Ditch the Hopium: The Financial Checklist for Surviving the Financial Dumpster Fire

**Checklist** Are You Asking Your Financial Advisor (and Bank) the Right Questions?

#### **Stock Market Stuff**

#### 1. **Warren Buffett is Sitting on $280 Billion in Cash—Is Your Advisor Telling You to Hold?**

- ** ☐ Yes** - ** ☐ No**

Warren Buffett, the guy who’s made billions from the stock market, is sitting on $280 billion in cash right now. He’s not waiting for the next big stock rally—he’s trimming his portfolio like a hot knife through butter. But your advisor? They’re telling you to “hold on” because apparently, you should just ride this one out. Sounds like great advice… if you like living on the edge.

#### 2. **Are You Just the Beneficiary Owner of Your Stocks?** - ** ☐ Yes** - ** ☐ No**

Reality check: You don’t actually own your stocks. You’re a beneficiary owner, meaning you have zero control. That sleek portfolio you get each month? Just digital numbers that could vanish when the market crashes. The institutions hold the keys, and when things go wrong, they can lock you out of your own portfolio. #### 3. **Pay Capital Gains Taxes or Watch Your Portfolio Crash—Which Is Worse?** Your financial advisor loves saying, “Don’t sell, you’ll have to pay capital gains taxes!” Because paying taxes on profits is worse than watching your entire portfolio crash by 30%, 40%, or even 50%, right? The genius move here? Wait until the market tanks, and boom—you’ve got no gains to tax! Brilliant! You’ve lost it all, but at least no taxes were involved. - ** ☐ Yes** - ** ☐ No**