The Investor Coaching Show with Paul Winkler

Life Insurance as an Investment

Paul spends some time explaining why life insurance products shouldn’t be used as investment vehicles. Listen along to learn how insurance companies mislead investors about their products to help you or someone you know from getting caught up in the wrong product. Later in the episode, Paul and Ira talk about this week’s article by Jason Zweig called “When Bad Things happen to Good Stocks.”

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

What to Do as Market ‘Fear Gauge’ Soars?

Paul and Ira talk about a ThinkAdvisor article called “Risk Assets Swept Up in a Rout as ‘Fear Gage’ Soars.” Is the article encouraging investors to stay the course as fear about the future rises, or are they just trying to encourage advisors to move their investors into products that hurt investors but make them feel safe? Listen along as two experienced investors sort out the issues that most investors face today. Later in the episode, Ira shares some startling info about smartphone use.

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

 

Don’t Fall for Low or No Fee Investments

There is a slew of investment products that boast about low or no commission products but utilize something called Payment for Order Flow (PFOF). Today, Paul and Ira talk about a Yahoo Finance article called “Are Commission Free Brokers Ripping You Off? The SEC Doesn’t Think So” and discovers that the SEC doesn’t think this practice is harmful enough to step in. Later in the episode, Ira talks about an appointment he had during which he squared off with the client's other advisor.

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

Is the U.S. Getting Rid of Cash Altogether?

Today, a listener wants to know if the U.S. is close to moving away from using cash by developing digital assets. What would that mean for our economy? Paul talks about the way the executive order to expand digital assets has been interpreted and what signs he would need to see to believe that we’re moving into a cashless society. Later in the episode, Paul talks about the legal hurdles President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan needs to pass before it can be enacted.

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

Be Patient While the Economy Adjusts

Some energy prices are going up, but prices are falling at the pump. Companies are adjusting to inflation and mortgage rates are slowly headed up. Today, Paul talks about what is happening in our economy right now and encourages investors to be patient while the economy adjusts. Later in the episode, Paul answers a listener who asks, “How do I manage my account when everything is down?”

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

Market Update: September 26, 2022

Paul keeps you up to date on important market events. Today, Paul talks about whether last week’s 20% drop in FedEx stock signals an economic slowdown, a CPI that shows 8.3% inflation in the last 12 months, the effect of a shaky economy on elections, and the latest estimate on the Social Security COLA for 2023.

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

How Much Your Coffee Habits Costs

Paul talks about a study that finds coffee drinkers are more impulsive spenders and more likely to overspend in other areas. Listen along to hear how much your coffee habit could cost if you don’t also have a saving habit that goes alongside it. Later in the show, Paul talks with Stewart about the book Atomic Habits and how to build the habits into your life that lead you in the direction you want to head.

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

A Healthy Distrust in Companies and Regulations

You need to have a healthy distrust in companies and regulations. Paul talks about regulation and the tension between companies being able to operate freely and mislead investors. Listen along as Paul talks about alternative assets, large investment firms engaging in market timing with commodities, and the White House’s attempt to regulate Bitcoin after it was too late. Later in the show, Paul talks about an iced tea company that changed its name to include blockchain to bump its stock price.

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

Are You Diversifying Enough in International Companies?

American investors and investment firms are known for over-investing in U.S. companies vs. international ones. This leaves investors open to risk and missing out on gains when international companies perform well. Today, Paul talks about a WSJ article called “Why Is the Dollar So Strong? American Innovation” to explain why U.S. and international companies have performed differently over the decade and why having a healthy balance of both in your portfolio is important. Later in the episode, Paul answers a listener’s question about how to take a quick self-assessment of your investment portfolio.

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.

Companies Figuring Out Carbon Offsets

People understand companies' abilities to thrive in changing economic and political climates. Many investors worry that climate policies will negatively affect corporations and the market. Paul shares a WSJ article called “Companies Are Buying Large Numbers of Carbon Offsets That Don’t Cut Emissions” that explains a creative solution some companies have for carbon offsets. 

To get a copy of our new book, Confident Financial Planning, go to paulwinkler.com/book.