In this episode, I sit down with Cullen Roche, financial advisor and portfolio strategist, to discuss why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to investing. Cullen breaks down the most famous investment portfolios in history, from the classic 60/40 to Warren Buffett’s 90/10 strategy, and explains how to customize these models to fit your unique financial situation. Whether you’re saving for retirement, planning a sabbatical, or just getting started with investing, this conversation provides practical, actionable strategies you can implement today.
I explore the psychology of bear markets, the truth about high-yield savings accounts, and why simplicity often beats complexity when it comes to portfolio management. Cullen shares insights from his book and decades of experience working with clients to help listeners understand that investing isn’t about finding the “perfect” strategy, it’s about finding the perfect strategy for you.
Key Takeaways
Everyone has different needs, expenses, and time horizons, so portfolio construction must be personalized to what works for you.
Walter Morgan’s Wellington Fund lost 40% during the Depression but vastly outperformed pure stock portfolios that lost 80%, proving the power of diversification.
High-yield savings accounts simply hold Treasury bills and keep part of the returns, so buying T-bills directly earns you the full yield.
Consolidate accounts with one custodian instead of spreading across multiple platforms to avoid portfolio management becoming a burdensome second job.
When markets drop 40%, investors panic wondering if it will drop to 80%, so building a portfolio you can stick with during downturns is crucial.
Resources
Your Perfect Portfolio, book by Cullen Roche
Chapters
Note: Timestamps are approximate and may vary across listening platforms due to dynamically inserted ads.
(0:00) – Introduction: Why There’s No Perfect Portfolio for Everyone
(0:36) – The Problem with Sales-Driven Finance & Finding Your Custom Fit
(2:20) – The 60/40 Portfolio: History’s Most Famous Investment Strategy
(3:09) – The Great Depression & Walter Morgan’s Wellington Fund Origin Story
(9:07) – The Buffett Portfolio: 90/10 Stocks & T-Bills Strategy
(12:48) – T-Bill and Chill: Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Are a Trap
(18:21) – Simplifying Your Portfolio Management & Avoiding Multiple Accounts
(34:04) – Bear Market Psychology: Why Everyone Panics (And Shouldn’t)
(36:03) – The Bernstein Portfolio: TIPS Ladders & Factor Investing
(46:52) – International vs US Stocks: The Great Diversification Debate
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