The Most Common Mistake I See Is The Easiest Thing To Do, LFG Daily - February 13, 2026

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The $4,000 Mistake Sitting in Plain Sight

One of the simplest things in the world to do in financial planning is also one of the most commonly overlooked.

When I sit down with a new client for the first time, it’s not unusual to see thousands—sometimes hundreds of thousands—of dollars sitting in a traditional bank savings account earning virtually nothing. Zero. Maybe 0.01% if they’re lucky.

This isn’t a complex investment problem. It doesn’t require market timing, stock picking, or sophisticated planning strategies. It’s simply a matter of putting your cash in the right place.

Cash Should Still Work for You

Cash has an important role. It provides safety, liquidity, and peace of mind. Emergency funds, short-term expenses, and operating reserves should absolutely remain in cash.

But “safe” doesn’t mean “lazy.”

In today’s environment, high-yield savings accounts are commonly paying between 3% and 4%. These accounts are widely available, FDIC insured, and in most cases offer full flexibility to move money in and out without meaningful restrictions.

Let’s put that into perspective:

• $50,000 in cash earning 0% = $0 per year

• $50,000 earning 4% = $2,000 per year

• $100,000 in cash earning 0% = $0 per year

• $100,000 earning 4% = $4,000 per year

  
  

That’s an extra $3,000–$4,000 per year on $100,000 in cash simply by moving it to the right account. No risk. No volatility. No complexity.

Over a decade, that’s $30,000–$40,000 of additional income generated from money that was already sitting there.

Why This Happens So Often

This isn’t a knowledge problem—it’s an inertia problem.

People open their first bank account at 18, and it becomes their default financial home forever. They never question it. They never revisit it. Meanwhile, banks quietly benefit from paying near-zero interest on deposits while earning significantly more on the same money.

The cost isn’t visible on a statement, which makes it easy to ignore. But it’s real.

Financial Planning Isn’t Always About Complexity

There’s a misconception that financial planning is about complicated strategies, exotic investments, or chasing the next big opportunity.

In reality, much of financial success comes from optimizing the basics.

Before worrying about market returns, tax strategies, or portfolio construction, make sure your cash is doing its job.

Because sometimes, the easiest wins are the ones sitting right in front of you.

Don’t leave your financial future up to chance. Let’s build a plan that gives you confidence today and peace of mind for tomorrow. Click here to schedule a meeting — I’m here to help you take the next step toward financial freedom.

Colin Symons, CIO Lloyd Financial Group

Jobless Claims were 227K vs. exp. 230K, while Continuing Claims were up slightly, from low levels, to 1.862MM. More low hiring and low firing.

Existing Home Sales were -8.4% m/m, worse than expected.

Russia pitched a deal to the US on entering the dollar system again and working together. Arguably, that hit silver and gold, as you don’t need a chaos hedge if people are getting together. I tend to think it was just more de-risking, though.

IEA slashed oil demand growth for the year to 850K barrels a day from 930K.

Trump plans to scale back tariffs on steel and aluminum due to inflation concerns.

The US signed a trade deal with Taiwan, cutting tariffs to 15% in exchange for a removal of trade barriers and a promise to buy $84B of US goods.

Yesterday, the ‘AI trade’ went after the trucking sector, with CHRW down -15%, though it did start to bounce later in the day. This time, Algoryhtm (RIME) said their SemiCab AI platform is handling freight volume. Apparently they needed to do something after selling their Singing Machine karaoke business.

Short interest in tech (XLK) hit the highest in a decade. In the past, that’s signaled a bottom.

Software (IGV,) specifically, has seen the most shorting since 2010, according to GS.

What does it all mean? AI sentiment went from builder to destroyer fast but there were signs of bottoming yesterday. We’ll see how the day goes.

Don’t leave your financial future up to chance. Let’s build a plan that gives you confidence today and peace of mind for tomorrow. Click here to schedule a meeting — I’m here to help you take the next step toward financial freedom.

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