Portfolio Literacy is dedicated to transparency and promoting free financial literacy for everyone. Here are Portfolio Literacy’s latest blog posts. If you are looking for specific topics, the categories are at the bottom of this page.
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US Credit Downgrade from Moody’s
On May 16, 2025, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, marking the final departure of the U.S. from the top-tier rating among the three major credit agencies. This credit downgrade aligns Moody’s with earlier downgrades by S&P in 2011 and Fitch in 2023, reflecting growing concerns over…
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The Rise of the 50/30/20 Portfolio Allocation
In the world of personal finance and investment strategy, portfolio allocation remains a cornerstone of wealth building. For decades, conventional wisdom has prescribed variations of the 60/40 portfolio—60% equities, 40% bonds—as the go-to mix for balanced, long-term investing. In recent years, that allocation has started to show its age, especially in the face of prolonged…
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How to Stay the Course During Market Volatility
Market volatility can trigger strong emotional responses that lead many investors to make costly mistakes. When markets plummet, it’s natural to feel anxious and consider selling investments to prevent further losses. Staying the course during market turbulence is often the most prudent approach for long-term investors, as historically, markets have always recovered and reached new…
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How Would a Boglehead Invest in Private Credit?
Investing in private credit presents an interesting question for followers of the Jack Bogle investment philosophy. While a Boglehead traditionally focuses on low-cost index funds and publicly traded securities, private credit exists outside this familiar territory. This asset class, which includes direct lending and other non-bank financing, has gained attention for potentially higher yields in…
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Reducing Your Portfolio Beta with Private Credit
In today’s incredibly volatile markets, finding ways to reduce your portfolio’s overall risk without sacrificing returns remains a top priority for investors. Private credit has emerged as a compelling option to achieve this balance, offering potentially attractive yields with lower correlation to public markets. Adding a strategic allocation to private credit can meaningfully reduce your…
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Liberation Day Portfolio Update: April 5th, 2025
Since my last update back in February, I had covered calls expire and sold my Starbucks position providing me more cash, made regular investments through my work 401(k), and my cash savings have gone up due less spending in the end of February and March. Markets absolutely plummeted due to ‘Liberation Day’, the drastic tariffs…
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How to Grow a 3-Fund Dividend Portfolio?
Building a 3-fund dividend portfolio offers a straightforward path to generating dividend income while maintaining simplicity in your investment strategy. By carefully selecting three complementary funds, you can create a balanced approach that provides regular dividend payments without requiring constant portfolio adjustments. Creating a successful 3-fund dividend portfolio requires focusing on total return potential rather…
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Boglehead 3-Fund Portfolio vs 4-Fund Portfolio
Investors seeking straightforward, low-cost investment strategies often encounter the Boglehead approach, inspired by Vanguard founder Jack Bogle’s principles of simplicity and diversification. The classic Three-Fund Portfolio consists of domestic stocks, international stocks, and U.S. bonds—creating a globally diversified investment mix with minimal complexity. Adding a fourth fund, typically international bonds or TIPS, can potentially enhance…
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Building a Dividend Portfolio with Private Credit
Many dividend investors build their portfolio for continued income growth to achieve their financial goals long term. By incorporating private credit, you can potentially enhance this strategy through diversification of asset classes and return structure. Private credit can offer higher yields and diversified returns, benefiting dividend investors seeking a stable income stream long term. When…
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What are US Series EE Bonds?
Series EE Bonds are a non-marketable, interest-bearing savings bonds issued by the U.S. government. When you purchase this type of bond, you’re essentially lending money to the federal government, which promises to pay you back with interest. These bonds are guaranteed to at least double in value when held to their full term, making them…