Wealth Decisions by Brian

Is your investment portfolio working as hard as it should be? What if I told you that most investors are leaving money on the table by not rebalancing properly - or worse, rebalancing too often? In this week's episode, I dive into the science and strategy behind portfolio rebalancing, and I'll share three actionable frameworks that could boost your returns while keeping risk in check. The three ke...

Think you're well-diversified because you own the S&P 500, QQQ, and VUG? You might be surprised to learn that you're essentially tripling down on the same handful of tech giants. In this week's episode, I break down the hidden overlap in popular ETFs and show you how to build true diversification into your portfolio. There is a common misconception that I see all the time in my clients' portfo...

"The stock market is too high." "We're due for a crash." "This time it's different." These are phrases I've heard in every single decade of my career as a financial advisor. Yet here's the shocking truth: If you had invested $10,000 in the market each time someone claimed it was "too high" over the last 30 years, you'd be a millionaire today. In this episode, I'm going to show you why the market's...

In this week's episode, I dive into a topic that's close to my heart and probably yours, too – investing in your kids's future. Whether you're a new parent or have teenagers, this episode will cover the four key ways to save for your kids and strategies you need to know about. For a transcript of today's episode, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.momentouswealthadvisors.com/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To...

In this week's episode, we're diving into a powerful approach to investing that's gaining traction among financial advisors and investors alike: Goals-Based Investing. We will discuss the "Power of Naming Your Financial Accounts" and how this can help you have a better chance to stay on track to reach all your most important goals. Let's start with a fundamental truth: Money isn't just about numbe...

In this week's episode, I am diving into a topic that affects every financial decision you make: your money personality. Understanding your relationship with money is crucial for making sound financial decisions and achieving your goals. What is a Money Personality? Your money personality is the set of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors you have about money. It's shaped by your upbringing, experien...

What is Your Story with Money? We all have a unique narrative when it comes to money - a story that's been shaped by our upbringing, experiences, and beliefs. These narratives often operate in the background, influencing our financial decisions without us even realizing it. Today, we'll explore five common money narratives that people often hold. As we go through these, I encourage you to reflect...

In this week's episiode we are diving into a question that many of us grapple with: "Should you starve now to feed retirement goals?" We'll explore the delicate balance between living fully today and saving for tomorrow, discussing what makes people feel wealthy, smart withdrawal strategies, and finding the right savings rate for you. For a transcript of today's episode, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ w...

The Psychology of Investing: Understanding Your Mind to Make Better Investment Decisions Introduction In today’s episode we're going to explore how our minds influence our financial decisions, often in ways we don't even realize. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting to dip your toes into the financial markets, understanding the psychological factors that drive our investment choices...

This episode elucidates the profound interplay between financial planning and personal growth through the exploration of what I term the "three S's of wealth": success, significance, and security. I delve into the essence of success, contending that it transcends mere financial accumulation, instead embodying the realization of one's personal aspirations and the establishment of a life characteriz...

In this week's episode, we're diving into a topic that's been making waves in the world of retirement savings: The SECURE Act 2.0.  This legislation, passed in late 2022, brings significant changes to how Americans can save for retirement. Whether you're just starting your career or nearing retirement age, these changes could have a big impact on your financial future. The SECURE Act 2.0 is a...

Are you really maxing out your 401k? You might be surprised to learn that what you think is "maxing out" might not be taking full advantage of this powerful retirement tool. So, let's break it down and ensure you're on the right track to a comfortable retirement. What Does "Maxing Out" Really Mean? When most people talk about maxing out their 401k, they're typically referring to contributing up to...

In this week's episode, I dive into a topic that affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives: Some kind of financial pain or setback. I discuss "6 Financial Pains and How to Fix Them:  1. Living Paycheck to Paycheck One of the most common financial pains is living paycheck to paycheck. This situation can cause immense stress and leave you vulnerable to unexpected expenses. 2. High Cr...

How do you know if you're financially healthy? Is it the balance in your bank account? The car you drive? Or is it something less visible but more fundamental? The truth is, financial health isn't about how much money you have but rather how well you manage what you have. That's where financial ratios come in. We'll explore this topic through the lens of key financial ratios that can give you a cl...

You might be wondering, "What could a paddle sport possibly have in common with managing your finances?" Well, get ready to be surprised! We're about to explore how the strategies that make you successful on the pickleball court can also help you thrive in the world of finance. Whether you're a pickleball enthusiast, an investment guru, or someone who's never heard of either, I promise you'll come...

This podcast episode delves into five essential habits that can significantly enhance one's capacity to accumulate wealth. We elucidate the importance of mindful spending, emphasizing the necessity of being acutely aware of purchasing decisions and their implications for financial aspirations. The discussion progresses to the critical practice of saving and investing consistently, portraying this...

To live a richer life, many important decisions need to be made about your health, life, and financial habits. A life with wealth but poor health is not a richer life. Excellent health, but no financial security won't allow you to do all that you want to do.   Being healthy and wealthy with no deep-quality relationships is also not a rich life. A rich life is about finding a balance of all th...

In this episode, I discuss one of Momentous Wealth Advisors' 9 investment principles: "Don't Play Politics with Your Investment Strategy." I explore the relationship between political parties in power and investment performance by taking a journey through history, examining how the stock market and various sectors have performed under different administrations and political landscapes. I want to e...

This podcast episode elucidates the significance of research analysts and their price targets in the realm of stock investment. We delve into the intricate methodologies employed by these analysts to formulate their projections, which serve as educated estimates of a stock's future price based on comprehensive financial analysis and market trends. The discussion further elucidates the inherent lim...

In today's episode, I am tackling a topic that's on many investors' minds: how to invest when the market is at or near all-time highs. Are you nervous about putting your money into a market that seems to have nowhere to go but down? Or are you worried about missing out on potential gains? You're not alone. Today, we'll explore the challenges, strategies, and opportunities of investing when markets...

The primary focus of this podcast episode is an in-depth exploration of market cycles and the concept known as "climbing the Wall of Worry." I emphasize the significance of recognizing the cyclical nature of markets, which oscillate between phases of accumulation, markup, distribution, and markdown. Through this understanding, investors may achieve long-term success by effectively navigating the e...

In today's episode, I discuss an essential but often overlooked aspect of financial planning: stress testing your financial plan. I'm here to guide you through this crucial process that can help ensure your financial stability and peace of mind. First, let's define what we mean by "stress testing" your financial plan. It's evaluating how well your financial strategy would hold up under various cha...

Developing a multi-year Roth conversion plan involves some planning but can be a great strategy to get more in Roth accounts to be able to create a more tax-efficient income in retirement. A Roth conversion involves moving money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. The key difference is that traditional accounts are funded with pre-tax dollars and taxed upon withdrawal, while Roth acc...

Using passive investment strategies can have a significant impact on your long-term financial success. Passive investing has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, and for good reason. It's an approach that can offer simplicity, lower costs, and potentially better long-term returns compared to active investing strategies. But what exactly is passive investing, and how can you incorporate it...

A market correction is typically defined as a 10% or more decline in the price of a security or market index from its most recent peak. On average, we have three 5% dips per year and one 10% correction typically per year. Corrections are different from bear markets, which are characterized by a 20% or more decline. Corrections are a normal and healthy part of market cycles, serving to readjust ass...