Should You Replace Bonds With Cash?
Not many investors are enthusiastic about bonds these days, and it’s hard to blame them. While rates have ticked up in the last few weeks, they’re still so low that even some sophisticated investors...
View ArticleRaining on the All Seasons Portfolio
Investors are hungry for success stories, especially tales that include high returns with low risk. And the investment industry is always happy to stoke that appetite. One of the most popular stories...
View ArticleIt’s Better With Beta
The title of Larry Swedroe’s latest book, The Incredible Shrinking Alpha, raises a question: what happened to the idea that skilled managers can consistently beat the market? In a recent interview with...
View ArticleThe Real Problem With Inflation-Protected Bonds
When I announced my stripped-down model portfolios at the beginning of last year, one of the asset classes I dropped was real-return bonds (RRBs). Part of the reason was simplicity: it’s easier to...
View ArticleCost Versus Convenience in “ex Canada” ETFs
I used to own one of those one-piece cutlery tools designed for hiking and camping—the kind with a knife, fork and spoon that all fold into a single unit. It was hardly ideal for eating, especially if...
View ArticleCouch Potato Portfolio Returns for 2016
If you believe the media, 2016 was an annus horribilis: some even dubbed it the worst year ever. I think there were a few years during the Great Depression or World War II that might have been worse,...
View ArticleCouch Potato Portfolio Returns for 2017
They contained no marijuana stocks and no bitcoin, but the Couch Potato portfolios put up another good year in 2017. Once again, investors were rewarded for simply following a disciplined, low cost,...
View ArticleAmid market volatility, GICs can provide a much-needed refuge
GICs have a place in almost any balanced portfolio, where they can be a complement to bonds. [Globe and Mail]
View ArticleHow much of my investments should be in gold?
While the yellow metal can lower your volatility, it will probably also reduce your expected return. [MoneySense]
View ArticlePodcast 16: Common Sense With Ben Carlson
In Episode 16 of the Canadian Couch Potato podcast, I’m joined by Ben Carlson, the author of A Wealth of Common Sense and creator of the excellent blog of the same name. Ben is also Director of...
View ArticleBond Basics 2: Why Your ETF Isn’t Losing Money
In my latest podcast, I answer a series of frequently asked questions about bonds. The second of these came from a reader named Andrew: “I have been investing using your Couch Potato strategy for just...
View ArticleBond Basics 3: Should You Wait for Higher Yields?
In my last podcast, I set out to answer a series of common questions about bonds. Here’s one I’ve been hearing on and off since 2009: “With yields so low now, is it even worth it to invest in bonds?...
View ArticleIt’s Better With Beta
The title of Larry Swedroe’s latest book, The Incredible Shrinking Alpha, raises a question: what happened to the idea that skilled managers can consistently beat the market? In a recent interview with...
View ArticleThe Real Problem With Inflation-Protected Bonds
When I announced my stripped-down model portfolios at the beginning of last year, one of the asset classes I dropped was real-return bonds (RRBs). Part of the reason was simplicity: it’s easier to...
View ArticleCost Versus Convenience in “ex Canada” ETFs
I used to own one of those one-piece cutlery tools designed for hiking and camping—the kind with a knife, fork and spoon that all fold into a single unit. It was hardly ideal for eating, especially if...
View ArticleCouch Potato Portfolio Returns for 2016
If you believe the media, 2016 was an annus horribilis: some even dubbed it the worst year ever. I think there were a few years during the Great Depression or World War II that might have been worse,...
View ArticleBond Basics 2: Why Your ETF Isn’t Losing Money
In my latest podcast, I answer a series of frequently asked questions about bonds. The second of these came from a reader named Andrew: “I have been investing using your Couch Potato strategy for just...
View ArticleBond Basics 3: Should You Wait for Higher Yields?
In my last podcast, I set out to answer a series of common questions about bonds. Here’s one I’ve been hearing on and off since 2009: “With yields so low now, is it even worth it to invest in bonds?...
View ArticleCouch Potato Portfolio Returns for 2017
They contained no marijuana stocks and no bitcoin, but the Couch Potato portfolios put up another good year in 2017. Once again, investors were rewarded for simply following a disciplined, low cost,...
View ArticleAmid market volatility, GICs can provide a much-needed refuge
GICs have a place in almost any balanced portfolio, where they can be a complement to bonds. [Globe and Mail]
View Article