Doug Fabians Etf Strategies

Since the election, we've been in a period of low volatility in the equity markets. Indeed, the market has gone up about 20% since November 2016 with relatively few big sell-offs. But should we expect to see the same going forward? The smart answer is "no," and that's why right now investors need to buckle up and prepare for a whole lot of volatility, and a big emotional roller coaster, over the next couple of months. In this week's podcast, I walk you through three reasons why you need to be prepared for an emotional roller coaster in markets, and why the financial media is one of the main culprits in creating that roller coaster ride. Plus, why you should turn off CNBC, and tune out the doom-and-gloom merchants claiming we are about to see financial Armageddon. And most importantly, why you need to "shock test" your portfolio to make sure you aren't susceptible to the pending volatility.

When it comes to economic freedom, it's all about following the natural laws. In this week's podcast, we talk about the ins and outs of the law of cash flow. Positive cash flow is what you always want, but getting positive cash flow from your retirement assets isn't always a simple task. Hey, when it comes to your money, cash flow is king. That's why we need to apply the science of economic freedom and the laws of cash flow in order to meet our financial challenges. And, what better way to learn about the laws of cash flow in action than through real-world examples from my experiences helping clients achieve their financial goals? If you want to really understand the laws of cash flow, this week's episode is for you.

Money can be a touchy subject. Sometimes it's hard to talk about money issue, and that's true whether you have just a little bit of money… or a whole lot of money. For example, have you had the conversation about who will be your estate's executor? Who is going to take care of your money, and your family, when you're gone? Do you have the right amount of life insurance? Do you have a mentor? Who do you turn to for trusted money advice? Are you mentoring others? Are you helping those who aren't as financially literate as you are?   When it comes to money, conversation is everything. You simply must be open and honest about your money issues with the people in your life you love and trust the most. In this week's episode, I give you a few tips on how to approach the various types of crucial money conversations you need to have to make sure you and your family are on the path to economic freedom. Plus, we just closed the books on July, and it was another move to the upside for equities. This week, we start

One look at the financial media headlines these days and you might think the world is about to end: "Experts Predict Market Crash" "The Dollar is About to Implode" "Stocks are Overvalued and in a Bubble" "This Bull Market is About to End" "Rising Interest Rates Always Bring Down Bull Markets" These are the kinds of headlines you see if you watch the financial media all day. Yet as I said in last week's episode, the financial media is not your friend. In this week's episode, I provide you with the bullish view on equities from a broad perspective. That means from the perspective of an investor who wants to grow his/her portfolio alongside the biggest, most dynamic, and most prosperous stock market the world has ever seen. By getting away from the myopic focus on the dangers lurking around the corner, and by taking the wide view of the virtue and beauty of the American economy and markets, we're able to focus on what really matters… and that's why we invest in the first place. Plus, a few numbers on the science

Here we are in mid-summer, the financial markets are cursing along as if there was not a care in the world. For now there is not if you are invested and taking advantage of the boost in your portfolios. On this week's podcast I present the good money routines for successful investors. I also talk about some bad routines as well. We are in this for the long haul, it's a journey not a destination. It is imperative that we do the right things to give us the information and feedback we need to stay on track to reach our goals. Give this show a listen and take into account where you are spending your time and your money. On last week's show I asked for your action steps from our mid-year review. Thank you so much for all your emails. They are an inspiration to me and our team. Keep up the good work. Every investor is on their own journey. Let's get some better money habits rolling with new routines

Following Up On Your Homework Assignment So, how did you do on your first-half 2017 goal review? Have you taken the action steps needed to put yourself on the path to achieving true economic freedom? Have you written down your goals? How are your plans progressing? In this week's leadoff segment, we remind you about the importance of goal setting, and taking massive goal-oriented action to achieve your objectives. If you want to live the way you deserve, then this review of the action steps needed is a must listen. Plus, a personal anecdote on an account I overlooked. Fixed-Income Investing 101 Short-term bonds, long-term bonds, high-yield bonds… they're part of the nuts and bolts of fixed-income investing. In this week's second segment, I present you with a primer on fixed-income investing, including defining the basic terms, and exploring the various types of bonds, bond funds and alternative income investment instruments available today. If you are either currently, or are about to, put your money to work

Your Monthly and First Half Market Update Domestic stocks have had a good first half of 2017, and a lot of that had to do with the optimism surrounding President Trump and the Republican pro-growth economic agenda. Internationally, stocks also did well in the first half, and that was largely due to the optimistic global growth expectations. So, which stocks – domestic or international – did the best during the first half of 2017?  That's what this week's show is all about. In this market-focused podcast, we provide a rundown of all the action the major domestic and international markets. Plus, we also look at some of the best market sectors in June and year to date, and we take a look at the action in bonds, gold and other commodities. If you want the complete scorecard on markets so that you "know where you are before taking another step," then this week's show is a must listen. Now What Do You Do With It? Once you know where the markets have been during the first half, you have to ask yourself what you

Halfway to Your Goals When it comes to your money, if you don't have a destination, you'll never know what the right road to take will be. Conversely, if you have sound financial goals in place, then mapping out the right road will be a lot easier. In today's leadoff segment, we look back at the subject of our first show of the year, which was all about how to set your financial goals. And now that we are halfway through the year, it's extremely important to reassess those 2017 goals to see if you are on the right road. Plus, the marital bliss of reviewing your goals together.  The Edge in Markets and Your Goals Over the past few weeks, we've asked ourselves where the edge is in markets. Here, I presented to you some interesting statistics on the performance of small-cap stocks vs. large-cap stocks, and on growth stocks vs. value stocks. In this week's second segment, I show you how to apply that knowledge when it comes to making decisions that fit in with your financial goals. If you're looking to gain

We're all looking for an edge when it comes to investing, and we should be. But how do uncover that edge, and where is it? In Part I of our series, "Where Is the Edge in Markets?" we looked at the relative out-performance of small-cap stocks vs. large-cap stocks over the long term. This week, we present Part II in our series, and it's all about growth stocks vs. value stocks. When it comes to investing, which types of stocks are better for giving you the edge in markets?  If you think you know, well, you just might be surprised at the research I uncovered. If you want to hear some stunning data about growth stocks vs. value stocks, then this week's episode is aimed at you.  Plus, some follow-up comments on last week's show, "Everything an Investor Needs to Know About Roth IRAs."

The Roth IRA is one of the most beneficial retirement savings accounts an investor can use. Yet interestingly, most investors don't really know why a Roth IRA is so powerful. Just about everyone listening right now can benefit from a Roth, and for a variety of reasons you may not know about. In this week's show, I'm joined by Yvonne Wood, Senior Client Advisor at Mercer Advisors. Yvonne is a 24-year veteran of Mercer, and she's been crowned the "Queen of the Roth IRA," because of her deep knowledge, enthusiasm, and creative use of the Roth for her clients. Yvonne starts with the basics of Roth IRAs, including who is eligible, the contribution rules, withdrawal rules and guidelines for beneficiaries. She then covers deeper subjects such as traditional IRA to Roth conversions. Most importantly, Yvonne explains how she uses Roth IRAs for her clients in many creative ways, including gifting accounts to children or grandchildren, and using a Roth as part of a legacy strategy.  If you've ever been curious abou

1) Where Is There an Edge in the Markets? We all know about the advent of the index fund. This has led to a revolution in how investors put money to work. Many are choosing just to own an index such as the S&P 500, yet with so many investors indexing, shouldn't investor performance be getting better? The fact is that performance is not getting better, and most mutual fund and ETF investor performance continues to lag significantly. In this week's leadoff segment, I tell you why investors are woefully underperforming the major indices. I also show you some of the most common mistakes to avoid. Plus, why you should manage your money like it was your mom's money.  2) Do Less, Not More with Your Portfolio What are the keys to improving portfolio results? Well, there are many, but one is to just "do less." That means avoiding selling too quick, and buying too fast. And, avoiding the tendency to tinker too much with your money. Find out more about how to "do less" in this week's middle segment. 3) Small Co

It's baaack! That's right, back by popular demand, this week's show is all about the markets, and it includes my monthly recap of all the action. So many of you have written in to tell me you wanted my thoughts on this market, including the action in domestic, international, emerging markets, gold, bonds, etc. Well, you asked… and I listened. So, on this week's show I give you a rundown on all the key numbers for May, and so far in 2017. In so doing, I point out what the data is telling us, and why some sectors are booming while others are lagging. If you want to catch up on the big picture for stocks, bonds, commodities and the economic data, this week's episode is aimed at you. Plus, what is the Mercer Advisors approach to investing?  Well, it starts with understanding a client's complete picture before we develop an investment plan. That understanding includes assessing the rate of return a client needs, and the amount of risk the client is willing to take. If you're curious about the Mercer Advisors

Your 10 Biggest Money Questions This week, we deviate from our usual three subject format and go directly to listener questions. I received some really great questions, and I'm really happy to be able to address them here, so that all my listeners can benefit from them. Here are your 10 biggest money questions we address in this week's show: How much money is too much at one brokerage company? Is Legal Zoom a good place to create a trust  What do you mean, you don't like tax refunds? Is it ok to use other people's money (i.e. is it ok to borrow money)? I have a pension; how should I view this in my financial future? Do you advise the use of municipal bonds?  I am now fully retired, should I invest differently? Can I take a house out of a revocable trust? I'm in my 20s, so where do I begin investing? How often should I revisit my estate plan? If you've been thinking about any of these subjects, or if you just want to find out how I answer these great questions, this week's show is

How to Prepare for the Next Market Downturn The stock market had its biggest, one-day decline of the year on Wednesday, as the major averages fell just shy of 2% in the session. Markets stabilized in the succeeding days, but the big sell-off got me to thinking about whether listeners were prepared for the next big market downturn. In this week's leadoff topic, I tell you how to approach the next market downturn with the proper mindset, which includes having a long-term plan in place. If you want to avoid making mistakes during the next big pullback, this segment is for you. Plus, how poor market psychology impedes investor results. How to Evaluate Your Portfolio If I were to sit down with you to talk about your portfolio, or to coach you personally about what you own and what you're doing, how I would begin? Well, I would start with some basic questions, such as what are your goals, what kind of rate of return would you be comfortable attaining, and what is your biggest fear? In this week's second topic, I gi

What's Your Next Action Step? When it comes to achieving economic freedom, often your next action step is the most critical. In fact, it's a sad reality that most Americans will never achieve economic freedom, and the main reason why is a failure to take the necessary next steps. In this week's leadoff segment, I offer you a few key results-oriented steps to help you move toward your long-term financial goals. Plus, why the stock market is simply a tool, not an end in itself. Liquid vs. Illiquid Assets When it comes to assets, there are generally two kinds: liquid and illiquid. Liquid assets can be turned into cash in a day or two while illiquid assets are a whole lot more difficult to turn into cash. In today's second segment, I offer some thoughts on how to think about when to sell illiquid assets… and when to hang on to them. Plus, three real-world examples that may apply to you. Investing Strategies for 70-Somethings, Part I You've made it to your 70s, and this is perhaps the most critical decade to get y

Assessing Where You Are on the Economic Freedom Scale Where are you on your path toward achieving economic freedom? Do you know how to assess your progress? In this week's kickoff segment, I give you a list of questions you can ask yourself that will help you hone in on just where you are… and help you get to where you want to be. If you want some great ideas to help get you thinking about this subject, this segment is a must.  You Made It to Your 60s, Part II You're in your 60s now, and that means you're either retired or thinking about how and when you will retire. At this stage in life, you also must have a number of critical legal and financial documents in place. An estate plan, a will, a living trust, power of attorney, medical directives, etc. You also must have a sustainable financial plan in place to help you navigate your retirement. In our second segment, I present Part II of our series on wealth strategies for those in their 60s. Answering Listener Emails I received a lot of emails about Part

Financial Freedom: Science or Art? When it comes to achieving financial freedom, the question of whether science or art is more important is easy. Finance, money and investing is not an art, it's a science. Sure, an individual can be artistic in the management of money, but because of human nature most individuals cannot produce the results they are looking for if they're not following a proven method or set of scientific principles. In this week's leadoff segment, I frame the money issue in scientific language, and I show you how you can apply that science to your financial life. The Tough Questions About Spending You MUST Ask This is one of those conversations nobody enjoys, but telling a child, a parent… and most of all ourselves, that we are spending too much money is never easy. But if the science, i.e. the math, doesn't work, reality will catch up with you and those you care about. In this week's second segment, I tell you how to ask yourself the right questions about spending… and how to take the prope

The Science of Economic Freedom, Part I  Money X Time X Rate of Return = Your Future Wealth. That's a formula for success when it comes to your finances, and it's one of many principles that comprise what I call the "Science of Economic Freedom." In this week's leadoff segment, we dig deeper into this science to uncover how you can put the math to work for you. Get out your financial lab coat, because it's time to go to work! The Science of Economic Freedom, Part II We just made it through tax week, and I'd venture a guess that many of you had to write an uncomfortable check to Uncle Sam. Hey, taxes cannot be avoided, but you can manage your taxes so that you can pay the minimum you owe. In our second segment, we look at the Science of Economic Freedom and how it applies to managing the single-biggest expense of your lifetime. The Fiduciary Rule Update   The Fiduciary Rule is a financial industry regulation that essentially makes financial professionals follow the same code of conduct as doctors and

What's Your Quarterly Checkup? How did your money perform in Q1? What kind of grade would you give yourself? Did you get a clean bill of health, or are you feeling a bit ill? In this week's leadoff segment, I give you a few tips on how to give your money a quarterly checkup, as doing so correctly will keep your finances in top shape.  How are Your Finances Structured?   Do you have a lot of assets? Do you have a lot of liabilities? What kind of savings accounts do you have? What about rental property income, business interest, passive income, etc.? Getting a handle on the overall structure of your finances is a big part of making sure your finances are structured to minimize your overall tax picture. In this week's second segment, we talk about how to structure your finances properly so that you can take full advantage of your money. Plus, why you should be using a Certified Financial Planner. So, You Made it to 50… Part II  If you're in your 50s, congratulations! Now it's time to make sure you

The Q1 Financial Scorecard The first three months of 2017 are in the books, and so far, the "Trump rally" has had a material effect on many market segments. Perhaps most surprising has been the outsized gains in international stocks, bonds and gold. Find out how all the markets performed during Q1 in this week's leadoff segment.  How To Monitor Your Money   Now that the first quarter is over, how did your money do? More importantly, just how do you monitor your money, and why is it so important to do so? In this week's second segment, I give you a few guidelines as to how to monitor your money each quarter… and the best part is that doing so only takes about 30 minutes! Estate Planning 101 This week, I have a special interview with Mercer Advisors estate planning expert Jeremiah Barlow. Hey, let's face it, estate planning can be a complicated issue. That's why you need an expert like Jeremiah's on your side. In today's final segment, you'll hear about many of the critical issues to keep in mind when