Podcasts > Rich Habits Podcast > 54: Our Bitcoin Profit-Taking Strategies

54: Our Bitcoin Profit-Taking Strategies

By Austin Hankwitz and Robert Croak

Dive into the Rich Habits Podcast for a wealth of knowledge with investment guides Austin Hankwitz and Robert Croak as they tackle the intricacies of managing Bitcoin profits, handling student loan debt, and constructing a fortified retirement portfolio. In an arena where Bitcoin has soared to new heights, they provide a practical blueprint for investors to secure their earnings strategically. Listen as Croak underscores the value of a methodical exit from cryptocurrency positions, while Hankwitz prepares listeners for the taxman by advocating the wise management of capital gains.

Crossing into the sphere of debt management and future planning, the duo shares essential strategies to battle student loan debts without halting the investment journey. Hear how to blend the avalanche method with wise investing techniques to optimize financial outcomes. And when it comes to building a bedrock for your golden years, our experts shed light on combining traditional index funds with innovative investment platforms to achieve a diversified income stream designed for an early and comfortable retirement. Join the Rich Habits Podcast for these insights and more, to take control of your financial destiny.

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54: Our Bitcoin Profit-Taking Strategies

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54: Our Bitcoin Profit-Taking Strategies

1-Page Summary

Investing Bitcoin Profits

Professionals in the investment field, Robert Croak and Austin Hankwitz, detail how Bitcoin holders should navigate their profits as the cryptocurrency hits the $60,000 mark. They stress the importance of a carefully planned exit strategy to realize actual financial gains from Bitcoin investments. By sharing their experiences, such as Croak's methodical selling of 300 Ethereum, they illustrate the benefits of laddering out of cryptocurrency positions at set price points. This disciplined approach helps to lock in profits and avoid potential regrets that come from a lack of planning.

Furthermore, Hankwitz highlights the critical practice of setting aside a portion of capital gains to meet tax obligations. He suggests keeping 20% for long-term and up to 35% for short-term capital gains in a high yield savings account in preparation for the tax season. This forward-thinking strategy aims to mitigate future financial challenges by acknowledging the tax implications associated with each sale.

Managing Student Loan Debt

In managing student loan debt, financial advisors emphasize the balancing act between paying off debt and investing for the future. They advocate for the avalanche method, focusing on eliminating high-interest loans first, to reduce the total interest paid over time. They believe this can be achieved by strategically transferring balances and employing additional income streams.

Simultaneously, investing does not need to pause during debt repayment. Austin points out the feasibility of investing a portion of funds in index funds within a Roth IRA while retaining a focus on clearing high-interest student loans. Hankwitz also underscores the importance of a concrete plan to rid oneself of such debt within a set period without entirely foregoing investment opportunities.

Building a Retirement Portfolio

Croak and Hankwitz provide insight into constructing a retirement portfolio that involves significant long-term investments. Croak suggests establishing the core of one's portfolio with tried-and-true index funds, emphasizing the S&P 500 and particularly advocating for the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) as a dependable "forever hold." He extols the virtue of these solid investments for their historically stable returns.

In addition to index funds, Hankwitz is a proponent of fractional-share ETF investing for generating passive income, which could contribute to an early retirement. He endorses the M1 Finance platform for retirement investment due to its fractional share purchasing and automatic allocation features, which aid investors in easily maintaining a diverse and balanced portfolio. This combination of index funds and fractional-share ETFs forms the cornerstone of a robust retirement-focused investment strategy.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Laddering out of cryptocurrency positions involves selling portions of your cryptocurrency holdings at different price points over time. This strategy helps investors secure profits by gradually exiting their positions as the price of the cryptocurrency fluctuates. By selling incrementally, investors can benefit from potential price increases while reducing the risk of selling all their holdings at a less favorable price. It is a methodical approach to managing profits and minimizing the impact of market volatility on investment returns.
  • The avalanche method for managing student loan debt involves prioritizing high-interest loans first to minimize the total interest paid over time. By focusing on paying off the most expensive debts before others, borrowers can save money in the long run. This strategy typically involves making minimum payments on all debts while allocating extra funds towards the loan with the highest interest rate. Once the highest-interest debt is paid off, the same approach is applied to the next highest-interest loan, creating a snowball effect towards debt freedom.
  • Fractional-share ETF investing allows investors to purchase a fraction of a single share of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) rather than having to buy whole shares. This approach enables investors to invest in ETFs with smaller amounts of money, making it more accessible for those with limited funds. Fractional shares provide the opportunity to diversify investments across multiple ETFs without needing to buy full shares of each. Platforms like M1 Finance offer this feature, making it easier for investors to build a diversified portfolio even with limited capital.
  • M1 Finance is an American financial services company founded in 2015, offering a robo-advisory investment platform with various financial services like brokerage accounts, digital checking accounts, and lines of credit. The platform allows users to trade financial assets like stocks, preferred stocks, fractional-share ownership, and exchange-traded funds, along with services such as margin lending, automatic rebalancing, and dividend reinvestment. M1 Finance emphasizes micro-investing, which involves investing small amounts of money into financial assets to help users build their investment portfolios gradually. The company's platform has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and features like automatic rebalancing and fractional share purchasing.

Counterarguments

  • While laddering out of cryptocurrency positions can help lock in profits, it may also result in missing out on further gains if the market continues to rise after selling.
  • Setting aside a fixed percentage of capital gains for taxes may not account for individual tax circumstances, which can vary widely based on income, deductions, and other factors.
  • The avalanche method for managing student loan debt may not be the best approach for everyone, as some may prefer the snowball method, which focuses on paying off smaller debts first for psychological wins.
  • Investing in a Roth IRA while paying off high-interest student loans assumes that the returns from investing will outpace the interest accrued on the loans, which may not always be the case.
  • The recommendation to establish a retirement portfolio core with index funds assumes a one-size-fits-all strategy, but individual risk tolerance and investment goals can lead to different asset allocations.
  • The endorsement of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) as a "forever hold" may not consider the potential for market conditions to change, necessitating a more dynamic investment strategy.
  • Fractional-share ETF investing for passive income assumes that these investments will continue to perform well, but past performance is not always indicative of future results.
  • The use of the M1 Finance platform for retirement investment may not be suitable for all investors, as some may prefer other platforms with different features or fee structures.

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54: Our Bitcoin Profit-Taking Strategies

Investing Bitcoin Profits

As Bitcoin reaches 60K, the hosts delve into the role of Bitcoin in investment portfolios and underscore the significance of having tailored exit strategies.

Importance of having an exit strategy

Laddering out of positions at predetermined price targets

Despite the excitement around rising Bitcoin prices, Robert Croak and Austin Hankwitz emphasize the importance of having an exit strategy to convert paper gains into real money. Croak uses the cautionary tale of the Dogecoin millionaire who didn't take profits at the right time, losing out on the chance to have $3 million. Rather than letting emotions drive decisions, Croak highlights selling 300 Ethereum when it hit his target of a thousand dollars, and he underscores the advantage of selling positions incrementally at predetermined gains.

Hankwitz also advises listeners on maintaining discipline in selling Bitcoin to lock in gains, cautioning against the presumption of perpetual value increase. Croak echoes this sentiment, speaking to the regret that can come from not having an exit strategy and the importance of detaching emotions from the process.

Setting aside capital gains for taxes

Additionally, Hankwitz reminds listeners of the ...

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Investing Bitcoin Profits

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Laddering out of positions at predetermined price targets involves selling a portion of your investment at specific price levels. This strategy helps investors secure profits gradually as the asset's price reaches certain milestones. By setting predetermined targets for selling, investors can manage risk and lock in gains strategically over time. This approach aims to balance profit-taking with the potential for further price appreciation.
  • The Dogecoin millionaire story referenced in the text is about an individual who became a millionaire by investing in Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency. However, the individual missed the opportunity to cash out at the right time, resulting in a significant loss of potential profits. This anecdote serves as a cautionary tale to highlight the importance of having a well-defined exit strategy when investing in volatile assets like cryptocurrencies. It underscores the need to balance the excitement of potential gains with the discipline of securing profits to mitigate risks and maximize returns.
  • When you sell investments like Bitcoin for a profit, you may owe taxes on the gains. It's important to set aside a portion of your profits to cover these tax obligations. The amount you need to reserve for taxes can vary based on how long you held the investment before selling it. Keeping track of your gains and setting aside money for taxes can help you avoid financial ...

Counterarguments

  • Laddering out at predetermined price targets may not always be the optimal strategy, as it could lead to missing out on further gains if the market continues to rise after selling.
  • Emotional decision-making can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, especially if an investor has a strong belief in the long-term potential of Bitcoin and it aligns with their risk tolerance and investment goals.
  • The advice to set aside a specific percentage for taxes may not account for individual differences in tax situations, such as varying tax rates based on income level or jurisdiction.
  • Keeping tax reserves in a high yield savings account might not be the best option for everyone, as some investors may prefer to invest their tax reserves in other low-risk instruments that could potentially offer higher returns.
  • The cautionary tale of the Dogecoin millionaire may not apply universally, as each investor's circumstances and risk profiles are different, and what is considered the "right time" to take profits can vary widely.
  • The assumption that selling incrementally at predetermined gains is always advantageous may not consider the potential benefits of a more dynamic strategy that a ...

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54: Our Bitcoin Profit-Taking Strategies

Managing Student Loan Debt

Financial advisors provide strategies for handling student loan debt while also considering the potential for investment.

Using debt avalanche method on high interest loans

Austin recommends the avalanche method for paying off student loans. This method involves prioritizing the loans with the highest interest rates first to minimize the amount paid over time. Croak supports this approach, emphasizing that high-interest debt should be addressed promptly. They suggest transferring balances from high-interest credit cards and potentially finding a side hustle to accelerate this process.

Investing while paying down student loans

Additionally, Austin suggests that it's feasible to pay off debt and invest simultaneously. He advises allocating a few hundred dollars monthly to an index fund within a Roth IRA while ...

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Managing Student Loan Debt

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The debt avalanche method is a strategy for paying off debts by focusing on the accounts with the highest interest rates first. This method aims to minimize the total interest paid over time. By prioritizing high-interest debts, individuals can save money and pay off their debts more efficiently. It is different from the debt snowball method, which focuses on paying off the smallest balances first regardless of interest rates.
  • A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account that offers tax advantages for retirement savings. An index fund is a type of investment fund that aims to replicate the performance of a specific financial market index. When someone mentions investing in an index fund within a Roth IRA, they are referring to using their Roth IRA account to invest in a fund that tracks a particular market index, such as the S&P 500, providing diversification and potential growth for retirement savings. This strategy allows individuals to benefit from the long-term growth potential of the stock market within the tax advantages of a Roth IRA.
  • Balancing debt payoff and investment activities involves managing your financial resources effectively to both pay off debts ...

Counterarguments

  • The debt avalanche method may not be suitable for everyone, as it requires a high level of discipline and may not provide the psychological wins that the debt snowball method does, which prioritizes paying off smaller debts first for motivational purposes.
  • Transferring balances from high-interest credit cards to lower-interest options can be beneficial, but it may also lead to a cycle of debt if not managed properly, and balance transfer fees could reduce the benefits.
  • Finding a side hustle to increase income for debt repayment is a good strategy, but it may not be feasible for individuals with time constraints due to work, family responsibilities, or health issues.
  • While investing and paying down debt simultaneously can be a sound strategy, it may not be optimal for individuals with very high-interest debt or those who lack an emergency fund, as the risk of investing could outweigh the guaranteed return of paying off debt.
  • Allocating funds to an index fund within a Roth IRA is a specific investment strategy that may not align with everyone's risk toleranc ...

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54: Our Bitcoin Profit-Taking Strategies

Building a Retirement Portfolio

Experts Robert Croak and Austin Hankwitz offer guidance on building a strong foundation for a retirement portfolio, emphasizing the importance of long-term investments like index funds and the utility of platforms like M1 Finance for fractional investing.

Index funds as lifelong holdings

S&P 500 (VOO) as a "forever hold"

According to Croak, building the base of your investment portfolio is crucial, and the first $50,000 to $100,000 should be invested in well-established, long-standing index funds. He views index funds as perhaps boring and sleep-inducing but argues that they are safe for long-term investment with a low management cost. Pointing to the S&P 500 and specifically the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), Croak considers it to be a "forever hold," expressing confidence in the American economy and citing the historical average return of around 11% annually over the past 60-70 years. Hankwitz also recommends taking profits from volatile investments like Bitcoin and reinvesting them into more stable assets such as real estate or index funds, implying a long-term hold strategy.

Adding fractional share ETFs

M1 Finance platform recommendation

Austin Hankwitz shares his enthusiasm for transferring profits, for example from Bitcoin, into ETFs like SPYI and QQQI for a passive monthly income, which could pave the way for early retirement. He notes the si ...

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Building a Retirement Portfolio

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Fractional investing involves purchasing a fraction of a share or asset, allowing investors to own a portion of high-priced assets they might not be able to afford in whole. This method enables investors to diversify their portfolios with smaller amounts of money and potentially access a wider range of investment opportunities. Fractional investing platforms like M1 Finance allow investors to buy and own fractions of shares, making it easier to build a diversified portfolio with limited funds. By investing in fractional shares, individuals can benefit from the performance of high-priced assets without needing to buy a full share.
  • A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account that offers tax advantages. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. This type of account provides flexibility in investment choices and can be a valuable tool for retirement planning.
  • The 'Pies and Slices' feature of M1 Finance allows investors to create a customized portfolio ...

Counterarguments

  • While index funds like VOO are historically strong performers, past performance is not a guarantee of future results, and there is always a risk of market downturns affecting long-term returns.
  • The "forever hold" strategy with index funds may not be suitable for everyone, as individual financial situations, risk tolerance, and retirement timelines vary.
  • Diversification beyond just index funds, including international stocks, bonds, and alternative investments, can be important for managing risk in a retirement portfolio.
  • Relying on historical average returns may lead to overconfidence; investors should be prepared for the possibility of lower returns and have a plan to adjust their savings rate or retirement spending accordingly.
  • Reinvesting profits from volatile investments like Bitcoin into more stable assets is a strategy that depends on timing the market correctly, which can be difficult and risky.
  • ETFs that provide passive monthly income, such as SPYI and QQQI, may not always yield consistent returns, and their dividends can fluctuate based on market conditions.
  • While M1 Finance offers convenient features like fractional shares and automated investment allocation, it's important to consider other platforms as well, which may offer different benefits such as lower fees, ...

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