After you listen:

• Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show.
• Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes.
• Listen to the Schwab podcast Choiceology with Katy Milkman.

Starting July 26th, athletes from around the world will compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Decision-making biases affect many aspects of the Olympic Games, from prospective host cities' bids to judges' scores to whom fans choose to root for.

On this episode of Financial Decoder, Mark Riepe illustrates how some of these cognitive and emotional biases present themselves through the many elements of the games—and how they might contain lessons to apply to our own daily financial decisions.

Follow Financial Decoder for free on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

The information and content provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as a specific recommendation, individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

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The conversation around financial planning is often dominated by long-term goals like retirement or saving to buy a home. But what about saving for short-term goals that are still important to you, like travel and vacations?

On this episode of Financial Decoder, Cindy Scott, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Charles Schwab with 25 years of experience, returns to the show to explain how to prioritize and save for short-term goals like these. She and Mark discuss practical ways to fit wants and wishes into your financial plan without sacrificing your needs and long-term financial future.

Follow Financial Decoder for free on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

​Money Market Funds- An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors.

Cash equivalent investments are cash management strategies that seek to prevent the loss of an investment's total value. Although a cash management product may seek to maintain a stable or constant net asset value, there can be no assurance it will do so.

The information and content provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as a specific recommendation, individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

0724-BMYS

Annuities are an interesting instrument in financial services. They're both simple and complicated, and that combination often means they're frequently misunderstood.

To kick off Season 17 of Financial Decoder, Mark is joined again by guest Rob Williams, who heads the Financial Planning, Retirement Income, and Wealth Management team at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.

In their discussion, they break down the basic functions of annuities, some problems they attempt to solve, and the role they might play in an investor's retirement-planning strategy.

Follow Financial Decoder for free on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

The information and content provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as a specific recommendation, individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.

Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Spotify and the Spotify logo are registered trademarks of Spotify AB.

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., a licensed insurance agency, distributes certain insurance and annuity contracts issued by non-affiliated insurance companies. Not all products are available in all states.

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Successful investors know that choosing what to sell is just as important as choosing what to buy. However, findings from a recent study suggest that even professional portfolio managers are subject to psychological forces while making buying and selling decisions.

On this episode, Mark Riepe discusses these recent findings with Alex Imas, professor of behavioral science and economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and co-author of the study "Selling Fast and Buying Slow: Heuristics and Trading Performance of Institutional Investors."

Follow Financial Decoder for free on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can request a prospectus by calling 800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

​Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance.

All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

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Figuring out how to cover college expenses often means navigating a bewildering range of options, programs, and plans. As the financial burden of higher education grows, so does the decision-making complexity for those pursuing a degree. Some even wonder whether college is still a worthwhile investment. On this episode of Financial Decoder, Mark Riepe discusses the variables around saving and paying for college with Senior Research Analyst Chris Kawashima.

Read Chris Kawashima’s article "8 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning for College Costs."

Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance.

All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Qualified education expenses can include tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, and room and board. Certain costs associated with tuition, participation in a registered apprenticeship program, or payment of a qualified education loan up to $10,000 may also be considered qualified educational expenses. The availability of tax or other benefits may be conditioned on meeting certain requirements, such as residency, purpose for or timing of distribution, or other factors. Clients should consult a qualified tax advisor to discuss their individual situation.

Investors should consider, before investing, whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available in such state's qualified tuition program.

Please note that this content was created as of the specific date indicated and reflects the author’s views as of that date. It will be kept solely for historical purposes, and the author’s opinions may change, without notice, in reaction to shifting economic, business, and other conditions.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co.

Definitions

Venn diagram: A diagram illustrating the relation of specific items through labeled circles and the areas where they overlap.

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Not all compensation takes the form of a cash salary or bonus. Today, many startups and most of the companies on the Fortune 500 list allow their employees to take ownership in the company through stock awards, employee stock purchase plans, stock options, or some other form of equity compensation. Despite this boom of employee ownership offerings, employee education and familiarity around these offerings appears to be falling behind.

On this episode of Financial Decoder, host Mark Riepe is joined by Stacie Sands, a director on Schwab's Stock Plan Services team and a Certified Equity Professional. Together they unpack equity compensation, the forms it takes, and how to navigate the decisions that come with it.

Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance.

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Please note that this content was created as of the specific date indicated and reflects the author's views as of that date. It will be kept solely for historical purposes, and the author's opinions may change, without notice, in reaction to shifting economic, business, and other conditions.

​Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and cannot protect against losses in a declining market.

Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors.Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co.

Stock Plan Services provides equity compensation plan services and other financial services to corporations and employees through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab, a registered broker dealer, offers brokerage and custody services to its customers.

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