IS CASH KING? BALANCING LIQUIDITY AND GROWTH
FROM BALTIMORE WASHINGTON FINANCIAL ADVISORS
with Sandy Hornor | CEPS |
and |
Episode Details:
Cash is often described as either “king” or “trash.” In reality, it can be both—depending on your circumstances. In this episode of Healthy, Wealthy & Wise, BWFA’s Sandy Hornor and Tyler Kluge explore when holding cash makes sense and when it may work against your long-term goals.
The conversation begins with why cash matters. Having an emergency fund provides peace of mind and flexibility when life delivers the unexpected—medical bills, job loss, or urgent home repairs. Sandy and Tyler discuss how to size an emergency fund, why rules of thumb like “three to six months of expenses” may not fit every situation, and how personal factors such as job stability or income volatility affect the right cash balance.
But cash also has drawbacks. For retirees who already have stable income from pensions or Social Security, holding too much in cash can mean missed opportunities for growth. The episode shares real-life examples of families who kept significant wealth in ultra-conservative accounts—only to realize that over decades, inflation would erode their purchasing power and diminish the legacy they hoped to leave to children and grandchildren.
Sandy and Tyler emphasize that the right answer depends on goals, timing, and flexibility. They recommend tailoring cash holdings to personal risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and investment horizon. The discussion also touches on practical strategies, such as using money markets, high-yield savings, or laddered CDs to keep funds both safe and accessible.
Finally, listeners are reminded that cash needs evolve with life changes—new jobs, growing families, or retirement. Reviewing and adjusting cash reserves regularly is critical to keeping financial plans on track.
For more insights, visit BWFA’s Financial Planning Services.
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