The Rational Reminder Podcast

Welcome to this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast! We've decided to tweak the format of the show slightly, so you can look forward to a more focused conversation around current and portfolio topics and much less talk about factors! In our talk today, we uncover the recent popularity of IPOs, giving you a balanced perspective so that you can decided for yourself whether the hype holds enough merit for you to get involved. We also get into the various arguments against indexing, pulling apart all the factors to keep in mind, and then advise you on choosing account types based on your individual financial needs. In wrapping up our talk, we also reveal our pick for the worst advice that we've heard in the previous week and why you need to stay far, far away. For all this and more, be sure to join us! Key Points From This Episode: How we are changing up the format of the episodes. [0:01:50.0] A closer look at the two Canadian funds with class action lawsuits against them. [0:03:46.0] Investigating the current IPO frenzy and whether there is merit in the hype. [0:07:40.0] How to get an IPO allocation and the possible terms and conditions. [0:11:59.0] A breakdown of the arguments against indexing. [0:13:46.0] Why indexing is risky and the issue of a lack of control. [0:14:24.0] Weighing up the degree to which the skills of fund managers play a role in indexing. [0:19:46.0] Factors to consider when deciding on the type of account that you want to allocate to. [0:23:26.0] The advisable cascading order in which to fill up your accounts. [0:26:37.0] The complexity with market-linked GICs and what the basic premise is. [0:35:50.0] And much more!

On the show today we welcome Randy Cass, owner and founder of Nest Wealth, who were the first financial firm to employ the use of robo-advisors in Canada. Their unique business model and forward looking systems and practices are at the forefront of the industry in the country and hearing Randy's recollections from their processes as well as thoughts going forward will be of great interest to anyone interested in the future of their money. In our conversation we cover the basic history of Nest Wealth and what inspired their big decisions. Randy unpacks their fee structure and how some of the systems work and have changed over the last few years before going into the ins and outs of how robo-advisors field questions. Our guest also comments on the financial market's constant evolution and his personal and professional attitude to passive investment strategies. We chat about obstacles that currently stand in the way of the fintech industry and finish off the episode with Randy explaining his iterative approach to development as technology advances. For all this and more, be sure to tune in! Key Points From This Episode: How Randy decided to launch the first robo-advisor service in Canada. [0:02:17.3] The evolution of the systems used by Nest Wealth since its inception. [0:04:25.1] Nest Wealth's unique fee structure. [0:06:38.0] Handling questions from clients at the firm. [0:09:50.0] Nest Wealth's place in the evolving financial advice market. [0:13:23.8] How Nest Wealth use technology to scale financial advice. [0:19:04.8] Randy's attitude towards passive and active investment management. [0:22:57.8] Some of the notable obstacles that Randy has encountered in Canadian fintech. [0:25:32.1] Looking forward to the future of the industry and developing iteratively. [0:29:19.0] How Randy measures success in his life. [0:31:39.4] And much more!

This discussion unpacks the fascinating world of factor investing and its relevance for decision-making. Learn why annuities are often overlooked and how they differ from traditional portfolios. They explore whether investment performance stems from luck or genuine skill, backed by insights from the Fama-French models. Dive into the evolution of factor models, discovering how adding factors enhances explanatory power and the historical persistence of factor premiums. Plus, find out how sample timing can dramatically affect investment outcomes!

Today on the show we are joined by Rob Carrick from The Globe and Mail! Rob has been writing about money and investing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of expertise and insight to share on everything from mutual funds to ETFs. In our discussion we cover common questions that Rob encounters, how his views have changed over the years, the parts of his job he has most enjoyed and his thoughts on where we are at right now. Rob comments on the feelings of worry and dissatisfaction that seems to characterize Canadian finances at the moment and talks about the FIRE Movement and lessons for the next generation. For all of this great content and much more, be sure to join on the podcast today! John Robertson's spreadsheet Key Points From This Episode: The most common questions that Rob receives. [0:02:47.8] Rob's shifting perspective on seeking out an advisor. [0:04:41.5] Why Rob has traditionally enjoyed writing about housing investments [0:07:49.9] The current financial climate and Rob's take on it. [0:10:14.4] Reasons why current financial worries are justified. [0:13:08.1] The rise in popularity of ETFs. [0:14:50.9] The bad rep that mutual funds have been getting recently. [0:18:37.4] Good practices for parents to teach their children about money. [0:21:42.2] The FIRE Movement and comparing generational attitudes. [0:24:56.6] Rob's own many practices and who he goes to for advice. [0:30:39.5] How Rob defines success. [0:35:23.5] And much more! For more information or to contact Cameron and Ben, visit pwlcapital.com

Factor Investing with ETFs White Paper Today on the show we are taking about the influence of feelings in the decision making process. As investors and as humans in general, we tend towards making decisions based on feelings over rational and well-balanced data collection, that is just part of how we are wired. Here at the Rational Reminder Podcast we want to remind everyone of the importance of balancing these feelings with rationality. This does not mean that we should be making decisions without feelings but just to keep in mind our own biases and how these work to our detriment. In our discussion we cover what a good decision might look like, the two systems of thought as detailed by Daniel Kahneman and the importance of framing when approaching a weighty choice. We also run through a little on the safe savings rate and the ETF model portfolio. We end off with some useful strategies that can help you to make better decisions, especially when it comes to your money. For all this and a whole lot more, be sure to tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: The recurrence of feelings in decision making. [0:03:56.5] Lack of data in the safe savings rate research. [0:05:18.2] The ETF model portfolio and where to find it online. [0:10:53.8] A few of the twenty craziest investing facts ever! [0:12:13.5] What is a good money decision? [0:15:06.1] Confirmation bias and influences on our decision making. [0:18:50.9] Kahneman and the two systems of thought. [0:20:10.9] The effects of past experiences on our current strategy. [0:24:46.3] Framing as part of the discussion and decision making process. [0:27:36.2] Four things you can do to implement better decision making. [0:30:12.6] And much more!

Welcome to Episode 37 of the Rational Reminder Podcast. On today's show we are joined by Lindsay Plumb, Chief Coach-ess of MOOLA Financial Coaches and Advisors. We're discussing spending and budgeting, because that's kind of the opposite end of the spectrum of what we always talk about. We usually assume people already have wealth, but that's not always the case. Even if you do, both spending and budgeting are super important. Just getting in line with your values and what you spend money on, that affects everybody, no matter how many assets you might have. So in this episode we dive into what it means to have an understanding and alignment of what your values are and what your goals are and how that should inform your financial decisions. We're helping you help yourself and for that we've brought in the Chief Coach-ess with the most-ess. So, for all this and more, keep listening! Key Points From This Episode: Hear about Lindsay's background and what she does within MOOLA. [0:02:20.0] Why budgeting is so hard. [0:03:35.0] Discovering your goals and articulating your values. [0:04:56.0] Using a tool that allows you to stick to a budget. [0:05:48.9] Understanding the difference between budgeting and tracking. [0:07:40.0] Why people blow out their budget on food. [0:08:32.0] Coaching people to change their behaviour. [0:09:47.0] How Lindsay advises her clients to coach their kids to modify their behavior. [0:12:41.0] Speaking in somebody else's language, especially kids. [0:14:13.0] How to do bank accounts as couples. [0:16:48.0] Sudden wealth and how it can affect someones relationship with money. [0:21:50] Retirement and planning for philanthropic or legacy goals. [0:24:50] How Lindsay defines success in her own life. [0:29:30.0] And much more!

Welcome to Episode 36 of the Rational Reminder Podcast. Today we are going to roll out our new ETF model portfolios. This includes only two new ETF's compared to a couch potato type portfolio that many of you might be familiar with. Nothing too revolutionary, but it certainly makes a meaningful difference. In this episode we also talk about asset location and review a couple of great podcasts that we've been listening to that provide interesting tidbits for investors, and some great information about the evolution of the industry, and about working with the clients. So, for an incredible conversation, be sure to join us! Key Points From This Episode: Slicing up your portfolio for tax efficiency purposes. [0:01:57.6] Controlling for pretax or after tax asset allocation. [0:05:0] Optimal asset locations - highest yielding assets in tax free accounts. [0:06:05.0] Having the same asset mix across all your portfolios & forgetting asset location. [0:09:51.1] Intricate versus complex adaptive. [0:12:22.0] The benefits of working with an adviser. [0:15:32.7] Holding yourself accountable if you're going at it alone. [0:17:09.0] How it is much harder to find missed prices in the marketplace even for an expert. [0:19:40.0] A history of the financial advice business and how it's evolved into what it is today. [0:21:29.0] Index investing and where people get their information from. [0:23:33.0] ETF model portfolios that truly offer exposure to the factors. [0:26:11.0] Why people should be thinking about small cap in value. [0:31:38.0] And much more!

Welcome to Episode 35 of the Rational Reminder Podcast. Today on the show we are joined by Jonathan Chevreau who is the founder of Independence Hub. He has authored and co-authored many books and has contributed to The Globe and Mail, The Financial Mail, and Money Sense. Jonathan is here today to talk about financial independence and having that "findependence" while still being extremely engaged in things that you enjoy doing. He also shares with us why your aim shouldn't be retirement and what he means by a victory lap. We also dive into the role that media plays in investor behaviors and exactly what Jonathan defines as a success life. Jonathan's insights on financial independence alone are incredibly valuable, and anything on top of that is simply a bonus! So, for an incredible conversation, be sure to join us!

Welcome to Episode 34 of the Rational Reminder Podcast. Today we are discussing how our new ETF model portfolios will be employed to better accommodate our non-client listeners to whom Dimensional Fund Advisors are not as relevant. We talk about how BlackRock and Vanguard are dominating the market, why the US is leading in passive investment and why traditional financial planning needs to be re-evaluated. In addressing our main topic—safe savings rates—we explore the need for moving away from a focus exclusively on wealth accumulation to an approach more concerned with a safe savings strategy. We ask the all-important question, "How much will I need a month when I stop working?" and provide helpful guidelines on how focusing on the process rather than on the number that can help you to achieve your financial goals. Join us today to find out how you can adopt a safe savings approach! Key Points From This Episode: How we will accommodate non-client listeners using ETF model portfolios. [0:03:34.0] The issue of accessibility with Dimensional Fund Advisors. [0:04:51.0] How the world is exploding with asset allocation ETFs. [0:05:26.0] The dominance of BlackRock and Vanguard in the market. [0:09:33.0] How the US is leading in passive management. [0:10:06.0] What the Vanguard-effect does [0:10:27.0] Investing in factor funds versus portfolios of factor funds. [0:11:17.0] The benefit of having a one-decision portfolio that has a variety of different factors. [0:13:28.0] Factor returns versus smart beta returns. [0:15:33.0] Why low beta looks good on the factor side, but bad on the implementation side. [0:16:19.0] More about the 4% rule. [0:17:35.0] The four steps of traditional financial planning. [0:18:06.0] Pfau's suggestion for a better alternative to traditional financial planning [0:20:27.0] What your savings rate should be [0:24:00.0]. The benefit of having a safe savings approach rather than focusing on wealth accumulation. [0:25:09.0] The challenge of knowing how much you need when you stop working. [0:25:49.0] Why you need to focus on the habit rather than on the target. [0:27:10.0] And much more!

Today on the show we are joined by Rick Ferri. Anyone who follows or is interested in index investing will probably have read something of Rick's. He's written seven books, working on the eighth, and he's written a ton online as well. Rick opened Portfolio Solutions, the first low fee index fund based wealth management shop and built it up to over a billion dollar company. Rick created the model of low cost fiduciary advice, using index funds and putting the client first, so today we're chatting to him all about it. Inside this episode Rick shares why he is so passionate about low cost index investing, the four levels of an index investor, and the requirements for being a good index investor in the long term. We also talk about his relationship with John Bogle, who recently passed away. It was a pretty meaningful conversation! For this and more, be sure to join us on today's episode! Key Points From This Episode: Rick's passion for low cost index investing. [0:02:24.0] The four levels of an index investor. [0:05:0] Dimensional funds: active management that uses factor based investing principles.[0:10:29.0] None market risk factors fitting into a portfolio. [0:11:54.0] Rick's thoughts on the price and the value around behavioral coaching. [0:13:44.0] The future of robo-advisers. [0:18:14.0] Three things required for a person to be a good index investor in the long term. [0:18:54.0] Not indexing yet? - You need repetition, repetition, repetition. [0:20:28.5] Having more assets than they'll ever need in term of their equity exposure. [0:22:40.0] John Bogle as a person and how he changed the financial services industry. [0:24:33.5] How Rick defines success. [0:29:05.0] And much more!