Risk Parity Radio

In this episode we answer emails from Ronald, George, Jeff.  We celebrate episode 500 by sharing a few “Easter egg” resources, then jump into listener questions that cut through common investing myths. We discuss a portfolio for a non-profit, rant about TIPS with a Wall Street Journal article to back us up, and talk about various choices in withdrawal methods. And THEN we our go through our weekly...

In this episode we answer emails from Jose, Luc and Sara.  We discuss using specific tax lots to reduce capital gains when reallocating, how the 0% long-term capital gains bracket works and why many land in the 15% bracket, where to hold gold like GLDM across IRAs and taxable accounts, turning off dividend reinvestment to simplify moves and build retirement cash, replacing total bond and internati...

In this episode we answer emails from Frank, Stephen (from Cincy), Jeff, and Sally.  We focus on a common retirement blind spot: once you are financially independent, portfolio tweaks matter less than the life choices you make with the time you have.  We also address those tweaks and then dig into HSA asset location traps, reflect on our listeners and our mission, and talk about our fundraiser for...

In this episode we answer emails from Dave, Marcus Vindictus, and Sharon.  We take a hard look at what “diversified” really means in retirement and why correlations matter more than fund count. We also talk about simplifying messy accounts, using AI to decode bad 401(k) menus, and making generosity a real part of financial independence. And we do a fundraising update for Mary's charity, Fairf...

In this episode we answer questions from Dustin, Optimus Bill and Scott.  We discuss the common mistake of chasing tickers and low fees instead of building a portfolio around goals and carefully chosen asset classes, cowbell origins, what to do with large allocations to cash equivalents and how much do you really need, and transitioning to a retirement portfolio.  Hint:  Search "transitioning...

In this episode we answer emails from Andy, John, and Todd.  We discuss what "holding dollars" means, the lure of speculation on recent events, the ongoing inadequacies of 401k and 403b plans and their incentives, and small cap value vs. small cap blend.  More Cowbell!  Before that we trade stories from the EconoMe Conference and spotlight Fairfax CASA’s work with foster kids and our fun...

In this episode we answer emails from Nicholas, Nathan and Lisa.  We discuss  how much gold is enough and how much is too much, why calculators disagree and the best ways to use them, and what “better” means when the future is uncertain. We also walk through a FIRE portfolio headed toward retirement and talk briefly about finding an advisor familiar with risk parity principles. And before that, in...

In this episode we answer emails from Lee, Leo, Tony, and Samuel.  We revel in Lee's generosity and discuss why we hold gold and treasuries, why recent performance should not drive allocation changes and common amateur investor fallacies, how to think about diversification when you invest outside the US, and how to think about correlations in a four quadrant model. And THEN we our go through...

In this episode we answer emails from TJ, John and Optimus Bill.  We discuss TJ's modified Golden Ratio portfolio and backtests, maximizing withdrawals with flexibility, ZROZ vs. TLT simulated leverage, gambling problems, intermediate accumulation to pay down a mortgage, and assorted allocations questions about mid-caps and other funds. We also talk about our Fairfax CASA fundraiser in our Qu...

In this episode we answer emails from Optimus Bill, Mark and Ryan.  We discuss donor advised fund sponsor Daffy and a strips fund portfolio substitution, the challenges of figuring out accumulation without getting caught up in chasing shiny objects and magic investing buttons, and discuss commercial risk parity funds and why they probably won't work for your goals.  Errata:  I said "Mark...

In this episode we answer emails from Connor, Zachary and Brian.  We discuss fund selection, doing the Big Law dance, portfolio construction basics and analyzing alternatives, and a partial retirement drawdown scenario involving early withdrawals, avoiding temptations to market time based on recent performances and funding a vacation property with a dedicated portfolio. But first we thank donors s...

In this episode we answer emails from Jeffrey, Bryan, and Erik.  We discuss the trade-offs of direct indexing in small cap value, why modest leverage on a diversified mix can outperform stock-heavy portfolios with fewer drawdowns, and modelling an early extra spending plan for retirement.  And talk about forecasting with Base Rates. And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio revie...

In this episode we respond to emails from Nick, Ginna, Ashley, Chris and Sara.  In our Queen Mary segment where we are raising money for Fairfax CASA, we express our gratitude for the outpouring of listener support and tell Noah and Taylor’s story of reunification.  We then dive into two big portfolio questions: do managed futures replace gold, and how to fund an eight-year break without derailing...

In this episode we answer emails from Tim, Anderson, and Pete. We discuss using a Golden Butterfly portfolio for intermediate accumulation, converting 529s to Roths and excessively levered portfolios for small children.  (I can't make this stuff up.) But first we share Mary’s mission with Fairfax CASA and explain how steady advocacy changes a child’s path, and roll out our Fairfax CASA fundra...

In this episode we answer email Serge, Nielsen, Paul and Loren.  We dig into the core question that drives every portfolio -- when will this money be spent and by whom -- which dictates how it should be invested, and talk about the website, ETPs and their variations, and thinking about sabbaticals and Coast FI.  We also mention our Risk Parity Radio gathering at EconoMe on Friday at the Celare Hot...

In this episode we answer questions from Ben, Todd, and Tom. We discuss how managed futures differ from momentum, differentiating Monte Carlo simulations and why you need to be careful with parameterized simulations, and flexible withdrawal strategies generally and applied to the sample portfolios. LInks: QMOM and DBMF comparison and correlations:  testfol.io/analysis?s=5lCK1KCsAsx Morningstar 202...

In this episode we answer emails from Sebastian, Mark, and James.  We discuss the purpose of treasury bond allocations, annuity cash flows, and where rentals fit, goofy accounting for taxes, a bridge to social security and answer questions about Testfolio and data sources.  And celebrate Catherine O'hara. And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio reviews of the eight sample...

In this episode we answer emails from Gregory, Rick and Graham.  We discuss some more amateur ideas on gold and cash buffers, and modeling managed futures, and we explain why costs and liquidity often matter more than the story you’re told. We share tools, back-tests, and resources that help DIY investors build smarter, calmer portfolios. Graham's  "Fall Back" instructions for input...

In this episode we answer emails from Isaiah and Mike.  We unpack how metrics hijack meaning and show how a diversified, risk-parity approach lets you thrive without chasing perfect scores, review our business model and help Mike tweak his portfolio selections. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio . Li...

In this episode we read a lengthy email missive from our good friend Dr. Bill on reaching financial independence a few years early, designing a risk parity portfolio with an advisor, and facing the emotional fog that follows. We share how to replace optimization with intention and use time, not money, as the measure of value, and touch on these points: • hitting FI earlier than planned after high...

In this episode we answer emails from Gregory and Isaiah.  We discuss whether tail-hedged ETFs belong in a retirement portfolio, then map out a cleaner path with Treasuries as recession insurance, a value tilt for equity resilience. We also discuss the problems with relying on voices from popular personal finance unless they are well supported by professional and academic teachings, and the import...

In this episode we answer emails from Bee, Brian, and Derek.  We discuss shifting from pure equities toward a Golden Ratio allocation at 60% of the way to financial independence, using 401(k) BrokerageLink to add small cap value, and replacing monthly performance screenshots with better backtesting tools. Along the way, we talk donor-advised funds, advisor incentives, and why most financial adviso...

In this episode we answer emails from Jeff, Chad and Matt.  We discuss choices in 100% equity accumulation portfolios, distribution methodology for the sample portfolios, more on radio-personalities-cum-financial-advisors who try to punch down, the landscape of financial advisors and distinguishing the good, the bad, and the ugly, and our overall approach here, which is simply to match financial b...

In this episode we answer emails from Midwest Nice, Ron and Stefan.  We discuss helping a cautious parent with a high-fee advisor, what services are actually worth paying for in their case, how to invest home-sale proceeds for a 5–10 year horizon, where to learn beyond basic indexing without losing the plot, the McKenna Man portfolio, and best approaches to try to beat the market (beyond don'...

In this episode we conduct our annual portfolio reviews of our eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio , and compare them with commercial alternatives.  We discuss why factors beat geography, and explain how gold, bonds, and managed futures improved results and withdrawal durability. We also confront the real roadblock to a good retirement: underspending driven by id...