What's in store for you:

1. Photo From My Life
2. Financial Thought: The ROI on Complexity
3. Life Thought: Busy isn't an Excuse
4. Good Sh*t: Funny Tweet

Photo From My Life:

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Financial Thought:

The ROI on Complexity: In my job, I'm often caught between the goal of simplifying a person's financial life and optimizing it perfectly for the highest return or tax savings.

Both of these are noble pursuits, but often contradict each other. The perfect balance is different for everyone and the numbers actually matter.

There are two questions that need to be answered. How much return does this complex structure actually create? And what does the complexity cost?

Complexity isn't free. It costs annual filings, legal fees, long-term portfolio issues, your attention every quarter, and one more thing your spouse has to understand if you get hit by a bus.

Some tradeoffs are easy. Moving cash from checking into a money market. A few extra minutes of setup, maybe 3 or 4 percent more per year.

Others are not. Levered tax loss harvesting can be worth it if you're sitting on real capital gains. If you aren't, you've added too much complexity and cost. Certain estate strategies are genuinely complicated, and genuinely worth it, depending on the size of the estate and how long you plan to hold.

The answer is different for every person.

So when someone brings you a strategy, make them show both sides. The value it creates. The cost it creates.

Life Thought:

Busy isn't an Excuse: S.V. Living the Dream is going in the water tonight. When I arrived in Michigan, I wasn’t sure I’d even launch it this year.

I bought this boat in 2023 after I sold WeHero because I love sailing and find it relaxing to cruise the water without the noise of the engine.

Life feels busy. I’m building a business. We have two young kids. My son currently thinks powerboats are much cooler than sailboats. (He'll learn one day.)

Launching, rigging, and putting everything away takes time. I had talked myself into thinking that it just wasn't the right year for it. Too much work. Not enough time.

But then I realized I was being stupid. Not the first time and won't be the last.

It's so easy to optimize the joy out of life. I had fallen into a deadly trap. I convinced myself that I'd make time for this when life slows down. Will that actually ever happen? Probably not.

So, screw it. I'm doing it this year! I went on Facebook and found someone to help me launch and put it away. The goal is that they handle it this year, and that next year its already in the water the day I arrive. Yes, there's a small cost to this, but it allows me to have fun while I'm here.

So, I'll keep you updated on how many times I actually use the boat this summer. Even if I can only get out there for 30 minutes, it will be worth it.

Good Sh*t:

Funny Tweet: I laughed at this tweet for a solid 10 minutes. The replies somehow made it even better. Also one of the many reasons I don’t think I could ever go back to working in an office.

Disclaimer: VDB Wealth is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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