We explore the expected size of AI-related debt, which vehicles hold it, what could go wrong, and how to protect yourself. Topics covered include: Show Notes AI debt slide deck used for episode RBC Weighs $2 Billion Risk Transfer to Hedge Data Center-Linked Loans by Esteban Duarte and Paula Sambo—Bloomberg Hyperscalers Tap External Financing as AI Capex Outruns Cash Flow—FactSet Insight What History Tells Us About The AI Investment Boom by Larry Swedroe—Financial … [Read more...]
560 Plus: AI, the Dollar, and De-Dollarization: July 2026 Livestream Q&A
In this livestream recorded July 15, 2026, David gives his quarterly check-in on AI, including what it does well, where it still falls short, and what its massive capital spending means for jobs, stocks, and the economy. He then answers listener questions on the dollar, crypto, central bank digital currencies, and managing the model portfolios. Topics covered include: Become a Member If you would like to listen to this episode of Money For the Rest of Us Plus, you can do so by … [Read more...]
558 Plus: SpaceX IPO, Equity REITs, Preferred Stock, Option Income, Managed Futures, Optionality, and AI Writing
In Plus episode 558, David provides a short update on the SpaceX IPO, he reviews his income strategy holdings, and considers whether now is a good entry point for equity REITs, preferred stock, option income, and managed futures. Finally, we discuss a recent piece on energy optionality that was written mostly using AI and whether that detracted from the piece's credibility. Become a Member If you would like to listen to this episode of Money For the Rest of Us Plus, you can do so by … [Read more...]
555: Five Practices That Have Shaped My Career
I share five business practices that have carried me through internet bubbles, financial crises, business pivots, and now the rise of AI. Show Notes Researchers Asked LLMs for Strategic Advice. They Got “Trendslop” in Return. By Angelo Romasanta, Llewellyn D.W. Thomas and Natalia Levina—Harvard Business Review Paul Kedrosky Gregor Macdonald - Cold Eye Earth Prediction Market Accuracy: Crowd Wisdom or Informed Minority? By Roberto Gomez Cram, Yunhan Guo, Theis Ingerslev … [Read more...]
553: Is Another Great Financial Crisis Coming? 5 Ways to Prepare
How the Iran conflict and other developments could lead to another major financial crisis. What is different today from 2008? Why trying to seed a revolution is so risky. And finally, what can we do to prepare ourselves for the next financial crisis? Show Notes Read Trump's full statement on Iran attacks—PBS News I Predicted the 2008 Financial Crisis. What Is Coming May Be Worse. By Richard Bookstaber—The New York Times The End of Theory: Financial Crises, the Failure of … [Read more...]
552: AI Is Changing Me – and the Case for Good Enough
When is good enough actually good enough? AI is reshaping how I work and live. And a member with a portfolio that's beaten an all-in-one Vanguard LifeStrategy fund for ten years asks whether the complexity is worth it — or whether it's time to simplify. Show Notes The Upswing: How We Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again by Robert Putnam—Simon &Schuster An update on our model deprecation commitments for Claude Opus 3—Anthropic Claude's … [Read more...]
548: What Will Drive Financial Markets in 2026—and How to Make It Your Best Year
We explore the forces likely to shape financial markets in 2026 and how to make better decisions as you pursue your goals this year. Topics covered include: Show Notes A Slightly Better You in the New Year by Roland Fryer—The Wall Street Journal Paying Not to Go to the Gym by Stefano DellaVigna and Ulrike Malmendier—American Economic Association Handbook of Cognitive Biases—Federal Intelligence Service FIS Employed full time: Median usual weekly real earnings: Wage … [Read more...]
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 the model portfolios, why equity REITs were moved to the Income portfolio, and how similar the new bond ETFs are to the mutual funds they replaced. Finally, we discuss managing FOMO and funding short-term liabilities. Become a Member If you would like to listen to this episode of Money For the Rest … [Read more...]
542: Don’t Take Financial Advice from AI
A concerning example of how AI makes simple financial mistakes, and the right and wrong way to use AI to make financial decisions. Topics covered include: Show Notes What Kind of a “PhD-level Expert” Is ChatGPT 5.0? I Tested It. by Gary Smith—Mind Matters Top US Army General Says He’s Letting ChatGPT Make Military Decisions by Joe Wilkins—Futurism Why Language Models Hallucinate by Adam Tauman Kalai, Ofir Nachum, et al—Arxiv Auto Loan … [Read more...]
538: Forests, Fakes, and the Fight for the Real
From salmon leaping along the Vancouver Island coast to fake bands on Spotify, this episode explores the divide between the physical and digital economy, and what lumber markets, managed forests, and everyday life teach us about staying connected to the real. Topics covered include: Show Notes Lumber Prices Are Flashing a Warning Sign for the U.S. Economy by Ryan Dezember—The Wall Street Journal Lumber Price—Trading Economics J.Crew used A.I. to counterfeit their own … [Read more...]
