The 2-Minute Drill: Recent Episodes
John Geffert
Many investors turn to news sources for answers and ideas during market turmoil. This can be a dangerous strategy. If you aren't familiar with the incredible 15 trading days that had Hertz up 500+ percent in 2020 or why it could have been so dangerous to buy the news that sent the stock soaring, this episode explains both.
Read the Blog: Don't Buy the Headlines
Read Time: 3 minutes
There are a number of reasons to have an estate plan. In this episode, I discuss three common mistakes I've witnessed over the years, and one specifically for residents of Massachusetts.
Read the Blog: 3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Tax-loss harvesting is a common tax strategy in non-retirement accounts. For the strategy to work, securities are sold at a loss to realize short- or long-term capital losses. Knowing the difference between short- and long-term gains and losses can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Read the Blog - 3 Ways Tax Loss Harvesting Can Reduce Your Tax Bill
Reading Time - 4 minutes
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are an underutilized saving vehicle for current and future health care costs. They provide a triple tax-advantage saving vehicle. The contributions are tax-deductible, the account grows tax-deferred, and distributions for qualified expenses are tax-free.
Read the Blog - Why You Should Have an HSA
Reading Time - 2 minutes
Tracking your annual net worth may be a better exercise than tracking your annual investment returns. In this episode, I discuss one truth and one belief about net worth.
Read the Blog - Focus on Your Net Worth
Reading Time - 2 minutes
Have you ever said, I wish I had more cash when the market was on the rise? Or maybe you've said to when the market was going down. What can cash drag do to short- and long-term performance?
Read the Blog: A Case for More Cash?
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Please include: The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of John Geffert and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions, or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of the strategy selected. Individual investor's results will vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions.
The investment profile is hypothetical, and the asset allocations are presented only as examples and are not intended as investment advice. Please consult with your financial advisor if you have questions about these examples and how they relate to your own financial situation.
Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market.
When someone is looking at lending options, occasionally their 401(k) is one of them. Why wouldn't you take a loan from your 401(k); you're technically paying yourself interest, right? Unfortunately, it's not that straightforward.
Read the Blog: 401(k) Loans - Are You Really Paying Yourself Interest?
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Disclaimer: The above information does not encompass all advantages or disadvantages of taking a 401(K) loan and is being provided for information purposes only. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax advice. You should discuss any tax matters with the appropriate professional.
Having a basic understanding of taxes can save you tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your life. The type of accounts you have maybe just as important, if not more important, than the investments in them.
Read the Blog: The Tax Triangle
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Whether it's water cooler talk, on the golf course, or between friends and family, you've probably had a conversation about your portfolio performance. From what I've witnessed, it's either a chest out, head held high "I had an x percent return last year, how'd you do?" or a less enthusiastic "I was down x percent last year." In the first scenario, the 'winner' is the person with the biggest return and in the second, the person with the smallest loss. It begs the question, are big returns really that important?
Read the Blog - Are Big Returns Really That Important?
Reading Time - 4 minutes
If you aren't familiar with the term Tax Cost Ratio, you aren't alone. Understanding the term and knowing which investments to hold in each account can save you a substantial amount of money over the long term.
Read the Blog - It's Not About What You Make, It's About What You Keep
Reading Time - 4 minutes
2020 has been a volatile year in the market. While it isn't the first, it also won't be the last. As you prepare yourself for the next volatile market what should you be thinking about? In this episode, I discuss four actionable strategies to consider during times of market volatility.
- Readdress your tolerance for risk
- Rebalance
- Deploy additional capital
- Have a plan
Read the Blog - What You Should Do When Markets Are Volatile
Read Time - 6 minutes
While adding your heirs to the deed of your home may seem like a valid and rationale thought, the potential downsides almost always out way the upsides. In this episode I cover three reasons you may want to avoid adding your heirs to the deed.
Read the Blog - Why You Shouldn't Add Your Heirs to the Deed of Your Home
Read Time - 4 minutes