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:
386 Plus: Outperforming the Market, Financial Condition Indices, and Reducing Gold Exposure
In Plus episode 386, we explore what the phrase “outperform the market” means.
We review several financial condition indices produced by Federal Reserve branches to understand what they mean and Go to episode…
385 Plus: May 2022 Investment Conditions and Who Is Selling?
In Plus episode 385, we look at current investment conditions and why now is not the time to panic. We consider how the 2022 market decline differs from the bear market in 2020.
We also consider Go to episode…
384 Plus: Survey Follow Up, A Stablecoin Collapse, and Trying to Analyze Ripple
On Plus 384, we provide some feedback on the Plus member survey and seek additional insight on how best to structure the monthly investment conditions and strategy report.
We look at why Beanstalk, Go to episode…
383 Plus: Analyzing ETFs, the Debt Cycle, and Investing When Retiring Outside Your Home Country
In Plus Episode 383, we review the criteria for selecting and comparing ETFs. We discuss how to invest near-term living expenses when retired outside one’s home country, particularly given U.S. tax Go to episode…
382 Plus: How High Will Interest Rates Go, A New Portfolio Holding, and Setting Limit Prices
In Plus Episode 382, we review previous Federal Reserve tightening cycles to see when and at what level longer-term interest rates peaked.
We also review a new closed-end fund holding in David’s Go to episode…
381 Plus: April 2022 Investment Conditions and How To Worry Less About Your Portfolio
In Plus Episode 381, we review the latest investment conditions and consider the risks of central banks overcorrecting and raising policy rates too much.
We also discuss how frequently to look at Go to episode…
380 Plus: Why the Japanese Yen Is Falling and a Follow Up on Simplify ETFs including PFIX
In Plus Episode 380, we explore what is causing the Japanese yen to decline relative to the dollar and how that has hurt unhedged investments in the Japanese stock market including Japanese ETFs in Go to episode…
379 Plus: Recent Portfolio Trades, Inverted Yield Curves, and Maintaining a Homestead
This week on Plus Episode 379, David discusses recent changes to his portfolio including the addition of the Barings Corporate Investors Fund (MCI) and an increased allocation to the Simplify Go to episode…
378 Plus: A Frustrating Time To Invest and Did BulletShares Underperform?
In Plus Episode 378, we discuss the fear, uncertainty, and frustration we can feel investing in the current environment.
We also look at how to estimate the performance of BulletShare ETFs, which Go to episode…
377 Plus: March 2022 Investment Conditions and Why Bonds
In Plus Episode 377, we review investment conditions as of early March 2022 given the heightened level of certainty arising from Putin’s war against Ukraine.
We also assist a member who is trying Go to episode…
376 Plus: Russia, Ukraine, Oil and the Energy Sector
In Plus Episode 376, we further consider the ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We also review the pros and cons of investing in oil and oil exploration stocks.
Become a Go to episode…
375 Plus: ARKK vs SPY, Blockchain ETFs, and an Analysis of DSL
In Plus Episode 375, we expand on the discussion regarding choosing between the ARK Innovation ETF and an S&P 500 Index Fund that was touched on in the Insiders Guide 375 email newsletter.
We Go to episode…
374 Plus: Portfolio Trade, A New Risk Parity ETF, and the Moonfare Private Equity Platform
In Plus Episode 374, David reviews why he reduced his exposure to Ether by half. We analyze the Ultra Risk Parity ETF (UPAR). Finally, we take a look at the Moonfare Private Equity platform that Go to episode…
373 Plus: February 2022 Investment Conditions, Morningstar Ratings, and a Closed-End Fund Case Study
In Plus Episode 373, we review investment conditions as of early February 2022. We consider the three ways Morningstar ranks mutual funds and ETFs to see if higher-ranked funds perform Go to episode…
372 Plus: Model Portfolios History, Performance, and Modified Endowment Contracts
In Plus Episode 372, we look at the purpose of the model portfolios, how they have evolved, and the historical performance.
We also answer some member questions about the model portfolio changes in Go to episode…
371 Plus: The Market Sell-off and Two Tactical Asset Allocation Services
In Plus Episode 371, we review some recent commentary by Jeremy Grantham on superbubbles as it relates to the current stock market sell-off.
We also review Allocate Smartly and Hedgeye, two model Go to episode…
370 Plus: Investing in Latin America Stocks, TIPS, and Single-Family Rental Homes
In Plus Episode 370, we review the inexpensive valuations for Latin American equities and what has driven the underperformance. We consider options for investing in Latin America and Brazil.
We Go to episode…
369 Plus: January 2022 Investment Conditions and Adaptive Model Portfolio Changes
In Plus Episode 369, we explore the latest investment conditions including the impact of the Omicron Covid variant. We also review recent changes to the adaptive model portfolio examples. Finally, we Go to episode…
368 Plus: Exchange Traded Commodities, Active ETF Families, and the Comptroller of Currency
In Plus Episode 368, we explore how exchange-traded commodities compare with commodity exchange-traded funds and commodity exchange-traded notes.
We consider less aggressive actively managed Go to episode…
367 Plus: December 2021 Investment Conditions Review
In Plus Episode 367, we review the potential impact of the Omicron Covid Variant on the global economy and financial markets. We review current valuations, economic trends, and market internals Go to episode…
366 Plus: Updated Expected Returns, a New Real Estate Investment, and the Vanguard Managed Allocation Fund
This week on Plus Episode 366, we review the changes to the 10-year expected returns for different asset classes used in the Money For the Rest of Us Plus asset allocation model.
We discuss a hotel Go to episode…
365 Plus: Three Member Profiles – A Pension Decision, College Tuition Investment, and a Retirement Portfolio
This week on Plus Episode 365, we help a member decide whether to take a lump-sum pension distribution today, start drawing on the pension today or take a lump sum or draw on the pension in the Go to episode…
364 Plus: November 2021 Investment Conditions and a Problematic High Yield Savings Solution
This week on Plus Episode 364 we review financial market returns, asset class valuations, economic trends, and market internals as of early November 2021.
We also analyze the Tellus Boost high Go to episode…
363 Plus: Portfolio Trades, Equal-weighted Global Stock Indices, and Two New Downside Protection Funds
This week on Plus Episode 363 there is a discussion of two holdings David sold from his portfolio. How equal-weighted global stock investing compares with both sized weighted and fundamental index Go to episode…
362 Plus: Return Stacking, Investing in IPOs and a Self Storage Facility
In Plus Episode 362, we review the return stacking / portable alpha investment strategies. We look at whether it’s worth it to invest in an IPO at its pre-offering price.
Finally, we analyze a Go to episode…
361 Plus: Closed-End Fund Tender Offers and Asset Class Returns During High Inflation Environments
In Plus Episode 361, we review the proxy battle that has led to a tender offer by Templeton Global Income Fund (GIM) to purchase up to 70% of its outstanding shares. We consider whether now is the Go to episode…
360 Plus: October 2021 Investment Conditions and a Correction About Options Delta
In Plus Episode 360, we review investment conditions as of early October 2021. David also corrects a mistake he made in Plus Episode 359 in explaining options delta.
Become a Member
If you Go to episode…
359 Plus: Hedging Interest Rate Risk and a Deep In the Money Call Option Strategy
In Plus Episode 359, we calculate how much of the Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX) to purchase in order to protect against rising interest rates.
We also look at how purchasing deep-in-the Go to episode…
358 Plus: Tactical Asset Allocation, Two Buy-Write ETFs, and Deciding Whether to Buy a Restaurant Franchise
In Plus Episode 358, we review several studies that use a 200-day moving average to move in and out of the stock market.
We compare the Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF to the Global X S&P Go to episode…
357 Plus: Analyzing Two Private Investment Opportunities
In Plus Episode 357, we analyze a daycare center business and an agriculture technology business using the who, how, and what framework for conducting due diligence on private Go to episode…
356 Plus: September 2021 Investment Conditions, Valuing Pensions, and Maximum Drawdowns
In Plus Episode 356, we review economic trends, asset class valuations, and market internals as of early September 2021.
We consider how to value a pension and how to incorporate it into an asset Go to episode…
355 Plus: Base and Broad Money, Contracts for Difference, and UCITS ETFs
In Plus Episode 355, we contrast base money and broad money for the U.S. dollar and Bitcoin, and how debt tied to both currencies increases the money supply.
We look at how contracts for difference Go to episode…
354 Plus: Advisory Fees, A Mortgage Note Fund and Safe Haven Investing
In Plus Episode 354, we explore how to evaluate an advisor’s business model to estimate their firm revenue to see if their fees seem fair.
We consider the impact of valuation changes on stock Go to episode…
353 Plus: China, VIEs and Stock Performance Over the Past Decade
In Plus Episode 353, we review variable interest entities, the corporate structure used by some of the largest publicly traded technology companies operating in China. We review the risks of this Go to episode…
352 Plus: August 2021 Investment Conditions and Securities Lending
In Plus Episode 352, we review financial market returns, asset class valuations, economic trends, and market internals to see how the recovery is coming and if any portfolio changes are Go to episode…
351 Plus: Using Stop Losses and a Framework for Evaluating Private Investment Funds
In Plus Episode 351, we explore how stop losses work and whether they can be effective or not. We also discuss a framework for evaluating private investment partnerships, such as commercial real Go to episode…
350 Plus: Taking Out a Home Mortgage to Invest, Tax Loss Harvesting, and TIPS
In Plus Episode 350, we compare reverse mortgages to home equity loans. What to consider when deciding to take a home mortgage to invest in other assets.
We look at tax principles when it comes to Go to episode…
349 Plus: SPAC ETFs, Sector Allocation, and the Frustration of Bonds
In Plus episode 349, we look at why investing in special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and SPAC ETFs is even less compelling now given the number of new SPACs. Why David is winding down his Go to episode…
348 Plus: July Investment Conditions, How Much Cash, BlockFi Update, and Trading Philosophy
In Plus Episode 348, we review investment conditions as of early July 2021. We consider how much cash to hold given investment conditions. We review the risks of using a cryptocurrency platform like Go to episode…
347 Plus: A New Actively Managed Preferred ETF and Three Pillars of Stock Returns
In Plus Episode 347, we review recent portfolio changes David made to his portfolio. We introduce the new retirement spending calculator. We analyze the new Fidelity Preferred Securities and Income Go to episode…
346 Plus: Mid Month Update, Inflation, and Simplify ETFs
In Plus Episode 346, we review market performance and recent economic releases including the latest U.S. Consumer Price Index for evidence that inflation is transitory or more permanent.
We also Go to episode…
345 Plus: June 2021 Investment Conditions and Plus Membership Improvements
In Plus Episode 345, we review current investment conditions including the disconnect between the bond market and inflation data.
We discuss the new Money For the Rest of Us Plus app and the new Go to episode…
344 Plus: What Happens When You Have Saved Enough – The Dragon Portfolio
In Plus Episode 344, we discuss what to do when you have more than sufficient assets for retirement but continue to generate a surplus because you enjoy working.
We also compare the Artemis Capital Go to episode…
343 Plus: Mid Month Update, Adaptive Model Portfolio Changes, and Preferred Stocks
In Plus Episode 343, we review the latest data including Federal Reserve minutes and Japan’s economic challenges.
We discuss the recent adaptive model portfolio changes, the new holdings, and the Go to episode…
342 Plus: Small Cap Value, Lumber Prices, and GBTC Discount
In Plus Episode 342, we review the performance of value and growth equity indices, consider whether the value style will continue to outperform and analyze the Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) Go to episode…
341 Plus: May 2021 Investment Conditions and HANDL Follow Up
In Plus episode 341, we review current investment conditions including inflationary pressures. David provides an update on a recent portfolio change.
We discuss why equity return assumptions were Go to episode…
340 Plus: Asset Allocation Assumption Update, Ponzi Schemes, and Hiring Investment Advisors
In Plus Episode 340, we review the semiannual expected return and risk update for stocks, income strategies and bonds. We review new tools available for analyzing the model portfolios.
We answer a Go to episode…
339 Plus: Mid Month Update, Bond Valuations, and a Cannabis Bubble Follow Up
In Plus episode 339 for the week of April 23, 2021, we look at the latest economic releases to assess investment conditions.
We answer a member’s question on what does it mean when pundits say Go 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.