Bonds
Income, stability, and ballast against equity risk—when used correctly.
The ballast in the portfolio.
Bonds are loans you make—to the U.S. Treasury, a corporation, or a municipality—in exchange for interest payments and (usually) your principal back. Their job in most portfolios is to dampen volatility and generate income.
Types of bonds we’ll consider
- U.S. Treasuries — backed by the federal government; the safest credit available
- Municipal bonds — interest often tax-free at the federal (and sometimes state) level
- Corporate bonds — higher yield, more credit risk
- Bond funds and ETFs — broad exposure with daily liquidity
What most people get wrong about bonds
- Buying long-dated bonds in a rising-rate environment without understanding duration risk
- Reaching for yield in lower-quality credits without realizing they don’t act like Treasuries when equities sell off
- Forgetting that municipal bonds belong in taxable accounts—not IRAs
The right bond mix depends on your tax bracket, the rest of your portfolio, and how much risk you actually need to take.
Let's see if we're a good fit.
A 30-minute introductory call—no pressure, no obligation. We'll talk through your goals and whether working together makes sense.