Goldstein On Gelt

Want to increase the potential profit on your investment portfolio?  What would happen if you could use disproportionate strength to increase your portfolio’s profits? Then you would be using a strategy called “leverage” or “margin.” In today’s show, Doug, and his son Efraim, talk about the pros and cons of investing using a leveraged strategy. When an investor decides to invest on margin, he is actually borrowing money from his broker in order to have a larger sum of money to invest. That way, if the stock goes up, he makes a larger percentage, and ultimately walks away with a larger sum of money.  If all goes well, an investor can make a lot of money. But, if the market goes down, one can find himself losing more money faster...  Listen to understand why a “long-term investor” needs to understand what a “margin call” is and why this may not be the best strategy for long-term investments. Don’t wake up one day to find out that your brokerage firm sold out your portfolio. Efraim is a business

People hate talking about debt, disability, death, and divorce. And that’s exactly why we need to have a discussion about these four topics. In today’s show, Doug and his son, Efraim, discuss these difficult subjects. Debt When people acquire a large debt, and then suddenly get a large sum of money (inheritance or a raise), should they invest the money or pay off their debt? Listen to learn why paying off all your “bad” debt may be a better move than investing in the stock market.. Disability Is disability insurance necessary in today’s post-corona work environment when many folks work remotely from their house? Young people especially need to understand that if they get hurt, not only do they stop providing income to their household, but they are also an ongoing expense.    Divorce Divorce not only affects the couple’s relationship, but its ripple effects are felt in many areas, including finance. Since divorce isn’t something you wish or plan for, it’s not something you want to have a part o

Investing is more than just throwing money in the stock market. If everyone’s goal was to grow their portfolio, then shouldn’t everyone do the same thing? In this week’s show, Doug and his son Efraim, go through the 6-step checklist that every investor needs to use. Listen to understand why it’s so important to have a goals that match your values and beliefs before you put money in the market. The 6-Step Checklist to Investing √ Set goals for you and your family √ Get the facts about all your holdings and where you are saving money and paying money √ Identify upcoming potential financial opportunities and challenges, in order to prepare accordingly √ Create an actual investment plan that is suitable to your tolerance risk level √ Action! Implement your financial plan √ Review and follow up on a regular basis. Some numbers need to be looked at monthly, quarterly, and annually Need help putting together your financial plan? Don’t hesitate to contact us at profile-financial.com Efraim is a busine

There’s lots of talk about how alternative energy sources are good for the environment, but how does green energy affect the financial markets? Listen to Doug’s discussion with Arie Addi, the tech lead at Mada Analytics, an Israeli startup, supporting alternative energy solutions using a Machine Learning approach. Discover how green energy and fossil fuels have a growing influence on financial markets. If you want to invest in renewable energy, what is the best way? Should you invest in ETFs or individual stocks? Tune in to hear the pros and cons of each. How diversified are individual funds, and what does it mean when a fund is “weighted?” To learn more about Mada Analytics, visit www.madaanalytics.com

Nearly everyone has heard of stocks and bonds, but sometimes investors feel that they could profit more from alternative investments. This week Doug chats with Stefan von Imhof, co-founder of Alts.co, about alternative investments. Stefan believes that alternative investments are a powerful way to grow your money, compared to other investment classes. Learn about active quick flips, passive buy & holds, and cashflow-producing assets. Listen to the show to learn about investments that are on the opposite end of the spectrum… the more conservative, but not boring, Certificates of Deposit (CDs). If you’re not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug’s free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

Doug discusses his recent meeting with someone who received an inheritance. Not only did the guy receive significant funds, but the inheritance included financial disorganization. The father’s investments were scattered in different companies, private equities, and over 20 physical stock certificates. His investment portfolio was not only big, but a big mess! Both generations’ disorganization caused the inheritor to lose huge sums of money. Listen to find out the 5 things you must do to keep track of your investments. If you’re afraid your own disorganization may be causing you to lose money, click here for an excellent article you can read on the topic. If you’re not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug’s free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.

Listen to this important episode where I discuss the best way for busy investors (like you) to track the markets. Focus on five critical points that need your attention: Focus on interest rates and inflation Review market trends Examine your specific investments Turn to your advisors Review your overall plan Look at how great investors are managing their money in good and bad market by tuning into this episode. These can be the most important few minutes of your day. For more information, visit the show notes at https://goldsteinongelt.com/investing-basics-strategies/the-best-way-for-busy-investors-to-track-the-markets

Major American brokerage firms are closing accounts of clients who don’t have U.S. addresses. They are also closing accounts of clients who use American addresses but don’t live stateside. If you’re like many of the people who’ve recently called my office, you’re probably curious how the firm knew there’s a discrepancy on the account address and where you actually lives? Your IP address (the computer address where you login to access your accounts) may be giving you away. Before bending over backwards to “outsmart” the system, realize that your American brokerage firm wishing you farewell may be a good thing. What could be good about being forced out? Listen to the show to discover one potential tax problem you could avoid by not using a relative/friend’s American address learn the advantages of using a cross-border friendly firm to manage your American investments For more information, visit the show notes at http://goldsteinongelt.com/use-your-real-address-for-your-u-s-investment-account-when-you-live-ove

Are you looking for a way to choose better investments? If so, consider “factor investing.” Professor Elroy Dimson of the Cambridge Judge Business School believes factor investing leads to better results. This is because, he says, if you expose your portfolio to a variety of factors (different from just investing in different industries or sectors), these distinctive attributes have a very important impact on how a portfolio performs. When selecting investments, consider factors like: Sensitivity to inflation Company size High/low dividend yield How to talk to your parents about their finances. Doug shares “10 Secrets to Talking to Your Parents About Money.” It’s hard to discuss money with a parent, but it is essential for solid financial planning. This top ten list is available for people who need help beginning that conversation. To receive your copy of the list, enter your email address here:   (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.crea

If there was a market crash what would happen with your investments? Doug discusses the emotional turmoil and the possibility of real monetary loss in the event of a market crash. Some investors just can’t take the uncertainty of the stock market. But since market crashes are a likelihood that must be taken into, if you can’t tolerate risk, consider more conservative investments. For those who can’t imagine weathering a market crash, Doug suggests some safer options for investing your money. StockX is changing how business is done Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX.com, shares how a stock market based model can be used to sell any luxury item... including sneakers. StockX is the place to find the latest brand name sneakers. He explains the 3 principles of how StockX works and how anyone can use his site to sell a commodity. To check out StockX, visit stockx.com. If you’re not already receiving updates on new episodes, sign up now, and as a special bonus, receive Doug’s free ebook The Retirement Planning Book.  

Do your spending habits and investments align with your values? In other words, what do want your money to do for you? Do your habits, practices, and investments reflect that? Sarah Li-Cain, a financial storyteller for High Fiving Dollars explains the importance of knowing what you value as an investor. Sarah and Doug discuss how to identify your values and how to be mindful about what you do with your money. If your spending habits and investments don’t help you meet your goals, then a realignment is in order.   What should you do if you inherit money from the United States? If you find yourself at the receiving of an inheritance, what should you do next? If you inherit money from America, there are different consideration than receiving an Israeli inheritance. An inheritor of American investments (especially a beneficiary of an IRA) need to know what to do next. Doug has some questions to ask your cross-border financial advisor to avoid unnecessary taxes and overall general headaches. To learn more about Sa

Good communication skills can not only bring a couple closer together, but can also improve their finances! A conversation is a two-way street. It is OK if you don’t see eye to eye with your spouse. Talk, explain your position to your spouse. And then stop… and listen to what your spouse says. There are two things which can directly impact your family’s financial success:  1. Good communication skills 2. A working budget Listen to this podcast for more specific tips in how good communication skills can improve your finances. Send me a selfie of you and your spouse listening together! 

  Even though now isn’t the first time the stock market has fallen by more than 20%, this newest wave of volatility has panicked many investors. There are two common reactions investors have when the market falls: liquidating portfolios (to prevent further losses) or buying more (to maximize potential gains). Can you guess which type of call I’ve received more in recent weeks? While historically stocks have provided greater returns than bonds, there are three times you probably shouldn’t buy stocks: You can’t make ends meet You have no emergency fund You need the money in the short-term The most important thing in weathering the volatility of the stock market is knowing your risk tolerance and building a well-diversified portfolio (even if it includes low-yield investments) that reflects your risk tolerance and financial goals.  If you need help deciding whether you should sell out your portfolio, hold on, or buy additional stock shares, be in touch. Call 02-624-2788 or email doug@profile-f

Bond funds are dropping, and at the other end of the financial seesaw, interest rates are rising. Listen to this podcast to understand the relationship between interest rates and bonds (and bond funds). Basically, a bond is a loan you make to a company/government: You lend money and they promise to pay it back to you plus an agreed upon interest rate. However, after buying the bond, life, the economy, and interest rates might change, and these changes often change the value of your bond holdings. There’s an inverse correlation between bond prices and interest rates. This is because as interest rates increase, the interest you were receiving on an older bond is no longer as attractive as it once was, so if you want to sell the bond/bond fund, you’ll have to accept a lower price in order to find a buyer. When buying bonds, don’t forget to look at two things: both the price and the total return. Sometimes, even if the bond prices go down, the investment may be a good one for you if you collect enough

Traditional investing focuses on individual funds, bonds, and stocks. Top-down investing is actually based on a market overview. But, how does an investor know a trend when they see one? Callum Thomas is the founder and head of research for Topdown Charts, a company specializing in macroeconomic studies. Callum defines top-down investing and explains how data is the most important tool for a top-down investor. He talks about how geopolitical events, could affect data. If you like to stick to the numbers in your financial planning, then tune in to learn more about this analytical investing approach. Coping with the financial aspect of widowhood Doug has put together a one-page resource for recent widows and widowers. The loss of a spouse and tough emotions come hand-in-hand. Many people have the extra stress of financial issues. Doug’s resource Answers to Tough Financial Questions for Widows and Widowers is a primer to navigating the financial side of losing a spouse. Free Download: Answers to Tough Financial

Every investor needs an investment strategy, and there are many good strategies an investor can consider. Do you know your options and what each investment strategy can offer you? Tune in to learn more about the most common choices. Colleen Jaconetti is a certified financial planner and senior investment analyst with Vanguard Investment Strategy Group. She lays out the most popular investment strategies that investors use in everyday investments. She focuses particularly on the “Dynamic Retirement Spending” strategy, an investment strategy that can give an investor “the best of both worlds” in financial planning. She explains what the strategy is and why it is the most balanced option for an investor. The dos and don’ts of a financial windfall Doug has put together a list of tips called The Best Way to Invest an Inheritance: What You Should and Shouldn’t Do with a Windfall.* (*meant as link) He lists all the reasons why getting a sudden windfall like an inheritance can be stressful and lead to bad decisions.

Who is managing your money? Who is giving you financial advice? How do you know you’re asking for advice from the right source? Any financial advice you receive should be customized and personalized to meet your current financial situation. The free resource Is The Right Company Managing Your Money explains how all of your investments should be reviewed and by who. Download the free resource: Is The Right Company Managing Your Money? Recently received an inheritance in the United States? Have you recently received an inheritance from the United States but are living in Israel? Every inheritance is different. Someone may inherit two brokerage accounts and an IRA while someone else’s inheritance is completely different. Know where to find the right advice. What should you do with your inheritance? Receiving an inheritance can be complicated especially if you receive a U.S. inheritance and are living in Israel. But it doesn’t have to be. The Inheritance Book was written for every Israeli citizen that recently r

Just because stocks are tumbling doesn’t necessarily mean that all is lost. Sophisticated investors know how to use a down market to up their portfolio.  Listen to the podcast to learn three ways that you can benefit from a falling market. 1. Pretend you’re a farmer and harvest! Tax loss harvesting means selling stocks at a loss and matching that loss against capital gains to minimize capital gain taxes. No one likes to pay taxes, and no one likes stocks to lose value, but tax loss harvesting manages to lessen the negative blow of two potentially unpleasant situations. While savvy investors often use tax loss harvesting at the end of the fiscal year, you can implement this strategy anytime. 2. Take advantage of the stock sale. What does it mean when the market is oversold? Simply put, it means prices have dropped further than they probably should have. When the markets climb, investors who want to lock in their profits sell their stocks. If too many investors sell at once, the market drops; it is

The funny thing about writing a will is you invest time and effort in its creation, and yet you never benefit from it. If you want to make life easier for your heirs, it is an important document to prepare… correctly. While you work with your lawyer to write a will, keep in mind that at the end of the day, it needs to “work.” By “work” I mean that it needs to make sure that distributing your assets to your heirs goes smoothly and it won’t be challenged by a potential inheritor. I’m not a lawyer, so I can’t advise on the legal issues involved with writing a will. Nonetheless, I have much experience on the practical side of a will, guiding the transferring of assets to the intended. After working for nearly three decades helping people receive bequeathed assets, I have three suggestions of things to include/not include in preparing a will. Listen to the podcast to learn these three practical tips, and then download a pdf that you can give to your lawyer explaining why your will should reflect these

Can money buy happiness?   In this week’s show, Doug and his son, Efraim, discuss spending habits, and if people generally make good choices.  Imagine hearing a financial planner tell you that it’s important to spend the money that you have in order to make you happy. Remember the famous dilemma: should you buy a cup of coffee every day, or should you save those few dollars and invest them so you can buy something bigger in the future? What will make you happier? People who have more money, aren’t necessarily happier than people who earn less. What should you buy to make you happy? Although having an iPhone is nice to have, what studies have shown is that when you donate money and help others, you feel better and more fulfilled. Outsourcing, buying time and delegating tasks is another way to use your money wisely. Have you ever considered spending your money to free up your time so you have more time to do what you like to do?  It’s important to remember that money isn’t the main goal, it’s on