Canadian Couch Potato

Dan Bortolotti

Canadian Couch Potato is a podcast designed to help you become a better investor with index funds and ETFs. It is hosted by veteran journalist, blogger, and portfolio manager Dan Bortolotti.

Dan offers straight-up, practical advice for Canadians who want to learn more about index investing, whether they manage their own portfolios or work with an advisor.

Episodes typically feature an interview with an expert on a specific investing or financial planning topic. In a segment called "Bad Investment Advice," Dan pokes fun at unhelpful articles in the financial media, and for "Ask the Spud" he's joined by his colleague Amanda Dalziel to answer investing questions from listeners and blog readers.

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20 episodes
Updated Aug 28, 2019

Episodes20

Newest first

Aug 28, 2019 · 1 hr 4 min
26 - ETF Deep Dive with Erika Toth
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.
Jul 9, 2019 · 50 min
25 - Dr. Steve Wendel on Investor Success
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.
May 21, 2019 · 50 min
24 - Mind Your Money Gaps with Preet Banerjee
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/.
Apr 22, 2019 · 40 min
23 – Ask the Spud Edition
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.
Feb 20, 2019 · 50 min
22 - How Smart is Your Beta?
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.
Dec 20, 2018 · 37 min
21 - Larry Swedroe on Investing in Retirement
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.
Nov 9, 2018 · 58 min
20 - One-Stop ETF Shopping
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.
Oct 6, 2018 · 43 min
18 - Boots on the Ground With Rob Carrick
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.
Oct 6, 2018 · 45 min
17 - Keeping It Real with Ben Rabidoux
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.
Oct 6, 2018 · 36 min
16 - Common Sense With Ben Carlson
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.
Oct 6, 2018 · 54 min
15 - The Value of Simple
Dan chats with John Robertson, author of The Value of Simple, about the trade-offs between cost and complexity in investing. Then we take an in-depth look at a new family of Vanguard ETFs that allow you to build a one-fund portfolio. For complete show notes on The Value of Simple, visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 48 min
14 - How to Make Millions in Bitcoin (Not Really)
Ready to add bitcoin to your ETF portfolio? Dan explains why this is probably a terrible idea. In the interview segment, Dan is joined by financial planner and author Shannon Lee Simmons to discuss her new book, Worry-Free Money. Finally, he answers a common question about dollar-cost averaging. For complete show notes on How to Make Millions in Bitcoin (Not Really), visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 47 min
13 - Here Come the Robots
Robo-advisors are changing the investment landscape in Canada. To learn more about this trend, Dan speaks with Prof. Pauline Shum-Nolan of York University about the future of online ETF portfolio management. Then we answer a listener's question about whether you should borrow to invest. For complete show notes on Here Come the Robots, visit www.canadaincouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 44 min
12 - Robert Shiller: CAPE Crusader
Dan and Prof. Robert Shiller (one of whom has won a Nobel Prize) talk about efficient markets, forecasting stock returns, and the Canadian housing market. Then Dan challenges a new book that promises to save investors from major drawdowns, and answers a listener's question about currency risk. For complete show notes on Robert Shiller: CAPE Crusader, visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 47 min
11 - Fighting Evil with Index Funds
Dan talks to Mike Foy of JD Power about the research firm's recent survey of DIY investors who use online brokerages. He then challenges a magazine article that claims index funds might be an economic evil. Finally, Dan and Amanda comfort an investor who took too much risk and paid the price. For complete show notes on Fighting Evil with Index Funds, visit www.canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 45 min
10 - MoneySense, We Hardly Knew Ye
Dan is joined by David Thomas, former editor-in-chief of MoneySense, to discuss how the magazine has evolved into a digital brand. Then Dan considers whether Canadians need international diversification in their portfolios, and whether it makes sense for a couple in their 70s to fire their advisor and go it alone. For complete show notes visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 34 min
9 - Finding Common Ground
Dan chats with Tom Bradley of Steadyhand Investment Funds about how the 'active vs. passive' debate often misses the key point: that both active investors and Couch Potatoes need to focus on the same things: low cost, broad diversification and discipline. Then, Dan answers a reader question about how to make the most of employer-sponsored RRSPs. For complete show notes visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 51 min
8 - Couch Potato with a Conscience
Tim Nash, the Sustainable Economist, joins Dan to discuss socially responsible investing and whether it's compatible with indexing. Then Dan consoles the hedge fund manager who lost his million-dollar bet with Warren Buffett. Finally, Dan and Amanda consider whether you should build a new ETF portfolio gradually or all at once. For complete show notes, visit candiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 28 min
7 - Making Sense of Bonds
Dan answers frequently asked questions about bonds, including how they are affected by changing interest rates, how to calculate their returns, and whether you still need them in your portfolio. For complete show notes, visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.
Oct 6, 2018 · 40 min
6 - Wishing Upon a Morningstar
Dan speaks to researcher Christopher Davis of Morningstar Canada about the idea of "active share" and whether it has delivered on its promise. Then he considers whether it's OK to pay more for mutual funds that have performed well in the past. Finally, he offers advice for those worried about investing a lump sum when markets are at all-time highs. For complete show notes, visit canadiancouchpotato.com/podcast.