Risk Parity Radio

In this episode we answer emails from Tyler, Michael and Jon.  We discuss managing an inherited Roth across a 10-year window and related questions, compare VXUS to targeted international tilts, tax and asset location considerations for traditional and Roth IRAs, and talk about some of the basic ideas for achieving higher safe withdrawal rates. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio review...

In this episode we answer emails from Jenna, Kevin, and Jack Rabbit.  We challenge the myth of “never pay taxes” and show how to transition scattered holdings into a Golden Butterfly framework while keeping taxes manageable. We also examine Bitcoin’s role, review sample portfolio performance, and share new listener-created bonus material on the site. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio...

In this episode we answer emails from JT, Phil, and Glenn.  We revel in the updates to the TestFolio tools, weigh how tilting toward small cap value can lift safe withdrawal rates but also reduces overall diversification, return to KBWP and how property and casualty insurance companies can provide value-tilted diversification, and discuss the tracking results reported on the About page at the webs...

In this episode we answer emails from Anonymous from New Jersey, James, and Brad.  We answer a donor’s six-part retirement plan, from mortgages and liquidity to 403(b) constraints, ETF trading, asset location, asset swaps, and tax‑savvy withdrawals. Then we discuss the risks of staying in an accumulation portfolio for too long and the options for obviating a crash before transitioning. And THEN we...

In this episode we answer emails from Anonymous, Pete, and Wilhelm.  We discuss how MiFID reshapes investing for U.S. citizens retiring in the EU, the commodities fund HGER and the "Desert Portfolio." Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna Center IBKR MiFId Client Page:  MiFID Client Category Portfolio Charts Assets Page (for finding funds):  Assets – Portfo...

In this episode we answer emails from Adam, Cha Cha, and TJ.  We discuss how cash and short-term bonds affect safe withdrawal rates, why the Golden Butterfly’s allocation is a preference not a rule, and how to build a growth-first plan when you’re starting late.  And we wish Happy Birthday to Mick the Mugga Mugga. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfoli...

In this episode we answer emails from Patrick, Kyle, and Dave.  We discuss the advantages of using risk parity style portfolios for higher withdrawal rates, how to manage a sleeve of individual REITs, the joys of giving in its various forms, a risk parity style portfolio in a Donor Advised Fund, and reverse glide paths.  We share how planned generosity, donor-advised funds, and employer matches ca...

In this episode we answer emails from Grant, Brian, and Mourad.  We unpack Grant's various gambling problems with leveraged ETFs and Bitcoin wrappers, owning gold in CAD or USD for Canadians, the role of preferred shares and Mourad's recent visit to the Father McKenna Center. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna Center Choose FI Podcast #574:  Top Five Reg...

In this episode we answer emails from Camille and Jeff.  We discuss how 72(t) and asset swaps enable early IRA access, where to place managed futures and treasuries for taxes, practical cash options at IBKR and ultra-short term ETFs, designing a mix for higher safe withdrawal rates, when to ratchet spending and when to hold flat, and tracking mandatory versus discretionary spending, among other th...

In this episode we answer emails from Phil and Chris.  We discuss moving from target date funds to low-cost index funds, why equity diversification needs a value tilt, how managed futures replication mimics an index fund in that asset class, options collars versus simply holding less equity, momentum models trade-offs and regime risk, long Treasuries compared with STRIPS for rate sensitivity, why...

In this episode we answer emails from Arun, Neil, and Stephen.  We discuss intermediate accumulation portfolios, when you start needing bonds and being a good family man; favorite listener episodes #436 and #441, and an analysis of Thurman portfolios and what they are missing.   Links: Episode 436 Video Summary:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WQ1hvoLaX3hJL3DoLnaWsAxNBdOYFLB0/view?usp=sharing E...

In this episode we answer emails from Dave, Isaiah, and Ian.  We discuss back-testing tools, revisit UPRO and leverage from the last episode, the inherent biases and incentives for retail financial advisors to recommend underspending and using underspending plans larded with window dressings, and revisit a limited 401k and a retirement scenario from Episodes 420 and 444. And THEN we our go through...

In this episode we answer emails from Roman, Andrew and Iain.  We discuss the plusses and minuses of leverage, volatility drag, and how leverage interacts with diversification and withdrawals, general observation on tax optimization via account buckets, small cap value index funds and Avantis/DFA merits, and modelling annuities versus mandatory versus discretionary spending in retirement. LInks: F...

In this episode we answer emails from Jess, Phil and Scott.  We discuss an experience of setting up a sample RPR portfolio for one's self, using asset swaps to manage cash, and fun with the low bar standards and other inadequacies of many financial advisors. And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Par...

In this episode we answer emails from Tyson, Patrick, and Shuchi.  We discuss the basics of transitioning, SCHD as a value fund choice, bitcoin vs. gold, why "only works for 30 years" is a fake problem, the difference between our use of value funds vs. Paul Merriman's, and when would me make adjustments to our plans in retirement. Links: Bigger Pockets Money Podcast #1:  The Secret...

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 p...

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 consideratio...

In this episode we answer emails from Ron, Mark, Rick and Keith.  We revel in your generosity and discuss the mechanics of monthly withdrawals and how rebalancing smooths that over, modelling portfolio with money going in and money going out, and a follow up on portfolios employing futures contracts as leverage.  And gooooold!  And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight s...

In this episode we answer emails from Niek, Dustin, Dale, Hydromod and .  We discuss adopting a golden ratio mix and not having unrealistic expectations, the plusses and minuses of the AI-version-of-you fad, the new website and why trying to use gold futures for leverage might not be the best choice for your gambling problem. Link:  Father McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna Cen...

In this episode we answer emails from Jimmy, Anonymous and Matthew.  We discuss financing a home with portfolio leverage via ETFs or margin, revel in the generosity of our listeners and real-life encounters, and review a risk parity style portfolio and plan.  And touch on our recent vacation to South Africa. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you...

In this episode we answer questions from Chris, George and "I Have No Name."  We discuss a transition situation with bonus portfolio question, the plusses and minuses of Pralana and similar calculators, and an amusing take on the Golden Butterfly portfolio reimagined. Links: Father McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna Center Rational Reminder Podcast:   David C. Brown:...

In this episode we answer one big long email from Mr. Bill (actually Dr. Bill). We discuss a planning process grounded in good data science, forecasting techniques and decision theory, and how we incorporate the concepts described in Bill Bengen's new book, using Dr. Bill as our guinea pig. And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at...

In this episode we answer emails from Adam, Private Cowboy, and Jose.  We discuss managed futures (again with references!), Bill Bengen's latest book and how it integrates into our approach, and the pros and cons of a Vanguard Personal Advisor-created portfolio and the hypocritical quandaries it creates with the gods of Simplicity. Links: Demystifying Managed Futures:  Demystifying Managed Fu...

in this episode we answer emails from Chris, Trudie, and Earl.  Highlights:  The Father McKenna Center "Top of the T-shirt" campaign raised over $66,624 thanks to generous listener contributions; financial advisors are conflicted and also relatively uninformed marketing machines who are not very curious about finances and are too reliant on calculators; AI tools like Copilot can help imp...

In this episode we answer emails from Andy, Phil and Brady.  We entertain Andy's musings on small cap value and the economy with crystal balls and complex adaptive systems theory, discuss the foibles of radio personalities attempting to try to be able to comment on what we do -- and their hypocrisies and conflicts of interest --, and touch base with the parent of a special needs child. Links:...