The Important Part: Investing with Liz Young

SoFi

How can you achieve your financial goals and build wealth with your investments? Liz Young, Head of Investment Strategy at SoFi, guides listeners through today’s top-of-mind trends in investing and breaks them down into digestible and actionable pieces.  Covering topics including managing your portfolio, retail investing, inflation, market cycles, real estate, and more, Liz speaks with industry experts armed with knowledge to help investors achieve their goals.  There’s so much information out there about macroeconomics, stock analysis, and how to approach your investments. Liz and her special guests help listeners get to the important part — how all of this matters to investors as they work toward their goals of building wealth.  The Important Part: Investing With Liz Young is back for Season Three, and episodes drop monthly on Tuesdays. For more, read Liz’s column every Thursday on SoFi’s website, sign up for the SoFi Daily newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizYoungStrat. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Important Part: Investing with Liz Young serves those seeking financial independence. On the podcast, host Liz provides advice and information about all aspects of the investment process. She doesn't do it alone. With the help of industry leaders, Liz shares investing strategies, risks, and rewards. As SoFi's head of investment strategy, Liz has valuable experience to share. The finance company and online bank offers loans, mortgages, refinancing, investments, and more. Part of her job is to provide market and economic insights to clients. Liz also appears on the financial morning shows Squawk Box and CNBC’s Halftime Report.

What does it mean to be a discerning investor? This question is vital for anyone beginning their investment journey. Liz educates listeners about the stock market, becoming a strategist, and staying calm. In one podcast episode, Bo Peabody joins to discuss the restaurant industry. He is the founder of the app Seated. Bo talks with Liz about inflation and profitability. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer business meetings have taken place in restaurants. Until this changes, they will continue to struggle. Bo insists that innovation could make all the difference. Which eating establishments are keeping up with new trends or setting them?

When Adam Parker joins the podcast, he discusses the rise and fall of the market in 2023. Adam is the CEO and founder of Trivariate Research. He discusses recession, approaching defensive market sectors, and future recovery. Is it a good idea to do the opposite of what most people are doing? In America’s 2023 economy, Adam suggests it may be.

In another podcast episode, Bryn Talkington and Jenny Harrington discuss the successful investor. Bryn is a managing partner at Requisite Capital Management. Jenny is the CEO of Gilman Hill Asset Management. The two experts offer advice for recognizing lucrative opportunities. They also help listeners identify good advice from unhelpful “fluff.”

Why not improve finances today? Investors can hear the latest episode of The Important Part: Investing with Liz Young monthly, with reruns in between.

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Episodes

Unleashing the Power of Female Investors with Cary Carbonaro
Apr 17 2024
Unleashing the Power of Female Investors with Cary Carbonaro
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 Young 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. Notable mentions in 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
Financial Wellness and Healthy Retirement with Andrew Heiges
Mar 26 2024
Financial Wellness and Healthy Retirement with Andrew Heiges
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 Young to discuss what financial wellness really means, what’s missing from the retirement conversation, and how we should be thinking about saving.  Notable mentions in 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
A Successful Transition to Investing with Steve Young
Feb 20 2024
A Successful Transition to Investing with Steve Young
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 Young 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. Notable mentions in 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
A Look at the Year Ahead with Cameron Dawson
Jan 30 2024
A Look at the Year Ahead with Cameron Dawson
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 Young, 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. Notable mentions in 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?
Liz’s Outlook on 2024
Jan 8 2024
Liz’s Outlook on 2024
As the new year starts off, host and SoFi’s Head of Investment Strategy Liz Young 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. Notable mentions in 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
Retail Recap of the 2023 Holidays with Courtney Reagan
Dec 19 2023
Retail Recap of the 2023 Holidays with Courtney Reagan
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 Young, 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. Notable mentions in 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?
Building Your Portfolio with Shannon Saccocia
Nov 7 2023
Building Your Portfolio with Shannon Saccocia
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 Young 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 @LizYoungStrat. Notable mentions in 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?
Keeping a Level Head with Ben Carlson
Oct 10 2023
Keeping a Level Head with Ben Carlson
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 on SoFi’s website, sign up for the SoFi Daily newsletter, and follow Liz on Twitter @LizYoungStrat. Notable mentions in 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
Inside the Minds of Retail Investors With Gunjan Banerji
Sep 12 2023
Inside the Minds of Retail Investors With Gunjan Banerji
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 from Liz, read her weekly column every Thursday on the SoFi blog or follow her on Twitter, @LizYoungStrat. Notable mentions in 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