Wealthy Behavior

AI’s Impact, Middle East Conflict & Market Volatility

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:03:00 -0500

February may have been the shortest month of the year, but it delivered no shortage of market-moving events. Bob Weisse joins Sammy Azzouz to break down what’s driving today’s financial markets—and what it could mean for investors.

A pessimistic report from Cetrini Research, 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis, raised concerns about artificial intelligence’s economic impact, sparking stock market sell-offs, sector rotations, and widespread debate. Sammy and Bob share their perspective on the findings and the broader implications of technological disruption.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East prompted swift reactions in both stock and bond markets. We discuss what long-term investors should consider amid heightened volatility and uncertainty.
Bond yields have risen while bond prices have declined. We explain what’s driving this unusual dynamic in fixed income markets.

Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net

Investing in Transition: Fed Leadership, Cycles & Tech Disruption

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500

In this month’s Market Update, CIO Bob Weisse joins Sammy Azzouz to unpack what’s driving today’s financial markets—and what it could mean for investors going forward.

Tune in as they discuss:

President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chairman
If the economy appears strong, why are rate cuts still on the table?
Where we are in the current market cycle—and how much longer markets could run
Uncharted territory: how sweeping technological change could reshape companies, economies, and investment opportunities
Why U.S. value stocks are leading the market (up ~5% YTD)
A practical primer on foreign fixed income: what it is and when it may make sense in a portfolio

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

2025 Reflections and 2026 Forecasts

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:30:00 -0500

In this first episode of the new year, Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, joins CEO Sammy Azzouz to reflect on 2025 market performance and share insights for the year ahead.

2025 was a strong year for investors. U.S. equities delivered a third consecutive year of double-digit returns, international equities finally outperformed the U.S., and fixed income produced solid positive returns.

So, what’s in store for 2026? Bob examines emerging trends and outlines Heritage’s 2026 Capital Market Assumptions—our long-term return forecasts—and explains how to evaluate the data, balance risk and return expectations, and use these assumptions to inform portfolio allocation decisions.

Plus, with gold shining brightly in 2025, Bob shares his perspective on investing in gold, including potential risks and returns, when it may add value, and when it may fall short.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net

Inside Private Markets, Data Trends, and AI

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:41:41 -0500

Bob Weisse, Chief Investment Officer at Heritage Financial, joins President & CEO Sammy Azzouz for a timely conversation on private markets. Together, they break down private credit and private equity, explore emerging risks across these asset classes, and share expectations for what lies ahead.

The discussion then turns to our 2025 market outlook—what was forecasted, what actually unfolded, and how current market and economic conditions are shaping future expectations. Bob offers his perspective on:

What’s driving weakness in today’s labor market
Whether tariff concerns and Fed fears were overblown
Whether we’re in an AI bubble
What the data suggests for the future of international equities—and more

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net

All the Presidents' Money

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

We often think of U.S. presidents as financially savvy and immune to money worries—but the truth is, they’re a lot like us: each striving in their own way to achieve the elusive “American Dream.” Some built wealth through discipline and strategy, while others struggled to manage it.

In this episode, Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management and author of All the Presidents’ Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money, shares insights from her deep dive into the personal finances of more than 30 U.S. presidents.

From frugal founders to big spenders, Megan reveals which presidents built fortunes, who faltered, and how some first couples balanced each other’s financial strengths and weaknesses.

Tune in for a fascinating look at how America’s leaders handled their money—perfect for history buffs and personal finance fans alike.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Cybercrime Today: Scams, AI & Safety

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 09:03:00 -0500

Eight-digit passwords are out—randomized 20+ alphanumeric passwords are in. Cybercrime has exploded into a $10.5 trillion global industry, and experts estimate it will double in the next three years. Even more alarming: today’s most sophisticated schemes aren’t just coming from overseas. Local criminals are adopting the same high-level tactics, putting all of us at greater risk.

Mark Hurley, CEO of Digital Privacy & Protection LLC, joins to break down the latest scams, the evolving role of AI in cybercrime, and the practical steps you can take to stay safer online.

How AI is reshaping cybercrime—and making attacks harder to spot
Why simply booking a hotel could end up costing you more than your stay
Whether data protection services are worth the investment
If some devices (iOS vs. Android) are truly more secure
How password managers work—and whether Google and Apple’s randomized passwords are safe to use

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Resilient Markets, Uncertain Times & Diversifying Beyond the U.S.

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:30:00 -0500

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has officially become the longest in history, creating new uncertainties and economic pressure points. Yet, markets have remained surprisingly resilient. In this episode, Chief Investment Officer Bob Weisse joins to discuss:

What true diversification looks like when global indices remain heavily weighted toward U.S. companies.
Key insights from J.P. Morgan’s Capital Market Forecast, including Bob’s perspective on its findings and projections.
Highlights from Heritage Financial’s recent Market Outlook webinar, covering the Fed’s latest moves, inflation trends, the weakening dollar, and more.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Timeless Lessons: Advisors Share Their Favorite Financial Advice

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 07:30:00 -0400

Heritage Financial is celebrating 30 years of helping clients build, protect, and enjoy their wealth. To mark this milestone, CEO Sammy Azzouz sat down with some of our seasoned financial advisors to share their favorite pieces of investing wisdom — the kind of timeless advice that can guide you through decades of market cycles and through life itself.

Whether you’re just starting your investment journey or a seasoned investor, you’ll walk away with practical insights and enduring principles you can rely on for years to come.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Bonds, Gold, and the Government Shutdown

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:09:06 -0400

2025 has been a strong year for investors, and the third quarter kept that momentum going. Markets are viewing things through rose-colored glasses, pricing in plenty of good news—but risks remain.

Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, joins CEO, Sammy Azzouz, to break down what’s fueling today’s market strength and what could challenge it. They discuss why investors shouldn’t ignore lingering risks like the ongoing government shutdown, which—if prolonged—could start to weigh on the economy.

They also explore why investors should be cautious about chasing yield in the bond market, even amid strong performance, and share insights on today’s “gold rush,” including ways to gain exposure without buying the metal itself.

Finally, as a preview of our next episode, Bob closes by sharing one of his favorite pieces of timeless investment wisdom.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Inside the Bond Market: Risks, Rates & Expectations

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:03:00 -0400

Ken Shinoda, Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine Capital, returns to Wealthy Behavior to share his perspective on the current state of the bond market, today’s economy, and the outlook for mortgages. In this episode, he discusses:

Key risks facing the bond market
The Fed’s independence and policy expectations
The weakening dollar and its impact on bonds
The rapid expansion of private credit
What really drives mortgage rates—and what the new “normal” might look like

Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net. Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net,

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Strong Markets, Rising Risks: What Investors Should Watch

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:30:48 -0400

It’s been a strong year for the markets—but the ride hasn’t been smooth. Yields continue to be pulled in opposite directions: lower on expectations of rate cuts, but higher on concerns about sticky inflation, labor market weakness, and elevated Treasury debt levels.

In this episode of Wealthy Behavior, Heritage Financial’s CIO Bob Weisse joins CEO Sammy Azzouz to discuss the current state of the markets and economy, including:

Key takeaways from Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech
Goldman Sachs’ recent research on U.S. fiscal worries: “Is This Time Different?”
A reminder of true Wealthy Behavior: after a strong run in stocks, don’t let the tax tail wag the dog
What investors should be watching for in the months ahead
Portfolio moves our investment team made to help manage today’s risks

Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net. Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net,

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Markets Are Up, Jobs Are Cooling: What Investors Should Know

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:13:45 -0400

Markets remain near all-time highs, and investor sentiment is strong — but a softer July jobs report, along with downward revisions to prior months, points to a cooling labor market.

Heritage Financial CIO, Bob Weisse, joins CEO, Sammy Azzouz, to discuss what this means for the Fed, the economy, and investors. They also break down key valuation metrics (CAPE vs. PE ratios), share views on market efficiency, and examine the potential impact of new tariffs.

Tune in for timely insights on markets, economic data, and how they’re influencing portfolio strategy today.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net,
Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net.
And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

OBBBA: Key Impacts on Individuals & Business Owners

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Ed Jastrem, Heritage Financial's Chief Planning Officer, joins Sammy Azzouz to break down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and what it means for your financial future. They discuss what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how individuals and business owners can make the most of planning opportunities.

Topics include:

Key changes taking effect in 2025 vs. 2026
Misconceptions around Social Security and taxation
Expiring and new tax credits
Why 529 plans just got more attractive
Charitable giving opportunities
Business owner provisions, including depreciation and capital expenses
What actions to take before the end of 2025 to avoid surprises at tax time
How scenario planning helps clients stay ahead

Whether you're planning for retirement, running a business, or just want to avoid surprises at tax time, this episode is packed with insights.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net,
Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net.
And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Bull Markets Climb a Wall of Worry

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:39:00 -0400

Markets continued their upward trend in June, reflecting investor resilience despite ongoing global uncertainty.

In this episode, Bob Weisse, Heritage Financial's CIO, joins Sammy Azzouz, CEO, to explore what’s driving strong market performance, offering historical context and some investment opportunities.

He also discusses how the investment landscape has evolved—many products once reserved for institutions, such as interval funds, are now more accessible to individual investors.

Bob shares his framework for evaluating alternative investments, often called the “third pillar” of investing. But is diversification alone enough to justify their place in a portfolio? He breaks down the wide range of strategies, fee structures, and market exposures to consider.

Plus, we answer a listener question: Why aren’t we investing in gold right now?

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net,
Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net.
And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Estate Planning Strategies and Common Mistakes

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 06:45:00 -0400

You can have a solid financial plan and a great estate plan—but if they aren’t aligned, neither may work as intended. Liz Meyer, JD, Heritage Financial’s Estate Planning Specialist, shares strategies to strengthen your estate plan, common mistakes, and answers the questions she hears most often.

We cover:

Why estate planning matters—both during your life and after
Key estate planning documents
How beneficiary designations interact with your estate plan and can override your intentions
What is included in your taxable estate and ways to help reduce estate taxes
The annual gift exclusion—how it works and why it matters
What to know if you own property in multiple states
How transparent you should be with your children and family

Don’t wait to protect what you’ve worked so hard for—your family, your future, and your peace of mind.

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net,
Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net.
And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Second Chances, The Budget Deficit & Foreign Bonds

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 11:59:00 -0400

Despite unsettling headlines and ongoing market volatility, both stocks and bonds are in positive territory year-to-date—led by international markets outpacing the U.S. Since April’s dip, markets have rebounded, giving investors a second chance to reassess their portfolios, consider global diversification, and revisit their risk tolerance. In this episode, Sammy and Bob break down what’s driving the markets and dive into:

Why the growing U.S. budget deficit matters to bond investors
The role of real assets in a diversified portfolio
A new opportunity our team is analyzing in foreign bonds

Send your questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

How Not To Invest: The ideas, numbers, and behaviors that destroy wealth – and how to avoid them

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 23 May 2025 14:17:35 -0400

Barry Ritholtz — Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Investment Officer of Ritholtz Wealth Management, and host of the Masters in Business podcast — joins Sammy to discuss his new book, “How Not To Invest: The ideas, numbers, and behaviors that destroy wealth – and how to avoid them”.

Barry blends behavioral finance with data analysis to uncover some of the most common (and costly) investing mistakes — and how to steer clear of them. Tune in for actionable takeaways on failing better, managing market noise, and navigating the world of financial “experts.”

Plus, Barry explains why the childhood advice “Don’t take candy from strangers” also holds true for grown-up investors.

Send questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net and don’t forget to rate the show!

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Markets, GDP, Small Caps, and Buffett’s Wisdom

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 08 May 2025 09:03:14 -0400

Bob Weisse, CIO of Heritage Financial, joins Sammy Azzouz to break down the latest market trends and what investors need to know. While markets have shown improvement in recent weeks, signs of weakness remain, raising concerns about a potential recession.

Bob discusses the factors behind the Q1 GDP contraction and what it could signal for the broader economy. He also offers insights on how investors can navigate uncertainty and volatility, including an explanation of the difference between fundamental and technical price movements.

In addition, Bob shares his perspective on the small-cap market and, in light of Warren Buffett’s announcement that he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, reflects on timeless investment lessons from one of history’s most influential investors.

Send questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net and don’t forget to rate the show!

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

What Is Happening & Where Do We Go From Here?

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:45:00 -0400

We usually advise against mixing politics and portfolios, but since the April 2 tariff announcement, politics—not fundamentals—have been driving the markets. Sammy Azzouz sits back down with Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, to unpack what’s happened since “Liberation Day” and answer some FAQs about the state of the investment universe today. If you’re wondering what just happened to your portfolio—and what could come next—tune in!

Send questions to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net and don’t forget to rate the show!

And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Q1 Insights, Market Momentum & The Power of Direct Indexing

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:10:35 -0400

Diversification proved its worth in Q1. While U.S. markets struggled, dragged down by a tech-sector sell-off, international and fixed-income markets delivered strong returns. Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, breaks down the Q1 results and highlights why diversification remains crucial in today’s environment of heightened risks, policy uncertainty, and elevated U.S. equity valuations.

In this episode, we:

✅ Share some glimmers of hope

✅ Explain market momentum—why winners tend to keep winning and losers keep losing

✅ Explore how direct indexing can be a smart solution for investors with idle cash, high capital gains, or those preparing to sell a business

Join us for insights that can help you navigate today’s complex market with confidence.

Plus, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Have questions or topics you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Between The (Head)Lines with CNBC’s Michael Santoli

Heritage Financial Services — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 07:47:54 -0400

Erratic Policy Swirl, S&P 500 Pullback, and What Investors Might Be Missing.

Michael Santoli, Senior Markets Commentator at CNBC, joins us to break down today’s turbulent headlines. Is the U.S. experiencing a market correction, or is something bigger on the horizon? We dive into recent volatility, the S&P 500’s pullback, the “Magnificent 7” stocks rolling over, and hot topics like DOGE and Tesla. Plus, Michael highlights key market trends that aren’t getting enough attention—but should be.

With over 30 years covering Wall Street at Barron’s, Yahoo Finance, and Dow Jones Newswires, Michael Santoli brings deep market expertise, which he shares regularly on CNBC’s Business Day programming and as a featured contributor to CNBC.com and CNBC PRO.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

We’d love to hear from you! Send your questions, ideas, or feedback to wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Market Update & Navigating Uncertainty

Heritage Financial Services — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Increasing uncertainty, rising inflation, and slowing economic growth are causing concern among investors, leading them to take a more defensive approach—reducing risk, shifting equity exposure, and turning to fixed income. Many are asking: What’s driving the moves? And how should investors respond?

In this episode, CEO Sammy Azzouz shares client questions, while CIO Bob Weisse breaks down the latest updates on U.S. and international stock and bond markets. They’ll discuss how our investment team is positioning portfolios, what data they’re watching, and what investors should—and shouldn’t—do in uncertain times. Tune in for insights to help you navigate today’s landscape.

Plus, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Have questions or topics you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

International vs. U.S. Markets: A Shift in Opportunity

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:00:46 -0500

Could this be the year international markets outshine the U.S.? Jeffrey Kleintop, Chief Global Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, believes a new cycle has begun—one that could make global investing more rewarding than it’s been in years.

In this episode, Jeff explains why international markets are gaining momentum, what’s driving global growth and earnings, and how overseas valuations stack up against the U.S. He also puts tariffs and their impact on companies and stock markets into perspective—are they more bark than bite?—and shares what investors should keep an eye on in the months ahead.

Take your wealth to the next level with How To Build Your Next Million, our educational video course and ebook. You’ll learn the financial tools and strategies that will help you SAVE more, KEEP more of what you earn, GROW your portfolio, and PROTECT your nest egg to enhance your overall wealth.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Is Your Portfolio Ready for 2025?

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:39:25 -0500

Markets started strong in 2025, but uncertainty and volatility loom. How should investors respond?

In this episode, Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, break down what’s happening in the markets and how to make smarter investment decisions in today’s environment, including:

The latest on Fed policy and what it means for your portfolio
Fixed income investing—why it matters, the risks, and how to invest in different sectors
The danger of chasing recent winners and how to avoid common mistakes
Behavioral finance basics that every investor should know

Plus, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Have questions or topics you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

2025 Market Outlook: Bridging the Divide

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 07:03:00 -0500

Full valuations, index concentration and the potential for a resurgence of inflation have set the stage for a fragile market environment. Can prices rise further from here? Absolutely. Yet the possibility of setbacks is equally real, underscoring the importance of durability in 2025.

In this episode, we spotlight an audio replay of our 2025 Market Outlook webinar titled Bridging the Divide. Bob Weisse, Heritage Financial’s CIO, and Brad Long, CIO at Fiducient Advisors, discuss today's markets and economy, and share expectations for 2025 and beyond.

Read more detail in our written 2025 Market Outlook: Bridging the Divide.

Get a head-start on your financial resolutions with our new video course and our ebook, How To Build Your Next Million! These resources highlight the financial tools and strategies that will help you SAVE more, KEEP more of what you earn, GROW your portfolio, and PROTECT your nest egg to enhance your overall wealth.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Market Update: A Look Back, A Peek Ahead & A Cybertruck Review

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this first episode of the new year, Sammy and Bob recap 2024's market performance and share insights for the year ahead. Will 2025 bring strong returns, or are we heading for a correction? A wide range of outcomes are possible, so preparation is key. Bob dives into the data driving both short- and long-term outlooks, including:

Stocks vs. bonds
U.S. vs. international markets
Portfolio risk management strategies
Recent currency moves and future predictions

And because it seems no one can stop talking about it, Bob wraps up with his take on the Cybertruck.

Tune in for insights, strategy, and a touch of tech talk as we set the stage for 2025!

6 Favorite Investment Lessons Shared This Year

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:44:00 -0500

In this special episode of Wealthy Behavior, we are wrapping up a great year of amazing guests, excellent listener questions, and delivering insight to listeners by highlighting 6 enduring, valuable investment strategies and lessons from our 2024 episodes: The building blocks of financial literacy, the importance of investing internationally, the truth about dollar-cost averaging, a primer on private equity vs venture capital, private credit, and some non-monetary advice for those 5-10 years out from retirement.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Politics, Portfolios, and Predictions

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Sammy and Bob discuss the market’s reaction to the election results and what might lie ahead. Taxes, tariffs, and immigration lead the new administration’s agenda, and related announcements are already moving markets. With the Republican sweep, there is potential for significant changes happening under Trump’s administration compared to a divided government. Given the wide range of outcomes, we expect some near-term market volatility. Bob also shares actionable insights on portfolio strategies for stocks and bonds, helping investors navigate this uncertain landscape. Plus, they dive into Elon Musk’s potential influence on the government, Fed rates, inflation trends, and the S&P 500's momentum.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Impacts of the Election on the Markets & Economy

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:55:13 -0500

Join Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, as they discuss Tuesday’s election results and the potential market and economic impact of the policies President-Elect Donald Trump discussed on the campaign trail.

Stock markets responded positively to the potential for new tax cuts, extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and deregulation, which could benefit economic growth. On the other hand, the rise in bond yields signals worry that fiscal stimulus, anticipated tariff increases, and immigration reform may lead to higher debt, inflation, and slowing global trade.

Tune in as we discuss the markets, economy, and strategies to help protect your investment portfolio during this time of uncertainty.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

3 Financial Challenges Women Face & How to Overcome Them

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 16:40:00 -0400

Women face unique challenges and setbacks compared to men when it comes to finances. From longer life expectancies, to earning less, and greater caregiving responsibilities, on this episode Kenzie Ferris, CFP, CLTC, AWMA and Wealth Manager at Heritage Financial, shares some common financial challenges faced by women and ways to get ahead of them.

Would you rather avoid this conversation? You aren’t alone. Talking about finances can be uncomfortable and complicated. But the fact is that over 90% of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives. Talking about your money, your goals, your worries, and planning for the expected-and unexpected-can help you feel more confident and empowered. Let’s start the conversation!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Market Update: China, U.S. Consumers & Allocations

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:48:52 -0400

With only a quarter left to go, investors are pleased with 2024’s stock and bond markets thus far. Heritage Financial’s Chief Investment Officer, Bob Weisse, joins CEO, Sammy Azzouz, to discuss recent performance and:

David Tepper’s call to “buy everything related to China”
The health of the US consumer
Bonds are no longer ugly-get your bond allocation right
What to look for when investing in small cap stocks
Developing ways to be more tax efficient

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

How to Retire Successfully: There’s More to it Than Money

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

We are honored to welcome Christine Benz, author of How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement and director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, to our podcast. Whether you are planning for retirement or already retired, you’ll gain insight on how to find success in retirement financially and otherwise, from those who have studied retirement for decades.

How to think about retirement spending
Avoiding common retirement challenges
The connection between relationships and success in retirement and life
The bucket approach to asset allocation – how to think about it and how it can add value
Long-term care decision making and options to explore
How covid has impacted retirement, financially and non-financially

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Market Update: Carry Trades, Rebalancing & The Fed

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Michael Waldron, Heritage Financial’s Director of Portfolio Management, joins Sammy Azzouz to discuss what’s going on in the markets and investment universe today.

What are carry trades and why they impacted global markets so dramatically in August.
Rebalancing portfolios to capitalize on today’s stock and bond markets.
The Feds messaging and the impact its already had on rates.
Market performance during election years and what to pay attention to instead of which party gets elected.
And finally, both avid readers, Michael and Sammy discuss their recent reads.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

How to Cut Through the Noise

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Special guest, Sam Ro, financial writer and founder of the finance newsletter TKer, joins to help investors of all experience levels cut through today’s noisy headlines and make sense of what’s really happening in today’s markets and economy.

Though economic indicators are starting to cool, the economy and consumer spending are still strong and signs are pointing toward future growth. Sam and Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, discuss the macro economy, the most recent corporate earnings results and the messages individual investors can get from reading and listening to earnings reports. Sam also shares takeaways from the early August market meltdown, his view on investing during an election year, and the data he’ll be monitoring in the coming months and quarters to get a feel for the direction of the economy.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

Like what you heard and want to join the Tker community?

Tker has both a free and paid subscription and Sam is offering Wealthy Behavior listeners 3-months of free access to a premium newsletter subscription. Visit www.tker.co/subscribe to subscribe to the free newsletter. Once you get an email confirmation, reply to that with a note saying you heard about TKer on the Wealthy Behavior podcast.

*Heritage Financial is not affiliated with Tker.co and no compensation has or will be provided in exchange for any subscriptions.

Rates, Rotations & Recession Risks

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

The weaker than expected CPI report released early in the month bolstered investor confidence for rate cuts in September. This favorable data combined with slowing economic growth and higher unemployment, led to a sharp drop in yields and a big rotation trade among stock market performers. In fact, small cap stocks experienced their largest single day of outperformance in over 40 years. With markets adjusting to recent data and recession fears increasing, markets are becoming more volatile.

Tune in to hear our CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse, discuss recent market moves, what they mean for investors, and answer a listener question – Do you really need to update your allocation to be more conservative as you get older?

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

In This Economy? How Money & Markets Really Work

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Kyla Scanlon, writer, podcaster, and the author of the book In This Economy? How Money & Markets Really Work, believes that human behavior is the ultimate driver of the economy, and that misinformation is driving people to make poor decisions.

Kyla joins this episode to discuss her book, thoughts on today’s economy, and the importance of financial education, which she has a great passion for. She wrote her book to serve as an introductory guide to understanding the economy and to provide the basic tools people need to better understand the world they are a part of. Kyla’s ability to break down complex topics like the financial markets, inflation, labor market, and the economy at large into understandable content has amassed quite a following. Tune in to find out why!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

July Market Update: Escalator Up, Elevator Down

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:46:38 -0400

There’s a saying that the Fed takes interest rates up on an escalator (smooth increases) and down on the elevator (larger, quick drops). We are around peak interest rates, the market is expecting the Fed to cut rates twice this year, and based on slowing economic data it looks like the cuts should begin soon. What will give the Fed the green light to start? Tune in to hear Heritage Financial CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, discuss what has stood out to recently, including:

The latest on interest rates and inflation
Recent narrowing of stock market leadership and what’s driving the winners
Why a diversified fixed income portfolio is imperative, especially now
A primer on private credit–a detailed discussion about what is it and how can it fit in a portfolio

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Planning For The Tax Cut Sunset

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 10:05:00 -0400

The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act is set to sunset at the end of 2025. For many people, this expiration of tax cuts will mean more of your money will be going toward taxes. Heritage Financial’s Chief Planning Officer, Ed Jastrem, joins Sammy Azzouz to discuss the “use it or lose it” window of time that is left to save on taxes and shares the impacts this could have on your wealth, your habits, and your legacy.

What does the TCJA sunset mean for 2026 and beyond?
Could legislation be proposed to halt the sunset, or parts of it?
2026 is over a year away, why start planning now?
What are the downsides to pre-planning if something does change with the sunset?

For the most personalized and strategic plan that best meets your needs, we recommend collaborating with your wealth manager, tax advisor, and estate planner. Content in this episode is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

June Market Update: Signs of a Slowdown

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:13:16 -0400

A series of weaker labor market and housing data, better than expected inflation data, and resilient corporate earnings have all contributed to May’s healthy market performance. While inflation has been sticky, signs of a slowing economy are emerging. Heritage Financial CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, discuss these signs, global market valuations and why it could be a good time to rebalance, and explain the how, what, and why of stock splits.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Lessons in Risk: From Brothels to Retirement

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 23 May 2024 07:30:00 -0400

Allison Schrager, economist and author of "An Economist Walks into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk," joins Sammy to discuss how principles of risk used in finance relate to all industries, and ways to measure it, control it and maximize it.

They also discuss some of the biggest risks in retirement including the projected depletion of social security and some ways to fix the problem, what spending looks like in retirement and how it’s financed, and advice on how to balance competing goals.

Allison is also a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a regular contributor to the Economist, Reuters, and Bloomberg Businessweek, and co-founder of LifeCycle Finance Partners, LLC, a risk advisory firm.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

May Market Update: Bad News Is Good News

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 09 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

The April jobs report shows that the U.S. unemployment rate rose and wage gains slowed more than expected. Markets reacted favorably to this news. Why be happy that more people are out of work and earning less? These are two signals that the strong labor market may be starting to soften. The markets are hoping that a labor market slowdown will nudge the Fed closer to begin lowering interest rates.

Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, also discuss how the Feds comments can move markets, the impacts the housing market and upcoming election may have on the Feds moves, and answer a client question– If you have the choice, should you invest a lump sum all at once or wade into the market by dollar cost averaging?

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Inflation, Markets, and the Magnificent 7

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 08:30:00 -0400

Lately we’ve noticed similar themes across the questions we are getting asked most often. In this episode Heritage Financial’s CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse, address the topics and answer the questions on top of investors’ minds.

April’s inflation and economic data shows that inflation may be stickier than expected and rates could stay higher for longer. What does this shift in data mean for the markets?
The problem with the housing market and why it may not improve anytime soon. - The Magnificent 7 stocks are getting all the attention. They have performed well, they are great companies, why not just buy them?
A lesson in FOMO.
Why the cost of auto insurance is surging.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

April Market Update: A Resilient First Quarter

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 12:06:53 -0400

With the first three months of the year posting strong market returns, most investors are pleased with the start to 2024. Equity markets have seen a broadening of market winners and in March bonds posted their first positive monthly return of the year. 2023 was the story of the magnificent seven tech stocks leading the bulk of the total market return. This year, those concentrated returns from mega-cap tech stocks have diverged and we’ve seen a broadening of market leaders across sectors-generally a healthy sign for investors. Leading economic indicator data released for the month of February also showed a change in direction and shifted positive. Despite these encouraging signs, ample recession and market risks remain and must be monitored.

In addition to sharing the latest market and economic news, Sammy and Bob discuss the artful skill of being patient with your investments without being blind, red flags that should alert investors to dig deeper, and to kick-off Financial Literacy month a discussion of the book “The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money” by Ron Lieber.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Global Elections; The “Swift” Expansion; Home Country Bias & More with Jeffrey Kleintop

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 08:45:00 -0400

Special guest Jeffrey Kleintop, Chief Global Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, is excited for investors in international markets. It has been a bullish start to the year across global markets and we are seeing encouraging trends toward a broader outlook for performance both in the U.S. and abroad. But we won’t get there without navigating through a year full of risks and concerns. Jeff provides an update on global markets and economies and what investors should be paying attention to:

The “Swift” expansion
Global election impact—voters representing more than half the world’s population are expected to head to the polls this year
What inflation looks like overseas and expectations of central banks
Why the AI driven tech rally is primarily benefitting U.S. companies
Consequences of home country bias

Take your wealth to the next level with How To Build Your Next Million, our educational video course and ebook. You'll learn the financial tools and strategies that will help you SAVE more, KEEP more of what you earn, GROW your portfolio, and PROTECT your nest egg to enhance your overall wealth.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

March Market Update & A Primer on Private Equity vs. Venture Capital

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 07:30:00 -0500

Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, revisit February’s U.S. and international stock and bond market moves and discuss reasons behind year-to-date performance. The Fed has gotten better at their job, they have history on their side, and they’ve learned their tools have a delayed effect on the economy. Bob shares historical research on Fed rate hiking cycles and performance of the S&P 500 following final rate hikes through rate cuts. While markets expect the Fed to begin cutting rates this year, we must consider the motive and ramifications of doing so, so we can prepare for future market impacts.

At Heritage Financial, we have been investing in private equity for over 15 years as we believe the asset class can add value to investors’ portfolios. Bob and Sammy dive into the differences between private equity and venture capital that investors should know, what we look for when investing, risks, fees, performance, management, and what Bob sees on the horizon.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Get Smart, Stay Smart with Caleb Silver

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 07:55:00 -0500

Caleb Silver, Editor in Chief at Investopedia, joins to share some practical advice on personal finance and discuss the hierarchy of financial literacy. Throughout his career as a journalist Caleb has spoken with many business leaders, authors, and industry experts. Caleb shares some of his favorite advice and metaphors learned, and he offers some thought-provoking questions for listeners to reflect on and answer. Get the inside scoop on what people are searching for on Investopedia.com today, some unique indicators Caleb follows for signs of what’s to come, and how he recommends staying informed given today’s never-ending stream of content.

Caleb is an Emmy-nominated business journalist who previously worked as the Director of Business News at CNN, the Executive Producer of CNN Money, and a Senior Producer at Bloomberg Television. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, and ABC News Radio. Hear more from Caleb each weekly on The Investopedia Express podcast.

Take your wealth to the next level with How to Build Your Next Million, our educational video series and ebook. You’ll learn the financial tools and strategies that will help you SAVE more, KEEP more of what you earn, GROW your portfolio, and PROTECT your nest egg to enhance your overall wealth. Visit www.heritagefinancial.net to access these free resources.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*Sammy Azzouz was recognized as an Investopedia Top 100 Advisor on July 11, 2023 for the year 2023. No compensation has been exchanged for placement on this ranking.

Monthly Market Review: A Strong Start

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 09:16:09 -0500

In the U.S., the economy is doing well, inflation is moderating, and the S&P 500 hit a new all-time high in January. 2024 is off to a strong start. Now all eyes are focused on the Fed as they are expected to begin cutting rates this year. When will they begin? And how much will they cut by year-end? Investors will be listening closely hoping to glean hints into the future.

In this episode, Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, also address:

If the economy is doing well, why stimulate the economy by cutting rates?
When markets are at a high, does our advice to investors change?
Asset LOcation - Where to position your assets to help reduce your tax bill.
A brief overview of 529 plans.
Changes to portfolio allocations the investment team has been making.

Get a head-start on your financial resolutions with our free ebook, How To Build Your Next Million, and video course! These resources highlight the financial tools and strategies that will help you SAVE more, KEEP more of what you earn, GROW your portfolio, and PROTECT your nest egg to enhance your overall wealth.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

What's in Store for the Markets in 2024

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 09:58:00 -0500

In this episode, we offer an audio replay of our 2024 Market Outlook webinar. Bob Weisse, Heritage Financial’s CIO, and Brad Long, CIO at Fiducient Advisors, discuss today's markets and economy, and share expectations for 2024 and beyond.

Read more detail in our 2024 Market Outlook: Prepare Not Predict.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Monthly Market Update: A Merry December

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 11:00:57 -0500

A combination of favorable inflation reports and the Fed recognizing the good reports, paired with a more balanced labor market, led to strong fourth quarter results across markets in general.

2023 was dominated by financial uncertainty surrounding inflation, rising interest rates, volatile markets, and the possibility of a recession. Today, we have the benefit of hindsight. In this episode, Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, and CEO, Sammy Azzouz, discuss takeaways from the markets in 2023, preview our 2024 market expectations, and discuss REITS, interest rates, and changes we are seeing in the residential real estate market.

We’ll discuss our asset class expectations in more detail during our 2024 Market Outlook webinar on January 17th at 12pm ET. Be sure to register and if you can’t attend live, we’ll send you the recording.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

Today’s Housing Market

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:04:00 -0500

Special guest Lance Lambert, CEO & Co-Founder at ResiClub, a research company dedicated to in-depth tracking, reporting, and analysis of the U.S. housing market, joins this episode to discuss the state of the U.S. housing market from pre-pandemic to today. Lance breaks down the biggest drivers of the real estate market—Pricing, Affordability and Inventory, headwinds and tailwinds in today’s market, how mortgage rates are determined, and where he sees them normalizing at for the long-term. And finally, Lance discusses data-driven research on how inventory in regional real estate markets today, compared to pre-pandemic levels, can help predict what may happen in the market next year.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

December Market Update: November’s Historic Rally

Heritage Financial Services — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 15:15:00 -0500

Both stock and bond markets rallied in November, helping the typical 60/40 balanced investors experience the best month of performance since 1991. Markets surged based on growing confidence that the Fed is done raising rates and the number of potential future cuts is increasing. But the Fed is taking a more hawkish tone. What are the chances the November rally can continue? In addition to digging into the data, Sammy and Bob discuss:

The probability of a recession in 2024
What could move the Fed to cut rates next year
The attractive bond market for investors continues
“T-Bill and Chill”, a mantra in recent investment news—what it means and how to use the strategy
Tax loss harvesting – What is it and how to we implement the strategy

And we close with a tribute to Charlie Munger, an American businessman, investor, philanthropist, and, as described by Warren Buffett, his closest partner and right-hand man. Charlie, a role model for many investors and businessmen, passed away last month. He believed in lifelong learning and often shared notable lessons about life, investing, and business, including one of our favorites that we hope to help listeners with, “Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than you were when you woke up”.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

Shut Up & Keep Talking with CNBC’s Bob Pisani

Heritage Financial Services — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 09:47:00 -0500

Special guest, Bob Pisani, CNBC Senior Markets Correspondent, joins Sammy Azzouz, Heritage Financial’s President and CEO, to discuss his new book, "Shut Up & Keep Talking: Lessons on Life and Investing from the Floor of the New York Stock Exchange".

In this episode Bob shares the history of the modern market and financial journalism and summarizes some of the most valuable life and investment lessons he has learned throughout his 25+ year career covering Wall Street. They also discuss how to filter the constant stream of news, the importance of understanding your own behavioral economics, and why investing should be...boring?!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

November Market Update: Three Things to Watch

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 11:21:00 -0500

Sammy and Bob have been busy traveling to several industry conferences this fall. In this episode of Wealthy Behavior, Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse, continue last month’s discussion sharing takeaways from conferences and conversations with industry leaders. While some concerns from recent months have subsided, others remain. Inflation, Treasury yields, and the risk of a recession are what most investors are focused on today. Hear Bob’s thoughts on what he’s confident in, what he’s watching for, and what concerns him the most. They also discuss:

• The difference between TIPS and I Bonds

• Why stocks and bonds have been moving in tandem with one another

• Views on indexing vs. active management, and some of the perils of indexing

Our Fall Market Outlook webinar addressed many of these topics as well as our expectations for the future. Be sure to catch the replay!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

Through the Lens of An Optimist

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:29:00 -0400

Special guest, Sam Ro, financial writer and the founder and editor of the finance newsletter TKer.co, joins Heritage Financial President & CEO, Sammy Azzouz, on this episode of Wealthy Behavior.

Sam is a self-described optimist in the long-term and cautious optimist in the short-term. He helps investors who are aiming to build wealth over time. Through Sam’s curated news, data, and insights he helps weed through the noisy, attention-grabbing financial headlines (that he used to create), amplifies important themes that he feels don’t get enough coverage, and helps investors of all experience levels make sense of what’s really happening in the markets and economy.

Listen in as Sammy and Sam discuss how to think about today’s long-term trends, 10 truths about the stock market that investors aren’t seeing, and more!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

Like what you heard and want to join the Tker community?

Tker has both a free and paid subscription and Sam is offering Wealthy Behavior listeners 3-months of free access to a premium newsletter subscription. Visit www.tker.co/subscribe and subscribe to the free newsletter. Once you get an email confirmation, reply to that with a note saying you heard about TKer on the Wealthy Behavior podcast.

*Heritage Financial is not affiliated with Tker.co and no compensation has or will be provided in exchange for any subscriptions.

October Market Update: A Yield Explosion

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:57:00 -0400

The yield curve is quickly changing shape from inverted to flat as the 10-year Treasury yield rose to a 15-year high. Bonds have a reputation for being boring, so the recent move is notable and led markets to struggle in September. Concerns over stubborn inflation, the elevated price of oil, and supply and demand in the bond market remain. In this episode of Wealthy Behavior, Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse discuss what these moves in the stock and bond markets signal to investors and what they should be doing in light of them.

Also, Fall is a popular time for industry conferences. Bob shares insights from a conference he recently attended where David Booth, Dimensional Fund Advisors Co-Founder & Chairperson, shared his 6 Principles of Investing:

Uncertainty Creates Opportunity
Power of Compounding
Planning Over Prediction
Control What You Can Control
Value of Flexibility
Tune Out the Noise

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

A Primer on Mortgage-Backed Securities

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:30:00 -0400

Mortgage-backed securities are the most interesting they have been in 10 years, according to special guest Ken Shinoda, Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine Capital and head of their mortgage-backed securities team. In this episode Ken and Wealthy Behavior host and Heritage Financial President & CEO, Sammy Azzouz, have an in-depth conversation about the current bond market, mortgage-backed securities, and mortgage rates.

Opportunities and risks in today’s mortgage-backed securities market
Where interest rates might be going in the next few months and next few years
How mortgage rates are set and when they may drop
What the bond market says about the economy now
Why commingled vehicles are more efficient than buying individual bonds
Why active bond management makes sense

Listen through the end as Bob Weisse, Chief Investment Officer at Heritage Financial, joins to help dissect the topic and how investors should be thinking about it.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

September Market Update: A Look Back & A Look Ahead

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:36:00 -0400

Despite ample reasons to be concerned and alarming headlines, the markets have remained resilient. In this episode Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse discuss:

- Year-to-date market results and expectations

- What investors should look for when bond yields creep higher

- The latest economic data released on the labor and real estate markets

- What Bob and the investment team will be busy with this fall

- Asset allocation – How the team determines the right allocation from ~20 asset classes

- And a sneak peek into our next episode on bonds and mortgages

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

Investing in China

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:30:00 -0400

Special guest, Gabriela Santos, Global Market Strategist on the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Global Market Insights Strategy team joins to discuss investing in Chinese markets and takes us through what’s been happening with the Chinese economy and markets from pre-covid through today.

How should investors think about investing in China?
The difference between A shares, H shares and ADRs
Areas of focus for investment and opportunity in the country
Is China the #1 threat to the US and its allies economically?
How have sanctions like tariffs and restrictions impacted the Chinese economy?
The future of economic growth in the country

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

August Market Update: What Caught Our Eye In July

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Despite many worries - bank failures, record high inflation, debt ceiling debates, recession watch…markets are having a very strong year. What lessons should investors take away from this year so far?

We also discuss the U.S. credit rating downgrade, the difference in performance between value and growth stocks, and what caught our eye in July:

Oil prices jumped
Record global oil consumption
Housing prices accelerated

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

The Beat on the Street with CNBC’s Michael Santoli

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:50:00 -0400

Special guest Michael Santoli, Senior Markets Commentator at CNBC, joins Sammy Azzouz, Heritage Financial’s President and CEO, for a detailed investing conversation, including what he sees in this market, the recession watch, reasons for optimism, and how individual investors can best use market information disseminated by news sources such as CNBC.

Michael Santoli has covered the Wall Street beat for more than 20 years at Barron’s, Yahoo Finance, Dow Jones Newswires, and currently shares his extensive market expertise through regular appearances on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” and “Closing Bell Overtime”. In addition, he is a featured contributor to CNBC.com and CNBC PRO.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

July Market Update: The End Is Near

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:40:00 -0400

Listen in to July's market update as Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse, discuss the latest on the markets and investment universe:

The future of rate hikes and the disconnect between the Fed’s view and market’s view
Our views on the recent boom of AI focused companies
Based on one common definition we are in a bull market. Are we?
The opportunity we see overseas

And finally, take some time to sit back, relax and read some of our book recommendations this summer.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

Keep More of What You Earn-Taxes

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 10:36:00 -0400

Taxes – You can’t avoid them, but you can plan ahead so you have fewer surprises. Ed Jastrem, Chief Planning Officer at Heritage Financial, joins with insight to help you make the most of your tax planning strategies. Reviewing a tax return is the first step, and one of the most valuable steps, to creating a detailed financial plan. It serves as a baseline for more advanced financial planning because it’s not just about what you make but what you keep. In this episode, we discuss this underrated, extremely valuable financial planning tool.

Why it is so hard to determine what tax bracket you are actually in
Hidden taxes you may be paying
Things to do, and not to do, to improve your tax situation
Age-based and special situations that cause pause to reflect on your tax planning strategies

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

June Market Update: Resiliency Remains

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 09:41:00 -0400

Our monthly market update covers what’s going on in the investment universe and markets right now. In this episode Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse discuss:

The Fed watch - Signals and thoughts on their next move
Greater imbalance in the labor force with the most recent job opening figures surpassing expectations
The market’s reaction to the House’s debt ceiling vote
Chipmaker, Nvidia, and it’s recent extraordinary AI driven gains
Price-weighted vs. equal-weighted index construction
Where investors may be able to benefit from tighter lending standards

And, if you missed our recent webinar with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, Sammy and Bob will catch you up on the key topics:

The future of the dollar and its reserve currency status
Recent bank failures and the health of the banking system
Thoughts on a rolling recession
The future of international markets

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

New Rules for Using Debt to Build Wealth

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 26 May 2023 08:12:00 -0400

Maybe these aren’t “new” rules for debt management but given the past decade of record low interest rates we haven’t talked about them in a while. Debt is an often misunderstood and misused source of capital. Some people avoid it, some overuse it, but believe it or not, there are productive ways to use debt to help increase your wealth.

With the cost of borrowing changing drastically in less than a year, it’s an ideal time to revisit how you can use debt to your advantage. In this episode of Wealthy Behavior Ed Jastrem, Chief Planning Officer at Heritage Financial, joins to explain.

Given that rates have increased dramatically over a short period of time, how should your views of debt change?
Is the rule of thumb that you should retire with no debt still valid?
How to determine whether you should pay debt off early or keep it.

Additional Resources:

With Mortgage and Other Rates Increasing is a Family Loan an Option?
The Boston Advisor: Using Debt Smartly to Build Wealth

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

May Market Update: A Game Of Wait & See

Heritage Financial Services — Wed, 10 May 2023 07:33:00 -0400

The economy remains strong, inflation numbers are coming down, and the jobs market remains healthy. The markets are handling things well, so far, this year. In this episode Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse discuss:

How long can these rate hikes hang on? The Fed and markets have different views.
What’s the cumulative and lag effect of rate hikes?
The banking crisis: Should investors be worried? What is the biggest risk for banks?
What’s the difference between the S&P 500 and DJIA? Which one should investors be watching to get a feel for how the US market is doing?

And we answer a listener question, “Should I be worried about the debt ceiling?”

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

What Are You Leaving On The Table?

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 07:45:00 -0400

In 2001, Vanguard, a company that is known for do-it-yourself, low-cost index investing, published a study on the value that an advisor can add to an investment experience. Over the years Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha study has been updated a few times, yet the conclusion remains the same - working with an advisor can add about 3% in net investment returns.

In this episode of Wealthy Behavior, we are joined by special guest Michael DiJoseph, CFA. Mike is a Senior Strategist at Vanguard’s Investment Advisory Research Center, the group responsible for creating, articulating, and implementing world-class investment, wealth management, behavioral coaching, and practice management thought leadership.

What are you leaving on the table by not working with an advisor? Or, by working with an advisor that isn’t following best practices? Listen in as Mike breaks down Vanguard’s study and explains what investors should know about improving their finances and net return investment experience.

A copy of Vanguards Advisor’s Alpha study can be found at https://advisors.vanguard.com/advisors-alpha/.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

April Market Update: Bonds Are Back

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 16:26:00 -0400

In this month's market update host and Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and Heritage Financial CIO, Bob Weisse, discuss what’s going on across the investment universe today, including:

An overview of the Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse failures, the impact on the banking sector and the broader markets.
The silver lining of a banking crisis.
Where investors should put their cash.
What a slowdown in rate hikes means for investors’ asset allocation.
Fears of Inflation vs. Fears of Recession. What is the market telling us?
An update on the housing market.

*BONUS* How To Build Your Next Million, our free ebook, teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, GROW more, KEEP more, and PROTECT more. Get your copy today!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net.

The Man Who Solved the Market

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Gregory Zuckerman is a Special Writer at The Wall Street Journal, a 26-year veteran of the paper and a three-time winner of the Gerald Loeb award - the highest honor in business journalism. Greg is the author of multiple books including The Man Who Solved the Market: How Jim Simons Launched a Quant Revolution, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. In this episode, Sammy and Greg discuss Jim Simons, mathematician, philanthropist, and founder of Renaissance Technologies - a role which led him to be described as the most successful hedge fund manager of all time. Greg shares some insight on this fascinating man and shares a few secrets to the immense wealth he built.

Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net. We’d love to hear from you!

Get your free guide to building your next million. How To Build Your Next Million teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, KEEP more, GROW more, and PROTECT more.

March Market Update: February’s Swoon

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Our monthly market update covers what’s going on in the investment universe and markets right now. In this episode Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse discuss:

Reasons behind February’s market swoon.
Bob’s investment outlook – What he’s optimistic, and pessimistic, about today.
What causes inflation? Debt? Money supply? They debate different theories on inflation and how to get it under control.
An explanation of common public market investment strategies and vehicles - Pros and cons of ETFs vs. Direct Indexing vs. Mutual Funds.
Debt and interest rates – Guidance on what people should be doing given today’s higher cost of debt.

Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net. We’d love to hear from you!

Get your free guide to building your next million. How To Build Your Next Million teaches investors about the tools that can help them SAVE more, KEEP more, GROW more, and PROTECT more.

Chip War with Author Chris Miller

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 09:24:57 -0500

Host Sammy Azzouz talks with special guest Chris Miller, author of the book Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology. Computing power has been a key transformative force over the past 50 years and the world has become dependent on microchip technology. Microchips are used in nearly all of today’s electronics - appliances, phones, wearable technology, cars, aircraft, and missiles. They discuss this resource that is essential to both military systems and the global economy, the shortage disruption and the impact on the manufacturing sector, risks to the chip industry, and the chip supremacy contest between the US and China. A fascinating listen!

Learn more about Chris Miller and Chip War here: https://www.christophermiller.net/

Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net. We’d love to hear from you!

February Market Update: Politics and Portfolios

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:59:00 -0500

The markets kicked off 2023 on a positive note across both equity and fixed income. In particular, January proved to be quite a reversal for fixed income markets given that 2022 was the worst year ever for bonds. In this episode Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse catch you up on a record number of topics including:

Did the market bottom out in October? Is the market getting ahead of itself?
Why the rebound in international performance, and China in particular?
Reinvestment rate risk - what it is, why it’s increasing, and what to do about it
What the Fed is juggling now
The debt ceiling distraction
An update on private investments and real estate markets
With the big game Sunday, it’s time for computing statistics and probabilities. We breakdown one of the latest about the markets in 2023.

And, we answer a listener question, “Why would you, or wouldn’t you, target a high dividend strategy in your portfolio?”

Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net. We’d love to hear from you!

The Health & Wealth Connection

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 09:29:00 -0500

Health and wealth go hand-in-hand. You may have accumulated wealth, but without health you can’t achieve the goals and dreams you’ve worked and saved so hard for. At Heritage Financial we know that feeling confused and overwhelmed about investments and finances often leads to inaction which can impair your financial future. Your health is no different. On this episode of Wealthy Behavior, we welcome Kristin Castner, CFA, Director of Wealth Management at Heritage Financial, and Certified Health & Lifestyle Coach, who is passionate about helping people improve both their health and wealth. She helps us tune out the noise of today’s diet trends, provides simple ideas that will help change our diets without feeling overwhelmed, and offers ways to stay committed. Kristin also shares her motivation for making one change to her diet that ultimately started a major shift to living a healthier and wealthier life.

Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net. We’d love to hear from you!

January Market Update: Finding Balance in 2023

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:42:42 -0500

In this month’s market update host and Heritage Financial CEO, Sammy Azzouz, and CIO, Bob Weisse, provide a quick recap of the record-breaking challenging year investors experienced in 2022 and discuss our market expectations for 2023.

We believe the drivers of markets in 2023 will be inflation, fed policy, and earnings. While the beginning of the year may be choppy with continued volatility and the potential for weakness, we expect that as these themes work themselves out throughout the year balance will come to light. In fact, today we are finding more attractive opportunities than we could a year ago. Until that time comes, listen in as Bob discusses how to get defensive without moving to cash, what factors he sees already priced into markets, and the bright spots on the horizon.

Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net. We’d love to hear from you!

What’s In Your Portfolio?

Heritage Financial Services — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 07:45:00 -0500

According to a well-known study by Brinson et al, asset allocation is responsible for over 90% of a portfolio’s return. With the success of your financial future on the line, how do you determine what asset allocation is right for you?

In this episode of Wealthy Behavior Michael Waldron, Heritage Financial’s Director of Portfolio Management, discusses the important role that capital market assumptions play in determining the appropriate asset allocation for each client and the factors that go into allocation adjustments throughout the year (Surprise! Our assumptions don’t start with targeting returns). Finally, as we wrap up our last podcast for the year, we’ll discuss what factors we believe will drive asset class returns in 2023.

Looking for more insight into 2023? Be sure to register for our 2023 Market Outlook webinar on January 10th @ 12pm ET. Can’t make it? Register and we’ll send you the recording!

We’d love to hear from you! Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net

December Market Update: Does The Fed See What We See?

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 13:55:00 -0500

In this month’s market update host and Heritage Financial President, Sammy Azzouz, and Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, discuss what’s going on across the investment universe today, including:

November’s FTX implosion and the unintended consequences to investors that haven’t invested in crypto
Protests in China over the country’s COVID shut down
Ideas to get venture capital like market returns with less risk
What 8 months of declines in LEI data has signaled historically
And, where to invest during periods of high but slowing inflation (like today)

Email us questions, ideas, or feedback at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net. We’d love to hear from you!

Getting Into Holiday “Spirits”

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 08:43:20 -0500

Holiday parties and planning are in full swing! As a host, what should you serve your thirsty guests? You want to be a gracious guest, what should you bring?

Burgundy, Bordeaux, or bubbles? What’s up with the bourbon craze? Have limited budget? What should and shouldn’t you spend it on? We are joined by Gordon Fine Wines & Liquors, Ken Gordon, Owner & Spirits Buyer, and Chelsea Bell, a Certified Sommelier and the Director of Events & Marketing, to help bring the “Rum-pa-pa-pum” to your holidays!

Links to some of the wines and spirits mentioned in the episode are below:

Mezcal – La Luna Espadincillo Mezcal

Tequila - Clas Azul Plata

Bourbon – Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

Peaty Scotch - Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Champagne - NV Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée

Pinot Noir – 2018 St. Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

Beaujolais- 2018 Julien Sunier Fleurie (Beaujolais)

Bordeaux -2019 Clos Petit Corbin St. Emilion (Bordeaux) and/or 2016 Chateau Marquis de Terme Margaux

November Market Update: The Beginning of the End?

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 15:31:08 -0400

Month to month the markets have been performing differently, but throughout 2022 the story has remained the same. Inflation is high, the Fed is fighting inflation by raising rates - it’s surprising the markets are so sensitive and seem to be getting surprised by this repetition.

In this market update, Sammy Azzouz and Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, discuss the future of large rate hikes, what we need to see before inflation can come under control, the return to more normalized mortgage rates, why it’s a great time to put money to work across the markets, and some end-of-year ideas for keeping more of what you make.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

The Worst Financial Advice On the Internet

Heritage Financial Services — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:49:54 -0400

As Heritage Financial’s Director of Financial Planning, Ed Jastrem is no stranger to hearing and reading outlandish financial “advice” such as don’t use a 529 plan because it will lower your financial aid, or pay off all your debt before investing, and use life insurance for tax free investing. Not all these statements are black and white. There may be some truth to them, but you can’t take them at face value because there are more unintended consequences than what can be seen on the surface. On this episode of Wealthy Behavior, we set the facts straight on some of the worst retirement planning, college savings, life insurance, and credit card “advice” on the internet.

Find more valuable financial advice in Beyond the Basics: Maximizing, Allocating, and Protecting Your Capital.

October Market Update: Is the Fed Overshooting?

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:51:48 -0400

Though summer has ended, investors felt the heat during September’s mini meltdown. In this episode host, Sammy Azzouz, and Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, discuss what rattled the markets, the glimmers of hope that are beginning to appear, and…

- The Feds olive branch to the markets

- Why overshooting the correction is better than coming up short

- The U.K.’s startling currency crash after the government tried to boost growth

- Why the worst year on record for bonds should start to excite investors

- Opportunities in private credit and how it works

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

Who Says Bonds Are Boring?

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Host Sammy Azzouz gets an inside look at the wild ride of storied bond shop, PIMCO, with guest Mary Childs, author of The Bond King. Sammy and Mary talk candidly about the lessons that individual investors can take away from the highs and lows of the Bill Gross/PIMCO story, from the genius of Bill as a trader and how he saw the great financial crisis coming before most, to his fame in becoming a household name and the adoration he craved the more famous he became, to the bold trade that signaled the early cracks in the kingdom, and the alleged culture of abuse that ultimately couldn’t survive all the drama. If you ever thought bonds were boring, you’re going to want to hear this episode!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

September Market Update: A New Direction?

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 11:59:00 -0400

For much of August, markets were heating up in the wake of a relatively favorable earnings season. But the August rally ended following Fed Chairman Powell’s bearish comments and foreshadowing of economic pain to come, which caught the markets off guard.

Markets are volatile with some pessimism mixed in, but we don’t see a lot of overreaction and panic today. So what should investors do? That depends on where you are at in your investing journey - Accumulators and Spenders need to act differently. Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, provides his thoughts on each investor type and what their focus should be.

*BONUS CONTENT* It’s the golden age of information and misinformation. Sammy and Bob discuss whose investment comments they find valuable, who they recommend avoiding, and how they decipher commentary facts from opinion.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

Not All Investments Are A Bust This Year

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0400

While global stocks and bonds have struggled so far in 2022, hard assets with contractual cash flows have done well and will probably continue this path so long as inflation is elevated. What are “hard assets with contractual cash flows”? And how do you invest in them? Versus Capital Chief Investment Officer, Casey Frazier, explains it all on this episode of Wealthy Behavior.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

August Market Update: Why Are Stocks Up In the Face of a Recession?

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 08:56:00 -0400

July’s market moves seemed paradoxical - a recession becomes more likely, yet stocks rose during the month. Investor concerns are shifting from inflation being the top concern to the anticipation of an economic recession.

- Can the fed get inflation down to a good place without sending us into recession?

- What does the market want to see with the economy and inflation numbers?

- If we go into recession will it be short, shallow, long or deep? Can it even be categorized at this point?

Tune in to hear what our investment team is looking at now, and what investors should be doing as things play out.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

Presidents and Your Wealth

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 08:30:00 -0400

In honor of America’s birthday, this month’s episode of Wealthy Behavior digs into the history of our country’s banking, currency, and overall economic system, and how key decisions made almost 250 years ago are the drivers of our wealth today. Host Sammy Azzouz is joined by guest and fellow history buff Michael Waldron, Director of Portfolio Management at Heritage Financial, to talk about:

the first ever U.S. asset bubble more than 200 years ago and how it’s related to our current banking system,
what the transition to the greenback after the Civil War can tell us about digital currencies today, and
what role today’s Coast Guard and prohibition played in our current tax system.

An intriguing listen for anyone building wealth, even if you aren’t a history buff yourself.

Check out Sammy and Michael’s top book recommendations on the history of politics, economics, and prosperity in America. https://www.thebostonadvisor.com/best-presidential-biographies/

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

It IS Different This Time. It’s Actually Not As Bad

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:20:00 -0400

Wealthy Behavior Host, Sammy Azzouz, and Heritage Chief Investment Officer, Bob Weisse, are back covering what’s happening in the markets in real time. In this episode they discuss:

- The probability of the Fed achieving a soft landing

- What Bob considers the best indicator of a buying opportunity for stocks

- Why this bear market is different than 2008 and 2020, and why it’s not as bad

- How much pain is left for bond investors

- The one investment both Sammy and Bob agree is their least favorite right now

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

Are you getting paid for the money you spend?

Heritage Financial Services — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 08:30:00 -0400

Wealthy people spend money. Smart wealthy people find a way to get paid for the money they spend. In this episode of Wealthy Behavior, we’re talking with Joe Waters, Jr., Certified Financial Planner and Senior Wealth Advisor with Heritage Financial, about using credit card rewards programs to maximize the power of your wealth and get some free perks along the way.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

Is the worst behind us for stocks or is this a good entry point?

Heritage Financial Services — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 08:30:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Wealthy Behavior, host Sammy Azzouz asks Heritage Chief Investment Officer Bob Weisse this question and more. Listen to hear Bob’s thoughts on the likelihood for further declines in stocks, why he doesn’t suggest investing in TIPS despite current inflation levels, and how investors should be thinking about rebalancing their portfolios in the current environment.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

A Quarter Century of Investment Insight

Heritage Financial Services — Wed, 18 May 2022 08:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Wealthy Behavior Chuck Bean, Founder and CEO of Heritage Financial, is sharing his insight from more than three decades as an investor, financial planner, and entrepreneur. Listen as he talks to Sammy about investing in today’s markets, the top financial planning mistakes he sees wealthy people make (and how to avoid them), the most important thing business owners can do to add value to their business, and how to be successful in life.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

What’s Going On With the FAANG Stocks?

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 02 May 2022 13:59:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Wealthy Behavior, Sammy talks to Heritage Financial’s Chief Investment Officer, Bob Weisse, about the FAANG stocks (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google). Most investors hold these stocks whether they realize it or not. Tune in to hear Bob’s thoughts on why the stocks are suffering right now, which of the FAANG stocks are expensive or cheap, what the longer-term outlook is like for these companies, and how investors should think about these popular stocks as part of a diversified portfolio.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

Is NOW the right time to invest in stocks?

Heritage Financial Services — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Is NOW the right time to invest in stocks? It’s an age-old question asked by the most serious of investors. Just a few months ago markets were at all-time highs. Now, we are dealing with heightened volatility in the face of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Both scenarios make investors nervous that we are on the precipice of a decline, but for different reasons. What conditions should investors look for before putting their money to work? In this episode of Wealthy Behavior, our guest Apollo Lupescu, PhD and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors is helping us answer the question, “When’s the ideal time to invest?”.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at wealthybehavior@heritagefinancial.net or visit www.heritagefinancial.net.

Minimizing Personal Risk and Liability to Protect your Wealth

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 02:29:00 -0500

Building wealth is rewarding. Failing to adequately protect your wealth is a mistake. In episode 2 of Wealthy Behavior, we’re talking about personal risk and liability. How much could you lose if you are sued? Will you have enough if you’re the one that gets injured? And what should you do from day-to-day to protect yourself from the ever-growing threat landscape that comes with our global and digital reality? Tune in as we pick the brains of our two guests: a personal injury attorney and a personal risk manager.

A Crypto Currency Primer

Heritage Financial Services — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Curious about crypto? In our debut podcast Heritage Financial President, Sammy Azzouz, chats with David Lebovitz, JP Morgan Global Market Strategist to give listeners a primer on cryptocurrency. What they are, how the technology behind them works, why the buzz, talking about the different coins, and how to think about them as an investor. www.heritagefinancial.net