Well Balanced
Well Balanced | Financial Planning, Bucket-Based Investing, Market Perspective, Wealth Management. A passionate and entertaining look at money and investing in and for retirement. For those that enjoy podcasts like Smart Money, On Investing, and BiggerPockets, Well Balanced is worth adding to your feed. Disclosures about our firm and this podcast. Vector Wealth Management is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. A copy of Vector’s current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC discusses among other things, Vector’s business practices, services, and fees, and is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. All content in this podcast is for information purposes. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed. Please note that neither Vector Wealth Management nor any of its agents give legal or tax advice. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Charts, graphs, and returns do not represent the performance of Vector Wealth Management or any of its advisory clients. Returns do not reflect the impact that advisory fees and other expenses would on the results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment or strategy will be suitable or profitable for a client’s portfolio. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Visit vectorwealth.com/regulatory for the firms form CRS and ADV.
Episodes
A shift occurred in the world of government bonds—one that, if the trend continues, could have implications for interest rates, mortgage affordability, and the broader economy. In our latest podcast episode, Vector’s Jason Ranallo breaks down what rating agency Moody’s downgrade of U.S. Treasury debt means—and if it matters for your financial future.
Summary
Moody’s has lowered the U.S. government’s credit rating from AAA to Aa1, c...
Every quarter, a new set of GDP reports make headlines. In our latest podcast we dig into Gross Domestic Product, market reaction, and dig into the details behind the numbers.
Here’s the backdrop: The first estimate of Q1 GDP report showed the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of the year—which rattled markets Wednesday morning. That said, if you checked markets after lunch the same day, you might have missed the whole...
This week, we’re applying our facts-frame-approach concept (introduced in last week’s podcast) to a couple of themes making headlines: tariffs and market volatility.
News Theme One: Tariffs and Historic Market Reaction
On April 2, the administration announced sweeping tariffs on a range of imported goods. After an initial market decline of nearly 20%, a 90-day tariff pause was issued, and markets quickly rebounded — posting a 9.5...
In times of market swings, it’s easy to feel like you’re being swept along by a wave of headlines and data points. At Vector Wealth, we believe that while facts, like market prices, are important, they only tell part of the story. Sound investment decisions come not just from knowing the facts, but from having a framework that gives those facts meaning and direction.
In our latest podcast episode, Facts, Framework & Approach, J...
When people feel the worst about the economy, that’s often when markets perform their best. Strange, right? But this is one of the fascinating dynamics we see when we dig into consumer sentiment—a gauge of how people feel about the economy.
The March preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index slumped 7 points to a lower-than-expected reading of 57.9. This was the third consecutive decline, bringing sentiment to its lowest level since 202...
Stock market volatility has returned, driven in part by increased uncertainty. As of March 11th, the S&P 500 was down about 9.3% from its all-time high made in February. The largest tech-oriented companies, like those comprising the Magnificent 7, experienced an even steeper decline. While this can feel unnerving, it’s important to remember that five to 10 percent market declines are not unusual.
Over the past 100 years or so...
In this podcast episode, senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim discusses the importance of financial planning for surviving spouses. We explore the role of financial advisors in guiding families through the complexities of asset management, distribution strategies, and legacy planning.
The conversation emphasizes the need for open communication between spouses about financial goals and the necessity of involving family members in the ...
You might wonder—do tariffs or the Super Bowl cause inflation? Locally, and in the short term, yes. This week, two seemingly unrelated events—proposed tariffs and the Super Bowl—offer us a chance to dig into consumer behavior in the face of potentially rapidly changing pricing.
Tariffs can drive up prices on goods which increases costs for consumers and businesses. Tariffs, broadly, act like a tax—they create friction in trade, mak...
This week’s Market Perspective explores the significant influence of future expectations on economic activity. We illustrate the point through a few examples: Nvidia's stock volatility, the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions, and the impact of social media on tourism. The discussion emphasizes how new information can shift economic value and consumer behavior, highlighting the dynamic and interconnected nature of markets.
Ke...
In this episode we discuss the importance of regular maintenance in both skiing and financial planning, emphasizing how proactive measures can prevent larger issues down the trail. Vector advisor Charlie Gruys shares insights from his experience as a youth ski coach, detailing the process of tuning skis and dialing DINs. The conversation also covers common financial to-dos, the significance of regular budget reviews, and the need f...
Jason Ranallo and Kara Murphy discuss the economic and market outlook for the upcoming year. They explore various themes including market trends, the impact of U.S. debt, the performance of the Magnificent Seven stocks, and the influence of AI on productivity. The conversation also covers mergers and acquisitions, real estate investment considerations, and the effects of political administration on market dynamics. The session conc...
When it comes to withdrawing from your portfolio, timing is everything. During your working and saving years, the average annual return over time is what matters most since you’re not actively withdrawing funds. However, as you approach retirement and begin drawing from your portfolio, the sequence of returns—the order in which market gains or losses occur—takes on much greater importance. Poor returns experienced early in retireme...
As we approach 2025, it’s great time to plan for a financially strong year ahead. In this podcast, Vector Advisor, Chris Wagner discusses Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and explores Roth conversions.
Chris also reminds us to review beneficiary designations to ensure they align with your wishes.
Did you know:
- The gift tax exclusion increases to $19,000 in 2025.
- For charitably ...
In this episode of our podcast, Jason Ranallo and Kara Murphy discuss the current state of the markets and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of the holiday spending season. They explore the complexities of consumer confidence, the impact of inflation on spending habits, and the performance of the stock market, including the potential for a Santa rally. Kara shares insights on the health of consumer balance sheets, the ...
In this engaging conversation hosted by Vector’s Jason Ranallo, Matthew Hartranft, an experienced M&A attorney with Brutlag Trucke & Doherty, shares practical strategies for business owners navigating the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape. With a background in banking and inspiration drawn from his early legal and volunteer experiences, Matt emphasizes the importance of understanding your business’s value and bei...
Senior living is more than just a place—it’s a journey, and this episode explores how to navigate it with intention and empathy.
In this engaging podcast episode, creator and executive producer of the groundbreaking PBS docuseries Inside Senior Living, Melissa Fritz explores the important and often complex topic of senior living with Joe Grochowski, Senior Wealth Advisor at Vector Wealth Management. Inside Senior Living (website) i...
With major stock indices at record highs, some investors are asking, ‘Is now the time to pull back?’ In this podcast we dive into the numbers, address recent market movements, and explain why a long-term perspective remains essential.
Key discussion points:
Market Milestones in 2024
- 51 all-time highs, the Dow at 44,000, and the S&P 500 above 6,000
What Happens After All-Time Highs?
- Looking back: Discussion of ...
In a recent conversatior, Vector senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim hosts mortgage expert Tyler Wiltse from Cambria Mortgage. Tyler shares his insights into the current mortgage landscape, focusing on everything from interest rate trends to strategic refinancing.
Tyler emphasizes that while recent interest rate hikes may deter some buyers, real estate remains a strong investment. For those unsure about timing, he advised that consu...
In our latest podcast, we explore three key investing principles that we believe every investor should keep in mind.
- First, time in the market is generally more effective than trying to time the market. Trying to predict the highs and lows is challenging and can reduce your potential gains if you miss just a few key trading days.
- Second, while the range of potential market outcomes in any given year is wide, it historically nar...
In our latest podcast episode, Jason Ranallo, Director of Portfolio Management, provides an in-depth review of recent market performance and key economic trends. Starting with last quarter’s market performance and discussing recent all-time highs. We also cover September’s Federal Reserve cut, yield curve normalization, and mortgage rates.
Whether you're interested in understanding the current state of the market or looking for a d...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.