This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/40Ph7J9

Bonds Explained: Understanding Their Role and Importance in Investment Portfolios

In this episode of the Thoughts on Money podcast, host Trevor Cummings is joined by guest and colleague Blaine Carver. They discuss bonds, distinguishing between stocks and bonds, and explaining the foundational concepts of owning and loaning money. The conversation delves into government bonds, interest rates, and their impact on personal finance. Blaine articulates the historical and economic contexts influencing bond prices, particularly during recent years, and differentiates between 'boring bonds' and 'credit.' They discuss the critical role bonds play in diversified investment portfolios, especially for income generation and risk mitigation, and explain why investors should not abandon bonds based on recent performance alone. The episode is framed around an analogy featuring a memorable NBA game to illustrate how different assets contribute to a balanced and effective investment strategy.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:51 Understanding Bonds: A Basic Overview 03:39 The Role of Bonds in Personal Finance 05:42 Interest Rates and Their Impact on Bonds 09:45 Bonds vs. Stocks: A Comparative Analysis 11:57 Historical Performance and Future Expectations 20:37 Different Types of Bonds 25:41 The Importance of Diversification 29:45 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

Links mentioned in this episode:

• http://thoughtsonmoney.com
• http://thebahnsengroup.com