Guest JL Collins, author of Pathfinders and The Simple Path to Wealth, discusses the power of FU Money, the superiority of index investing, and the pros and cons of owning a house as an investment. He also delves into the advantages of index funds over individual stocks and actively-managed funds, and offers valuable insights on handling market volatility and preparing for the next crash.
Having 'F.U. money' provides the freedom to be bold and try new things, empowering individuals by providing negotiating room.
Successful investing is about winning in increments and index investing is recommended over picking individual stocks.
Deep dives
The importance of F.U. money and its empowerment
J.L. Collins shares the concept of F.U. money, highlighting that having enough money to be bold and try something different can be achieved before having enough money to retire. He recounts his personal experience of realizing he had F.U. money when he had saved $5,000 and decided to go to Europe despite being denied time off from work. F.U. money not only enables individuals to step away if they choose to but also empowers them by providing negotiating room.
The myth of swinging for the fences in investing
J.L. Collins dispels the misconception that successful investing is about taking big risks, swinging for the fences, and trying to hit home runs. He emphasizes that successful investing is about winning in increments rather than aiming for big wins or trying to time the market. Collins points out that actively managed funds often underperform index funds due to the fees charged by active managers and the fact that picking individual stocks is challenging.
The superiority of index investing over picking individual stocks
J.L. Collins explains why he recommends index investing over picking individual stocks. He shares that active investors often underperform the market, and it is nearly impossible to consistently identify winning stocks. Collins discusses how index funds, such as those offered by Vanguard, provide broad market exposure, low fees, and eliminate the need to predict individual stock performance. He highlights that renowned investors like Warren Buffett also recommend index investing as a more reliable and accessible investment strategy for both individuals and professionals.
The significance of fees and Vanguard's unique ownership structure
J.L. Collins emphasizes the importance of fees in investing and how they can significantly impact returns over the long term. He praises Vanguard for its unique ownership structure, where the company is owned by the funds it operates, ultimately benefiting the investors. Collins explains that Vanguard's low-cost index funds offer investors an advantage over competitors who charge higher fees. He encourages individuals to choose Vanguard funds for their low expense ratios and mentions that alternative fund companies' lower rates may be temporary and aimed at attracting customers to eventually migrate to higher-fee funds.
To celebrate the release of JL Collins' new book, Pathfinders, I collected all the best advice from his Financial Independence Podcast interviews! Jim has been on the show three times:
First, back in 2012 (he was my second guest ever!)
Second, when his hit book, The Simple Path to Wealth, was released
Third, during the depths of the Coronavirus crash
That last interview may be my proudest moment as the Mad Fientist (I explain why during the show). Hope you enjoy this jam-packed episode!
Highlights
The power of FU Money and why it may be less money than you think
Jim’s biggest investing mistake and what he learned from it
Why index investing is superior to active investing
Are REITs and international funds necessary
Why your house may not be a good investment
Thoughts on stock picking and actively-managed funds
What makes Vanguard unique and why it’s best for investors
The three keys to becoming wealthy
Lessons learned from Black Monday
How to prepare for the next market crash
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