Tax has a crucial role in wealth generation and preservation. Professional athletes have very complex tax situations which make tax planning a year-round endeavor, not just a one-time stop during tax filing season. The importance of integrating tax strategies with investment planning can't be stressed enough as we have seen the countless pitfalls of receiving separate tax and investment advice. 

Proactive strategies must be taken on, and changing the game plan to account for updates in the tax code is essential to maximize and optimize wealth. 

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network. 

Episode Highlights 

• 00:00 - Tax Planning Significance: Introduction to the importance of tax planning and filing. 
• 00:59 - Tax Season Insights: Emphasizing year-round planning. 
• 02:14 - Proactive Tax Strategies for Baseball Families: Projecting income and adjusting tax strategies for MLB players. 
• 03:55 - Details on 401(k) Changes and Tax Planning: Adjusting to MLB 401(k) changes and leveraging Individual 401(k)s for tax benefits. 
• 05:45 - The Importance of Coordinated Financial Planning: Integrating taxes with investment strategies for optimal wealth management. 
• 06:45 - Pitfalls of Separate Tax and Investment Advice: The risks of not having integrated financial advice. 
• 07:56 - One Net Worth, One Effective Tax Rate: The importance of considering net worth and tax rates together in financial planning. 
• 08:41 - Client Guidance and Proactive Planning: Efforts to ensure proactive and sensitive tax planning for clients. 
• 09:37 - Universal Relevance of Tax Planning: The applicability of tax planning strategies across professions. 
• 10:00 - Closing and Importance of Continuous Communication: Encouraging ongoing discussions with CPAs for year-round tax planning. 
   

Crypto has reemerged in the financial landscape with the recent rally in Bitcoin and the significant role of the SEC's approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs. With all the hype, a cautious approach to the crypto space is prudent. 

This does not mean that the trend should be ignored. It’s essential to know and understand the ever-evolving investment universe. However, prioritizing investments in businesses with predictable cash flows over speculative bets on price movements is a tried and tested path to success. 

Venture capital and public company investments can provide exposure to innovative technologies including blockchain and even underlying crypto holdings via company assets. This approach gives you a higher probability of success in your journey for multi-generation wealth. 

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network. 

Episode Highlights 

• 00:03 - Crypto and Blockchain Resurgence: Introduction to the renewed interest in cryptocurrency. 
• 01:04 - Bitcoin's Rally and SEC's Role: Analysis of Bitcoin's price surge and impact of Bitcoin Spot ETFs approval. 
• 03:57 - Investing vs. Currency Use in Crypto: The distinction between investing in and using cryptocurrencies. 
• 04:43 - Investment vs. Speculation: Exploring the concepts of investing and speculation within the crypto space. 
• 07:11 - AWM's Approach to Crypto: The firm's strategy towards blockchain and crypto investments. 
• 08:02 - Venture Capital and Blockchain Technology: Leveraging venture capital for exposure to blockchain innovations. 
• 09:51 - Picks and Shovels Approach: Focusing on the underlying technologies of the crypto world. 
• 10:37 - Summary and Investment Strategy: Emphasizing the importance of a planned approach to investing, with cautious speculation in crypto. 
• 11:26 - Text us!

The economy and the stock market are not the same. Usually, the market has a head start and prices in future economic events. The market’s recent rally preceded the positive news that came out in terms of inflation, GDP, and employment rates. 

Making alternative bets has been shown to be counterproductive. Investing with a long-term mindset and avoiding market timing and speculation has been the winning gameplan, and gives investors the best odds of creating and sustaining multigenerational wealth. 

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network. 

Episode Highlights 

• 00:04 - Introduction & Market Overview: Insights into economic dynamics, and stock market basics. 
• 01:03 - Economic Update: Analysis of inflation trends, GDP health, and employment status. 
• 03:04 - Interest Rate Outlook: Changing forecasts, impact on markets, savings strategies. 
• 05:18 - Stock Market Performance: Record highs in U.S. indexes, and global market trends. 
• 06:23 - Corporate Earnings Analysis: Profitability insights, Q4 2023 earnings, company efficiency. 
• 08:07 - IPO Trends, Market Liquidity: Reddit IPO, influence of public offerings on private investments. 
• 09:22 - Crypto Market Trends: Bitcoin's surge, cryptocurrency speculation, investment strategies. 
• 10:20 - Closing Advice: Long-term investing principles, avoiding market speculation. 
• 11:26 - Text us!

Real Estate is one of the most talked about asset classes. The allure of real estate comes from fact, fiction, and fallacy. Tax benefits, inflationary hedges, and income streams come with potential risks that are sometimes neglected, such as leverage, volatility, liquidity, and concentration. 

Incorporating real estate's unique advantages while considering and planning for the challenges is essential to building a well-diversified and prudent financial structure. 

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network. 
 

Episode Highlights: 

• 00:00 - Intro 
• 00:35 - Why Investors Love Real Estate? 
• 01:14 - Real Estate in Public vs Private Markets 
• 02:36 - The Behavioral Aspect of Real Estate Investing 
• 04:09 - The Goal of Real Estate Investing 
• 04:53 - Analyzing Real Estate Returns and Costs 
• 07:34 - Benefits of Real Estate as an Asset Class 
• 09:11 - Leverage and Real Estate Investment Strategy 
• 10:24 - Text Us!

What does it take to build a Winning Portfolio? The answer has a significant amount of overlap with how a GM would build a winning team. 

It starts with expertise and knowledge. You need to assemble a group that understands what winning is, what it takes to win, and how to get there. 

Compiling a cohesive team and continuously coaching and improving the team is needed, but also utilizing those players effectively and efficiently with a proper game strategy and playbook are the only ways to get the most out of your resources.

 Finally, plans and strategies must be constantly evaluated and updated for changing conditions. Building and maintaining a successful personal portfolio follows the same logical framework! 

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504 -7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network. 

Episode Highlights 

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:01 - The "game" of investing
• 02:13 - Having the proper expertise, coaching, and team to win
• 02:57 - Developing a playbook for investing based on data and historical lessons
• 03:51 - The impact of missing the best days in the market
• 05:38 - Building your all-star investment roster
• 07:38 - Text Us!

The complexity of predicting market reactions due to events or scenarios playing out can be perfectly proved by looking at elections. There has been no statistically significant data that has shown elections swaying markets in any direction. 

Making investment decisions based on election results is a dangerous game to play. Long-term financial planning can create value while short-term trading strategies influenced by political events are more likely to destroy it. 

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network. 

Episode Highlights

• 0:00 - Intro 
• 1:42 - Complexity of Markets and Elections' Impact 
• 3:40 - Gameplays and investments 
• 5:08 - Long-term Investment Strategy 
• 6:09 - Text us!

There are many perceived effects of presidential elections on investment strategies and markets, but the data clearly shows that there is a misconception here. Over the past 100 years, there have only been 4 election years that have had negative returns, all of which were not influenced by presidential elections. Those 4 negative years were 1932 (Great Depression), 1940 (World War II Ramping Up), 2000 (Dot com bubble), and 2008 (Great Recession). 

Counterintuitively, the S&P 500 typically sees an average return of 11.5% during election years, which is slightly above the average return in all years (10.3%). Instead of being a critical component, elections are merely one of many factors at play when it comes to market performance. 

The importance of maintaining a long-term investment strategy and preparing for potential market fluctuations underscores the need for investors to distinguish between informed decision-making and impulsive reactions to political news. 

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network.

 Episode Highlights 

• 00:00 Intro 
• 01:21 Data on the S&P 500 returns during election years, highlighting the minor impact of elections on market performance
• 02:53 The principle of voting in the ballot box, not with your portfolio 
• 03:51 Volatility is elevated leading up to elections
•  04:44 Text us!

Presidential elections and financial markets have a nuanced relationship. All the media coverage and speculation around elections creates a significant panic and worry that can sway investor emotions.

However, the historical data does not support making investment decisions based on the election outcome. Election years have shown no signs of differing performance from normal years.

Financial markets are highly complex, and even though elections are important to policy, they are a single piece in a sea of factors that impact markets.

Focusing on long-term financial goals and adhering to disciplined investment principles creates far more successful opportunities and outcomes for investors when compared to playing the election guessing game.

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network.

Episode Highlights

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:18 Discussion on the election as a significant behavioral event influencing investor emotions.
• 03:03 Insight into financial markets' processing of election outcomes without political bias.
• 04:38 Emphasis on the importance of evidence-based investing over emotional decision-making.
• 05:55 Historical market performance analysis showing resilience despite political changes.
• 07:16 Discussion on the nuanced effects of presidential policies on markets.
• 08:17 Conclusion and mention of future deeper dive into the episode's topic.

2023 was a year filled with surprises. It showed us how different predictions are from reality. As we kick off a year that is already starting with a lot of uncertainty and ending with a presidential election, it's critical to keep the lessons we have already learned top of mind.

The key to successful outcomes is to block out the noise and focus on what matters over the long term. Market fluctuations are like the turbulence that a well-positioned portfolio can weather. It is imperative to stay disciplined, avoid emotional investment decisions, and continuously align your portfolio with personal priorities.

There will be bumps along the way. Getting over the bumps and to the other side is what separates the best from the rest.

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network.

Episode Highlights

• 00:03: Intro
• 00:38: Current market dynamics and earnings expectations.
• 02:19: Uncertainty around interest rates and difficulty predicting markets.
• 03:24: Impact of the upcoming presidential election on markets and portfolio positioning.
• 04:30: Prioritizing short-term goals.
• 05:53: Emotional investment decisions and the importance of personal priorities.
• 08:50: Text us!

In 2023, financial markets displayed remarkable resilience despite countless global challenges. Contrary to the predictions of a majority of economists, a recession was averted. This year highlighted the unpredictable nature of inflation, interest rates, and ultimately, financial markets. 

The year’s developments and the strong performance of markets underscore the importance of adopting a long-term, systematic approach to investing, rather than making reactive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations or media reports.

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network.

Episode Highlights

• 0:00 Introduction and overview of 2023's financial uncertainties.
• 2:01 Discussion on interest rates and inflation dynamics.
• 3:40 The Federal Reserve's handling of the economy.
• 4:42 Analysis of 2023's bond and equity markets.
• 7:45 Impacts of global events on the markets.
• 8:26 The 2023 banking crisis and its effects on venture capital.
• 10:47 State of the private markets in 2023.
• 12:35 The importance of a long-term investment strategy.

Creating a personalized financial structure is an intricate process that isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. As our clients move through their lives, they evolve and so should their financial structure.

Accommodating these updates and protecting new, important priorities is the only way to keep a portfolio relevant to a client's needs. It takes constant and clear communication to establish and reestablish a plan that will continue to position our clients in an optimal position to achieve their goals.

Have questions for an upcoming episode? Want to get free resources, book giveaways, and AWM gear? Want to hear about when we release new episodes? Text “insights” or the lightbulb emoji (💡) to Brandon at (714) 504-7689 to join our new AWM Insights Network.

Episode Highlights

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:10 Reflecting on your financial structure.
• 2:00 The value of refocusing and adjusting the plan due to updated circumstances.
• 3:23 Focusing on what you can control and evaluating the sources of news we consume.
• 5:26 Money is a tool, and are the right tools in your shed for your purpose?
• 6:35 Text us!