Podcasts Business Retirement Starts Today The Closest Thing to a Sure Thing, Ep 368

The Closest Thing to a Sure Thing, Ep 368

Published: Sept. 30, 2024, 8 a.m.

Are index funds really the "sure thing" in investing, or do our emotions get in the way? To help answer that question, we\u2019re going to talk about a Wall Street Journal article by Jason Zweig, which demonstrates the simplicity and challenges that come with investing in index funds.

While these funds are designed to replicate the market at a low cost, actual investor behavior is what can lead to underperformance. We\u2019ll talk about why sticking to this seemingly easy strategy is harder than it looks and explore how to avoid the "behavior gap" that keeps investors from reaching their full potential.

Next, Brett and I team up to tackle a listener question about estate planning. If you\u2019ve already got a financial plan in place but need help with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, this segment is for you.\xa0

We break down what estate planning tools you need to protect your family and your assets, and we\u2019ll also get deep into when it's time to involve an attorney. Estate planning may not be fun, but having a plan in place can prevent huge headaches down the road.

Outline of This Episode
  • [0:20] Index funds are a sure thing...right?
  • [2:51] Understanding the behavior gap
  • [4:00] The temptation to sell
  • [7:00] Boring but effective
  • [13:17] A real-life coffee conversation
  • [17:42] Estate planning essentials
  • [19:50] Powers of Attorney: Why you need them now
  • [21:47] Don't forget your parent\u2019s estate plan
  • [23:50] Navigating health care directives
  • [25:00] Final thoughts: Simple, yet hard to do
Resources & People Mentioned Connect with Wall Street Journal contributor Jason Zweig Connect with Benjamin Brandt

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