Why AUM Fees Misalign Incentives

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 behaviors with financial goals.  Because Personal Finance is FINANCE.

And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.

Links:

Best Equity Index ETFs:  Best ETFs 2025 | Merriman Financial Education Foundation

Sarah Catherine Gutierrez Presentations:  Interacting with the Financial Services Industry with SC Gutierrez

Afford Anything Podcast re RPR:  They Ran Out of Money. I Didn’t. Here’s Why.

Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:

What if your portfolio actually reflected your real goal—spend confidently while you’re alive—or, if you prefer, maximize what you leave behind? We dig into that choice and show how to align behavior with outcomes, from accumulation tilts to retirement withdrawals, without getting trapped by complexity or fear.

We start by tackling a common accumulator snag: limited 401(k) menus. When a plan doesn’t offer the exact funds for a 50% large-cap growth and 50% small-cap value tilt, we show how to keep the core in a low-cost total market index and use outside accounts for precise small-cap value exposure. The final 10%? It’s often a coin flip—simplicity and consistency usually win. We also compare small-cap value options and why funds with profitability screens (like AVUV) can sharpen the tilt.

For retirees and near-retirees, we lay out a clean distribution method. Use cash generated by the portfolio first; if you must sell, trim the position most above target since the last rebalance. Prefer even fewer trades? Hold a modest cash sleeve and draw from it, replenishing during scheduled rebalances. The aim is to reduce friction while keeping allocations on track. Throughout, we push for strategies that raise safe withdrawal rates, not stories that only soothe nerves.

We also hold a bright light on advisor incentives. AUM fees aren’t “evil,” but they’re misaligned with consumer interests and compound against your long-term outcomes. Fee-only, flat-fee, or hourly planning models provide clarity and control without the drag. Our stance is simple: demand the math, insist on base rates, and ask every product or tweak one question—does this increase sustainable spending power?

The market check brings it all together: small-cap value is out front, gold remains a steady diversifier, and diversified sleeves like managed futures, REITs, and Treasuries contribute ballast. We walk through the eight sample portfolios, highlight performance since 2020 and 2024 inceptions, and note why mechanical year-end rebalancing can backfire when flows get weird. If you’re a do-it-yourself investor who values low costs, clarity, and evidence over noise, you’ll find practical steps you can use today.

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