Shows
The Rational Reminder PodcastHow the Rational Reminder Podcast is MadeIn this special year-end episode, Ben and Cameron turn the spotlight inward for a behind-the-scenes look at the Rational Reminder podcast. They're joined by the extended team that keeps the show running—from compliance to editing to marketing—to reflect on a landmark year in the podcast's evolution. We hear from Multimedia Specialist Matt Gambino, Compliance Reviewer Ross Brayton, long-time Marketing Lead Angelica Montagano, and others who share their roles, personal stories, and what the show means to them. Ben and Cameron also discuss the podcast's growth trajectory, the impact of joining OneDigital, standout market events from 2025, and what's ahea...
2025-12-251h 17The Rational Reminder PodcastAMA #11 - Your Parents' Advisor, 100% Equity Portfolios, and Investing $10 BillionIn this special year-end AMA, the full PWL crew — Ben Felix, Cameron Passmore, Ben Wilson, and Dan Bortolotti — sit down together for the first time on the podcast to reflect on the roller-coaster that was 2025 and to tackle a wide range of thoughtful listener questions. The episode begins with reflections on a year that included wild market swings, an extraordinary rally few predicted, major changes within PWL, and personal milestones. From there, the team dives deep into the psychology of staying invested, the real risks of inexperienced investors going 100% equities, the complexity of asset location and pre-tax vs. after-tax allo...
2025-12-181h 21The Rational Reminder PodcastAMA #10 - Dollar cost averaging & mutual funds vs. ETFsIn this episode of Rational Reminder, Ben Felix, Cameron Passmore, and Ben Wilson return with a classic AMA format—answering listener questions that dig deep into the behavioral and evidence-based foundations of sensible investing. From lump-sum investing to the psychology of advice, the trio blend data, humor, and clear thinking to demystify complex financial ideas. They discuss the behavioral logic behind dollar-cost averaging, why mutual funds might actually be more tax-efficient than ETFs in Canada, and whether technology could ever truly replace human financial advisors. Plus, they share their biggest investing mistakes (yes, Bitcoin makes an appearance), dissect the ri...
2025-11-131h 06The Rational Reminder PodcastTed Cadsby - The Power of Index Funds, and Being HumanIn this episode, Ben, Cameron, and Dan are joined by Ted Cadsby, former executive at CIBC, author of The Power of Index Funds, Closing the Mind Gap, and Hard to Be Human. Ted brings a rare combination of experience in both finance and cognitive psychology, having helped introduce index investing to Canada before turning his attention to how human thinking itself often misleads us. Ted shares inside stories from his time at CIBC—how he tried to make the bank an indexing leader in the late 1990s, the pushback he faced, and why he still believes so deeply in in...
2025-11-061h 18The Rational Reminder PodcastBanks Sell Products, Not AdviceIn this episode, Ben Felix and Cameron Passmore take a critical look at the Canadian banking system's mutual fund advice model. A newly released study by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) confirms what many already suspected: Canadian bank branches aren't in the business of giving impartial advice—they're selling financial products. Ben breaks down the implications of this study, which surveyed nearly 3,000 bank-affiliated mutual fund representatives, uncovering troubling statistics about sales pressure, lack of credentials, misaligned incentives, and poor client outcomes. From limited product shelves and high-fee mutual funds to representatives with mi...
2025-08-2156 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastAMA #8 + Insurance Needs Analysis with Louai BibiWhat if early RRSP withdrawals aren't always the tax-smart move they're made out to be? In this special AMA edition of the Rational Reminder podcast, Ben and Cameron are joined by PWL Financial Planner Louai Bibi for a wide-ranging discussion on RRSP decumulation strategies, insurance planning, and the practical complexities that real clients face when theory meets reality. Ben walks through a listener's case study and shares insights from colleague Melissa on why early RRSP withdrawals (a.k.a. "meltdown" strategies) are not always beneficial—especially when viewed through a present-value lens. Louai contributes in-the-trenches experience, highlighting how client go...
2025-07-241h 06The Rational Reminder PodcastEpisode 366 - Avoiding Investment ScamsWhat happens when your favourite financial educator's identity is hijacked by scammers? In this episode, Ben and Cameron pull back the curtain on a disturbing but increasingly common reality: sophisticated scammers using Ben's name, voice, and online content to steal from unsuspecting investors. Ben breaks down exactly how these scams work—everything from fake WhatsApp investment groups and cloned emails to AI-generated voice notes and "pig butchering" scams that promise guaranteed returns. You'll hear about pump-and-dump operations, shady PDFs full of financial nonsense, and how scammers prey on optimism, credibility, and fear of missing out. Ke...
2025-07-1753 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastRob Carrick's Eight Lessons Learned in 27 Years of Covering Personal FinanceIn this episode, we welcome back Rob Carrick—one of Canada's most trusted personal finance journalists—for his third appearance on the Rational Reminder podcast. Rob recently retired after an incredible 27-year career at The Globe and Mail, where he shaped how millions of Canadians think about investing, advice, and their money habits. Rob joins Ben, Cameron, and Dan to reflect on the biggest lessons from his decades-long career, the state of Canadian financial advice today, and why young Canadians face headwinds unlike any previous generation. From the shift from mutual funds to ETFs and the rise of DIY inve...
2025-07-1058 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastThe (Underappreciated) Risk of Individual StocksWhat if holding just a few "winning" stocks is riskier than it seems? In this episode, Ben and Cameron explore the hidden dangers of concentrated portfolios and unpack the data that makes a strong case for diversification. Drawing from research by Hendrik Bessembinder, J.P. Morgan, and others, Ben lays out the harsh reality behind individual stock returns: the odds are stacked against long-term success. From skewed return distributions and catastrophic losses to behavioral traps like the endowment effect and familiarity bias, this conversation breaks down why most stock pickers lose—and why diversification remains the only "free lunch" in...
2025-06-2649 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastThe Most Controversial Topics in Personal FinanceFor the first time as a host combination, Ben, Dan, and Cameron sit down to discuss the most controversial topics in personal finance. We begin with identity and how it informs decision-making. Then, we revisit the renting versus buying debate, why this remains a highly controversial topic, the ins and outs of income investing, and understating the fervor of dividend investing. We also unpack FIRE as a branch of self-help; how it informs happiness; and how personality influences one's approach to the FIRE principle. To end, we closely examine Bill Bengen's 4% rule, and the Aftershow encourages us to maintain...
2025-05-291h 18The Rational Reminder PodcastAMA #6Cameron joins Ben for his first AMA as we bring you the sixth edition of our Listener Questions and Investing Lessons mini-series. Diving right in, Ben and Cameron share their stance on the multi-host format of the Rational Reminder podcast before walking us through the new PWL Retirement Planning Tool. Then, we unpack our venture with OneDigital, recent changes at PWL Capital, how we make each episode of this show, and how we allocate our time across podcast and business responsibilities. We also examine our protocol regarding guests, why Cameron and Ben would never gamble with their own money...
2025-05-1556 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastDo Index Funds Incur Adverse Selection Costs?Marco Sammon joins Ben and Dan to unpack his latest paper, 'Index Rebalancing and Stock Market Composition', beginning with how Marco's work (co-written by John Shim) compares to the Nobel Prize-winner Bill Sharpe's paper, 'Arithmetic of Active Management.' We investigate the missing links in Sharpe's logic before defining "the market" and ascertaining the main objectives of index funds. Then, we dive deeper into the mechanics of Marco's paper, index and market tracking errors, why delayed rebalancing is more beneficial than instant rebalancing, and the role of technology in the modern tracking error obsession. We also assess the passive-active...
2025-05-011h 02The Rational Reminder PodcastMichael Mauboussin: The One Job of an Equity InvestorWhat if the key to successful investing is about understanding how market expectations, intangible assets, and even your own biases shape the outcome? In this episode, Cameron sits down with Michael Mauboussin, a renowned expert in investment strategies and behavioural finance, to explore how the evolving dynamics of investing influence valuation, investor decision-making, and market efficiency. Michael is the head of Consilient Research at Counterpoint Global, part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, where he teaches courses on investing and decision-making. His work focuses on behavioural biases, skill versus luck, complex adaptive...
2025-02-131h 04The Rational Reminder PodcastHow to Choose an Asset AllocationChoosing an asset allocation is a crucial investment decision, as it determines expected returns and risk exposure. During this episode, we uncover what this means, exploring topics such as why risk may not always be the best assessment method. We unpack the three factors that John Grable's risk profiling framework considers: behavioural loss tolerance, the ability to take risk (which assesses the financial capacity to withstand losses without affecting lifestyle), and the need to take risk. Many investors sabotage their returns by selling after losses and buying after gains, and we discuss the reasons behind this. We also explore...
2025-02-061h 16The Rational Reminder PodcastPWL's Next ChapterPWL Capital is undergoing an exciting change that will help the company bring a greater positive impact to the Canadian Wealth Management space and serve more clients effectively. In this episode, Ben Felix and Cameron Passmore welcome Mike Sullivan, co-founder of OneDigital, to share the inside story behind PWL Capital's recent decision to join forces with OneDigital. With nearly 25 years of experience in growth through acquisitions, Mike explains how their unique culture and strategic vision led to this exciting collaboration. We discuss Mike's role in driving OneDigital's expansion and how the company's values align with PWL's mission to offer...
2025-01-231h 03The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Presidential Puzzle: Trump's Win and Expected Stock ReturnsWhat does Trump's re-election mean for the markets? In this episode, Ben and Mark explore The Presidential Puzzle, a phenomenon revealing that equity risk premiums have historically been higher under Democratic presidencies than Republican ones. With Trump returning to office as the 47th U.S. president, they examine how voter risk aversion shapes political outcomes and market expectations, offering surprising insights into this intriguing connection between politics and investing. They also delve into market timing pitfalls, the importance of diversification, and how financial advisors can help investors navigate emotionally charged decisions. To wrap up, Ben and Mark reflect on...
2024-11-2843 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastRandolph Cohen & Michael Green: How Concerned Should We Be About Index Funds?Are index funds a silent disruptor? Or are the concerns overblown? In this grab-your-popcorn episode, Michael Green returns to the show after his previous appearance elicited a wave of compelling feedback from listeners. These included very smart individuals in academia and practice who were interested in hearing a counter perspective. Joining Michael today for a lively debate is Randolph Cohen, Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurial Management in the Finance Unit at Harvard Business School. In our conversation, Michael shares his deep concerns about how index funds and target-date funds might be distorting financial markets, honing in on the tension between...
2024-11-211h 57The Rational Reminder PodcastCameron in Norway: The Indexing Revolution, and Key Lessons from Past GuestsIn today's episode, Cameron sits down with Mark McGrath to talk about his trip to Trondheim, Norway, the event he attended there, and his presentation in which he shared top lessons from prestigious Rational Reminder Podcast guests. Tuning in, you'll hear Cameron's top takeaways from conversations with Nobel laureate Eugene Fama and his collaborator Kenneth French, as well as Robert Merton, Antti Ilmanen, Professor Ludovic Phalippou, and more. We also delve into the changing industry trends regarding index investing and the many benefits that come with embracing it, including how it helps financial advisors better serve their clients. Stay...
2024-11-141h 00The Rational Reminder PodcastProf. Stephen R. Foerster: Pursuing the Perfect PortfolioHave you ever wondered how the world's top financial thinkers shaped the way we invest today? In this episode, Ben and Cameron sit down with Professor Stephen Foerster from the Ivey Business School to explore the evolution of modern investing. As a distinguished financial expert and co-author of In Pursuit of the Perfect Portfolio, Professor Foerster dives into the groundbreaking work of financial pioneers like Harry Markowitz, Bill Sharpe, Gene Fama, and others, unpacking their remarkable contributions to portfolio management, risk assessment, and market efficiency as we know it today. Tuning in, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Markowitz's...
2024-10-241h 09The Rational Reminder PodcastBuilding Better Portfolios with Don CalcagniWhat does it take to manage a $60 billion wealth management firm while keeping investment strategies grounded in scientific thinking? In this episode, we're joined by Don Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer at Mercer Advisors. Don chairs the firm's investment committee and provides guidance on mergers and acquisitions, investment integration, and long-term strategic planning. His expertise spans fiduciary oversight, portfolio management, private equity, and financial mathematics. In our conversation, we discuss how his firm constructs client portfolios, engages with academic and industry experts, and leverages a factor-based investment approach. He also explains the importance of having an investment philosophy rooted in...
2024-10-1758 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastRenting Versus Buying a Home in Canada 2005-2024Is renting just "throwing money away," or could it be the smarter financial choice? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in personal finance: renting versus owning a home. In our conversation, we discuss the nuances of renting versus owning, the hidden costs of buying a home, and the importance of saving discipline. Tuning in, you'll discover how emotional biases may inflate real estate prices and how societal pressures influence housing decisions. Then, we shift our focus to a listener's question about interest rates and bonds. Dan explains how bond prices and yields...
2024-09-191h 19The Rational Reminder PodcastEvidence in Practice with Håkon KavliHow can the Rational Reminder Podcast get even better? By bringing back one of its most beloved voices, Dan Bortolotti, also known as "The Spud." In this exciting episode, hosts Ben Felix, Cameron Passmore, and Mark McGrath announce that Dan, the mind behind the Canadian Couch Potato Podcast, will now be a regular guest, contributing segments like "Bad Investment Advice" or "Ask the Spud." Before Dan joins the conversation, we have an insightful discussion with Håkon Kavli, CIO of Reitan Kapital. Håkon shares how his team manages the wealth of one of Norway's most prominent families, comparable to...
2024-09-051h 36The Rational Reminder PodcastWhen Should You Hire a Financial Advisor?Low-cost index funds and digital tools have revolutionized wealth-building, making it easier than ever before to manage your own investment portfolio. However, additional support and expert advice can be critical to help you reach your financial goals, especially when facing complex financial decisions, feeling overwhelmed, or deciding to change your investment strategy. Today on the Rational Reminder Podcast, we discuss when it makes sense to hire a full-service financial advisor, whether or not every investor needs one, and how professional guidance can enhance your financial outcomes. You'll find out how delegating your financial decision-making can not only boost your...
2024-07-1138 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastIs Roaring Kitty a Good Role Model?When witnessing the dramatic payouts of miracle trades, it's easy to be lured into thinking that your big score is just a few trades away. But as is evident in trading options for retail investors, it is neither quick, simple, nor easy to make guaranteed returns on your investments. In today's episode, Ben and Cam walk us through the many reasons why trading options is a losers' game; especially for retail investors. Trading options is definitely today's hot topic and we unpack how the recent resurfacing of Roaring Kitty affirms how life-changing payouts are the exception rather than the...
2024-06-2724 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastAre Robo-Advisors Passive Investors?When robo-advisors first came onto the scene, they were pitched as an easy way to access index funds. These digital platforms provide algorithm-driven financial planning and investment services, with little to no human supervision, and typically use passive investment strategies. But while this technology has revolutionized access, not all robo-advisors are created equal. In today's episode, Mark, Ben, and Cameron sit down to discuss the role of robo-advisors as passive investors, and the performance disparity in robo-advisor returns, as they investigate different robo-advisors, from Wealthsimple to Wealthfront. Next, in this week's version of 'Would you rather?', we have...
2024-06-131h 08The Rational Reminder PodcastBudget 2024: The Capital Gains Inclusion RateThe Canadian government has recently proposed significant changes to how capital gains are taxed, but how will this impact Canadians? In this episode, we delve into the proposed capital gains tax changes and their impact on financial planning. We unpack the definition of capital gains tax and the complexity of the proposed changes. Explore the historical trends of capital gains tax rates in Canada, how capital gains tax works, and who will be impacted by the proposed changes. We discuss the intricacies of the alternative minimum tax (AMT), its relevance to capital gains tax, and whether the old or...
2024-05-0957 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastBonus Episode - Prof. Meir Statman: A Wealth of Well-BeingToday, we welcome back Prof. Meir Statman to talk about the role of finances in well-being. We investigate the role of finances in well-being with Prof. Meir Statman through the lens of his new book, A Wealth of Well-Being. Discover why wealth advisors must evolve into well-being advisors and uncover the impact of finances on various life domains. From dating to education, we discuss the profound financial correlations shaping happiness and well-being. Tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:15) Introduction to returning guest, Prof. Meir Statman. (0:02:15) How well-being...
2024-04-1836 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastOptimal Government Pension Claiming, and Life Well-Being w/ Prof. Meir StatmanIn this episode, we delve into the best time to claim your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits. Although the focus of this episode is on Canada, there will be many relevant and valuable insights for our non-Canadian listeners. In our conversation, we discuss the importance of understanding the intricacies of CPP benefits, the fundamentals, and how individuals can optimize their retirement income by making informed decisions. Explore the importance of understanding when to claim CPP benefits, how much future financial security a CPP offers, and why the CPP is one of the most valuable retirement assets for most Canadians...
2024-04-1854 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastAbby Sussman: Financial Judgment and Decision MakingIn this episode, we are joined by renowned expert Abby Sussman to unpack how individuals form judgments and make decisions about their finances. Abby is a distinguished professor of marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business whose expertise lies at the intersection of psychology, economics, and finance. In our conversation, we discuss the nuances of financial decision-making and how personal beliefs influence our financial choices. Discover the source of reference points for financial well-being and how expense prediction biases play a role in making poor financial decisions. We explore the effectiveness of budgeting, the nuances of...
2024-04-1157 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastWhen Volatility is Risk, and Introducing The Money Scope PodcastToday's episode features a series of in-depth segments, and includes a visit from our two favourite Marks; Mark Soth (aka The Loonie Doctor) and Mark McGrath! To kick things off we break down volatility and investor behaviour by looking back at our conversation with Scott Cederburg and what his research demonstrates about the topic. We then hear from Mark Soth about the project that he and Ben have been working on; the soon-to-be-released Money Scope podcast. Find out what you can expect from their financial curriculum, like the topics they'll be covering and how the structure of their episodes...
2023-12-1452 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastThe Cash Wedge w/ Phil Briggs, and and the Four Ds of Tax PlanningDuring this episode, Financial Advisor and Associate Portfolio Manager Phil Briggs joins us to discuss the 'cash wedge' financial strategy. He also shares his motivation for joining PWL Capital after kicking off his career in the banking industry. Next, Mark McGrath unpacks the four D's of tax planning and how to implement them in your future planning. We review a much-loved past episode featuring Dr. William Bernstein and unpack the principles taught in Seth Godin's latest book, The Song of Significance. During the aftershow, you'll hear about our recent explorations in the world of infinite banking, Admired Leadership, and...
2023-11-0249 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastA Live 5-Year Rational Reminder Retrospective (and Creating Superfans with Brittany Hodak)In this episode, we are trying something different. Recorded live at the CFA Society's Toronto Annual Wealth Conference, we take an exclusive look at the origins and evolution of the Rational Reminder Podcast through an interview with Ben and Cameron. From motivations for starting the podcast to favourite episodes and guests, we delve into the behind-the-scenes of the show. Discover how the podcast has grown, the impact it's had on listeners, and the exciting global reach it's achieved. Get an exclusive look at the challenges, regrets, and valuable lessons learned along the way. Then, we are joined by Mark...
2023-10-121h 23The Rational Reminder PodcastRob Carrick: Canadian Personal Finance in 2023In this episode, we welcome back one of Canada's most trusted and widely read financial experts to discuss the state of Canadian personal finance. Rob Carrick is a columnist for The Globe and Mail, where he has brought his boots-on-the-ground perspective to readers for more than 20 years. He also co-hosts the Stress Test Podcast, where regular Canadians offer real-life perspectives on the biggest stress tests that their personal finances face in the wake of COVID-19. Tuning in, you'll find out which issues are at the forefront of Rob's readers' lives. Next, he shares his perspective on GICs and ETFs...
2023-09-2853 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastPim van Vliet: The Volatility Effect, RevisitedPim van Vliet is on a mission to put the low volatility factor on the map. In his role as Head of Conservative Equities and Chief Quantitative Strategist at Robeco, he focuses on leveraging the effect of low-risk investing. Pim has also published a book, High Returns From Low Risk: A Remarkable Stock Market Paradox, where he unpacks some of the key aspects that guide his work and underpin his success. During this conversation, Pim shares his insights on volatility, the changing market, and combining low-risk with other traditional factors. He equips listeners with key considerations for evaluating strategies...
2023-08-0358 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastProf. James Choi: Practical FinanceToday we welcome James Choi, Professor of Finance at the Yale School of Management, to the show to share some of his insight into what he has dubbed practical finance. James has focused his research on behavioural finance, behavioural economics, household finance, capital markets, health economics, and sociology, and is turning this expertise into pragmatic knowledge marketed towards ordinary people. This reframing and reconfiguration of the theory for all people and the decisions they make, could not be more in line with what we are trying to do here at Rational Reminder, and this conversation with James was packed...
2023-07-061h 11The Rational Reminder PodcastEpisode 259: Comprehensive Overview: Estimating Expected ReturnsJoin us as we present a compilation of segments on expected returns and the dynamics that shape investment outcomes. We deep dive into the world of financial predictions and gain a comprehensive understanding of how expected returns influence your financial decision-making. We also go back to the episode with Dr. Brian Portnoy where we delved into his book, The Geometry of Wealth. Lastly, joining our conversation is our colleague Matt Gour who discusses The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. We discuss how extraordinary moments have the power to shape our lives and the pivotal importance of...
2023-06-291h 14The Rational Reminder PodcastCovered Calls (Plus Robin Powell and Jonathan Hollow on How to Fund the Life You Want)We all have different levels of risk tolerance. But how is that risk measured for complex investment strategies like covered calls? And how can you be sure it's an accurate reflection of reality? For the first portion of today's episode, we provide a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about covered calls and why there is no perfect model for assessing risk-adjusted returns. We examine how incorrect measures of risk can make covered calls seem more attractive, what investors need to know about covered calls, and the fees, costs, and taxes you should be considering with these...
2023-05-041h 04The Rational Reminder PodcastBasic Personal Finance ConceptsToday we are spending most of the episode going further into the basic concepts that ground good financial practices and the personal finance topics that are often taken for granted. The three main areas we unpack in this episode are the cost of living, savings capacity, and emergency funds, and though these can be viewed as basic ideas, there are always areas of the simplest variety that deserve more attention. Listeners can also expect to hear a little more about what our role as financial advisors constitutes on a daily basis, as we respond to an audience member's question...
2023-02-231h 16The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Math of Financial Planning The concept of financial math is another foundational element of investing and good economic decision-making, and today we are carrying on the recent string of shows dealing with these kinds of fundamental aspects. First, we have a look at the central idea of the time value of money, and how this plays into many areas of our finances, such as retirement planning, spending, investing, and so on. From there, the conversation goes on to cover exponential functions, the tradeoffs between saving and spending, and regrets. Today's 60-second episode recap is of the great conversation we had with David Blitzer...
2023-02-091h 02The Rational Reminder PodcastWho are you, and who do you want to be?Identifying your personal values is the foundation for making future decisions. In this episode, we discuss the profound ways in which personal values impact financial decision-making and share concrete steps to identify both your strategic and means objectives. Ben candidly shares his own objectives and expands on the other considerations involved in making major decisions. We then jump to the less abstract topic of 2022 returns, providing a thorough overview of the tilts and their consequences, followed by a brief summary of an early episode with Shane Parrish. In the latter half of this episode, we are joined by Zoobean...
2023-01-261h 16The Rational Reminder PodcastA Financial Goals Master List (n=310)We recently created and conducted a very interesting survey based on financial goals, and today, we get to share some of the data we collected and the answers that were given to the questions. Although there are some definite limitations to our expertise as surveyors and data collectors, the findings are most definitely illuminating, surprising, and useful. Listeners will get to hear a bit about the process of building the survey as well as some of the raw numbers and data before we get into the list of goals that were submitted, collated, and ranked. We also share some...
2022-10-201h 06The Rational Reminder PodcastUnderstanding Crypto 17: Ari Juels: The Technical Case for BlockchainCritics of blockchain often say that it is nothing more than a database, but today's guest, Ari Juels, has a different opinion. His technical expertise (he is a Professor of Computer Science at Cornell Tech), combined with his ability to understand both sides of a divisive topic like this one, make for a very insightful conversation about Bitcoin, NFTs, and smart contracts. We talk about the reasons for the valid skepticism that surrounds blockchain technology, the various reasons that Ari believes that it is a powerful, useful tool, despite its downfalls, pyramid schemes, decentralized exchanges and more!
2022-09-231h 22The Rational Reminder PodcastExpected Returns for Alternative Asset Classes (plus Reading Habits w/ David Senra).The type of assets which usually come to mind when considering investments are stocks, bonds, or cash, but what are the alternatives? And what kind of returns do alternative asset classes offer? In today's episode, we delve into the returns which can be expected from alternative asset classes such as private equity, venture capital, angel investing, private credit, hedge funds, direct real estate, and cryptocurrencies. Hear an in-depth analysis based on empirical studies and the expertise of your hosts, Ben and Cameron, to discover whether there is any merit to alternative asset classes as investments. We unpack the extra...
2022-09-221h 29The Rational Reminder PodcastAsynchronous Work & Effective Equity Duration (plus Reading Habits w/ Harley Finkelstein)We start the show with a brief highlight of recent episodes, upcoming guests, and feedback we have received about the show. We then review the book Running Remote, which provides evidence for the benefits of working remotely and asynchronous management. We also outline the three essential principles of an asynchronous mindset. We discuss the positives and benefits of remote work, why hybrid work is a flawed approach, and how to recreate face-to-face meetings in a remote world. We also give listeners a breakdown of an interesting journal article about inferring stock duration and equity trades, including key takeaways from th...
2022-08-251h 07The Rational Reminder PodcastRegret (and How to Read More w/ Neil Pasricha)Today's guest is Neil Pasricha and he joins us to discuss how to read more. Before our time with Neil, Ben and Cameron lead the discussion, working through a range of topics including how to grasp large numbers, the value of 'humbitious' leadership, and how to get a better understanding of regret. When Neil jumps into the conversation, he starts by making an argument for reading, telling us how it is the best form of compressed knowledge we have, and that readers effectively live a new life each time they read a book. We hear about how Neil got...
2022-02-241h 06The Rational Reminder PodcastAyelet Fishbach: The Science of MotivationGoal-setting has been a divisive subject of discussion for us here on the Rational Reminder Podcast, and today we dive a bit deeper into the topic with the help of the amazing Ayelet Fishbach, author of the recent book Get It Done. Ayelet is an expert in motivation and a Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the Chicago Booth School of Business. Her focus in her work is researching social psychology, management and consumer behaviour, and having her on the show to share some of this amazing insight is a real honour! In our conversation, we cover many si...
2022-02-171h 04The Rational Reminder PodcastHow to Set Financial GoalsIdentifying investment goals is a critical step in developing a sound financial plan that helps investors reach their objectives. Studies have shown that using a goals-based framework in financial planning can lead to an increase in wealth for investors and has the potential to strengthen planner-client relationships; but what goals should you be setting? And why is it often so difficult to make these kinds of decisions? In today's episode, Benjamin dives into some of the research he is conducting about goals-based financial planning for the paper he is writing on the topic, and we discuss why defining and...
2022-02-101h 15The Rational Reminder PodcastMarket Efficiency Myths and MisconceptionsWhile there is certainly room for rigorous debate regarding market efficiency versus inefficiency, there are many who dismiss Eugene Fama's Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) as an incorrect model without understanding what the implications are or how to test it. In today's episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, we tackle some common market efficiency myths and misconceptions using Fama's 1970 paper on EMH as well as supporting papers by Kenneth French, Lubos Pastor, José Scheinkman, and many others. You'll also hear about behavioural finance, quantitative investing, human bias, and momentum as they relate to market efficiency before debunking some anecdotal misconceptions a...
2022-01-131h 29The Rational Reminder PodcastIs Canada Really in a Housing Bubble?There is no doubt that housing in Canada is expensive, but are we really in a bubble? Today on the show we explore the user cost equation and how it can help us answer this question. Before the main topic, we get warmed up with a behind-the-scenes look at Dell's growth path in Cameron's review of Play Nice But Win. From there we address Peter Lynch's recent warning against passive investing as well as reiterate our position on the performance of small-cap value versus large-cap growth. Heading into our discussion on housing in Canada, we provide a working definition of...
2021-12-161h 02The Rational Reminder PodcastAre Inflation Concerns Inflated?In today's episode of The Rational Reminder, we tackle the subject of inflation in a twofold manner. Firstly, there are details around how people perceive inflation that often get overlooked, and secondly, these expectations have investment implications that are worth unpacking. Before diving into the main topic, we talk about Colin Bryar's Working Backwards which tracks the role of failure and customer obsession in Amazon's growth path. After getting into this week's news and listener question, we begin the first part of our session on inflation. Some of the main points we make here are that everybody experiences inflation di...
2021-12-021h 02The Rational Reminder PodcastLessons from 100+ Years of Global Stock ReturnsIn this week's episode, Cameron and Benjamin share what's on their mind and delve into listener questions on subjects ranging from the CAPE ratio to how to go about changing someone's mind. Tuning in you'll get a preview of some of the formidable guests featured on future episodes, like John Cochrane and Hersh Shefrin. We also cover book recommendations and unpack the concept of libertarian paternalism from the highly influential best-seller, Nudge: The Final Edition by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, and how it can be a force for good. We cover various facets of passive investing and index...
2021-09-091h 03The Rational Reminder PodcastComprehensive Overview: The 4% RuleToday's episode is the first that takes a new format we are piloting, where we compile clips from the most valuable conversations we have had in different episodes on a given topic. To kick it all off we will be devoting this episode to inflation-adjusted retirement spending and the nuances of the 4% rule. We start off with a clip from our conversation with Bill Bengen, creator of the 4% rule, where he explains the concept. From there, we pull up an excerpt from an interview with Wade Pfau, hearing him weigh in on how this rule only works in the...
2021-08-2656 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastInvesting in HappinessToday we dive deep into the connection between happiness and money, looking at a host of theories and studies that have examined the important factors in this discussion. The main material referenced is the fascinating, The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt, and during the episode, we get to look at a great selection of the findings and claims in the book. To kick things off, we consider the broad ideas around how money can stimulate happiness, as well as its addictive aspects, before examining a few of the most prominent lenses used for measuring different kinds of happiness. Talking ab...
2021-05-061h 01The Rational Reminder Podcast"Buying the Dip"Today's episode doesn't have an external guest, but Benjamin and Cameron provide fascinating information on a vast range of topics. First, the discussion centers around the book that Cameron is currently reading and what it is teaching him about social networks, the ego-driven world of social media, and the benefits of anonymity online. The hosts share some of the findings from a very insightful discussion which took place on their anonymous community board platform around people's thoughts on the positive and negative impacts of work. Happiness and the factors that cause it are a big theme in today's show...
2021-04-0859 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastWhat is Financial Advice?While there is no way of knowing what the best portfolio is, empirical data and financial economics have fixed the problems surrounding investing. But if we've fixed investing, then what's the point of financial advisors? Today we dive into this topic and reveal why financial advice is still valuable to the everyday investor. We open the episode by touching on our movies and books for the week, as well as the latest from the financial world. We then explore why, despite their failure at making predictions, experts are so important across many industries. After defining what financial advice is...
2021-03-2559 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastThe IPO Lottery, Planning for Wellness, and Talking CentsSkewed Factor IPO Investing and Financial Well-being Episode 134: Show Notes. Many IPOs start with a bang, resulting in high first-day closing prices that attract retail investors. Today we unpack new and established research to explore how the hottest IPOs compare with average market returns. We open our conversation by first sharing community updates and details about the book and news of the week. After reflecting on how 2020 was one of the biggest IPO years since 2000, we talk about why IPOs tend to release in waves. We then chat about where IPO al...
2021-01-281h 14The Rational Reminder PodcastA Year In ReviewFor this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, we review our year by playing back and discussing a collection of the most impactful moments of the show from 2020. This has been a drastic year filled with many learnings for us all, and in today's show, we cover topics of happiness, decision making, dealing with uncertainty, and the connection that financial planning and investing have to all of this. We collect some amazing gems of wisdom from guests like Annie Duke, Ken French, Michael Kitces, Patricia Lovett-Reid, and a whole lot more, whittling down an original list of over one...
2020-12-241h 35The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Stock Market vs. Elections, and Incentives in Financial PlanningThank you for tuning in to this episode of the Rational Reminder. We start this show with some great news about the comment section and our migration to Discourse. Having an open dialogue has always been crucial for us—it has even led to our latest hire—so we felt it was time to add more structure to it. We then talk about mortgage rates and why so many people do not know that it is possible to negotiate them down even further. There is often a big gap between what is publicly advertised and what you can actually get...
2020-10-081h 12The Rational Reminder PodcastA Message from the Bank of Canada, and Safe Withdrawal Rates with Factor TiltsFor the first part of today's discussion, we are joined by Don Coletti from The Central Bank of Canada. He is here to talk about their upcoming recommendation for a monetary policy framework for the next five years which is incorporating public feedback into its development through the survey, Lets Talk Inflation. From there, we touch on some favourite books, Starbucks's stored value card liabilities, the benefits of keeping inheritance in a separate account, new standards for financial planners and advisors proposed by the FSRA, and why SoftBank did not pile into call options and cause the rally in...
2020-09-241h 20The Rational Reminder PodcastUnderstanding the Fed's Money Printer, and Lessons from the CrisisQuantitative easing is a monetary policy whereby a central bank buys government bonds or other financial assets in order to inject money into the economy to expand economic activity. But what exactly does that mean? In today's episode, Benjamin and Cameron are going to address this topic, avoiding highly politicized aspects, like whether or not central banks should be involved in the economy in the first place, and focusing purely on the operational perspective of quantitative easing – what is it, how it works, and what the intended transmission mechanisms are. Benjamin explains what he has learned through his extensive re...
2020-07-301h 03The Rational Reminder PodcastDr. William Bernstein: Praying for a Bear MarketIn keeping with our recent tide of incredible guests, today's one is no exception. Dr. William Bernstein, a financial theorist, advisor, and neurologist, joins us to share some of his incredible insights. As the author of several seminal books such as The Intelligent Asset Allocator and The Four Pillars of Investing, Dr. Bernstein has made his mark applying his medical evidence-based approach to investing. These works have had a particularly strong influence on Cameron when he made the transition from active mutual funds earlier in his career, so it was an incredible honour to have him on the show...
2020-07-2343 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastFactor Nuances, Dollar Cost Averaging, and Annuities in a PandemicWe kick off today's episode of the Rational Reminder by discussing when Ben will be publishing his new model portfolios and a quick look at some of our upcoming guests and resources you might want to take a look at. We have been on a roll with our guests lately, and we are certainly not slowing down anytime soon. From there, we look at some of the headlines, such as CDIC developments and the myths around inflation. Next, we move onto to listener rapid-fire questions. Some of the topics include the difference between leveraged ETFs and traditional ones as...
2020-06-041h 08The Rational Reminder PodcastRapid Fire Listener Questions, Wealthsimple's Victory Lap, and the Historic State of Value InvestingWe spend the bulk of today's episode considering whether Wealthsimple's use of long bonds and low volatility stocks is really protecting their clients' downside, and summing up recent arguments by Cliff Asness and AQR leveled against critiques on value investing. Before that, we kick things off with thoughts on why Elon Musk aims to have no possessions, before looking at the links between empathy and the theory of relativity as well as some productivity secrets in recent books by Charles Duhigg and Shane Parrish. Next up, we briefly address a bunch of listener questions on factor tilting, and ETFs...
2020-05-141h 12The Rational Reminder PodcastBen Rabidoux: A Reality Check on Canadian Real Estate & Macro EconomicsThe economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic have been unprecedented and the seismic shifts have caused numerous unforeseen challenges. While no-one could have predicted the enormity and speed of the current crash before it happened, several signs indicated that an economic contraction was on the horizon. Today's guest, Ben Rabidoux, President of North Cove Advisors, a boutique research firm, is here to share some macroeconomic trends and what they tell us about the state of the Canadian economy. His research expertise includes Canadian housing, macroeconomic trends, and household credit. We kick off the episode with some listener feedback as...
2020-04-3055 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastScott Rieckens (Playing with FIRE): Finding Financial Education, Perspective, and FreedomThe recent film, Playing with FIRE details the particulars of the FIRE Movement in a way that is accessible, informative, and impactful. Both Cameron and Ben were hugely impressed with the film and the argument it makes for the framework of FIRE. Today we are joined by the producer and star of the film, Scott Rieckens, to discuss the movie and his own journey to reach financial independence. In much the same way that the film does, Scott makes a compelling and inspiring argument for the central philosophy of the movement, emphasizing what many of us will agree are t...
2020-04-231h 04The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Stock Market vs. The Economy, and Assessing Risk ToleranceWhen it comes to the question of whether the economy affects the stock market, it's not about whether the former is in a good or bad state, but how that relates to what the market was expecting. In today's episode we get into predictions about labour economics during COVID-19, the relationship between the market and the economy, and how to make decisions that suit your risk tolerance. We kick things off by reviewing insights Edward Lazear and Gerard O'Reilly gave in a recent webinar. They spoke about how the current crisis relates to past events from the perspective of...
2020-04-161h 17The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Market and Pandemics: What Really Affects Financial Ups and Downs?Welcome back to the Rational Reminder Podcast everybody. Today we are using the opportunity to have a bit of a philosophical discussion about a bunch of things related to your retirement and the financial planning that goes into it. We touch on the all too obvious topics of the coronavirus and last week's market fluctuations before we scan the last ten years for any notable data points on fluctuations and the years with the biggest dips. We look at life expectancy and how this affects a retirement planning strategy. In British Columbia, drug use among younger generations has brought...
2020-03-0559 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastMawer, The Value Premium, and Investing Costs plus ESG Follow-up with Tim NashOn today's episode of The Rational Reminder, we once again cover a host of topics. We begin with Cameron sharing his thoughts on a book he recently finished, The Ride of a Lifetime, and some of the lessons he took away from it. We then tackle three listener questions, where we cover Mawer and index funds hypothetically driving prices. Then, in the portfolio portion of the show, we turn our attention to value premiums. Fama and French recently released a paper on the topic, and Ben is naturally very excited to share his assessment on it. We unpack how...
2020-02-061h 12The Rational Reminder PodcastSustainable Investing: Understanding the Trade-offs of Socially Responsible InvestmentsWelcome to this week's episode of the Rational Reminder! Today, we get stuck into a commonly asked about investment topic – socially responsible or sustainable investing. The show kicks off with Cameron sharing some fantastic insights he gained from a book he recently finished, The Undoing Project. We then delve into the CalPERS story that was in the spotlight at the end of 2019. After that, we move the planning portion of our show, where we tackle the topic of sustainable investing. Many prominent Canadian pension funds have said that sustainability will be a core part of their investing going forward. We...
2020-01-2351 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastNew Year, New Strategy: Unpacking the Concentrated Portfolio and Why Leveraging is No JokeFor our very first episode of 2020, we kick things off with some quick updates before sharing Cameron's ten best financial planning strategies for the new year. After laying out some statistics about the great asset class returns that 2019 saw, we get into the wonderful listener questions we have been receiving over the break. Our first topic is about buying versus leasing cars, and Ben shares his thoughts on some of the reasons he recently converted to leasing. Our second question is about using credit to invest in a TFSA and acts as a great segue into our main topic...
2020-01-0958 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastA Mixed Bag of Topics: DIY Investing, Home Country Investing, and RRSPsOn today's episode, we cover a variety of topics, such as some tips for DIY investors, highlights from a conference Cameron recently attended, home country investment bias and whether it's possible to have too much money in your RRSP. We begin first by talking about what DIY investors can do to ensure that they are investing to the best of their abilities. As people who work in investment daily, we often forget how tricky a terrain it can be to navigate if you are not armed with all of the knowledge, so we hope to pass some of it...
2019-10-3156 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastThis Week's Questions and Answers: Investment Ratios, Risk 101, Sustainability, Longevity, and MoreWelcome back to the podcast everybody, we have another great round-up episode for you where we field questions that you sent in and cover a bunch of things we think you need to hear! We discuss how you should weight your stocks and bonds ratio and times that you could think about changing it, we also talk about index funds, Michael Burry and why his reputation is a bit overstated. Then we get into the different types of risk! We cover volatility, uncompensated risk, skewness, and inflation and help you think about each and the impact that they may...
2019-10-1747 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Ins and Outs of Real Estate: Mortgage Rate, Rentals, REITs and Variable AnnuitiesOn today's episode, Benjamin and Cameron are talking real estate, specifically mortgage rates and REITs. For the first time since the early 90s, fixed mortgage rates are lower than variable ones, which have always been the popular choice. However, due to the fact that Canada's yield curve is inverted, short term rates higher than their long-term counterparts. This is not usually the case, which makes it a great time to consider a fixed term mortgage, bearing in mind that it requires some lifestyle considerations. Benjamin and Cameron also provide some insights into the rental property market changes since 2015, with...
2019-08-0830 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastGIC's, Portfolio Questions and Education Saving Plans: What's Right for You in Your Retirement and Education Preparations?On the show today we are going back to basics, just Cameron and Benjamin going through some useful topics for your financial benefit! We start talking about GIC's and the article on MoneySense that led to this conversation. GIC's have a somewhat mix and match reputation, one which we believe has been often misunderstood and misrepresented. We try to show in which ways people have been misled into thinking that GIC's are the best option when, we believe, they are not. From there we turn to more general portfolio ideas, comparing the performance of the S&P 500 over time...
2019-07-2538 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastFive Factor Thinking: Using Factors to Spot Trends and Guide Decision MakingOn today's episode, Benjamin Felix and Cameron Passmore discuss a paper that Benjamin recently wrote called Factor Investing with ETF's, which unpacks what factors are and why they are a useful tool in explaining performance. Before discussing Benjamin's paper, they take some interesting detours, discussing annuities and the newly launched ALDA, why annuities are underutilized and what makes them different from portfolios. Along with this, they also cover some questions that can be asked to measure past performance of funds as well as luck versus skill. They share their insights into the Fama-French three factor model, how it evolved...
2019-04-0444 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastSteering Away from the Financial Extremes with Rob CarrickToday 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...
2019-03-2836 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Authority Speaks: A Complete Guide to Investing and Retirement with Larry SwedroeToday we are joined by a friend, hero, and a legend in the field fact based investing. Larry Swedroe is here to discuss his latest book, some of the timeless concepts he has been espousing for many years, and to give out a few golden nuggets of advice for your finances and retirement. Larry is so generous with his time and wisdom and we chat about a ton of chapters from his book, Your Complete Guide to a Successful and Secure Retirement, and he picks out a few ideas to focus on here in this quick discussion. Larry shares...
2019-01-2345 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastClearing Up the Holiday Back-Up: Podcast Housekeeping and Round UpWelcome back to The Rational Reminder Podcast! Today we are riding solo with no guests and just going over some recent developments, in-house news, and gearing up for some more great shows in the pipeline. We have had so many amazing guests recently, talking on a number of specific topics, so we thought we would take this opportunity to clean the mailbox, as it were, and set the table for the next few weeks. During the episode we cover the new partnership between RBC and iShares and what this means going forward and we also look at the state...
2019-01-1729 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastStaying Ahead of the Curve: The History of Dimensional Fund AdvisorsToday on the podcast we are very excited to welcome Brad Steiman who is the Canadian Head of Financial Advisor Services for Dimensional! This is an episode we literally cannot wait to share with our listeners as it is jam packed with really useful information, history, and inside scoops on Dimensional and what has helped them get to where they are today. As huge fans and associates of DFA this is the type of conversation we have been hoping to have for quite some time and hope you are as excited as we are. In our discussion, we cover...
2019-01-0942 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastEvidence Based Investing: Changing the Minds of Advisors and Investors with Robin PowellIn this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast we welcome Robin Powell. Robin is a journalist and content creator who has dedicated the more recent part of his career to helping spread the word on research backed investing and turning the tide on the history of investment advice. For Robin, this all came about from an assignment he was working on and the feeling of shock he experienced when he discovered the wealth of information that is available to investors but how it is shielded by the majority of investment advisors. Robin explains these experiences and why we still...
2019-01-0227 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastEmbracing Uncertainty: Planning Ahead and Taking On the Risk with Big Bang Theory Writer, David GoetschWelcome to this holiday edition of the Rational Reminder Podcast. Today on the show we have a special treat for you. A little while back, Cameron made an incredible connection with our guest, David Goetsch. David is a writer and the Co-Executive Producer of the Big Bang Theory. David himself subscribes to our investment philosophy and he is passionate enough about it that he speaks about it at conferences every now and then. He is truly a fascinating guy and the impact that this investment philosophy had on him is unreal. Inside this episode David shares with us how...
2018-12-2643 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Year End Round Up: Recapping Recent Market PerformanceThis week on the podcast we are starting to wrap things up for the year, doing some house keeping and looking back at recent trends in the market. First of all we talk a bit about the podcast going forward and have a few comments on ratings and reviews. We also look at some of the upcoming content you can expect early next year! We chat about the client survey we recently held and what the data from this tells us. From there we move into more general information on the relationship between risk and profitability and try and...
2018-12-2030 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastEvidence: What To Follow And What Not To FollowWelcome back to The Rational Reminder Podcast. Today, Benjamin is getting the factor fill off his chest. We are diving into a range of topics and we are talking about other factors or how far you can push the evidence. This is the first time in a while that we've really dug into factors. We cover other interesting topics like increasing CPP benefits, we talk about our regulatory bodies and the debate going on there, as well as the big news around Vanguard. It's a fun debate and a good conversation. So, keep listening to hear more! K...
2018-12-1336 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Basic Rules of Purchasing Insurance: What, Why, When and How Much!Welcome back to The Rational Reminder Podcast. Today we are joined by Glenn Cooke. Glenn is a fixture on the personal finance Canada sub-Reddit and spent many years as the President of Lifeinsurancecanada.com, which is an online platform for insurance information. Today, Glenn is the President of Insurance Squared where he works with market research departments at life insurance companies and shows life insurance agents how to generate leads online and sell non-face to face. Glenn has a very matter of fact, rational approach to insurance and that's what we talk to him about in today's episode. He...
2018-12-0633 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastThe Yield Curve Is Not Out To Get YouIn this bonus episode we briefly talk about the yield curve, and why it's probably not going to hurt you. With special guest Robert Little, Wealth Management Analyst at PWL Capital. For more information or to contact Cameron and Ben, visit pwlcapital.com
2018-12-0612 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastTransformational Decision Making: Building A Company, Defining Success, and Finding HappinessWelcome back to The Rational Reminder Podcast. Today we are joined by Daniel Weinand. Daniel is the cofounder of Shopify, which is a company based in Ottawa that has had enormous success, not just in Ottawa or Canada, but all over the world in the last few years as a public company. Shopify is a great commerce platform that supports over 600,000 different stores worldwide. It is an incredible success story, and the best way that we can describe the conversation was that it was very intense. Everything from the way Daniel thinks about things to what he's been able...
2018-11-2937 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastThe Cost of Financial Advice: Should You Pay For It and If You Do, How Much Should You Pay For It?Welcome to The Rational Reminder Podcast. On today's episode we are going to roll out our new format for the show. We ended off our previous show format with a series of interviews, and today we are ready to jump into something new! Of course, we definitely don't plan on doing that perfectly today because we do have a couple of things that we want to talk about before we make it official. The meat of the episode will be focused on discussing the cost of financial advice. Should you pay for it, how should you pay for it...
2018-11-1531 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastDecision Making: Mental Models, Knowing Your Variables, and Achieving Positive Outcomes With Shane ParrishWelcome back to another episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast. Our guest today is Shane Parrish. Shane runs the Farnam Street Blog, which has to be one of the most valuable collections of information that exists on the Internet. Farnam Street's stated intention is mastering the best of what other people have already figured out and the site gets over a million visitors. The content is unbelievable in terms of improving yourself, thinking better, and learning better. Shane interviewed Ray Dalio not long ago and over time he's spoken with some pretty serious people in his podcast, The Knowledge...
2018-11-0745 min
The Rational Reminder PodcastMarket VolatilityIn Episode 16 of the Rational Reminder Podcast we talked about the following: How bad was last week's market volatility? Should you make changes to your portfolio in this market? Are people better at predicting when markets are volatile? How the market prices securities The economy vs. the stock market When do bear markets typically occur? Will passive investing exacerbate the next correction? Do index funds affect price discovery? The power of capitalism Index reconstitution Risk over the long-term Quant investing does not always pass robustness tests 50% of business is marketing Devil's in the HML details Dimensional has thought...
2018-10-1734 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastDimensional Advanced Conference 2018In Episode 15 of the Rational Reminder Podcast we recapped our time at the Dimensional Fund Advisors advanced conference. We recapped the following: Eugene Fama The history of the University of Chicago and Dimensional Connecting economics with academia Behavioral finance is a branch of efficient markets (according to Fama) Crunching data for the first time Starting the first index fund – before Vanguard Volatility lessons Black swans Do you need a tstat of 3 in today's world? We referenced this paper https://www.cfapubs.org/doi/pdf/10.2469/faj.v74.n3.6 For more information or to c...
2018-10-1532 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastAn inside look at Canadian consumer debtIn Episode 14 of the Rational Reminder podcast we were joined by Martin Parizeau, a retired banking executive with extensive knowledge of Canadian consumer debt, and a PWL client. We discussed the following: The start of the ETF boom When proponents of active management realize they should index Cutting wasteful expenses without sacrificing happiness Pulling off a successful downsizing Housing is not an investment The real cost of owning a home Defining the ideal lifestyle Digging into Canadian consumer debt levels The real debt to income ratio for debtors in Canada Is mortgage debt always "good" debt? T...
2018-10-1131 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastUnaffordable housingIn Episode 13 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Getting into the DFA advanced conference Cancelling whole life insurance When permanent insurance makes sense Unaffordable housing in Canada Housing bubbles? Bridging the gap with a HELOC Undervalued financial advice Money does not buy happiness Defining a lifestyle Walking to work Active funds are still underperforming Missing out on the best stocks The Stories we talked about: HOUSING TRENDS AND AFFORDABILITY UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index It's officially normal to have a big, fat...
2018-10-0232 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastLiving through the financial crisisIn Episode 12 of the Rational Reminder podcast we were joined by Doug McKenzie, an executive at a large US financial institution, and a PWL client. We discussed the following: Attacking a retirement goal Managing expenses before retirement Toronto real estate in a retirement plan Living (and working through) the financial crisis The Investor's Group Dividend Fund Income investing Robo advisors Using prepaid credit cards for budgeting CCP vs. CPM vs. DFA Running regressions Data sources Come From Away The value of knowledge and advice For more information or to contact Cameron and Ben, vi...
2018-09-2824 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastSimple vs. complex with Robb EngenIn Episode 11 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Are DIY investors responsible for their actions? Starting a blog Switching from stock picking to index funds Managing behaviour The 4-minute portfolio When does it make sense to optimize? Index fund rebuttals Fee-only vs. fee-based advice Choosing a conflict of interest Robb's biggest beef with Canadian financial services Trusting the bank VGRO vs. robo advisors One-fund retirement portfolios We were joined by Robb Engen, author of the Boomer and Echo blog. For more information or to contact Cameron and Ben, vi...
2018-09-2432 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastKeep the deferred sales charge, more for usIn Episode 10 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Grass fed beef The benefits of independence The Ontario government wants to keep the deferred sales charge (DSC) DSC back in the day The old financial advice model DIY investors are responsible for their decisions 1/3 of people say money is their biggest stressor Locus of control A better way to invest responsibly The stories that we talked about: Investment industry stunned as Ontario opposes proposed ban on mutual fund early-withdrawal fees Ontario's Ford government is shamefully backing the investment ind...
2018-09-1733 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastDimensional's Big FlawIn Episode 9 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Being a poor grad student Budgeting Stuff does not make you happy Mental overhead is a real cost The Globe's Financial Facelift disaster Rob Arnott's slam of Dimensional Are people afraid of stocks? The 10-year anniversary of Lehman's fall Stories from the financial crisis Volatility in dollars vs. percentage points Automated rebalancing My uncle told me to buy weed stocks What does a rational investor worry about? The stories we talked about: Great savers, not so great at investing Psychic Trauma How the F...
2018-09-1031 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastSell Everything!In Episode 8 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Fidelity's 0% MER index funds are already at $1 billion When costs are 0%, how do you pick a fund? Indexing is not a passive investment strategy Index construction and product implementation > low fees A three factor regression on the Manulife Multifactor ETFs Indexing is still a tiny part of the market Not all factors belong in a portfolio Dividend investing shouldn't be so controversial Dividends are not a spending rule Financial experts don't sound like experts to non-experts Sell everything! The stories we talked about: F...
2018-09-0534 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastBuying WEEDIn Episode 7 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Ottawa home prices The longest bull market in history What goes up does not have to come down All time highs are normal and should be expected Is the market overvalued? Even the CAPE only explains 40% of future return differences Should you dollar cost average or invest in a lump sum? Your better off in the market than trying to time the market Was WEED an obvious buy at $2.00? There are still plenty of public companies to invest in Small cap returns need to be taken in...
2018-08-2830 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastAsset LocationIn Episode 6 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! Wealthsimple's new no-commission trading platform Do individual stocks ever play a role in a financial plan? Can behavioural coaching be scaled? Being aware of conflicts of interest Wealth and happiness are not always connected If you buy an R8, you'll want a McLaren next Retiring does not mean doing nothing How do you retire without a financial plan? The 4% rule is false! If you want to retire early Asset location is hard to do, and might not add value The s...
2018-08-1732 minThe Rational Reminder PodcastRethinking Mortgage DebtIn Episode 5 of the Rational Reminder podcast we discussed the following: Checking your credit Optimizing your credit score Investing vs. paying off your mortgage Asset allocation Reframing mortgage debt Are we in a tech bubble? The rise in the US market is backed by fundamentals How the largest Canadian pension funds invest Skewness in VC returns It's still really hard to beat index funds The stories we talked about: Mortgage debt and asset allocation Fed Up Andrew Coyne: Canada Pension Plan's active management strategy is a crock Tiny Wisconsin College Using Index Funds Trounces Endowment Rivals
2018-08-1430 min