Season 3

Invested Poorly: Sad Tales of FInancial Fails returns for a third season to help you invest smarter and reach financial independence by avoiding bad investment decisions. In this short episode, host Jeff Harrell offers a preview of what to expect in Season 3.

The three investment phases we all go through are accumulation, transition, and drawdown. This episode explains how to invest during each phase and what changes you should make as you shift from one phase to the next. Host Jeff Harrell shares his unique strategy to navigate all three phases. Using his personal FI journey as a guide, you will be able to...

Discovering FI (financial independence) can be thrilling and it’s tempting to quickly make changes to your finances and investments. This episode cautions you to proceed slowly to ensure you fully understand the financial ramifications of your actions. Because you don’t want to win the battle, but lose the war. “Small things” like transaction fees, taxes, and placing trades are...

Index funds are perhaps the greatest invention in the history of financial markets, but there may be circumstances where an alternative strategy could be superior. If you’re interested in learning a little more about building a portfolio of individual stocks, this episode is a must-listen. Host Jeff Harrell acknowledges there is nothing an investor can do to change the overwhelming odds...

The debate around buying individual bonds versus bond mutual funds and ETFs is a polarizing one in the investment world. Proponents of individual bonds tout the benefit of a maturity date, which the other securities don’t offer. Jeff Harrell will give you all the information you need to decide for yourself if this benefit is worth the tradeoff. Most investors are completely unaware of...

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” aptly describes high-yield, or “junk,” bonds. Host Jeff Harrell offers insight into their characteristics and how they may be the most misunderstood asset class in the financial markets. You’ll get recommendations on how to incorporate these securities into a diversified portfolio, with strategies that differ from typical...

Everyone eventually faces their ultimate demise, and when this occurs, it triggers a distressing chain of events that families dread. Not only are family members in mourning after a death, but they must address financial and estate plan matters as well. This exacerbates an already stressful time, and occasionally causes familial discord. If maintaining a positive family legacy is important to you....

Scamming people out of their money is a billion-dollar global industry. Ignoring this fact in hopes it will never impact you is not only naïve, but in many ways irresponsible. Putting basic safeguards in place before you are the target of a financial scam is not very difficult, but does require a time commitment. Host Jeff Harrell is stepping a little outside his comfort zone to...

How can you know where you’re going, if you don’t know where you’re at? This principle is crucial for achieving FI, particularly when it comes to your spending. If you’re on the path to financial independence, having a comprehensive understanding of your living expenses can reward you with a sense of comfort. This reassuring information is not only empowering but can also...

The financial services industry is highly predatory, with some advisors prioritizing their own biases or financial interests over those of their clients. This poses a challenge for you when looking for trustworthy advisors and expecting them to act in your best interest. Given that most people require some level of guidance to manage their finances and investments effectively, it is...

One trait that’s nearly universal among investors is fear. Given the inherent uncertainties in investment outcomes, investors frequently seek strategies that promise a higher degree of control over their portfolios. These strategies range from simple to complex trading methodologies, as well as various insurance-based investment products. Buyer beware! Jeff Harrell has observed numerous...

Season 3 is a wrap! Host Jeff Harrell recaps the third season, summarizing all the investing and financial topics covered over the previous 10 episodes. These included discussions on stocks and bonds (individual and funds), legacy planning, financial advice, managing investor fears, and much more...

By listener request! In this bonus segment, host Jeff Harrell reveals his personal investment portfolio and shares insights on how he arrived at his current financial position. The table supplement he references throughout this bonus segment lists his asset allocation of stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents, as well as the percentages he is targeting by...