The Rational Reminder Podcast

ETFs have evolved dramatically, shifting from simple investing tools to complex, high-fee options that prioritize asset attraction over investor benefits. The hosts delve into the phenomenon of 'ETF slop,' highlighting the misleading 'halo effect' that equates structure with quality. With record launches and rising fees, they explore the implications of thematic, buffer, and single-stock ETFs. They emphasize how these often underperform, driven by investor biases, and caution against the allure of innovative yet risky financial products.

Join Adam Chapman, a retirement planner focused on meaningful experiences, Joe Nunes, an actuary with deep pension expertise, and Aaron Theilade, a financial education leader. They dive into how assumptions shape financial outcomes. Discover the importance of starting with inflation and bond yields and embracing both expected and unexpected outcomes in planning. The panel also highlights client biases, the limits of planning software, and the need for continuous updates. Learn how blending math with humanity leads to better client success.

Explore the current fears surrounding U.S. stock market concentration and the potential AI bubble. The hosts analyze historical market crashes, like Nortel and the dot-com era, revealing how bubbles can drive innovation but hurt investors. High market valuations are a bigger concern than concentration itself. They dive into the resilience of value stocks during downturns and highlight the importance of global diversification. Discover lessons from Japan's long recovery and the pitfalls of recency bias in investing.

Join Matt Gambino, a multimedia specialist who enhances episodes through editing and visual creativity, and compliance reviewer Ross Brayton, who ensures accuracy and fairness in messaging. Marketing lead Angelica Montagano reflects on launching the show and growing the community to 12,500 members, while production manager Easton Dorian discusses external production strategies. Together, they share insights on the podcast's impressive growth, the impact of YouTube, and how the team fosters engaging content that resonates with listeners.

In this engaging year-end AMA, the hosts reflect on the unexpected market swings of 2024. They explore the psychology behind staying invested, warning beginners about the risks of 100% equity portfolios. Thoughtful advice on discussing high investment fees with family is shared, alongside insights on asset allocation's complexities. The team also touches on the value of testing market efficiencies with substantial investments and recounts some of the strangest client portfolios they've encountered.

Dive into the updated insights from the iconic personal finance guide! Discover how humor and storytelling make money management relatable. Learn why saving 10% and paying yourself first can transform your financial habits. Explore the advantages of owning over lending, and why indexing often trumps stock picking. Renters can build wealth just like homeowners with disciplined investing. Plus, practical tips on spending for joy and the importance of estate planning are featured. A must-listen for anyone navigating today's financial landscape!

Aravind Sithamparapillai, a financial planner and researcher known for his critical analysis of alternative investments, shares insights that challenge conventional wisdom in finance. He discusses how alternative investments are becoming mainstream, driven by client pressure and advisor competitiveness. Aravind highlights the importance of rigorous due diligence, revealing issues like misleading performance marketing, liquidity risks, and the pitfalls of relying on audited financials. He emphasizes the need for advisors to focus on deep financial planning rather than just alternative premiums.

This conversation features Phil Briggs, a Portfolio Manager and Financial Planner at PWL Capital, and Trevor Daigle, Co-founder of EB Wealth. They dive into the cultural alignment of their firms and the challenges faced during their merger. Phil presents a compelling case study on a retiree's choice between commuted values and a defined benefit pension, analyzing risks, tax implications, and emotional factors. The family ultimately decides to keep the pension after seeing Phil's evidence-based findings, highlighting the importance of thorough financial planning.

Mamdouh Medhat, VP and Senior Researcher at Dimensional Fund Advisors, dives deep into factor investing and profitability metrics. He explains how profitability clarifies defensive strategies and influences value's underperformance since 2007. Mamdouh reveals insights into private markets, including the dispersion of fund returns and the critical impact of benchmark selection on perceived performance. He argues that rising demand for private assets may lower future returns and shares practical tips for allocations while emphasizing the importance of thorough due diligence.

This discussion tackles investing strategies like the surprising effectiveness of lump-sum investing over dollar-cost averaging. The hosts dive into the tax efficiency of mutual funds versus ETFs in Canada, revealing some unexpected benefits of mutual funds. They debate if technology can replace human advisors and recount their biggest investing blunders, including potentially disastrous decisions involving Bitcoin. Packed with insights, there's also a critique of buffered ETFs, shedding light on why simpler options often outperform them.