In this episode we answer emails from Dave, Marcus Vindictus, and Sharon. We take a hard look at what “diversified” really means in retirement and why correlations matter more than fund count. We also talk about simplifying messy accounts, using AI to decode bad 401(k) menus, and making generosity a real part of financial independence.

And we do a fundraising update for Mary's charity, Fairfax CASA, and discuss how CASA stability changes kids’ lives in our Queen Mary segment.

Links:

Fairfax CASA Donation Page: Donate - Fairfax CASA

Testfolio Fund Analysis: Asset Analyzer for ETFs, Stocks, and Funds | testfolio

Testfolio Portfolio Comparison: Portfolio Backtester for ETFs and Asset Allocation | testfolio

Merriman Best-in-Class ETFs: Best ETFs 2025 | Merriman Financial Education Foundation

Dave's Cool New Tool: Rebalancer

Catching Up To FI 401k Podcast: Is Your 401(k) a Mess? Do This Now (Step-by-Step Guide) | Bill & Jackie | 205

Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:

A retirement portfolio can look “responsible” on paper and still blow up when you start taking withdrawals. We dig into a real listener email from a DIY investor who is close to early retirement and trying to understand why an advisor-built mix of total market stocks, dividends, international, corporate bonds, and high-yield bonds doesn’t behave like a true risk parity portfolio when markets get rough.

We walk through the core retirement investing principles we use: define the goal (including a realistic safe withdrawal rate), check correlations so you know whether you’re actually diversified, and stress test over the decades that matter like the 1970s and the early 2000s. Along the way, we explain why credit-heavy bond funds can move with stocks, why Treasury bonds tend to be the better ballast, and why adding true alternatives like gold and managed futures has historically improved drawdown control and withdrawal outcomes.

We also tackle two problems nearly every investor hits: the “robo-advisor spaghetti” account stuffed with hundreds of holdings, and the frustrating 401(k) plan menu full of overpriced or confusing funds. We share a practical shortcut for the 401(k) problem: paste the fund list into an AI tool and ask it which options are closest to an S&P 500 fund or total market index fund and which ones have the lowest fees.

You’ll also hear updates on our fundraising for Fairfax CASA plus a reminder that money is most powerful when it supports a life well lived through giving, volunteering, and legacy planning. If this helps, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a rating or review.

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In this episode we answer questions from Dustin, Optimus Bill and Scott. We discuss the common mistake of chasing tickers and low fees instead of building a portfolio around goals and carefully chosen asset classes, cowbell origins, what to do with large allocations to cash equivalents and how much do you really need, and transitioning to a retirement portfolio. Hint: Search "transitioning" on the podcast page at the website for more podcasts about that.

We also review March market damage and show how diversified risk parity style portfolios hold up when stocks stumble.

And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.

Links:

Fairfax CASA Donation Page: Donate - Fairfax CASA

How To Do An Asset Swap Video from Risk Parity Chronicles: How to Do an Asset Swap

Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:

Zero-fee funds, shiny tickers, and “close enough” substitutions can feel like smart investing, right up until you realize they’re steering your entire asset allocation. We dig into listener questions that expose a common trap: building a portfolio around a fund you like instead of designing a plan around your goals, your time horizon, and the asset classes that actually do the work.

We break down Fidelity Zero funds through a practical lens: mutual fund vs ETF structure, tax efficiency, portability across brokerages, and how to confirm what you’re buying with tools like the Morningstar style box. We also talk plainly about expense ratios in a world where most fees are already low, and why rebalancing, diversification, and holding the intended exposures matter more than shaving a few basis points.

Then we tackle a deceptively simple question about gold. GLTR holds multiple precious metals, but gold has a unique role as a central-bank reserve asset that behaves differently from silver, platinum, and palladium. If your portfolio needs gold as an alternative currency style diversifier, you want a gold ETF, not a basket that “kind of” looks similar.

We also cover asset location and the asset swap idea for cash equivalents, how much to keep in checking for real-life spending, and when it makes sense to shift from an all-stock accumulation portfolio toward Golden Ratio or Golden Butterfly as you approach your financial independence number. Finally, we run through March performance across major assets and our sample portfolios, including a clear reminder about what leverage can do in rough markets.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a DIY investor friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.

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In this episode we answer emails from Andy, John, and Todd. We discuss what "holding dollars" means, the lure of speculation on recent events, the ongoing inadequacies of 401k and 403b plans and their incentives, and small cap value vs. small cap blend. More Cowbell! Before that we trade stories from the EconoMe Conference and spotlight Fairfax CASA’s work with foster kids and our fundraising efforts.

Links:

Fairfax CASA Donation Page: Donate - Fairfax CASA

EconoMe Presentation on Financial Forecasting and Base Rates: F. Vasquez EconoMe 2026 Final Slides.pdf - Google Drive

Testfolio Comparison of LCV vs. LCG vs. SCV vs. SCG: testfol.io/?s=cSv9C5VxOW9

Testfolio Comparison of Golden Ratio Portfolios with Small Cap Variants: testfol.io/?s=hTcOUvd0g4J

Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:

Markets get weird fast: oil shocks, war headlines, and that sickening moment when it feels like every asset in your portfolio is moving together. We dig into a question that pops up in exactly those moments: what does it actually mean when traders say they’re “holding dollars,” and is there a DIY investor version that makes sense? We walk through the mechanics behind dollar demand, why institutional cash moves don’t map neatly onto a home risk parity portfolio, and why cash timing is a low-odds game for long-term investors.

From there, we tackle the real culprit behind most bad decisions: the urge to tinker. We talk leverage, opportunistic investing, and the seductive idea that you’ll spot the perfect entry point if you just watch enough financial news. Our view stays consistent: a disciplined asset allocation, a clear rebalancing rule, and the patience to wait out uncertainty usually beat prediction. If you absolutely must scratch the itch, we discuss how some investors think about volatility tools when the VIX is elevated, and why even “smart” speculation should be capped and rules-based.

We also answer a practical retirement-plan headache: building diversified risk parity style exposure inside a 401k or 403b with limited fund menus. We explain why plan options change slowly, what kinds of “alternative investments” may show up instead, and why pushing for a self-directed brokerage window can be the most effective workaround. Finally, we close with a nerdy but important allocation question: small cap value vs small cap blend, how small cap growth can sneak in, and why index selection (CRSP vs deeper value tilts like S&P 600 value style exposure) can change what your backtest is really telling you.

Subscribe for more DIY investing clarity, share the show with a friend who keeps tinkering, and leave a quick review with your biggest portfolio question.

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