Get Your Financial Fix! Subscribe For Our Latest Planning Tips.

The 5 Big Bad Mistakes People Make In Times Of Financial Scarcity

1) Trading Your Current Investments For Safer Ones

When the market’s down, “safer” investments appear attractive. Bonds and certificates of deposit (CDs) start to look like much-needed chill pills. But if you overindulge in their stability, the long-term side effects can cause your portfolio some serious damage. 

Whenever you sell down investments, you’re hurting yourself in a variety of ways. You lock in losses, have less capital to reinvest, and lose out on potentially huge long-term turnaround gains. So if you think your money is better off in the bank, think again. 

Bonds and CDs have plenty of their own risks. Many CDs don’t even pay interest consistent with target inflation. And in case you live under a rock, we’re waayyy above target inflation. Some bonds, on the other hand, offer inflation-consistent returns (ex: I Bonds). But you don’t want your investments to just keep their purchasing power- you want them to grow it!

Please note: There’s a place for safer investments. But overcorrecting into them is a great way to hurt yourself in the long-run. The degree to which you should use them will depend on your risk tolerance, life stage, and retirement goals. We can review all three on a complimentary call

2) Getting “Sold” A Life Insurance Policy

We know our time is limited, and that fear can cause us to act impulsively. Worse yet, down economies can exacerbate this problem. When the vulnerability of your loved ones is at an all-time high, your ability to weigh options critically may be at an all-time low.

As a financial advisor, I like to think people are well aware of predatory life insurance practices. But sadly, this isn’t always the case. Many people still get sold on cash value (ex: whole life or universal life) insurance policies as great “investments.”  

They overlook that the cash value grossly underperforms the market, lowers the policy value when borrowed, isn’t paid out with the death benefit, and takes a long time to accumulate. Oh, and whole life policies can be five to fifteen times more expensive than their term alternatives offering the exact same death benefit (the real value of owning life insurance is what your beneficiaries are paid at your death).1

Not exactly sure what your life insurance needs are? We can discuss them over a free call

3) Get “Sold” An Annuity

In some cases an annuity may make sense. But this really depends on specific (often rare) individual circumstances. That said, there’s plenty of bad annuities out there you wouldn’t want to touch with a 10 ft pole.

Again, as a financial advisor this is something I’d like to believe most people know. But like overpriced life insurance, many people are still getting sold on bad annuities. 

The annuity’s role should be remembered for stability. But stable investments aren’t going to keep you on top of inflation. They’re also bogged down with tons of costs. These include but aren’t limited to management fees, surrender charges, and mortality expenses. 

So what makes them so attractive? Well, fear. When you’ve worked your entire life and finally hit retirement, “guaranteed income” has a real ring to it. But annuities have the potential to do far more harm than good. So if you’re feeling unsure about your retirement income, let’s talk

4) Rental Property Fantasies

Look, at Crafted Finance we’re big believers in real estate. There are many ways to leverage it, and bolster your wealth. Zero of those ways involve short-sighted thinking. But unfortunately, that’s exactly the type of thinking that often comes with investing in rental properties. 

Important things to know about the present real estate market:

  • The median U.S. home price is a staggering ($428,700).2
  • Average mortgage rates have been soaring (7.2% for 30-year fixed).3
  • Everything “real estate” is cyclical. There may be low rental vacancy now. But given that the mortgage rate has more than doubled since last year, tenants may soon resist increases in rent. 

There is less margin for error for present day rental property buyers. And can you handle these modern problems along with traditional tenant issues, property damage, and ongoing maintenance costs? Because property owners need more liquidity than before. So for some, now’s not the time for a rental! 

Being opportunistic in a time of fear is great. In fact, it’s a key investor mindset. But don’t let your boldness turn to brashness by investing naively in something as expensive as a rental property. 

5) Overconfidence in Your Ability to Pick Investments

Oh the ego, how it loves to convince us we’re financial wizards. But even people paid to be stock-picking magicians are rarely up to the task. SPIVA research has shown over a fifteen-year period that the vast majority of small-cap (97.70%), mid-cap (95.13%), and large-cap (92.43%) active fund managers have failed to outperform their S&P index counterparts.4 

After the recent downturn, some are finding out that their “talent” might have just been riding the rising tide. If the people who eat, sleep, and breathe financial analysis aren’t beating the market consistently, what makes you think you can? Again, it’s great to have an action-taking mentality in times of scarcity. But just like avoiding naivety, you also need to avoid arrogance. 

The latest and greatest tech stocks may seem like a ticket to sky-high returns (and in fairness, they may be). But if you don’t have the financial windfall to handle the losses, placing too big a bet can devastate you in the long-term. Check out the chart below to see just how inconsistent top-performing stocks of the last decade can be…5

chart-for-5-mistakes.png

How Crafted Finance Can Continue to Help

At Crafted Finance, we’re in your corner during the tough times. We understand how scary it can be navigating a market like this. And more importantly, we know the types of mistakes you’re prone to make from a place of fear. 

Don’t fall into the traps of overly safe investments, unnecessary life insurance, or over expensive annuities. And don’t allow yourself to be blindsided by the risks of over investing into rental real estate or individual stocks. 

We’re here to help you find the life insurance, investments, and real estate that’s right for you and your retirement. And that all starts with a completely free conversation. Please feel free to reach out to us at (650) 336-0598, or schedule your complimentary consultation at a time that works best for you. 

Investment Advisory Services are offered through Crafted Finance, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Please remember that securities cannot be purchased, sold or traded via e-mail or voice message system. This advertisement and any documents, files or previous advertisements may contain information that is confidential or legally privileged.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you must not read this transmission and that any disclosure, copying, printing, distribution, or any action or omission of this transmission is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this advertisement in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone at (650) 336-0598 or return and delete the original advertisements and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner.

Share This Blog Post:

Kristin Harad

Marketing Coach

info@craftedfinance.com

Kristin Harad is a Marketing Coach extraordinaire, guiding businesses and professionals through the complex world of marketing with her expertise, passion, and a proven track record of success. With a deep understanding of branding, strategy, and communication, Kristin empowers her clients to unlock their full marketing potential.

With over a decade of experience in marketing, Kristin is a true luminary in the field. She possesses a keen eye for trends, a knack for identifying opportunities, and an unwavering commitment to helping her clients thrive in the competitive business landscape.

Jon Fogg

Content Creator

info@craftedfinance.com

Jon Fogg is a dynamic and innovative Content Creator who has been making waves in the digital realm. With a passion for creativity and a flair for storytelling, Jon has captivated audiences worldwide through his engaging and diverse content.

As a pioneer in the world of content creation, Jon Fogg has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital landscape. His journey began with a humble camera and a dream, and he has since evolved into a multi-talented creator, producing content that spans various genres and platforms.

Kingston Hollman MBA

Compliance

info@craftedfinance.com

Kingston Hollman MBA is a seasoned professional in the field of compliance, known for his extensive expertise and dedication to maintaining regulatory integrity within organizations. With a strong educational background and years of experience, Kingston is a trusted authority in the compliance arena.

Armed with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, Kingston possesses a profound understanding of the intersection between business strategy and regulatory adherence. He combines this knowledge with a meticulous approach to ensure that organizations navigate complex compliance landscapes effectively and ethically.

Throughout his career, Kingston has demonstrated his ability to develop and implement comprehensive compliance programs tailored to specific industries and regulatory frameworks. His keen attention to detail and analytical mindset enable him to identify and mitigate potential risks while fostering a culture of compliance within organizations.

Kelly Gosiewski

Client Service Administrator

Info@craftedfinance.com

Kelly Gosiewski is a Client Service Administrator known for her unwavering dedication and exceptional client-centric approach. With a career spanning several years in the financial services industry, Kelly has consistently demonstrated her ability to provide top-tier support to clients and ensure their needs are met with the utmost professionalism.

Kelly’s role as a Client Service Administrator involves managing client relationships with a keen focus on delivering outstanding service. Her strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail allow her to understand client requirements and address their concerns effectively, fostering strong and lasting client partnerships.

In her career, Kelly has excelled at streamlining administrative processes, ensuring that client accounts are meticulously maintained, and transactions are executed seamlessly. Her commitment to accuracy and precision is evident in all her interactions, earning her a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness among clients and colleagues.

Dionne Kelly

Executive Assistant

info@craftedfinance.com

Dionne Kelly is a highly accomplished and dedicated professional serving as an Executive Assistant with an extensive track record of providing invaluable support to senior executives. With a career spanning over a decade, Dionne has consistently demonstrated her exceptional organizational prowess, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to enhancing operational efficiency.

Throughout her career, Dionne has been a trusted right-hand to C-suite executives, adeptly managing their busy schedules, prioritizing tasks, and facilitating seamless communication within the organization. Her ability to anticipate the needs of her superiors and proactively address them has been a hallmark of her success.

Joe Wride CFP®

Founder & CEO

joe@craftedfinance.com

Meet Joe Wride, the president and founder of Crafted Finance. With a knack for pension and investment management, insurance, and financial planning, Joe’s all about offering top-notch services without breaking the bank. That’s why he started Crafted Finance!

A proud Finance major from Washington State University, Joe’s got the credentials to back it up as a Chartered Life Underwriter and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional. Since 2009, he’s been helping individuals, families, and pension plans make sense of their finances. Joe’s even on the board of the Financial Planning Association’s Puget Sound chapter. Check out his LinkedIn profile here.

Joe gets that everyone’s got their own money story. That’s why he’s crafted a unique process to help folks of all stripes manage their finances, whether they’re flying solo, raising a family, or running a company. He’s all about learning and growing to make sure his guidance is just the right fit for his clients.

When he’s not crunching numbers, you’ll find Joe enjoying the Seattle life. He’s into skateboarding at Alki beach, biking, golfing, snowboarding, hiking, and camping. Sports fan? You bet! Joe’s a die-hard supporter of the Cougars, Mariners, Seahawks, and Sonics. But what really matters to him is family time with his wife Jessica, daughter Ocean, and dog Kanga. Joe’s excited to welcome more kiddos into their home through foster care and adoption in the future.

Download for Free

Property Is Power.

Let us know which email address to send this Free eBook to down below:

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
This best describes my experiance in real estate investing:

Get Your Financial Fix!

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss Our Latest Planning Tips.

Search Site