The Plutonomix Podcast: Proz & Conz - A Study of Wealth & Investing

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Episodes

Welcome to the Plutonomix Podcast, with Laurie Kamhi and Barnaby Levin. Two Perspectives on Wealth and Investing in 10 Minutes or Less. The word “Plutonomics” means the “Study of Wealth” and it is our Mission to educate; to help Clients think about their goals and how they might benefit from working with an Advisor to achieve them. But more importantly, it’s to make sure our listeners understand both the Pros and Cons of any issue so they can make Informed Decisions and increase the odds of finding the “right” answer, for them. You see, it’s not who’s “Right” or “Wrong” but, knowing there are NO “unbiased” opinions – and that “Where you Sit depends on where you Stand” – the challenge to making good Decisions is to start by questioning one’s Assumptions and breaking free of our “prejudices” because the truth usually lies somewhere in between. There are always two sides, both of which have merit.

Episodes

Tuesday Jul 25, 2023

Dodged a Bullet

Tuesday Jul 25, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi discuss the recent, bipartisan passage of the Debt Ceiling under the leadership of Kevin McCarthy in the House. With the Fed finally deciding to Pause, they say this may allow us to avoid a Recession, with the caveat Treasury will now need to sell a trillion dollars of new debt to fund current spending, which may lead to an increase in rates as well. They also highlight the challenges faced by regional banks due to commercial loans coming due and the impact vacancies will have on Debtors ability to service their debt. Finally, they look back on a few of their more recent predictions, which have proven prescient.

TIMESTAMPS

01:25 The McCarthy Compromise

03:25 Pent up Demand

03:45 The Notion of Rolling Recessions

05:50 Dispersion Among the Pundits

06:40 The PEG Ratio: Focus on Price to Earnings Growth

08:25 A Stock Picker's Market

09:25 Ahead of the Curve with Some of Their Biggest Predictions

RESOURCES

Wednesday May 24, 2023

Recession Resistant

Wednesday May 24, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi -- after a brief discussion about the Debt Ceiling -- offer investment tips for navigating a potential Recession. They suggest raising Cash and allocating some part of that to short-term Treasuries while, from a longer-term perspective, they consider everything from Distressed and Floating-Rate debt; to Small-Cap stocks; and (for those with a contrarian bent) Commercial Real Estate. However, when it does come to Small Cap at this point of the economic cycle, they stress the importance of diversification, as there will be "blow-ups."

TIMESTAMPS

[01:50] The Bond Market is betting on Recession

[03:20] Giving Voice to the Minority

[05:00] A true Balanced Budget Amendment

[06:00] The notion of a "Rolling" Recession

[08:45] Start by Building a Reserve

{11:00] From Affordable Housing and Healthcare to Small-Business Lending

RESOURCES

Saturday May 13, 2023

Regional Banks and The Lessons We’ve Learned

Saturday May 13, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi examine the lessons they hope we've learned from the Fall of Silicon Valley Bank -- the need for new limits and greater transparency; who's really to blame; and the consequences those responsible may (in their opinion) merit. They also explore some of the alternatives available to investors looking for higher yield and Preservation of Capital, while explaining the pros and cons of each. .

TIMESTAMPS

[1:24] It wasn’t Any One Thing. But Whose Money is it Anyway!

[3:11] Speaking of First Republic

[4:38] Protecting your Deposits

[6:32] Should we Stick With (or Short) the Dollar?

[6:58] Stick with The Dollar?

[8:47] Like Stan says

RESOURCES

Tuesday May 09, 2023

March Madness and The Fall of Silicon Valley Bank

Tuesday May 09, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi focus on the fall of Silicon Valley Bank and its impact on the industry. They discuss the factors leading to the Bank's demise, starting with poor judgement on the part of Leadership when investing Clients' On Demand Deposits. Barnaby and Laurie then explain how this and the failure of the Bank's Auditors has compromised trust -- in the Industry and the Federal Reserve -- and (hopefully) a few lessons we've all learned from it all.

TIMESTAMPS

[01:41] Credit Suisse and The Fall of Silicon Valley Bank

[04:03] When Things Started to go Wrong - and Who was to Blame

[12:04] FDIC Insurance and the Bank Deposit Program

[14:37] The Role of the Federal Reserve in Maintaining Financial Stability

[16:19] Dealing with the Financial Turmoil by taking a Pause and Raising the Limit

RESOURCES

Tuesday Mar 14, 2023

The Power of Compounding (or ”How to Retire Rich”)

Tuesday Mar 14, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi talk about the Power of Compounding and how to maximize your savings with very little effort. "Compounding" can either refer to earning interest on your interest (by reinvesting what you earn at the same or higher rate) or by "letting your Winners Run." Either way, they show how it can have a "Snowball Effect," where small actions -- taken consistently -- can lead to big results, creating financial resilience through disciplined and deliberate planning.

TIMESTAMPS

01:15 Asset Allocation and Investment Strategy

01:33 The Eighth Wonder of the World

02:11 The Rule of 72

05:12 The Pareto Principle

09:59 Perks in the Tax Code

RESOURCES

Friday Feb 24, 2023

Asset Allocation & Investment Update

Friday Feb 24, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi discuss Asset Allocation (the process of balancing a portfolio's potential for Risk versus Reward) by adjusting the percent invested in each asset or asset class according to a person's Goals; Timeline; and tolerance for Volatility. They emphasize the need to have tempered expectations -- while allowing time for the power of compounding to work its "magic" -- and to proactively maximize savings by investing consistently, through the Market's ups and downs.

TIMESTAMPS

1:06 What is Asset Allocation

3:08 Investing to achieve Long-Term Goals

6:31 Concentration, Focus and the Power of Compounding

9:27 Valuation and Investment Strategies in a Low-Interest Rate Environment

RESOURCES

Monday Feb 20, 2023

NFTs, or ”Non Fungible Tokens”

Monday Feb 20, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi delve into the world of "Non Fungible Tokens" (or "NFTs") with Jake Spinowitz, Head of Community at Courtyard IO. They explain "Smart Contracts;" share thoughts on why NFTs were initially created (and, perhaps, who they benefit most); and what the primary differences between the three categories of Open Marketplaces are. They also discuss the very real risks of investing in NFTs (including volatility in price and value), which add another layer of risk on top of the Crypto Currencies, in which they're denominated, themselves.

TIMESTAMPS

[1:02] Introduction to Jake Spinowitz, Head of Community at Courtyard IO

[2:27] What is an NFT?

[3:13] The value of Non-Fungible Tokens

[7:10] NFT marketplaces and giving artists more control

[9:23] Using technology as proof of ownership and identity

RESOURCES

Friday Feb 03, 2023

Risk & Reward: Where and How to Invest in Today’s Environment

Friday Feb 03, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi continue their conversation on “Risk & Reward,” discussing (again) the importance of understanding what risk means for you. They suggest, when it comes to defining "Risk," how it might be better to think in terms of "Acceptable" versus "Un-Acceptable" and, given the current market environment, share some thoughts where and how to invest.

TIMESTAMPS

[01:43] Understanding risk and the misleading nature of "Beta" and "Standard Deviation"
[05:29] Assessing risk in the global economy
[08:41] Exploring investment opportunities in a low-interest rate environment
[10:34] Bond market yields and forming good financial habits
[12:11] Investment strategies for financial security

RESOURCES

Friday Jan 27, 2023

Risk & Reward

Friday Jan 27, 2023

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi talk about the need to redefine "Risk & Reward." After sharing some of the more traditional definitions, they explain how emotional considerations are just as important as monetary ones because both are critical to our well-being.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01] Intro
[01:24] “Low Risk” no longer IS
[03:10] “Fear Of Missing Out”
[07:24] Financial planning and Expected Rates of Return
[09:32] Gen Z and Millenials: work-life balance
[10:57] Outro

RESOURCES

Friday Dec 02, 2022

What’s Happening with Bitcoin?

Friday Dec 02, 2022

In this week’s episode of the Plutonomix Podcast, Barnaby Levin and Laurie Kamhi talk about the current state of crypto and what the future could hold for Bitcoin. They discuss the events leading up to the recent FTX crash; the demise of Sam Bankman-Fried; and the importance of due diligence while rebuilding trust in Bitcoin and the Blockchain network.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01] Intro
[01:04] What has happened with Bitcoin?
[04:19] Commingling explained
[11:23] Sam Bankman-Fried and the FTX bankruptcy
[12:40] Disclosure and limits to borrowing
[14:20] Outro

RESOURCES