The Rational Reminder Podcast

Episode 308 - Dan Bortolotti: The Canadian Couch Potato

Jun 6, 2024

Dan Bortolotti, Associate Portfolio Manager at PWL Capital, discusses DIY investing simplicity, asset allocation, index funds, fees, taxes, and performance insights. He shares his surprising advisor journey, evolution of index investing in Canada, and benefits of using asset allocation ETFs. The conversation also covers financial blogging evolution, transitioning to a family advisor, and the dedication and talent required for success.

01:04:51

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Episode guests

Dan Bortolotti

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Quick takeaways

Embrace simplicity in DIY investing for better outcomes, focus on asset allocation and index funds, prioritize transparency and client trust in financial advisory services

Deep dives

Dan Bortolotti's Journey: From Canadian Couch Potato to PWL Capital

Dan Bortolotti, widely known for the Canadian Couch Potato blog, transitioned into a partnership with PWL Capital after a successful collaboration. Starting with a charity initiative supported by Ben Felix and Cameron Passmore, this introduced Dan's expertise to a wider audience. Their fruitful partnership led to a service catering to DIY investors, evolving into a robust content creation strategy attracting clients and shaping PWL's approach as a firm.

Value of Financial Advisor for Managing Multiple Accounts

01:16

Simplicity is Key for DIY Investing Success

01:25

Clarity on Financial Goals Before Investing

00:47

Sticking to the Strategy Despite Setbacks

01:22

Intro

2min

Exploring Dan Bortolotti's Background and Expertise in Finance

2min

Evolution of Index Investing in Canada

8min

Simplicity and Efficiency in Portfolio Building with Asset Allocation ETFs

17min

Evolution of Financial Blogging and Investing Strategies

14min

Transition from DIY Blogger to Family Advisor

19min

Discussing dedication, talent, and defining success

3min

When it comes to DIY investing, there’s always a temptation to make things more complicated than they need to be. But, in reality, embracing simplicity is one of the best ways to ensure good investment outcomes. Today’s episode features an exceptional conversation with our long-time friend and colleague, Dan Bortolotti, who has worked alongside us as an Portfolio Manager at PWL Capital for over ten years. Some of our Canadian listeners might recognize Dan as the man behind the Canadian Couch Potato blog (one of the most popular resources for Canadian investors) and the voice behind the Canadian Couch Potato podcast. Dan is a consummate communicator, both on paper and in person; beyond his extensive blogging, he has also written a number of books, both fiction and non-fiction, the most recent of which includes Reboot Your Portfolio: 9 Steps to Successful Investing with ETFs. Dan has played a pivotal role in making PWL Capital what it is today, and in this episode, we learn about his surprising journey to becoming an advisor, before hearing his wide-ranging insights on DIY investing. Dan breaks down key components for investors, from how to approach your asset allocation and picking index funds to navigating fees, taxes, and performance. We also discuss how the investing landscape has changed since Dan started writing and essential lessons he has learned over the years. To hear all about investing from the Canadian Couch Potato himself, be sure to tune in for this expansive conversation!

Key Points From This Episode:

(0:03:52) The origin story of the Canadian Couch Potato blog, by Dan Bortolotti.

(0:08:17) How the availability of index funds in Canada has changed since Dan started writing about them in 2010, and his role in the index fund revolution.

(0:10:01) Why Canadians have been slower to adopt index funds than Americans.

(0:12:09) How the model portfolios on his site have changed over time.

(0:14:20) Why simplicity is so important to a good investment outcome.

(0:16:38) The biggest obstacle Dan has observed when it comes to successful investing.

(0:19:40) Advice on how to approach decisions around stocks, bonds, and asset allocation.

(0:24:34) How to select the ideal ETF or index fund to express your asset allocation.

(0:27:22) Some of the ways that Dan’s views have changed since starting the Couch Potato portfolio, and the evolution of his blog.

(0:31:46) Why you should be clear on your financial goals before investing and the importance of saving rate relative to fees and performance.

(0:37:32) Understanding the value of financial advice if we consider investing to be effectively solved by low-cost ETF mutual funds.

(0:40:23) Why it’s so important to close the gap between providing a financial plan and implementing it.

(0:43:25) What surprised Dan about his clients during his transition from blogger to advisor, and what he has learned about earning his clients’s trust.

(0:48:22) Dan’s thoughts on how people should make the decision between DIY investing or hiring an advisor, and what people should look for in a financial advisor.

(0:55:46) The story of how Dan connected with PWL Capital and the key ways he has helped shape the company.

Links From Today’s Episode:

Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/

Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/

Rational Reminder on X — https://twitter.com/RationalRemind

Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/

Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.caBenjamin Felix — https://www.pwlcapital.com/author/benjamin-felix/

Benjamin on X — https://twitter.com/benjaminwfelix

Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/

Cameron Passmore — https://www.pwlcapital.com/profile/cameron-passmore/

Cameron on X — https://twitter.com/CameronPassmore

Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/