

Money For the Rest of Us
J. David Stein
A personal finance and investing podcast on money, how it works, how to invest it and how to live without worrying about it. J. David Stein is a former Chief Investment Strategist and money manager. For close to two decades, he has been teaching individuals and institutions how to invest and handle their finances in ways that are simple to understand. More info at moneyfortherestofus.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 7, 2023 • 27min
Is It Better to Rent or Buy a Home?
How to decide whether to rent a house or apartment or purchase a home or condo. What has been the financial return from owning a house?Topics covered include:How much have home prices increased in major cities since 1980What drove the greater than 50% jump in home prices in some U.S. cities since 2020Why there aren't more new starter homesWhat will it take for the housing shortage to abate so houses can be more affordableWhy now could be a more advantageous time to rent versus buyWhat academics estimate the long-term return is for owning a house, and why the calculations are incompleteHow to determine what your total cost of ownership is for buying a house in order to compare it to rentingFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsNetSuite – the leading integrated cloud business software suiteUse code MONEY10 to get 10% off on your NAPA Autoparts online order.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesThe housing theory of everything by John Myers & Ben Southwood & Sam Bowman—Works in ProgressIrish property: the boom that shows no signs of slowing by Jude Webber—The Financial TimesWhatever Happened to the Starter Home? by Emily Badger—The New York TimesThe Housing Revolution Is Coming by M. Nolan Gray—The AtlanticIn Today’s Housing Market, It’s Timing Over Location by Joe Pinsker—The Wall Street JournalThe Rate of Return on Real Estate: Long-Run Micro-Level Evidence by David Chambers, Christophe Spaenjers, and Eva Steiner—Oxford AcademicThe Rate of Return on Everything, 1870–2015 by Òscar Jordà, Katharina Knoll, Dmitry Kuvshinov, Moritz Schularick, and Alan M. Taylor—National Bureau of Economic ResearchSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 24, 2023 • 23min
Don't Be Afraid to Invest In Commercial Real Estate - The Bullish Case for Equity REITs
Why equity real estate investment trusts should be part of your investment portfolio despite the office sector's struggles.Topics covered include:Why some office REITs are down 30% in 2023, and owners are walking away from buildingsHow commercial mortgages differ from residential mortgagesThe broad sector diversification found within equity REIT ETFsWhat have equity REITs performed long-term and what drove those returnsWhat is a reasonable return expectation for equity REITsWhy equity REIT prices adjust more quickly than private real estate valuesWhy you should be wary of private REITsFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsBrooklinen - Get 20% off for their Memorial Day weekend saleMoney Pickle – Schedule a free 45-minute video chat with a vetted financial advisor and ask them anything about your financial situation. Go here to schedule your free session.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesSlow Return to Work Pummels Office Stocks by Peter Grant—The Wall Street JournalREITs Likely to Attract Growing Interest from Private Real Estate Funds by Sarah Borchersen-Keto—NareitRelated Content414: Use Caution with Private REITs like Blackstone’s BREITA Complete Guide to Equity REIT InvestingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 17, 2023 • 27min
What Happens If The U.S. Defaults On Its Debt? Here's Why It Won't
What are the grave consequences if the U.S. debt ceiling isn't increased and the government defaults? What would the Federal Reserve and the Executive Branch do to prevent default if Congress doesn't act?Topics covered include:What are the potential impacts of a U.S. default on the stock and bond markets, and the overall economyWhat causes the U.S. to have a perennial debt ceiling crisisWhy it is uncertain when the U.S. government would run out of money to meet its obligationsWhat the Biden Administration could do to prevent a defaultWhat the Federal Reserve could do to prevent a defaultGiven the ongoing crisis, should you shift assets from stocks to cash?For more information on this episode click here.SponsorsUse code MONEY10 to get 10% off on your NAPA Autoparts online order.Masterworks – invest in contemporary artMasterworks Disclosure:“net IRR” refers to the annualized internal rate of return net of all fees and costs, calculated from the offering closing date to the sale date. IRR may not be indicative of Masterworks paintings not yet sold, and past performance is not indicative of future results. See important Reg A disclosures: Masterworks.com/cd Masterworks’ offerings are filed with the SEC, view all past and current offerings here.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesThe Debt Limit Since 2011—Congressional Research Service7 doomsday scenarios if the U.S. crashes through the debt ceiling by Jeff Stein—The Washington PostA debt ceiling default would send the U.S. housing market back into a deep freeze by Jeff Tucker—ZillowWhy is federal spending so hard to cut? — Recurring debt ceiling fights will only be solved by budget reform by Linda Bilmes—BrookingsDebt Limit Default Is Default, Even Under a “Prioritization” Scheme by Richard Kogan—Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesWhy I Changed My Mind on the Debt Limit by Laurence H. Tribe—The New York TimesThe Trillion-Dollar Coin Might Be the Least Bad Option by Annie Lowrey—The AtlanticIf U.S. again risks default, Fed has 'loathsome' playbook by Ann Saphir—ReutersRelated Episodes169: The Debt Ceiling—What Happens If the U.S. Defaults416: Your Nation’s National Debt: 5 Things You Need To KnowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 10, 2023 • 28min
Are the Economy and Financial Markets Zero-Sum Games?
Does there need to be a loser for every winner when it comes to investing and economic growth?Topics covered include:What are zero-sum gamesHow trading can be a zero-sum gameWhy active management and seeking excess returns through security selections or country weights are zero-sum gamesWhy the U.S. stock market has outperformed the rest of the worldWhy economic growth overall is not a zero-sum game, but some aspects of the economy are zero-sum gamesFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsGo to GetSunday.com/David to get a customized lawn plan and 50% off your first Sunday Lawn Care box.Use code MONEY10 to get 10% off on your NAPA Autoparts online order.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesWith the Odds on Their Side, They Still Couldn’t Beat the Market by Jeff Sommer—The New York TimesInternational Diversification—Still Not Crazy after All These Years by Cliff Asness, Antti Ilmanen, and Daniel Villalon—AQRThe (Time-Varying) Importance of Disaster Risk by Ivo Welch—The Financial Analysts' JournalThe Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review by Dasgupta P.—GOV.UKWhy the economy is not a zero-sum game: a simple explanation by Nathan Mech—Acton InstituteDefending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy by Robert SiricoRents: How Marketing Causes Inequality by Gerrit De GeestThe Threat of Rent Extraction in a Resource-constrained Future by Stratford B.—White Rose Research OnlineRelated Episodes421: Beware of Survivorship Bias When Investing426: Which is Best – Active or Passive, ETFs or Funds?430: How Should Personal and National Wealth Be Measured?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 3, 2023 • 28min
The Long-term Bullish Case for Gold
Why you should allocate a small percentage of your assets to gold.Topics covered include:What is money, and how does gold fit with that definitionWhy central banks bought more gold last year than at any time since 1967Which central banks own the most gold and which are increasing their gold holdingsHow fast is the gold supply growing compared to the U.S. dollar money supplyHow financialization, greater leverage, and contagion risk should motivate us to consider goldFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsHello Fresh – Use code 16david for 16 free meals with free shipping from Hello FreshNetSuite – the leading integrated cloud business software suiteInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesCentral banks load up on gold in response to rising geopolitical tensions by Daria Mosolova—The Financial TimesAbove-ground stocks—Gold HubCentral bank holdings—Gold HubDoes the Federal Reserve own or hold gold?—The Federal ReserveTrey Reik—LinkedInM2 and Components—FREDGold Charts R UsRelated Episodes37: Gold – Without the Hype and Politics53: Should You Invest In Bitcoin?59: Is Gold Money?263: Should You Invest In Gold?344: Why Should You Care About Shadow Banking?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 26, 2023 • 28min
How Should Personal and National Wealth Be Measured?
How we measure wealth, riches, abundance, and well-being is more important today than ever.Topics covered include:How late 18th century philosophers Adam Smith and the Earl of Lauderdale defined wealth and the role of capital. Why they worried about income inequality and excess profitsWhat led to the dramatic increase in life expectancy and wealth in the 20th and 21st centuriesHow a long life expectancy and well-being can be attained at much lower levels of wealthWhy John Maynard Keynes was right about the expansion of the economy but wrong about how many hours we would workHow the U.S. expanded its wealth relative to the rest of world, and at what costWhy natural capital should be included in measuring wealthFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsMoney Pickle – Schedule a free 45-minute video chat with a vetted financial advisor and ask them anything about your financial situation. Go here to schedule your free session.Brooklinen Use code DAVID20 for $20 off plus free shippingInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesAn Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith—Early Modern TextsAbout Adam Smith—Adam Smith InstituteAn Inquiry Into the Nature and Origin of Public Wealth and Into the Means and Causes of Its Increase by The Earl of Lauderdale—McMaster UniversityPrinciples for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail by Ray Dalio—Simon & SchusterThe Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review—GOV.UKLess Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World by Jason Hickel—Penguin Random HouseEconomic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren by John Maynard Keynes—YaleAmerica’s economic outperformance is a marvel to behold—The EconomistHow Much is Enough? Money and the Good Life by Robert Skidelsky and Edward Skidelsky—Penguin Random House Related Episodes8: What If Everyone Worked Only Four Hours Per Day?142: Why Are Some Nations Wealthier Than Others?282: Is GDP the Best Measure of Happiness and Well-Being?300: Ray Dalio and the Changing World OrderSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 19, 2023 • 27min
Which Inflation Protection Strategies Worked and Which Didn't?
With a total U.S. inflation rate of 14% in the past two years, we review how various inflation hedges performed over the past twenty-four months.Topics covered include:What were investors' and the Federal Reserve's inflation expectations two years agoWhat led to the big inflation increaseWhy was the Federal Reserve forced to raise its policy rate by almost 5% in a yearHow successful were inflation-index bonds, stocks, commodities, and real estate in beating inflation over the past two yearsHow did two active ETFs that set out to protect against inflation performWhat is the current outlook for inflation, and what should investors doFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsBrooklinen Use code DAVID20 for $20 off plus free shippingGo to GetSunday.com/David to get a customized lawn plan and 20% off your Sunday Lawn Care orderInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesCPI Inflation Calculator—U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsInflation Beneficiaries ETF—Horizon KineticsQuadratic Capital ManagementInvestments MentionediShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP)Vanguard Short-term Inflation Protection Securities ETF (VTIP)Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC)Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT)Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (DHS)WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW)Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL)Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (SCHH)Quadratic Interest Rate Volatility and Inflation Hedge ETF (IVOL)Related Episodes336: Own What Is Real342: Is Another Great Inflation Coming?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 12, 2023 • 28min
How the Coming Credit Crunch Could Harm the Economy and Real Estate Prices
How accelerating bank deposit withdrawals could harm the economy, including real estate prices. How dollars slosh around the financial system but always seem to end up at the Federal Reserve.Topics covered include:How many deposits have left banks since the Silicon Valley Bank collapseHow much have banks borrowed from the Federal Reserve to meet deposit withdrawalsWhy exiting deposits are harming bank profits and causing them to make fewer loansHow the credit crunch could hurt commercial real estate valuesHow money market mutual funds differ from banksHow today's banking crisis is similar to the 1980s savings and loans crisisWhat should investors do to protect their wealthFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsMasterworks – invest in contemporary artUse code MONEY10 to get 10% off on your NAPA Autoparts online order.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletter.Show NotesFactors Affecting Reserve Balances of Depository Institutions and Condition Statement of Federal Reserve Banks—The Federal ReserveAssets and Liabilities of Commercial Banks in the United States—The Federal ReserveAll U.S. Banks Net Interest Margin—BankRegDataCurrent Treasuries and Swap Rates—Chatham FinancialOptions trading surges as investors brace themselves for US regional bank volatility by Stephen Gandel and Nicholas Megaw and Colby Smith—The Financial TimesBank Turmoil Squeezes Borrowers, Raising Fears of a Slowdown by Jeanna Smialek—The New York TimesBanks' Demand for Reserves in the Face of Liquidity Regulations by Jane Ihrig—Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisMoney Market Funds: Investment Holdings Detail—The Federal ReserveDeposit Outflows Shine Light on Fed Program That Pays Money-Market Funds by Eric Wallerstein and Nick Timiraos—The Wall Street JournalICI Research Perspective: Trends in the Expenses and Fees of Funds, 2022—Investment Company InstituteFAQs: Reverse Repurchase Agreement Operations—Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkUS Resolution Trust Corporation by Aidan Lawson and Lily Engbith—SSRNRelated Episodes270: Repo Rates Soared—Here’s Why It Matters333: How The Covid Shock Nearly Destroyed The Financial SystemSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 5, 2023 • 26min
Did the Tariffs Work? The Trade War Five Years Later
What has been the impact on trade and the trade deficit since the U.S. implemented tariffs on steel, aluminum, and goods made in China?Topics covered include:Has the shipping backlog been reduced at U.S. portsWhat are the dangers of running too high of a trade deficitHow large is the U.S. trade deficitWhat has been the impact of U.S. tariffs on trade, domestic production, and pricesHow Chinese direct-to-consumer retail companies Shein and Temu are driving prices of goods ever lowerWhy consumers should demand greater visibility on how products they purchase are madeFor more information on this episode click here.SponsorsUse code MONEY10 to get 10% off on your NAPA online order.NetSuite – the leading integrated cloud business software suiteShow NotesThe ‘ship backup has ended’ at Los Angeles, Long Beach ports by Alejandra Salgado—Supply Chain DiveAmerica’s Trade Deficit Surged in 2022, Nearing $1 Trillion by Ana Swanson—The New York TimesIndustry study tracks China tariffs’ added costs to importers and consumers by Ben Unglesbee—Supply Chain DiveCosts of Trade Wars: The Distributional Consequences of US Section 301 Tariffs Against China by Kara M. Reynolds—SSRNCertain Effects of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs Reduced Imports and Increased Prices and Production in Many U.S. Industries by USITC—United States International Trade CommissionEconomic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries by USITC—United States International Trade CommissionThe other Chinese apps taking the US and UK by storm by Chelsea Bailey—BBCSecretive Shein Founders Build $40 Billion Fortune in Rapid Fashion by Venus Feng and Pei Yi Mak—BloombergShein sets ambitious revenue target ahead of IPO by Rachel Douglass—Fashion UnitedShein copycats chase its explosive growth by Eleanor Olcott, Qianer Liu, and Gloria Li—The Financial TimesTemu’s Big Haul by Ella Apostoaie—The Wire ChinaThe High Price of Fast Fashion by Dana Thomas—The Wall Street JournalStealing More than Just Designs: Utilizing Environmental Law as a Remedy to Design Piracy by Fast Fashion Brands by Spencer Kluth—SSRNShein’s Cotton Tied to Chinese Region Accused of Forced Labor by Sheridan Prasso—BloombergWorn: A People's History of Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser—Penguin Random HouseMore than ever, our clothes are made of plastic. Just washing them can pollute the oceans. by Brian Resnick—VoxRelated Episodes212: Trade Wars Increase Prices and Poverty413: What if the World Stopped Shopping?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 27, 2023 • 49min
Which is Best - Active or Passive, ETFs or Funds?
David has a fascinating discussion with Kristof Gleich about active management, indexing, and how ETFs and mutual funds really work.Topics covered include:Should individual investors even try to select active mutual fundsIs there an indexing bubbleWhy are there so many new ETFsShould we be worried about an ETF flash crashWhat do ETF market makers and authorized participants doDo SEC yields for international equity mutual funds and ETFs reflect the impact of dividend withholding taxesAs the president and CIO of Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. Kristof Gleich oversees all Investment, Distribution & Marketing and Executive Office functions at Harbor. He provides insight while helping lead Harbor’s strategic growth plan.Previously, Kristof was a managing director and global head of manager selection at JP Morgan Chase & Co. He has a degree in Physics from University of Bristol. Thanks to NAPA and Sunday Lawn Care for sponsoring the episode.Use code MONEY10 to get 10% off on your NAPA Autoparts online order.Go here to GetSunday.com/David to get a customized lawn plan and 20% off your Sunday Lawn Care orderRelated Episodes321: How to Analyze Complex Investments311: Did ETFs Pass the 2020 Market Collapse Stress Test?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.