Constructing a Bond Ladder with UCITS iBonds (Updated Review)

September 18, 2023 Raph Antoine

Have you ever considered matching Bond cash flows with a life event, like buying a house, or kids’ tuition fees, by using an ETF? 

iBonds act like regular Bonds. The ETF will mature, and you will be repaid at a predetermined date.

However, they offer several ETF advantages over regular bonds – they trade like stocks, are diversified, and don’t require high investment amounts to get started.

Vanguard LifeStrategy Review – A Retriever In A Babushka Doll

September 11, 2023 Raph Antoine

Your friend’s stock first skyrocketed, then hit a plateau, and ultimately lagged behind the market. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s a tale as old as time. He’s now so attached to it, he can’t bear to sell. Imagine a world where he didn’t agonise over every buy or sell.

A world without the balancing act of portfolio rebalancing.

He probably hasn’t even heard of Vanguard LifeStrategy. And with the hefty fees his financial advisor charges, that’s hardly surprising.

Enter a quasi Golden Retriever Portfolio in a single fund.

Cycling Tibet – Spiritual, Ballistic, Magnificent.

September 3, 2023 Raph Antoine

Tibet was the most rewarding part of all my cycling adventures, not only because of physical challenges.

Spiritual Tibet played a big role.

But I quickly realized other aspects that make it a unique place.

This region is the heartland of Nuclear China and a place with extensive minorities including Hui Muslims and Tu Mongols whose ancestors served in Ghenghi Khan’s army.

But China was also the most challenging country I have cycled in.

Weekend Reading – Weak Currencies: How To Avoid Losses

September 1, 2023 Team Bankeronwheels

▶ Should You Hedge Currencies?
▶ Should you have commodities in your portfolio?
▶ How Dividends contributed to total returns in different markets
▶ Why China’s economy ran off the rails
▶ Sector composition of the S&P 500 since 1985
▶ If the UK stock market is cheap, why doesn’t it go up?
▶ BRICS is fake

Currency Royale – Should You Hedge Your Bonds?

August 28, 2023 Raph Antoine

Navigating the world of bonds can be a treacherous journey, especially when it comes to currency hedging.

Can your strategy change based on your home currency? Does it matter if you invest in Euros, or Swiss Francs? Is the British Pound any different? What about other currencies?

Is the decision to hedge impacted by your life situation and goals?

Weekend Reading – Best Bond ETFs & 9 Biggest Mistakes Millennials Make

August 18, 2023 Team Bankeronwheels

➡️ Market Cap (Weighted) Hated Indexes
➡️ Why Aren’t Investors Selling Stocks to Buy Bonds?
➡️ One of the best ways to build and maintain an investment portfolio is by stress testing different scenarios
➡️ No time to risk- how to pick a bond ETF for the long run
➡️ Visualising the $105 trillion economy in one chart
➡️ Why Aren’t Investors Selling Stocks to Buy Bonds?
➡️ Is Britain really as poor as Mississippi?