As you browse the site today, you may notice a number of cosmetic changes and a moderately significant reorganization. There are two things going on, and both are part of my normal process of continuous improvement. The first is just a straightforward effort to clearly communicate the features that are free for everyone (nearly everything) and what is reserved for Portfolio Charts members. And the second is a major upgrade to the member perks that I think you’ll like a lot.
The big news is that the custom data functionality that powered the old Toolkit spreadsheet downloads has been rolled into a new online feature called the Members Toolkit. It’s way easier to use, allowing you to mix your own asset data and portfolio settings directly into the online charts instead of fussing with complicated downloads and overwhelming data collection efforts. And even better, it is a standard perk for every member with no extra purchases required.
Interested? Then grab a cup of coffee and prepare to learn how to easily expand your charting potential with any new data you can get your hands on.
Solving the Data Paradox
Probably the most common question I have received over the years is some iteration of this.
Have you ever considered adding _____ to the asset options?
The short answer is that I am always open to new data, but offering everything that a global audience might want is a daunting task. That’s where the balance comes in. I have spent just as much time creating intuitive interfaces as I have collecting data, and to keep things usable you have to draw the line somewhere.
But that doesn’t mean I just dismiss the question entirely. Instead of baking even more assets into the online tools, my solution has been to offer Excel spreadsheet downloads that allow you to create all of the same charts using data you provide.
While that worked well, it also involved a major tradeoff. Because I don’t redistribute source data, it means you as the user have to personally track down full asset histories for every single thing in your portfolio. Trust me — I know how much work that involves. It’s a non-starter for most people.
Solving that disconnect has been something I have been thinking about for a very long time, and I’m happy to report that I have a fun new solution. It’s all rolled into a new members perk called the Members Toolkit.
Introducing the Members Toolkit
The Members Toolkit is really a bundle of three especially powerful charts along with the best parts of the old Toolkit download functionality. It includes the Dashboard (formerly the My Portfolio tool), the Portfolio Matrix, and the Optimizer. The Dashboard creates every chart at once, the Portfolio Matrix compares all portfolios at once, and the Optimizer studies every asset combination at once. That’s a lot of horsepower!
Beyond the advanced calculations designed to massively speed up portfolio research, all three Members Toolkit charts have an updated interface with several options not included in the standard charts. I call them input keys.
Input keys are special codes that allow you to import outside data into the charts. There are two types of input keys:
Asset Keys
Asset keys are custom assets built with source data you provide. They can be anything! Do you want to add bitcoin, a managed futures fund, or a momentum ETF to your portfolio? Asset keys can do that. As long as you can find historical data for something, you can model it alongside all the other standard assets.
Portfolio Keys
Portfolio keys are a direct replacement for the old bookmark system. Instead of creating a URL that contains a unique portfolio code, you create a portfolio key that carries the same information. But one thing portfolio keys can do that bookmarks never could is store custom asset data. Build your own custom portfolio, and portfolio keys let you save it in a single entry.
When used together with the rest of the chart functionality, asset and portfolio keys are super powerful. You can now create your own custom assets, mix them into a full portfolio, and save as many keys as you like for quick charting reference.
The Simple Power of the Toolkit Keychain
As you can imagine, input keys that carry decades of data can get complicated pretty quickly. So to help people create and manage them, there’s a new companion tool that works alongside the Members Toolkit. I call it the Toolkit Keychain.
The Toolkit Keychain is a Google Sheet designed to make it as simple as possible to collect source data, assemble asset histories, build portfolios, and create input keys. Think of it as a personal data collection system that feeds the powerful online charts. Instead of duplicating explanations, I’ll simply point you to the full walkthrough.
/// Toolkit Keychain ///
Beyond the nuts and bolts of how it works, here are the three most important things worth noting:
- The Toolkit Keychain is completely free, even for non-members. Just click a link to get your own.
- Unlike the old Toolkit spreadsheet downloads that were created in Excel, the Toolkit Keychain is a Google Sheet. That’s way more common for most people and should remove a major barrier for getting started.
- The Toolkit Keychain automatically syncs to Portfolio Charts to stay up to date with new asset options and exchange rates. So there’s minimum work required on your part. Just enter your data and you’re set.
As you can see with the name, the Toolkit Keychain is designed to work alongside the Members Toolkit. Open them both in different browser tabs, and you can start creating custom assets, building portfolios, and charting them in no time.
Other Updates Worth Noting
While the Members Toolkit and the new Keychain-enabled features definitely take top billing, this update touches many parts of the site. Without belaboring every detail, here’s a short list of things to look out for.
- The My Portfolio tool has been renamed the Dashboard. It’s the same all-inclusive charting tool with a more descriptive name. I like how it removes the confusion with all of the other charts that already feature the term “My Portfolio” for your own asset allocation. In addition, it received a new shortcuts feature that allows you to quickly jump to a specific chart with less scrolling.
- The overall asset allocation interface on every chart received a few cosmetic updates. The one important functional one is the Developed row (formerly World, but with the exact same data). The terms are now fully consistent with Asset labels, and the overall layout is much nicer than before. Note that you can click on the down triangle to easily switch between Developed and Developed ex-US.
- The new Portfolio Keys are a replacement for the old Bookmarks feature, and any bookmarks you have already saved will no longer work. If you need help interpreting an old bookmark to help you remember the portfolio you saved, just send me the bookmark link and I’ll be happy to help.
- The Excel Toolkit downloads are no longer for sale. After all, the new online Members Toolkit is more powerful and easier to use with a lower financial barrier to entry. For the many people who previously purchased your own Toolkit spreadsheets, thank you! The bad news is that I don’t plan to continue releasing regular updates. But the good news is that they are already quite stable and designed to be easily updated with new data through 2029. So if you prefer your spreadsheets to the new Members Toolkit system, you can keep using them the same as you always have.
- The Optimizer has been moved from a free feature to a members feature. while I’m sure that will bum some people out, the plus side is that I can finally offer the ability to use custom data in it as well (a feature that was tricky to pull off even in a download for technical reasons). So if you have ever wanted to explore the efficient frontier with your own custom assets, I finally have that covered.
As always with a major update like this, there are bound to be a few bugs that I missed. If you spot something, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I also expect that the new Keychain tool may require several early revisions as people tinker and uncover bugs, so be sure to check in regularly on the Members page where I’ll post the latest version you’ll want to download. It’s an iterative process, and I appreciate everyone willing to stick with it as we work together to iron out any kinks.
Perks for Members, Space for Everyone
The Members Toolkit and related Toolkit Keychain are one of the cooler things I have designed in a while, and I’m super excited to share them. They’re special tools for members because you give so much to me that it only feels right to give something back in return.
That said, I do know that not everyone is interested in a membership. I also get why some people may have a negative gut reaction to any change that features things behind a paywall. But have no fear! I also have something for you, too.
I took the opportunity with this update to also reorganize the rest of the site and make it a lot simpler and cleaner. It previously had various paid features mixed prominently all over the place, which admittedly came across as a bit salesy at times and I think even confused some newcomers who assumed it was just another run-of-the-mill paid investing site. That just won’t do!
To fix that, the previous Patrons page has been renamed Members and all paid features have been moved under that umbrella. Not only does it make it easier to find and manage all members benefits in one place, but it also frees up the other sections to focus solely on the completely free portfolio information that makes Portfolio Charts unique. All signal, no noise. At a time when most online resources are becoming relentlessly monetized beyond recognition, I think that’s something everyone can appreciate.
So if you’re already a member, please check out the cool new features and let me know what you think. If you’re not a member, I hope you enjoy the simplified presentation with more clarity and fewer distractions. And if while browsing all the free and independent data offered on Portfolio Charts you decide you’d like to support the cause, please take a minute to head over to the Members page and check out the ways you can help.
Becoming a member now comes with a few new perks like unlocking your own unique assets. But it’s more than that. It also helps open the door to a world of portfolio ideas for everyone. It’s a team effort, and I truly appreciate everyone who lends a hand.
No matter if you leave this article by running to try the Members Toolkit or by casually browsing everything else, I hope you enjoy the update.
Happy portfolio hunting!
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