Just Some Musings

October has a scary reputation in the markets, and this year the headlines are delivering: diesel prices, AI stock wobbles, rising bond yields, a U.S. midterm election and a separation referendum at home. Markus and Justin sort through the doom, find the boring good news nobody headlines, and ask a simple question: when exactly were times ever "precedented"?

They dig into why investors keep fighting the last war. After 2008, nobody wanted more than a balanced portfolio. Today, bonds and the 60/40 are written off and everyone wants all-equities. Neither was right. Plus: what Alberta's referendum result means for uncertainty, the closure of Edmonton's legendary BioWare studio, and the growing reach of private equity into everything from game studios to plumbers, farmland and even financial advisory practices.

Find a summary, transcript and more at www.muhs.ca/jsm406

Markus & Justin discuss six key mistakes or misconceptions they see coming up over and over again around Registered Education Savings Plans. Find the episode summary and links at www.muhs.ca/jsm405

In episode 4.04 of the Just Some Musings podcast, Markus and Justin  circle one idea from three different directions: people don't experience their money, or their weather, the way the math does.Find show notes and charts at www.muhs.ca/jsm404

Markus and Justin  discuss the double-edged sword of investment accessibility and the rampant marketing of "shiny objects".

Find episode notes at www.muhs.ca/jsm403

It's easy to feel like the sky is falling. Between geopolitical tensions, market swings, and an endless scroll of alarming headlines, the temptation to abandon your investment plan is very real. Markus and Justin sit down to talk about why balancing how we consume information is just as important as balancing our portfolios. Find notes and links at www.muhs.ca/jsm402

In the kickoff to season four, Markus Muhs and Justin Lee are joined by their newest team member in Edmonton, Sam Slauenwhite. The trio dives into the challenge of managing investments in an era of constant "headline risk," ranging from shifting global power dynamics to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Notes and links at www.muhs.ca/jsm401

Some years in the markets teach us very little. Others are loud, humbling, and educational. As Markus and Justin discuss, 2025 firmly belonged to the latter category.Summary, links, video, transcript will be found a day or two after publication date on https://muhs.ca/jsm311/

Markus and Justin explore AI in financial planning, the hype around alternatives, brand cycles, and the price of gold.

Find the show notes and YouTube video at www.muhs.ca/jsm310

In this episode of Just Some Musings, Markus and Justin sit down with John Bromley, founder of Charitable Impact, to explore the world of donor-advised funds (DAFs) and the future of philanthropy in Canada.

John shares his journey from corporate finance to founding Charitable Impact, an organization designed to empower donors rather than direct them. His goal: to make charitable giving as seamless and impactful as managing a bank account.

You can find summary notes, transcript, link to the YouTube, and more at www.muhs.ca/jsm309

This month Markus and Justin dig into the realities of diversification in today’s markets, explore the growing appeal of direct indexing, unpack the impact of currency swings on your investments, and reflect on the rise of “Everyday Millionaires” (EMILYs).

Find notes, video, and transcript at www.muhs.ca/jsm308