Your go-to podcast for mastering money and investing. Hosted by Tyler Gardner, a trusted influencer with over 2M followers, Your Money Guide on the Side simplif...
Ep 7 - Killing Sacred Cows of Personal Finance, Or, Why I (Really) Don't Love Bonds
Bonds have been a staple in portfolios for decades, often hailed as the “safe” investment that brings stability and protects wealth. But what if I told you that this belief is outdated, and in many cases, dangerously misleading?In today’s episode, I take a hard look at why bonds are overrated, the risks most investors overlook, and whether they deserve a spot in your portfolio at all. While bonds can serve a purpose, blindly following the 60/40 portfolio mantra without questioning its effectiveness can be a costly mistake.We’ll break down the three biggest risks of bonds and why they may not be as “safe” as you think: ✅ Interest Rate Risk – When rates go up, your bond values drop. It’s that simple, and 2022 proved it when the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index suffered its worst year in history. ✅ Inflation Risk – Your 3% return isn’t a real 3% return if inflation is running at 4-5%. That’s a recipe for losing purchasing power over time. ✅ Opportunity Cost – For every dollar you park in bonds, you’re missing out on investments with real growth potential—whether that’s stocks, real estate, or other wealth-building assets.Many investors believe bonds guarantee stability, but I argue that true long-term financial security comes from growth, not just preservation. The reality? A well-diversified stock index fund has statistically near-zero risk of going to zero, while bonds can quietly eat away at your purchasing power.So, do bonds ever make sense? Maybe—if you’re already financially set and just want to protect what you have. But for most investors, the classic advice to shift heavily into bonds at retirement may be one of the biggest financial missteps.This episode isn’t about hating bonds—it’s about thinking critically before defaulting to outdated strategies. Are you actually protecting your wealth? Or are you unknowingly holding yourself back?👉 Tune in now, challenge conventional wisdom, and decide for yourself.
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13:24
Ep 6 - Mike Taormina - Cutting Through Crypto Noise, and a Case for Active Portfolio Management
Back in 2003, I met Mike Taormina at the London School of Economics, never expecting we'd stay in touch—let alone spend decades debating finance and traveling together. Fast forward, and Mike has become a powerhouse in fintech, co-founding Vault, CommonBond, and Alluvial, with a Wharton MBA and a CFA to back it up.But credentials aside, what sets Mike apart is his ability to break down complex crypto and finance topics into something actually useful. In this episode, we dive into decentralized finance, separating the noise from real opportunities, and why blockchain tech is transforming financial transparency.We also discuss personal investing, risk tolerance, debt, and why even a seasoned finance pro like Mike trusts a robo-advisor over DIY trading. Whether you're deep into crypto or just trying to make smarter financial moves, this conversation is packed with insights.
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42:24
Ep 5 - Political Nonsense, the Integrity of Markets, and Broken Clocks as Great Investors
In this week's episode, we explore our common tendency to react emotionally to political elections and their perceived impact on the stock market. I argue that changing investing habits based on external "noise," and it is noise to me, is nonsense; I only change investing habits when my own life or financial needs have changed. Emphasizing and drawing upon historical data, the show explores the market's long term patterns of growth, regardless of who is in office. In short, the market transcends our politics (in a way). Additionally, we explore the pitfalls of trying to time the markets based on politics, business cycles, or consumer sentiment. Finally, as always, we remember that it's normal to feel this way, and the moment of empathy comes form knowing that we all feel this way at times and need to remind one another to take a breath and focus on the long term plan.
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19:26
Ep 4 - Patrick Wetherille - Managing Detractors, Working from Anywhere, and Optimizing our Finances and our Lives
My guest this week, Patrick Wetherille, shares a little bit about his experience with optimizing life, managing empathy through start-up culture, and taking advantage of every opportunity to learn from and alongside business minds at every level. As the episode progresses, Patrick shares his thoughts on the importance of being able to work from anywhere and how that very freedom can often bring teams together and create optimized work cultures and production.
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30:19
Ep 3 - TikTok "Bans," Email Musts, and Building Resilience for the Inevitable Storm
In this episode, I explore the power of diversifying communication channels, income streams, and the irony of many people knowing they should diversify and yet their not quite being able to walk the same walk. When the TikTok "ban" occurred, I was left wondering why so many creators, all of whom discuss the power and importance of diversification on a daily basis, had not diversified their digital assets, as well, and considered their content as part of their overall portfolio.
Your go-to podcast for mastering money and investing. Hosted by Tyler Gardner, a trusted influencer with over 2M followers, Your Money Guide on the Side simplifies the complex, adds nuance to what seems simple, and connects you with the brightest minds in finance, investing, and business. Whether you’re just starting or leveling up, this is your one-stop resource to navigate your own finances with clarity, confidence, and a bit of fun. Let’s get you one step closer to where you need to be.
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