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:
470 Plus: Annuities Correction, Europe versus U.S. Value Stocks, Analyzing BOXX, and Accredited Investor Rules
In Plus episode 470, we correct a misstatement about immediate annuities. We explore whether European stocks can be a replacement for U.S. value stocks. We analyze the Alpha Architect 1-3 Month BoxGo to episode…
469 Plus: March 2024 Investment Conditions and Adaptive Model Portfolio Changes
In Plus episode 469, we review current investment conditions including the improvements in economic trends and earnings growth that justified increasing the stock allocation in the adaptive modelGo to episode…
468 Plus: Immediate Annuity Yields, LifeX Funds, and Restricted Stock Units
In Plus episode 468, we review the safety-first retirement approach using guaranteed income sources. We explore a surprising insight about immediate annuity payout rates as interest rates increase. WeGo to episode…
466 Plus: When ETNs Mature, Long Angle Community, and a Long Duration Credit Muni CEF
In Plus episode 466, we review the exchange offer for the JP Morgan Alerian MLP ETN (AMJ). The original ETN is set to mature in May 2024. David shares his experience and thoughts on the Long AngleGo to episode…
February 2024 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 465, we discuss why economic trends were upgraded to YELLOW neutral even as asset class valuations were downgraded due to high stock valuations. We discuss why investors should beGo to episode…
464 Plus: Floating Rate Treasuries, Actively Managed Preferred Stock, Valuing Assets, and Individual Country ETFs
In Plus episode 464, we review how floating rate U.S. Treasury bonds are structured and why the iShares Floating Rate Treasury Bond ETF (TFLO) has a tiny bit of volatility compared to a money marketGo to episode…
463 Plus: Model Portfolios, UK versus US Valuations, MCI Premium, and MFD Proxy Battle
In Plus Episode 463, we answer member questions on model portfolio implementations. We discuss the valuations and return expectations for UK stocks versus the USA. We discuss why the Barings CorporateGo to episode…
462 Plus: Immediate Annuities, More on Closed-End Funds, and Currency ETFs
In Plus episode 462, we review why one might want to buy an immediate annuity to help fund retirement expenses. We consider the Cohen & Steers Closed End Opportunity Fund (FOF). Finally, weGo to episode…
461 Plus: Updated Expected Returns, Index Rebalancing, and Portfolio Questions
In Plus episode 461, we review the changes to the Money for the Rest of Us Plus expected return assumptions and discuss the resources available on the site for modeling portfolios using the returnGo to episode…
460 Plus: January 2024 Investment Conditions
In Plus episode 460, we review financial market performance for 2023 and set expectations for 2024Go to episode…
459 Plus: TIPS Liquidity, a new MBS ETF, Closed-end Fund ETFs, and MLP Data
In Plus episode 459, we discuss who is on the other side of the TIPS trade. We analyze the Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA) and learn what mortgage-backed TBAs are. We review the performance and risk of ETFsGo to episode…
458 Plus: December 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 458, we review current investment conditions as of early December 2023. We explore why interest rates fell, leading to “an everything rally,” and how that impacts returnsGo to episode…
457 Plus: Yield-to-maturity, Cumulative vs Annualized Returns, Number of Funds, DSU and AGNC
In Plus episode 457, we explore how to calculate yield-to-maturity, cumulative returns, and annualized returns and how the measures differ. We explain why it is so challenging to identify anGo to episode…
456 Plus: 4% Rule, TFLO, Personal Inflation Rates, Emerging Latin America, and GIM
In Plus episode 456, we explore how to apply retirement spending rules when real estate properties will be sold during retirement. We consider the risks of investing in the iShares Floating RateGo to episode…
455 Plus: TIPS Ladder Follow Up, New Charts Status, Portfolio Trades Clarification and the State of Crypto
In Plus episode 455, we try to simplify the cash flow aspect of TIPS ladders. We answer a question on why not just own TIPS ETFs. We provide an update on bond charts so members can better analyze theGo to episode…
454 Plus: November 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 454, we look at four positive developments for financial markets. We also consider the prospects for several asset classes that are particularly attractive at presentGo to episode…
453 Plus: Investing in Mortgage Backed Securities and Mortgage REITs, Old 401k Plans
In Plus episode 453, we explore the current environment for mortgage-backed securities and why mortgage REITs are struggling. We discuss the options of what to do with 401k plans held at formerGo to episode…
451 Plus: Portfolio Trades, Thoughts on Running a Business, and the Potential Impact of U.S. Demographic Trends
In Plus episode 451, David shares the rationale behind recent trades in his portfolio to increase the allocation to equity REITs and preferred stock. We discuss the importance of keeping personalGo to episode…
450 Plus: October 2023 Investment Conditions and Strategy Commentary
In Plus episode 450, we review the impact of rising interest rates on investment conditionsGo to episode…
449 Plus: Retaining an Investment Advisor, Money Market Funds, Repos, and a QT Update
In Plus episode 449, we answer a member’s question about retaining an investment advisor. We compare bank-offered money market accounts and money market mutual funds. We review what repurchaseGo to episode…
448 Plus: Speculations, Automating Investments DRIPS, and Purchasing Land in Mexico
In Plus episode 448, we discuss speculations in marijuana stocks and AI. We explore how dividend reinvestment programs work, and the benefits of making sure there is congruence between one’sGo to episode…
447 Plus: The Tax Impact of Active Stock Funds, Municipal Bonds, and Balancing Cash and Longer-term Bonds
In Plus episode 447, we discuss how to calculate the performance impact of capital gains tax distributions for an active stock mutual fund. We answer a member’s question on what to do with aGo to episode…
446 Plus: September 2023 Investment Conditions and Strategy Commentary
In Plus episode 446, we review why the consensus believes the global economy can achieve a soft landing. We also consider why interest rates are rising. We look at how the stock market has performedGo to episode…
445 Plus: More on Estimating Bond Fund Returns and Spin-Off Investing
In Plus episode 445, we reference an academic study as we try to better explain why the starting yield to maturity is a good estimate of a bond fund’s or ETF’s annualized return if theGo to episode…
444 Plus: Master Limited Partnerships, Differing Bond Yield Calculations, and AI Model Hallucinations
In Plus episode 444, we provide an update on master limited partnerships. We look at the differing bond yield calculations for bond funds and ETFs, and why there can be a disconnect between yield toGo to episode…
443 Plus: U.S. Debt Downgrade, Vanguard Cash Plus Account, and Crowdstreet Fraud
In Plus episode 443, we consider the repercussions of Fitch downgrading U.S. government debt and how to monitor the debt situation. We analyze Vanguard’s new cash options. Finally, we review theGo to episode…
442 Plus: August 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 442, we review economic trends, asset class valuations and market internals as of early August 2023. We consider how the consensus appears to expect a soft landing, but that it is notGo to episode…
441 Plus: Fixed Rate Debt, Japan and Yield Curve Control, Activist Short Sellers, Treasuries and Taxes
In Plus episode 441, we consider the economic impact of private-sector fixed-rate debt versus variable-rate debt. We discuss the Bank of Japan’s apparent abandoning of yield curve control. WhenGo to episode…
440 Plus: What Age to Rebalance, PIMCO Income Fund, Comparing Two Other Bond Funds, and Buying a Small Business
In Plus episode 440, we revisit when and why to rebalance a portfolio. We analyze the PIMCO Income Fund to see if the dividend is sustainable. We compare the Dodge & Cox Income Fund to theGo to episode…
439 Plus: New Portfolio Trades, Market Temperature, Providing Investment Help, and TFLO
In Plus episode 439, we continue discussing AI large-language models and how to think about them. David shares two AI-influenced trades in his portfolio. We review a recent editorial by Howard MarksGo to episode…
438 Plus: July 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 438, we review financial market returns, economic trends, and asset class valuations as of early July 2023Go to episode…
437 Plus: Federal Home Loan Bank Bonds and an Advantage of Closed-End Fund Premiums
In Plus episode 437, we explore the history of the 90-year-old Federal Home Loan Bank, and why its bonds can be attractive to individual investors. We also explore how closed-end funds that sell at aGo to episode…
436 Plus: Asset Camp and Plus Membership, Qualified Dividends, and Mutual Fund Share Classes
In Plus episode 436, we discuss why Asset Camp is separate from Plus membership even as charts and data from Asset Camp are used in materials on the Plus membership site, including the monthlyGo to episode…
435 Plus: June 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 435, we discuss why we bother producing and consuming a monthly investment conditions report when most of the time over the past nine years investment conditions have been neutral. WeGo to episode…
434 Plus: Model Portfolios Overview, Why DFJ, and Icahn Enterprises Follow Up
In Plus episode 434, we review the Money For the Rest of Us Plus model portfolios, their history and how they are used. We discuss why the WisdomTree Japan Small Cap Dividend ETF (DFJ) is included inGo to episode…
433 Plus: Wealth Trackers Review, How Many Bond Funds, Inflation and the Trillion Dollar Coin
In Plus episode 433, we compare Kubera to Exirio. We discuss bond portfolio structure and compare the DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund to the DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund. Finally, we discussGo to episode…
432 Plus: Where To Invest In Bonds Now and a Cockroach Role-Based Portfolio
In Plus episode 432, we compare investing in CDs, municipal bonds, investment grade corporate bonds, U.S. Treasuries, or TIPS in the current investment environment. We also analyze a version of aGo to episode…
431 Plus: May 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 431, we provide an update on the U.S. banking crisis and its potential impact on the global economy and financial markets. We also look for evidence of financial stress and reviewGo to episode…
430 Plus: Merriman Two Fund For Life Portfolio and Premium Income Barrier ETFs
In Plus episode 430, we analyze the risk and reward of combining a target date retirement fund with a small cap value allocation. We also analyze Innovator ETFs’ new Premium Income BarrierGo to episode…
429 Plus: Stocks and Inflation, Emerging Markets Bonds
In Plus episode 429, we consider how stocks perform during periods of high inflation by looking at the example of Argentina and a recent academic study on the topicGo to episode…
428 Plus: CMBS Risks, ETF Replacements for Money Market Mutual Funds, and Comparing Two Value ETFs
In Plus episode 428, we explore how commercial mortgage-backed securities work. We look at ETF options that are similar to money market mutual funds. We analyze the U.S. Benchmark Series, a new ETFGo to episode…
427 Plus: April 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 427, we review economic trends, asset class valuations, and financial market trends in light of the banking scare last monthGo to episode…
426 Plus: TIPS vs CDs, 1031 Exchange, and a Balanced Leveraged ETF Portfolio
In Plus episode 426, we analyze how to decide between 5-year TIPS or 5-year certificates of deposit. We explore how real estate investors defer taxes through 1031 exchanges and investing in DelawareGo to episode…
425 Plus: Bank Contagion Update, Mid Cap Value ETFs, SEC Yields, and Deciding When to Retire
In Plus episode 425, we provide an update on the U.S. banking situation and the potential impact on financial markets and the economy. We look at mid-cap value investing and profile three mid-capGo to episode…
424 Plus: CLO ETF Trade, Bonds vs Stocks, Preferred Stock Dividends, and AI ETFs
In Plus episode 424, we review a recent portfolio trade David made. We look at the valuations of stocks versus bonds. We consider why more preferred stocks are non cumulative versus cumulativeGo to episode…
423 Plus: March 2023 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 423, we review economic trends, asset class valuations, earnings expectations, and market internals as of early March. February was a case of good news being badGo 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.