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In this episode of the IFB podcast, Dave and Andrew answer a thoughtful set of questions from listener Bruno about building confidence as a long-term investor, using ETFs like the S&P 500 and a quantum-themed ETF, and whether it ever makes sense to leverage an investment portfolio when buying a home.
Dave and Andrew share practical ways to narrow the universe of stocks using simple filters like the price-to-earnings ratio, plus how checklists and focusing on a single industry can make decisions easier and less overwhelming.
They discuss why knowing “what’s under the hood” is critical, how position sizing matters, and why most investors are better off treating thematic ETFs as small, speculative slices of a portfolio.
Finally, they address Bruno’s question about using an investment portfolio as collateral for a home loan, sharing their concerns about leverage, black swan risks, and why this is usually a high-net-worth, advisor-level conversation.
Key Topics Covered:
- How to build confidence reading fundamentals and financial reports
- How investing checklists help you avoid blind spots and repeatable mistakes
- Focusing on one industry at a time to compare a small set of competitors
- Pros and cons of broad ETFs like the S&P 500 for long-term investors
- The risks of using your portfolio as collateral for a home loan
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Bruno’s email with three big questions
01:00 Struggling to trust your own analysis and fundamentals
06:00 Decision overload, restaurant menus, and narrowing your choices
09:30 How a checklist can build trust in your process
18:00 Question 2: Thoughts on ETFs like the S&P 500 and a quantum ETF
20:00 Why broad S&P ETFs are a “set it and forget it” core holding
22:30 Looking under the hood of a quantum ETF and its holdings
28:00 Question 3: Using your portfolio to help buy a home
37:00 Final thoughts on planning, margin of safety, and Bruno’s questions
Resources Mentioned:
The Vale Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
At Any Rate with Evan Raidt
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KSDP3QV8VnLLL9Bz03Hi7?si=a1aa66569c2b4148
Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast!
Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time.
Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening.
Today’s show is sponsored by:
Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today.
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The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom