The Long Term Investor

Charley Ellis, a legendary investor and author of influential books, shares insights on why most investors struggle to outperform the market. He explains how investing has become a 'loser's game', where mistakes by others often dictate individual strategies. The conversation delves into the shift towards professional money management, highlighting the challenges faced by individual investors. Ellis advocates for index funds as a reliable long-term strategy, emphasizing a disciplined approach to investing and the importance of minimizing losses.

The discussion dives into the hidden risks of over-relying on U.S. stocks, emphasizing that what goes up doesn't always stay up. It highlights historical cycles, revealing how market dominance shifts. Valuation gaps between U.S. and international stocks present new opportunities for savvy investors. Listeners are encouraged to confront their psychological biases and consider global diversification as a strategy for long-term success, risk management, and minimizing regret.

The retirement you've worked so hard for should be more than just financially secure—it should be truly fulfilling. In this episode, Benjamin Brandt, financial planner and host of the award-winning Retirement Starts Today podcast, reveals how to break free from limiting mindsets and create a retirement plan that prioritizes your passions, values, and connections. Whether you're on the cusp of retirement or already enjoying it, this conversation will challenge how you think about retirement and offer a fresh perspective on what truly matters. Listen now and learn: How to shift from a scarcity mindset to one that maximizes joy, experiences, and memories. Why common financial tools may unintentionally limit your potential—and how to reframe them for greater fulfillment. Actionable tips for building meaningful connections and creating a legacy through shared experiences. How to redefine your identity and purpose as you transition into retirement. Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions. (00:00) Introduction (01:45) Abundance vs. Scarcity in Retirement Planning (04:12) The Time Machine Thought Experiment (10:35) Rethinking Monte Carlo Analysis and Retirement Success Rates (16:40) Creating Memories That Last Beyond Retirement (23:21) Preparing Emotionally for Retirement (24:55) Connect with Ben Brandt

Sign up for my newsletter so that you don't miss special offers and exclusive content. How much money do you really need to retire? It's one of the most important—and personal—questions in financial planning. This episode explores two popular retirement savings benchmarks, and explains why they may or may not work for you. But benchmarks are just the beginning. Peter dives into personalized strategies to calculate your income replacement rate and portfolio withdrawal needs, revealing the key factors that make retirement planning unique for everyone. If you're ready to take the guesswork out of retirement planning and learn what it takes to build a future you can feel good about, this episode is for you! Listen now and learn: How much you should have saved at each age Why income replacement rates vary—and what yours might be How to estimate your retirement portfolio needs with real-world examples The tools Plancorp uses to help clients plan for success Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions.

Ready to retire but uncertain about your next steps? Let's build a retirement plan you can count on. Schedule a call with Peter now. Sign up for the newsletter for exclusive content. ----- In this episode, I'm sharing a great conversation I had with Adam Cmejla, CFP® on his podcast, 20/20 MONEY. We talked about something that's changing the way people invest: direct indexing. Not familiar with direct indexing? Don't worry, you're not alone. We break it down in a simple way so you can see how it might work for you. We also chatted about how strategies like tax loss harvesting can help you manage your investments more efficiently, especially if you own a business or are preparing for a major financial milestone, like selling a practice. I'm excited to share this conversation with you in hopes you'll be able to learn practical and approachable ways you can make more thoughtful, informed decisions with your money. Listen now and learn: ► What "direct indexing" is and how it can help you save on taxes. ► Why tax loss harvesting is a game-changer for your financial plan. ► How investing is about much more than just returns. Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions. (01:36) What is Direct Indexing? (06:02) Tax Loss Harvesting Explained (13:59) The Evolution of Investing (19:33) Use Cases for Business Owners (25:07) Accumulation vs. Decumulation (31:00) Risks and Misconceptions (38:06) Future of Direct Indexing

Ready to retire but uncertain about your next steps? Let's build a retirement plan you can count on. Schedule a call with Peter now. Sign up for the newsletter for exclusive content. ----- Do you know what to look for when hiring a financial advisor? Choosing a high-quality advisor can feel overwhelming, with countless titles, credentials, and compensation structures to navigate. In this episode, we discuss core items to look for, a framework to identify an advisor who aligns with your goals, and how the fees could impact your retirement plan. Listen now and learn: The biggest myths about financial advisors that could cost you Why some advisors might not have your best interests at heart Key steps to simplify the process of finding the right financial partner Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions.

Ready to retire but uncertain about your next steps? Let's build a retirement plan you can count on. Schedule a call with Peter now. Sign up for the newsletter. ----- Is managing your finances yourself costing you more than you realize? Discover the real value a financial advisor may be able to bring to your retirement planning. This episode explores the pros and cons of going solo in your financial journey versus partnering with a professional advisor. Using relatable analogies and real-life examples, Peter highlights how a financial advisor may be able to help you avoid costly mistakes, seize growth opportunities, and simplify your financial life. Whether you're a do-it-yourself investor or considering professional guidance, this episode provides practical insights to help you understand if professional guidance could be a good fit for you. Listen now and learn: The hidden costs and risks of do-it-yourself retirement planning. How financial advisors bring value beyond just managing investments. Practical considerations for deciding when and why to hire an advisor. The benefits of having a comprehensive financial plan for long-term success. Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions.

Want a peek behind the scenes? Get my top 5 must-read financial articles that keep me ahead on innovative planning and investment strategies—exclusive, curated, and straight to your inbox bi-weekly when you sign up for my newsletter. ----- 2024 brought its share of twists and turns for markets, leaving valuable lessons in its wake. In this episode, I sit down with Michael Batnick, Managing Partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management, to reflect on the biggest headlines of the year and share actionable insights to help you prepare for whatever 2025 brings. Learn how to navigate uncertainty, stay grounded in your long-term plan, and position your portfolio for success. Listen now and learn: Why market predictions are valuable—even when they're wrong. The surprising role consumers played in shaping 2024's economy. How to navigate tech dominance, stock-picking temptations, and market uncertainty. Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions. TIMESTAMPS: [00:42] Predictions: A Fun Reminder That No One Can Predict the Future [02:09] The Evolving Role of Advisors: From Investing to Planning [04:27] Interest Rates: How the Fed and Consumers Shaped 2024 [10:34] NVIDIA, AI, and Why Most Investors Should Avoid Stock Picking [15:40] Bitcoin ETFs and the Crypto Adoption Story [23:37] Diversification vs. U.S. Market Outperformance [26:15] 2025 Interest Rates and Presidential Elections: Staying Calm Through Uncertainty [30:07] Wrapping Up: Predictions, Lessons, and Looking Ahead to 2025

Proactive tax planning could save you thousands. If you're ready to hire an advisor, my team at Plancorp is here to help. Schedule a call today to learn more. ----- Avoiding tax surprises isn't just about filing on time—it's about planning ahead. This episode shares six real life examples of how tax projections can potentially save you thousands on your future taxes and thoughtfully guide the bigger picture of your financial plan. Learn actionable strategies for reducing your tax liability, whether you're managing retirement withdrawals, timing business expenses, or exploring Roth conversions. Listen now and learn: Why tax projections are essential for proactive financial planning. Strategies for minimizing taxes on Social Security, RMDs, and capital gains. How to use tax projections to optimize your financial decisions year-round. Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions.

Thinking about hiring a financial advisor? It could be a great decision—if you know how to evaluate them. Get my free worksheet to follow a proven process and avoid common mistakes. ----- Navigating equity compensation can be tricky, especially when the year-end tax clock is ticking. In this episode, Ally Jane Ayers, a leading expert in the complex world of equity compensation, shares tax-smart strategies to optimize your stock options, RSUs, and equity packages. Whether you hold RSUs, ISOs, or stock options at a private company, Ally's insights will help you tackle tricky tax issues, reduce over-concentration risks, and align your equity with your financial goals. Listen now and learn: Key tax considerations for equity compensation before December 31 How to avoid costly under-withholding on RSUs. Advanced strategies to diversify concentrated stock positions and preserve gains. The power of 10b5-1 plans for stress-free stock selling. Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions. (00:37) Key Tax Considerations for Year-End Stock Compensation Planning (03:54) The Importance of Multiyear Equity Planning (09:24) Exercising Stock Options at Private Companies (14:10) Managing Risk with Equity Compensation (22:27) Advanced Strategies for Managing Mixed Equity Packages (25:38) Creative Ways to Preserve Gains and Minimize Taxes (32:49) Leveraging 10b5-1 Plans for Stress-Free Selling (34:56) Final Tips for Equity Compensation Holders