Shows
Risk Parity RadioEpisode 487: It's Mary Time, Intermediate Accumulation, 529s To Roths, And Leeroy Jenkins Gambling ProblemsIn this episode we answer emails from Tim, Anderson, and Pete. We discuss using a Golden Butterfly portfolio for intermediate accumulation, converting 529s to Roths and excessively levered portfolios for small children. (I can't make this stuff up.)But first we share Mary’s mission with Fairfax CASA and explain how steady advocacy changes a child’s path, and roll out our Fairfax CASA fundraising campaign in connection with National Child Abuse Prevention Month.Links:Fairfax CASA Donation Page: Donate - Fairfax CASAThe Starfish Thrower Philosophy from Episode 441 (Cool New Video...
2026-02-1134 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 475: Managing An Inherited Roth IRA, Roth vs. Traditional Tax Locations, Some Basics With Resources, And Portfolio Reviews As Of December 26, 2025In this episode we answer emails from Tyler, Michael and Jon. We discuss managing an inherited Roth across a 10-year window and related questions, compare VXUS to targeted international tilts, tax and asset location considerations for traditional and Roth IRAs, and talk about some of the basic ideas for achieving higher safe withdrawal rates.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.Additional Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterGolden Ratio Po...
2025-12-2848 min
Close Up RadioClose Up Radio Spotlights P. Frank Vasquez of In Search of HopeTrenton, NJ - It’s not every day you encounter someone whose life story reads like a gripping novel, but P. Frank Vasquez is living proof that resilience can carve pathways where none seem to exist. Once an aspiring police officer, a thriving model, and bodybuilder, Vasquez’s journey took a dramatic turn after a devastating accident left him battling traumatic brain injury, paralysis, depression, and ultimately, a loss of hope. Today, he leads In Search of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people facing overwhelming adversity.Vasquez’s early ambitions were dashed in the af...
2025-12-1636 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 470: Short Term Bonds, A Growth Plan For A Late Starter, A Birthday Wish And Portfolio Reviews As Of December 5, 2025In this episode we answer emails from Adam, Cha Cha, and TJ. We discuss how cash and short-term bonds affect safe withdrawal rates, why the Golden Butterfly’s allocation is a preference not a rule, and how to build a growth-first plan when you’re starting late. And we wish Happy Birthday to Mick the Mugga Mugga.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.Additional Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterMan...
2025-12-0748 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 469: Risk Parity For Charity, Managing Indvidual REITs, And Reverse GlidepathsIn this episode we answer emails from Patrick, Kyle, and Dave. We discuss the advantages of using risk parity style portfolios for higher withdrawal rates, how to manage a sleeve of individual REITs, the joys of giving in its various forms, a risk parity style portfolio in a Donor Advised Fund, and reverse glide paths. We share how planned generosity, donor-advised funds, and employer matches can make retirement more meaningful.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterKitces & Carl podcast about "Frugal Bob": Helping Retired Clients To Actually Start Spen...
2025-12-0339 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 468: Revisiting Listener Gambling Problems, Canadian Considerations, And A Visit To the Father McKenna CenterIn this episode we answer emails from Grant, Brian, and Mourad. We unpack Grant's various gambling problems with leveraged ETFs and Bitcoin wrappers, owning gold in CAD or USD for Canadians, the role of preferred shares and Mourad's recent visit to the Father McKenna Center.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterChoose FI Podcast #574: Top Five Regrets of the Dying (Book Club with Frank Vasquez and Ginger) | Ep 574Mary's CASA Case Adoption Story: The Johnson’s Foster Care & Adoption StoryPortfolio Charts Global Analysis: What Gl...
2025-11-2733 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 461: Transitioning To Forever Plans, SCHD And Bitcoin, Our Purpose For Value, And When To Make Adjustments (Probably Never)In this episode we answer emails from Tyson, Patrick, and Shuchi. We discuss the basics of transitioning, SCHD as a value fund choice, bitcoin vs. gold, why "only works for 30 years" is a fake problem, the difference between our use of value funds vs. Paul Merriman's, and when would me make adjustments to our plans in retirement.Links:Bigger Pockets Money Podcast #1: The Secret to a 5% Safe Withdrawal Rate | Frank VasquezBigger Pockets Money Podcast #2: We Built a 5% SWR Retirement Portfolio Using Fidelity in 48 Minutes (Golden Ratio Portfolio)Morningstar Analysis of SCH...
2025-10-3044 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 459: Kicks And Giggles With A Bogleheads Forum Thread And Practical Issues About Evolving From Accumulation To DecumulationIn this episode we answer emails from Luc and Nick. We discuss the four levels of investors, the fundamental problems with identity that terms like "saver" and "Boglehead" cause per Morgan Housel, fallacious reasoning often applied to investing and portfolio construction, equity core with growth–value balance and small-cap value tilt, VTI vs VUG trade-offs and tax considerations, tax efficient asset location for bonds, equities, gold, considerations about alternatives like managed futures, and using risk parity portfolios for intermediate term savings during your accumulation phase.Links:Luc's Boglehead Forum Link: Golden Ratio Portfolio - Frank Vasq...
2025-10-2345 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 455: Transitions, Calculators And Golden Bucketeering!In this episode we answer questions from Chris, George and "I Have No Name." We discuss a transition situation with bonus portfolio question, the plusses and minuses of Pralana and similar calculators, and an amusing take on the Golden Butterfly portfolio reimagined.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterRational Reminder Podcast: David C. Brown: The Underperformance of Target Date Funds | Rational Reminder 374Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:What happens when you need to transition from a high-equity portfolio to a risk parity approach but fac...
2025-09-1840 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 453: Managed Futures, Bengen's New Book, And Vanguard Personal Advisor FolliesIn this episode we answer emails from Adam, Private Cowboy, and Jose. We discuss managed futures (again with references!), Bill Bengen's latest book and how it integrates into our approach, and the pros and cons of a Vanguard Personal Advisor-created portfolio and the hypocritical quandaries it creates with the gods of Simplicity.Links:Demystifying Managed Futures: Demystifying Managed FuturesBloomberg Presentation On Investments In Inflationary Environments: MH201-SteveHou-Bloomberg.pdfDunn Capital Analysis: High-Vol-Trend-Following-Trend-Index-Edition-0825-DIGITAL.pdfKardinal Financial Video: What is Alternative Investing?Interview of Bill Bengen: Episode 195: The 4...
2025-09-1155 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 452: Thanks Again For Your Generosity, Avoiding Calculator Jockeys, Calculation Shortcuts And Portfolio Reviews As Of September 5, 2025in this episode we answer emails from Chris, Trudie, and Earl. Highlights: The Father McKenna Center "Top of the T-shirt" campaign raised over $66,624 thanks to generous listener contributions; financial advisors are conflicted and also relatively uninformed marketing machines who are not very curious about finances and are too reliant on calculators; AI tools like Copilot can help implement risk parity strategies when fed quality information.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.If you have comments or questions, please em...
2025-09-0736 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 451: Market Musings And Entertaining A Ted Baxter CloneIn this episode we answer emails from Andy, Phil and Brady. We entertain Andy's musings on small cap value and the economy with crystal balls and complex adaptive systems theory, discuss the foibles of radio personalities attempting to try to be able to comment on what we do -- and their hypocrisies and conflicts of interest --, and touch base with the parent of a special needs child.Links:Phil's link to Radio Personality Podcast: Query Day - Talking Real Money - Investing Talk - Apple PodcastsMary Tyler Moore Episode: The Mary Tyl...
2025-09-0439 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 449: A Transition, Personal Finance Is Still Finance, And Fun With Mary And Coaching StuffIn this episode we answer emails from Nick, No Name, and Nathan. We discuss transitioning at 70% to FI, the inherent problems with a lot of psychology-based and convenience-based finance media and personal finance that fails to do the finance part first, Mary's amusement with Frank's ego (don't encourage him), and financial coaching.And we get to hear from Abby at the Father McKenna Center.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterShannon's Demon Article: Unexpected Returns: Shannon's Demon & the Rebalancing Bonus – Portfolio ChartsVideo Interview of Ab...
2025-08-2737 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 448: The Problem With Simulated Crystal Balls, Cleveland Rocks, And Portfolio Reviews As Of August 22, 2025In this episode we answer emails from Dave, Mike, and Andy. We discuss an inherited IRA, 529s, how historical data provides more reliable investment guidance than simulated data based on crystal balls, particularly when considering economic environments and asset correlations, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland Rocks!And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.Additional Links:Father McKenna Center Donations: Donate - Father McKenna CenterListener Blog Post Describing Risk Parity Concepts And Fou...
2025-08-2542 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 447: The OG Cowbell, Some Dueling Blog Posts, Spending And Enjoying More With Bill Bengen, And Musings About Gold 'N BitcoinIn this episode we answer emails from Evan, James and Brandy. We discuss the joys of more cowbell from first principles and its origin story, a recent back-and-forth between Karsten and Tyler, the inherent problems with trying to massage data with crystal balls and what it's really revealing about the shortcomings of a basic 75/25 portfolio, some nuggets from Bill Bengen's new book, and some musings about bitcoin and gold.Links:Early Retirement Now Article: Can we increase the Safe Withdrawal Rate with Small-Cap Value Stocks? – SWR Series Part 62 - Early Retirement NowPortfolio Char...
2025-08-2029 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 444: Weird 401ks, Portfolio Visualizer Experiences And Leveraged FundsIn this episode we answer emails from Ian, Bruce and Boone. We discuss dealing with a 401k with limited options, the limitations of the ticker symbol analyzers of Portfolio Visualizer and incorporating individual stocks into a retirement portfolio, and limitations and developments in leveraged ETF land.Note: No podcast this upcoming weekend as Frank and Mary will be on hiatus. Check out Frank's recent interview on the Mile HI FI podcast for more insights and a scintillating discussion about cooked green vegetables.Links:Optimized Portfolio Website: Leverage | Optimized PortfolioTestfolio Website: testf...
2025-08-0728 min
Mile High FI PodcastYou Should Spend More (Probably) – Frank Vasquez | MHFI 279Doug chats with Frank Vasquez from the Risk Parity Radio Podcast about his extensive investing experience while offering insights into balancing life after achieving Financial Independence. Frank discusses the importance of intentional spending, significance of meaningful relationships, psychology behind saving and spending, how to diversify investments to secure a sustainable future, and giving back. Doug & Frank also dive into a listener’s question about managing financial decisions during market volatility.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Curious to know exact...
2025-08-051h 23Mile High FI PodcastYou Should Spend More (Probably) – Frank Vasquez | MHFI 279Doug chats with Frank Vasquez from the Risk Parity Radio Podcast about his extensive investing experience while offering insights into balancing life after achieving Financial Independence. Frank discusses the importance of intentional spending, significance of meaningful relationships, psychology behind saving and spending, how to diversify investments to secure a sustainable future, and giving back. Doug & Frank also dive into a listener’s question about managing financial decisions during market volatility.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Curious to know exact...
2025-08-051h 23Risk Parity RadioEpisode 441: Three Milestones, Starfish, A Requested Rant And Portfolio Reviews As Of July 25, 2025In this episode we celebrate some milestones and answer emails from Amy and John. We discuss the 10-year anniversary of Portfolio Charts, our one millionth download and Mary's good news about her CASA work. Then we talk about the parable of the Starfish Thrower, go on requested rant about personal finance hoarding cultures and financially privileged people looking for pats on the head and their willing AUM facilitators, and talk about how real happiness and legacies are created. And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can fi...
2025-07-2751 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 440: Looking At Some Charts, Inheritance Headaches, Bonds And Gold, And Celebrating OzzyIn this episode we celebrate Ozzy Osbourne and answer emails from Iron Tony, Ben and Robbin. We discuss some of the charts at Portfolio Charts and some related research, the unexpected problems of complex trusts and the value of simplifying estate planning by giving money away while you are alive and balancing treasury bonds, gold, and equity allocations to create resilient portfolios.If you'd like to move to the front of the email line, please consider donating to the Father McKenna Center at fathermckennacenter.org or through the support page at riskparityradio.com.Links:
2025-07-2444 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 439: Our Annual Rebalancing Episode And A Baby With A Gambling ProblemIn this shocking, season-ending episode we answer an email from another generous and Nameless listener regarding a levered portfolio for Nameless, Jr., their omnipotent baby in waiting. We also have fun with Fibonacci numbers. And THEN we do our annual rebalancings of the first four sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio. And we also do our weekly portfolio reviews.Additional Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center Bigger Pockets Money Podcast #1: The Secret to a 5% Safe Withdrawal Rate | Frank VasquezBigger Pocke...
2025-07-2046 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 438: Should We Market Time Gold, What About TIPS, And What About The Children?In this episode we answer emails from Brian, Gary and Rob. We discuss the foibles of follies of attempting to market-time gold, the fundamental problems of trying to use TIPS as inflation "hedges" in a diversified portfolio and the limited circumstances in which they make sense, introducing children to financial topics, and tax considerations in making portfolio transitions.Please remember to check out our alternative website design by clicking "Alt Site" at the top right of riskparityradio.com and send your feedback to frank@riskparityradio.com.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate...
2025-07-1634 min
BiggerPockets Money PodcastThe Portfolio that Supports a 5% Safe Withdrawal Rate | Frank VasquezIn this episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by Frank Vasquez, host of the Risk Parity Radio Podcast. Frank introduces the concept of a risk parity portfolio. Rather than relying on traditional stock-heavy portfolios, Frank reveals how strategic diversification across asset classes can potentially support higher withdrawal rates while actually reducing your risk of running out of money.
The conversation covers the nuances of structuring a portfolio with equities, bonds, and alternative assets like gold and managed futures. They also explore the implications of real estate investments and the...
2025-07-1558 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 436: Your Fear of Running Out of Money May Be Something Else And Portfolio Reviews As Of July 4, 2025In this episode we explore one big long answer to an email from Bob about why people refuse to spend money in retirement despite having more than adequate resources. We touch on the math and psychology of the Possibility Effect and how to use Base Rates to overcome that, what the numbers say you really should be afraid of, how to break down expenses to alleviate fears and the real underlying problem in many cases, which is not fear, but personal identity rooted in "Frugality Inertia."And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio r...
2025-07-061h 02Risk Parity RadioEpisode 435: Catching Up To Risk Parity And Fun With Forex And A Vanguard Market Neutral FundIn this episode we answer emails from Tracy, Mike and "Some Call Me" Tim. We discuss the speculations and gambles of Forex, portfolio transitions, the Vanguard Market Neutral Fund and moving overseas. And we have a mystery guest reader!Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterCatching Up To FI Website: Financial Independence - Catching up to FIVMNFX Testfolio Comparative Analysis: https://testfol.io/analysis?s=eFgblWT8SJOVMNFX Home Page: VMNFX-Vanguard Market Neutral Fund Investor Shares | VanguardMorningstar VMNFX: VMNFX – Vanguard Market Ne...
2025-07-0327 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 433: More About Transitions, Leveraged ETFs And Other Gambling Problems And Wisdom From The Great Jim RohnIn this episode we answer questions from Mason, Brian, and Anonymous. We discuss portfolio transitions from a highly overlapped portfolio and related consideration, treasury strips funds and leveraged ETFs (twice), and the power of advice from the great Jim Rohn. UNLIMITED POWER.Just remember that "Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion."And we discuss our campaign for the Father McKenna Center and Quebecois updates to our website.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterThe Source of the "We Don't Know" Clip: Jim Rohn...
2025-06-2642 minRisk Parity RadioEpisode 432: A Transition Quandary, The 25 x 4 Portfolio, RPR On Afford Anything Podcast, Other Stuff And Portfolio Reviews As Of June 20, 2025In this episode we answer emails from Isaiah, Jack, Jon and Luke. We discuss preliminary transition issues and de-risking, Jack's "25 x 4" risk parity style portfolio, Invictus and similar themes, treasury bonds and gold as co-diversifiers and ESG funds. And revel on how we Tom Sawyer'ed Paula Pant into creating a nice 'Risk Parity Portfolio Blueprint" for us.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.To donate to the Top of the T-Shirt campaign and double your fun, please visit th...
2025-06-2248 min
Afford AnythingHow to Retire at 50 While Supporting Aging Parents, with Frank VasquezDOWNLOAD the RISK PARITY PORTFOLIO CHEAT SHEET at affordanything.com/riskparity
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#618: Frank Vasquez watched his parents, ages 91 and 96, struggle financially in retirement.
They were immigrants. His dad was a physician. They raised five kids. They retired in the early 1990’s. But by 2009, they ran out of money.
When Frank was 45, in 2009, his parents would call asking for money to help make ends meet.
This reality hit Frank hard and sparked a decade-long quest to crack the code on sustainable retirement withdrawals.
At age 45, Frank set an ambitious go...
2025-06-201h 16Risk Parity RadioEpisode 431: Websites And Roundtables And A Couple New Funds And Gold vs. BondsIn this episode we answer emails from Luc, Craig, Luke and Lucky. We discuss updating the website, my recent roundtable on the Stacking Benjamins podcast, Achilles heels, and the inherent problems with not using proper forecasting techniques applied to CAPE ratios and other things, new funds like AVUQ and FFUT, and gold versus bonds in a portfolio.Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna CenterStacking Benjamins YouTube Live Stream Roundtable: Decumulational Strategies: The Special Retirement Spend Down Strategy RoundtableListen Notes Link: Risk Parity Radio (podcast) - Fran...
2025-06-1235 min