In this episode, we answer emails from Spencer, Ko and Steve. We discuss REITs as a portfolio allocation, why vacant land is probably not a good investment for most people, "talking your book" with bitcoin for fun and profit and how it looks today in a portfolio, law school education and that infamous Cederburg paper (again but only briefly). Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center NAREIT -- Types of REITs: Learn about Investing and Market REIT Sectors Today We...
Mar 13, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 406
In this episode we answer emails from Eli, Garrison and Van. We discuss usig treasury strips ETFs like GOVZ and ZROZ and how they relate to long-term treasury bond funds like TLT and VGLT, a "returned-stacked" portfolio similar to O.P.T.R.A. for accumulation and early retirement and why the Golden Ratio portfolio performs very well on many metrics. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional li...
Mar 09, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 405
In this episode we answer emails from Caleb, Visitor #4565, Paul, Michael (from Scotland) and Jamie. We discuss tax location (or asset location for tax purposes), the zeitgeist of this podcast, an old book by Don Coxe about gold and other things, a good website for finding ETFs in the UK and otherwise outside the US, and how to best incorporate and prioritize (not) international vs. US funds. Links: Asset Swaps Video: How to Do an Asset Swap Sean Mullaney On 72(t): 475 | How to Access Your Retir...
Mar 05, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 404
In this episode we answer emails from Andy, Mark and Graham. We discuss what may do well under the current US administration and related concerns, what a weak dollar means for risk assets and allocating to volatility, and how inflation should realistically be accounted for in withdrawals. And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate ...
Mar 02, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 403
In this episode we answer emails from Philip, David and Keith. We discuss an aggressive risk-parity style portfolio (without leverage), review QREARX, which we analyzed in Episode 81, and how the value factor is determined by various funds and indexes. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Portfolio Matrix Tool at Portfolio Charts: Portfolio Matrix – Portfolio Charts The Weird Portfolio: Weird Portfolio – Portfolio Charts Morningstar Page for QREARX: QREARX –...
Feb 12, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 402
In this episode we answer emails from Richard, Robert and Jacob. We discuss Richard's generosity and excellent example as a role model, an ill-conceived and biased critique of small cap value allocations, why you probably should not use popular personal finance gurus as retirement role models due to their workaholism and hoarding behaviors, and why having too much cash or very short term bonds in a portfolio is not a good idea. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight...
Feb 09, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 401
In this frolic and detour from our regularly scheduled programming, we create a "Reference Episode" by employing two AI podcasters to summarize the information contained in Episodes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, which are some of the foundational episodes for this podcast. BTW, choose PFFV instead of PFF if you are interested in that. But the point was to teach you how to analyze investments. Here are (most of) the original links and notes from those episodes. Episode 1: In this episode we answer five basic...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Season 5Ep. 400
In this episode, we celebrate Ground Hog Day and answer emails from Ron, Jay and Pete. We discuss the value of giving and the new McKenna Man portfolio that Ron is constructing, preferred shares vs. REITs, holding gold, what financial advisors really think about their hoarding clients but can't say in front of them but I will, and Pete's risk parity style portfolio and his 6-year old's potato chip gambling problem. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portf...
Feb 02, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 399
In this episode we answer emails from George, Kyle and Andy. We discuss whether to prioritize DBMF or VGLT (for tax location purposes) in a traditional retirement account, weighing limited choices for small cap funds in a 457, Vanguard's new short-term bond funds and dealing with brokerages' cya requirements for investing in particular funds. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Vanguard Fund Announcement: Vanguard Expands Fixed Income Lineup with New Active...
Jan 30, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 398
In this episode we answer emails from Bones, Paul and Justin. We discuss small cap value funds and their underlying indexes, an odd book from an unreliable source and an alternative ETF called CAOS. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional Links: Bankruptcy Case Involving David R. Webb: In re Verus Investment Management, LLC, 344 B.R. 536 | Casetext Search + Citator CAOS Main Page: CAOS ETF ...
Jan 26, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 397
In this episode we answer emails from Lucas, Martijn, and Alexi (a/k/a "the Dude"). We discuss futures contracts and the efforts required to use them, being careful about backtests and interpreting them, and more musings on Big Mo momentum. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Martijn's Link: testfol.io/?s=aoTgPMqhGQA Portfolio Matrix (Start Date Sensitivity): Portfolio Matrix – Portfolio Charts The Dude's First Link: Asset Correlations The Dude's Second Lin...
Jan 22, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 396
In this episode we answer emails from Paul (from Canada), Gary, Ben and Alexi (a/k/a "the Dude"). We discuss finding funds for Canadians, podcast outlet alternatives, the similarities between S&P 500, total market and large cap growth funds and how they can perform the same role in a diversified portfolio, and a gnarly Alpha Exchange podcast about leveraged funds (which the Dude and I both misidentified as "Alpha Architect".) And the Creedence vs. Tina Turner versions of "Proud Mary." And TH...
Jan 19, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 395
In this episode we party with some of the regulars and answer emails from Pete, Tracey, Ralph and Alexi (a/k/a the "Dude"). We discuss domestic and international large cap growth funds, why we prefer portfolios that due comparatively better when using long series data analyses and not their associations with particular guru people, how the Golden Ratio portfolio relates to the 60/40 portfolio, whether you'll see me on Bluesky or most other social media ("no"), and the Dude's continued gambling p...
Jan 16, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 394
In this episode we answer questions from Anonymous European, Paul, and Ralph. We discuss US vs. Euro treasury bonds, international large cap growth, the overarching currency effect that determines the relative performance between US and international stocks, small cap value for UK investors and what to do with a small 401a with limited investment choices while nearing retirement. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | R...
Jan 12, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 393
In this episode we answer emails from Kyle, Steve and James. We discuss the three most common small cap value indexes -- S&P 600, CRSP and Russell, modifications to the Golden Butterfly portfolio using managed futures, and the fantasies and follies of portfolio Bucketeering. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Steve's Modified Golden Butterfly: testfol.io/?s=hJZl3QbaXsj Merriman's Best In Class ETFs: Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations | Merriman Financia...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 392
In this episode we conduct our annual reviews of the Eight Sample Portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio and compare them with some commercial preparations. In addition we discuss the year of 2024 in general, the performance of various asset classes, the follies of using the year as a crystal ball to predict the future, and the more effective use of base rates for that purpose. And the missing Santa Claus. Links: Portfolio Charts Annual Returns Calculator: Annual Returns – Por...
Jan 05, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 391
In this episode we answer emails from Kyle, Adam, and Steve. We discuss equal weight vs. cap weighted funds and the fallacy that one fund stock portfolios are optimal, a variable withdrawal strategy plan, and what kinds of portfolios work best for which types of people and purposes. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional Links: Father McKenna Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center S...
Dec 29, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 390
In this episode we answer emails from John, Jane and Christoph. We discuss financial and non-financial considerations when transitioning to retirement, the alternative investment strategy fund QSPNX, and revisit why you should not try to time bond investments anymore than you should try to time the stock market. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional Links: Choose FI Episode 508 With Yours...
Dec 23, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 389
In this episode we answer emails from Cy, Lucas, and Rafa. We discuss a poem from a financial advisor, a quandary between two gambling problem leveraged portfolios and application of the Macro-allocation Principle, and what to do about a trust with an abbreviated distribution timeline. Note, we forgot to include the second email from Lucas, but it was just yet another reference to the Cederburg paper that has already been beaten like a dead horse. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Dona...
Dec 19, 2024•30 min•Season 5Ep. 388
In this episode we answer emails from Ed, Wes and Mary Anne. We revisit the momentum factor and squeeze that lemon a bit (and our dinner with the Dude) talk about mid-caps and limited 401k options, and discuss some of the information on the portfolios page at the website (and its limitations). And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Fathe...
Dec 15, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 387
In this episode we answer email from Pankaj, Matthias and Iain. We discuss the simple path to withdrawals when you are over-saved and the over-complications of the over-saved, reprise some information about leveraged accumulation portfolios and provide some tips for a U.K listener. Links: Interview of Jim Grubman: Dr. Jim Grubman: The Psychology of Wealth | Rational Reminder 282 PensionCraft YouTube Channel: What Is The Safe Withdrawal Rate In Retirement? Many Happy Returns Podcast: Building a B...
Dec 11, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 386
In this episode we answer emails from Ashley, Alexi (a/k/a "the Dude"), and Sean. We discuss our charity and my financial coaching on the side, fun times with the Dude, and an overview of the use of bonds in a portfolio and principles of portfolio construction. For reference, earlier bond episodes mentioned are 14, 16, 75 and 78, 142, 186 and 232, although there are others you can find on the RSS feed page. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios yo...
Dec 08, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 385
In this episode we answer emails from Justin, Matt and Donald. We regale in friendships, revisit large cap growth funds with IWY, do a reprise of Episode 238 about the limitations of CAPE ratios with the help of AI podcasters, and discuss the purpose of treasury bonds in a portfolio as recession insurance, and the circumstances of when you might not need it. Links: Father McKenna Center Lessons & Carols: Lessons and Carols - Father McKenna Center Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate -...
Dec 05, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 384
In this episode we answer emails from James, Van and Michael. We discuss the new international fund in the federal TSP, the Pinwheel Portfolio and the Portfolio Matrix Tool, and variations in portfolio management with the Golden Butterfly portfolio. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional Links: Father McKenna Center Lessons & Carols: Lessons and Carols - Father McKenna Center Father Mc...
Dec 01, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 383
In this episode we answer emails from George, Alexi (a/k/a "the Dude") and Sean. We discuss a new article about the benefits of managed futures in a portfolio, the Dude's face-off between VUG and QQQ, and considerations for choosing large cap growth funds and international value funds. Links: Father McKenna Center Lessons And Carols: Lessons and Carols - Father McKenna Center New Article About Managed Futures: 2024Q3_QuanticaQuarterlyInsights.pdf Bloomberg Presentation On Investments In Inflatio...
Nov 27, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 382
In this episode we answer an email from Tom, Tom the Podcaster's Son (a/k/a "Patrick Star"). We discuss the basics of retirement accounts in honor of the annual benefits enrollment period and some rules of thumb for contributing to them, with a little commentary on HSAs. We also discuss interesting recent podcasts featuring Bill Bengen, Corey Hoffstein and Cliff Asness. And our friend Jackie Cummings Koski. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios yo...
Nov 24, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 381
In this episode we answer emails from Melissa, Neil, Mark and Mike. We discuss a missing link from Episode 7 and a substitute for it, the podcast distribution, moving from an accumulation portfolio in a taxable account to a retirement portfolio efficiently, and considerations when incorporating international (non-U.S.) funds. Links: Three Ingredients Article: Three Secret Ingredients of the Most Efficient Portfolios – Portfolio Charts Merriman ETF Recommendations: Best-in-Class ETF Recommendatio...
Nov 20, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 380
In this episode we answer emails from Jenny, Arun and Jeff. We discuss setting up a risk parity style portfolio for an elder relative, what to do with 529 money and college funds when you are getting close, and the use of risk parity style portfolios for intermediate goals or accumulation. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional links: Yours Truly On The Earn & Invest Podcast: Why Risk ...
Nov 17, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 379
In this episode we answer emails from James, MyContactInfo and Cy. We discuss using silver in addition to gold in a portfolio, review again why many "options strategy funds" and other complex ETFs are generally a waste of space in a portfolio and talk about a recent Andrew Tobias interview and the history of DIY investing. Links: Eric Balchunas Interview: Eric Balchunas on The Hidden Gems of the ETF World You Need to Know! (youtube.com) Andrew Tobias Interview: The Only Investment Guide You'll E...
Nov 13, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 378
In this episode we answer emails from Alyson, Martijn and Russel. We discuss the drawbacks to using a total world fund, common misconceptions about it and misguided worship of the Simplicity Principle, a levered sample portfolio comparison and basic ideas for accumulation. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Additional link: Levered Sample Portfolio Comparison: testfol.io/?s=8JtI7Xd2q7l Amusing Un...
Nov 10, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 377
