In our final episode of the year, I converse with author and data scientist Coco Krumme about the benefits and costs of optimization in finance, industry, and our daily lives. We explore AI and its overlap with optimization. We also consider the pros and cons of life optimization and finally discuss the extreme challenge of opting out. Show Notes Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization by Coco Krumme—Penguin Random House cocofolio.com Coco … [Read more...]
504: Indexing Bubble and Asset Class Returns Still Revert to the Mean
How asset class returns move in cycles with periods of above-average returns followed by periods of lower returns. How has the rise of passive indexing led to higher stock valuations, and what does that mean for markets? Show Notes The Equity Risk Premium: Nine Myths (JPM Series) by Rob Arnott—Research Affiliates The Greatest Scourge in Factorland: Revaluation Alpha = Fake Alpha (JPM Series) by Rob Arnott—Research Affiliates PASSIVE INVESTING AND THE RISE OF MEGA-FIRMS by Hao … [Read more...]
503: U.S. Stocks Have Never Been This Overhyped or Expensive
What are the tangible and intangible factors that have contributed to long-term U.S. stock market outperformance compared to the rest of the world? Despite these advantages, why might we still want to continue to be globally diversified? Show Notes American productivity still leads the world—The Economist The Outlook for Long-Term Economic Growth by Charles I. Jones—Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City How Much Will Global Warming Cool Global Growth? by Ishan B. Nath, Valerie … [Read more...]
502: Should You Invest in Nuclear Energy?
Why has there been renewed interest in nuclear power generation in the last couple of years, and how can we invest in it? Topics covered include: Why did Microsoft sign an agreement to reopen a nuclear reactor at the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear facility How much does nuclear energy contribute to global power generation Why is the demand for electricity accelerating What are the advantages and challenges with nuclear energy What investment vehicles can individuals … [Read more...]
501: Strategy and Systems Want Your Money
We explore what strategy and systems are and how we craft and change them. We consider how investment strategies and financial systems have changed over the decades and why this matters to your financial decisions. Show Notes Ruminating on Asset Allocation by Howard Marks—Oaktree Capital Michael E. Porter—Harvard Business School This Is Strategy by Seth Godin—Simon & Schuster Victor Meets the Boglehead by Victor Haghani & James White—VettaFi Advisor … [Read more...]
500: The S&P 500 Index and the Decade Ahead
In the 500th episode of Money for the Rest of Us, we focus on the S&P 500 Index. How has the index changed, and why have U.S. stocks performed so well? Will U.S. stocks only return 3% in the next decade, as Goldman Sachs predicts. We also discuss major themes covered on Money for the Rest of Us over 500 episodes and what are our plans for the future. Thanks for being a part of Money for the Rest of Us over the past decade. Show Notes Select Sector Indices Consultation on … [Read more...]
499: What Makes an Economy Prosperous? Spotlight on Cuba and Argentina
We explore eight things that contribute to a healthy, growing economy and where Cuba and Argentina have fallen short. Topics covered include: Why Cuba continues to have rolling energy blackouts Why economic sanctions frequently don't work How Argentinas' President Millei is taking a "chainsaw" to the nation's economy Why emerging markets will need to change their export-oriented growth trajectory What are the risks to the long-term health of the U.S. economy Show … [Read more...]
498: What I Learned Investing in the Past Decade
David shares how his investing has changed over the past ten years and lessons you can apply to your portfolio. Here are the ten lessons: Document Your Journey Keep Experimenting Be Willing to Adopt New Asset Classes Be Very Patient Trade Less, Focus On Long-term Drivers Monetary Diversification Don't Focus on Relative Performance Ignore the Noise Take Your Time There Is No Right Way to Invest Show Notes The Investor Podcast 668: What I Learned … [Read more...]
497: How to Fix the Retirement Savings Crisis
Why 401k and other defined contribution schemes are flawed, leading to a generation of workers unprepared for retirement. What are the solutions to fix the mess. Topics covered include: Why 401k and other defined contributions haven't worked, despite their popularity Why defined benefit pension plans declined Why 401k plans are treated like emergency funds How to combine the best of 401k and defined benefit pension plans Show Notes The Shift that Redefined … [Read more...]
496: Are You Taking Enough Aspirational Risk?
Why we need distinct risk buckets: balancing our natural loss aversion with the allure of opportunities that offer the potential for massive upside. Topics covered include: What is modern portfolio theory, and what are some of its flaws Why so many people have gotten wealthy by being undiversified How to balance personal risk, market risk, and aspirational risk How prospect theory explains our attraction to positively skewed opportunities Why most people won't get wealthy … [Read more...]
