RICH HABITS PODCAST — EPISODE SUMMARY
Q&A: Foreign Market ETFs, $140K / Yr in Retirement & Cashing in on AVGO
Hosts: Austin Hankwitz (A), Robert Croak (B)
Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This fast-paced Q&A episode dives deep into listener-submitted financial questions, focusing on practical wealth-building strategies. Hosts Austin and Robert offer their uncensored, real-world advice on topics ranging from real estate systems, retirement planning, optimal portfolio construction, bridge accounts, and managing high-performing individual stocks. The theme is clear: demystify good financial habits and empower listeners to think more like the wealthy—practically, proactively, and unemotionally.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Systems for Multifamily Real Estate Investing

Victoria’s Question on property management and LLC structures
[03:21–13:54]

• Property Management Apps & Systems

  • Buildium: Robust, all-in-one platform for accounting and property management (B, 04:41).
  • Door Loop: Ideal for beginners; mobile-focused and easy to use.
  • Waves App: Good for basic task and invoice tracking; free.
  • Best Practice: Use Google Drive for document management and QuickBooks Online for small business accounting.

• Finding Local Maintenance Professionals

  • “I always take pictures of and stop by and get business cards of everyone I see working in those areas by us. That way I can put them into a database...” (B, 05:40)
  • Use locally established providers—don’t default to Google, as search results often serve companies far outside your area.

• LLC vs. Series LLC

  • Series LLC stacks multiple properties under one umbrella, but can expose all projects to risk from a single failing project if accounting isn’t meticulous.
  • “If you don’t keep meticulous records and you don’t keep everything fully layered and separated, you will get yourself in legal trouble.” (B, 07:40)
  • Robert recommends separate LLCs for isolation and risk control, despite a bit more work.

• Reserves & Replacement Costs

  • Standard: ~$250/year per door for appliances (per Freddie Mac/HUD guidelines).
  • Robert recommends not slavishly following this on small units—budget by actual appliance lifespans and favor U.S. brands for easier part replacement.
  • “You want to buy U.S. manufacturers...shop local because you don’t want appliances down for weeks waiting on a part from overseas.” (B, 10:40)

• Net Operating Income (NOI) & Investor Returns

  • NOI = income minus all expenses (A, 11:57).
  • Aim for 16–24% annual returns where possible.

Memorable Quote:
“You don’t want the entire company coming down because of one bad project.” (B, 08:10)

2. What to Do With a $10K Bonus?

Chris’s Question on deploying a bonus for someone with aggressive investments
[13:54–18:43]

• Emergency Fund Trumps All

  • “Your fully funded emergency fund should be anywhere between three to six months of expenses...If I were you, at least bump it up to $10,000 in that emergency fund. $15,000 if you can do it.” (A, 16:32)
  • Don’t be overexposed to risky assets without cash reserves; medical or life emergencies crush those without instant-access cash.

• Auto Loan Payoff? Only if Rate > 6%

  • “Don’t pay off the car unless the interest rate is above 6%. If it’s anything 6 and below, keep rocking and rolling.” (B, 17:48)

• Missing Roth IRA?

  • Maxing Roth IRA should be a priority for anyone under 30. “That is absolutely critical.” (B, 18:10)
  • Shift some recurring monthly investing into Roth to hit the $6,500/year max ($625/month).

3. Should We Open a Bridge Account?

Braxton’s Question on taxable investing, early retirement flexibility
[18:43–25:48]

• Bridge Account Purpose Explained

  • “The only purpose of a bridge account is to bridge the gap between access to your retirement funds at 59 ½ and when you want to retire early.” (A, 22:00)
  • If only planning to retire at or after 60, not needed. But for flexibility or early retirement, start one now.

• The Illiquidity Trap

  • “We see so many people...with a big 401k and house equity, but they can't remodel a bathroom or buy a boat...because they don't have a bridge account.” (B, 23:24)
  • Taxable brokerage allows penalty-free access; S&P 500 funds suggested as default allocation.

Memorable Quote:
“You’re a net worth millionaire...but you can’t [coast in your 50s] because all your money is locked up in a 401k you can’t touch.” (A, 24:38)

4. Maximizing Extra Retirement Investments (“Too Much Money” Dilemma)

Amber’s Question—maxing IRAs, 529s, and what next
[25:48–30:25]

• Roth IRA Remains Core

  • Age 43–65, maxing two Roth IRAs alone (with $125K already invested) → $2M+ future value.

• 529 College Accounts for Kids

  • Invest without worrying about state of residence—focus on lowest fees, flexibility.
  • Pro hack: “Even after your kids go through college, each one of them has $35,000 left in that 529—they can roll it over into their own Roth IRAs.” (A, 28:34)
  • $35K in a Roth IRA at age 25 can compound to $600K–$1.2M by retirement.

• Bridge Account If Extra Remains

  • “Diversify, diversify, diversify. Make sure you understand your risk tolerance.” (B, 29:23)

5. Managing a Huge Winner—When to Cash Out?

Jaden’s Broadcom (AVGO) Question
[30:25–36:28]

• Take Profits Systematically

  • “Once I’m up 50%, I take 25% off the table. Once I’m up 50% again, I take another 25% off and so on. You want to be risk-off in high beta positions.” (B, 31:45)
  • Don’t “let it ride” blindly—even blue chips might cycle down.

• View Single Stocks vs. S&P Opportunity Cost

  • “If I did not invest in the S&P 500, every dollar should beat the S&P’s return. If not, I left money on the table.” (A, 33:00)

• No Stock Goes Up Forever

  • Taking partial (or full) profits and rolling gains into broad index funds (VOO, QQQ) locks in outperformance and avoids “casino gambler” regret.

Memorable Exchange:
“Fingers crossed is not an investment strategy.” (A, 35:58)

6. Foreign Market ETFs—Are They Worth It?

Leslie’s Question—FLCH (China), EWW (Mexico), VXUS, etc.
[38:21–43:18]

• Why Not Overload International Allocation?

  • Robert: “Until elsewhere can outperform the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, I just don’t do it.” (B, 39:19)
  • Austin: “International markets are like a spare tire—helpful at times, but not something you want to drive on forever.” (A, 40:10)

• Historical Underperformance

  • S&P 500 wins over the long haul. In the past five years:
    • FLCH: –25.5%
    • VOO: +83%
  • Cherry-picking years can mislead—international outperformance is usually short-lived.

• Only Own What You Understand

  • Both hosts avoid heavy international tilts unless they've done serious research.
  • Austin: “I don’t do things with money I don’t understand.” (A, 42:30)

Memorable Quote:
“Investing is not about being cool...It’s about how can I maximize the returns based on my goals and my risk tolerance.” (B, 43:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You don’t want the entire company coming down because of one bad project.” (Robert, 08:10)
• “Your fully funded emergency fund should be anywhere between three to six months of expenses...At least bump it up to $10,000.” (Austin, 16:32)
• “That is absolutely critical that you get that Roth IRA up and running.” (Robert, 18:10)
• “Fingers crossed is not an investment strategy.” (Austin, 35:58)
• “International is like your spare tire...You don’t want to drive on it forever.” (Austin, 40:10)
• “It's about how can I maximize the returns based on my goals and my risk tolerance for my life and my portfolio.” (Robert, 43:05)

Timestamps for Segments

• Intro / Network Promo: 00:00–03:21
• Real Estate Systems & Series LLCs: 03:21–13:54
• $10K Bonus—Where Should I Put It?: 13:54–18:43
• Bridge Account—Do You Need One?: 18:43–25:48
• Maxing Out Retirement Accounts & Kids’ 529s: 25:48–30:25
• Cashing In On Broadcom (AVGO): 30:25–36:28
• Foreign Market ETFs Discussion: 38:21–43:18

Tone, Style, and Takeaways

The episode is candid, practical, occasionally technical, but always conversational. The hosts split the difference between “seasoned operator” (Robert) and “curious next-gen investor” (Austin). They challenge listeners not to be passive but to act with intention, reminding that consistent habits, risk awareness, and rational (not emotional) decision-making drive long-term wealth.

Recommended For:
Anyone ready to “level up” their finances with clear, actionable advice—and a healthy skepticism of trends and shortcuts.