Glenn Leest and Erin Lockward cover Indexed Universal Life Insurance products.
Indexed Universal Life
Who is this policy a good fit for?
· Can be used for those who want whole life insurance but also desires safe money management
· Those who want a tax-free income stream in retirement
· Can consistently fund for the first few years of the policy
· Those who want growth on their money but don’t want to own stocks directly
· Want downside protection with upside potential
· Can be used by the single person to convert into an income stream at retirement
· Not for the person trying to scrap together $50 a month, but for the person who can easily do $200 or more per month
1. What are the basics of this type of policy?
· Life Insurance component
· Sub Account – Investment Account (Cash Value)
o Crediting strategy
- Indices
- Point to Point
· Cap Rate
· Participation Rate
· Proper Premium Funding is a must
In this episode Glenn Leest and Erin Lockward cover the basics of Cash Value (Whole Life) Insurance products.
Whole/Cash Value Life Insurance Policies
1. Life Insurance Coverage for entire life
o Life Insurance coverage lasts for whole life
o Premiums are higher to start, but don’t increase over time
o Don’t have to re qualify
o Health can decline, but premiums don’t change.
o Term Coverage – Have to re qualify at the end of each term period
o Premiums usually increase over time and eventually isn't affordable due to age.
2. Cash Value accumulation
o Any premium more than insurance cost goes into cash value
o Yield on cash value is usually tied to treasury rates 1-2% Currently
o Can access cash value through a few different methods:
- Loans
- Distribution
3. Living Benefits/Riders – Depends on each company and policy but are usually:
- Long-term care rider
- Terminal illness rider
- Critical illness rider
- Chronic illness rider
- Disability waiver of premium
- Accidental death and dismemberment
In this episode Glenn covers risk vs reward, investing time horizons, risk profiles of different investments and how to determine what is the right amount of risk.
Investing 101 Series - Part 2In this episode Glenn Leest continues to explain investing terminology and also explores some other investing concepts.
Let’s review some investing terminology:
f. What are CD’S?
g. What is a cryptocurrency?
h. What are commodities?
i. What about real Assets?
How should an investor go about determining what percentage of their portfolio should be in each of the above-mentioned investments?
- What does risk mean and in relation to Investing?
- What is a good starting point for determining how much risk an investor should have in their portfolio?
- What about investing time frames? How do you walk clients through that conversation?
- What are some good websites or resources that people can access if they are looking to build their investing knowledge?
- How can investors eliminate or reduce their emotional response in investing and help them have a more logical and data driven approach?
- What would you say to someone who feels overwhelmed when it comes to investing or doesn’t know where to start?
Investing 101 Series – Episode 1
Glenn Leest covers the basics of Investing in this episode. He covers some investing terminology and the importance of learning more about investing.
- Where is a good place to start the investing conversation?
- Why is educating ourselves on investing so important?
- When is a good time to get started investing for those who are not already?
- Let’s review some investing terminology:
a. What is a Stock?
b. What is a Mutual Fund?
c. What is a Bond?
d. What is a REIT?
e. What is an ETF?
In this episode Glenn Leest covers some of his best investments (People), the challenges/rewards of doing so and overall investing perspectives.
In this episode, Glenn Leest will be covering how to stay ahead of inflation and how the stock market has performed since 2008.
Staying Ahead of Inflation
What are some investment vehicles that can help you stay ahead of inflation?
1) Stocks
2) Real Estate
3) Commodities
4) Cryptocurrencies (For those who have the risk appetite)
How volatile is the stock market?
How has it performed in relation to all of the major world events that have happened since 2008?
How often does the stock market produce a positive return?
This is a first in a multi part series exploring life insurance and the role it plays in our financial lives.
Glenn Leest and Erin Lockward team up to cover the basics of life insurance in this episode.
What are the types of Life Insurance
- Important things to consider when looking at life insurance.
- How much coverage do you need?
- How long should you have coverage?
- Things you wish you knew about Life Insurance 5 or 10 years ago
In this episode Glenn explores the importance of investing in ourselves. Why soft skills are so important, working with family and overall business wisdom.
In this episode Glenn Leest covers the different types of retirement plans and how they work. He will also cover how he navigates political questions in his practice and even some of his best investments over the years.
In this episode we will cover Industries that Glenn thinks are poised for Growth and Glenn's thoughts on the real estate market. Also we will look at Glenn's game plan for navigating the 2022 year in the markets
In this episode Glenn will cover the market volatility in 2022 and how he believe you can best position yourself to be successful during tough market conditions.
In this episode, Glenn Leest explores what he believes are some important investing behaviors and also covers some of his favorite companies/technologies.
In this episode Glenn Leest will cover some investing mistakes he has seen people make and also will cover those claims that sound too good to be true.
In this episode, Glenn Leest will cover some areas he believes will help investors stay ahead of rising inflation. Also he will cover why money in the bank may not be the best long term investment. Why does Glenn refer to too much money in the bank as going broke safely?
In this episode Glenn Leest explores portfolio allocations, and his thoughts on bond yields moving forward.
In this episode Glenn Leest will cover some investing ideas for small business owners, ESG Funds and some new areas of interest for his Investment Research Division.
In this episode Glenn Leest will cover the basics of what is a CD and a Money market. We will also cover what are your options for those retirement plans that you had from an old employer.
In this episode Glenn Leest will cover the Robinhood stock trading app. What does it do, what we should know about it and is it truly free trading. Why Glenn thinks that commission free trading may not be all its cracked up to be.
In this episode Glenn Leest will cover the rising inflation, increases in social security benefits and the economic effect of higher prices.
In this episode Glenn Leest and John Heilner cover global supply chain issues and shortages of goods and services.
In this episode Glenn Leest talks about his firms portfolio, his perspective on the work he does and why he enjoys his line of work.
In this episode Glenn Leest explores the slowing economic output of China and its effect on the global economy
In this episode Glenn Leest and John Heilner will cover the December 2021 federal reserve meeting and what that means for interest rates in 2022 and beyond.