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:
497 Plus: Portfolio Trade, Bond and CLO Defaults, and Non-U.S. Stock Valuations
This week on Plus episode 497, we review David’s trade to sell ASGI. We review historical default rates for bonds and CLOs. We also explore why non-U.S. stock valuations are lower today than 20Go to episode…
496 Plus: October 2024 Investment Conditions and a Portfolio Trade
In Plus episode 496, we review investment conditions as of early October 2024. We also discuss David’s recent portfolio trade to switch out buffer ETFsGo to episode…
495 Plus: China’s Stock Boom, U.S. Recession Risk, and Fractional Shares
In Plus episode 495, we explore why the Chinese stock market has gained 15% this month. We review the latest leading economic indicators to assess U.S. and global recession risk. Finally, we touch onGo to episode…
494 Plus: TIPS, When to Sell a Bond, and a New Deletion ETF
In Plus episode 494, we compare owning a TIPS ladder versus using TIPS ETFs. We consider when an investor should sell an individual bond that has appreciated in price. Finally, we review the ResearchGo to episode…
493 Plus: Investing in India, Simplify Volatility Premium ETF, and Stock Market Inelasticity
In Plus episode 493, we revisit the case for investing in the Indian stock market and consider whether one should do so with an ETF that hedges currency exposure. We revisit the Simplify VolatilityGo to episode…
492 Plus: September 2024 Investment Conditions
In Plus episode 492, we review the latest financial and economic trends to determine whether they warrant changes in our investment strategyGo to episode…
491 Plus: Buffer ETFs, TIPS, Brokerage Bankruptcies and HSA Accounts
In Plus episode 491, we explore why buffer ETFs use European-style options with a set exercise date rather than American-style options that can be exercised at any time. We look at the maximum lossGo to episode…
490 Plus: Accredited Investors, David’s Private Capital Allocation, Closed-End Funds and BLW
In Plus episode 490, we continue the discussion on accredited investors. David breaks down his private capital allocation and discusses potential substitutes. We answer several questions aboutGo to episode…
489 Plus: August Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 489, we review investment conditions after a volatile week for the stock market. We unpack the latest data to understand what, if any, changes investors should make to their portfoliosGo to episode…
488 Plus: Portfolio Trades, Pershing Square USA Follow Up, and CEF Premiums
In Plus episode 488, David reviews changes in his portfolio, including adding a fixed-income bullet ETF, an equity buffer ETF, and increasing his allocation to CLOs. We discuss why Pershing SquareGo to episode…
487 Plus: Bank Loans, CLOs, and Pershing Square’s New Closed-end Fund
In Plus episode 487, we answer some members’ questions on bank loans and collateralized loan obligations. We also analyze Pershing Square USA (PSUS), Bill Ackman’s anticipated closed-endGo to episode…
486 Plus: Callable Bonds, U.S. AI Stock Bubble, Robinhood, and Crypto Taxes
In Plus episode 486, we review how to estimate expected returns when a fund or ETF holds callable bonds. We consider two questions from members worried about high valuations for the U.S. stock marketGo to episode…
485 Plus: June 2024 Investment Conditions Commentary
In Plus episode 485, we review financial market returns, economic trends, asset class valuations, and market internals as of mid-July 2024Go to episode…
484 Plus: ETF Family Size and a Review of QE’s Impact on Inflation and Asset Prices
In Plus episode 484, we answer a member’s question on whether it is better to invest in larger ETFs and with larger ETF families. We also review quantitative easing and quantitative tighteningGo to episode…
483 Plus: Private Credit, BDCs, CLOs, Cash Balances and Is This Portfolio Too Aggressive
In Plus episode 483, we analyze the Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC), which invests in business development companies (BDCs), leveraged loans, and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). We review theGo to episode…
482 Plus: Investing in Municipal Bonds, Interpreting Bond Spread Data, and YieldStreet Update
In Plus episode 482, we review the types, structures, default risks, and different tax treatments of municipal bonds. We also explain how to interpret the Income Strategies and Bond table in theGo to episode…
481 Plus: June 2024 Investment Conditions and No Longer Selling Bitcoin
This week on Plus episode 481, we review why overall investment conditions were updated to neutral YELLOW from low neutral. David also explains why he no longer intends to take profits in Bitcoin, butGo to episode…
480 Plus: U.S. Treasury Auctions, Fundamental Index, and a Peer Street Bankruptcy Update
In Plus episode 480, we explore how Treasury auctions work and what metrics are monitored to assess whether demand is strong or weak. We review the performance of fundamental indexing relative toGo to episode…
478 and 479 Plus: Public and Private REIT Update, Analyzing Individual Stocks, Comparing Brokerage Firms, and Direct Indexing
In this combined Plus episodes 478 and 479, we review public equity REITs’ historical performance, expected returns, and current valuations. We also compare public equity REITs to private REITsGo to episode…
477 Plus: May 2024 Investment Conditions
In Plus episode 477, we review why financial markets sold off in April and how to position our portfolios going forwardGo to episode…
476 Plus: Reflections on Money for the Rest of Us Plus Ten Years Later
In Plus episode 476, David shares his thoughts on where Money for the Rest of Us and Plus membership has come and where it is goingGo to episode…
475 Plus: Convertible Bonds, Treasury ETFs, Cash Equivalents and Taxes on RSUs
In Plus episode 475, we review investment conditions for convertible bonds. We answer a member’s question on investing in Treasury ETFs and cash. Finally, we discuss the tax consequences whenGo to episode…
474 Plus: Who Really Owns Our Stock Shares, a New Private Tech Company CEF, and a Canadian Cash Equivalent
In Plus episode 474, we review what it means that investors who purchase stock through a brokerage firm don’t really own the stock but are only entitled to the dividends. We explore a newGo to episode…
473 Plus: April 2024 Investment Conditions and Exiting AMJ
In Plus episode 473, we review investment conditions as of early April 2024. We consider options for rebalancing away from U.S. stocks after their 30% gain in the past year. David also shares why weGo to episode…
472 Plus: When to Use Option Writing Strategies, Premium Income Barrier ETFs, and Performance Tracking Apps
In Plus episode 472, we compare covered call and put writing strategies to Innovator’s Premium Income Barrier ETFs. We consider how option writing strategies fit into a portfolio. Finally, weGo to episode…
471 Plus More on Covered Calls, Shorting Volatility, and Investing Emergency Funds
On Plus episode 471, we compare covered call strategies, selling puts, and shorting volatility. We explore the purpose of emergency funds and how to invest themGo to episode…
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…
467 Plus: Fallen Angels, BBB Bonds, Swapping Out Leveraged Loans Funds, and How to Use the Investment Conditions Report
In Plus episode 467, we explain the resources on Money for the Rest of Us Plus to learn about different asset classes. We explore investing in fallen angel bonds, which are bonds that have recentlyGo 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…
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.
