Good time to own a bunker
Moderator: Global Moderator
Good time to own a bunker
Sometime in mid 2009 I transitioned from a supposedly conservative (40% equity, small cap and value tilted, globally-diversified DFA fund) portfolio that had been thoroughly backtested and was projected to be subject to at worst an 8-9% drawdown but which lost ~23% during the GFC to the PP. I did so after reading the epic thread on the PP on Bogleheads by Craig Rowland and J.M. Lawson.
At that time I happened to correspond with Bob Clyatt, a Wharton finance guy whose book "Work Less, Live More" is a classic. Since my previous portfolio was basically identical to the one he recommended in his book I asked him what he thought about the PP. He said, "man that's quite a bunker."
Fast forward to today are here are the YTD returns of a slew of popular "lazy" portfolios:
https://portfolioslab.com/lazy-portfolios
The YTD winner should be a surprise to no one, but there are a bunch of other allocations prominent featured on the Portfolio Charts site that also consistently prove their value during market meltdowns like the one we're going through now. Deep gratitude to Harry Browne for his insights, and to Tyler for carrying them forward in new and innovative ways.
As a Golden Butterfly enthusiast myself the only "rebalancing" I plan on doing while this storm is pounding us is to PP-ify my GB - letting the stocks continue their downward drift all the way to 25% if need be and making sure all of the rest is well balanced between Treasuries and gold (I use a barbell of VGSH and VTIP for the bonds anyway).
At that time I happened to correspond with Bob Clyatt, a Wharton finance guy whose book "Work Less, Live More" is a classic. Since my previous portfolio was basically identical to the one he recommended in his book I asked him what he thought about the PP. He said, "man that's quite a bunker."
Fast forward to today are here are the YTD returns of a slew of popular "lazy" portfolios:
https://portfolioslab.com/lazy-portfolios
The YTD winner should be a surprise to no one, but there are a bunch of other allocations prominent featured on the Portfolio Charts site that also consistently prove their value during market meltdowns like the one we're going through now. Deep gratitude to Harry Browne for his insights, and to Tyler for carrying them forward in new and innovative ways.
As a Golden Butterfly enthusiast myself the only "rebalancing" I plan on doing while this storm is pounding us is to PP-ify my GB - letting the stocks continue their downward drift all the way to 25% if need be and making sure all of the rest is well balanced between Treasuries and gold (I use a barbell of VGSH and VTIP for the bonds anyway).
- dualstow
- Executive Member
- Posts: 15189
- Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
- Location: searching for the lost Xanadu
- Contact:
Re: Good time to own a bunker
Love it
Monstres and tokeninges gert he be-kend, / And wondirs in the air send.
Re: Good time to own a bunker
And here I thought this post was about a literal bunker haha.
- dualstow
- Executive Member
- Posts: 15189
- Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
- Location: searching for the lost Xanadu
- Contact:
Re: Good time to own a bunker
You mean, you guys don’t? 
Monstres and tokeninges gert he be-kend, / And wondirs in the air send.
Re: Good time to own a bunker
I have plenty of Larabars on hand!
Actually, have plenty of several items on hand.
Just part of my buying low philosophy. Stock up, clear the shelves when items on sale.
Recently bought about 60 jars of peanut butter, saving me $60 and an instant 33% return on my investment1
That buying habit allowed me to not have to leave my property for two months after we all came home in March 2020. And, I did not have any food brought to my house. For those two months existed off what was already in my house.
Just another side benefit to my eccentric lifestyle.
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
- dualstow
- Executive Member
- Posts: 15189
- Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
- Location: searching for the lost Xanadu
- Contact:
Re: Good time to own a bunker
What about T.P.?
Monstres and tokeninges gert he be-kend, / And wondirs in the air send.
Re: Good time to own a bunker
What do you mean? You let the SCV fall and not rebalance into it? Wouldn't this be a good time to do so if you like the GB?Kevin K. wrote: ↑Sat Apr 05, 2025 6:07 pm
As a Golden Butterfly enthusiast myself the only "rebalancing" I plan on doing while this storm is pounding us is to PP-ify my GB - letting the stocks continue their downward drift all the way to 25% if need be and making sure all of the rest is well balanced between Treasuries and gold (I use a barbell of VGSH and VTIP for the bonds anyway).
Re: Good time to own a bunker
More of the same.
I'm not a shop every week for what I need each week person. I buy on sale or large quantities. Hopefully, both at the same time.
I may have ordered a large quantity from Amazon during that time which I'm still using.
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."