Tactical Tips and Tripwires: The DIY Financial Planner's Guide | Cody Garrett | 112
Dec 22, 2024
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Cody Garrett, founder of Measure Twice Money and an expert in advice-only financial planning, shares 24 common DIY investment mistakes. He highlights pitfalls like underutilizing employer benefits and misapplying the 4% rule. Cody emphasizes the importance of strategic planning as you approach retirement, discussing topics such as Roth accounts and health insurance. The conversation wraps up with a delightful Holiday piano medley, perfectly capturing the festive spirit!
Effective money allocation requires assigning clear roles to every dollar, ensuring it meets immediate or future needs efficiently.
Finding a balance between aggressive and conservative investing is crucial, particularly as retirement approaches to avoid detrimental financial decisions.
Estate planning should be prioritized early, including critical documents and proper account titling, to prevent emotional and financial turmoil for loved ones.
Deep dives
The Importance of Giving Every Dollar a Job
Allocating money effectively requires giving every dollar a job and a use by date. This means determining when and how each dollar will be used, whether for immediate expenses, gifts, or charitable donations. For funds intended for spending within three years, high-yield savings or safe investment options like Treasury bills are recommended, while longer-term investments can afford more risk. Understanding this concept can help investors avoid cash drag in their portfolios while still meeting their financial obligations.
Risk Management in Investments
Finding the balance between aggressive and conservative investing is crucial, especially as one nears retirement. Many investors mistakenly believe they must take high risks to 'catch up' financially, which can lead to poor decision-making. Instead, it is vital to assess how much money will be withdrawn over the next several years to inform investment choices effectively. Drawing a clear line between risk tolerance and capacity can help individual investors make informed decisions during their late-start financial journeys.
The Role of Estate Planning
Estate planning is not just about distributing assets after death; it also involves critical documents like powers of attorney that dictate who handles your affairs if you become incapacitated. Many individuals overlook these documents until they have children, but everyone can benefit from establishing an estate plan earlier. Properly titling accounts and updating beneficiary designations are also essential to ensure that assets go where intended. Ignoring these components can lead to emotional and financial turmoil for loved ones left behind.
Maximizing Employer Benefits
Employees should take full advantage of the benefits offered by their employers, including health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs). These plans often come with tax advantages and can significantly improve overall financial health if utilized correctly. Moreover, many people overlook group plans for services like legal advice that could save money on estate planning. Understanding the full spectrum of benefits can lead to better financial management and savings.
Holistic Well-Being Beyond Finances
Achieving financial goals shouldn't come at the expense of physical and mental health, relationships, and overall life satisfaction. While focusing on financial independence is essential, neglecting other areas can result in regrets later on, such as deteriorating health or lost friendships. Being financially prepared must include strategies for maintaining holistic wellness throughout the journey. Balancing multiple aspects of life ensures that individuals enjoy the quality of life they aim to achieve, rather than simply reaching a financial milestone.
Happy Holidays! Join us for this lighthearted chat with a longtime friend of the show, Cody Garrett, CFP. He shares his list of the 24 common DIY investment mistakes that might be hindering your path to financial independence and some tips on how to fix them. He steps us through the list which includes things like underutilizing employer benefits, misunderstanding how the 4% "rule" should be applied, and assuming health insurance coverage is expensive in early retirement. Cody is the founder of Measure Twice Money and Measure Twice Planners, and known for his unique advice-only planning approach.
Be sure to listen to the end as Cody plays a beautiful Holiday piano medley to get us all in this spirit of the season.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!
Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.
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