Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You In School

By: Erik Garcia CFP® Xavier Angel
  • Summary

  • They might not have taught you the stuff about money you needed to know to build wealth, but Xavier and Erik are ready to take you back to school. When it comes to money, it is never too late to start learning.
    2021
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Episodes
  • Episode 77: Less Bad Decisions: How To Build Wealth with Bradley Flowers
    Nov 19 2024
    In this episode of "The Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You in School," host Erik Garcia welcomes Bradley Flowers, co-host of "The Insurance Guys Podcast" and owner of Portal Insurance. Bradley shares his unique perspective on improving both golf scores and financial health by focusing on making fewer bad decisions rather than striving for perfection. They discuss how this approach can lead to better outcomes in wealth-building and entrepreneurship. Bradley and Erik explore common financial mistakes and strategies to avoid them, drawing parallels between golf and financial decision-making. Bradley also shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of long-term success by minimizing errors. Tune in to learn how a shift in mindset can enhance both your financial literacy and your golf game. Episode Highlights: Bradley shares his experience with VR golf and how it helps him practice managing mistakes. (02:07) Bradley’s story of playing with a PGA coach and the lessons on controlling risk and avoiding catastrophic mistakes. (05:27) Bradley shares a personal anecdote about winning a dollar from a PGA tour golfer and how smart risk-taking led to success. (12:29) Erik explains a lesson from his mentor on the importance of choosing safe, consistent gains over risky decisions. (15:23) Bradley shares his approach to avoiding financial mistakes by consulting with a financial advisor. (20:41) Bradley discusses the value of hiring for weaknesses and the difference between business focus and overextending with multiple ventures. (29:26) Bradley discusses how prioritizing relationships over profits helped him gain valuable business insights. (37:21) Erik and Bradley conclude with reflections on avoiding hasty decisions by surrounding oneself with supportive people. (44:46) Key Quotes: “My whole strategy in a nutshell is to never put all the chips on the table. You know what I mean? Like I'm never going to put everything at risk. And, you know, I think it's having good people around you because it's easier.” - Bradley Flowers “Your education is really the only thing that can’t be taken away from you. It’s the relationships and the connections...like that’s really where the value is.” - Bradley Flowers “Build your strengths, not your weaknesses, don’t put it all on the table, be smart.” - Bradley Flowers Resources Mentioned: Bradley Flowers LinkedIn The Insurance Guys Podcast Portal Insurance Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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    47 mins
  • Episode 76: Investing in Quality: A Conversation with Kevin Caron, CFA
    Nov 5 2024
    In this episode of the "Stuff About Money" podcast, hosts Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, and Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC, discuss investing with Kevin Caron, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager for Washington Crossing Advisors. They explore the firm's investment philosophy, focusing on quality companies with a track record of consistent growth and profitability. Kevin explains their emphasis on businesses that are well-capitalized, with low debt and attractive valuations, ensuring a focus on durability and predictability. The discussion also touches on the strengths and limitations of this investment approach, including when it performs well and potential times of underperformance. Kevin shares the metrics used to select these companies and provides insights into current economic events, such as the market's narrow leadership by the "magnificent seven" stocks and record U.S. equity valuations. Learn how a focus on quality can lead to a strong and resilient investment strategy. Episode Highlights: Kevin reflects on the past 20 years in the financial markets, highlighting the impact of 0% interest rates and stock market growth. (2:42) Kevin introduces Washington Crossing Advisors' investment philosophy, focusing on quality investing and how it differs from momentum investing. (5:23) Kevin breaks down Washington Crossing’s proprietary grading system for companies, based on financial stability and asset performance. (12:49) Kevin discusses the challenge of evaluating tech companies under their quality standards, and how valuation plays a crucial role. (13:34) Kevin elaborates on the impact of volatility on portfolio returns, using the tortoise and hare analogy to illustrate steady performance versus high-risk investments. (23:56) Kevin explains how Washington Crossing Advisors assesses risk by focusing on predictable, flexible, and durable companies. (26:26) Kevin highlights the importance of building a balanced portfolio with a foundation of conservative, stable investments before venturing into riskier investments. (28:02) Kevin shares the composition of Washington Crossing’s investment committee and the importance of math in investment decision-making. (29:57) Kevin emphasizes maintaining a quality-focused portfolio to navigate both expected and unforeseen market challenges. (35:42) Key Quotes: “I think that by and large, many people overcomplicate investing, and it doesn't need to be all that complicated. And the best way to think is like a bond investor, even if you're an equity investor, because a bond investor asks two simple questions. The first question is whether or not the bond is going to pay me back, and the second question is whether or not I'm being paid to take on the risk.” - Kevin Caron, CFA “We know what we do. We know what we don’t do, and our style, because it’s so carefully prescribed, it’s very hard for us to deviate from something once you very clearly define what it is you’re looking for.” - Kevin Caron, CFA Resources Mentioned: Kevin Caron, CFA Washington Crossing Advisors Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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    43 mins
  • Episode 75: Boost Your Income: Key Takeaways from IndieTech with Erik and Xavier
    Oct 22 2024
    In this episode of the "Stuff About Money" podcast, hosts Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, and Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC, share their top takeaways from the IndieTech Conference. While they usually dive into saving and investing, this time they focus on boosting your income by investing in yourself. Discover how developing relationships, establishing processes, and leveraging technology can drive revenue for entrepreneurs and professionals. Erik and Xavier sprinkle humor into their insights on maximizing personal growth and taking risks. Learn why attending conferences is more than just collecting swag—it’s about connecting with like-minded professionals and upgrading your skills. Tune in for a fresh perspective on how investing in yourself can lead to financial success and a few laughs along the way. Episode Highlights: Erik asks Xavier about the common financial challenges his clients, particularly business owners, are facing. (0:54) Xavier explains how small business owners often blur the lines between personal and business finances, which can impact their spending decisions. (2:02) Erik stresses the importance of maintaining updated financial books to manage revenue and expenses accurately. (7:30) Erik discusses the critical role of income generation in building wealth and how income does not always equate to wealth. (11:30) Xavier introduces the idea of investing in yourself as a method to increase your income and professional growth. (14:00) Erik shares their experience at the IndieTech conference and introduces the first takeaway: Developing and strengthening professional relationships. (17:45) Xavier emphasizes how attending conferences helps build valuable relationships and fosters personal and team growth. (24:05) Xavier introduces the second takeaway: Establishing processes and systems to improve business scalability and efficiency. (32:10) Erik explains how well-defined processes can streamline operations and enhance the customer experience. (34:50) Xavier presents the third takeaway: Leveraging technology wisely by focusing on tools that solve specific business problems. (49:30) Erik shares his "technology policy statement," which helps assess the value of new technology in a business setting. (52:40) Erik stresses the importance of treating new technology like an employee, with proper onboarding and training. (57:50) Xavier and Erik discuss the importance of taking calculated risks in business to drive growth and opportunity. (1:06:35) Erik shares a personal example of taking a risk by co-presenting a last-minute joint presentation with Ryan Hanley at IndieTech. (1:09:25) Xavier talks about a recent calculated risk they took by hiring a new team member to grow their firm. (1:13:10) Key Quotes: “More income does not necessarily lead to more wealth. The more income you have, the better opportunity you have to build wealth. But you and I both know, and you listening to this podcast, you know as well as I do, that there's people who make a lot of money who don't build a lot of wealth.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA “Your books in your business tell a story, paint a financial picture of your business. If you kept good books over a period of years, you can see what are the trends in your business.“ - Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA “We don't rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our systems and you can substitute processes in there for systems. Right? We all have good intentions in business, but if we haven't built out a systematic way to actually accomplish that, most humans do not have the willpower just to accomplish a goal.” - Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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    43 mins

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