The internet is a minefield of competing motivations, and it’s really hard to know who to trust. That issue is even more important when you’re reading about finance because there’s so much money at stake. It’s easy to suspect that everyone is trying to manipulate you to make a quick buck, and in a lot of cases you’re probably right. So to clear the air, here’s everything you need to know about me and how Portfolio Charts operates.
/// Contact Tyler ///
Who I am
I’m a mechanical engineer with a strong math education, a deep personal interest in finance and investing, and some nifty Excel skills I’ve picked up along the way. I also have a tendency to look at data a little differently than others and a somewhat unique background in design that helps me think creatively and communicate complex ideas reasonably effectively. Mix it all together, and that’s a pretty decent recipe for some new financial tools and a fresh take on investing.
I write under the pen name Tyler because 1. I value my privacy more than any potential name recognition, and 2. I don’t want you to believe me simply because of who I am. I prefer to show my work and earn trust through good data.
Why I do this
I created Portfolio Charts as a way to share information with other investors because I want to make sophisticated asset allocation concepts accessible to normal people. It started as a fun hobby and eventually grew into a personal mission, but at every step along the way my primary motivation has been to help other people make educated investing decisions. I like to think of this as the site I wish I had access to when I first started learning about investing.
How I make money
The vast majority of the Portfolio Charts content is completely free, as I believe it’s important to spread the word about asset allocation to as many people as possible. But I do make money in a few specific ways, and your support is greatly appreciated.
Fourthwall product sales — These are utilitarian and fun products for DIY investors like Excel templates and T-shirts. I’m a designer at heart, and everything is my own work.
Amazon affiliate links — As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only link to portfolio books that I genuinely recommend by authors I admire.
Donations — Some people aren’t interested in buying anything and just want to gift a coffee and a note of gratitude. There are two ways to give — either through Ko-fi or via the form on the Supporters page. 100% of donations using either method go to supporting the site.
How I do NOT make money
Banner ads — I don’t like things that distract from the content or that incentivize clicks over quality. So you can give your ad blocker a break and enjoy the blank space.
Selling your personal information — I don’t sell your contact info or internet behavior to 3rd parties. I value my own privacy and I respect yours as well.
Paid recommendations — You know how some blogs have weird non-sequiturs to unrelated ad copy? That’s not me. I don’t sell my voice to the highest bidder.
I am not a financial adviser
Always keep in mind that I’m definitely NOT a financial adviser. While I am happy to share what I know, I’m really in no position to offer personal advice on how you should invest your own life savings. It’s not only a legal matter but also a philosophical one, as I believe everyone should ultimately make their own educated financial choices and not simply defer to the perceived wisdom of others.
TL;DR
Long story short, Portfolio Charts is run by a creative engineer who likes to collect, analyze, and share investing data with others. To help keep the lights on I sell my own products, recommend investing books, and accept donations. And if you ever have a question about something I say, you can always contact me any time and I’ll walk you through my thought process. I believe trust is earned, and I’m willing to do the work.
-Tyler-