How Bond Investments Work - 76

In episode 76 of the YMYW podcast, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Alan Clopine, CPA answer investors' questions about bond returns, how interest rates affect bond prices, the difference between short term vs. long term bonds, and more. Original publish date October 22, 2016 (hour 2). Note that content may be outdated as rules and regulations have changed.

00:00 - Intro

00:44 - “Is it sensible to live on my own?”

04:06 - “Will I be penalized for a 401(k) withdrawal?”

04:59 - “I am about to turn 21 and currently in my junior year of college. I have budgeted my income so that I have a portion of it stashed in my savings every month. What sort of investments should I look into to generate more income with the excess income I receive?”

11:36 - “We should stress that we are going to talk taxes and strategies, not politics.”

12:12 - “Should I invest in bonds now or after the presumed interest rate hike?”

17:05 - “The shorter term of the bond, the less risk that you’re taking, hence less volatility.”

18:12 - “What’s the advantage of going into a short-term bond versus staying in cash?”

24:20 - “With bonds, there are two sides to this: the price and the coupon rate.”

29:40 - “If you have a SIMPLE plan, can you still contribute to an IRA?”

34:16 - “Should I move my 401(k) into a money market account?”