In Plus episode 297 for the week of May 8, 2020, we review the latest economic trends, market valuations and market internals. We review the intrinsic value of stocks, why they historically have declined during recessions and why stocks may be acting differently during the current global recession. Finally, we review the criteria for when the allocation to stocks would be increased in the Money For the Rest of Us Plus model portfolios. … [Read more...]
275: Are You Over Diversified?
Is it possible to be too diversified in your investment portfolio and how can you tell? Why Warren Buffet thinks diversification is protection against ignorance. In this podcast episode you’ll learn: The skills you need to be able to select individual stocks.How have active managers outperformed relative to passive indexing products.How much diversification is too much and a test to determine if one is over diversified.What is factor investing and which factors have worked over … [Read more...]
274: 10 Questions to Master Successful Investing
What are the timeless principles we can follow in order to become better investors? In this podcast episode you’ll learn: How a book's permanence makes it different from a podcast.How David's book got written and published and why his publisher just recalled the hardcover version of the book.What are the 10 questions we should answer before we invest in anything. Show Notes Money for the Rest of Us book Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't … [Read more...]
229: Stop Maximizing Your Returns Using Modern Portfolio Theory
Why modern portfolio theory is a defective way to build out an investment portfolio. This episode explains a better approach to asset allocation. In this episode you’ll learn: What are the inputs needed to compile an asset allocation using modern portfolio theory.What are the defects with modern portfolio theory.Why we should be minimizing our maximum regret rather than maximizing our returns.A more flexible approach to asset allocation that isn't reliant on modern … [Read more...]
201: Is Your Portfolio Unbalanced?
Why most conventional portfolios make huge and often unintended bets on the stock market. How role-based investing can lead to a more balanced portfolio. Photo by Mangrove Mike In this episode you’ll learn: Why asset class returns and volatility are driven by changing expectations.How most investors are making a huge bet in stocks even though they might not be aware of it.The benefit and challenges of holding assets that perform well during various economic regimes.Why … [Read more...]
193 Plus: Pensions, Bankruptcy Risk and Speculation
This week February 24, 2018 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus, we clarify the importance of understanding a pension's funding status before choosing the pension via a lump sum payment. We also clarify the risk of investing in crowdfunding platforms in the case of bankruptcy. We explore how investments with positive expected returns can be speculative for individuals and how to manage that speculative risk. Finally, we discuss asset allocation for accounts designated for children. … [Read more...]
180: Can You Outperform Harvard’s Endowment?
Why have college endowments underperformed a simple three fund Vanguard portfolio? Should you mirror a simple two or three fund portfolio or invest more like an endowment with multiple asset classes? Photo by Bill Badzo In this episode you’ll learn: How have college endowments underperformed a simple three Vanguard fund portfolio.What's the difference between time weighted and dollar weighted returns.Why are college endowments shifting more of their portfolios to alternative … [Read more...]
178 Plus: Retirement Allocations, MLP Update and Forecasting Errors
This week October 28, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus, we look at two types of forecasting errors for future returns. We address a member's question who is concerned about the 70% of his portfolio he says is languishing in cash and another who is considering stop limit orders. We answer a member's question regarding rental real estate and reducing exchange rate volatility. Finally, we discuss the current environment for master limited partnerships. … [Read more...]
154 Plus: How Your Profession Impacts Your Investment Strategy
This week April 20, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at how investors should factor in their employment in terms of their overall asset allocation, such as the variability of their income and the industry in which they work. We look at a new study by Vanguard on dollar cost averaging versus investing lump sums. We explore the implications of the phrase, "the market went up because the money had no where else to go." Finally, we consider how investment bubbles can contribute … [Read more...]
153 Plus: Evaluating Annuities, Directed Trades and Private Real Estate
This week April 15, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we help a member analyze whether it is better to take a lump sum payment or an annuity that a former employer is offering. We look at how major retail brokerage firms such as Schwab and Fidelity direct trades to market makers and whether that is a good thing or not. We analyze how an investor might adjust their publicly traded portfolio mix if they own rental real estate. Finally, we try to determine which precious metal is most … [Read more...]