Episode 452: Thanks Again For Your Generosity, Avoiding Calculator Jockeys, Calculation Shortcuts And Portfolio Reviews As Of September 5, 2025
Sep 7, 2025
Listeners will be delighted as a generous fundraising effort for the Father McKenna Center brings in over $66,000. The hosts humorously dissect the pitfalls of financial advisors, exposing their calculator dependency and lack of curiosity. Technology is highlighted as an ally, with AI tools like Copilot elevating risk parity strategies. Engaging stories, including a whimsical ferry tale, underscore the community spirit. Portfolio performance reviews reveal the crucial role of gold, encouraging smart investment strategies for DIY enthusiasts.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Listener-Fueled Fundraising Win
The Father McKenna Center 'Top of the T-shirt' campaign raised $66,624 thanks to listener donations.
Frank credits listener Matthew63 for seeding $15,000 in matching funds that sparked the campaign.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Control What You Feed AI Tools
When using AI like Copilot for finance, feed it curated, high-quality material instead of letting it fetch random internet content.
Validate AI outputs because models can invent or pull inaccurate information.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Listener Uses Copilot As Financial Assistant
Listener Trudy used Copilot to manage fund allocations and HSA contributions and found it produced usable rebalancing instructions.
Frank reviewed her screenshots and noted AI can help if guided with good source material.
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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 implement risk parity strategies when fed quality information.
And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.
If you have comments or questions, please email frank@riskparityradio.com or visit www.riskparityradio.com.
Breathless AI-Bot Summary:
What happens when financial wisdom meets unconventional thinking? This episode of Risk Parity Radio opens with Emerson's timeless quote about foolish consistency being "the hobgoblin of little minds" – perfectly setting the stage for a fresh look at portfolio management that marches to a different beat.
The Risk Parity Radio community shines as Frank announces the remarkable success of the Father McKenna Center fundraising campaign, which raised over $66,624. This achievement showcases the extraordinary engagement of listeners who value both financial knowledge and giving back. As Frank puts it, "I never really cared about having the largest audience. I just wanted to have the most engaged audience" – and with 2,500 regular listeners who actively participate in such initiatives, that goal has clearly been achieved.
Diving into listener correspondence, Frank explores how one community member has leveraged AI tools like Copilot to implement risk parity strategies. This sparks a broader examination of technology's role in personal finance, with Frank cautioning that AI is only as good as the information it's fed. In an age where many advisors have become what Frank calls "calculator jockeys" – professionals who rely on planning software without understanding its limitations – this distinction between tools and expertise becomes crucial.
The episode delivers a masterclass in practical financial knowledge, including an elegant explanation of the 240/200 rule for calculating monthly distributions. This mathematical shortcut exemplifies the podcast's approach: making complex concepts accessible without talking down to the audience. Frank demonstrates how dividing a portfolio value by 240 yields a monthly distribution equivalent to a 5% annual withdrawal rate – the kind of straightforward, useful information that listeners can immediately apply.
The weekly portfolio review reveals impressive performance across all eight sample portfolios, with gold continuing its remarkable run at 36.91% year-to-date. From conservative allocations to more experimental leveraged strategies, these real-world examples provide valuable insights for listeners navigating their own investment journeys.
Ready to break free from financial convention and build a portfolio that truly reflects your goals? Subscribe now and join a community of independent thinkers who know that sometimes the most rewarding path is the one less traveled.
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