Episode Summary

Jeff Benjamin gets a makeover! For his portfolio, that is. Christine Benz of Morningstar hosts an annual portfolio makeover, and this year Jeff took part to learn about it, and act as a guinea pig. Hear his lessons learned. Jeff and Bruce Kelly also host their colleague, Stephen Lamb, to go behind the scenes of the inspiring 2020 ESG Film Festival, which took place virtually on Dec. 3.

Episode Notes

Interview with Christine Benz - :45-20:15

• Portfolio makeovers concept – 1:00
• Who gets a makeover – 2:45
• Themes from the makeover process – 5:30
• The value of simplicity – 10:00
• Do people actually listen? – 12:00
• Jeff Benjamin’s portfolio goes under the microscope – 15:00
• The importance of saving/spending rate to a financial plan – 16:30
• The right withdrawal rate at the start of retirement – 17:30
• Bond allocations – 18:30

Interview with Stephen Lamb - 20:30 - 32:30

• ESG Film Festival Description - 21:00
• Origins of the festival - 23:15
• Highlights from this year's festival - 27:15
• The winning film - Flowers in the River - 29:15
• Where to watch the films - 30:30

Watch the 2020 ESG Films!

Related Article:  Morningstar makeover confirms I need to keep leaning on stocks

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Guest Bios: 

Christine Benz is Morningstar's director of personal finance and author of "30-Minute Money Solutions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Finances" and "Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds: 5-Star Strategies for Success." Follow Christine on Twitter @christine_benz

Stephen Lamb is director of multimedia for InvestmentNews.  A nine-year veteran of the indie filmmaking trenches, Steve now oversees the production of video and podcast projects, and organizes the ESG Film Festival. You can find him on a bike or at home pleading with his daughter to only eat one more marshmallow, and not five. On twitter @slimslamb