The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas

Consumer spending is the heart of the US economy—more specifically, spending by high-income, or luxury, consumers. These luxury consumers are optimistic about the economic landscape, and how and what they spend their money on reflects this attitude. But while not everyone can spend like a luxury consumer, can their attitudes provide economic insight for the rest of us? Just in time for the holiday shopping season, this episode we talk with Emily Essner, the Chief Marketing Officer for Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks is a well-established luxury department store chain, operating its brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce platform as separate entities. Emily started at Saks Fifth Avenue in 2011, holding multiple roles before ultimately becoming the CMO for Saks, the standalone e-commerce platform of the brand. Prior to Saks, Emily was an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley, as well as a senior associate at McKinsey & Company. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree from Mount Holyoke College. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: 00:00 Introduction 01:55 Luxury Consumer Insights 06:10 Durability of Luxury Industry and Trends 09:56 The Entry Point for Luxury Goods 12:08 The Emerging Luxury Consumer 19:31 Using Personalization in Marketing Strategies 21:39 The Role of Brand Loyalty 26:18 Sak’s Philosophy of Resource Allocation 29:13 Promotions During the Holiday Season 33:43 Closing Thoughts Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AI, BioTech, Robotics – these are technologies that will change the world. But how and where do the opportunities live within these sectors? Where are investors taking their big bets? This episode, we’ll hear from Cathie Wood, Founder, CEO, and CIO at ARK Investment Management, LLC. Ark’s funds are known for taking big bets on “disruptive innovation,” meaning tech companies at the forefront of innovation. Cathie founded Ark back in 2014. She started her career at The Capital Group, and has spent time at Jennison Associates LLC and AllianceBernstein. She also previously co-founded the hedge fund Tupelo Capital Management. If you enjoyed Cathie’s insights, you may also like this episode where Liz talks with Steve Young about his career transition and investing insights. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Defining Innovation at ARK 05:51 Economic Insights and Investment Philosophy 15:35 The Role of AI in Innovation 25:42 Future of Transportation and Healthcare 29:31 Navigating Market Turmoil and Long-Term Investing 34:25 Venture Capital and Democratizing Investment 47:06 Closing Thoughts Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The market may go up, down, or even sideways, but one thing remains constant—Brian Belski is the Biggest Bull on Wall Street. Brian joins SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy and Host Liz Thomas to talk about what’s making him confident in the resiliency of the current bull market. Brian is famous for his positive view on markets and is a frequent commentator on CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg. He is Chief Investment Strategist at BMO Capital Markets and leads the Investment Strategy Group with his 35 years of experience. Liz asks Brian for practical insights on how to navigate this landscape and how to stay confident and focused despite short-term market fluctuations. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction to The Important Part (01:22) Brian’s bold prediction for the S&P 500 (07:12) Why Brian changed his price target for 2024 (09:29) Strategist vs. economist (13:20) The bull market of the 1990s vs. today (17:12) The new consumer staples (19:16) Consumer staples as percentage of a portfolio (20:52) AI in consumer staples companies (23:04) Why the current market is a “stock picker’s paradise” (27:04) The sweet spot of small and mid-cap companies   (33:50) Brian’s market forecast in one word (34:13) When Brian realized warning of a recession wasn’t the right call (35:31) Brian’s worst trade (36:57) Brian’s biggest call was his most bearish (39:30) Key takeaways and conclusion Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For many, their wedding day is the day they’ve dreamt of since childhood. What people haven’t dreamt of is the cost of making that dream a reality, let alone how to pay for it. In this episode, SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy and Host of The Important Part Liz Thomas talks with Tim Chi, CEO of The Knot Worldwide. Tim shares insights about financial planning for weddings from his extensive background in the industry, how the pandemic changed wedding planning, and balancing financial and emotional considerations in the process. The two also discuss Liz’s recent personal experience in planning her own wedding, how to prioritize expenses with professional vendors, and how social media and AI have shaped modern wedding planning. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction to The Important Part (02:25) Tim Chi’s background in the wedding industry (04:12) How the wedding planning industry has changed  (05:32) 2022 as the “Super Bowl” of wedding years (07:49) “Revenge” wedding spending (10:01) The ROI of your wedding (12:50) How wedding traditions and priorities have changed (15:57) The impact of inflation on weddings (19:21) Social media’s impact on wedding planning (22:10) Has AI influenced the wedding industry? (25:18) How much planning for a wedding should you DIY? (30:24) Tim’s favorite tools to offer couples (31:10) One word to sum up the cost of wedding planning (31:35) Combining The Knot and WeddingWire (32:49) Tim’s investing mantra (35:12) Key takeaways and conclusion Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

So you’ve graduated college and landed your first job. But along the way, no one told you about what a 401k is, or how to make a large home goods purchase, or even how to start making your money work for you. To make sure you don’t fumble, SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy and Host Liz Thomas welcomes back Brandon Copeland, retired NFL player, founder, and now author of the new book, ‘Your Money Playbook: How to Earn More, Build Wealth and Win At Life.’ Brandon discusses his goals in writing a book on personal finance, and his passion for financial education that is accessible to all. The two also talk about the saving and spending habits Brandon developed while in the NFL, the unique syllabus for his University of Pennsylvania Life 101 course, and the importance of having financial accountability buddies in your life. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction to The Important Part (01:37) Why Brandon wrote his book (07:47) The value of having a financial advisor (11:33) Investing as the most important thing to get right (13:49) The appetite for risk for young investors (16:48) What Brandon learned about personal finance in the NFL (21:20) Personal finance lessons best learned early (28:16) How Brandon managed his money in the NFL (31:50) Key resources for learning about personal finances (37:14) Life 101: The syllabus (42:11) Brandon’s transition from football player to CEO/Founder (44:54) When Brandon decided to educate others on personal finance (48:21) Key takeaways and conclusion Recommended reading: How to Manage Your 401(k): Tips for All Investors Risk Tolerance Quiz: How Much Risk Are You Willing to Take How to Choose a Financial Advisor Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How can individual investors learn to navigate all the resources and information available? Is real estate still a worthwhile investment in a volatile market? What role can social media play in informing your investment choices? This episode, we’ll hear from Ben Carlson, Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management. Author of four books and the blog A Wealth of Common Sense, Ben Carlson has a gift for whittling down market complexities into simple solutions. He and Liz discuss the importance of not getting swept up in market fads, establishing a set of rules for your portfolio, and what it looks like to weather market extremes.  For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (02:58) The market’s problems are complex, but the answers can be simple (07:32) Investor psychology - how can individual investors manage their emotions? (15:50) Reliable resources for individual investors (20:50) One of the most common mistakes individual investors make (23:19) The status of real estate investing (31:09) How to weather a bear market storm (34:41) Liz’ takeaways from the interview  Recommended reading: How to Trade ETFs: A Guide for Retail Investors 10 Tips for Investing Long Term Investing for beginners: Considerations and Ways to Get Started Additional resources: The SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. The SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: The information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Should you buy or rent? When will home prices go down? Where is housing most affordable? To get insight on these questions, SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy and Host Liz Thomas welcomes back Dr. Skylar Olsen, the Chief Economist at Zillow. Dr. Olsen discusses how supply shortages, high mortgage rates, and changing demographics are affecting not just home prices, but rental markets, and how the housing market is evolving in the post-pandemic years. The two talk regional variations, the impact of short-term rentals, and where things go from here. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction to The Important Part (00:31) Diving into the Housing Market (01:34) Interview with Dr. Skylar Olsen (02:22) Current Housing Market Trends (05:45) Impact of Mortgage Rates (19:22) Regional Housing Market Insights (24:26) The Role of Short-Term Rentals (28:10) Zillow's Market Heat Index and Zestimate (33:00) Lightning Round  (35:42) Key Takeaways and Conclusion Recommended reading: Local Housing Market Trends By Location First-Time Homebuyer Guide Your 2024 Guide to All Things Home Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Early retirement. Financial freedom. For many, these are goals that can feel aspirational and unattainable. But are they really out of reach? SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy Liz Thomas sat down with entrepreneur and Personal Finance Club founder Jeremy Schneider to talk about what it takes to build wealth at any level. According to Jeremy, accumulating wealth is more straightforward than you may think. In this episode, he shares actionable steps that anyone can take to help accelerate their journey towards financial freedom. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction (02:18) Getting a new company off the ground straight out of college (05:10) A great business needs more than a great idea (12:57) Transitioning to investing with a large lump sum (16:37) How to get a jumpstart on financial freedom (20:45) The story behind the Personal Finance Club (23:28) Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good (28:08) Is retirement the wrong thing to focus on in the near-term? (32:14) First steps towards living below your means (35:43) The Word (36:29) The Investor’s Bookshelf (37:34) The “Aha” Moment (38:40) The Important Part Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Index Funds ETFs vs Index Funds 10 Steps for Starting a Small Business This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

By 2030, it’s expected two-thirds of the wealth in the United States will be controlled by women. So why is investing currently such a male-dominated industry? What do women new to investing need in order to feel confident entering the market? SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy Liz Thomas sits down with Cary Carbonaro, bestselling author and Senior Vice President and Director of Women and Wealth with ACM Wealth, to uncover the most important things women need to know about investing, what it takes to get started, and unique traits that give women investors their edge. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction (04:03) Why do men feel more confident about investing? (07:02) By 2030, women will control two thirds of the nation’s wealth. How is the industry adapting? (11:47) Over the long-term, markets are always up and to the right. (13:21) Cracking the code on building confidence (22:43) Getting beyond the ABCs of investing (26:18) Today’s investing landscape is new to everyone (29:12) What resources can you trust? (30:24) 3 things to avoid when investing (31:35) There’s money in my account - now what? (34:35) The Investor’s Bookshelf (36:46) Women of Wall Street (37:50) The Word (39:08) The Important Part Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: Women and Investing in 2024: Breaking Down the Barriers This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The topic of planning for retirement can evoke a wide range of responses from anxiety to avoidance (and everything in between), yet it’s arguably one of the most critical ingredients to a person’s overall financial wellbeing. How to make a plan, when to start saving, and how to navigate the retirement path are all questions we’ll be faced with at one point or another. Andrew Heiges is the Director, Head of Retirement Income, Managed Accounts, and Financial Wellness at T. Rowe Price, and brings key insights from years of experience working within the field. On this episode, Andrew joins SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy Liz Thomas to discuss what financial wellness really means, what’s missing from the retirement conversation, and how we should be thinking about saving.  For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Intro (01:56) What exactly goes into financial wellness? (05:33) Saving is more about the habit than the dollar amount  (10:44) How has retirement planning evolved over the last few decades? (14:42) How should fees factor into choosing retirement accounts? (18:46) Which comes first: paying off debt or saving for retirement?  (20:21) Does a bearish period matter for your retirement account? (22:16) Your time horizon goes beyond your retirement date (27:10) Retiring from a career to pursue a dream job (29:01) The Hot Minute (30:40) Liz’s Takeaways Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: Retirement Planning Guide Asset Allocation by Age What Is a Separately Managed Account (SMA)?  Guide to Automatic Investment Plans This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Steve Young is most well known for his NFL accolades, but since his retirement from the 49ers he’s built another type of empire as Partner, Chairman and Co-founder of private equity firm, HGGC. In this episode, SoFi's Head of Investment Strategy Liz Thomas sits down with Steve to discuss his career transition into business, what it takes to evaluate a new investment, and what alternatives can bring to the game. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Intro (02:58) Transitioning from football into business (07:38) Succeeding by harnessing vulnerability  (10:47) Steve’s advice for new investors? Be a forever student (14:29) Private Equity vs. Public Market Investing (17:02) Investment evaluation starts with the people in charge (21:39) Don’t just chase the success story (23:00) How do you know when an investment has failed? (25:52) The fine art of portfolio construction  (29:16) Where do alternatives fit into the equation?  (31:24) The Hot Minute (33:40) Liz’s Takeaways Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: A Guide to Alternative Investing What Are Alternative Investments? Private Equity: Examples, Ways to Invest This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For the past year, the “looming recession” has been top of mind for people both inside and out of the world of business. What’s in store for the economy in 2024? Newedge Wealth’s Chief Investment Officer, Cameron Dawson joins host and Sofi’s Head of Investment Strategy, Liz Thomas, to share her outlook on the year. The two cover consumer trends, what signs of recession they’re looking out for, and what they expect to see from the Fed. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Intro (01:54) The biggest surprises of 2023 (06:51) The real economic impact of expectations (10:46) Does Cameron foresee a soft landing? (15:55) If there’s so much cash, why are credit balances at all-time highs? (19:11) When will inflation be in the rearview? (24:20) What to expect from the Fed (28:01) Consumer sentiment - “Watch what they do, not what they say” (32:20) The 60/40 - alive or dead? (35:43) When will money markets lose their allure? (39:13) The Hot Minute (42:13) Liz’ Takeaways Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: Investing in Retail Stocks Is Inflation a Good or Bad Thing for Consumers? This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

As the new year starts off, host and SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy Liz Thomas speaks directly to listeners’ concerns about the year to come. Is the recession behind us? I’ve got money ready to put to work - what do I do with it? How high is too high for a debt load? With her trademark frankness and a career’s worth of insight, Liz answers all these questions and more. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction (04:00) Where is inflation headed in 2024? (08:50) What to look out for with debt this year (15:10) What sectors to keep an eye on in 2024 (21:15) Is Liz still bearish? (25:01) Where’s a good place to put your money in 2024? Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: A Cycle for the Ages (Liz’s 2024 Outlook) Investing in Small Cap Stocks  How to Invest in Gold: Tips for First Time Gold Investors CDs vs Savings Accounts Compared This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Holiday shopping is upon us, and the seasonal sales are in full swing. But just how does the 2023 holiday season stack up against the ghosts of retail past? On this episode, Courtney Reagan, CNBC’s Senior Retail Reporter, sits down with host Liz Thomas, SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy.  Liz and Courtney discuss the (promising) future of big box stores, how retail has bounced back from the economic downswing, and who the winners of this holiday season will be. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Intro (02:00) What’s the story on consumer spending in 2023? (05:29) Are consumers trading down? (08:07) Inventory management improved in 2023 (12:41) On the ground for Black Friday (19:58) What product categories hit it out of the park this year? (23:56) Record sales numbers or just inflation? (26:41) Nostalgia rules the toy aisle (29:24) What’s happening with retail stocks? (32:53) Hot Minute (34:28) Liz’ Takeaways Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: Investing in Retail Stocks Is Inflation a Good or Bad Thing for Consumers? This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

You’re ready to invest, and you’ve got a lump sum waiting to be put to use. What do you do next? How do you buy individual stocks — and should you? In this episode, SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy Liz Thomas is joined by Shannon Saccocia. Shannon Saccocia, CFA, is the Chief Investment Officer of NB Private Wealth (“NBPW”), a division of Neuberger Berman. Liz and Shannon talk about how to navigate the market, and ways to anchor yourself in your investment choices. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) - Intro (05:00) - How would you invest $50,000? (09:03) - Balancing between diversification and concentration (14:56) - ETF vs. Mutual Fund vs. Individual Stocks (22:23) - One simple rule: If you don’t get it, don’t buy it (24:29) - Anchor a buy in your logic behind it (25:58) - How do you think about interaction in a portfolio? (29:05) - Delineating objectives in a portfolio (33:57) - When is momentum investing useful? (36:28) - The Hot Minute (39:59) - Liz’ Takeaways Additional resources: SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: What is Asset Allocation? Guide to Building an Investment Portfolio for Beginners How Many Stocks Should I Own? What is Portfolio Management? This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How can individual investors learn to navigate all the resources and information available? Is real estate still a worthwhile investment in a volatile market? What role can social media play in informing your investment choices? This episode, we’ll hear from Ben Carlson, Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management. Author of four books and the blog A Wealth of Common Sense, Ben Carlson has a gift for whittling down market complexities into simple solutions. He and Liz discuss the importance of not getting swept up in market fads, establishing a set of rules for your portfolio, and what it looks like to weather market extremes.  For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) - Introduction (03:20) - The market’s problems are complex, but the answers can be simple (08:39) - Investor psychology - how can individual investors manage their emotions? (16:29) - Reliable resources for individual investors (21:14) - One of the most common mistakes individual investors make (24:04) - The status of real estate investing (32:21) - How to weather a bear market storm (36:16) - Liz’ takeaways from the interview  Additional resources: The SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. The SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: The information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: How to Trade ETFs: A Guide for Retail Investors 10 Tips for Investing Long Term Investing for beginners: Considerations and Ways to Get Started This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How did social media play into the meme stock mania of 2021? What makes the retail investors of today more discerning than ever before? Is there such a thing as no-fee trading?  Liz sits down with Gunjan Banerji, lead writer for The Wall Street Journal's live markets coverage to talk about the evolution of retail investors, the type of investing they find most attractive, and the ways in which social media can be both a blessing and a curse. Liz also offers her quick take on meme stock investing and where you can start to do your research on investments.  For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. Notable mentions in the episode: (00:00) Introduction (06:19) Retail investor preferences (passive or active?)  (10:00) How social media has impacted retail investing and what to consider before turning to social for advice (15:08) Why retail investors aren't the "last to the party"  (19:24) Why investing isn't free  (28:00) Gunjan's hot takes in investing  (29:28) Liz's takeaways from the interview Additional resources: The SoFi Daily Podcast: 5-minute daily episodes covering the latest business, economic, and stock market news you need to start your day. The SoFi Daily Pod is available on Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. The SoFi Daily Newsletter: Sign up for the SoFi Daily to receive the latest financial news in your inbox every day.  Investing 101 Center: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. Wealth Investing Guide: The information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. Recommended reading: Retail Investors: Definition, Pros, and Cons Institutional vs Retail Investors: What's the Difference? Investing in Retail Stocks This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Liz is answering your investment questions for this mid-year iteration, from whether Liz believes a recession is coming, the housing market, to where to put your money to work. Also tune in to hear some of her thoughts on large cap vs small cap securities, predictions about the Fed, and if bonds are worth considering in your portfolio allocation.    For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Given the recent rates of inflation, it makes sense to think that consumer spending is down. However, in many ways it’s quite the opposite. Kristen Gall, president of Rakuten (formerly Ebates), sits down with Liz to talk about what's she seen in consumer trends in the first few months of the year, what sectors in retail could see a downturn, and what "the great trade down" has to do with consumer spending. Lix offers her take on why “revenge spending” is still relevant, how choices about spending will change, and why the middle is what gets squeezed.  For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What does it take to become a successful investor, and is it really as complicated as some “experts” claim it is? Liz sits down with Bryn Talkington, Managing Partner of Requisite Capital Management and Jenny Harrington, CEO of Gilman Hill Asset Management, to talk about how to be stoic in investing, how to tell between useful investment advice and fluff, as well as why paying yourself is timeless advice. Liz offers her take on how investors may need to shift their investing approach and what it means to be an open-minded investor.   For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday at On The Money by SoFi, sign up for the SoFi Daily Newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizThomasStrat. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www. SoFi.com/Legal. ©2024 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.