Monthly Portfolio Review
Conduct systematic monthly portfolio reviews to optimize performance and manage risk.
⏱️ Time: 45-60 minutes monthly 💰 Risk Level: N/A (review only) 📱 Platform: iOS & Web 👤 Best for: All investors with portfolios 🦍 Recommended Companion: Sage (analysis) + Money Monty (balanced view)
What You'll Learn
How to conduct comprehensive monthly reviews
How to track performance metrics
How to identify when to rebalance
How to optimize tax efficiency
How to maintain investment discipline
Why Monthly Reviews Matter
The Power of Systematic Review
Most investors:
❌ Check portfolio daily (too often)
❌ Make emotional decisions
❌ Chase performance
❌ Never systematically review
❌ Let winners get too large
❌ Hold losers too long
Monthly reviews enable:
✅ Disciplined decision making
✅ Data-driven rebalancing
✅ Risk management
✅ Tax optimization
✅ Goal tracking
✅ Continuous improvement
Result:
Better returns
Lower stress
Clearer strategy
Compound growth
Before You Start
Prerequisites
✅ Portfolio Requirements
Active portfolio with 3+ holdings
At least 30 days of history
Clear investment goals
Defined target allocation
✅ Tools Needed
Ape AI account with portfolio data
Trading journal (spreadsheet or app)
Calendar reminder for monthly reviews
Pen and paper for notes
✅ Mindset
Objectivity (remove emotions)
Discipline (follow the process)
Patience (don't over-trade)
Long-term focus
Schedule Your Reviews
Recommended timing:
Monthly: First weekend of each month
Quarterly: After earnings season ends
Annually: End of year (tax planning)
Time commitment:
Monthly: 45-60 minutes
Quarterly: 90-120 minutes
Annual: 2-3 hours
Monthly Review Checklist
Complete Monthly Review Process
Step 1: Performance Analysis (15 min)
Calculate Returns
Ask Sage:
Sage's Performance Report:
Track Your Personal Metrics
In your journal, record:
Step 2: Allocation Review (10 min)
Check Current Allocation
Ask Sage:
Sage's Allocation Report:
Allocation Heatmap
Visual representation:
Step 3: Risk Assessment (10 min)
Portfolio Risk Metrics
Ask Sage:
Sage's Risk Analysis:
Step 4: Holdings Analysis (15 min)
Review Each Position
For every holding, ask:
Is the thesis still intact?
Example: AAPL Review
Sage's Position Review:
Red Flags to Watch
Sell signals:
Step 5: Action Items (10 min)
Create Next Month's Plan
Ask Sage:
Sage's Action Plan:
Step 6: Journal Entry (5 min)
Document Your Review
Monthly Review Journal Template:
Quarterly vs Monthly Reviews
Monthly Review (45-60 min)
Focus on:
Performance tracking
Allocation drift
Basic rebalancing
Position health checks
Tactical adjustments
Don't do:
Major strategy changes
Complete portfolio overhaul
Emotional reactions
Impulsive trades
Quarterly Review (90-120 min)
Deep dive on:
Full portfolio analysis
Tax planning
Strategy reassessment
Long-term goal check
Annual planning
Additional items:
Earnings review (all holdings)
Competitive landscape check
Macro environment assessment
Risk tolerance reassessment
Annual Review (2-3 hours)
Comprehensive:
Full year performance
Tax-loss harvesting
IRA contributions/conversions
Asset location optimization
Life changes (job, marriage, etc.)
Risk tolerance evolution
Strategic allocation changes
Common Review Mistakes
❌ Don't Do This
1. Reviewing Too Often
Checking daily/weekly
Making constant changes
Emotional reactions
Overtrading
Better:
Monthly schedule
Quarterly deep dives
Annual strategy review
Discipline
2. Not Documenting
No journal
Can't track progress
Repeat mistakes
No learning
Better:
Written journal
Track all reviews
Note lessons
Continuous improvement
3. Ignoring Allocation Drift
"It's only 5% over"
"I'll rebalance later"
Letting winners run too much
Concentration creep
Better:
Set drift thresholds (5-10%)
Rebalance systematically
Trim winners
Maintain discipline
4. Emotional Decisions
Panic selling losers
Chasing winners
FOMO additions
Revenge trading
Better:
Follow the process
Data-driven decisions
Stick to the plan
Remove emotion
5. Paralysis by Analysis
Over-analyzing
Can't make decisions
Waiting for "perfect"
Missing opportunities
Better:
Good enough > perfect
Execute the plan
Set deadlines
Take action
Advanced Review Techniques
Attribution Analysis
Ask Sage:
Attribution Report:
Tax Impact Tracking
Ask Sage:
Tax Projection:
What's Next?
Ongoing Portfolio Management
Related Workflows:
Advanced Skills:
Ask Sage or Money Monty
Success Checklist
✅ I have a monthly review schedule
✅ I track performance vs benchmarks
✅ I check allocation drift every month
✅ I assess risk metrics regularly
✅ I review each position's thesis
✅ I create action plans from reviews
✅ I journal my findings and lessons
✅ I execute rebalancing when needed
✅ I optimize for taxes when possible
✅ I maintain investment discipline
Remember: The monthly review is your portfolio's health checkup. It catches problems early, keeps you disciplined, and ensures your investments stay aligned with your goals. Consistency beats perfection. 📊
Review monthly. Rebalance quarterly. Compound annually. Retire eventually.
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