Money For the Rest of Us

Latest Episodes:

The Biggest Market Crash Is Recyclables Jun 06, 2018

Show notes

#208 How a Chinese ban and careless recycling habits by households and businesses led to a market collapse in recyclables. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

The biggest market crash facing the United States today isn’t entirely economic in nature. It’s actually surrounding the idea of recycling and recyclable goods. Recycling is a service that most communities require and demand. But is it economical? Why has the market crashed in recent months? What are the solutions? This episode of Money For the Rest of Us will answer all that and more, so be sure to listen.

What are the current values of recyclables, given the market crash?

Most types of recyclable products have fallen steeply in price. Mixed paper prices have fallen 98% in the past year. Corrugated cardboard has fallen 48% and plastics ranked 1 to 7 have fallen 78%. Co-mingled plastics, aluminum, and steel have been holding steady or even increasing, however, the vast majority of recyclables aren’t bringing in the high returns they used to. In areas such as the Pacific Northwest, you even have to pay a company to take it off your hands. What changed? Be sure to listen to this episode to find out.

What has caused this massive market crash?

The biggest influencer in the recyclables market crash was China’s decision in January 2018 to ban imports of 24 different types of recyclable materials. Americans recycle 66 million tons of material each year, and much of this material used to be sent overseas to be sorted, cleaned, and processed. However recyclable exports to China fell 35% in the first 2 months after the ban, and future rates aren’t looking favorable. Now, all of this recyclable material has nowhere to go. To get the full story behind the China ban and how it impacts the US recycling industry, be sure to catch the full audio for this episode.

The 5 main ways we can improve our recycling habits

To solve the market crash issue, Americans need to rethink their recycling habits. The problem with “aspirational recycling,” or thinking everything can be recycled just because we want it to, is a contributing factor to this complex issue. 5 ways to combat the recyclable market crash and current mindset about recycling are featured on this episode of Money For the Rest of Us. Here they are:

Understand that recycling isn’t going away

Consider recycling rate stabilization funds

Consider banning certain materials at specific plants to reduce contamination and mixed goods

Revamp educational programs about recycling

Develop recycling markets right here in the US

What’s the real solution to the recycling market crash issue?

Even with all the great strategies discussed on this episode, simply recycling in better ways isn’t enough to solve the true issue. Everyone has to start considering the life cycles of the products we use every day. Changing the way countries around the world handle waste and preventing it from entering our waterways and contaminating our land is the real solution – basic recycling is just a temporary fix to a much larger issue.

Episode Chronology

[0:42] Why the recycling business is currently crashing and collapsing

[4:28] The current value of recyclables, given the market crash

[8:09] What has caused this crash in recycled goods?

[9:32] The problem with “aspirational recycling”

[14:38] Why we have to do better at recycling

[22:05] The true heart at the of the recyclables market crash issue

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How Do The Mega Rich Invest? May 30, 2018

Show notes

#207 Why the mega rich don't have magical investing powers, but there are some investing attributes they possess that we can emulate. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

A new listener of Money For the Rest of Us inspired the question for this episode: how do the mega rich invest? Forbes reports that there are 585 billionaires in the US and most of them utilize a family office/professional management structure. But do they have some magical, secret way of making more money than the general population? Do they become exponentially richer by allocating their money in certain ways? These questions and more are explored on this episode, and it’s one not to be missed.

What are the major differences in how the mega-rich invest?

While the mega-rich, also known as ultra-high net worth individuals, don’t have any secret ways of making exponentially more money than the rest of us, they do invest in different ways. The biggest difference in investment strategies falls within the area of alternative investments such as venture capital, private real estate, energy investments, hedge funds, etc. Ultra-high net worth individuals invest as much as 46% of their portfolios in these areas, which is significantly more than many other investors. The mega-rich also hold more cash, combatting the illiquidity of their alternative investment strategies. These strategies are available to all investors but are more easily accessible to people with more funds at their disposal.

Don’t be fooled, mega-rich investors DO make mistakes

Even though the mega-rich invest in slightly different ways than typical investors, they are liable to make the same mistakes as everyone else. Many ultra high net worth individuals have fallen under the allure of hedge funds, but have generally been disappointed with performance. For example, a study CEM Benchmarking found hedge funds overall have been underperforming customized benchmarks with similar volatility at a rate of 1.3% annually, and they have been since 2000. Returns have also been especially disappointing in the long-short equity space.

Do mega rich investors achieve the same rate of return as typical investors?

Ultra-high net worth investors DO receive the same rate of return as other investors, however, they benefit from compounding. It’s simple math. If you’re able to put more money into a certain type of account that compounds in a beneficial way, you’ll come out on top faster than those who cannot invest as much.

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Be Bear Aware of Bank Loans May 23, 2018

Show notes

#206 Why the leveraged loan market (i.e. bank loans) is becoming more risky. What are collateralized loan obligations and how do they influence bank loans. Why I will sell my bank loans fund when the economy turns. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

Just as you need to be “bear aware” when traveling in the backcountry, you also need to be aware of the risks and benefits when investing in asset classes such as bank loans. What may seem harmless on the surface could backfire within your portfolios if not treated with the appropriate level of caution and knowledge. On this episode of Money For the Rest of Us, David examines bank loans, also known as floating rate or leverage loans, and the various risks associated with this type of asset class.

What are bank loans and why don’t they have interest rate risk?

Bank loans or leveraged loans represent loans made by banks to non-investment grade companies. They have variable interest rates because the interest paid by the borrower is tied to short-term interest rates that are connected to LIBOR – the world’s most widely-used benchmark for short-term interest rates. For bank loans, as interest rates go up, values don’t go down. Bank loans also hold seniority when it comes to bankruptcy payback.

Bank loans are getting more risky as investors move away from high yield bonds

During the week of May 13-19, 2018 the net inflow to bank loan mutual funds reached $925 million – the largest intake in 55 weeks. The past 11 weeks have also had extremely high levels of bank loan intakes. Comparably, high yield bond funds had $1.3 billion during the same week in May 2018. The increased demand for bank loans from investors and from collateralized loan obligations is pushing up prices for bank loans, lowering their yields. The increased demand is also prompting more issuance. The bank loan market now exceeds $1 trillion – double the amount in 2010.

Protections to those investing in bank loans are lessening

There are more leveraged loans in the system as companies take on more debt. However, lender protections are weakening. Many bank loans are “covenant-light loans,” meaning they don’t have as strong of legal protections for creditors. Bank loans also have more flexibility regarding definitions of default. 82% of all leverage loans were considered covenant lite as of April 2018, compared to 60% in 2015. The lax lending standards should definitely cause investors to pause and consider the risks before investing in the asset class.

Collateralized Loan Obligations

David profiles the characteristics of the largest buyer of bank loans: collateralized loan obligations, also known as CLOs.

Episode Chronology

[1:02] What are bank loans and why do you need to be “bear aware” of them?

[8:30] The price of bank loans can fall as spreads widen as investors worry about potential defaults

[10:06] What yield are you receiving over LIBOR?

[11:32] There indeed is a strong demand for loans in today’s market

[14:12] High demand for bank loans has led to more issuances, but caution is necessary

[22:38] Collateralized Loan Obligations are the largest purchaser of bank loans

[27:55] A summary of things to look at when considering an asset class

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Is The Federal Reserve Really Printing Money? May 16, 2018

Show notes

#205 If the Federal Reserve has printed over $2 trillion dollar and given it to banks to lend, why is U.S. inflation still low? More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

Many people wonder if the Federal Reserve is really printing money. Varied schools of thought exist behind the value of money, how it gets injected into a country’s economy, and how it impacts the private sector. On this episode of Money For the Rest of Us David offers insights into this complex subject, all while giving you the best information regarding the Federal Reserve, its open market operations, bank reserves, and why we aren’t experiencing hyperinflation. It’s sure to be an educational episode that you don’t want to miss.

Can the Federal Reserve create money without printing it?

The US Federal Reserve is not able to produce physical money in the form of coins or bills. That’s the responsibility of the US Treasury, their Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the US Mint. The Federal Reserve, however, can “print money” when it purchases U.S. Treasury bonds with money it creates by adding to its member bank reserves.

Kimberly Amadeo, a writer at The Balance, explains this buying/selling of US treasuries by saying, “One of the Fed’s tools is open market operations. The Fed buys Treasuries and other securities from banks and replaces them with credit. All central banks have this unique ability to create credit out of thin air. That’s just like printing money.”

How do banks create money for individual borrowers?

Contrary to what many believe may happen, banks do not transfer money from a different account or withdraw it from a central vault for loans. Rather, David explains that banks “create money out of nothing” and withdraw it when loans are repaid. Thus, excess central bank reserves are not a necessary precondition for a bank to grant credit and therefore create money. Banks typically only have to have 10% of all accounts in reserves. If a bank lacks the reserves to cover the payments, it can be borrowed from an inter-bank market or central bank system.

Why haven’t we seen hyperinflation due to these processes?

The United States hasn’t seen an influx of hyperinflation because the private sector hasn’t been willing to borrow enough funds to strain the current capacity of the economic machine. David further explains the lack of inflation by using the two money aggregates that exist in the US: M1 and M2. M1 is composed of currencies, paper, bills, notes, traveler’s checks, and checking accounts (demand-deposits). M2 is made up of everything in M2 plus savings accounts, CDs, retail money market funds, etc. In March 2009, at the height of the recession, M1 levels were around $1.6 trillion. As of April 2018, the M1 was at $3.7 trillion – a 130% increase! Does this mean households are wealthier? Not necessarily. The majority of them simply have more liquidity, because Treasury Bonds were sold to the Federal Reserve in exchange for checking account deposits.

Episode Chronology

[1:15] Is the Federal Reserve really printing money?

[6:40] Two ways to address this question

[11:50] So how do individual banks create money for borrowers?

[21:20] Monetary aggregates in the US and how they indicate the level of wealth and liquidity

[23:50] Why hasn’t this led to hyperinflation?

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Why Are Investment Returns So Low? May 09, 2018

Show notes

#204 How low real interest rates contribute to low returns for stocks and other risk assets. How real interest rates are determined. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

Low investment returns are never the best news for financial investors. On this episode of Money For the Rest of Us, David examines the relationships between real interest rates and investment return, who or what is driving real rates, and offers historical information on previous periods of low rates. His insights will shed light on this concerning issue, so be sure to give this episode your full attention.

The US and the world are in a period of low real interest rates and real returns

University endowments, retirement funds, and individual portfolios are currently affected by low-interest rates and low investment rates. If this continues, overall portfolio values could decrease after adjusting for inflation and spending. In the United States, we have seen an average 6.5% real return on stocks since 1900. The global average for real return rates has been hovering around 5.2%. However, these rates have been lower in the past 2 decades than they have been in the previous 80 years.

There’s a linkage between real interest rates and subsequent asset class returns

David delves into research on the relationship between real interest rates and subsequent investment returns on this episode of Money For the Rest of Us. He explains that when real rates were higher, the returns were much higher. For example, when real rates reached 9%, real returns on stocks were as high as 10.8%. Today, the real rates hover around 0% or even dip into the negative percentages. The real return for stocks at these rates have historically been just over 4%.

What drives these low real rates?

After hearing all of this information, listeners may be asking, “So who or what is driving these low real rates? And can they be manipulated to be higher to produce higher returns?” David quotes Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke who explains, “But what matters most for the economy is the real, or inflation-adjusted, interest rate. The real interest rate is most relevant for capital investment decisions, for example. The Fed’s ability to affect real rates of return, especially longer-term real rates, is transitory and limited. Except in the short run, real interest rates are determined by a wide range of economic factors, including prospects for economic growth—not by the Fed.”

Essentially, no group or institution can manipulate these rates. What DOES influence these rates is the balance between those who save and those who borrow. Currently, the world is in a period of high savings and less borrowing, resulting in lower interest rates and lower returns. The tides for these rates will change, in time.

Very long periods of time are required to balance out the good and bad luck for investment returns

Keep in mind that all of the data discussed in this episode of Money For the Rest of Us are for relatively short periods of time. A recent historical analysis shows that countries have seen periods of negative real returns for as long as 16, 54, and 55 years in the US, France, and Germany, respectively. Still, the long-term historical record shows positive real returns for stocks. It just takes patience.

Episode Chronology

[1:00] Why are investment returns so low?

[11:00] The correlating relationship between real interest rates and subsequent returns

[15:40] Who or what exactly drives real rates?

[27:17] Returns can deviate from these low interest rates

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Is Investing More Like Poker or Chess? May 02, 2018

Show notes

#203 How to make better investing and life decisions. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

David asks the question, “Is investing more like poker or chess?” on this episode of Money For the Rest of Us in order to help you better understand why investing is inherently unpredictable. The book, “Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts” by Annie Duke inspired this episode. David ponders big ideas such a reflexive vs. deliberative thinking and why the differences between causation and correlation must be considered. If you’ve ever wondered about how to improve your investing decisions while combining analytical research with skilled intuition, this episode will answer many of your questions.

Investing and life are like poker – not chess!

Many investors approach financial decisions like a game of chess, where there are correct and incorrect moves. However investing, and real life, are more closely related to poker, a game of uncertainties. Duke explains in her book that a term known as “resulting” drives poker games. “Resulting” is the belief that the quality of a decision affects the quality of the outcome. However, David explains that a great decision is a result of a great decision-making process, regardless of the end outcome. Learn how to improve your decision-making process by listening to this episode.

Don’t assume causation when there’s only correlation

One of the biggest threats to a good decision making processes it the belief that there is always a direct causation linking the process and the end result. Even with the best knowledge and highest levels of skill, investing still contains an element of uncertainty. Sometimes there aren’t any connections between the decisions investors make and the end goal. For example, if you purchase a house, fix it up, and sell it 3 years later for a 50% profit, does that make you great at real estate investing? Maybe. But it could also have been a result of an overall uptick in the housing market, and any buy/sell transaction would have been profitable. David wants his listeners to know that correlation between good investing decisions and profitable outcomes do not always mean the same result will occur.

How can you improve the quality of your investing decisions?

Since investing is strongly related to the uncertainties and variables found in a game of poker, there are never surefire ways to ensure every decision will be profitable. But there are ways to increase your chances of succeeding. Duke explains that “The quality of our lives is the sum of our decision quality plus luck.” Investors can enhance their decision-making skills by considering market trends and understanding that no one knows for sure what market variables are going to do. David shares more tips for improving the quality of your investing decisions on this episode.

Deliberative thinking vs reflexive thinking and the idea of wu-wei in investing

David outlines two main patterns of thought on this episode: reflexive (fast) and deliberative (slow). Responsible investors utilize both methods on a continual basis. Always reacting to the market and going off of intuition is not a sustainable way of making investing decisions. However, utilizing only deliberative thinking could result in missed time-sensitive opportunities. That’s when the idea of wu-wei comes into play. David explains that wu-wei is “A state of perfect equanimity, flexibility, and responsiveness that is unrestrained by the conscious mind because it does not attempt to predict variables.” Essentially, it’s the idea of embracing the unknown and keeping the balance between fast and slow thinking.

Episode Chronology

[0:57] Is investing more like poker or chess?

[7:02] Investing, and life, are like poker – not chess

[12:05] Don’t assume causation when there’s only correlation

[13:38] How do we improve the quality of our investing decisions?

[18:45] 2 ways of thinking about investing: fast & slow

[23:00] The idea of wu-wei and how it relates to investing

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Will Your Next Car Be Electric? Apr 25, 2018

Show notes

#202 What are the impediments to the mass adoption of electric vehicles. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

Over the past few months David has been traveling across the country and throughout the trip, he’s covered thousands of highway miles and seen countless vehicles. This inspired him to ask the question, “Will my next car be electric?” On this episode of Money For the Rest of Us he outlines how the vehicle market is changing, the benefits of electric vehicles over gasoline-powered vehicles, main factors prohibiting widespread adoption of electric vehicles, and the impact governments can have on consumer buying decisions. Conversations behind renewable energy and reliable transportation abound, and you’ll want to listen to this episode for the latest information on this heated debate.

Cars are changing: they’re safer, but we’re purchasing less of them

In 2017 there were 40,109 reported motor vehicle deaths, down 1% from 2016 figures. The number of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled has been on a downward trend for decades. This is due in part to enhanced motor vehicle safety laws but also refined manufacturing techniques. Cars are getting safer! However, consumers are purchasing fewer vehicles than in years past. Vehicle sales peaked at 17.9 million for the year ending in March 2018, compared to 18 million in the prior year. In 2017 electric vehicles surpassed 1% of the entire market – a nominal figure compared to future projections of 25% of the market being comprised of electric vehicles by 2040.

Electric cars are extremely efficient compared to gasoline-powered vehicles

Perhaps the most common argument in support of electric vehicles is their efficiency. Popular models such as the Ford Focus Electric and Chevy Volt top the list of efficiency on a kilowatt-hour (kWh) to miles per gallon (MPG) scale comparison. These two models boast 19-20 kWh used per 100 kilometers driven. Conversely, a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle that achieves 20 MPG efficiency requires 131 kWh of energy to travel 100 kilometers. As the world moves towards cleaner, greener, and more renewable sources of energy, efficiency will become an even more important factor in the debate.

What’s preventing electric vehicles from being widely adopted?

Since electric vehicles are far more efficient than their fossil-fuel powered counterparts, what’s preventing their widespread adoption? David outlines 4 main reasons on this episode of Money For the Rest of Us:

High upfront cost

Cost of battery

Production limitations

Limited infrastructure for charging stations

New electric vehicles start at around $30,000 and only go up from there. While battery costs are down from $1,000 per kWh of storage to $200, the cost is still prohibitive for many consumers. Battery replacement (while extremely uncommon) could have a price tag of over $5,000. Production lines are currently unable to mass produce electric vehicles at scale, which is an issue that must be corrected if the vehicles are to have a mainstream place on our highways. Finally, drivers must have reliable and widespread charging stations at home, work, and travel destinations in order for electric vehicles to be convenient.

How governments can encourage consumers to focus on electric vehicles for their next car purchase

Putting data and costs aside, one of the biggest questions David poses on this episode is, “Do consumers want electric cars?” There are many differences between traditional and electric vehicles that consumers will have to adjust to, such as the lack of engine noise, differences in braking, charging routines, etc. For example, David explains that even though the Chinese government offers financial incentives to purchase electric vehicles, consumers are still more interested in gasoline-powered SUV-style vehicles. Countries such as Norway, India, France, and the UK are all making progress towards mandating electric vehicles, and legislation can encourage manufacturers to pursue cheaper and faster production methods. Electric vehicles are here to stay, now it’s a matter of determining how many of them and for how much.

Episode Chronology

[0:35] David asks the question, “Will your next car be electric?”

[4:18] Why are cars safer?

[6:44] Cars are changing

[7:39] What’s preventing electric vehicles from becoming widely adopted?

[22:43] Do consumers want electric cars?

[26:58] Government policy can encourage or prohibit adoption of electric vehicles

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Is Your Portfolio Unbalanced? Apr 18, 2018

Show notes

#201 Why most conventional portfolios make huge and often unintended bets on the stock market. How role based investing can lead to a more balanced portfolio. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

Having a balanced portfolio is a key to financial success. It offers a secure future and provides a level of security to your day-to-day lifestyle. On this episode of Money For the Rest of Us, David considers the question, “Is your portfolio unbalanced?” A new member of Money For the Rest of Us Plus introduced him to the book “Balanced Asset Allocation” by Alex Shahidi and it was the inspiration behind this podcast episode.

4 main reasons behind market volatility

Shahidi writes, “The ultimate goal is to capture excess returns over time, with as little risk as possible. The more volatile the return, the greater the risk of capital loss.” David explains that there are often unintended consequences of single-track investment strategies and that having too much of your portfolio invested in one asset class is not a good strategy.

Here are three main reasons as to why the market is volatile:

A shift in the economic environment

Shifting risk appetites

A shift in expectations of future cash rates (future path of short-term interet rates)

Every market segment has inherent biases in various economic environments

The key to avoiding market volatility is to hold multiple asset classes. These various types of assets will allow you to benefit in any type of market. For example, slowing economic growth is better for traditional bonds, while accelerating growth is better for stocks. TIPS and commodities do better when inflation is increasing. Even though most investors have a heavy bet on economic growth because of their stock-heavy portfolio, the arguments outlined in Shahidi’s book encourage otherwise.

Don’t be in the unenviable position of not receiving returns on your portfolio

The single most important takeaway from this episode of Money For the Rest of Us is this: Don’t rely on any single asset class to provide financial returns. Shahidi writes, “Own asset classes that are as volatile as stocks, but that perform better in different economic regimes.” Shahidi recommends 30% in long-term Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), 20% in commodities, 30% in long-term bonds, and 20% in stocks. Collectively, this type of portfolio could generate excess returns above cash, although many investors might find the volatility of the underlying segments unsettling.

Why David DOES believe you can identify shifts in the market

Investing will never be 100% predictable, it’s the nature of the game. But David does believe, contrary to what Shahidi writes in his book, that you CAN identify shifts in the market. Before a shift occurs there are often red flags that can be identified and researched, even if it takes a dedication to objectively watching market conditions.

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The Great National Debt Debate Apr 11, 2018

Show notes

#200 Joshua Sheats from the Radical Personal Finance podcast and I discuss our different views regarding the national debt and the severity of the U.S. government fiscal situation. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

Navigating a housing bubble is often on everyone’s minds. With changing family needs, balancing multiple incomes, and varying environmental factors, finding a great house is a struggle most families face. On this episode of Money For the Rest of Us, David responds to a listener’s question of how to navigate a housing bubble. He explains the idea of “economic gravity,” outlines factors that are influencing the global housing market, and offers solutions to the housing bubble crisis.

A housing bubble cannot break free from economic gravity

David discusses the idea of “economic gravity” on this episode. Simply, over the long-term housing prices can’t be disconnected from the ability of households to service a level of mortgage debt – to successfully make those payments every month. Nobel prize-winning economist Milton Friedman explains, “When (corporate) earnings are exceptionally high, they don’t just keep booming – they can’t break loose from economic gravity.” The same concept applies to home prices. When prices are high, they can boom for an exceptionally long time. But they cannot break free from this underlying economic concept.

Factors that are driving up the global housing market

Housing bubbles are being created across the globe because of a few major factors. Low interest rates, offshore demand for domestic property, influxes in immigration, and interest only loans are all contributing factors to the housing bubble discussed in this episode of Money for the Rest of Us. David draws many parallels between the US housing market and those in Australia and Canada.

Housing markets don’t always align with growing family needs

Joe, the Money For the Rest of Us listener that submitted the question for this episode, is seeking different housing for his family as it grows and shifts. But he’s finding that unfortunately, housing markets don’t always align with growing family needs. Better school districts, larger homes, easier commutes, etc. are all factors that millions of Americans are seeking for their prospective homes. David encourages listeners to consider what type of housing their family can reasonably afford and still maintain the type of lifestyle they desire. You never want to purchase a house that you cannot comfortably afford. To hear more about the housing market in the US today, data on current housing prices across the country, and even more great information, don’t miss this episode.

3 ways you can respond to rising house prices

After considering all the data related to the housing bubble and overall market in your area, you essentially have 3 options:

You can stay put

You can move to a cheaper locale

You can buy, while being patient and prudent

In order to make the most of the housing opportunities for your family, David encourages every listener to consider their personal affordability and examine their ability to handle unforeseen financial stress (loss of a job, medical emergencies, etc.) Navigating a housing bubble is challenging, but this episode of Money For the Rest of Us can help you make sense of all the angles. Be sure to listen.

Episode Chronology

[1:05] A listener poses a question about how to handle a housing bubble in his area

[6:47] Current data on the American and international housing bubbles

[10:02] Is the current housing bubble starting to break?

[10:57] What factors are driving the home prices in Australia, for example?

[12:41] Comparing the Canadian housing bubble to Australia’s

[15:45] So what should you do during a housing bubble?

[18:09] Housing markets don’t always align with growing family needs

[21:36] How to combat the factors driving up housing prices

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What Kind of Money Is It? Apr 04, 2018

Show notes

#199 How a bank panic led to the creation of the Federal Reserve, and why having diversified sources of money can protect us in case we have a bank panic today and can't get access to our bank deposits. More information, including show notes, can be found here.

Episode Summary

Asking the question “What kind of money is it?” may seem a bit unnecessary. Everyone knows what money is, what it does, and why it exists. However, on this episode of Money For The Rest Of Us, David explains the different types of currency, why the bank panics of the 19th and early 20th centuries defined American banking today, and why it is so important to diversify your types of money holdings.

How the Panic of 1907 defined the American banking systems we see today

Thousands of Americans sadly learned that grand architecture could not shore up failing banks during the Panic of 1907. Massive amounts of money were lost due to failing institutions, party because only 5% to 25% of all deposits were held in cash. When citizens caught wind of the failures and wanted to immediately withdraw their holdings, the banks and trust companies could not fulfill their requests. A similar situation happened during the financial crisis of 2008 when the liquidity for banks lending to Wall Street dried up. David takes these complex scenarios and breaks them down into manageable ideas.

Why were bank panics so common in the 19th century?

Events such as the Panic of 1907 were common in the 19th century because there was not a central bank that could provide liquidity in times of crisis. Each state and national bank had their own currency. This proved to be unstable. The U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve, was created as a reaction to the original Panic of 1907, and the US dollar as issued by the Federal Reserve began in 1914. The original gold standard lasted until 1933 when Americans could no longer redeem their notes for physical gold at the Federal Reserve.

The 7 main characteristics of money, no matter the type

There are seven main characteristics of money that tie different forms of currency together. They include the issuer, the form, the accessibility, the transfer mechanism, the availability, interest-earning capabilities, and the level of anonymity. Different types of currencies have some or all of these characteristics and each has a varying level of liability attached to it. David weighs the pros and cons of bank deposits, cash, central bank reserves, cryptocurrencies, and gold.

Diversification in your money is important for those “just in case” scenarios

David and many other investors are strong proponents of diversifying the different types of money you hold. Understanding that no system is fail-proof, and having different types of money that you can access at different times, will ensure your financial survival in the event of a financial crisis. While a panic that approaches the level of severity of the 1907 crisis is uncommon, nothing is impossible. Smart investors have a backup plan that could support their livelihood in the event of a system disruption.

Episode Chronology

[0:14] David introduces his topic for this episode, “What kind of money is it?” and discusses the Panic of 1907

[6:10] The financial crisis of 2008 as it relates to the 1907 crisis

[8:25] Why were financial panics so common in the 19th century?

[11:12] Hoarding gold resulted in a complete shift in how money is backed during the Great Depression

[15:43] The main 7 characteristics of money

[23:16] Using gold as a currency

[23:53] Cryptocurrency and its taxonomies

[25:12] What happened during the Panic of 1907?

[26:00] Why diversification in your money is so important

[29:13] What’s coming up on the 200th episode of Money For the Rest of Us

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