December 19, 2025

Ep 247: Portfolio Construction 101

27 minutes

📌 Episode Overview

When people hear “investing,” they often think about hot stocks, market predictions, or timing the next big move. In this episode of The Weekly Wealth Podcast, Certified Financial Planner David Chudyk breaks down what truly matters: how your portfolio is structured, balanced, and managed over time.

This episode isn’t about what to buy—it’s about why you own what you own, how different investments interact, and how intentional design can lead to better long-term outcomes, especially during market volatility.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

Why portfolio construction matters more than picking the “right” investment
How investors can own great investments but still get poor results
The difference between intelligence and structure in investing
Why most portfolios are built unintentionally—and the risks that creates

📊 Key Concepts Explained 🔹 Alpha vs. Beta

Alpha: Returns above what the market provides
Beta: Exposure to market movement (upside and downside)
Why many investors mistake higher risk for true outperformance

🔹 Concentration Risk

How overexposure to one stock, sector, or employer can quietly build risk
Why diversification doesn’t just grow wealth—it helps preserve it

🔹 Index Funds: Pros & Cons

Pros:

Low cost
Broad market exposure
Simplicity and transparency

Limitations:

Full exposure to market downturns
No built-in risk management or tax coordination
Increasing concentration within major indexes

Index funds are powerful tools—but they are not a full strategy on their own.

🔁 Correlation, Volatility & Real Risk

Why assets that look diversified can still move together
The difference between volatility (movement) and true risk (permanent loss)
How behavior—not numbers—often determines investment outcomes

🏗️ Beyond Stocks: Other Investment Tools

David discusses how different assets can play different roles in a portfolio, including:

Real estate (direct ownership vs. REITs)
Gold and precious metals
Private equity and private credit
Annuities and lifetime income strategies

Each comes with unique risk, liquidity, and complexity trade-offs that must align with your stage of life and financial goals.

⚠️ Why DIY Portfolios Often Struggle

Markets change
Life changes
Taxes become more impactful over time
Decisions get harder as portfolios grow

Portfolio construction isn’t static—it’s an ongoing process that requires coordination, discipline, and emotional control.

✅ The 5 Questions Every Investor Should Ask

What positions should I own?
How much of each should I own?
Why do I own this position?
How does this fit into my overall financial strategy?
When might I sell this position?

Intentional portfolios answer these questions before emotions take over.

🎯 Bonus Question (Don’t Skip This One)

What specific problem would my portfolio solve if markets were flat for the next 10 years?

If your portfolio only works in strong markets, it’s not a strategy—it’s a bet.

📞 Next Steps

If this episode raised questions about how your portfolio is built, you can schedule a 10-minute Vision Call with David at:

👉 www.weeklywealthpodcast.com/vision

No pressure—just a thoughtful conversation.

📣 Stay Connected

Follow The Weekly Wealth Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Share this episode with someone serious about building wealth the right way

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