In this episode we answer emails from Roman, Andrew and Iain. We discuss the plusses and minuses of leverage, volatility drag, and how leverage interacts with diversification and withdrawals, general observation on tax optimization via account buckets, small cap value index funds and Avantis/DFA merits, and modelling annuities versus mandatory versus discretionary spending in retirement. LInks: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Ben Felix Leverag...

In this episode we answer emails from Jess, Phil and Scott. We discuss an experience of setting up a sample RPR portfolio for one's self, using asset swaps to manage cash, and fun with the low bar standards and other inadequacies of many financial advisors. 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 - Father McKenn...

In this episode we answer emails from Tyson, Patrick, and Shuchi. We discuss the basics of transitioning, SCHD as a value fund choice, bitcoin vs. gold, why "only works for 30 years" is a fake problem, the difference between our use of value funds vs. Paul Merriman's, and when would me make adjustments to our plans in retirement. Links: Bigger Pockets Money Podcast #1: The Secret to a 5% Safe Withdrawal Rate | Frank Vasquez Bigger Pockets Money Podcast #2: We Built a 5% S...

In this episode we answer emails from Eva, Jess and Mr. Toxic. We discuss the three levers of safe withdrawal rates applied to a listener's upcoming retirement situation, running test risk parity style portfolios to get some practice like with have done with Bigger Pockets money, and what little we know about HSAs. 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 Cen...

In this episode we answer emails from Luc and Nick. We discuss the four levels of investors, the fundamental problems with identity that terms like "saver" and "Boglehead" cause per Morgan Housel, fallacious reasoning often applied to investing and portfolio construction, equity core with growth–value balance and small-cap value tilt, VTI vs VUG trade-offs and tax considerations, tax efficient asset location for bonds, equities, gold, considerations about alternatives like managed futur...

In this episode we answer emails from Ron, Mark, Rick and Keith. We revel in your generosity and discuss the mechanics of monthly withdrawals and how rebalancing smooths that over, modelling portfolio with money going in and money going out, and a follow up on portfolios employing futures contracts as leverage. And gooooold! And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio. Additional Lin...

In this episode we answer emails from Niek, Dustin, Dale, Hydromod and . We discuss adopting a golden ratio mix and not having unrealistic expectations, the plusses and minuses of the AI-version-of-you fad, the new website and why trying to use gold futures for leverage might not be the best choice for your gambling problem. Link: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary: Ever had a month where nearly everyth...

In this episode we answer emails from Jimmy, Anonymous and Matthew. We discuss financing a home with portfolio leverage via ETFs or margin, revel in the generosity of our listeners and real-life encounters, and review a risk parity style portfolio and plan. And touch on our recent vacation to South Africa. 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...

In this episode we answer questions from Chris, George and "I Have No Name." We discuss a transition situation with bonus portfolio question, the plusses and minuses of Pralana and similar calculators, and an amusing take on the Golden Butterfly portfolio reimagined. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Rational Reminder Podcast: David C. Brown: The Underperformance of Target Date Funds | Rational Reminder 374 Breathless Unedited AI-Bo...

In this episode we answer one big long email from Mr. Bill (actually Dr. Bill). We discuss a planning process grounded in good data science, forecasting techniques and decision theory, and how we incorporate the concepts described in Bill Bengen's new book, using Dr. Bill as our guinea pig. 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: D...

In this episode we answer emails from Adam, Private Cowboy, and Jose. We discuss managed futures (again with references!), Bill Bengen's latest book and how it integrates into our approach, and the pros and cons of a Vanguard Personal Advisor-created portfolio and the hypocritical quandaries it creates with the gods of Simplicity. Links: Demystifying Managed Futures: Demystifying Managed Futures Bloomberg Presentation On Investments In Inflationary Environments: MH201-Stev...

in this episode we answer emails from Chris, Trudie, and Earl. Highlights: The Father McKenna Center "Top of the T-shirt" campaign raised over $66,624 thanks to generous listener contributions; financial advisors are conflicted and also relatively uninformed marketing machines who are not very curious about finances and are too reliant on calculators; AI tools like Copilot can help implement risk parity strategies when fed quality information. And THEN we our go through our weekly...

In this episode we answer emails from Andy, Phil and Brady. We entertain Andy's musings on small cap value and the economy with crystal balls and complex adaptive systems theory, discuss the foibles of radio personalities attempting to try to be able to comment on what we do -- and their hypocrisies and conflicts of interest --, and touch base with the parent of a special needs child. Links: Phil's link to Radio Personality Podcast: Query Day - Talking Real Money - Investing Tal...

In this episode we answer emails from a Mysterious Visitor, Pal and Byron. We review our approach to international stock funds and how to improve their diversification, try to help out a Canadian nomad and discuss some new Vanguard funds. 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: US vs International Stocks In Strong And Weak Dollar Markets (link from Episode 393:...

In this episode we answer emails from Nick, No Name, and Nathan. We discuss transitioning at 70% to FI, the inherent problems with a lot of psychology-based and convenience-based finance media and personal finance that fails to do the finance part first, Mary's amusement with Frank's ego (don't encourage him), and financial coaching. And we get to hear from Abby at the Father McKenna Center. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Shannon's D...

In this episode we answer emails from Dave, Mike, and Andy. We discuss an inherited IRA, 529s, how historical data provides more reliable investment guidance than simulated data based on crystal balls, particularly when considering economic environments and asset correlations, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland Rocks! 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...

In this episode we answer emails from Evan, James and Brandy. We discuss the joys of more cowbell from first principles and its origin story, a recent back-and-forth between Karsten and Tyler, the inherent problems with trying to massage data with crystal balls and what it's really revealing about the shortcomings of a basic 75/25 portfolio, some nuggets from Bill Bengen's new book, and some musings about bitcoin and gold. Links: Early Retirement Now Article: Can we increase the...

In this episode we answer emails from Postmaster, John, and Patrick. We discuss the ins and outs of managed futures, the outs of international bonds and currency funds, and Risk Parity Chronicles. Reborn! 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 Donations: Donate - Father McKenna Center Demystifying Managed Futures Article: Demystif...

In this episode we answer two emails from John and one from Pete. We revel in John's summary of the podcast from its humble beginnings to its current form, his sailboat analogy to portfolio construction and his highly humorous questions. We also discuss two common but conflicting investor biases: rejecting assets because they've performed poorly recently or because they've performed too well recently and discuss rebalancing rules for leveraged funds and the newer managed futures f...

In this episode we answer emails from Ian, Bruce and Boone. We discuss dealing with a 401k with limited options, the limitations of the ticker symbol analyzers of Portfolio Visualizer and incorporating individual stocks into a retirement portfolio, and limitations and developments in leveraged ETF land. Note: No podcast this upcoming weekend as Frank and Mary will be on hiatus. Check out Frank's recent interview on the Mile HI FI podcast for more insights and a scintillating...