23 – Ask the Spud Edition

Erika Toth from BMO joins Dan for a discussion about the inner workings of ETFs and some of the misunderstandings surrounding these products. Then Dan considers whether the traditional method of building indexes according to company size is flawed. We wrap up with an answer to a listener’s question about how an ETF’s management fees are calculated. For complete show notes on ETF Deep Dive with Erika Toth visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

Psychologist Steve Wendel of Morningstar shares his experience on the behavioural challenges all investors face. Then Dan considers the pros and cons of using a one-fund solution compared with a portfolio built from individual ETFs. For complete show notes on Dr. Steve Wendel on Investor Success visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

Preet Banerjee—blogger, author, media darling, aficionado of fine whisky, and doctoral candidate—joins us to discuss his research on the financial industry in Canada and his outlook for the future of investing. Dan tries to keep it together while rebutting a “study” showing active funds outperform index funds. Finally, we consider whether REITs are a substitute for buying a rental property. For complete show notes on Mind Your Money Gaps with Preet Banerjee visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast/.  

Dan and Amanda answer questions from listeners on topics such as the risk of index funds shutting down, days you should avoid trading ETFs, and whether wealthy investors should hold more than traditional stock and bond portfolios. For complete show notes on our Ask the Spud Edition, visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

John West of Research Affiliates explains smart beta, one of the most important ETF trends. Then Dan considers whether the last few years of strong stock returns has been a “rising tide that lifted all boats.” We round things off with a tribute to the late Jack Bogle, a hero to investors everywhere. For complete show notes on How Smart is Your Beta? visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

Larry Swedroe joins us to discuss his latest book on the challenges of investing in retirement. Then Dan warns about speculators who are held up as “success stories.” Finally, he offers advice for a reader looking to free himself from mutual funds with deferred sales charges. For complete show notes on Larry Swedroe on Investing in Retirement, visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

Dan chats with one of the architects of Vanguard’s popular new asset allocation ETFs, which offer a simple one-fund portfolio for index investors. Then Dan questions whether investing courses are focusing on the right lessons. Finally, he answers a reader’s question about whether it’s better to stop buying bonds and make extra mortgage payments. For complete show notes on One-Stop ETF Shopping, visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

The Globe and Mail’s Rob Carrick talks about his 20-year career in financial journalism and how he manages to stay relevant to his readers. Then Dan takes issue with the idea that screening for individual stocks is like building a “personal index fund.” In the Ask the Spud segment, he argues that the market is efficient whether you’re picking growth stocks or betting against the Blue Jays. For complete show notes on Boots on the Ground With Rob Carrick, visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

Real estate analyst Ben Rabidoux joins Dan to discuss home ownership as an alternative to a traditional portfolio. Then Dan questions why investors would be attracted to ETFs that try to emulate hedge funds. Finally, he encourages Couch Potato investors to forget about keeping a “play money” account to trade individual stocks. For complete show notes on Keeping it Real With Ben Rabidoux, visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.

Dan talks investing with Ben Carlson, author of the book and blog A Wealth of Common Sense. Then he explains why candlesticks and death crosses are tools for the dumb money. In Ask the Spud, Dan answers a reader question about whether you need REITs in your ETF portfolio. For complete show notes on Common Sense With Ben Carlson, visit canadaincouchpotato.com/podcast.