Money For the Rest of Us
A personal finance and investing podcast that explains how money works, how to invest it, and how to live without worrying about it. Host J. David Stein, a former Chief Investment Strategist and money manager, teaches individuals and institutions simple ways to handle their finances.
Episodes
Money for the Rest of Us Update and Survey
I provide a short update on Money for the Rest of Us and introduce our listener survey. All survey participants will get access to an exclusive podcast episode on my worst investing mistakes and what I learned.Take the Money for the Rest of Us Listener SurveySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Small Gains, Big Losses: The Hidden Risk in Steady Income
In this episode, we explore why the income we earn isn't the same as the return. We show how option income strategies work, what their historical returns have been, what drives the return, and what reasonable return expectations are.We show why option income strategies have a positive expected return while sports betting has a negative expected return.Finally, we look at other areas where
The Financial System Will Be Hacked and How to Prepare For It
Bad actors will use AI to disrupt the financial system, transportation networks, and utilities. We should prepare now for this inevitability. We share how in this episode. We also explain why the bull market in gold will likely continue.Topics covered include:Why the OpenAI agentic AI breach is so disturbingHow do we prepare for cyberattacksWhy gold should be one of the assets we hold apa
Bond Market Chaos: Why Interest Rates Keep Rising and What to Do About It
The national debt exceeds $40 trillion, U.S. long-term Treasury yields are at 19-year highs, the U.S. Treasury Department is intervening in currency and bond markets. We unpack it all in this episode and show you how to position your investment portfolio to lock in higher yields and protect yourself from falling bond prices.SponsorsTry NetSuite for FreeDelete Me – Use code David20 to get
5 Steps to Simplify Your Investment Portfolio
What are the steps to simplify your portfolio, given that it is likely spread across multiple accounts? We focus particularly on retirees, who have to weigh additional considerations like withdrawals, Roth conversions, and required minimum distributions.We also explore which areas of the stock and bond markets are attractive right now as you seek to simplify and/or rebalance your portfoli
How to Navigate the AI Debt Bubble
We explore the expected size of AI-related debt, which vehicles hold it, what could go wrong, and how to protect yourself.Topics covered include:How AI capex boom compares to other large booms and bustsWhat fixed income vehicles hold AI-linked debtWhat mechanisms are being used to transfer AI-debt risk.How circular finance is contributing to the AI infrastructure buildoutWhat could go wro
Is Inflation Manipulated? If So, What to Do About It
How inflation numbers are manipulated to appear lower. How to change your mindset about inflation to get ahead of it.Topics covered include:How Inflation (PCE) Calculations Are ChangingWhy the CPE Changes Are SuspiciousThe Biggest Changes Ever to Inflation CalculationsWhat Causes InflationAI Buildout Is Boosting InflationHow Rising Income Can Overcome InflationInflation Is Currency Debase
A Listener's Path from Zero to Millionaire in 10 Years - Nine Lessons to Get You There
David shares nine lessons a listener followed to become a millionaire.Topics covered include:The benefit of underspending on housingWhat rate of return and how much would you need to save to grow a portfolio to one million dollarsWhy historical studies of the S&P 500 returns are misleadingDavid's recent portfolio mistakeSponsorsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offNetSuite
Will You Be Forced to Own SpaceX and Other AI Stocks?
SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI are all going public. Why now? And what will their weight be in index funds? What other U.S. ETF options are there if you don't want to have such a high concentration in stocks tied to AI. And finally, if you do buy SpaceX, what would need to happen to earn a reasonable return on your investment?SponsorsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offNetSuite 
Don't Fall Into the Dividend Trap. How Investors Misunderstand Covered Call ETFs
We explore the free dividend fallacy and how it applies to option income strategies. We break down the return drivers of covered call ETFs and examine the long-term performance record and volatility. Finally, we explain why it's better to own a single stock than a single-stock covered call ETF, such as MSTY, NVDY, or TSLY, offered by YieldMax.Show NotesThe Dividend Disconnect - Samuel M.
We Are All Wayfinders
Why we have to navigate investing, business, and life with a compass rather than a GPS. David also provides an update on what he has learned from hosting live portfolio cohorts and letting AI analyze his portfolio trades over the past 12 years.SponsorsSquare - Get up to $200 in hardwareDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checkl
Five Practices That Have Shaped My Career
I share five business practices that have carried me through asset bubbles, financial crises, business pivots, and now the rise of AI.Topics covered include:Recommended note-taking app and practicesRecommended periodicalsHow to get better ideasWhy we need to understand the probabilities when pursuing a new courseThe latest insights on AI, prediction markets, and other topicsSponsorsSquare
Invitation to Our Live Portfolio Review and Rebalancing Special Webinar
Please attend our live webinar on portfolio construction and rebalancing scheduled for Thursday, April 30th, at 12PM Eastern, 9AM Pacific time. I will cover the five steps to constructing and rebalancing a portfolio. I will also answer your questions.You can sign up for this special webinar at https://moneyfortherestofus.com/webinar/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and
There Is No Perfect Portfolio. Just Good Enough
Why portfolio construction is messy, personal, and never perfect. We compare the pros and cons of several portfolio strategies, including target-date funds, risk parity, and role-based portfolios. We conclude with three AI-related fallacies that will help us better navigate the current moment.SponsorsSquare - Get up to $200 in hardwareDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offLive Portfo
A MFTROU Update, Cognitive Offloading Versus Cognitive Surrender, and Live Portfolio Cohorts
In this mini episode, I share some examples of how I am using Claude Cowork and other tools to boost my productivity and build investment portfolio analysis tools. I also share more details on the live portfolio cohorts we will be holding next month.You can learn more about our live portfolio cohorts here.Show NotesI Saw Something New in San Francisco - Ezra Klein - New York TimesSee
Is Another Great Financial Crisis Coming? 5 Ways to Prepare
How the Iran conflict and other developments could lead to another major financial crisis. What is different today from 2008? Why trying to seed a revolution is so risky. And finally, what can we do to prepare ourselves for the next financial crisis?SponsorsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offLive Portfolio Cohort - May 2026Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors
AI Is Changing Me - and the Case for Good Enough
When is good enough actually good enough? AI is reshaping how I work and live. And a member with a portfolio that's beaten an all-in-one Vanguard LifeStrategy fund for ten years asks whether the complexity is worth it — or whether it's time to simplify.SponsorsMasterworks - Invest in multimillion-dollar artwork offeringsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offInsiders Guide Email Newsl
What Average Really Looks Like — and Can Managed Futures Help?
How historical and expected returns for university endowments can guide us in setting reasonable return expectations. We also analyze managed futures strategies to see how they work, how they have performed, and how to use them in your investment portfolio.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email new
Asset Location: Where You Invest, Where You Live, What You Can Access
In this episode, we look at asset location, how to decide which investments belong in taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts, how where we live shapes the opportunities available to us, and how capital ultimately expands our choices.SponsorsGelt - Taxes Done RightMasterworks - Invest in multimillion-dollar artwork offeringsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offInsiders Guide Em
Why Catastrophe Bonds Yield 12%. Should You Invest?
A new ETF allows individuals to earn income by insuring against natural disasters through investing in catastrophe bonds. We break down the historical returns, risk, fees, and structure of this intriguing investment opportunity.Topics covered include:What types of natural disasters are increasingHow insurance companies use reinsurance and cat bonds to protect against extreme lossesWhy hom
What Will Drive Financial Markets in 2026—and How to Make It Your Best Year
We explore the forces likely to shape financial markets in 2026 and how to make better decisions as you pursue your goals this year.Topics covered include:The difference between intentions and resolutionsKey behavioral biases and how to overcome themThe cautionary tale of a private real estate fund that went publicIs the affordability crisis real?The big test for AI in 2026The financial a
Debt Is For Managing Wealth Not Creating It
Should you borrow money to magnify returns in your 401 (k), IRA, or other tax-deferred retirement account?We examine Basic Capital, which allows investors to leverage their retirement account investments.We also explore how the wealthy don't use debt to generate wealth but to manage it. SponsorsGelt - Taxes Done RightInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checkli
Do Retiring Baby Boomers Actually Move Markets? And How Much Do Demographics Really Matter
As Baby Boomers continue to retire, some analysts expect financial markets to feel the strain. We examine whether demographic shifts truly shape stock and bond returns, or what other factors matter more.Topics covered include:Will retiring baby boomers lead to lower stock prices or higher interest ratesSome earlier demographic predictions and how they worked outHow do natural interest rat
Burnout, Breaks, and the Courage to Spend with David Bach
David converses with best-selling author David Bach about preventing burnout through sabbaticals, moving to another country, why retirees should take Social Security as early as possible, and Bach's idea of a flat tax on IRA distributions.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur Premium
Sports Betting Is Not Investing
Can you really make money sports betting on low-risk, high-probability events?Topics covered include:The growing size and influence of the U.S. sports betting marketRecent sports betting scandalsHow sports betting odds workAn intriguing low-risk approach to sports bettingWhy the low-risk sports betting approach is still gambling with a negative expected returnBehavioral biases that encour
Hoarding, FOMO, and Zcash: A Private Bitcoin
What’s the difference between hoarding and investing? There’s a reason markets built on productive assets—like stocks and bonds—are far larger than hoarding markets such as gold and cryptocurrency. In this episode, David explores why that is, and shares why he recently bought Zcash, and how it’s both similar to and different from Bitcoin.Email NewslettersGet our free Investors' Check
Don’t Take Financial Advice from AI
How AI gets simple finance wrong, and how to make it work for you, not mislead youTopics covered include:How AI ignores the time value of moneyA detailed example of ChatGPT misleading by making a simple math mistakeSome examples of opportunity costs and sunk costs when making financial decisionsUnderstanding how AI works can help us use it more effectivelySponsorsClaude.ai - Sign up
Debasement Fears or Meme Fever? What’s Driving the Gold and Silver Rally
Are gold and silver up more than 50% in 2025 because investors fear currency debasement, or is this rally just the latest meme trade? In this episode, we explore the supply and demand forces behind gold and silver, discuss investing strategies, and outline what to watch to see if investors truly are worried about debasement.SponsorsMoney for the Rest of Us PlusClaude.ai - Sign up for
Beyond Munis — New ETFs for Tax-Efficient Bond Investing
How to decide when to invest in municipal bonds versus new tax-efficient bond ETFs that don't invest in munis.We analyze several newer ETFs that earn bond-like returns while avoiding paying taxable income distributions.SponsorsClaude.ai - Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude ProDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offInvestments MentionedVanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VT
Money for the Rest of Us Update
This week there isn’t a regular Money for the Rest of Us episode, but David shares an update on what’s happening behind the scenes. He previews an exclusive Plus member livestream on the forces shaping the next decade, explains why there won’t be a new episode next week, and highlights fresh content available on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack. David also reflects on
Resilient Wealth in an Era of Infinite Money
What happens when the money supply grows too slowly or too quickly? From gold-standard deflation to QE-driven inflation and inequality, we trace the lessons of monetary history, and what we can do today to protect ourselves in an age of infinite money.Topics covered include:How is the money supply measured, and why is it a subjective exerciseWhat is an example of a negative money sho
Forests, Fakes, and the Fight for the Real
From salmon leaping along the Vancouver Island coast to fake bands on Spotify, this episode explores the divide between the physical and digital economy, and what lumber markets, managed forests, and everyday life teach us about staying connected to the real.Topics covered include:How timber investing works and why it is reflective of how industries evolveWhat percent of economic output i
Why Central Banking Is So Hard and Why Fed Independence Matters
Central bankers set policy with incomplete information, unobservable targets, and constant trade-offs between growth, inflation, and employment. In this episode, we delve into how the fight for Federal Reserve independence could impact markets, interest rates, and your financial future.Topics covered include:What Federal Reserve Chair Powell said at the Fed's annual Jackson Hole Symposium
How To Invest During a Bubble
From the dot-com boom to today’s AI frenzy, bubbles follow a familiar script. This episode explores how to recognize them, what sustains them, and how to position your portfolio without getting swept up in the hype.Topics covered:How U.S. stock markets are the most concentrated and most expensive of all timeWhat constitutes a bubble and what sustains itHow to invest during a bubbleChanges
Six Principles for Thriving Under Uncertainty and How Big Tech Is Doing the Opposite
A practical framework for making better decisions, managing risk, and finding opportunity in unpredictable environments. We contrast these principles with the massive $2.9 trillion AI data center build-out by Big Tech, which is betting big on a single superintelligence future. Episode SponsorsLinkedIn Jobs – Use this link to post your job for free on LinkedIn JobsDelete Me – Use
Why Most Hedge Funds Fail but This One Didn’t with Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas, CIO and Founder of long/short hedge fund, Atalan Capital Partners, shares why most hedge funds fail and the keys to being a long-term successful investor.Episode SponsorDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur Premium ProductsAsset
How To Better Navigate Money, Risk, Time, and Uncertainty with Carl Richards
David converses with renowned illustrator and financial philosopher Carl Richards on the abstraction of money, attention capital, distinguishing risk from uncertainty, and the importance of taking microactions.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur Premium ProductsAsset CampMoney for
Should Private Assets, Gold, and Crypto Be Investment Options in 401k and other Defined Contribution Plans?
A new executive order could radically reshape retirement investing by allowing private equity, crypto, and gold in 401(k) plans. This episode examines the factors driving the demand for alternative assets in defined-contribution plans, the potential risks to everyday investors, and why fiduciary rules and financial literacy gaps still matter.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our fre
Will AI Wipe Out Half of White Collar Jobs or Is There an AI Bubble?
We explore the compelling questions surrounding artificial intelligence. Will AI create more new jobs than it destroys? Is AI already destroying jobs? Are we seeing overinvestment in companies and infrastructure in the AI space? Is there evidence that AI has increased productivity?SponsorsMoney for the Rest of Us PlusAsset CampShow NotesBehind the Curtain: A white-collar bloodbath by Jim
Mining and the Global Race for Critical Minerals with Kinterra Capital
How the investing landscape is being reshaped by the global race for critical minerals.Topics covered in this conversation between FEG's Greg Dowling and private equity firm Kinterra Capital's co-founders, Cheryl Brandon and Kamal Toor include:How mining and mineral processing workWhat are critical minerals, what is driving the demand for them, and will it continueHow the rise of passive
Are Robo Advisors Worth It Even With Tax Loss Harvesting and Direct Indexing?
We examine how robo-advisors have evolved over the past decade to determine if their services justify the fees they charge.Topics covered include:How large are the top 5 robo-advisorsRobo-advisor feesRobo-advisor holdingsWhy robo-advisors are turning toward direct indexing for tax loss harvestingHow much excess return does tax loss harvesting generateWho can benefit from using robo-adviso
Climbing the Wealth Ladder with Nick Maggiulli
How our spending, investing, and life strategy change as our net worth grows. We consider how skill, luck, discipline, relationships, and AI can allow us to ascend and, in some cases, descend the wealth ladder.SponsorsNetSuite LinkedIn Jobs – Use this link to post your job for free on LinkedIn JobsInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sig
Stablecoins and CBDCs: Their Rise, Risks and Possibilities
Circle Invest, one of the leading stablecoin providers, just went public, and its stock price has tripled. We delve into the growth of stablecoins, their applications, and the associated risks. We also discuss the surprising political pushback against central bank digital currencies.Episode SponsorsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offNetSuite Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet
The Future of Power: Energy at a Crossroads with Scott Harland
From wildfires to AI-driven demand surges, the power grid is under pressure—and so is the investment landscape around it. Scott Harland of Rockland Capital visits with Greg Dowling of FEG to explore the risks, opportunities, and critical shifts shaping the future of energy.Topics covered include:The necessity of a balanced energy mix, including traditional and renewable energy sourcesHow
No More AAA - What the U.S. Debt Downgrade Means for Investors
With longer-term U.S. interest rates rising and no plan to reduce the budget deficit, is a U.S. national debt crisis imminent?Topics covered include:Why S&P, Fitch, and now Moody's stripped the U.S. of its pristine AAA debt ratingHow the U.S. national debt dynamics compare to Greece, Italy, and JapanWhat are four things investors should monitor for signs that the national debt crisis
Facing a Financial Squeeze: What Harvard’s Response Can Teach the Rest of Us
How can we apply the same emergency measures that Harvard and other universities are using to navigate a financial crisis? Also, how universities invest their endowments and what their performance has been.Topics covered include:What has led to the financial crisis at HarvardWhat actions has the university takenHow do endowments invest and spend their fundsHow endowments maintain intergen
Why Bond Investing Is Easier Than Ever
Discover how bond market ETFs have transformed investing — making bonds easier, cheaper, and more accessible than ever. We also explore how the bond market’s very composition has evolved.Episode SponsorsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur
Investing in Emerging Markets with Ali Akay
Ali Akay, CIO of Carrhae Capital, answers why invest in emerging markets. He also shares with Greg Dowling of FEG insights on China, Mexico, South Korea, Argentina, Greece, Turkey, South Korea, and South Africa.Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur Premium ProductsAsset CampMoney for
Is the Rest of the World Selling America?
The U.S has traditionally been a safe haven for investing, but that hasn't been the case in 2025. We explore three economic and narrative regimes and consider why we may be witnessing a shift after 12 years of U.S. outperformance.Topics covered include:What was the narrative and economic and financial performance from 1995-2001, 2002-2012, and 2012 -2024.How the performance of the U.S. do
Where Are We Heading?
In this episode, we explore what it means to invest in a non-ergodic world—where time, not averages, determines outcomes. We unpack concepts like volatility drag, ensemble vs. time averages, and the implications for portfolio strategy, while also reflecting on how AI and zero-click search are reshaping business and investor behavior.Topics covered include:What is ergodicity and why it mat
Is This the End of Globalization and Free Trade?
What will the impact be now that the U.S. has one of the highest tariff rates in the world?Topics covered include:Why the Trump administration raised tariffsHow the last round of U.S. tariffs led to higher prices and lower economic growthFour ways the world remains close to record connectivityWho have been the winners and losers from global tradeWhat will be the impact of this trade warEp
Is It Too Late to Invest in Gold? with Max Belmont - FEG Insight Bridge
Greg Dowling of FEG interviews Max Belmont, a gold specialist and portfolio manager at First Eagle Investments. Greg and Max discuss the historical, philosophical, and practical reasons for owning gold.Topics covered include:Where does gold’s reputation as a safe haven come from, and why it trades differently than other commodities.How gold differs from other asset classes including Bitco
Should You Investment 100% of Your Retirement in Closed-End Funds?
We compare three approaches to closed-end fund investing: Opportunistic trading, the buy and hold income factory, and a systematic approach of selling closed-end funds after 5% gains.We also explore the pros and cons of closed-end funds relative to open-end mutual funds and ETFs.Episode SponsorsStawberry.meNetSuite Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist
What Trump Wants Part 2 - How Trade Deficits and Capital Flows Can Harm or Help Countries
How trade deficits are making the U.S. poorer, while in the past they have made the U.S. wealthier.Topics covered include:Two ways countries can increase their competitivenessHow savings always equals investmentWhy excess savings flows to the U.S. leading to a drop in U.S. domestic savingsWhy the U.S. current trade situation could lead to a debt crisisEpisode SponsorsNetSuite LinkedI
Tariffs and the Mar-a-Lago Accord: What Trump Really Wants
How the Trump administration is using tariffs as a negotiating tool to weaken the U.S. dollar and increase the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.Topics covered include:Why U.S. stocks are falling, and recession risk is increasingHow the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency is becoming a burden on the U.S.How the Trump administration aims to reduce its trade deficit and make it l
Why Japanese Stocks Could Outperform with Howard Smith - FEG Insight Bridge
This week on episode 514, we share a conversation between Howard Smith of Indus Capital and Greg Dowling of FEG Investment Advisors on why Japan could surprise investors over the next decade with strong investment returns. David introduces the episode by sharing his key takeaways from the discussion.FEG Investment Advisor is David's former institutional advisory firm, where he worked for
Crypto: Innovation or Insanity? Meme Coins, Hacks, and Strategic Bitcoin Reserves
We consider the incongruency of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the latest crypto exchange hack, and how most participants lost money on the Trump meme coin. Given all that, we review some areas where cryptocurrency is helping individuals and businesses.Topics CoveredWhat is the U.S. Strategic Petroleum ReserveWhy it makes little sense for the U.S. and individual states to create and pa
Unlocking Hidden Returns: How Mortality Credits Boost Retirement Income
How using a deferred income annuity can increase retirement income compared to an immediate annuity or a bond ladder.Topics covered include:How immediate annuities and deferred income annuities workWhat are mortality credits, and why they are a key diversifierExamples of how mortality credits lead to a 1% to 1.5% higher annualized return over several decadesHow to decide whether an annuit
What Are Sovereign Wealth Funds and Does the U.S. Need One?
The U.S. and the UK each announced they were establishing sovereign wealth funds. We explore the purposes and types of sovereign wealth funds, how they invest, and some concerns with the U.S. establishing one.Topics covered include:What are the four types of sovereign wealth funds, and why the U.S. doesn't fit the typical use caseHow sovereign wealth funds navigate between politics and ge
Contrarian Investing with GMO's Ben Inker - FEG Insight Bridge
This week on episode 510, we share a conversation between Ben Inker of GMO and Greg Dowling of FEG Investment Advisors on contrarian investing, deep value stocks, and the rise of passive investing. David introduces the episode by sharing his key takeaways from the discussion.FEG Investment Advisor is David's former institutional advisory firm, where he worked for 17 years, before founding
How to Invest in Private Credit / Direct Lending
We explore what private credit, or direct lending, is and how to invest in it. We also show how it is similar and different from investing in leverage loans and CLOs.Topics covered include:Why more companies are staying privateHow private credit differs from the leverage loan marketWhy private credit is growing so rapidlyWhat are the benefits to private credit investingWhat are liquid and
Who Should Bear the Cost? Socialized versus Market-Based Risk Management
Natural disasters are becoming more severe and costly—who should bear the financial burden? We explore the tension between socialized risk and market-based insurance.Topics covered include:The surprisingly large percentage of natural disaster losses that are uninsuredWhy natural disaster severity is increasingA deep dive into the complexity of the home insurance market, including state-ru
Where You Live Matters - How Geography Contributes to Wealth
How geography contributes to economic growth and can increase or lower the cost of living.Topics covered include:Why living in a developing country like Costa Rica is still relatively expensiveHow Amazon and e-commerce platforms lower the cost of livingWhy we should consider slowing down our rate of consumptionHow geography is impacting the rollout of AIEpisode SponsorsLinkedIn Jobs –&nbs
Should You Retire Early and Live Outside Your Home Country? with Joshua Sheets
In episode 506, Joshua shares the pros and cons of living outside of your home country. He convinces David why he needs more than one passport. Finally, Joshua makes a strong case for not retiring, and if one does, under what circumstances.Episode SponsorsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offAcornsInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up
Optimization, AI and Opting Out with Coco Krumme
In our final episode of the year, I converse with author and data scientist Coco Krumme about the benefits and costs of optimization in finance, industry, and our daily lives. We explore AI and its overlap with optimization. We also consider the pros and cons of life optimization and finally discuss the extreme challenge of opting out.Episode SponsorsNetSuite Delete Me – Use code Dav
Indexing Bubble and Asset Class Returns Still Revert to the Mean
How asset class returns move in cycles with periods of above-average returns followed by periods of lower returns. How has the rise of passive indexing led to higher stock valuations, and what does that mean for markets?SponsorsNetSuite - Download the CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine LearningLegalZoom - Use code David10 to 10% offInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investor
U.S. Stocks Have Never Been This Overhyped or Expensive
What are the tangible and intangible factors that have contributed to long-term U.S. stock market outperformance compared to the rest of the world? Despite these advantages, why might we still want to continue to be globally diversified?SponsorsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offLegalZoom - Use code David10 to 10% offInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Chec
Should You Invest in Nuclear Energy?
Why has there been renewed interest in nuclear power generation in the last couple of years, and how can we invest in it?Topics covered include:Why did Microsoft sign an agreement to reopen a nuclear reactor at the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear facilityHow much does nuclear energy contribute to global power generationWhy is demand for electricity acceleratingWhat are the advantages a
Strategies and Systems Want Your Money
We explore what strategy and systems are and how we craft and change them. We consider how investment strategies and financial systems have changed over the decades and why this matters to your financial decisions.SponsorsLinkedIn Jobs – Use this link to post your job for free on LinkedIn JobsDelete Me – Use code David20 to get 20% offInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free
Episode 500: The S&P 500 Index and the Decade Ahead
In the 500th episode of Money for the Rest of Us, we focus on the S&P 500 Index. How has the index changed, and why have U.S. stocks performed so well? Will U.S. stocks only return 3% in the next decade, as Goldman Sachs predicts.We also discuss major themes covered on Money for the Rest of Us over 500 episodes and what are our plans for the future. Thanks for being a part of Money fo
What Makes an Economy Prosperous? Spotlight on Cuba and Argentina
We explore eight things that contribute to a healthy, growing economy and where Cuba and Argentina have fallen short.Topics covered include:Why Cuba continues to have rolling energy blackoutsWhy economic sanctions frequently don't workHow Argentina's President Millei is taking a "chainsaw" to the nation's economyWhy emerging markets will need to change their export-oriented growth traject
Ten Things I've Learned About Investing in the Past Decade
In episode 498, David shares how his investing has changed over the past ten years and lessons you can apply to your portfolio.Document Your JourneyKeep ExperimentingBe Willing to Adopt New Asset ClassesBe Very PatientTrade Less, Focus On Long-term DriversMonetary DiversificationDon't Focus on Relative PerformanceIgnore the NoiseTake Your TimeThere Is No Right Way to InvestSponsorsNetSuit
How to Fix the Retirement Savings Crisis
Why 401k and other defined contribution schemes are flawed, leading to a generation of workers unprepared for retirement. What are the solutions to fix the mess.TopicsWhy 401k and other defined contributions haven't worked, despite their popularityWhy defined benefit pension plans declinedWhy 401k plans are treated like emergency fundsHow to combine the best of 401k and defined benefit pe
Are You Taking Enough Aspirational Risk?
Why we need distinct risk buckets: balancing our natural loss aversion with the allure of opportunities that offer the potential for massive upside.Topics covered include:What is modern portfolio theory, and what are some of its flawsWhy so many people have gotten wealthy by being undiversifiedHow to balance personal risk, market risk, and aspirational riskHow prospect theory explains our
Plus episode excerpts: ETF Size, the Long-term Impact of QE, and Stock Market Inelasticity
This week on the podcast, we share excerpts from Plus episode 484 on ETF size and the impact of QE, as well as Plus episode 493 on stock market inelasticity.You can learn more about Money for the Rest of Us Plus here. Insiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur Premium ProductsAsset CampMo
The Federal Reserve Cut Interest Rates. What Should We Do Now?
What does the Federal Reserve's policy rate cut mean for our portfolios? Will interest rates keep falling? What changes should we make?Topics include:What determines interest rates, and where are those drivers currentlyWhat is the best estimate of bond returnsHow duration works and why it changesWhat are some current fixed income investment optionsSponsorsLinkedIn Jobs – Use this lin
When to Sell Equity or Borrow: A Guide for Homeowners, Students, and Artists
How do home equity investments, income share agreements, and music royalties work, and how can you participate?Topics covered include:How a home equity investment differs from a home mortgageWhat is the cost of home equity investmentsHow funding education through income share agreements has changedWhy artists sell royalties to their workHow individuals can invest in music royaltiesSponsor
The Housing Affordability Crisis: What Caused It and How to Fix It
What caused the 40% price increase in houses and rents, and what are governments doing to try to fix the problem.Topics covered include:Why 50% of the global population is frustrated with the lack of affordable housingHow the housing collapse as part of the Great Financial Crisis contributed to today's affordability crisisHow central bank QE programs have magnified the housing crisisHow r
The Power of Optionality: Small Bets, Big Payoffs
In this episode, we explore the concept of optionality—how small, strategic decisions can lead to outsized rewards with limited downside risk. From ancient philosophy to modern financial strategies, discover how recognizing and seizing options can unlock opportunities in both life and investing.Topics covered include:How call and put options workThe difference between American and Europea
The Five Layers of Investing - Which Layers Is Your Portfolio Allocated?
In Episode 491, we explore the five layers of investing, including which assets fit into each layer, and give examples of advertisements targeting each layer.The five layers are:1. Short-term trading2. Longer-term speculations3. Individual securities4. Diversified portfolios focused on underlying drivers and factors5. Maximum diversification with few changes and just a few holdingsEpisode
