Mary Explains Her Fairfax CASA Volunteer Work

In this episode we answer emails from Tim, Anderson, and Pete. We discuss using a Golden Butterfly portfolio for intermediate accumulation, converting 529s to Roths and excessively levered portfolios for small children.  (I can't make this stuff up.)

But first we share Mary’s mission with Fairfax CASA and explain how steady advocacy changes a child’s path, and roll out our Fairfax CASA fundraising campaign in connection with National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Links:

Fairfax CASA Donation Page:  Donate - Fairfax CASA

The Starfish Thrower Philosophy from Episode 441 (Cool New Video!):  The Starfish Thrower Philosophy With Mary.mp4 - Google Drive

Mary's CASA Case Adoption Story:  The Johnson’s Foster Care & Adoption Story

FIRE Takes Podcast:  FIRE Takes Podcast

Portfolio Charts Drawdown Calculator:  Drawdowns – Portfolio Charts

Testfolio Backtester:  testfol.io

Pete's Leveraged Leeroy Jenkins Portfolios:  testfol.io/?s=l7aMOsy4720

Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:

Ever wonder how to save for a goal that’s a few years away without riding stock-market whiplash or leaving too much on the table in cash? We walk through a practical, risk-aware path for mid-term savings and pair it with something close to our hearts: Mary’s work with Fairfax CASA, where trained volunteers are a constant for kids navigating abuse or neglect cases. You’ll hear what CASA volunteers actually do—attend hearings, coordinate services, write court reports, and keep showing up—plus the data that proves consistent advocacy moves outcomes.

From there, we dig into building an intermediate-term portfolio using a risk parity approach like the Golden Butterfly. We explain how to model a real alternative to HYSAs: use long-history T-bill data instead of SHY, add regular monthly contributions to reflect real life, and examine drawdown length and worst-case windows over three to five-year spans. You’ll learn why shorter, shallower drawdowns can matter more than headline returns when timing is uncertain, and how Testfolio helps you compare paths with clarity. We also unpack a powerful planning angle: rolling leftover 529 funds to a Roth IRA under current rules, including holding periods, beneficiary considerations, earned income needs, and why Roth contribution capacity is too valuable to waste.

We don’t shy away from the spicy stuff either—managed futures, leverage, and the gap between theory and practice. Rather than letting fear set the rules, we talk about small, controlled experiments that build skill and confidence. That shift—from anxiety to informed action—can change both your portfolio and your peace of mind.

If this resonates, support Fairfax CASA via the link in the show notes and mention Risk Parity Radio or Mary Vasquez in the comment box. Then hit follow, share the episode with a friend who’s stuck between stocks and savings, and leave a quick review to help more DIY investors find us.

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