Risk Parity Radio

• Episode 417: International Growth Funds, DSTs, Portfolio Transitions And Other Questions And Quandaries

  In this episode we answer emails from Marco Esquandolas and Multi-Family Investor.  We discuss a long-term diversified Roth portfolio for a 13-year old, modelling Delaware Statutory Trusts in a portfolio, transitioning out of an all S&P 500 allocation in a taxable account, PFIX, Sabine Royalty Trust and individual stocks in retirement portfolios, and M1 Finance.Note/Correction:  Sabine is actually NOT structured like an MLP but as a true trust and therefore issues 1099s, not K-1s like most companies in the oil & gas royalty space.Links:Shannon's Demon Article:  Unexpected Returns: Shannon's Demon & the Rebalancing Bonus – Portfolio ChartsIDMO vs EFG (and other international growth funds) Analysis:  testfol.io/analysis?s=4PEQ1YvTbAMBreathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:Dive into the world of strategic portfolio building with this illuminating episode where Frank tackles questions from two distinct investors at opposite ends of the age spectrum. A father shares his 13-year-old son's Shannon's Demon-inspired portfolio that's being built for an ultra-long 50+ year time horizon, featuring a balanced approach to growth and value across both domestic and international markets. Frank offers targeted advice on fund selection while celebrating this young investor's precocious financial journey.The conversation shifts dramatically when an engineer earning $250,000-300,000 annually shares his detailed retirement strategy with hopes of financial independence before 50. With $3.4 million spread across multiple investment vehicles including real estate, this listener puzzles over how to transition to a risk parity portfolio without triggering a substantial tax bill. Frank methodically dissects several aspects of this complex situation, questioning the wisdom of backdoor Roth conversions during peak earning years and clarifying misconceptions about Delaware Statutory Trusts as bond substitutes.What makes this episode particularly valuable is Frank's blend of technical advice and practical wisdom. He cuts through complex tax and investment strategies to offer straightforward solutions - identifying tax-loss harvesting opportunities, rethinking account structures, and focusing on expenses rather than arbitrary portfolio targets. The discussion extends to specialized investments like royalty trusts and interest rate hedges, providing listeners with a masterclass in portfolio construction that balances theoretical ideals with real-world constraints.Whether you're managing investments for the next generation or planning your own early retirement, this episode delivers actionable insights on building resilient, tax-efficient portfolios tailored to your unique circumstances. The principles shared apply across market conditions and investment goals, making this essential listening for any DIY investor seeking to optimize their financial future.Support the show

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• Episode 416: The Tau Of El Yama, Accumulation Versus Decumulation Portfolios, Cracked CAPE Crystal Balls And Portfolio Reviews As Of April 18, 2025

  In this episode we answer emails from El Yama, Graham, and James.  We discuss using risk parity-style portfolios for intermediate term needs, the short-term bond allocation in the Golden Butterfly, accounting for child credit, rising equity glidepaths, the fundamental differences between 100% stock portfolios and diversified portfolios and why you want the latter for retirement unless your goal is to die with the most money, and a CAPE ratio critique from Meb Faber's podcast.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:Kitces Article re Rising Glidepaths:  The Benefits Of A Rising Equity Glidepath In RetirementKitces/Pfau Paper re Rising Glidepaths:  Reducing Retirement Risk with a Rising Equity Glide-Path by Wade D. Pfau, Michael Kitces :: SSRNMeb Faber Podcast with Brian Jacobs discussing problems with CAPE ratio predictions:  A Century of No Return! The Truth About The Beloved Bonds (Brian Jacobs of Aptus Reveals)Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," begins this thought-provoking exploration of why most investors are trapped in accumulation-phase thinking even as they approach or enter retirement. The question at the heart of this episode strikes at a surprising disconnect in personal finance: Why do so many investors intellectually understand they're investing to enjoy retirement, yet construct portfolios clearly designed to maximize wealth at death? Through a series of illuminating listener emails, Frank unpacks how portfolios optimized for accumulation often fail spectacularly during the decumulation phase. One listener confesses he "always wondered why anyone would buy bonds when clearly stocks give a far greater return," before discovering through portfolio testing that a 100% equity portfolio would have "failed catastrophically" for someone retiring around 2000-2003.This recognition—that diversification isn't about maximizing returns but enabling sustainable withdrawals—represents the fundamental insight many investors miss until too late. As Frank colorfully puts it, if your goal is to "die with the most money possible" in your "golden coffin," then by all means stick with 90-100% equities. But if you actually intend to enjoy your retirement by spending more than 3% of your portfolio annually, a properly diversified approach becomes essential.The episode also addresses why attempts to use valuation metrics like CAPE ratios to predict market movements have largely failed, and why separating your portfolio into growth and value components offers a more reliable approach to capturing rebalancing bonuses without attempting market timing.Make sure your investment behavior actually matches your stated goals. If you're planning to spend in retirement, construct a portfolio that optimizes for sustainable withdrawals, not maximum theoretical returns.Support the show

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• Episode 415: A Smorgasbord Of Annuities, TIP Ladders, Currency Speculations And Other Gambling Problems

  In this episode we answer emails from Corn Pop, Dustin and Jim.  We discuss annuities for elderly parents, TIPS ladders in retirement, REITs in small cap value funds, currency speculation, the GDE fund (again) and an aggressive portfolio construction.Link:Interview of Michael Kitces Re Problems With TIPS Ladders:  Michael Kitces: How Higher Yields Affect Asset Allocation and Retirement Planning | MorningstarBreathless and Promotional AI-Bot Summary:Dive into the mailbag as Frank tackles complex investment questions with his signature blend of expertise and pop culture references. This episode unpacks several critical financial planning dilemmas that challenge conventional wisdom.First, Frank examines when annuities make sense for elderly parents, explaining how health prospects and longevity expectations should guide this decision. For those likely to outlive actuarial tables, annuities can provide financial value and simplify management—but they're far from universally beneficial. Frank introduces Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs) as a strategic option for those concerned about funding long-term care in their later years.The conversation shifts to a provocative take on TIPS ladders, with Frank describing long-term ladders as "a flex for hoarders" rather than necessary financial tools. He argues these complicated structures work best for defined periods with specific purposes—like bridging to Social Security—not as decades-long income vehicles that will inevitably be either too long or too short for your actual lifespan.Currency speculation, Bitcoin, and aggressive portfolio construction round out the episode's explorations. Frank explains how currency exposure already exists implicitly in international stocks and gold without dedicated speculation, evaluates an aggressive portfolio with substantial Bitcoin allocation, and questions whether dividend stocks belong in accumulation strategies.Throughout, Frank balances technical analysis with practical wisdom, reminding listeners that personalized investment approaches must account for individual circumstances rather than following generic advice. Whether you're managing a retirement portfolio or building wealth, you'll gain valuable perspective on how the finest investment strategies align with your actual needs rather than theoretical ideals.Want your questions answered on a future episode? Email [email protected] and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Support the show

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• Episode 414: Another RPR Variation, More Cowbell, Accounting For Social Security And Portfolio Reviews As Of April 11, 2025

  In this episode we answer emails from Jeremy, Brad, and James.  We discuss a more aggressive risk-parity portfolio similar to the Weird Portfolio, the problems with data analysis and recency bias and considerations in accounting for Social Security or pensions in retirement portfolio planning.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:Jeremy's Portfolio on Portfolio Visualizer:  https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-asset-class-allocation?s=y&sl=LDhLHuhVF5zOKfTZckLT7Weird Portfolio:  Weird Portfolio – Portfolio ChartsTestfolio Portfolio Comparison (90/10 vs. 50/50):  https://testfol.io/?s=2TDnqWEw5FEBogle Interview (re Social Security):  Jack Bogle on Index Funds, Vanguard, and Investing AdviceKitces Interview (re Social Security):  Social Security: Part of Your Asset Allocation?Breathless AI-Bot Summary:  "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," begins this episode, capturing the essence of breaking away from conventional investment thinking. Stepping into Frank's metaphorical "dive bar of personal finance," listeners are treated to an exploration of portfolio diversification during turbulent market conditions.Frank tackles three thought-provoking listener questions that challenge common investing assumptions. First, he analyzes a balanced portfolio proposal with equal allocations to large-cap growth, small-cap value, REITs, long-term treasuries, and gold, explaining why this more aggressive risk parity approach shows promising safe withdrawal rates. The conversation shifts to the dangers of recency bias when a listener questions the underperformance of a 50-50 small-cap value/large-cap growth portfolio over just five years. Frank emphasizes that even a decade of data can be "just noise" when evaluating investment strategies, reminding us to focus on performance during challenging market periods rather than recent returns.Perhaps most compelling is Frank's fresh perspective on integrating Social Security into financial planning. Challenging the notion that Social Security should be viewed as fixed-income allocation, he suggests treating it more like an annuity that reduces expenses rather than an asset within your portfolio. This shifts the conversation from wealth preservation to life maximization, encouraging retirees to consider increasing discretionary spending rather than hoarding assets.The weekly portfolio review reveals a fascinating market story: while the S&P 500 has fallen 8.64% year-to-date and small-cap value has plummeted 19.69%, gold has surged 23.12%. This perfect illustration of risk parity principles shows how properly diversified portfolios maintain remarkable stability despite individual asset volatility. The unlevered sample portfolios remain down less than 1% year-to-date, demonstrating the power of hearing that "different drummer" when constructing your investment approach.Have questions about building your own diversified portfolio? Email [email protected] or visit the website to connect directly. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!Support the show

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• Episode 413: Overcoming Financial Setbacks, Finance Board Follies, Inflation And Large Cap Growth Funds In Merriman Portfolios

  In this episode we answer emails from Harry, Sally, Jack and Javon.  We discuss recovering from financial set-backs, my life on the Choose FI board, assets that do well in inflationary environments and large cap growth funds like MGK in Merriman-type portfolios.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna CenterMindset by Carol Dweck:  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck | GoodreadsBloomberg Presentation On Investments In Inflationary Environments:  MH201-SteveHou-Bloomberg.pdfShannon's Demon Article from Portfolio Charts:  Unexpected Returns: Shannon's Demon & the Rebalancing Bonus – Portfolio ChartsTestfolio Analysis of MGK and other funds:  testfol.io/analysis?s=lbssElueG9DAmusing Unedited AI-Bot Summary:When financial disaster strikes, where do you turn? In this deeply empathetic episode, Frank Vasquez responds to a listener who's lost nearly everything through leveraged investments caught in market turmoil. His compassionate yet practical response offers a roadmap back from financial devastation, emphasizing that starting from net worth zero with income potential creates a foundation many successful investors have built upon.The conversation shifts to examining the psychology behind financial social media, where Frank taxonomizes poster behaviors into revealing categories. From genuine question-askers to Dunning-Kruger sufferers repeating harmful advice from financial media marketing materials disguised as guidance, this analysis helps listeners navigate confusing information landscapes. His take on affirmation-seekers posting humble brags or seeking validation for poor decisions provides particular insight into why certain destructive financial ideas persist online.With inflation concerns mounting due to potential tariffs and immigration restrictions, Frank offers practical portfolio protection strategies beyond traditional TIPS, which merely help investors tread water rather than outperform during inflationary periods. His breakdown of managed futures, commodities, value-tilted stocks in hard assets, and property/casualty insurance companies provides actionable alternatives. The discussion culminates in comparing investment theorist Paul Merriman's value-tilted ETF recommendations with Frank's diversification approach using Shannon's Demon principles, demonstrating how different philosophical frameworks can lead to successful long-term investing.What distinguishes this episode is Frank's ability to balance technical expertise with emotional intelligence, offering not just investment strategies but wisdom about resilience and perspective during financial hardship. Whether you're recovering from losses or preparing for economic uncertainty, this episode delivers both tactical guidance and reassuring wisdom from someone who's weathered financial storms himself.Have questions? Connect at [email protected] or through the website contact form. Please like, subscribe, and share with fellow investors seeking thoughtful financial guidance.Support the show

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