How exposed is my portfolio to the U.S. stock markets?
We select a range of portfolios, examine how they are exposed to U.S. markets and the simple steps to increase portfolio diversification.
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Sep 84 min read
Will Guyton-Klinger guardrails allow me to withdraw 7% a year?
Do Guyton-Klinger guardrails allow us to take 7% from our portfolio from the first decade of retirement? Does a cash buffer help?
Sep 87 min read
Renaissance Technologies. The greatest hedge fund of all? Updated for 2024
We examine what many consider the greatest hedge fund of all time: Renaissance Technologies. What's its secret?
Sep 83 min read
Book Review: 'Smarter Investing' (4th Edition) by Tim Hale
Tim Hale's book gives you all you need to build a robust portfolio, taking you all the steps from the evidence to actual implementation.
Aug 217 min read
Why we don't rely on cashflow software when planning retirement income
Cashflow modelling software is often used to evaluate the feasibility of client objectives. We identify the limitations of this approach.
Jul 299 min read
Factor investing hasn't worked for 15 years. Why do we still use it?
We take a deep dive into all things factor-related. Performance over the last decade hasn't been great. So why do we stick with it?
Jul 297 min read
Are stock markets efficient? No, but they are for you!
Market efficiency is often talked about in binary terms, being described as "efficient" or "not efficient". Our view: "It's complicated!"
Jun 205 min read
Investing: what is working now? Summer 2024 edition
We examine recent investment trends over the last few years and use the Scoville scale to compare their relative "hotness"
Jun 107 min read
Could a star fund manager send your retirement into a black hole?
Investing your retirement portfolio with "market-beating" star fund managers can seem very appealing. Does the reality live up to the hype?
May 266 min read
The most efficient way to blow up your retirement plan
In a perfect world, retirees would hold diversified portfolios, pay low fees and not misbehave. How might things look in an imperfect world?
May 175 min read
Living too long - how bad is it for your retirement plan?
People are living longer. How might you have to alter your retirement lifestyle if you are worried that you might live longer than planned?
May 153 min read
Happy first birthday to Pyrford Financial Planning!
Pyrford Financial Planning is one year old! We say a few thank yous and discuss why it's a great time to run a financial planning firm.
May 92 min read
Retirement planning concepts that sound good in theory
There are many retirement planning concepts that claim to offer beneficial retirement outcomes. This post aggregates our research
May 73 min read
Smoothed funds - the holy grail of retirement planning?
Smoothed funds are often claimed to reduce portfolio volatility during turbulent markets. We investigate whether these claims stack up.
Apr 275 min read
Using a natural income strategy. The natural choice?
The natural income strategy involves a retiree living off the income from their portfolio. We examine the downsides.
Apr 246 min read
Sequence of Returns Risk. A misunderstood concept?
Sequence of Returns Risk is seen by some as a tiger waiting to pounce at the first sign of market volatility. Do they have valid concerns?
Apr 510 min read
Using the Guyton Klinger withdrawal guardrails - updated for 2024
Guyton-Klinger guardrails aim to improve upon Bill Bengen's research. Should retirees use this framework? What are the downsides?
Apr 23 min read
Increasing client engagement with the One-Page Financial Plan
The One-Page Financial Plan is a high-level summary of the underlying financial plan. Read how we tweaked the process to increase engagement
Mar 314 min read
Buffett's $1m bet with the hedge funds. What did it really teach us?
In 2008, Warren Buffett wagered that the S&P 500 would outperform a basket of hedge funds over the decade. What can we learn from this?
Feb 284 min read
Does buying an annuity improve retirement income sustainability?
Annuity rates have improved in recent times. Can they now help to create a more sustainable retirement income?
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