1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: Welcome to How the Money. I'm Joel, I'm Matt, and 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:06,720 Speaker 1: today we're discussing how fees will kill your retirement savings. 3 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: That's right, Joel, my Norwegian hill host. I'm Padre. We're 4 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:33,599 Speaker 1: talking about investing fees, right, fees associated with investing. We're 5 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:35,920 Speaker 1: gonna talk about the different types of fees, how to 6 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,880 Speaker 1: look for those, uh, and then where to go where 7 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 1: you can keep those fees. Loo. I think last week 8 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: on an episode, Matt, you said that I had an 9 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:46,840 Speaker 1: interesting kind of gravelly voice because I was slightly under 10 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:49,319 Speaker 1: the weather. Oh yeah, I do recall, all right, So 11 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,319 Speaker 1: it turned out we did have sickness ravaging R ended 12 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 1: up being pretty rough. Yea. So my girls they both 13 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: had strap throat and then on top of it, my 14 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: three year old had the flu as well. So kind 15 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 1: of like double dose of terrible sickness going through and 16 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 1: so I'm sure I caught a touch of that and 17 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: my voice was a little bit off. Um, but I 18 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: want you guys get the flu shot. I got the 19 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 1: flu shot, but I because I get it for free 20 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 1: of work, and I don't think the rest of my 21 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: family did. And I probably should have like drugged them 22 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: into a Kroger or something like that in order to 23 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 1: get the flu shot. But we we just didn't. But 24 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: at least at the end of the season. And it's 25 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 1: too bad right now. Well, when we heard that, that 26 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: was my first thought. I was like, the freaking flu crap. 27 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 1: Did we get the flu shot? Because I figured they 28 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: would have already caught it, to be honest, But I 29 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: guess we nearly avoided that one because of the flu shot. 30 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,040 Speaker 1: I guess it was that same strain because most of 31 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: the time, isn't it like slightly off, Like you get 32 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 1: the flu shot and then it ends up being a 33 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 1: different variety of flu that goes around. Yeah, sometimes the 34 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: flu shot is only a certain percentage effective because they 35 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,560 Speaker 1: can't quite accurately predict the strains that are going to 36 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: have to guess which he is going to be the 37 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,080 Speaker 1: one that yeah, the ones that's popular exactly exactly, Oh 38 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: you're the cool string this year. But I wanted to 39 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: mention to people in the case of strep throat, at 40 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: least when we went to the doctor, we were able 41 00:01:58,240 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: to you know, we got a prescription friend of my 42 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: honor to fight the strip throat, And I wanted to 43 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 1: let folks know about free and cheap medications, and in particular, 44 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: there are certain places that offer much cheaper basic medication 45 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: than others. And if you, uh, if you have a 46 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 1: Publix near you, they're kind of the Southeast Regional grocery chain. 47 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,800 Speaker 1: You can get free antibiotics, which is really nice. So 48 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: both girls were able to load up on antibotics for free. Yeah, Julian, 49 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: you can get those antibotics all the time, right, It's 50 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 1: not like it was just a special promotion that they're running. 51 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 1: I mean they you can go there pretty much anytime 52 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: get the antibotics you need. And you can get pet 53 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: antibiotics there for free as well, so not just human 54 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: stuff but stuff for your your your dogs. Yeah, so 55 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: that's really cool. And there are lists online and we'll 56 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 1: link to one of kind of where you can find 57 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 1: cheap and and free prescriptions, like I know, Walmart has 58 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: a four dollar list of prescriptions that they make available 59 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,920 Speaker 1: for for four dollars. And then you know, there's also 60 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: a great app that you can use called good r 61 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 1: X and you plug in the prescription that you want 62 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 1: to find, and it essentially maps out your town and 63 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 1: it says, well, it's eight dollars here and it's thirty 64 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: two dollars here. You'll be amazed at the disparity in prices. 65 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:08,640 Speaker 1: So if you're loyal to one place to get your 66 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:11,799 Speaker 1: prescriptions filled, then in all likelihood you're paying too much. 67 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,959 Speaker 1: The only caveat is if you're getting your prescriptions filled 68 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: at Costco, you're probably getting the lowest price almost every time. 69 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: If that's where you're getting your prescriptions filled. Nice. The 70 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 1: only other trick then if you're gonna do publics is 71 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: to make sure that you don't end up kind of 72 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,640 Speaker 1: shopping around a little bit because your prescription is not filled. 73 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 1: Because they're one of like the nicer grocery stores around us, right, 74 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 1: they're a lot nicer than Aldi. Uh. I know that 75 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 1: you can't get the same deals they got, all those 76 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: buy one, get one deals, But as far as the 77 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 1: the general stuff that we normally get, we've got suckered 78 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: into kind of walk in the aisles a little bit 79 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 1: because it hadn't quite unfilled. And I don't know, maybe 80 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: we spent a little more money on groceries than we 81 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: would have, but hey, we got the free antibiotics, so yeah, yeah, 82 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 1: you're gonna pay a little more for groceries at publics. 83 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: But uh, it is truly a nice place to shop, 84 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: that's for sure. Um. All right, so let's get to 85 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: the beer that we're having on the show real quick, Matt. 86 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: Today we're drinking Mint to Guard. It's a beer to 87 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 1: Guard agent red Wine Barrels from Brain Dead Brewing Company. Yeah, 88 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: this one was sent to us by Jared. He sent 89 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: us a several beers a couple of months ago. We 90 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: had a Jester king on that you are a huge 91 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: fan of Yeah, I fell in love with it, all right. 92 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: So we'll get into our thoughts on this beer at 93 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: the end of the show. But now, Matt, onto the 94 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 1: topic of hand. We're talking about why fees are a 95 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: retirement savings killer. And just a fee of like one 96 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:27,840 Speaker 1: percent in your retirement account that doesn't sound all that bad. 97 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 1: One percent, right, Like that's that's almost negligible, it seems like, 98 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 1: But it turns out that a fee of even just 99 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 1: one percent could cost you, potentially depending on how much 100 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: you're investing, over half a million dollars in actual money 101 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,360 Speaker 1: back to you over your investing lifetime. Fees not only 102 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 1: a road how much money you have to invest now, 103 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,640 Speaker 1: but they've lessened the amount of money that's compounding in 104 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,599 Speaker 1: your account for all of the years that you're saving 105 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 1: and investing. And it turns out that almost three quarters 106 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,600 Speaker 1: of folks have no idea what sort of fees are 107 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: being charged inside of their investment accounts. And we have 108 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 1: to change that, Matt. So let's putting up the subject 109 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: of fees. Let's kind of get into it and help 110 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 1: people learn what sort of fees are they're paying currently 111 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: and then how to avoid them schedule. Nerd Wallet actually 112 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 1: has a fantastic article that we're gonna link to in 113 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: the show notes that breaks down all of this information 114 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: and they've got some very helpful charts. But we're gonna 115 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: share a quick example where as an investor, if you 116 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,839 Speaker 1: put five dollars a month into a brokerage account each 117 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: year for thirty years, so that's a total of a 118 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: hundred and eighty thousand dollars right say, over your working career, 119 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 1: and during that time, say you're earning seven percent well 120 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 1: with a one percent fee, that entire time, the value 121 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: of your account will have grown to four hundred and 122 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 1: eighty nine thousand dollars roughly. But get this, man, you 123 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:42,159 Speaker 1: would have lost nine eight thousand dollars to fees close 124 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:44,799 Speaker 1: to a hundred k just because of that one percent feet, 125 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: which is massive. Yeah, that's messed up, man. And it 126 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 1: just goes to show you that even and if the 127 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: fees are higher, some people might be looking at like 128 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 1: a one and a half or two percent feet And 129 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 1: if that's the case, over your thirty year investing lifetime, 130 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 1: you're talking about almost a hundred and eighty thousand dollars 131 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: on a two percent fee. So fees matter greatly. And 132 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: it is something that I think we're becoming a little 133 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:06,720 Speaker 1: bit more aware of, something that's talked about more and 134 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 1: that's partly in thanks to the bigger low cost investment 135 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 1: houses like Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwab. But you just don't 136 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: want to end up in retirement with less money than 137 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,720 Speaker 1: you could have because fees were eating away at it. Yeah. 138 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 1: The problem is too is it's just not something you 139 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 1: think about, right, Like you don't look down the road 140 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: and think, cool, how much less money am I gonna 141 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 1: have because I'm not investing maybe quite as wisely or 142 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: in the funds that I should be. I think a 143 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:33,160 Speaker 1: lot of times folks think, oh, I'm putting a lot 144 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: of money away it's gonna be okay, right, Like I 145 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:38,160 Speaker 1: can sort of outsafe and out invests when I'm paying 146 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 1: and fees, but you're still gonna lose that money if 147 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:43,480 Speaker 1: you have high fees. And again a small fee doesn't 148 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:45,839 Speaker 1: seem like a huge deal, but they are the biggest 149 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 1: problem and a huge differentiator with how much wealth you 150 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 1: will actually have when you do reach retirement, of course, 151 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: all other factors being equal. Yeah, Matt. So there's this 152 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: company called morning Star, and what they do is they 153 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 1: track and rank different funds according to their performance. And 154 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: they did a study a few years ago. They have 155 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: these morning Star, these vaunted morning Star ratings, and it's 156 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,600 Speaker 1: a star system and they found out, according to their study, 157 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 1: that the costs associated with a fund is actually more 158 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: important than having a higher morning Star Star rating had 159 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: a larger impact on how successful that fund was and 160 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: on investor return. So, if you're looking to invest in 161 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: the stock market and you're looking at the morning Star 162 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: Star system, which you should, I mean, I think morning 163 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: Star is helpful. I think they rank funds. Well, should 164 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: you just say morning Star system? You probably should? Yeah, yeah, 165 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: I just get it out quickly. But I just thought 166 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 1: that was interesting that they basically said that fees are 167 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 1: more important than the star system that they have so 168 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 1: much invested in, so much tied up in. And so 169 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 1: I think morning Star is, you know, a great place 170 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: to research funds, but fees and those matter more than 171 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: than even the star rating. And so that's something that 172 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 1: many people found shocking when that study was released. And 173 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 1: I just think it's something that just quantifies exactly how important, 174 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 1: you know, fees are too individual mom and pop investors 175 00:07:58,360 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: like us and like you know, people listening to this 176 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: show that that want to just invest inside of their 177 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 1: four O and K I A. It only accentuates the 178 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: fact that they should be paying even more close attention 179 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: to to the fees that are inside of those investments. Yeah, Joel, 180 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 1: But the good news, like you're you're saying though, is 181 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: that fees are in decline as low cost brokerage firms, 182 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 1: they've gotten more popular, they've gained prominence, uh, and they 183 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: are wanting investors to know more and specifically it's it's 184 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: sort of like a race to the bottom as far 185 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: as like what the fees are going to be with 186 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 1: the different big brokera ch Hosses, I think of Vanguard 187 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: and Fidelity, they're essentially anytime they release something new, it's 188 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:33,839 Speaker 1: to compete with a specific product. That's like rock and 189 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: socking robots constantly right now between the two of them exactly. 190 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: And most recently, I guess was last year Fidelity they 191 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 1: dropped the expense ratios on a certain line of funds 192 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: down to zero, like completely zero, where there is no 193 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 1: cost associated with maintaining those funds at all. So after 194 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 1: the break, we're gonna talk about the different types of 195 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,080 Speaker 1: fees associated with investing, as well as how to find 196 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: those fees that are hiding in your investments. Stick around 197 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 1: for that, all right, Matt, we're back from the break 198 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,319 Speaker 1: and let's get into the types of fees. But before 199 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: we get to that, I didn't want to just say, 200 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: just to give a little bit more of a mental picture. 201 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 1: When I think about fees, I think of termites. And 202 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 1: it turns out that termites can be eating away at 203 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: the wood in your house for years before you even 204 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 1: notice that they're there, before you notice that they're having 205 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: an impact, and all of a sudden, you know, your 206 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,560 Speaker 1: foot goes through the floorboard and it's like boom. Instantly 207 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: you know the you have a problem and that the 208 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:36,839 Speaker 1: termites are are eating through your house and you've got 209 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: to get an exterminator out there. And fees can be 210 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: like that. They can be kind of this silent killer 211 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 1: that you don't see, and that's out of sight, out 212 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: of mind, and you don't even realize that it is 213 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 1: ruining your retirement savings because of like the examples we 214 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: mentioned just above, it can be costing you fifty a 215 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 1: hundred thousand or more over the life of your investment. 216 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: So let's get into the specific types of fees that 217 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: are common and the and we'll talk about how to 218 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 1: look for fees inside of your retirement account so that 219 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: you can figure out how to eliminate them. Yes, Joe, 220 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 1: let's dive into it. Just keep in mind that this 221 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: is not going to be an exhaustive list where we 222 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:11,400 Speaker 1: name every single fee. We're gonna kind of cover some 223 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 1: of the more prominent ones, some of the ones that 224 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:17,439 Speaker 1: take the biggest bite out of your investments. So on 225 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: that note, let's start with brokerage fees. These are the 226 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 1: fees charged by the broker that holds your investment accounts. 227 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 1: We have talked about this recently, but just think of 228 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 1: them as the custodian of that account. To take for example, 229 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:31,439 Speaker 1: of Vanguard, they have a twenty dollar a year fee, 230 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:34,439 Speaker 1: which isn't huge at all unless you meet certain investing 231 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:36,679 Speaker 1: thresholds and then they eliminate it. Yeah, or I mean, 232 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 1: and you can meet those thresholds as well by just 233 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:42,199 Speaker 1: receiving your statements via email, so it's not difficult at all. 234 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 1: But then you've got Fidelity as well, and they've decided 235 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: that they're not going to have any fees at all. Again, 236 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 1: Rock and Stock and robots, they're trying to take each 237 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 1: other down. Yeah, it's actually interesting pouring over the fees 238 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:55,719 Speaker 1: like brokerage fees and and the other fees that that 239 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 1: investment firms charge. I was looking at Vanguards and Fidelities specifically, 240 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 1: and honestly, Fidelity is not only doing better on some 241 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:06,079 Speaker 1: of the specific fund fees now, but they're doing better 242 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: on pretty much every single other fee associated with investing 243 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 1: if you go with them. And so, yeah, Fidelity has 244 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: just really picked up the pace in the last year 245 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 1: and a half two years. And I love Vanguard. Yeah, 246 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 1: you and I both are a huge trans vant guard, 247 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:23,319 Speaker 1: but Fidelity, man, it's like winning my heart. It's uh 248 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:25,560 Speaker 1: they're doing a really impressive thing. So those are still 249 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:27,839 Speaker 1: both just great companies with with low fees, and we'll 250 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 1: talk more about that in a little bit. So other 251 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,199 Speaker 1: types of fees that you might encounter when investing is 252 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: something called a load, and there can be front end loads, 253 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: there can be back end loads. These are charges or 254 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: commissions paid to the salesperson who sells you the fund 255 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 1: or like a broker if you're going like going through 256 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:45,559 Speaker 1: a broker with your investments as well. Yeah, and so 257 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: these are things that you need to watch out for 258 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: because let's say you're putting in a thousand dollars, well, 259 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 1: they might take out a certain percentage you're right off 260 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: the front end or off the back end when you 261 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 1: sell that investment, and and those loads can massively impact 262 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,199 Speaker 1: the returns that you see because that's just an other 263 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,839 Speaker 1: fee that's hanging out. Another fee. Trade commissions. These are 264 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: the costs association with buying and selling stocks or e 265 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 1: t f s. So if you're with a company like 266 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: e Trade, the minimum that you're looking at spending with 267 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:13,559 Speaker 1: a purchase or a sale is five bucks, and that's 268 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 1: only if you meet the threshold of something like thirty 269 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: transactions per quarter or something like that, and it could 270 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 1: be even more depending on who you're with. That is 271 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 1: not a fee that you need to be paying when 272 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:26,199 Speaker 1: you can buy and sell for free. So just keep 273 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 1: in mind that the more often that you buy and sell, 274 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 1: that's gonna impact how much money you have to actually 275 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: invest in actual funds or stocks. So you do not 276 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: want to be buying and selling constantly, uh, and you 277 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,840 Speaker 1: do not want to be with a provider who charges 278 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:42,840 Speaker 1: you for trade commissions. And the most talked about type 279 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:44,959 Speaker 1: of fee now, Matt, I feel like it's expense ratios 280 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:47,319 Speaker 1: because this is where the Rockham stock on robots is 281 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: hitting like full bore, and we've just seen expense ratios 282 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: fall massively over the last few years. So typically, especially 283 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: with the low cost providers, it's that fee that you'll 284 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: see touted the most frequently, and especially with Fidelity right 285 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,439 Speaker 1: now because they have those zero percent funds and will 286 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: link to those in the show notes. But there's a 287 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 1: few funds in particular that they offer that don't have 288 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: any expense ratio on top of not having any of 289 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: these other fees that we're talking about, So really it 290 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: is like you're investing for free. Yeah, it's Scott Clean 291 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 1: costing you nothing exactly, And so expense ratios are something 292 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: you want to look at. And it's really hard to 293 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 1: say what a good expense ratio is. Now when you 294 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 1: think about the fact that you can invest for free, 295 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:27,560 Speaker 1: it kind of makes anything else look expensive, right honestly, yeah, 296 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 1: it does. Yeah, But I think if you're interested in 297 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 1: funds that have an expense ratio of point to five, 298 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,199 Speaker 1: maybe point three oh or or less, then those are, 299 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 1: in all likelihood funds that at least aren't runaway with fees. 300 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:42,079 Speaker 1: You want to be cognizant of your fees. But it's 301 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 1: also okay to realize that even though fidelities offering it 302 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:46,959 Speaker 1: for free, there are a lot of other great institutions 303 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: that you can do business with that don't have free 304 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 1: expense ratios, but they do provide low cost expense ratios, 305 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 1: and that's what you want to prioritize. And then lastly, Joe, 306 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:58,480 Speaker 1: we're gonna touch on the management fee. And typically this 307 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: is an annual fee from an investment advisor that can 308 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 1: also be from a robo advisor, like if it's not 309 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 1: an actual human being, but if it's a person, typically 310 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 1: they charge by the percentage of assets under management, or 311 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 1: you know, sometimes there's a flat rate as well. But 312 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:14,800 Speaker 1: think of it. Maybe it's sort of like the cost 313 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,079 Speaker 1: of admission, right like just to be seen by that 314 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 1: advisor or just to be able to use that robo advisor, 315 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 1: there's a price you gotta pay. Sometimes it's an expense 316 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:23,880 Speaker 1: or a feed that might be worth it depending on 317 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: your personal situation. Yeah, there's some great robo advisors to right, 318 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 1: and we talked about that in a recent Listener Question 319 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: episode that you know, robo advisors have a lot to offer, 320 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 1: especially for investors that just don't feel comfortable going to 321 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: d I Y route. Um. We we we like a 322 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 1: lot of robo investors. But the thing is you're gonna 323 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 1: pay a little bit higher of a fee. But I 324 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: think you're right, like a little bit higher of a 325 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: fee as long as it's not astronomical, which most robo 326 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 1: advisors it's point to five point three oh something like that, 327 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 1: which which is within the realm of normalcy, and and 328 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 1: it's okay. I think those are decent options for a 329 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 1: lot of investors. Yeah, it's just good to know that 330 00:14:57,680 --> 00:14:59,480 Speaker 1: those are being taken out right, Like you need to 331 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: be aware are these fees, and that's what we're gonna 332 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: talk about next, actually, is how to look for those fees. 333 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: And Joel, you're gonna kick that off. Yeah, we just 334 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 1: mentioned robo advisors, but then also you might have a 335 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: financial advisor down the street who who you work with, 336 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 1: and their fees are just going to be higher than 337 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: a robo advisor fees are. And their fees typically if 338 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 1: they are a fee only advisor, are going to be 339 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: a percentage of assets under management. One percent is kind 340 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 1: of an average amount. They might charge you a flat 341 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 1: rate to sit down with them every year. But then 342 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 1: there are other advisors who might take advantage of you 343 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: with loads and commissions and brokers fees. And so the 344 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 1: quickest way to look out for fees in your own 345 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 1: retirement account is to ask the question, especially if you're 346 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 1: working with an individual who manages your assets. If you 347 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: have a financial advisor, do you know how they get paid? 348 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: And if you don't ask, there was a rule called 349 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: the fiduciary rule that was supposed to go into place 350 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 1: last summer and then it kind of got slapped down. 351 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 1: So slap down by the courts. Yes, So it's a 352 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 1: huge bummer because that is a standard that I think 353 00:15:57,560 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 1: all investment professionals should be required to meet, which means 354 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 1: that when they have you as a client, everything they 355 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 1: do is in your best interest. And now they don't 356 00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: have to meet that standard, certain investment professionals still hold 357 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: themselves to that fiduciary standard, and if they do, they 358 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 1: will typically put that wording on their website or or 359 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: let you know up front. Just make sure you ask 360 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 1: that question, because if they are, there's a greater chance 361 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 1: that the fees aren't going to be as outrageous and 362 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 1: they're not gonna be as hidden. But you want to 363 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 1: ask about the fees that you're being charged to your 364 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 1: investment professional if you have one. So if you aren't 365 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 1: sure what fees are are being taken out of your account, 366 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 1: it's best to ask the question of whoever you're working with, 367 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 1: And if you don't have a financial advisor and you 368 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 1: just have like a four one K or an I RA, Matt, 369 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: how can you figure out what fees are paying inside 370 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 1: of you know, one of those vehicles. First of all, 371 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: if you are with a big bank, or even worse, 372 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: maybe if you're with an insurance company, it's likely that 373 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: you are paying higher than average and potentially ridiculous fees 374 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 1: could be catastrophic, yeah, really really bad. So what you 375 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: want to do in those situations are to ask for 376 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: the disclosures. And chances are I think a lot of 377 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: don't actually know what their fees are because in those 378 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,199 Speaker 1: situations where you have your retirement or you have account 379 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 1: set up through your work, it's it's hands off, right like, 380 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: that's sort of one of the benefits is that you've 381 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 1: got HR. That's something that they've done for you, and 382 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: you think, cool, I can get back. We're all in 383 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:17,320 Speaker 1: this together, me and all the employees here. You know, 384 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:19,719 Speaker 1: we're all investing and doing what we're supposed to do. 385 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:22,440 Speaker 1: But what you may not realize is that you all 386 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 1: might be paying way too much. So ask for that disclosure. 387 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:27,480 Speaker 1: If the fees are high, go to HR and then 388 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,720 Speaker 1: ask them to shop around to other providers um or 389 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,720 Speaker 1: at least to include lower cost index funds inside of 390 00:17:33,760 --> 00:17:36,359 Speaker 1: the plan that you're offered. You can also use a 391 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:39,200 Speaker 1: site like bloom and that's actually it's spelled b l 392 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:43,159 Speaker 1: o o oh um. There's three oh three oh oh, 393 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:46,200 Speaker 1: and they can perform a free analysis of your four 394 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: one K in five minutes. And it's totally free. Yeah, 395 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 1: I love that. And there's another website fee x f 396 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:56,160 Speaker 1: e x uh it's all peak. Yeah, it's also another 397 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 1: great spot. Until both of these companies can kind of 398 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 1: review your investments and they take a specific look at 399 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 1: the fees are inside of them. So if you're having 400 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: trouble pinpointing the fees within your own retirement plan, it's 401 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: worth checking out one of these sites and kind of 402 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,199 Speaker 1: and kind of getting an analysis and seeing, like for free, 403 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:14,679 Speaker 1: you know, how bad is the picture we're looking at 404 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:16,760 Speaker 1: when it comes to the fees. And once you know 405 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: exactly the fees that you're paying, it gives you the 406 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,720 Speaker 1: ability to make some changes and and to opt out 407 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: of being in funds or doing business with companies that 408 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,119 Speaker 1: just charge outrageous fees that are ultimately going to hinder 409 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: your ability to save for the future. So, Joel, your 410 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:36,119 Speaker 1: example earlier about the termites made me think of another example. Right, So, 411 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: like in your example, the termites are more of a 412 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: hidden fee. But I think sometimes we might even realize 413 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:42,639 Speaker 1: that there's a fee there and people just kind of 414 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: coast along with it. So do we have another animal 415 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:46,919 Speaker 1: reference to give? Not animal, but I'm thinking of like 416 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: taxi cabs, like taxis, they cost a good chunk of money. 417 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 1: Now that we have Uber and lift to people still 418 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: take taxic cab, Yes they do, but then they cost 419 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: a lot of money. And that's the thing I think. 420 00:18:56,160 --> 00:18:58,520 Speaker 1: Sometimes folks are just so used to doing what they've 421 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 1: always done. Or if you're in like a big city 422 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 1: like New York, you order a car right like, I 423 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: don't know, a black car or something like that. I've 424 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,359 Speaker 1: heard it said before. I've ever done that. But if 425 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 1: you're fancy fancy people, But why would you continue to 426 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 1: do that when there's technology, uh and companies that have 427 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 1: lowered the price and have made it easier and way 428 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:16,399 Speaker 1: more affordable to get what you need done while saving 429 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 1: a lot of money. So that's what I think of. 430 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:19,879 Speaker 1: I guess when it comes to feast, like, yeah, you 431 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 1: can continue to go to your local advisor who's going 432 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: to charge you every time you know, he sells you 433 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,280 Speaker 1: a certain fund and then on top of that, those 434 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 1: funds are going to have high expense ratios. Oh and 435 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: by the way, there's gonna be an assets under management 436 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:35,159 Speaker 1: fee as well. That's kind of the old school model, right, 437 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:36,719 Speaker 1: It's sort of like a taxi cab you're gonna pay 438 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: a little a little bit more for like the for 439 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: the yellow checkered cab. Or you can just whip out 440 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:43,960 Speaker 1: your phone, go to that app and hail a ride 441 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,640 Speaker 1: and it's gonna show up. And then you're not gonna 442 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 1: waste a lot of money on fees that you didn't 443 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 1: need to spend. Okay, now that you've given that, Yes, 444 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 1: there's one more that I've got and this hit me 445 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:58,679 Speaker 1: with it. This one has another animal reference. So it 446 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: makes me think too if you said doing things that 447 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: what you've always done it, And it makes me think 448 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,840 Speaker 1: of that that example of a bull frog in a 449 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:09,880 Speaker 1: pot of boiling water. Yes, if you start the bullfrog 450 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:11,840 Speaker 1: off and he's in a pot of cold water and 451 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,160 Speaker 1: you turn up the heat gradually all the way to boiling, 452 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 1: he will stay in that pot of water and he 453 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:20,199 Speaker 1: will just die. But if a bullfrog is plopped into 454 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: a pot of boiling water, he'll jump out and he'll live. 455 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: So I think, if you're someone who's been investing for 456 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 1: years and years and years, and maybe you have an 457 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: investment professional that you work with, but you might feel 458 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 1: comfortable doing it on your own. You just haven't made 459 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:35,879 Speaker 1: the plunge. Well, you're like that bullfrog that is eventually 460 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 1: getting boiled to death because of those fees are are 461 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:41,440 Speaker 1: are crushing you and crushing your returns over time. So 462 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:43,320 Speaker 1: all right, I like it. Another good example. I think 463 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:45,880 Speaker 1: I think your metaphor might win in this case. That's 464 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: really good. But doesn't have to be a bull frog, 465 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: and it'll be like a tree frog. The tree frogs 466 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 1: are the cute ones. They're like the like the neon 467 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:53,560 Speaker 1: green with a little web. They got all the cool colors. 468 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:55,159 Speaker 1: That's true. I don't know if they all have the 469 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:57,440 Speaker 1: same reaction. That's a good question. But but yeah, that 470 00:20:57,480 --> 00:20:59,200 Speaker 1: actually don't even know if that's true. But it's a 471 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 1: story that you hear and it makes sense in your minds, 472 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: and that's all that matters, exactly exactly. So if you're 473 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,199 Speaker 1: someone who has been suffering these fees and you know 474 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: that they're there, well maybe this is kind of the 475 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:10,719 Speaker 1: kick in the pants because you realize now that fees 476 00:21:10,760 --> 00:21:13,159 Speaker 1: are actually a huge drag on your returns and you 477 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:15,360 Speaker 1: don't want that to be the case any longer. That's right, man. 478 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:17,280 Speaker 1: So next we're gonna talk about where to go in 479 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:19,680 Speaker 1: order to keep your fees and costs low. We're gonna 480 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:30,800 Speaker 1: talk about that right after the break. All right, Matt, 481 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 1: we're back from the break, and now we have to 482 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 1: talk about where you actually go in order to keep 483 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 1: fees and costs low. I like that, go go. That's 484 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 1: perfect interesting annunciation on my part, that's for sure. So 485 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:45,879 Speaker 1: there are a few companies in particular who seem just 486 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 1: wholly dedicated to low costs investing, and of course that 487 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 1: means that we're fans of them, right, So, Vanguard Fidelity 488 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: and in One those are our favorites, and I think 489 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:00,360 Speaker 1: those are the ones worth checking out in particular. And Matt, 490 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: you actually just switched to m one because you love 491 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:05,800 Speaker 1: their platform and their lack of fees so much, and 492 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:07,960 Speaker 1: you wrote an article about it on our site. Right yeah, 493 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 1: Joel m One Finance, I'm a I'm a huge fan 494 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:12,440 Speaker 1: of them now. I mean, we've believed in them for 495 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:14,760 Speaker 1: a while now, but neither of us have actually given 496 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:18,720 Speaker 1: them a shot. I finally bit the bullet and switched over. Obviously, 497 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:21,560 Speaker 1: we're talking about fees. They don't have any fees associated 498 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 1: with using their platform, associated with any trading at all. 499 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: They also have those pie charts that allow you to 500 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 1: sort of pick a like a predetermined default approach to 501 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 1: how you want to invest. It allows you to keep 502 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 1: your assets, you know, allocated properly like you want to. 503 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: And dude, you know what their app is actually really 504 00:22:38,800 --> 00:22:42,119 Speaker 1: great as well. Vanguard it's pretty archaic. Yeah, it's not 505 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 1: so great. Fidelity is a little bit better. But M 506 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 1: one I'm a big fan of it's it just works 507 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 1: really well. It does everything I wanted to do. So 508 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: because of that, man, I'm a huge fan and would 509 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:52,919 Speaker 1: recommend it to anyone that is looking to you know, 510 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 1: cut fees, but also within one you know, you have 511 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:57,880 Speaker 1: a huge selection of funds that you can choose from. 512 00:22:58,080 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 1: So I'm gonna convince you, Joel, to actually switch over 513 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 1: pretty soon as well. All right, we'll see, we'll see 514 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: what happens. Oh, here's a wager. Well, I get you 515 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:06,119 Speaker 1: to switch over to M one before you get me 516 00:23:06,160 --> 00:23:09,040 Speaker 1: to switch over and join a warehouse club. That's a 517 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:12,639 Speaker 1: good question. I have a feeling that in our upcoming 518 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,359 Speaker 1: warehouse club debate, you're gonna make the switch. But we'll see, 519 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:17,640 Speaker 1: we'll see. I'm pretty subborn though, you know that's true. 520 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 1: That's true. All right. So uh. Interestingly enough, there was 521 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:22,920 Speaker 1: an interview recently with the CEO of Vanguard, and he 522 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:27,400 Speaker 1: stated that active investing, which instead of buying an index fund, 523 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:30,360 Speaker 1: that means buying and selling stocks that you find valuable. 524 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 1: And I know most of us, like Matt and I, 525 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 1: we don't really do that, and and I know most 526 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:35,800 Speaker 1: of the people that listen to this show don't do 527 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:38,159 Speaker 1: that either. If you are into doing the research and 528 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,439 Speaker 1: buying and selling stocks that you think makes sense for 529 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: your portfolio, well, the CEO of Vanguard said, active investing 530 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: is actually getting better and easier, and that's because fees 531 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 1: are starting to lessen, and Vanguard has also been a 532 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:51,879 Speaker 1: part of the forefront of that push. So if you 533 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 1: are kind of headed in that direction towards choosing your 534 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:57,600 Speaker 1: own stocks as opposed to investing mostly in index funds 535 00:23:57,600 --> 00:23:59,439 Speaker 1: like Matt and I do, well, that's good news too 536 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:02,800 Speaker 1: for you that fees are lessening there, and in particular, 537 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:05,160 Speaker 1: when you're looking at M one or somebody like Robin 538 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:09,120 Speaker 1: Hood and your your individually trading stocks, well the fees 539 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:11,119 Speaker 1: are not non existent. That means that you're getting the 540 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:13,640 Speaker 1: returns and not some guy in a suit on Wall 541 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:16,679 Speaker 1: Street which is great, okay, Joe. So we've now discussed 542 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 1: the low cost investment sort of platforms and the different 543 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,840 Speaker 1: brokerages that you can invest through. But now let's discuss, 544 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: you know, what funds you should choose to ensure that 545 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:27,760 Speaker 1: you're getting the lowest fees. Let's do it. Yeah, e 546 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:30,720 Speaker 1: t f s. They are a solid choice essentially, you know, 547 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 1: they're similar to index funds, but you trade them like stocks. 548 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:37,120 Speaker 1: They're kind of like little slices of mutual funds. In general, 549 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: index funds are are going to be the best choosing 550 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:44,800 Speaker 1: a total stock market or SMPI index fund in particular 551 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 1: with one of the companies we mentioned. That's why you 552 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: can keep costs low if non existence, and it also 553 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:51,760 Speaker 1: keeps it really easy. It's a way that you can 554 00:24:51,800 --> 00:24:55,159 Speaker 1: just stay widely diversified with minimal effort. Yeah, you know, 555 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: I found it interesting as i as I did a 556 00:24:57,320 --> 00:25:00,159 Speaker 1: little research for this episode to Matt that in X 557 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:03,680 Speaker 1: funds which track the same thing, even the costs associated 558 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 1: with an index fund through different companies can vary widely. 559 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:10,440 Speaker 1: And so let's just take for example, two of the 560 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:13,719 Speaker 1: top index funds that track the smp five hundred and 561 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:16,160 Speaker 1: one is from Spider and one is from Vanguard. They 562 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:20,000 Speaker 1: both have in actuality pretty low fees associated with them, 563 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:22,960 Speaker 1: but the one from Spider is three times the cost 564 00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:25,720 Speaker 1: of the one from Vanguard. And when you're comparing even 565 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 1: those two really low cost funds that mirror the same index. 566 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 1: Take for example, what you mentioned Matt as well, Fidelities 567 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 1: total stock market index fund is is a zero fee. 568 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:40,800 Speaker 1: So just make sure you're prioritizing fees even when it 569 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:44,159 Speaker 1: comes to investing in those low cost options, because the 570 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:47,680 Speaker 1: fees can vary largely even inside of something that's already 571 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:50,439 Speaker 1: low cost. Yeah, Juel, you know you should make fees 572 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 1: a primary reason for what you decide to invest in, 573 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 1: but not the entire reason. It's still a big part. 574 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:58,960 Speaker 1: But just don't only consider your fees. You need to 575 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:01,360 Speaker 1: have a plan when it comes to your approach to investing. 576 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:03,679 Speaker 1: And if you're currently with an investment house or a 577 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,280 Speaker 1: broker that charges high fees, just keep in mind that 578 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 1: it's not that hard to switch. Just go to how 579 00:26:08,800 --> 00:26:11,640 Speaker 1: to money dot com forward slash M one. That's where 580 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 1: you can find my right up in my experience with 581 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 1: switching over to M one. Yeah, if you've been listening 582 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 1: to this episode and you're like, oh, man, I know 583 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,880 Speaker 1: I'm being charged some of those fees. I know that 584 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:22,680 Speaker 1: I'm not in the lowest cost options, whether it means 585 00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:26,080 Speaker 1: that you're just investing in a slightly higher cost UH 586 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,240 Speaker 1: index fund, or whether that means that you're with a 587 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 1: full commission stock brokerage and you know that you need 588 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:34,560 Speaker 1: to get out in order to ensure that more of 589 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: your money stays working for you as opposed to, you know, 590 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:40,120 Speaker 1: going to align the pockets of of the investment firm 591 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:42,720 Speaker 1: that you're with. Well, it isn't all that hard to 592 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:45,360 Speaker 1: go away, and I know sometimes people take into account 593 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:48,280 Speaker 1: the personal relationship they have with an investment professional that 594 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:50,199 Speaker 1: they've been working with. Most of the time, you can 595 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:52,600 Speaker 1: just contact the new platform or provider that you you 596 00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:54,480 Speaker 1: want to go with, let's say it's Vanguard or let's 597 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:56,680 Speaker 1: say it's in One, and they will help make that 598 00:26:56,760 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 1: switch seamless for you and help you answer over to 599 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 1: something that's going to be way better for you over 600 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,160 Speaker 1: the coming years. And so you don't want to be 601 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 1: like we mentioned earlier that that frog in the boiling 602 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 1: water that's just getting accustomed to being feed to death. 603 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,480 Speaker 1: You want to take a proactive approach to the fees 604 00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:18,440 Speaker 1: that you're being charged inside of your retirement account because 605 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:20,680 Speaker 1: it's your money, and you know what, at least now 606 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 1: you know how bad fees are and exactly how much 607 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:27,440 Speaker 1: they're impacting the returns that you're gonna see. That's right, Joel. 608 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:30,359 Speaker 1: So let's get back to the beer. This is a 609 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:32,640 Speaker 1: beer from brain Dead Brewing and these guys are out 610 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:34,520 Speaker 1: of Dallas, Texas. I don't know if we mentioned that 611 00:27:34,560 --> 00:27:37,040 Speaker 1: earlier on but sent to us by Jared and he 612 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,679 Speaker 1: actually works there. What are your thoughts on this? Sper Man? Well, 613 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:41,720 Speaker 1: first side note, the best barbecue of my life that 614 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:44,679 Speaker 1: I've ever had came from Dallas, Texas. Yeah, and but 615 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:47,280 Speaker 1: I need to go to more spots in Texas and 616 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 1: try more barbecue. That's a goal that I have. But 617 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 1: this beer, I thought, Man, it was really really good, 618 00:27:53,160 --> 00:27:55,679 Speaker 1: super interesting, unlike anything we've had on the show before. 619 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 1: Aged in red wine barrels, and I feel like you 620 00:27:57,880 --> 00:28:00,720 Speaker 1: totally got a little bit of of that barrel and 621 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 1: a little bit of that kind of red wine flavor 622 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:05,639 Speaker 1: shining through, because this beer is like really like a 623 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 1: farmhouse beer, and I think Asian red wine barrels. It's 624 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:13,359 Speaker 1: got this really really nice, harmonious, balanced flavor that was 625 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:15,400 Speaker 1: imparted to it, and I really enjoyed it. And man, 626 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:17,920 Speaker 1: these I feel like brain Dead. I've never even heard 627 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,240 Speaker 1: of them until Jared sent us a couple of bottles, 628 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:22,560 Speaker 1: but I really like what they're doing. Yeah, definitely a 629 00:28:22,560 --> 00:28:24,200 Speaker 1: big fan as well. I'm with you though, like it's 630 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:26,760 Speaker 1: got that farmhouse flavor but without a lot of funk. 631 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:29,639 Speaker 1: You know, it's not like a funky farmhouse and the 632 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:31,880 Speaker 1: flavors I get from like those wine barrels. It's less 633 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 1: of like the wine flavor. It's more of like the 634 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:36,040 Speaker 1: dryness that you get out of a red wine with 635 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 1: sort of like that oak. And I was smelling it 636 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:39,920 Speaker 1: and it kind of smells like pineapple for whatever reason. 637 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:41,920 Speaker 1: To me, it smells like kind of almost tropical, like 638 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:44,120 Speaker 1: it's got this acidity like fruitness to it. But it 639 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:47,600 Speaker 1: drinks real mellow like a barrel aged farmhouse just like 640 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:49,480 Speaker 1: it is. So I don't know this. This is a 641 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,280 Speaker 1: fantastic beer. We've had a few of the others as well, 642 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:55,000 Speaker 1: and they were all really great. So, man, if you 643 00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 1: are in Dallas, need to be checking out brain Dead brewing. Yep, 644 00:28:57,960 --> 00:29:00,520 Speaker 1: let's go to Dallas and uh it up in person. 645 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 1: I'm totally up for that, all right, so quickly, Matt, 646 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:05,440 Speaker 1: let's get to our final thoughts. I have one final thought. 647 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 1: Pay attention to the fees and your retirement Again's all 648 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 1: you need to do. That's all we got to say. 649 00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:13,240 Speaker 1: Look at what you're paying to invest for your future. 650 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 1: If you are paying a lot, you're gonna have a 651 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:17,959 Speaker 1: lot less money in the end. Wake up, pay attention, 652 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:19,600 Speaker 1: make sure that you know what your fees are, how 653 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 1: you're being feed and charged, and then make sure you're 654 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 1: taking the steps to work towards paying less of those fees. 655 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:27,760 Speaker 1: And it's never been easier to pay less in fees 656 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:31,080 Speaker 1: than it is now. So many good options and uh yeah, 657 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:33,040 Speaker 1: so we'll link to those in the show notes, and 658 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:35,120 Speaker 1: uh to find those show notes, you can check out 659 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:37,520 Speaker 1: our website how to money dot com. And if you 660 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:39,920 Speaker 1: enjoy this episode and found it helpful, we would love 661 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 1: to hear from you our listeners. Head over to Apple 662 00:29:42,760 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 1: Podcasts and leave us a review. We'd appreciate it. Yeah. 663 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 1: If you think we've got work to do, we need 664 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: to get better, go to how the money dot com. 665 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 1: Slash do better and drop us the line there. We 666 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: appreciate your constructive criticism too, and so joel. Until next time, 667 00:29:56,480 --> 00:30:01,920 Speaker 1: Best friends out, best friends out, best friends out, m 668 00:30:02,120 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 1: M m