Money For the Rest of Us Plus is a weekly premium podcast that answers questions from members on a variety of investing and finance-related topics. New episodes are released on Saturday. Members can submit a question here for consideration in an upcoming Plus episode.
Here is a list of all of the Plus Episodes:
March 2026 Investment Strategy Review
We analyze what happened, where we are now, and where we are headed regarding financial markets and the economy. We also explore the risks and impact of the Iran conflictGo to episode…
551 Plus: Income Portfolio, High Yield Bonds, a new AI ETF family, and EIC’s Earnings Call
This week on Plus episode 551, we answer a member’s questions about the Money for the Rest of Us Plus Income portfolio. We review the current status of U.S. high-yield bonds and look at moreGo to episode…
550 Plus: Cat Bond ETF Yield, Aggressive Investing 10 Years from Retirement and Venture Focused Closed End Fund IPO
In Plus episode 550, we explain why the yield on the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF (ILS) is so low. We run a simulation analysis comparing a 75/25 portfolio to a 60/40 portfolio with 10 years toGo to episode…
February 2026 Investment Strategy Review
We review financial market performance, economic trends, and portfolio positioning. We also take a closer look at AI and productivity, and Japan’s national debt situationGo to episode…
549 Plus: More on Cat Bonds, Gold Rebalancing, and the New Fed Chair Nomination
In Plus episode 549, we discuss historical cumulative losses for catastrophe bonds, the premium/discount experience of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF (ILS) and questions on why its dividend yieldGo to episode…
548 Plus: Updated Expected Return Assumptions, Impact of Mortgage Backed Bond Purchases, and Comparing Two Non-U.S. Equity ETFs
In Plus episode 548, we review the updated expected returns and probable ranges for a variety of asset classes over the next decade. We revisit the Plus member tools that utilize those assumptions. WeGo to episode…
January 2026 Investment Strategy Review
We review financial market returns for 2025 and look ahead to opportunities and risks in 2026. We also review model portfolio returns for 2025Go to episode…
December 2025 Live Market Update
In this livestream, recorded on December 18th, 2025, we gave a “Money for the Rest of Us” year in review and discussed updates for 2026. We also discussed major economic and investmentGo to episode…
546 Plus: CLO Equity and Bank Loan Update, Investing in Retirement, Roth IRA Asset Location
In Plus episode 546, David discusses why CLO equity closed-end funds are selling off in 2025. We also provide an update on SEIX. We answer a member’s question about investing more conservativelyGo to episode…
December 2025 Investment Conditions Commentary and a Portfolio Trade
We provide an update on financial market returns, economic trends, asset class valuations, and portfolio positioning recommendations. David also discusses his decision to sell Gladstone LandGo to episode…
545 Plus: Japan Fiscal Situation, Comparing Solana and Ethereum, and How Staking Works
In Plus episode 545, we discuss the implications of Japan’s 10-year government bond reaching its highest yield since 2008. We also compare the crypto token Solana with Ether and explore how toGo to episode…
544 Plus: Are Equity Buffer ETFs Adequate Substitutes for a Bond Allocation?
In Plus episode 544, we model various buffer ETF strategies over a 35 year period to see how they perform relative to the bond market. We consider which defined outcome ETF approach could substituteGo to episode…
November 2025 Investment Strategy Commentary
In this week’s Plus episode, we discuss what happened, where are we now, and where are we heading when it comes to financial markets and economic trends. Our discussion includes the impact ofGo to episode…
543 Plus: Researching Non Listed Stocks, Off Exchange Trading, and Prediction Markets
In Plus episode 543, we examine the process and viability of researching and investing in private companies that seek capital from individual investors. We explore off-exchange trading venues, apartGo to episode…
542 Plus: Why Always ChatGPT, Selling Gold, Model Portfolio Answers, and Funding a Short-term Liability
In Plus episode 542, David shares why he often uses ChatGPT for his AI examples. He discusses his recent trade to sell some gold. He explains the rationale for the small-cap stock ETFs used in theGo to episode…
541 Plus: Asset Class Returns for the Past Decade, Emerging Markets Local Bonds, and a Model Portfolio Question
In Plus episode 541, we review the Money for the Rest of Us Plus asset class return assumptions from a decade ago to see how our predictions turned out. We look at how to invest in emerging marketsGo to episode…
540 Plus: Model Portfolio Changes
In Plus episode 540, we discuss model portfolio changes, including the addition of new models, switching to all ETFs, and broadening the small-cap equity exposure. We also discuss the ongoing work toGo to episode…
October 2025 Investment Strategy Review
We review what happened, where we are now, and where we are heading for the economy and financial markets as of early October 2025Go to episode…
The Decade So Far: September 2025 Live Market Update
In this livestream, recorded on September 25, 2025, we review how the forces of money, trust, technology, and climate change have evolved and interacted to impact the economy and asset class returnsGo to episode…
539 Plus: Member Survey Follow Up, David’s Research Process, CLO Update, and Why Morningstar Downgraded DEM
This week on Plus episode 539, we share some feedback on the Plus member survey, and David reviews his process for creating investment-related content. We also review an insight piece by DoubleLine onGo to episode…
538 Plus: More on the Fed, Inflation and the Money Supply, and Analyzing Cryptocurrency Treasury Companies
In Plus episode 538, we explore various inflation measures, what causes inflation, and the relationship between the money supply and inflation, as we consider whether the Federal Reserve Open MarketGo to episode…
September 2025 Investment Strategy Review
We review what happened, where we stand now, and where we are headed in terms of financial markets and the economy as of early September 2025Go to episode…
537 Plus: Adaptive Model Fixed Income Portfolio, A New Factor Rotation International Equity ETF, and Holding Meta Stock
In Plus episode 537, we compare the performance and structure of the Adaptive Model Fixed Income portfolios to that of the broader bond market, such as the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). WeGo to episode…
536 Plus: How Would You Like Plus Membership to Evolve and David’s Portfolio Trades
In Plus episode 536, we introduce a Plus member survey where we would love your insights as we refresh the Plus membership offering. David also shares recent trades in his portfolio to increaseGo to episode…
535 Plus: Current Bond Market Pricing, Revisiting a Plus Member Profile, and the Elm Market Navigator ETF
In Plus episode 535, we review what has to happen for U.S. longer-term interest rates to decline from current levels. We revisit a Plus member’s financial situation nine years after answeringGo to episode…
534 Plus: August 2025 Investment Strategy Report and David’s Portfolio Trade to Reduce Bitcoin Exposure
We review investment conditions as of early August, including the latest on tariffs, the impact of AI infrastructure investment, and the risks of politicizing economic data. David also discusses whyGo to episode…
533 Plus: Donating Ether Using a Donor-advised Fund, U.S. Dollar Risk Factors, and Bitcoin Covered Call ETFs
In Plus episode 533, David discusses how he donated 40% of his Ethereum to charity. We look at the factors that will determine the long-term strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar. Finally, weGo to episode…
532 Plus: NVIDIA, CLO Equity Sell Off, and Equity REIT Return of Capital
In Plus episode 532, we correct last week’s episode regarding the valuations of ETFs that invest in AI. We discuss investing in high-octane stocks like NVIDIA. We examine why CLO equityGo to episode…
531 Plus: AI ETFs, Mortgage REITS, Autocallable Notes ETF, and Trust Preferred Securities
In Plus episode 531, we review the leading ETFs that invest in the AI space. We consider what environments mortgage REITS perform the best, and is now a good time to invest. We analyze the new CalamosGo to episode…
530 Plus: July 2025 Investment Conditions and a Portfolio Trade
In Plus episode 530, we review current investment conditions, including the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill and the global trade war. David also shares some recent changes in his portfolio to addGo to episode…
529 Plus: Annual Reports, Baby Bonds, and CLO Equity
In Plus episode 529, we discuss whether it is worth reading the annual reports of funds and ETFs. We contrast investing in baby bonds versus preferred stock. Finally, we examine the investment in CLOGo to episode…
528 Plus: Closed-End Fund Price Declines, DBLTX Risk and a New DoubleLine ETF
David reviews his performance record of investing in debt and convertible-focused closed-end funds, noting that most closed-end funds often fall short of their distribution yields due to priceGo to episode…
527 Plus: Portfolio Trades, Ultra Short-term TIPS ETF, and Revisiting Buffer ETFs
In Plus episode 527, David discusses changes in his portfolio to add a CLO ETF and sell the individual single family home rental REITs that he owned. We analyze a new ultra-short-term TIPS ETFGo to episode…
526 Plus: June 2025 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 526, we review financial market returns, the underlying narratives driving financial markets, and portfolio positioningGo to episode…
525 Plus: Banning Chinese Stocks and Reviewing a Paper on U.S. versus Non U.S. Stock Returns
In Plus episode 525, we analyze the risk of the Trump Administration banning U.S. citizens and entities from owning Chinese-listed stocks, including stocks held in ETFs and mutual funds. We alsoGo to episode…
524 Plus: Buying Pre IPO Stock Shares, Online Versus Offline Ownership, and a Closed End Fund Follow Up
In Plus episode 524, we review the risks of purchasing pre-ipo stock on platforms like EquityZen. We also compare owning gold and cryptocurrency offline versus owning an ETF or holding them through aGo to episode…
523 Plus: May 2025 Investment Strategy Commentary and a Portfolio Change
In Plus episode 523, we review the impact of the trade war on financial markets and portfolio positioning for navigating the crisis. David also discusses a new asset-based lending investment in hisGo to episode…
521 Plus: Investing in European Union Bonds, Hedging Currency Risk and a Weakening U.S. Dollar
In Plus episode 521, we explore how investors can invest in AAA rated bond backed by the European Union. We also review how non-U.S. stock currency-hedged ETFs work and whether now is a good time toGo to episode…
Active Bond Management, TIPS Volatility, and a New Asset-backed Bond ETF
In Plus episode 520, we examine why a greater percentage of bond managers outperform a passive index compared to active stock managers. We review why Treasury Inflation Protection Securities exhibitGo to episode…
Plus 519: PUTW Rebranding, a Member Portfolio Review, and a New Public Private Corporate Bond ETF
In Plus episode 519, we share two announcements that impact Plus members. We review how the WisdomTree PutWrite Strategy Fund (PUTW) was rebranded and became the WisdomTree Equity Premium IncomeGo to episode…
518 Plus: April 2025 Investment Strategy Commentary
We review what happened, where are we now, and where are we heading after the steepest stock market decline in five yearsGo to episode…
516 Plus: Ultra Short Term Bond ETFs, Intl Bond ETFs, and an Intl Equity Enhanced Closed End Fund
This week on Plus episode 516, we analyze two new Vanguard Ultra Short Term Bond ETFs. We also look at two ETF options for investing in shorter-term non-U.S. bonds. Finally, we consider a closed-endGo to episode…
515 Plus: U.S. Dollar, a New All Weather ETF, and Daily Rebalancing
In Plus episode 515, we provide a follow-up to episode 515 on the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency. We analyze the new SPDR Bridgewater All Weather ETF (ALLW). Finally, we look at a strategyGo to episode…
514 Plus: March 2025 Investment Strategy Commentary
In Plus episode 514, we review what happened with financial markets and the economy, where we are now, and where we are heading. We explore the potential impact of U.S. tariffs and other fiscallyGo to episode…
512/513 Plus: Exiting MCI and Comparing Conservative Fixed Income Options
In Plus episode 512/513, David discusses why he sold his position in the Barings Corporate Investors Fund (MCI). We also compare the yields and tax rules of U.S savings bonds, nominal Treasuries, zeroGo to episode…
U.S. Small Cap Value Comparison, Bitcoin ETF Performance, and New Money Market ETFs
In Plus episode 511, we discuss differing performance among U.S. small-cap value ETFs. We see if Bitcoin ETFs accurately track underlying Bitcoin. Finally, we analyze two new money market ETFs byGo to episode…
510 Plus: February 2025 Investment Conditions Commentary
This week on Plus episode 510, we review financial market returns, economic trends, asset class valuations and explore some of the headwinds and tailwinds for financial markets in 2025Go to episode…
509 Plus: MCI Premium, BCD Fees, and the Missing Small Cap and Value Premium
In this week’s Plus episode, we clarify some points from our private credit discussion in episode 509. We look at the risks with Barings Corporate Investors (MCI) selling at a 30% premium to itsGo to episode…
Money For the Rest of Us Plus launched in December 2014. Consequently, MNY029 Plus is the first Plus episode. There are no Plus episodes that correspond to earlier episodes of Money For the Rest of Us.
