Episode 95, The Power of Simplicity in Investing with Ben Felix

Ben Felix on Simplicity, Private Equity, Factor Investing, and Living a Good Life

In this episode of the Bogleheads® on Investing Podcast, host Jon Luskin, CFP®, sits down with Ben Felix, CFA, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer at PWL Capital and co-host of the Rational Reminder podcast.

Their conversation covers what drives long-term investing success, why simplicity beats complexity, and how investors can avoid distractions from expensive and unnecessary strategies. They also discuss:

* Why low costs, diversification, and asset allocation matter most
* The hidden incentives behind heavily advertised financial products, including private equity
* When tax planning is mostly a sales pitch
* Why all-in-one funds help investors earn better returns
* Using money to build a happier, more meaningful life
* Whether 100% stock portfolios make sense in retirement
* Whether factor investing still works

Jon closes the episode by sharing his own takeaways, including why simplicity frees people to focus on what matters most.

• • •

Jon Luskin, CFP®, a long-time Boglehead and financial planner, hosts this episode of the podcast. The Bogleheads® are a group of like-minded individual investors who follow the general investment and business beliefs of John C. Bogle, founder and former CEO of the Vanguard Group. It is a conflict-free community where individual investors reach out and provide education, assistance, and relevant information to other investors of all experience levels at no cost. The organization supports a free forum at Bogleheads.org, and the wiki site is Bogleheads® wiki.

Since 2000, the Bogleheads® have held national conferences in major cities across the country. In addition, local Chapters and foreign Chapters meet regularly, and new Chapters form periodically. All Bogleheads activities are coordinated by volunteers who contribute their time and talent.

This podcast is supported by the John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy, a non-profit organization approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity on February 6, 2012. Your tax-deductible donation to the Bogle Center is appreciated.

Show Notes:

Using Your Money to Be Happier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9InNdQhFwc

PWL Planning Tools: https://research-tools.pwlcapital.com/

Bill Bengen on Bogleheads on Investing: https://boglecenter.net/bill-bengen-spend-more-money-in-retirement/

Bogleheads® Live with Christine Benz: Episode 37: https://boglecenter.net/bogleheads-live-with-christine-benz-episode-37/

Rational Reminder: Episode 316 - Andrew Chen: "Is everything I was taught about cross-sectional asset pricing wrong?!": https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/316