December 22, 2024. Welcome everybody to the Women and Money podcast, as well as everybody smart enough to listen. All right, 3 days, 3 days before the holiday gift giving day, and the question becomes, did you listen to last Sunday's podcast? Did you take it to your financial heart?

December 22, 2024. Welcome everybody to the Women and Money podcast, as well as everybody smart enough to listen. All right, 3 days, 3 days before the holiday gift giving day, and the question becomes, did you listen to last Sunday's podcast? Did you take it to your financial heart?

And really not go out and buy this and that out of guilt and whatever. I hope that you did.

And really not go out and buy this and that out of guilt and whatever. I hope that you did.

However, today is Suze School, and I think that you should number one, take out your Suze notebooks because I do think that there's a lot that we should learn from what happened last Wednesday. Last Wednesday, in reality, was one of the greatest lessons that I hope all of you learned from, but I'll get there in one second.

However, today is Suze School, and I think that you should number one, take out your Suze notebooks because I do think that there's a lot that we should learn from what happened last Wednesday. Last Wednesday, in reality, was one of the greatest lessons that I hope all of you learned from, but I'll get there in one second.

Besides the fact that the market really went down a lot on that day.

Besides the fact that the market really went down a lot on that day.

The other thing that was causing a lot of uncertainty in our lives was the government going to shut down or not. Were millions of government workers not going to get their paychecks, or will they?

The other thing that was causing a lot of uncertainty in our lives was the government going to shut down or not. Were millions of government workers not going to get their paychecks, or will they?

I personally was not worried about it at all.

I personally was not worried about it at all.

Because I know that the last time we had a government shutdown in 2018, I think it was 30 some odd days it was shut down, that was one of the major reasons that there was a big political toll taken on that party.

Because I know that the last time we had a government shutdown in 2018, I think it was 30 some odd days it was shut down, that was one of the major reasons that there was a big political toll taken on that party.

And it really didn't make any sense at all, and I think people learned a big lesson from it, so you can threaten you're going to shut it down. You can talk big, you're going to shut it down, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt.

And it really didn't make any sense at all, and I think people learned a big lesson from it, so you can threaten you're going to shut it down. You can talk big, you're going to shut it down, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt.

That there was no way they were going to let this government shut down, especially 3 days before the holidays. Are you crazy? So for me that didn't come to play at all. What did come to play, however,

That there was no way they were going to let this government shut down, especially 3 days before the holidays. Are you crazy? So for me that didn't come to play at all. What did come to play, however,

Was the speech that Jay Powell, the Fed chair, gave after he announced that he was going to lower the Fed funds rate by a quarter percent. Now the lowering of that rate really didn't take much effect on anybody. They didn't know if he was going to or not, but OK.

Was the speech that Jay Powell, the Fed chair, gave after he announced that he was going to lower the Fed funds rate by a quarter percent. Now the lowering of that rate really didn't take much effect on anybody. They didn't know if he was going to or not, but OK.

I think what really shook people was what he said after that, because after they announced the lowering of the rate, he then goes into this room and he stands there at a podium, and every financial reporter or economic reporter sits before him, and they all get a chance to ask him a question and he answers what really came out.

I think what really shook people was what he said after that, because after they announced the lowering of the rate, he then goes into this room and he stands there at a podium, and every financial reporter or economic reporter sits before him, and they all get a chance to ask him a question and he answers what really came out.

Of his talk and his statements that he made was that rather than being on this rapid downturn of Fed funds rate which he said he was going to do a year or so ago we were all for sure that in 2024 the Fed funds rates were going to go down, down, down, down, down, which meant interest rates were going to go down and all of us had planned on that. All our money moves were planned on that.

Of his talk and his statements that he made was that rather than being on this rapid downturn of Fed funds rate which he said he was going to do a year or so ago we were all for sure that in 2024 the Fed funds rates were going to go down, down, down, down, down, which meant interest rates were going to go down and all of us had planned on that. All our money moves were planned on that.

But that's not what he did. But not only did he not do that, he actually said the following. He said there will probably only be two rate cuts in 25, maybe another 2 in 26, and maybe 2 in 2027. He also said.

But that's not what he did. But not only did he not do that, he actually said the following. He said there will probably only be two rate cuts in 25, maybe another 2 in 26, and maybe 2 in 2027. He also said.

That he didn't expect inflation to really go down, that inflation was a little bit harder to tame than he thought.

That he didn't expect inflation to really go down, that inflation was a little bit harder to tame than he thought.

But the economy is still doing well, don't worry about it.

But the economy is still doing well, don't worry about it.

To me that was the most confusing thing I had ever heard, and as he was talking, you could see and just watch these markets start to crash, go down and down and down and down, stocks that I loved going down big time.

To me that was the most confusing thing I had ever heard, and as he was talking, you could see and just watch these markets start to crash, go down and down and down and down, stocks that I loved going down big time.

Big time. Now normally when you see stocks going down big time.

Big time. Now normally when you see stocks going down big time.

Your reaction usually is, I gotta sell. Oh my God, everything's gonna go to hell in a handbasket. Oh my God, I've got to get out. So you join the crowd mentality. You're watching TV. It's going down, you're watching your stocks, you're watching these things you had gains in.

Your reaction usually is, I gotta sell. Oh my God, everything's gonna go to hell in a handbasket. Oh my God, I've got to get out. So you join the crowd mentality. You're watching TV. It's going down, you're watching your stocks, you're watching these things you had gains in.

Go all the way down. The announcers on CNBC and everything, they're not making it any better for you. They're at this high pitch like I am right now. They're all freaked out. You're watching everything be read on the big screen that says when something's going up or down and red represents down and you buy into it and you sell.

Go all the way down. The announcers on CNBC and everything, they're not making it any better for you. They're at this high pitch like I am right now. They're all freaked out. You're watching everything be read on the big screen that says when something's going up or down and red represents down and you buy into it and you sell.

And you get depressed.

And you get depressed.

But you feel a little better because maybe you sold and after you sold it continued down a lot.

But you feel a little better because maybe you sold and after you sold it continued down a lot.

Me, I was waiting for the very last minute.

Me, I was waiting for the very last minute.

Before the markets were closing, when it was almost at its worst, where the momentum had picked up and I went in and I fought like a mad woman.

Before the markets were closing, when it was almost at its worst, where the momentum had picked up and I went in and I fought like a mad woman.

I bought Palantir. I bought iBIT. I bought GEV this one stock that I really like. I bought them all, all the stocks that I talk about. I bought them all.

I bought Palantir. I bought iBIT. I bought GEV this one stock that I really like. I bought them all, all the stocks that I talk about. I bought them all.

And I was able to buy them all because I do dollar cost average. I keep a pile of cash for days like that.

And I was able to buy them all because I do dollar cost average. I keep a pile of cash for days like that.

I don't put all my money to work and then when something like that happens I can't take advantage of it. I wait for days like that to happen. I loved that Palantir went all the way back down again. I loved that NVIDIA went to like 128. I loved that.

I don't put all my money to work and then when something like that happens I can't take advantage of it. I wait for days like that to happen. I loved that Palantir went all the way back down again. I loved that NVIDIA went to like 128. I loved that.

So for me, I was so happy that day.

So for me, I was so happy that day.

KT on the other hand, was a little bit more freaked than I think she sounded on the last podcast where she said, what are you doing? I said, I'm buying. She said, look at the market. I said, I know that's why I'm buying.

KT on the other hand, was a little bit more freaked than I think she sounded on the last podcast where she said, what are you doing? I said, I'm buying. She said, look at the market. I said, I know that's why I'm buying.

And I said, KT you have to leave me alone because I really need to buy.

And I said, KT you have to leave me alone because I really need to buy.

Now I want you to think about this, everybody.

Now I want you to think about this, everybody.

Not everything.

Not everything.

That you own when it goes down is going to come back and the only reason that that may be true is that some of the things that you own, some of the stocks that you own.

That you own when it goes down is going to come back and the only reason that that may be true is that some of the things that you own, some of the stocks that you own.

Really aren't worth owning. You've owned them for many reasons. Maybe years have gone by and whatever.

Really aren't worth owning. You've owned them for many reasons. Maybe years have gone by and whatever.

And maybe they're not gonna come back.

And maybe they're not gonna come back.

But when you are invested in the stocks of the future.

But when you are invested in the stocks of the future.

The stocks that hold the ability to really transform this world in their companies.

The stocks that hold the ability to really transform this world in their companies.

And you have faith in their management, faith in what they are doing.

And you have faith in their management, faith in what they are doing.

Then of course you want to buy more when they go down because you didn't buy them for them to just go straight up. You bought them so that 3 years from now, 5 years from now, 10 years from now you will have made a fortune. You have got to get it out of your head.

Then of course you want to buy more when they go down because you didn't buy them for them to just go straight up. You bought them so that 3 years from now, 5 years from now, 10 years from now you will have made a fortune. You have got to get it out of your head.

That when something goes from 10 to 20 you've now doubled your money. Oh, you have to get out of the position because of course it's going to go back down. You have to get into the mindset of you're buying things little by little.

That when something goes from 10 to 20 you've now doubled your money. Oh, you have to get out of the position because of course it's going to go back down. You have to get into the mindset of you're buying things little by little.

Because you have the belief that over time

Because you have the belief that over time

These stocks are going to be worth so much more, and that's where the big money is going to be made, not at 10% here, 30% here, even 100%.

These stocks are going to be worth so much more, and that's where the big money is going to be made, not at 10% here, 30% here, even 100%.

You have to be more futuristic about how you're thinking about the stocks that you are investing in now a lot of you.

You have to be more futuristic about how you're thinking about the stocks that you are investing in now a lot of you.

Have diversified in exchange traded funds whether they're the spiders or the VOOs or the VTIs, and the good thing about those is their top holdings are invested in these futuristic stocks, so you're doing OK there by all means, but it's also important that if you are buying individual stocks and that is how you want to go about investing.

Have diversified in exchange traded funds whether they're the spiders or the VOOs or the VTIs, and the good thing about those is their top holdings are invested in these futuristic stocks, so you're doing OK there by all means, but it's also important that if you are buying individual stocks and that is how you want to go about investing.

That you have some diversification.

That you have some diversification.

But it's OK to be heavily also invested in stocks that are diversified in a little bit what they're doing, but they're all tied to whether it's IOTA or NVIDIA, a little bit different, but they all help one another.

But it's OK to be heavily also invested in stocks that are diversified in a little bit what they're doing, but they're all tied to whether it's IOTA or NVIDIA, a little bit different, but they all help one another.

So that's what I did Wednesday. What did you do? Did you do anything or did you just get upset?

So that's what I did Wednesday. What did you do? Did you do anything or did you just get upset?

And as you know, I invest Colo's money for him.

And as you know, I invest Colo's money for him.

And I watched Colo's portfolio on that day go down equally as everything else, and because I also kept money on the side for him, I only have 50% of his cash invested. I was able to go in and double down on certain things.

And I watched Colo's portfolio on that day go down equally as everything else, and because I also kept money on the side for him, I only have 50% of his cash invested. I was able to go in and double down on certain things.

And then

And then

Friday when the market finally closed.

Friday when the market finally closed.

I was up so much higher on Colo's portfolio.

I was up so much higher on Colo's portfolio.

Than where I was on Tuesday's closing before the market went down on Wednesday because I was able to dollar cost average into it at its low.

Than where I was on Tuesday's closing before the market went down on Wednesday because I was able to dollar cost average into it at its low.

I tell you this because I don't want you to make one of the biggest downfalls to your investing habits, and one of the biggest downfalls is

I tell you this because I don't want you to make one of the biggest downfalls to your investing habits, and one of the biggest downfalls is

You watch what you have purchased every moment of the day or 5 times a day, or you're watching CNBC and you're watching are the markets going up or are the markets going down if you are invested in something that you are certain about.

You watch what you have purchased every moment of the day or 5 times a day, or you're watching CNBC and you're watching are the markets going up or are the markets going down if you are invested in something that you are certain about.

That you have faith in.

That you have faith in.

That you haven't heard anything bad about it and the markets happen to be tumbling or whatever OK.

That you haven't heard anything bad about it and the markets happen to be tumbling or whatever OK.

But don't just look at something and go, oh my God, it's going up. Oh, today it's going down. Oh, what should I do? Oh my God, I don't know. I'm so nervous. And that's when you tend to make serious mistakes. So I personally think the best advice I could give all of you is stop looking at your portfolio. I'm not kidding. I'm really not kidding.

But don't just look at something and go, oh my God, it's going up. Oh, today it's going down. Oh, what should I do? Oh my God, I don't know. I'm so nervous. And that's when you tend to make serious mistakes. So I personally think the best advice I could give all of you is stop looking at your portfolio. I'm not kidding. I'm really not kidding.

That if you know you're invested correctly.

That if you know you're invested correctly.

Don't look at your portfolio every day. Obviously, if something starts to happen and the markets are going down, take advantage of it. All right.

Don't look at your portfolio every day. Obviously, if something starts to happen and the markets are going down, take advantage of it. All right.

I was looking at the messages on the Women and Money community app, and somebody wrote me and said, Suze, can you just tell me when to buy when the markets are going down and when they're going up? Wrong question, wrong.

I was looking at the messages on the Women and Money community app, and somebody wrote me and said, Suze, can you just tell me when to buy when the markets are going down and when they're going up? Wrong question, wrong.

It's not about if the markets are going up or the markets are going down. Sometimes you have to average up, and that's just how it is. So I want you not to worry.

It's not about if the markets are going up or the markets are going down. Sometimes you have to average up, and that's just how it is. So I want you not to worry.

Again in 2025 we'll have to see what happens, but there are certain stocks that whether it's 2025 or 2026 or whatever, I don't know what they're going to do, but over the long run, such as Apple, such as Tesla, such as NVIDIA, such as, and I could go on and on.

Again in 2025 we'll have to see what happens, but there are certain stocks that whether it's 2025 or 2026 or whatever, I don't know what they're going to do, but over the long run, such as Apple, such as Tesla, such as NVIDIA, such as, and I could go on and on.

There are stocks.

There are stocks.

That you just want to hold for the long run. Now, you might want to do an experiment.

That you just want to hold for the long run. Now, you might want to do an experiment.

Go back to when Amazon first went public. Go back to when Apple first went public and just pretend.

Go back to when Amazon first went public. Go back to when Apple first went public and just pretend.

That you put $1000 in each one of them.

That you put $1000 in each one of them.

And you forgot about it. You never looked at them again, and you even forgot that you invested in them.

And you forgot about it. You never looked at them again, and you even forgot that you invested in them.

Why don't you look at how much money you would have today.

Why don't you look at how much money you would have today.

I was there when Amazon went public, and I'll never forget saying to myself, who in the world wants to buy a stock that sells used books or anything, but I thought to myself, Amazon, hm.

I was there when Amazon went public, and I'll never forget saying to myself, who in the world wants to buy a stock that sells used books or anything, but I thought to myself, Amazon, hm.

I'm an Amazon. That's a good reason to buy that stock.

I'm an Amazon. That's a good reason to buy that stock.

Apple. Well, that one was easy for me because it was Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs that used to come into the Buttercup Bakery before they were Apple computer, and they had no money and I would serve them coffee and everything and then Steve's sister Leslie Wozniak came in because then here I am a stockbroker at the time at Merrill Lynch.

Apple. Well, that one was easy for me because it was Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs that used to come into the Buttercup Bakery before they were Apple computer, and they had no money and I would serve them coffee and everything and then Steve's sister Leslie Wozniak came in because then here I am a stockbroker at the time at Merrill Lynch.

And she was given quite a bit of apple stock, and I thought, well, I should do that stock as well.

And she was given quite a bit of apple stock, and I thought, well, I should do that stock as well.

Now my biggest mistake with both of those is I thought when I was up 100% or 200% that I did well.

Now my biggest mistake with both of those is I thought when I was up 100% or 200% that I did well.

And I did not hold on to them.

And I did not hold on to them.

Learn from my mistakes, and I can tell you that Tesla and other companies, even Apple, those will be companies that one day you'll go, why did I ever sell?

Learn from my mistakes, and I can tell you that Tesla and other companies, even Apple, those will be companies that one day you'll go, why did I ever sell?

All right.

All right.

Now, let's talk about just a few more things.

Now, let's talk about just a few more things.

With inflation being where it is right now.

With inflation being where it is right now.

And it being very hard to tame and it's hard to tame mainly because of insurance on homes that keep going up and up and up and other things, it is going to be more difficult for you if you already don't own a home to purchase a home. It just is.

And it being very hard to tame and it's hard to tame mainly because of insurance on homes that keep going up and up and up and other things, it is going to be more difficult for you if you already don't own a home to purchase a home. It just is.

Because now that as I've said to you many times, mortgages are attached to the 10 year treasury note, and the 10 year treasury note may very well just be staying here or going up from here, so the chances of mortgage rates going down where we really believed that they were going to be going.

Because now that as I've said to you many times, mortgages are attached to the 10 year treasury note, and the 10 year treasury note may very well just be staying here or going up from here, so the chances of mortgage rates going down where we really believed that they were going to be going.

I just don't think that's going to happen. You also have a 30 year treasury bond that I so loved and told all of you that I thought you should absolutely go into it because interest rates were going to go down. You would make money there and make the interest rate in the meantime.

I just don't think that's going to happen. You also have a 30 year treasury bond that I so loved and told all of you that I thought you should absolutely go into it because interest rates were going to go down. You would make money there and make the interest rate in the meantime.

They're 4.7% now. I don't know if they're going to go down, but I would not be buying them at this point in time. I still like the middle curve, the 3 year, 5, and 7 years because you never know what could happen and as they mature, interest rates now could be a whole lot higher in terms of the short term.

They're 4.7% now. I don't know if they're going to go down, but I would not be buying them at this point in time. I still like the middle curve, the 3 year, 5, and 7 years because you never know what could happen and as they mature, interest rates now could be a whole lot higher in terms of the short term.

Where we were all telling you, you gotta get out of money market funds. Money market funds are gonna go down and down and down. Hey, you want to leave your money now in a money market fund or a high yield savings account?

Where we were all telling you, you gotta get out of money market funds. Money market funds are gonna go down and down and down. Hey, you want to leave your money now in a money market fund or a high yield savings account?

Paying you a decent interest rate, I don't have a problem with that at all anymore.

Paying you a decent interest rate, I don't have a problem with that at all anymore.

It's impossible to predict that this was going to happen.

It's impossible to predict that this was going to happen.

In fact, nobody thought that what was going to happen last week happened when it came to interest rates. So now we just have to see really what happens with inflation, where interest rates go, how everything is affected, and make our moves from certainty versus being uncertain.

In fact, nobody thought that what was going to happen last week happened when it came to interest rates. So now we just have to see really what happens with inflation, where interest rates go, how everything is affected, and make our moves from certainty versus being uncertain.

Because you have to be uncertain now because there's certain people in power that seem to be uncertain as well.

Because you have to be uncertain now because there's certain people in power that seem to be uncertain as well.

However, when you have diversification.

However, when you have diversification.

Which means you have some money in bonds, OK, but you have money in stocks, dividend paying stocks, whatever it may be that you are certain about.

Which means you have some money in bonds, OK, but you have money in stocks, dividend paying stocks, whatever it may be that you are certain about.

Then no matter what I really think you're going to come out ahead, so don't let your uncertainty about situations sabotage your financial wealth that could probably come years from now.

Then no matter what I really think you're going to come out ahead, so don't let your uncertainty about situations sabotage your financial wealth that could probably come years from now.

Before I end, I want to talk about Bitcoin.

Before I end, I want to talk about Bitcoin.

Now, I get there's a lot of controversy about Bitcoin.

Now, I get there's a lot of controversy about Bitcoin.

About any crypto, a lot of people don't like it. A lot of people don't like that I talk about it. But remember, everybody, what have I always said to you? You only invest with money that you can afford to lose.

About any crypto, a lot of people don't like it. A lot of people don't like that I talk about it. But remember, everybody, what have I always said to you? You only invest with money that you can afford to lose.

But the misunderstanding is that because Bitcoin, let's say, is around $100,000 or wherever it goes to, right, that for you to buy Bitcoin you need $100,000 to buy a bitcoin. That is not true. You can buy $100 a bitcoin, $200 a bitcoin, the actual bitcoin.

But the misunderstanding is that because Bitcoin, let's say, is around $100,000 or wherever it goes to, right, that for you to buy Bitcoin you need $100,000 to buy a bitcoin. That is not true. You can buy $100 a bitcoin, $200 a bitcoin, the actual bitcoin.

You could do it at PayPal at many different places you can do that.

You could do it at PayPal at many different places you can do that.

So that's one thing misunderstanding there big time. I personally

So that's one thing misunderstanding there big time. I personally

Only buy Bitcoin now.

Only buy Bitcoin now.

Through an exchange traded fund by the name of iBIT I B I T which I've told you all about now while it's true, when Bitcoin soars, the ETF does not go up as much percentage wise as the actual coin did, but I just personally feel safe doing that. And even there you don't have to buy an entire share of something.

Through an exchange traded fund by the name of iBIT I B I T which I've told you all about now while it's true, when Bitcoin soars, the ETF does not go up as much percentage wise as the actual coin did, but I just personally feel safe doing that. And even there you don't have to buy an entire share of something.

If you have an account at Fidelity or Schwab or any of the firms Robin Hood that let you buy slices, you can call up and say, Hey, I want $20 of iBIT - IBIT.

If you have an account at Fidelity or Schwab or any of the firms Robin Hood that let you buy slices, you can call up and say, Hey, I want $20 of iBIT - IBIT.

So you don't have to go in with a whole lot of money just so you know for those of you who do not follow me on the Women in Money app.

So you don't have to go in with a whole lot of money just so you know for those of you who do not follow me on the Women in Money app.

Which you can download, by the way, at Google Play or Apple Apps. A lot of times I will go on and I will say certain things about what I think's gonna happen.

Which you can download, by the way, at Google Play or Apple Apps. A lot of times I will go on and I will say certain things about what I think's gonna happen.

And I did that with Bitcoin. I was concerned that if Bitcoin did not hold over $100,000 of bitcoin, that most likely it was going to go back down again. However, Bitcoin went down and then it went all the way up to 108, and that didn't bother me.

And I did that with Bitcoin. I was concerned that if Bitcoin did not hold over $100,000 of bitcoin, that most likely it was going to go back down again. However, Bitcoin went down and then it went all the way up to 108, and that didn't bother me.

I was just patient, then it went all the way back down to like 95 when I bought in again with iBIT. However, I also posted.

I was just patient, then it went all the way back down to like 95 when I bought in again with iBIT. However, I also posted.

On the Women and Money app. Hey, maybe now might be a time.

On the Women and Money app. Hey, maybe now might be a time.

Now it's very possible that Bitcoin could go back down even further.

Now it's very possible that Bitcoin could go back down even further.

I do believe that over the long run here.

I do believe that over the long run here.

I would not be surprised to see it at $125,000. Now, I don't know if that's going to happen. That's not gonna happen. I have no idea.

I would not be surprised to see it at $125,000. Now, I don't know if that's going to happen. That's not gonna happen. I have no idea.

But I don't think it hurts with money that you can afford to lose, and you want to try a little of it $100 200 dollars doesn't matter.

But I don't think it hurts with money that you can afford to lose, and you want to try a little of it $100 200 dollars doesn't matter.

OK, I don't have a problem with that, but it's not like I'm going hog wild and putting a whole lot of money in Bitcoin. I am not, just so you know.

OK, I don't have a problem with that, but it's not like I'm going hog wild and putting a whole lot of money in Bitcoin. I am not, just so you know.

I wish all of you seriously a very, very merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah.

I wish all of you seriously a very, very merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah.

I hope that it's a day whether you're alone or with family or whoever just your pets that it's a day that the greatest gift you could give yourself is the gift of self-love, the gift of truly valuing yourself, the gift of standing in your truth.

I hope that it's a day whether you're alone or with family or whoever just your pets that it's a day that the greatest gift you could give yourself is the gift of self-love, the gift of truly valuing yourself, the gift of standing in your truth.

And the gift of just being proud of who you are, I hope that's the gift

And the gift of just being proud of who you are, I hope that's the gift

that all of you unwrap for yourself on that day.

that all of you unwrap for yourself on that day.

All right, everybody, there's only one thing that I really want you to remember when it comes to your money, and it is this people first, then money, then things. And if you do that, stay healthy and stay strong.

All right, everybody, there's only one thing that I really want you to remember when it comes to your money, and it is this people first, then money, then things. And if you do that, stay healthy and stay strong.

I promise you you will be unstoppable.

I promise you you will be unstoppable.