The United States is again toying with defaulting on its national debt. If the $31 trillion debt ceiling were breached without the limit being raised, it’s fair to say all hell would break loose. But how likely is a default? And what would happen to markets if the US really jumped off the cliff? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Who is the national debt owed to anyway? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

Global property is worth more than all the stocks and bonds in the world combined. It is a colossal asset class and the primary source of most people’s wealth. After a remarkable run-up during the pandemic, house prices have now started to drop. But how far could they fall? And what effect could it have on the economy? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Is your house an investment? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

Tesla's stock price fell almost 70% in 2022 and was among the worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500. To some, Tesla is the poster child for innovation, set to dominate the global automotive industry for years. But to others, it’s the most egregious example of hype and bravado to emerge from the era of free money. Was last year just a bump in the road, or has Tesla hit the skids? And how has Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter and assorted antics hurt Tesla? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What is an activist shareholder? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

So you’ve decided it’s time to overhaul your investment portfolio. Out with the old assets and in with the new. But hold on, before you press the sell button, there’s a lot to consider. Have you modelled your new portfolio? Have you found the cheapest funds? Have you thought about taxes? Today we discuss how to plan a big portfolio move and stick with it when things get tough. And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Does it matter if I choose an ETF or an index fund? Selected links PortfolioCharts T-Rex calculator CompareFundPlatforms.com ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

A festive round-up of the major investing stories of 2022. We consider the trends that moved the market and ask which will continue into the next year. If you've ever wanted to hear ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ adapted for investors, today is your lucky day! And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Did the wise men construct a good portfolio for Jesus? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

The investment world is full of attempts to milk us for fees and capital. But how is it done? Simply take a humdrum product, dress it up in exciting clothes, and sell the dream. Is your active fund secretly tracking an index? Is your favourite meme stock hiding faltering performance with gimmicks? Who’s actually paying for that champagne lunch with your financial advisor? Today, we coin a new term for this phenomenon: Dreamwashing. And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Do you need a financial advisor? Selected links Closet indexing indicators and investor outcomes (ESMA) Champers and safaris: the secret diary of a St James’s Place adviser (The Times) SEC Charges Goldman Sachs Asset Management for Failing to Follow its Policies Involving ESG Investments ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

Investment decisions always involve trade-offs. Spend vs save. Risk vs return. There's no way around them, no matter how many times you rejig your spreadsheet. We look at five trade-offs every investor has to face: Spend vs save Risk vs return Ethics vs diversification Reliability vs excitement Liquidity vs lifestyle choices And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Is it better to overpay your mortgage or invest? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

Which countries will deliver world-beating returns to shareholders over the next four years? That’s the question we ask in today's unofficial and unscientific Stock Market World Cup. We have four closely fought international matchups to decide: UK vs France Germany vs China USA vs Japan India vs Brazil And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Why do index funds not perfectly track the performance an index? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

Last week saw FTX implode in a storm of allegations that culminated in bankruptcy. The failure of the second-largest exchange and standard-bearer for the industry has left everyone asking: what next for crypto investors? The fallout is ongoing, with customers nursing heavy losses, investigators circling and the industry teetering. We delve into what caused the collapse and ask if it could bring down more crypto institutions. Could it even spread to the wider financial system? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What is a bank run? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

The pandemic delivered a massive simultaneous shock to the world economy. But which changes will outlast the pandemic, and should they cause us to rethink our investments? Alongside six million deaths and the largest peacetime fall in GDP since the Great Depression, Covid upended our way of life and put novel technologies centre stage. Pandemics throughout history have caused lasting economic changes and influenced societal norms. But what will the legacy of Covid be for the global economy, standards of living and investment returns? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What’s the difference between a Black Swan and a Grey Rhino? ---Get in touch 📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com 🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm --- Join PensionCraft 🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube ---Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice. Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns