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Paul returns from three days at the Garrett Planning Network retreat with a lesson that has almost nothing to do with investments — and everything to do with getting your money's worth from professional advice.Garrett advisors work by the hour, a business model Paul believes eliminates the conflicts of interest built into assets-under-management relationships. For $1,000 to $8,000, he's convinced most families can get extraordinary value from five to ten hours with a thoughtful, trained hourly planner. But there's a catch: the value of those hours depends almost entirely on your willingness to tell the truth. Inspired by a Seth Godin observation — people lie in focus groups, on surveys, and to themselves — Paul explains why the most valuable planning meeting isn't the one where you look financially successful. It's the one where you're completely honest. Paul and his wife are putting this to the test with an hourly planner of their own, and he'll report back in the weeks ahead.Next, Paul shares a private conversation with his longtime friend Rick Ferri, who challenged an idea Paul has taught for decades: that small cap value, large cap value, and international are equity asset classes at all. Rick argues there's only one equity asset class — the total market — and everything else is a segment or style. Paul takes the challenge seriously, does some digging, and explains why the answer matters far more than a debate over definitions. How you think about asset classes shapes the portfolio you'll live with for the next 60 or 70 years.Finally, Paul digs into AVGE, the Avantis globally diversified all-equity ETF, and how it compares to Vanguard's total market approach (VT and VTI). He walks through the meaningful differences: 70/30 U.S./international at Avantis versus 60/40 at Vanguard, and substantially larger positions in mid cap value, small cap value, and small cap blend. He looks at what those tilts have meant historically — including Vanguard's own mid cap value fund turning $10,000 into roughly $160,000 versus $102,000 for the S&P 500 — and why he believes the extra 0.17% in expenses may be money well spent. For investors who don't want to go all-in, Paul offers simple combinations, like a third VT, a third AVGE, and a third AVUV.CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction: three topics from the Garrett retreat01:56 – Why hourly advisors have fewer conflicts of interest05:52 – The catch: your willingness to tell the truth06:38 – Seth Godin: "People lie... and they lie to themselves"08:04 – What planners can't fix if they don't know about it13:00 – Paul's debate with Rick Ferri: what is an equity asset class?18:05 – Why the definition shapes your lifetime portfolio21:34 – AVGE vs. VT: U.S./international balance23:07 – Comparing value, blend, and growth exposure25:00 – Mid cap and small cap: what history shows30:15 – Expense ratios and what you're paying for31:35 – Simple combinations: VT + AVGE + AVUV33:15 – Stay the course: closing thoughtsLearn more about the Garrett Planning Network
Can poetry become a bridge between cultures, faiths, and generations?On this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton, acclaimed poet, translator, literary scholar, and Professor Emeritus Martin Bidney discusses three extraordinary books that explore the beauty, wisdom, and spiritual richness of Islamic tradition through poetry and intercultural dialogue.Featured works include:Beauty in Islam: Poems of Wholeness, Light, and ConcordGod the All-Imaginer: Wisdom of Sufi Master Ibn Arabi in 99 Modern SonnetsWest-East Divan: The Poems, with "Notes and Essays": Goethe's Intercultural DialoguesMartin Bidney has pioneered a unique literary form he calls Verse Translation with Interview (VTI), creating poetic conversations with some of history's greatest writers and spiritual thinkers, including Goethe, Shakespeare, Rumi, Hafiz, Virgil, and the renowned Sufi philosopher Ibn Arabi. Through these remarkable works, he demonstrates how poetry can transcend time, language, and culture while encouraging understanding between people of different traditions.Drawing on more than six decades of scholarship, over 60 published books, and a lifetime devoted to literature, Bidney shares why poetry remains one of humanity's most powerful tools for discovering beauty, wisdom, and common ground.In this episode you'll discover:• How poetry can foster dialogue across cultures and religions• Why Goethe was inspired by Islamic and Persian literature• The enduring wisdom of Sufi philosopher Ibn Arabi• How Verse Translation with Interview creates conversations across centuries• Why literature continues to inspire empathy, imagination, and spiritual reflectionThis Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, business leaders, health experts, historians, innovators, and thought leaders. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. Discover new episodes every week covering business, personal development, health, wellness, technology, history, education, literature, and the issues that matter most.Whether you're interested in world literature, poetry, Islamic studies, Sufism, Goethe, Rumi, comparative religion, intercultural dialogue, philosophy, or spiritual exploration, Ric Bratton's conversation with Martin Bidney offers a fascinating journey into the timeless power of poetry to connect cultures and deepen our understanding of the human experience. Don't miss this enlightening episode of This Week in America.Keywords: Martin Bidney, Beauty in Islam, God the All-Imaginer, West-East Divan, Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Ibn Arabi, Sufism, Sufi philosophy, Rumi, Hafiz, Islamic poetry, Islamic literature, comparative literature, world literature, poetry translation, Verse Translation with Interview, VTI, intercultural dialogue, spiritual poetry, philosophy, religion, comparative religion, English literature, poetry podcast, author interview, literary criticism, poetry translation, This Week in America, Ric Bratton, podcast interview, literary podcast, Islamic tradition, Persian poetry
Tom and Don tackle one of retirement's hardest questions: how much can you safely spend from your portfolio without blowing up the rest of your life? They walk through the familiar 4% rule, flexible withdrawal strategies, why a flat 10% withdrawal is usually fantasyland, and why the “right” spending rate depends heavily on your age, timeline, and tolerance for adjusting in bad markets. They also answer a listener question about a 22-year-old's investment allocation and close with a timely discussion of the latest Social Security trust fund warning, what it actually means, and the only real ways Congress can fix it.00:12 — How much can you safely spend in retirement? Tom and Don tee up the big question: 4% rule, 5% flexible rule, or something more personalized.02:08 — Survey shocker: many people think they need 30 years of income saved before retiring comfortably.03:03 — Longevity math: how long retirement might actually last, and why that matters for withdrawal rates.04:40 — Can you really withdraw 10% a year? Tom and Don push back on overly aggressive retirement spending assumptions.05:59 — Why generic withdrawal rules fall apart in real-life retirement planning.06:25 — Every retiree needs a personalized withdrawal strategy based on their own timeline and circumstances.07:17 — Retiring at 60 vs. 70: why earlier retirement makes even “safe” withdrawal rates riskier.09:04 — Why it's worth having a professional review your retirement withdrawal plan, even if you've used calculators.09:58 — The case for flexible withdrawals: spending more in strong markets and less in weak ones.10:20 — Three common retirement planning mistakes: not saving enough, not knowing your needed return, and taking the wrong amount of risk.12:16 — Listener question: a 22-year-old with $28,500 invested wants to know if his allocation makes sense.13:28 — Breaking down DFAW, VT, and VTI: overlap, diversification, and whether the portfolio is too complicated.16:21 — The bigger story: a 22-year-old already has a terrific head start on retirement savings.17:56 — Social Security update: the trust fund could run short in 2032 if nothing changes.18:37 — The only real ways to fix Social Security: raise taxes, cut benefits, or some combination of both.19:52 — Why scary Social Security headlines should not automatically push people to file early.21:22 — One possible fix: raising or removing the payroll tax cap.23:27 — The demographic problem under Social Security: too few workers supporting too many retirees.Questions? Comments? Click!
Competition for AI Is Coming From a Surprise Source That Could Pressure U.S. Companies' Prices and Profits We tend to focus on the major AI companies in the United States and assume they will be the long-term winners. However, one competitor that cannot be ignored is China. Chinese companies are making rapid progress in artificial intelligence, and they could become a serious challenge to U.S. firms. Don't forget that China is a communist country and the government can put in a lot of capital to win the AI race. That ability to heavily fund AI development could help Chinese companies narrow the gap with, or even surpass, some American competitors in certain areas. According to Artificial Analysis, which evaluates the capabilities of large language models, China's Z.ai ranked among the top three globally with its latest model release. Another concern is cost. Z.ai is reportedly offering models at less than half the price of many American rivals. Lower prices could make it easier for the company to gain market share while putting pressure on the pricing and profit margins of U.S. AI companies. I certainly don't want to see American companies lose ground to Chinese competitors. However, as investors, we have to evaluate the competitive landscape objectively. U.S. AI companies have already committed hundreds of billions of dollars to infrastructure and development. If competition forces prices lower, it may take much longer for these companies to generate the profits needed to justify today's lofty stock prices and valuations. The Business of Kids' Sports Is Changing and it May Not Be for the Better Private equity has made its way into nearly every corner of the economy, and now it's becoming a major force in youth sports. The Aspen Institute has estimated that youth sports are now a $40 billion industry in the U.S, which is likely why private equity is now targeting the space. That's raising serious concerns about what happens when maximizing investor returns becomes more important than giving kids affordable opportunities to play. As private equity firms buy up leagues, tournaments, training facilities, and sports complexes, critics argue the result is less competition, higher registration fees, and fewer affordable options for families. The average cost of youth sports has increased dramatically in recent years, leaving many children priced out of participating simply because their families can't afford it. One thing that stands out is that this has become one of the rare issues drawing concern from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Burgess Owens, a Republican from Utah and former professional football player, pointed out “Investment is important, but it's when the mission is our kids, not investors. We're seeing too much of this. We're going to lose the soul of our nation if we don't get this right.” He also acknowledged that while some investors are doing it the right way, bad actors need to be kept out. While there are differences over how to address the problem, there appears to be broad bipartisan agreement that rising costs and reduced consumer choice deserve closer scrutiny. Youth sports should be about developing character, teamwork, friendships, and healthy competition, not creating another industry where financial engineering determines who gets to participate. If the trend toward consolidation continues unchecked, more families may find themselves priced out of opportunities that should be available to every child, regardless of income. Bitcoin Company Strategy Is in Trouble Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, changed its name after the company essentially became a leveraged bet on Bitcoin rather than a software business. As management shifted its focus almost entirely to buying Bitcoin, it dropped the "Micro" from its name to reflect that new identity. CEO Michael Saylor spent years promoting Bitcoin and telling investors that owning Strategy stock was one of the best ways to benefit from its rise. To finance those Bitcoin purchases, the company repeatedly issued low-interest convertible bonds. The next major maturity comes on September 15, 2027, when approximately $1 billion of convertible notes become due. If you're unfamiliar with convertible bonds, they allow a company to borrow money at lower interest rates because investors have the option to convert the bonds into stock instead of receiving cash repayment. For that to happen, however, the stock price must trade well above the conversion price. In this case, the conversion price is about $183 per share, about double the current stock price of roughly $90. Unless the stock stages a dramatic recovery, those bonds are unlikely to be converted into shares, meaning Strategy would need to repay the $1 billion in cash. The stock has fallen nearly 79% over the past year, and Bitcoin's decline has only magnified the losses. Bitcoin itself has dropped roughly 50% from its peak, falling below $60,000 depending on the day. When Bitcoin was making new highs, investor excitement seemed endless. Now that prices have been cut roughly in half, much of that enthusiasm has disappeared. Michael Saylor has also been noticeably absent from major interviews in recent months. Whether that is because demand for his appearances has faded or because the company's performance has made those appearances more difficult is open to interpretation. Strategy stock reached a high of around $473 in late 2024 and now trades near $90. We've discussed this company many times before. The concern has always been that Strategy is not creating meaningful operating growth as it is primarily just borrowing money to buy Bitcoin. Unlike a traditional operating company, it is not relying on expanding products or services to drive future earnings. At the moment, there does not appear to be a clear catalyst that would significantly lift either Bitcoin or Strategy's stock price. If the shares remain well below the conversion price as the 2027 maturity approaches, investors are likely to become increasingly concerned about how the company will repay its debt. That uncertainty could continue to put pressure on the stock. Upper-middle-class Americans may not be as financially secure as they would like Upper-middle-class Americans, generally defined as households earning between $150,000 and $250,000 per year, may be in a stronger financial position than most, but many are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the future. You may be surprised to learn that 86% of upper-middle-class Americans do not believe their children will have a better life than they have. Just seven years ago, in 2019, that figure was only 64%. Many upper-middle-class households are also losing confidence in the economic system and the government. They increasingly feel that the odds are stacked against them, making it harder to continue moving ahead financially. In the most recent Wall Street Journal survey, 65% of affluent Americans said they believe the system is rigged against them, more than double the 29% who felt that way in 2017. The news isn't much better for the middle class, generally defined as households earning between $65,000 and $235,000 annually. Only 25% said they have been able to save beyond an emergency fund. Roughly one in four also reported carrying credit card debt that they are unable to pay off in full each month. Despite these concerns, there has still been significant upward mobility. About 75% of people in today's upper-income group said they now belong to a higher economic class than the one they grew up in. Among middle-class Americans, roughly half said they also grew up in a lower economic class than where they are today. Views on higher education are changing as well. About one-third of middle-class Americans no longer believe a four-year college degree is the best path to financial success. Rising tuition costs, growing student debt, and the availability of alternative career paths have caused many to rethink the traditional college route. No matter which income group people belong to, there is often a desire to improve their financial situation and move up economically. That ambition is a healthy part of human nature and is often what drives people to work harder, save more, and invest for the future. While constantly striving for more can sometimes make it difficult to feel fully satisfied, the pursuit of improvement can also provide a strong sense of purpose and accomplishment. Did The Recent Jobs Report Tell the Whole Story? At first glance, this weeks jobs report looked fairly uneventful. The U.S. economy added 57,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in June, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.2%. This was below the estimate of 115k, but it does follow three strong months of payroll growth. After looking through the report, there are several numbers that raise some important questions. The first is the labor force. About 720,000 people left the labor force in June, pushing the labor force participation rate down to 61.5%, the lowest since March 2021. Even more troubling is that if we exclude the Covid-era, it was the lowest labor force participation rate in exactly 50 years. When people stop looking for work, they are no longer counted as unemployed, which can make the unemployment rate appear stronger than it otherwise would. Another surprising number was leisure and hospitality, which lost 61,000 jobs. June is typically one of the strongest hiring months of the year for hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and travel-related businesses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics attributed much of the decline to weaker-than-normal seasonal hiring, but it's still worth asking whether this reflects a temporary statistical issue or an early sign that consumer spending is beginning to soften. It is especially strange given the popularity of the World Cup and many speculated this would be a strong sector in the report. Goldman Sachs in particular estimated a gain of 40k in leisure and hospitality before the report was released. Then there is the latest JOLTS report. Job openings stood at 7.6 million in May, showing employers are still looking for workers, but the question is if people are actually leaving the workforce can these jobs actually get filled? One report never tells the entire story, but these numbers deserve a closer look. Was June simply an odd month because of seasonal adjustments? Or are we beginning to see a labor market that is slowing more quickly than the headline unemployment rate suggests? The next few months of data should help answer that question. The biggest risk in AI may not be the technology, it may be the economics. This week, Bradley Tusk and Ed Zitron raised important questions that investors shouldn't ignore. Bradley Tusk (founder and CEO of Tusk Ventures and a venture capitalist) made an interesting observation: investors are treating frontier AI models the same. But China's AI companies are proving that powerful models can be developed much more cheaply and improve much faster than many expected. If lower-cost models continue to narrow the performance gap, AI models could become increasingly commoditized, making it much harder for companies spending hundreds of billions of dollars on infrastructure to earn attractive returns. Ed Zitron (author, podcaster and tech industry critic) echoed a similar concern from a different angle. He argues that AI companies are engaged in an expensive arms race, pouring enormous amounts of capital into chips, data centers, and model development without proving that the economics will justify the investment. As he has said, companies are "burning money at an astonishing rate" while investors continue to assume future profits will eventually catch up. This also ties into a warning from co-funder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, Alex Karp . He has criticized what he calls "token maxxing"—the idea that success in AI is simply about generating more tokens, building bigger models, and spending more on compute. Karp's point is that producing more AI output doesn't automatically create more business value. The companies that ultimately win will be the ones that solve real customer problems and generate durable profits, not necessarily those that consume the most GPUs or produce the most tokens. History shows that revolutionary technologies don't always produce the best investments. The internet transformed the world, but many of the biggest companies of the dot-com era disappeared because expectations got too far ahead of profits. AI will almost certainly reshape the economy. The bigger question for investors is whether the companies making the largest investments will ultimately earn the returns the market is expecting—or whether AI models become increasingly commoditized, leaving the biggest winners to be the businesses that successfully apply AI rather than simply build larger models. Financial Planning: Trump Account Investment Options Released Ahead of $1,000 Seed Funding Trump Accounts are expected to receive $1,000 of government seed money as soon as the 4th of July. If you have a child born in 2025 through 2028, you can apply online now at trumpaccounts.gov. This is basically a retirement account with a caveat, contributions can be made on behalf of children even if they don't have earned income. However extra contributions are made on an after-tax non-Roth basis so no upfront tax deduction and no tax-free growth. Instead contributions establish cost basis and investment earnings grow tax-deferred, but are ultimately taxed upon withdrawal at ordinary income rates. In practice, this tax deferral benefit is overstated. This week the Treasury Department released 5 investment options: SPYM, IVV, VTI, ITOT, and SPTM. These are virtually all the same investment, a low fee fund that is heavily weighted toward the largest US companies. This means there is no reason to sell or rebalance, so the only real option is to buy and hold. Buying and holding can also be done in a regular brokerage account with tax deferred until sale, but at the lower, potentially 0%, long-term capital gains rates rather than the higher ordinary income rates. Some planning strategies involve funding the Trump account and later converting it to a Roth. However, those conversions would still trigger tax at ordinary income rates and potentially trigger the kiddie tax, pulling the income into the parent's tax bracket. Since in every possible situation, the long-term capital gain tax rate is always less than the ordinary income tax rate, a better strategy may be to fund a brokerage account and use the future proceeds to make contributions to Roth accounts which likely could be done tax-free rather than funding a Trump account and eventually making Roth conversions at a higher rate. For this reason, while the $1,000 government seed contribution is worth it, additional voluntary contributions may be less attractive compared to already available alternatives. Companies Discussed: Meta Platforms, Inc. (Ticker: META)
At 21, Cody Berman appeared on ChooseFI as a college student discovering financial independence. Three years later, he retired at 26. Now 30 with a $5 million net worth, he's back to reveal exactly how he compressed a decades-long journey into a three-year sprint—and why the same principles work whether you're 25 or 55. The Journey from 22 to FI at 26 00:05:30 Cody's path to financial independence was methodical and aggressive. Between ages 22 and 25, he experimented with over 20 side hustles, scaling his income from $96K to more than $400K annually. The key? He kept expenses locked at just $24K per year—creating a massive gap of $625K over three years. That gap fueled three wealth-building engines: $500K in stock market investments (VOO, VTSAX, VTI) 13 rental properties generating $3,700/month in passive income Digital products businesses producing $10K/month By his 26th birthday, Cody had achieved "cashflow FI"—his passive income streams covered living expenses without touching his investment portfolio. The Psychology of Financial Independence 00:18:00 Brad and Cody explore why some people achieve FI while others with similar incomes stay stuck. The answer isn't math—it's psychology and awareness. Cody attributes his success to having a clear destination. When you know exactly where you're going and why it matters, spending $100 on something that doesn't serve that destination becomes harder than saying no. The infamous "second marshmallow" experiment demonstrates this: delaying gratification becomes easier when you're aware of what you're trading for. As Cody puts it: "Earn more, spend less, invest the gap. Very simple. That is financial independence in a nutshell." Passive Income Reality Check 00:28:00 Let's demolish the myth of truly passive income. Cody manages 13 rental properties—but spends just 4-5 hours per month on them. This represents the spectrum of passive income: not zero effort, but minimal effort relative to the returns. The secret? Working in seasons rather than constant hustle mode. Some months require more attention (tenant turnover, maintenance issues), while others are nearly hands-off. Cody's businesses also follow this pattern—periods of intense development followed by relative autopilot. Brad reinforces this with math: "Every $100 a month you can cut out of your budget is $30,000 less you need in your FI number." Over 20 years, that $100/month compounds to $60K invested. That's a $90K swing from a single optimization. Designing the Perfect Tuesday 00:42:00 Forget exotic vacations—FI is about winning on a random Tuesday. Cody and Lauren's ideal weekday reveals what financial independence actually looks like: Morning: Wake naturally, coffee together, workout (him: gym; her: Pilates), shower, work on creative projects they enjoy Midday: Lunch together, afternoon walk in their neighborhood, separate time for individual pursuits Evening: Dinner together, reading, quality time before bed Nothing dramatic. No yachts. Just complete autonomy over every hour of a normal day. They maintain this through monthly alignment meetings—typically at a restaurant over a nice meal—covering: Money and real estate Health and fitness Travel plans Relationships (with a safe space to address concerns) Friends and family A rotating category Goals for the next month They also record an annual video reviewing the year, creating a time capsule of their journey. Post-FI Life and the Book 00:58:00 What actually happens when you achieve FI? Cody shares the uncomfortable truth: "Anything that you say that you want to do and that you don't do is a Cody problem. Before FI, you can blame things on time. You can blame things on money." When those excuses disappear, you're left facing yourself. That can be liberating and terrifying. His new book, Retire by Thirty, addresses this and more. Like Tim Ferriss's The Four Hour Workweek, the title is provocative but the principles are universal. Whether you compress your FI journey from 50-55, 33…
Lisa J-Stocks | @LisaJStocks bought VTI for over three years straight — then she stopped. In this interview, she explains why she shifted to growth, the two stocks she's buying now (SPMO and SMH), and the simple mindset trick that keeps her investing no matter what: treat it like a bill you have to pay. We hear about her top holding, FXAIX, the monthly dividend stocks she still owns (and how they're really doing), and the hard lesson behind her favorite line: "When you know better, you do better."[Link to YouTube Video]Find out more about OVL from the horse's mouth HERE Warren Buffett's 2012 Annual Shareholder LetterSpecial Offer - One FREE Month of Simply Safe Dividends... no credit card required! Click HERE!
This week in Five Question Friday (FQF): mega IPOs, sequence of returns risk, RMDs from a bonds-only IRA, Roth conversions after 59 1/2, and VT versus VTI plus VXUS.Question 1: Will the giant IPOs coming in 2026 drain money from the market and depress stock prices?Question 2: Is 20% to 30% in bonds enough protection against sequence of returns risk?Question 3: If you move your IRA entirely into bonds, will RMDs force you to sell bonds when they're down?Question 4: If you're over 59 1/2, why not make every IRA withdrawal a Roth conversion?Question 5: Is "VT and chill" costing you 0.7% a year compared to holding VTI and VXUS separately?Resources mentioned in the video:SpaceX IPO pricing: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/11/nx-s1-...S&P 500 buyback data: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/cor...Money market fund assets: https://www.ici.org/research/stats/mmfBengen's original 1994 paper: https://www.financialplanningassociat...Kitces/Pfau rising equity glidepath: https://www.kitces.com/blog/should-eq...IRS RMD FAQs: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/...IRS Publication 590-B (Roth and IRA distribution rules): https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590bRMDs come out before conversions: https://irahelp.com/new-rule-all-ira-...The two Roth 5-year rules: https://www.kitces.com/blog/understan...The VT vs VTI/VXUS articles in question: https://princetonasset.com/2026/05/25...Elm Wealth on VT vs VTI/VXUS: https://elmwealth.com/vt-vs-vti-vxus/Bernstein on the rebalancing bonus: https://www.efficientfrontier.com/ef/...Foreign tax credit basics: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Forei...Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...
Johan Berggren, statssekreterare hos ministern för civilt försvar, kommenterar slutrapporten i SNS Beredskapskommission. Rapporten visar hur avvägningar och prioriteringar kan göras när samhällets krisberedskap ska stärkas. Sverige står inför en verklighet där beredskap inte längre främst handlar om förberedelser inför sällanhändelser, pandemier och klimatkriser. I takt med ett försämrat omvärldsläge har samtalet kommit att handla om totalförsvar och hur samhället ska rustas för krig. Näringslivet lyfts ofta som en förutsättning för fungerande beredskap och totalförsvar. Ändå upplever många företag förväntningarna som oklara. Med rapporten som utgångspunkt diskuteras exempel på när beredskapssystemet satts på prov, och de osäkerheter som kvarstår. Under snart tre år har SNS Beredskapskommission utgjort en viktig mötesplats för beredskapsfrågor. Under konferensen lyfts flera av de viktigaste temana för projektet, som hur den svenska förvaltningsmodellen fungerar i kris, privat-offentlig samverkan och hur kostnaderna för beredskapsåtgärder ska fördelas. Medverkande Caroline Asserup, generaldirektör, Energimyndigheten Johan Belfrage, Director innovation & Business Development på Saab Johan Berggren (M), statssekreterare hos minister för civilt försvar Carl-Oskar Bohlin Annemarie Gardshol, vd PostNord och ordförande i referensgruppen till SNS Beredskapskommission Lars Hultkrantz, professor emeritus i nationalekonomi vid Örebro universitet och ordförande för forskargruppen som är knuten till SNS Beredskapskommission. Rådet består även av Henrik Andersson, professor i nationalekonomi vid Statens väg- och transportforskningsinstitut (VTI), Elina Bryngemark, forskare i nationalekonomi vid Luleå tekniska universitet och Lena Nerhagen, universitetslektor i nationalekonomi vid Högskolan i Dalarna. Erik Lagersten, särskild utredare civilt försvar, Region Stockholm Johan Lindehag, vd, Ellevio Maja Lundbäck (KD), statssekreterare hos energi- och näringsminister Ebba Busch Samuel Sköld, biträdande stadsdirektör, Helsingborgs stad Gunilla Svantorp, landshövding i Östergötlands län och civilområdeschef för Sydöstra civilområdet Samtalet modereras av Anna Norén, forskningsledare på SNS.
"When you save your money in the bank, you're guaranteed to lose." Most financial mistakes aren't dramatic. They're quiet, habitual, and dressed up as responsible decisions. Financing a lifestyle, obsessing over a credit score, treating a primary home as an investment, hoarding cash out of fear, and chasing fast returns are the five most common ways people unknowingly work against their own wealth. Jaspreet Singh walks through each mistake with the logic behind why it feels smart and the math behind why it isn't, using the 75-15-10 framework as the thread connecting what to do instead. In this episode, you'll learn: Why financial priorities must go in order: paying off high-interest debt before investing, saving $2,000 in a separate emergency account before anything else, and only pursuing asset protection and tax strategy once you actually have assets to protect Why a high credit score doesn't build wealth, it just gives you access to more debt, and if that debt is financing cars, vacations, and clothes, an 800 score only means you're very good at making other people rich Why saving money in a high-yield savings account is a guaranteed slow loss: after taxes on the interest and real inflation (which most people feel at a rate higher than reported numbers), the purchasing power of saved cash shrinks every year without exception Why speculative investing (penny stocks, meme stocks, options, and hot crypto) feels exciting but statistically burns beginners and turns them off investing entirely, while long-term index investing in something like VTI or SPY is less exciting but far more likely to actually build wealth over 10 to 40 years Keywords: money mistakes, credit score myth, living fake rich, 75-15-10 rule, emergency fund, index fund investing, high yield savings, speculative investing, wealth building, financial priorities Want more financial news? Join Market Briefs, my free daily financial newsletter: https://link2.briefs.co/gie Below are my recommended tools! Please note: Yes, these are our sponsors & advertisers. However, these are companies that I trust and use (or have used). The compensation doesn't affect my recommendations or advice. That being said, you should always do your own research & never blindly listen to a random guy on YouTube (or podcast). ---------- ➤ Invest In Stocks Passively 1) M1 Finance - Buy stocks & ETFs automatically: https://theminoritymindset.com/m1 ---------- ➤ Life Insurance 2) Policygenius - Get a free life insurance quote: https://theminoritymindset.com/policygenius ---------- ➤ Real Estate Investing Online 3) Fundrise - Invest in real estate with as little as $10! https://theminoritymindset.com/fundrise ----------
June 8, 2026 | Season 8 | Episode 18A single data point can flip the entire market narrative and Friday's action proved it. We wake up to a rebound after a brutal Nasdaq drop, then zoom out to the real driver: a surprisingly hot May payrolls report that makes “no rate cuts” feel more plausible, even as Wall Street keeps trying to price a friendlier Federal Reserve path. We walk through what higher-for-longer yields mean for valuations, why global moves in the UK, Europe, and Japan matter for US rates and the dollar, and how that pressure lands hardest on the most crowded parts of the AI and chip-stock trade.From there, we dig into a more mechanical force that many investors overlook: supply. When mega companies raise equity and monster IPOs hit the calendar, portfolio managers often have to sell something else to participate. SpaceX's IPO is the headline, but the bigger takeaway is how fast major indexes and ETFs may be forced to buy it, potentially giving you exposure through funds like VTI and QQQ whether you opt in or not. We also flag the warning signs that show up when speculation spreads, including small cap and micro cap bursts that can rhyme with past bubble periods.Then we layer in the catalysts that can reset expectations again, including CPI and PPI, earnings signals for AI data center demand, and geopolitics in the Middle East pushing oil prices and inflation fears higher. We close with the longer arc: reserve-currency confidence, foreign flows that shift away from Treasuries while staying in US equities, and why gold keeps showing up in the conversation. If this breakdown helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who watches markets, and leave a review. What do you think is the biggest risk from here: rates, liquidity, or geopolitics?** For informational and educational purposes only, not intended as investment advice. Views and opinions are subject to change without notice. For full disclosures, ADVs, and CRS Forms, please visit https://heroldlantern.com/disclosure **To learn about becoming a Herold & Lantern Investments valued client, please visit https://heroldlantern.com/wealth-advisory-contact-formFollow and Like Us on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn | @HeroldLantern
Tom and Don tackle the impossible task of spotting market bubbles in real time, leaning on insights from Jason Zweigand Eugene Fama to argue that if bubbles were truly predictable, they wouldn't exist. They discuss soaring semiconductor and AI-related stocks, speculative manias from tulips to SPACs to Bitcoin, and why diversification and disciplined rebalancing beat emotional market timing every time. Listener questions cover tax-loss harvesting and wash sales involving VT, VTI, and VXUS ETFs, family conversations about money, Roth conversion strategy for a wealthy near-retiree, and Dimensional's refusal to chase hot IPOs despite the S&P 500's changing rules. Along the way, there's plenty of classic TRM banter about giant brains, vacation boredom, and the dangers of trying to outsmart markets that are probably smarter than all of us combined.0:05 Bubble noises, market mania, and why everyone thinks they can spot bubbles1:11 Jason Zweig on semiconductor stocks soaring nearly 40% in a month2:23 Emerging markets, small value, and global stocks compared to AI-driven speculation3:39 Eugene Fama explains why bubbles are impossible to identify in real time4:26 Dot-coms, Bitcoin, SPACs, and the legendary tulip bulb bubble5:03 Why “doing nothing” often beats reacting emotionally to market fears5:51 Jason Zweig's sign of a bubble: when critics get attacked instead of debated7:15 Rebalancing, diversification, and why the S&P 500 alone isn't enough9:41 Listener question on tax-loss harvesting, wash sales, and replacing VT with VTI and VXUS14:05 Why families should talk openly about money instead of outsourcing financial education to TikTok17:44 Near-retiree with $7.3 million asks about Roth conversions and paying taxes from IRAs20:36 Dimensional responds to S&P rule changes allowing earlier IPO inclusion21:15 Why Dimensional avoids IPOs during their first year after going public22:39 Allbirds' collapse from a $2.2 billion IPO to a $39 million sale24:47 Why waiting before buying IPOs may reduce riskQuestions? Comments? Click!
Join the Co-Investing Club and start building passive income through real estate ($2/day): Join 350+ others in the Co-Investing Club ($2/day): https://sparkrental.mykajabi.com/co-i... The money rules that work when you're broke will actively hold you back once you're comfortable. The strategies that work at middle income leave you exposed at upper middle class. And what wealthy people obsess over would be a complete waste of time at lower income levels. Most people are playing the wrong game for their level. Here's what each level actually looks like. We cover: → Level one: the only two priorities when you're totally broke... income and budgeting → Why building even a $500 emergency fund changes everything at the lowest income levels → The lifestyle inflation trap that derails most people the moment their income rises → Why the bottom 50% of earners pay effectively zero federal income tax and how to take advantage of that → The two index funds beginners should start with before worrying about anything else (VTI and VEU) → When to stop spreadsheet budgeting and switch to rules-based budgeting instead → Why upper middle class families are often the most financially exposed despite high incomes → How you make money through concentration but keep and grow it through diversification → The study showing 90% of wealthy families are back to middle class within three generations → Why the entitlement mindset is the biggest threat at the upper middle class level → How to surround yourself with people one level up... and why that's the highest-leverage move at any income level → How to invest in the same deals wealthy investors use with as little as $2,500 through an investment club Most people climb one or two rungs on the ladder and level off. This episode is about what it actually takes to keep climbing.
A dead local meetup group attracted just 5 people to its first gathering at a brewery. Two years later, that same group draws 70+ attendees to structured educational sessions, with newcomers driving across multiple states to participate. The transformation reveals something most personal finance education gets fundamentally wrong. Introduction and St. Louis Group Overview [00:00:00] Jonathan and Brad welcome Kristen Knapp and Allen Hansen to discuss how the St. Louis ChooseFI group became one of the most thriving communities in the country. Rebooting a Dormant Community [00:08:30] Kristen shares how she transformed a dormant St. Louis group after attending Camp FI, starting with brewery meetups and evolving to structured case studies that dramatically increased engagement. The Genesis of FI 101 [00:15:45] The hosts discuss how new members needed basic FI education, leading to the creation of a structured FI 101 program that attracted 70+ attendees and continues to grow. Kristen's Journey to Part-Time Work [00:22:10] Kristen shares her 30-year broadcast meteorology career and how the FI community gave her the confidence to negotiate a part-time arrangement, creating space for her FI Friends Travel venture. Allen's Perspective on Giving Back [00:31:20] Allen discusses his motivation to help others after reaching FI himself, emphasizing that anyone can make mistakes and still succeed on the path to financial independence. Structuring FI 101 Content [00:38:00] The group breaks down the essential components of FI 101: defining financial independence, the shockingly simple math of early retirement, and the financial order of operations. The Importance of Your Why [00:45:30] Jonathan proposes that understanding your personal why for FI should be the foundation of any FI 101 program, making it more compelling than traditional personal finance education. Investment Fees and Opportunity Cost [00:52:15] Brad delivers a detailed breakdown of how investment fees can cost millions over a lifetime, using concrete examples to illustrate the importance of low-cost index funds like VTI. Action Items and Next Steps [01:05:40] Allen outlines the two critical action items for FI 101 attendees: tracking net worth and monitoring spending, while the group discusses cadence for ongoing educational sessions. Preview of FI 201 and Future Plans [01:12:00] The hosts wrap up by discussing plans for a second episode covering FI 201 content and how local groups can iterate and improve their educational programming. Notable Quotes "I created what I wished existed. Nobody else is going to do it. Why not me?" — Kristen Knapp "After fifteen years of marriage, we finally hit broke. I think that resonates with people. We did it all wrong with credit card debt, you name it." — Allen Hansen "You can't save your way to FI. It's just almost impossible. You have to invest those dollars." — Allen Hansen "FI is not this passive endeavor and FI is not just about the nuts and bolts of money. This is about a constantly evolving mental framework." — Brad Barrett "Being around other people on the same path is one hundred percent the reason I've been able to create this life, because I would have never even had the idea or the courage to do any of this." — Kristen Knapp Key Takeaways Your savings rate matters more than your income. Someone earning $50,000 and saving 50% will reach FI faster than someone earning $150,000 but saving only 10%. Investment fees compound negatively. A 1% advisor fee plus 1% fund fees can reduce a potential $7.2 million portfolio to just $3.9 million over 40 years. Your FI number is calculated by multiplying annual expenses by 25, based on the 4% safe withdrawal rule. Understanding your personal "why" for pursuing FI is more compelling than traditional budgeting advice and provides the motivation needed for long-term success. Community makes the difference. Local FI groups provide accountability, education, and the courage to make life-changing decis…
Soberbia, compras desastrosas y motores que fallan. Todas las marcas tienen una cara oculta que prefieren no airear, y Peugeot no es una excepción. En este episodio de nuestra serie "El lado oscuro de...", analizamos los momentos más polémicos de una marca que ha pasado de ser un imperio familiar intocable a verse obligada a pedir ayuda externa para no desaparecer. El dilema de la Guerra y el pacto con Porsche La historia de Peugeot durante la ocupación nazi es un ejercicio de funambulismo moral. Bajo la supervisión directa de Ferdinand Porsche, la planta de Sochaux produjo material bélico para el Tercer Reich. Aunque la familia Peugeot apoyó a la Resistencia en la sombra, la colaboración oficial con el enemigo provocó que la propia aviación británica (RAF) bombardeara sus fábricas en 1943, dejando un rastro de destrucción y dilemas éticos que aún hoy resuenan en su historia. El "Canibalismo" de Citroën y el desastre de Talbot En los años 70, Peugeot mostró su faceta más agresiva. En 1974 absorbió a una Citroën en bancarrota, pero en lugar de fomentar su innovación, la "domesticó". Peugeot canceló el proyecto del motor Wankel y se deshizo de Maserati, matando el alma tecnológica de Citroën para imponer plataformas compartidas. Poco después, la compra de Chrysler Europa por un dólar simbólico resultó ser un regalo envenenado. Peugeot resucitó la marca Talbot para intentar dar salida a modelos obsoletos y de pésima calidad. La aventura fue tan desastrosa que casi lleva a la quiebra total a la compañía, salvada únicamente por el éxito inesperado del legendario Peugeot 205. La pesadilla del motor "Prince" y los fallos del 307 Si hablamos de fiabilidad, Peugeot tiene manchas difíciles de borrar. La alianza con BMW para crear los motores 1.6 VTi y THP (familia Prince) resultó en una catástrofe para miles de usuarios. Cadena de distribución que se estiraba, bombas de alta presión que fallaban y un consumo de aceite excesivo fueron la norma. Lo más oscuro fue la gestión de la marca, que durante años culpó a los usuarios mientras estos afrontaban reparaciones millonarias. Tampoco podemos olvidar el escándalo del Peugeot 307 en el norte de Europa, donde fallos eléctricos graves provocaron incendios espontáneos, obligando a llamadas a revisión masivas que pusieron en entredicho los procesos de calidad de la firma francesa. 2014: El fin de una dinastía de 200 años El capítulo final de esta historia oscura ocurrió en 2014. Tras años de pérdidas económicas y crisis de producto, la familia Peugeot, que había controlado el destino de la empresa durante dos siglos, tuvo que rendirse. Para evitar la quiebra técnica, cedieron el control al Estado francés y a la empresa china Dongfeng. Fue el fin de la era familiar y el paso previo a la integración en el gigante Stellantis. Peugeot es un superviviente nato que ha sabido resurgir de sus cenizas, pero su historia nos recuerda que la soberbia empresarial y los fallos en la fiabilidad técnica dejan cicatrices que tardan décadas en cerrar.
On this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench sit down with Ben Felix to break down one of the most debated topics in long-term investing: small cap value investing. Ben explains the research behind factor investing, the Fama-French multi-factor model, and why investors continue to look at small cap value ETFs like AVUV and Dimensional funds as potential upgrades to traditional index fund portfolios. If you've ever wondered whether AVUV, Dimensional ETFs, or small cap value funds can outperform broad market index funds like VTI over the long run, this episode gives you a deep evidence-based framework for deciding. Connect with Ben Felix! Website: https://www.pwlcapital.com/?ki-cf-botcl=1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenFelixCSI Podcast: https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast Resources from today's episode: https://zbib.org/669127c48e994c818f42b4354a84ed21 To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you're starting. Let's get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Point‑of‑care echo is fast, powerful—and famously operator‑dependent. Most of us rely on quick visual impressions because precise measurements take time we often don't have. This new study puts three automated, real‑time AI tools to the test, comparing their ejection fraction, VTI, and IVC assessments against an expert's read. Join Dr. Sookdeo as she breaks down how well the algorithms performed and what this could mean for the future of bedside echo.
Even financially independent people have lost fortunes to bad investments, high-fee funds, and speculation. Brad Barrett, Alan Donegan, and Katie Donegan lay bare their most expensive mistakes—from Alan's 90% dot-com crash loss to Katie's near-£1 million fee trap to Brad's decade-long real estate nightmare—proving that catastrophic errors don't prevent you from reaching FI if you learn the right lessons. Key Topics Discussed [00:00:00] Introduction: Why Share Mistakes? Brad introduces the episode concept, explaining why sharing financial and life mistakes can help others avoid similar pitfalls on their FI journey. [00:03:30] Alan's Dot-Com Bubble Disaster Alan shares how he lost 90% of his £7,000 life savings investing in high-tech managed growth stocks right before the dot-com crash, and how this scared him away from stock market investing for 13 years. [00:08:45] Brad's Early Investment Mistakes Brad discusses investing in WorldCom and other 'top picks' that went bankrupt, plus getting sold a mutual fund with horrible loads, highlighting that there's no secret investment knowledge reserved for the wealthy. [00:13:20] Katie's High-Fee Fund Trap Katie reveals how a financial advisor convinced her to invest in actively managed funds with 2.71% ongoing fees plus 3% entry charges, a mistake that would have cost her and Alan £1 million if they hadn't discovered index investing. [00:18:50] Brad's Real Estate Speculation Nightmare Brad shares his biggest mistake: speculating on golf course community properties with interest-only loans right before the 2008 crash, causing over a decade of stress and significant financial loss. [00:28:15] Alan's Career Mistakes: The Book Incident Alan reveals how he wrote a book called 'How Not to Run a Business' about his boss on the company laptop, got fired, and learned about speaking truth to power and the importance of FI for workplace freedom. [00:32:40] Katie's Confidence and Comparison Struggles Katie discusses how her fixed mindset and comparison with others held her back from pursuing opportunities like netball and football, and how building confidence is as important as building net worth. [00:42:30] The Power of Saying No and Setting Boundaries The trio discusses the difficulty of being direct and honest, the importance of saying no, and how people-pleasing can create more problems than it solves. [00:48:20] Business Mistakes: Email Lists and Sales Fear Alan shares his regret about never building an email list for his successful business and letting fear of rejection prevent him from scaling, emphasizing the importance of owning your platform. [00:54:10] Salary Negotiation and Final Thoughts Brad discusses not negotiating his salary when changing jobs, the hosts wrap up with reflections on learning from mistakes, and encourage listeners to share their own mistakes in the community. Notable Quotes Brad Barrett: "You can make mistakes and you can make catastrophic mistakes, and you can pick yourself back up and you can move on with your life. You're stronger and you're wiser." Alan Donegan: "Your success in life is directly related to how many mistakes you can make as quickly as possible and learn from them." Alan Donegan: "Spend as much time building your confidence as you do your net worth, because it is so powerful in everything you do going forwards." Katie Donegan: "To rinse the value out of the mistakes, it's a lot more valuable if we share them. I would love you to get the value out of my mistake because I've already paid the price." Brad Barrett: "There's no secret. There's virtually no genius. Don't get caught up in wild speculative behavior." Key Takeaways Invest in low-cost index funds like VTI instead of actively managed funds or individual stocks to avoid high fees and poor performance Build an email list from day one if you're starting a business—don't rely solely on social media platforms you don't control Always negotiate your salary when changing jobs or getting promoted Wor…
Step 7 in our 10-part series: open a Roth IRA at Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab and max out your contribution into a total stock market index fund. Spencer and Jamie break down why the LADS method (Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple) beats stock picking and why Roth almost always wins for military pay. Topics covered: Why to open a Roth IRA at one of the big three: Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab Total stock market index fund options: VTI, SCHB, FZROX, VTSAX, VT Spencer's LADS method: Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple How low fees compound — 3 cents per $100 vs. high-load funds from military-targeted advisors Buying the haystack instead of hunting for the needle (you already owned Nvidia a decade ago) Mutual funds vs. ETFs — why the difference doesn't matter for most investors Recreating a total US stock market in the TSP with 80% C Fund / 20% S Fund How the Roth IRA is a separate bucket from the Roth TSP — both have their own contribution limits Why Roth (pay taxes now) beats Traditional for most military families with low effective tax rates The narrow edge cases where Traditional might make sense (O-5+ doctors, some dual-military couples) Spencer's effective tax rate as a pilot and major was under 10% — often under 5% Resources mentioned: Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab (Roth IRA providers) VTI — Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund SCHB — Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund FZROX — Fidelity Total Stock Market Index Fund VTSAX — Vanguard Total Stock Market mutual fund tsp.gov (for current contribution limits) Bogleheads forum (for the mutual fund vs. ETF deep dive) Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call at militarymoneymanual.com/mentor. Over 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. In the course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5-star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain.
This episode is a compilation of answers to YOUR questions that were asked directly from my listeners who attend my weekly business education YouTube live webcast. Topics include margin calls, safe haven investments, life of a hedge fund trader and more.Refer to chapter marks below for a complete list of topics covered and to jump to a specific section. Get mentored by Chris: Book a Zoom call to discuss joining my Business Academy, Finance Bootcamp (to get a job in finance) or MBA Degree Programs or for investing/business/personal development coaching: https://haroun.short.gy/1on1CallYTWDownload my free "Networking eBook": www.harouneducation.comAttend my weekly YouTube Live every Thursday's 8am-11am PT. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to receive notifications. Learn more about my MBA Degree Program0:27 Intro + Setup2:32 Oil Shock, AI Risk & Global Energy Crisis 7:40 Where to Invest Right Now (Safe Havens)10:19 New World Order, Billionaires & Inequality 12:37 Iran War & Geopolitical Endgame14:27 Careers: Hedge Funds, IPOs & Getting a U.S. Job 21:23 Presentation Skills & Managing Cash27:45 VTI vs VOO + Future of Retail Investing 31:24 Building Wealth Without Day Trading33:32 Startups, Big Tech Breakups & Retirement37:50 Politics, Layoffs & Bay Area Reality 40:39 Borrowing to Invest + Global Careers44:02 Trading, Fintech Ideas & Space Economy 46:29 Middle East Tensions & Oil Impact48:00 Margin Call: Risk, Leverage & Wall Street Playbook 1:12:46 Private Credit Risks & 2026 Market Outlook1:18:49 AI, Careers, Game Theory & Investor Mindset1:26:57 Dollar Future, Debt & Politics1:31:54 AI vs YouTube + Life Advice1:35:54 Prediction Markets, AI Content & Education Future1:40:11 Steve Jobs Mindset Connect with me: Schedule a 1:1 call with Chris: https://haroun.short.gy/1on1CallYTWYouTube: ChrisHarounVenturesCompleteBusinessEducationInstagram @chrisharounLinkedIn: Chris HarounTwitter: @chris_harounFacebook: Haroun Education Ventures TikTok: @chrisharoun
This episode moves from the origin of “rule of thumb” to why most investing rules of thumb don't work for real people. Tom and Don explore a Yale professor's personalized allocation model, walk through tax-smart strategies for funding a child's car while managing Roth conversions and capital gains, warn about liquidity risks in private credit after restrictions at Blue Owl Capital, explain how to structure IRA withdrawals through disciplined rebalancing, and close by addressing market-timing anxiety for retirees sitting heavily in cash. The through-line: simple rules are comforting, but thoughtful planning beats shortcuts every time. 0:04 What “rule of thumb” really means and why investing is full of them 2:17 60/40, 100-minus-age, and why simple formulas fall short 3:16 Yale professor James Choi's personalized allocation formula 4:35 Why a 25-year-old probably should be nearly 100% in stocks 6:25 Spreadsheets vs. real-world investors 9:39 Portugal caller: funding a daughter's car purchase tax-efficiently 13:28 Roth conversions, 12% bracket strategy, and zero capital gains planning 16:46 Rebalancing opportunity: selling VTI vs. Schwab Intelligent Portfolio 19:16 Private credit warning: liquidity restrictions at Blue Owl Capital 23:45 The illusion of “safe” high returns in private lending 26:53 IRA withdrawal strategy: sell winners when rebalancing 29:35 Annual vs. monthly withdrawal discipline 31:34 60/40 vs. 70/30 — how much difference really matters 33:32 Retirement income simplification: fewer funds, easier rebalancing 34:48 Seattle caller: $1.45M in money market and market-timing temptation 36:18 Why market timing fails and when an advisor earns their keep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Questions? Comments?This episode moves from the origin of “rule of thumb” to why most investing rules of thumb don't work for real people. Tom and Don explore a Yale professor's personalized allocation model, walk through tax-smart strategies for funding a child's car while managing Roth conversions and capital gains, warn about liquidity risks in private credit after restrictions at Blue Owl Capital, explain how to structure IRA withdrawals through disciplined rebalancing, and close by addressing market-timing anxiety for retirees sitting heavily in cash. The through-line: simple rules are comforting, but thoughtful planning beats shortcuts every time.0:04 What “rule of thumb” really means and why investing is full of them2:17 60/40, 100-minus-age, and why simple formulas fall short3:16 Yale professor James Choi's personalized allocation formula4:35 Why a 25-year-old probably should be nearly 100% in stocks6:25 Spreadsheets vs. real-world investors9:39 Portugal caller: funding a daughter's car purchase tax-efficiently13:28 Roth conversions, 12% bracket strategy, and zero capital gains planning16:46 Rebalancing opportunity: selling VTI vs. Schwab Intelligent Portfolio19:16 Private credit warning: liquidity restrictions at Blue Owl Capital23:45 The illusion of “safe” high returns in private lending26:53 IRA withdrawal strategy: sell winners when rebalancing29:35 Annual vs. monthly withdrawal discipline31:34 60/40 vs. 70/30 — how much difference really matters33:32 Retirement income simplification: fewer funds, easier rebalancing34:48 Seattle caller: $1.45M in money market and market-timing temptation36:18 Why market timing fails and when an advisor earns their keepLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LTCM co-founder Victor Haghani discusses a better approach to long-term investing. (1:10) - Lessons from the Collapse of Long-Term Capital Management (8:45) - The Missing Billionaires: A Guide To Better Financial Decisions (16:00) - Investing Games To Use And Learn' (29:50) - Should Investors Continue To Invest Into International Markets? (34:35) - Episode Roundup: ELM, VTI, SCHB, VWO Podcast@Zacks.com
Kvinnor upplever sin cykelmiljö på ett annat sätt än män, visar forskning, och i vissa områden blir cyklarna bara stulna. Vi får forskarnas tips på hur fler ändå ska välja att cykla. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. Vi hör också om utmaningarna i busschaufförernas arbetsmiljö, som kvarstår efter att ha diskuterats i över 60 år. Och hur är det med elbilarna - varför kommer de inte leda till lägre trafikbuller?Lena Nordlund har varit på Sveriges största konferens kring transportforskning, Transportforum i Linköping, där det också lyftes fram visioner om självkörande bilar. Vetenskapsradions transportintresserade reporter Björn Gunér sammanfattar dem och ger en rapport om hur bra det gick för tågen att komma i tid förra året.Medverkande: Malin Henriksson, Anders Genell, Jonna Nyberg, Jens Alm och Jonas Ihlström forskare vid VTI, Statens Väg- och transportforskningsinstitut; Mikael Ögren, Göteborgs universitet.Programledare: Lena Nordlundlena.nordlund@sr.se
Bài của Anh Cả Ahmad S. Corbitt thuộc Nhóm Túc Số Thầy Bảy Mươi của Giáo Hội Các Thánh Hữu Ngày Sau của Chúa Giê Su Ky Tô Khi tôi 17 tuổi, tôi sống ở West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hoa Kỳ, và những người truyền giáo đã giảng dạy cho gia đình tôi về Khải Tượng […] The post Podcast số 535 – Liahona tháng 1, 2026 – Sự Trung Tín và Các Vị Tiên Tri – Quá Khứ và Hiện Tại – Ahmad S. Corbitt appeared first on Thánh Hữu Việt Nam.
Only 1.3% of stocks drive nearly all market returns—and the odds of picking those winners are worse than 1 in 75 against you. Even professional fund managers fail to beat the index 93-95% of the time over 20 years. This video explains why market-cap-weighted index funds like VTI and VOO automatically solve this problem by owning more of the winners as they grow, while new winners replace fading ones. Learn the 5 key advantages of indexing: lower costs, owning all the winners automatically, better long-term performance, simplicity, and avoiding bad investing behavior. No fluff, just the facts from "How NOT to Invest" by Barry Ritholtz.
This episode of Talking Real Money takes aim at the latest “easy money” illusion—house flipping—explaining why rising costs, higher interest rates, softer housing demand, and plain old competition have drained much of its appeal. Tom and Don connect flipping's decline to a familiar pattern of speculative behavior, much like day trading or past real estate manias, and reinforce why there are no reliable shortcuts to wealth. Listener calls drive a wide-ranging discussion on global diversification versus U.S.-only investing, the dangers of concentration risk in the S&P 500, how recency bias distorts performance comparisons, and why owning more markets matters more than making predictions. The episode wraps with practical retirement guidance for older investors, including simplifying portfolios with low-cost target-date funds, and closes with trademark humor and perspective. 0:05 Show open, intro banter, singing callbacks, and weekend rhythm 0:28 House flipping compared to day trading and FOMO investing 1:28 Why flipping activity is down sharply: costs, rates, and competition 3:41 The myth of “passive income” in real estate 4:50 Softer housing markets and demographic headwinds 6:02 No magic systems—long-term investing still wins 8:27 Lisa (Colorado): investing nonprofit funds at Vanguard 10:30 VOO vs VTI vs VT and the case for global diversification 12:29 Volatility, standard deviation, and diversification basics 14:44 Sharpe ratios, recency bias, and misleading performance metrics 16:54 Charles (Seattle): Boeing plans, VOO, and AVGE at Schwab 18:32 S&P 500 concentration risk and the “Magnificent Seven” 21:33 Jason (Sammamish): VTI vs VT debate and long-term market data 28:41 Debbie (Camano Island): portfolio risk concerns at age 73 31:20 Risk tolerance vs risk capacity in retirement 33:16 Vanguard target-date funds as a simple retirement solution 36:01 Lighter close with creative fundraising and holiday humor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Questions? Comments?This episode of Talking Real Money takes aim at the latest “easy money” illusion—house flipping—explaining why rising costs, higher interest rates, softer housing demand, and plain old competition have drained much of its appeal. Tom and Don connect flipping's decline to a familiar pattern of speculative behavior, much like day trading or past real estate manias, and reinforce why there are no reliable shortcuts to wealth. Listener calls drive a wide-ranging discussion on global diversification versus U.S.-only investing, the dangers of concentration risk in the S&P 500, how recency bias distorts performance comparisons, and why owning more markets matters more than making predictions. The episode wraps with practical retirement guidance for older investors, including simplifying portfolios with low-cost target-date funds, and closes with trademark humor and perspective.0:05 Show open, intro banter, singing callbacks, and weekend rhythm0:28 House flipping compared to day trading and FOMO investing1:28 Why flipping activity is down sharply: costs, rates, and competition3:41 The myth of “passive income” in real estate4:50 Softer housing markets and demographic headwinds6:02 No magic systems—long-term investing still wins8:27 Lisa (Colorado): investing nonprofit funds at Vanguard10:30 VOO vs VTI vs VT and the case for global diversification12:29 Volatility, standard deviation, and diversification basics14:44 Sharpe ratios, recency bias, and misleading performance metrics16:54 Charles (Seattle): Boeing plans, VOO, and AVGE at Schwab18:32 S&P 500 concentration risk and the “Magnificent Seven”21:33 Jason (Sammamish): VTI vs VT debate and long-term market data28:41 Debbie (Camano Island): portfolio risk concerns at age 7331:20 Risk tolerance vs risk capacity in retirement33:16 Vanguard target-date funds as a simple retirement solution36:01 Lighter close with creative fundraising and holiday humorLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today's Five Question Friday (FQF) video, we look at these five questions:1. Have we been lied to about our Social Security break-even age?2. Is it ok to restart the 4% rule if the market goes up in early retirement?3. I am nervous about the run up in AI stocks . . . Could it be a good idea to consider diversifying from VTI to an “equal-weighted index fund like Invesco S&P Equal Weight ETF or others like it?4. I'm 64 and I would like to begin annual Roth conversions from my traditional IRA's. Can you review the rules surrounding these conversions in one's retirement years? I would like to know how soon I can withdraw converted funds and their associated earnings penalty free and tax free.5. You've mentioned in the past that you transitioned from a six-fund portfolio to a simpler three-fund setup. I'm curious — was that change mainly about reducing complexity and streamlining your investments, or did it reflect a stage of investment maturity and confidence in a more minimalist approach?Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...
Bài của Anh David A. Edwards làm việc tại các Tạp Chí của Giáo Hội Các Thánh Hữu Ngày Sau của Chúa Giê Su Ky Tô Câu chuyện về cuộc đời của Joseph Smith không chỉ đơn thuần là câu chuyện về chính ông. Khi chúng ta kể lại câu chuyện về Sự Phục Hồi […] The post Podcast số 516 – Cổ Vũ Sức Mạnh của Giới Trẻ tháng 1, 2025 – Vị Tiên Tri và Đấng Cứu Rỗi của Ông – David A. Edwards appeared first on Thánh Hữu Việt Nam.
In this episode we answer emails from Eva, Jess and Mr. Toxic. We discuss the three levers of safe withdrawal rates applied to a listener's upcoming retirement situation, running test risk parity style portfolios to get some practice like with have done with Bigger Pockets money, and what little we know about HSAs.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.Additional Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterHow To Do An Asset Swap Video from Risk Parity Chronicles: How to Do an Asset SwapJackie Cummings Koski on Investing with HSAs: Investing With The Health Savings Account - Define Your Legacy W/ Jackie Cummings KoskiBigger Pockets Money Test Risk Parity Style Portfolio: We Built a 5% SWR Retirement Portfolio Using Fidelity in 48 Minutes (Golden Ratio Portfolio)Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:Most retirement plans stumble not on math, but on mechanics. We sit down with a listener who's 55, VTI-heavy in a taxable account, and ready to pivot into a modified golden ratio portfolio—then unpack a practical path to move from concentration to resilient diversification without lighting up a massive tax bill. Along the way, we map out the three levers that quietly raise your safe withdrawal rate: portfolio design, baseline expenses, and personal inflation that often runs 1–2% below CPI.We get specific on asset location and reallocation: placing treasuries and managed futures in tax-deferred accounts, using gold and equities where they're most tax-efficient, and gradually trimming VTI by targeting favorable tax lots and capital gains brackets. If you've wondered whether a small cap value tilt can help, we explain how it can reduce volatility and lift a portfolio's historical withdrawal capacity by roughly 0.5–1%—and how to pursue it at a measured pace. We also clear up a common confusion: rebalancing returns you to your target mix; reallocating changes the target itself.Then we turn to HSAs. They're a triple tax-advantaged powerhouse for you, but a poor inheritance vehicle for kids who must recognize the balance as income in a single year. We break down the strategy of saving receipts, the shift at age 65 when non-medical withdrawals are IRA-like, and why timing HSA spending for higher-income retirement years often makes sense. Don't count on a costly end-of-life to “use it up”—many don't have that trajectory. A smarter approach draws down the HSA earlier for qualified costs and Medicare premiums while avoiding a tax bomb for heirs.We wrap with weekly portfolio reviews across classic and levered models and a reminder that simple beats clever: a resilient allocation, tax-savvy placement, and flexible spending can carry you from early retirement through Social Security and beyond. If this helped tighten your plan, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's staring down a VTI-heavy portfolio and wondering where to start.Support the show
In this episode we answer emails from Luc and Nick. We discuss the four levels of investors, the fundamental problems with identity that terms like "saver" and "Boglehead" cause per Morgan Housel, fallacious reasoning often applied to investing and portfolio construction, equity core with growth–value balance and small-cap value tilt, VTI vs VUG trade-offs and tax considerations, tax efficient asset location for bonds, equities, gold, considerations about alternatives like managed futures, and using risk parity portfolios for intermediate term savings during your accumulation phase.Links:Luc's Boglehead Forum Link: Golden Ratio Portfolio - Frank Vasquez - Bogleheads.orgMindy Jensen's Risk Parity Style Portfolio: We Built a 5% SWR Retirement Portfolio Using Fidelity in 48 Minutes (Golden Ratio Portfolio)Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:Want a portfolio that funds your life, not your identity? We dig into the fuss around the “Golden Ratio” name and get to what actually matters: principles that increase safe withdrawal rates and reduce stress when markets turn weird. Instead of defending a formula, we show how to use uncorrelated assets, thoughtful macro-allocation, and enough simplicity to keep you invested without blinding you to risk.We break down four investor levels—from money hygiene and shiny-object traps to the comfort of low-cost indexing—and then the jump to level four, where professional-grade ideas get translated for DIY investors. That's where uncorrelated assets like Treasuries, gold, and managed futures earn their keep, not because they're trendy, but because they lower correlation to stocks and smooth cash flows across regimes. We also call out common fallacies that derail portfolio debates: past performance cliches that prove nothing, irrelevant metrics used as cudgels, and cherry-picking that erases the 1970s and 2022 as if rare events never recur.Then we get practical with a young FI couple: how to build a durable equity core by pairing total market or large-cap growth with a small-cap value tilt, why VTI is usually fine while VUG may diversify better against value in tax-deferred accounts, and how to avoid tax pain when transitioning. We map smart asset location—ordinary-income generators in traditional, long-term growers in Roth, tax-efficient equities in taxable—and set realistic ranges: 40–70 percent stocks, 15–30 percent Treasuries, under 10 percent cash, and 10–25 percent alternatives. No dogma, just ranges that historically support higher withdrawal rates.We close with a versatile idea: an intermediate risk parity “slush” portfolio you can tap for big purchases without riding the all-stock rollercoaster. Add to laggards, sell winners, keep it simple, and stay focused on the only scoreboard that matters—sustainable spending. If you're ready to trade identity for outcomes and marketing for math, this one's for you.If this resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's rethinking their allocation. Your future self—and your future spending—will thank you.Support the show
Kelly Green, @DownDogsandDividends is a dividend investing expert, and she absolutely roasted my portfolio. I showed her all 21 of my holdings - the good, the bad, and the ugly - and she didn't hold back. We talked about my heavy allocation to funds like VTI and VSGAX, my non-dividend payers, BDCs like ARCC and HTGC, MLPs including EPD, and individual stocks like McDonald's, AbbVie, Harrow, and more. If you're building a dividend portfolio or wondering if yours actually makes sense, this honest conversation is for you. Kelly breaks down what's working, what's not, and what I should probably fix. No fluff, just real portfolio feedback from someone who knows their stuff.Sign up for Kelly's Dividend Digest FREE weekly newsletterSubscribe to Kelly's YT channel: @DownDogsandDividends Check out the YouTube Video!Blossom Investor Tour, where Russ will be a speaker!Email Russ:
Questions? Comments?Don goes solo this week and covers the wild state of “investing” in 2025 — including single-stock ETFs, leveraged funds, and zero-day options that look more like gambling than investing. He answers listener questions about Roth strategies for kids, aggressive long-term allocations, finding fiduciary advisors, dealing with inherited stock portfolios, and the ethics and fees of big Wall Street firms. Plus, he fields questions about new tax-focused ETFs and whether complicated multi-fund factor strategies are really worth the trouble.0:04 Don jokes about ChatGPT replacing him, welcomes listeners1:53 Today's topic: 30% of new ETFs are tied to single stocks — “this is gambling”4:27 Zero-day options and high-frequency trading likened to sports betting5:23 Congressman Ro Khanna's 2,800 trades this year — four per market day6:12 Don's call to stop pretending this is investing8:16 Caller Mike: 3 kids with $100k+ Roths each — aggressive allocation recommendations (AVUV, AVGE, DFAW, 100% equity)12:24 International weighting debate — Don likes 60/40 global tilt15:34 Caller Dan from Israel: How to confirm if an advisor is a fiduciary; why inheriting stocks isn't a reason to keep them18:08 Transitioning from stocks to ETFs while minimizing capital gains22:23 Caller Laura: Ethical concerns with J.P. Morgan, fees near 1%, annuities in portfolio — Don urges finding a true fiduciary and offers local resources27:07 Caller Jim: New ETF (TOT) promising tax efficiency — Don warns against chasing “magic tricks” for small benefits31:44 Question about swapping gains between mother/son's VTI shares — IRS won't allow33:47 Kath reads listener question: Three-bucket retirement system, comparing iShares GLOF vs AVGE — Don says it's fine, but may be overcomplicating35:34 Rebalancing frequency discussion — annual is enough for mostLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don goes solo this week and covers the wild state of “investing” in 2025 — including single-stock ETFs, leveraged funds, and zero-day options that look more like gambling than investing. He answers listener questions about Roth strategies for kids, aggressive long-term allocations, finding fiduciary advisors, dealing with inherited stock portfolios, and the ethics and fees of big Wall Street firms. Plus, he fields questions about new tax-focused ETFs and whether complicated multi-fund factor strategies are really worth the trouble. 0:04 Don jokes about ChatGPT replacing him, welcomes listeners 1:53 Today's topic: 30% of new ETFs are tied to single stocks — “this is gambling” 4:27 Zero-day options and high-frequency trading likened to sports betting 5:23 Congressman Ro Khanna's 2,800 trades this year — four per market day 6:12 Don's call to stop pretending this is investing 8:16 Caller Mike: 3 kids with $100k+ Roths each — aggressive allocation recommendations (AVUV, AVGE, DFAW, 100% equity) 12:24 International weighting debate — Don likes 60/40 global tilt 15:34 Caller Dan from Israel: How to confirm if an advisor is a fiduciary; why inheriting stocks isn't a reason to keep them 18:08 Transitioning from stocks to ETFs while minimizing capital gains 22:23 Caller Laura: Ethical concerns with J.P. Morgan, fees near 1%, annuities in portfolio — Don urges finding a true fiduciary and offers local resources 27:07 Caller Jim: New ETF (TOT) promising tax efficiency — Don warns against chasing “magic tricks” for small benefits 31:44 Question about swapping gains between mother/son's VTI shares — IRS won't allow 33:47 Kath reads listener question: Three-bucket retirement system, comparing iShares GLOF vs AVGE — Don says it's fine, but may be overcomplicating 35:34 Rebalancing frequency discussion — annual is enough for most Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if index funds weren't as “passive” as you think? In this episode of the Rational Reminder, we are joined by Jim Rowley, Global Head of Investment Implementation Research, and Andy Mack, Head of US Equity Portfolio Management at Vanguard. These two experts offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look into what it really takes to run some of the world's largest index funds—and it's far from “set it and forget it.” From real-time trading decisions to managing $7 trillion globally, Jim and Andy walk us through how Vanguard implements index strategies with a precision that rivals any active manager. They challenge the traditional labels of passive versus active and show how thoughtful implementation, securities lending, FX execution, and IPO participation can add real value for investors—even in low-cost index products. Key Points From This Episode: (0:04) Why Vanguard's team was the ideal follow-up to Marco Sammon's index research (1:55) Why index funds aren't as simple as they seem: rebalancing, risk, and strategy (2:50) “Passive” is a misnomer: why index fund management involves active decisions (4:42) What excites Jim and Andy about index fund implementation (7:16) Risk-managed opportunities: how Vanguard adds value during secondary offerings (8:02) Debunking the active vs. passive label—think in terms of strategy characteristics (9:41) The subjective calls behind index construction and market definitions (12:00) The goal of a market-cap weighted index fund and how Vanguard tracks it (13:28) Why tracking error matters—and when it becomes a business risk (15:48) Indexing's advantage: predictable relative performance for portfolio construction (16:15) The real complexity of daily index fund trading and execution strategy (17:16) Vanguard's unique approach: PMs and traders are the same person in equities (18:52) The scale of VTI: how 24 global PMs manage trillions across time zones (20:48) Why Vanguard's culture treats every trade like it's client money (22:24) Andy's story of building Vanguard's FX desk and the hundreds of millions saved (24:04) Quant vs. human judgment in index implementation—why both matter (26:50) How fixed income index funds balance risk, liquidity, and security selection (27:46) Tools traders use to minimize price impact: algos, limits, and timing strategies (29:09) How index rebalancing impact has decreased thanks to market evolution (31:36) The hidden mechanics behind index inclusion/exclusion and price effects (33:40) Do index funds distort prices? Vanguard's view on elasticity and ownership (35:55) Stock dispersion and the case for continued price discovery (38:09) Why using passive funds doesn't mean being a passive investor (43:15) Jim's research: how “passive” funds are actively deployed by advisors (50:43) How Vanguard handles IPOs, buybacks, and market composition shifts (54:45) Active corporate action management: cash mergers, elections, and strategy (55:27) Responding to Marco Sammon's critiques on market timing and turnover (58:55) What would change if rebalancing were less frequent? (1:00:34) How securities lending and market advocacy add ongoing value (1:04:42) Should Vanguard launch a flexible, non-indexed total market fund? (1:06:26) Andy's biggest concern: system risks and rebalance day challenges (1:07:08) Jim's biggest concern: index funds aren't a free pass—investors still need discipline (1:08:03) Defining success: alignment with investors and living a balanced life Links From Today's Episode: Meet with PWL Capital: https://calendly.com/d/3vm-t2j-h3p Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/ Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/ Rational Reminder on X — https://x.com/RationalRemind Rational Reminder on TikTok — www.tiktok.com/@rationalreminder Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.ca Benjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/ Dan Bortolotti — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Dan Bortolotti on LinkedIn — https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dan-bortolotti-8a482310 Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).
Questions? Comments?Don flies solo for another Question-and-Answer Friday (not Freaky Friday… despite Hollywood's best efforts). Listener questions cover everything from Roth IRA choices for young investors to tax loss harvesting and reducing portfolio volatility with bond allocations. Don breaks down the pros and cons of popular ETFs, explains the benefits of tilting toward small and value, and gently guides a listener away from a pricey Fidelity fund. He also reaffirms that tax loss harvesting is a two-account job and urges investors to rebalance based on total portfolio risk—not just account type.0:04 Don rails against yet another Freaky Friday reboot0:58 Why diversification beats chasing past winners like VTI or VONG3:41 Small-cap and value tilt: the long-term case4:45 Why international stocks still matter (volatility control > return chasing)5:58 Bond options in a 401(k): FXNAX vs. stable value vs. combo6:59 Should you count brokerage and HSA balances in your allocation mix?8:20 Stable value is not "guaranteed" value—what you need to know10:09 Can you tax-loss harvest in two different brokerage accounts? (Yes!)12:51 FBGRX: Not terrible, just suboptimal. Here's what to do insteadLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don flies solo for another Question-and-Answer Friday (not Freaky Friday… despite Hollywood's best efforts). Listener questions cover everything from Roth IRA choices for young investors to tax loss harvesting and reducing portfolio volatility with bond allocations. Don breaks down the pros and cons of popular ETFs, explains the benefits of tilting toward small and value, and gently guides a listener away from a pricey Fidelity fund. He also reaffirms that tax loss harvesting is a two-account job and urges investors to rebalance based on total portfolio risk—not just account type. 0:04 Don rails against yet another Freaky Friday reboot 0:58 Why diversification beats chasing past winners like VTI or VONG 3:41 Small-cap and value tilt: the long-term case 4:45 Why international stocks still matter (volatility control > return chasing) 5:58 Bond options in a 401(k): FXNAX vs. stable value vs. combo 6:59 Should you count brokerage and HSA balances in your allocation mix? 8:20 Stable value is not "guaranteed" value—what you need to know 10:09 Can you tax-loss harvest in two different brokerage accounts? (Yes!) 12:51 FBGRX: Not terrible, just suboptimal. Here's what to do instead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#624: JL Collins doesn't know what the efficient frontier is. The author of "The Simple Path to Wealth" — the guy synonymous with VTSAX and chill — admits this right off the bat when we challenge him with advanced investing concepts. Collins joins us for Part 1 of a two-part series where we skip the basics and dive straight into the complex stuff. We grill him on whether his simple approach actually beats more sophisticated strategies, and his answer might surprise you. He concedes that Paul Merriman's four-fund portfolio probably outperforms his one-fund approach mathematically. But Collins argues that execution trumps optimization every time. Most people can't stick with complex strategies for 20 years, especially when those strategies require selling winners to buy losers – something that goes against human nature. Collins prioritizes what works in real life over what looks good on paper. He calls index funds "self-cleansing" because they automatically rotate out failing companies and sectors while rotating in the new winners. You don't need to predict which companies will dominate next – you'll own whatever rises to the top. The episode covers his thoughts on VTSAX versus VTI, international diversification, and why he'd rather put Tabasco than Cholula on his eggs — his quirky way of explaining personal preferences in nearly identical investment options. Resources Mentioned: Episode 31, Interview in 2016 with JL Collins Timestamps: Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths. (0:00) Intro (1:00) JL admits he doesn't know the efficient frontier (2:00) Simple vs optimal but complex paths (4:30) Paul Merriman's four-fund portfolio vs VTSAX (6:00) JL concedes Merriman's approach is mathematically superior (7:30) Risk parity investing discussion (8:30) Sequence of returns risk and retirement bonds (12:30) JL's birthday email from Jack Bogle (15:00) VTSAX vs VTI (17:00) Total stock market funds across brokerages (23:30) Mag 7 concentration risk (27:00) Sears story and self-cleansing index funds (30:30) International diversification and US dominance (39:00) World funds versus separate international (45:00) When to shift to world fund (47:30) Bond allocation timing strategies (48:30) Target date funds (50:30) One-fund vs two-fund approach (52:00) Historical diversification and Nifty 50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
"Once you get $1,000, don't run to Gucci and blow it on an ugly shirt like your broke cousin does." Jaspreet is here with a smarter, richer alternative. In this episode, he breaks down five powerful ways to turn $1,000 into so much more...whether you're trying to grow wealth, get out of debt, or finally start that side hustle. You'll learn how to: Park your cash smartly by using high-yield savings accounts that actually pay you to save Build a self-education stack with 25 book recommendations that can give you an MBA-level financial mindset for a fraction of the cost Start investing wisely, using ETFs like VTI and SPY while applying Jaspreet's CPA strategy—consistent, passive, and automatic Launch a small business with big upside, from AI consulting to social media lead generation, with real numbers and low startup costs Pay down high-interest debt strategically, locking in guaranteed returns and reducing financial stress without taking unnecessary risks This episode is your blueprint for what to do when you get an extra $1,000, and how to make sure it's not the last $1,000 you ever see. Want more financial news? Join Market Briefs, my free daily financial newsletter: https://www.briefs.co/market Below are my recommended tools! Please note: Yes, these are our sponsors & advertisers. However, these are companies that I trust and use (or have used). The compensation doesn't affect my recommendations or advice. That being said, you should always do your own research & never blindly listen to a random guy on YouTube (or a podcast). ---------- ➤ Invest In Stocks Passively 1) M1 Finance - Buy stocks & ETFs automatically: https://theminoritymindset.com/m1 ---------- ➤ Life Insurance 2) Policygenius - Get a free life insurance quote: https://theminoritymindset.com/policygenius ---------- ➤ Real Estate Investing Online 3) Fundrise - Invest in real estate with as little as $10! https://theminoritymindset.com/fundrise ----------
In this Friday Q&A episode, Don answers a wide range of listener questions, covering everything from market timing behavior and condo pitfalls to portfolio simplification and strategic debt repayment. He offers heartfelt financial guidance with his usual mix of candor and compassion—including a personal confession about his own Social Security decision. Plus, he pleads (just a little) for positive Apple Podcast reviews to combat the crypto bros and insurance hawks. 0:04 Friday Q&A intro and how to submit voice questions 1:40 What do market-timing traders actually do with their cash during volatility? 4:25 Are condos and co-ops really “the devil”? Why Don's skeptical 9:46 Listener shares Don sparked his investing journey in the ‘90s 11:15 Should a friend drop her advisor for a robo-platform—or go DIY with VT/BND? 17:32 Why Don prefers AVGE over VTI for broader, smarter diversification 18:15 Tiny differences in fees can mean big long-term results 18:58 Active-duty military caller: Should I pay off debt using savings and ditch whole life? 24:08 Listener nearing 70: Should I freeze my Social Security or just enjoy it now? 26:46 Don's honest confession about his own SS filing decision 27:52 Why good reviews matter (and how to fight the crypto/insurance trolls) 29:43 Call live on Saturdays while Tom vacations… again Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Questions? Comments?In this Friday Q&A episode, Don answers a wide range of listener questions, covering everything from market timing behavior and condo pitfalls to portfolio simplification and strategic debt repayment. He offers heartfelt financial guidance with his usual mix of candor and compassion—including a personal confession about his own Social Security decision. Plus, he pleads (just a little) for positive Apple Podcast reviews to combat the crypto bros and insurance hawks.0:04 Friday Q&A intro and how to submit voice questions1:40 What do market-timing traders actually do with their cash during volatility?4:25 Are condos and co-ops really “the devil”? Why Don's skeptical9:46 Listener shares Don sparked his investing journey in the ‘90s11:15 Should a friend drop her advisor for a robo-platform—or go DIY with VT/BND?17:32 Why Don prefers AVGE over VTI for broader, smarter diversification18:15 Tiny differences in fees can mean big long-term results18:58 Active-duty military caller: Should I pay off debt using savings and ditch whole life?24:08 Listener nearing 70: Should I freeze my Social Security or just enjoy it now?26:46 Don's honest confession about his own SS filing decision27:52 Why good reviews matter (and how to fight the crypto/insurance trolls)29:43 Call live on Saturdays while Tom vacations… againLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don fields a fresh batch of listener questions in this all-audio edition. A longtime fan asks whether a municipal bond ETF (VTEB) is a smarter place than a money market fund for short-term cash—Don explains why liquidity and risk matter more than yield. Another listener wants help navigating how much cash retirees should keep and when to use it—Don breaks it into two simple buckets: one for living, one for emergencies. A third caller gets a red flag for being pitched Cliffwater's CCLFX fund by a so-called fiduciary. Don pulls no punches on high-fee, opaque, risky private lending funds—and questions the advisor's motivations. Later, a listener asks about Vanguard's old-school actively managed funds like Wellington and PrimeCap, and whether they still have a place in a modern index-based portfolio. And finally, a TIPS investor wonders if he's overcommitted to inflation protection. Spoiler: maybe. Don wraps by reflecting on 40 years in talk radio and thanking the show's loyal, growing audience. 0:10 Don introduces the many ways listeners can submit questions 2:21 Q1: SPAXX vs. VTEB for short-term savings—liquidity vs. yield 5:34 Why money market wins for money needed within 2–3 years 6:27 Q2: How much cash should retirees keep—and when to use it? 7:25 Retirement cash strategy: living cash vs. true emergencies 9:31 Q3: Advisor recommends Cliffwater CCLFX—should I worry? 11:01 CCLFX breakdown: 10% yield sounds sexy, but what's the cost? 13:27 A thousand times the cost of Vanguard bonds—yes, really 15:41 Don: this “fiduciary” isn't acting in your best interest 17:01 Q4: Do Vanguard's active funds still belong in a portfolio? 18:18 PrimeCap vs. VTI—higher cost, same return, less diversification 19:56 Active funds are legacy products—and not built for the long game 20:25 Q5: TIPS bonds—smart inflation hedge or overweight risk? 22:48 Equities already provide inflation protection—TIPS should be a slice, not half 24:03 Don reflects on 40 years in talk radio—and thanks loyal listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Questions? Comments?Don fields a fresh batch of listener questions in this all-audio edition. A longtime fan asks whether a municipal bond ETF (VTEB) is a smarter place than a money market fund for short-term cash—Don explains why liquidity and risk matter more than yield. Another listener wants help navigating how much cash retirees should keep and when to use it—Don breaks it into two simple buckets: one for living, one for emergencies. A third caller gets a red flag for being pitched Cliffwater's CCLFX fund by a so-called fiduciary. Don pulls no punches on high-fee, opaque, risky private lending funds—and questions the advisor's motivations. Later, a listener asks about Vanguard's old-school actively managed funds like Wellington and PrimeCap, and whether they still have a place in a modern index-based portfolio. And finally, a TIPS investor wonders if he's overcommitted to inflation protection. Spoiler: maybe. Don wraps by reflecting on 40 years in talk radio and thanking the show's loyal, growing audience.0:10 Don introduces the many ways listeners can submit questions2:21 Q1: SPAXX vs. VTEB for short-term savings—liquidity vs. yield5:34 Why money market wins for money needed within 2–3 years6:27 Q2: How much cash should retirees keep—and when to use it?7:25 Retirement cash strategy: living cash vs. true emergencies9:31 Q3: Advisor recommends Cliffwater CCLFX—should I worry?11:01 CCLFX breakdown: 10% yield sounds sexy, but what's the cost?13:27 A thousand times the cost of Vanguard bonds—yes, really15:41 Don: this “fiduciary” isn't acting in your best interest17:01 Q4: Do Vanguard's active funds still belong in a portfolio?18:18 PrimeCap vs. VTI—higher cost, same return, less diversification19:56 Active funds are legacy products—and not built for the long game20:25 Q5: TIPS bonds—smart inflation hedge or overweight risk?22:48 Equities already provide inflation protection—TIPS should be a slice, not half24:03 Don reflects on 40 years in talk radio—and thanks loyal listenersLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tựa Đề: Nhận Lãnh Và Tiếp Bước; Kinh Thánh: Ga-la-ti 3:1-14; Tác Giả: VPNS; Loạt Bài: Sống Với Thánh Kinh, Bài Học Kinh Thánh Hằng Ngày, Tĩnh Nguyện Hằng Ngày, Sống Với Thánh Kinh
While I was at the Bogleheads conference in Minneapolis earlier this year, I had a lengthy interview with Paula Pant. I enjoyed the interview and found lots of questions and comments under the YouTube presentation that I wanted to answer. While I wrote short comments on the site, I decided many of the questions were worthy of more discussion.Here is a link to the YouTube interview and podcast: #1. “Most of my holdings are in cash as I cashed out last time the market went down. How do I stay invested and think long-term to help me ride out the ups and downs of the market?” 02:17 #2. “I'm just beginning my investment journey and planning to put 85K into dividend stocks so that I will be making up to 30% per year in dividend returns.” https://rethinking65.com/the-preference-for-dividend-paying-stocks-is-irrational/ 10:41 #3. "What Fidelity Funds do you recommend to build your 4 Fund Portfolio?" 15:00 #4. "How often do you recommend rebalancing the 4 Fund Portfolio?" 17:02 #5 "Nobody knows what's going to happen next so we should practice some humility and CHOOSE a strategy with a long-term edge." What is the edge and what else do you need to know dividend stocks k? 21:02 #6. "I”m not looking to beat the S&P 500…I'm more than happy with the returns I get from it.” Does that mean it's right for you? 24:36 #7. In response to Paul's recommendation of the 4 Fund Portfolio this is what one viewer said, “For what it's worth, backtesting shows his proposed fund portfolio does not do better than VTI or VOO.” Paul responds. 28:32 #8. "The only small cap value available in my 401k is DFSVX which has an expense ratio of .30%. Is this expense ratio too high? 32:32 #9. "Can you give ETF recommendations for all of the equity asset classes?" Here are the Best In Class recommendations. 35:23 #10. "How do you fund a Roth IRA when a child doesn't have earned income?" #11. Please recommend more information on how I might adjust my 401k. We're talking millions and 2 funds for life. 36:37 #12 "Would you accomplish similar performance results by setting up a strategy using sector diversification instead of asset class diversification?" 40:01 #13 "I'm helping my 17 year old daughter with her Roth IRA. What do you think about shooting for an all equity 40/30/30 portfolio of US small cap value/S&P 500/Total International market?” 42:23 #14. “This guy has been pushing small cap value and underperforming for years. Sorry, no thanks." 44:25
In this episode we answer emails from Melissa, Neal, Mark and Mike. We discuss a missing link from Episode 7 and a substitute for it, the podcast distribution, moving from an accumulation portfolio in a taxable account to a retirement portfolio efficiently, and considerations when incorporating international (non-U.S.) funds. Links:Three Ingredients Article: Three Secret Ingredients of the Most Efficient Portfolios – Portfolio ChartsMerriman ETF Recommendations: Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations | Merriman Financial Education FoundationAmusing Unedited AI-Bot Summary:Unlock the secrets of do-it-yourself investing with Risk Parity Radio, where listener queries drive our exploration of effective financial strategies. Ever wondered how to craft a risk parity portfolio as you approach retirement? We tackle this and more, including navigating the world of taxable accounts, minimizing taxes, and managing significant expenses like a house down payment. Melissa's email about a broken Ray Dalio link becomes an opportunity to explore alternative resources, while Mark's playback issues on Apple Podcasts spark our gratitude for community feedback. You'll also discover the nuances of transitioning to a risk parity portfolio without opening new accounts, and the surprising overlaps between VTI and VUG.Ready to rethink international diversification? While some portfolios skip international funds, they still provide global exposure through assets like global value-tilted funds and Chinese A shares. We discuss why this approach might suffice, as international funds often mirror US stocks, especially in large caps. Instead, our focus shifts to balancing value, growth, and size using small-cap value funds from Avantis or DFA. With flexible templates and key diversification metrics, you'll learn to construct a robust portfolio without getting lost in geographic diversifications. Tune in, and reshape your investing toolkit with practical insights and empowering strategies.Support the show
Paul mentions his upcoming presentation to the L.A. Chapter of AAII on November 16, 2024 10:30 to noon. Chris Pedersen and Daryl Bahls join Paul to answer your questions. Paul opens the podcast with a brief introduction of the team and notes how thankful he is for their commitment to helping others. Paul mentions the huge moves small cap value funds made on November 6. He follows that with a comparison of the 5 year returns of AVUV and 3 Vanguard small cap value funds (VBR, VIOV and VTWV). AVUV compound rate of returns were 3 plus percent higher than the Vanguard funds. Paul's questions: What caused the higher returns and are they likely to be similar in the future? Chris responds with a lengthy discussion of the systematic approach that AVUV uses and Paul reads what AVUV says about their systematic approach. Chris compares the DFA small cap value fund (DFSV) with AVUV. Chris also talks about a relative ranking he wants add to his Best In Class recommendations next year. Chris discusses the quality factor of AVUV vs. funds that build their small cap value portfolio using the Russell 2000 Small Cap Value Index. He introduced a new term: rich minus weak ratio.Paul and Chris discuss the question: Is AVUV and actively managed fund? Question: JL Collins recommends VTI (Total Market Index) and Warren Buffett recommends VOO (S&P 500). Which do we recommend? Chris notes the important differences between VTI and AVUS and suggests a likely extra .5% return from AVUS. For those who want to own only total market funds, the group discusses the possibilities of replacing both VIT(U.S. Total Market) and VXUS (International Total Market) with total market indexes that favor slightly smaller companies with a slightly more value tilt. Paul references Ben Carlson's article about, “Some Things I Don't Believe About Investing.” Chris, Daryl and Paul weigh in on things they don't believe about investing.Chris ends with some important comments about how we are likely helping investors. Watch video here.
In this week's episode of **Market Mondays**, we covered a wide range of key topics related to the current financial landscape. Ian shared his insights on stocks that could perform well if Donald Trump wins the next election, expanding on previous discussions about stocks to watch if Kamala Harris were to win. Troy also delivered an informative presentation on stock options, providing valuable strategies for navigating the market.We dove into the topic of **Bitcoin** and discussed whether it will continue to follow the Quantitative Easing, 4-year cycle. Ian also provided his **trading tip of the week**, emphasizing that "the shorter the time frame, the weaker the signal," offering advice on how to interpret market signals effectively.Another major topic was the **potential acquisition of Expedia by Uber**. We explored what this purchase could mean for both companies and the broader tech industry. We also had a special guest—U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona—who joined us to discuss the Biden administration's **$4.5 billion student debt relief announcement** and the current status of education in America. This was an insightful conversation about the government's efforts to alleviate financial burdens on students.Additionally, we addressed whether it's a good time to consider **precious metals like gold**, which recently hit a record high. We explored how much of your portfolio should be allocated to precious metals. We also tackled the question, "If I only invest in VTI and QQQM for the long term, will I be fine?" offering a deep dive into these two popular index funds.In a more rebellious approach, we discussed the strategy of holding **2 tech stocks and 3 index funds** (like healthcare and small caps) for broader exposure, challenging the conventional wisdom of sticking to a strict balance of investments. Finally, we highlighted **8 dividend stocks beyond the usual Dividend Kings**, featuring names like Verizon, Pfizer, UPS, Kraft Heinz, T. Rowe Price, Chevron, CVS Health, and Sirius XM, giving investors new options for securing reliable income.EYL University 48 Hour Sale: Enter Code "MarketMondays" at Checkout https://eyluniversity.com (https://eyluniversity.com) #MarketMondays #StockMarket #Investing #Bitcoin #StudentDebtRelief #PreciousMetals #DividendStocks #FinancialFreedom #VTI #QQQM #TechStocks #Education #Uber #Expedia #TradingTipsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/marketmondays/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
#194: Build wealth and achieve financial freedom with three simple, actionable steps. Personal finance expert JL Collins discusses the concept of "FU" money, the importance of living on less than you earn, the power of low-cost index fund investing, and other effective strategies to create long-term wealth. JL Collins is the author of The Simple Path to Wealth and a popular personal finance blog, where he helps countless individuals take control of their financial futures by simplifying wealth-building strategies. With decades of experience, his work has been widely influential in the FIRE movement. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/jl-collins-the-simple-path-to-wealth Partner Deals DRAM: 20% off my favorite sparkling water with zero calories, zero sugar Facet: Personalized Financial Planning + $250 enrollment fee waived Notion: Try Notion AI free to automate tedious tasks and streamline your work Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned JL Collins: Blog | X | Facebook Books: The Simple Path to Wealth | Pathfinders Time Machine and the Future Returns for Stocks Blog: Mr. Money Mustache J.P. Morgan Asset Management Analysis: Is your money working its hardest for you? ATH Podcast: Ep #91: Die With Zero: Net Fulfillment Over Net Worth with Bill Perkins Ep #189: Beyond the 4% Rule: Smarter Strategies for Financial Independence with Karsten Jeske Follow & Review on Apple Podcasts Email us for questions, tips, deals and feedback Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:20) What Is "FU" Money and How Is It Related to Financial Freedom? (04:13) Real Life Examples of "FU" Money (Even With Small Savings) (07:27) The Simple Path to Wealth Explained (09:31) Is Saving the Hardest Part of Creating Wealth? (11:54) How to Prioritize Your Lifestyle for Financial Freedom (19:26) Why Becoming Wealthy Is Simpler Than You Think (23:15) Do You Need to Quit Your Job When You're Financially Independent? (25:52) How to Look at Investments as a Way of Saving (30:08) Should You Cash Out Your Portfolio When the Market Is Down? (36:54) The Different Implications of the Trinity Study (Safe Withdrawal Rates) (40:19) Expanding Your Portfolio Beyond U.S. Exposure (49:21) Difference Between VTSAX vs. VTI (53:19) How to Avoid Fees When Investing (54:54) Strategies to Roll Over 401(k)s (59:36) Exceptions for Debt (1:04:49) Is Financial Independence About Freedom or Wealth? (1:10:06) What Is the Real Benefit of Financial Freedom and Independence? (1:10:52) Where to Find JL Collins Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.