About

Edward “Ted” Irwin, CFP®

Ted Irwin is a Certified Financial Planner™ with more than 30 years of experience in financial planning, investment management, retirement strategy, corporate finance, and small business consulting.

His work is grounded in disciplined portfolio construction, risk management, and long-term decision-making. Rather than focusing on short-term forecasts or speculation, his approach emphasizes structure, incentives, diversification, and durable outcomes across full market cycles.

Reliable Portfolio

Ted publishes Reliable Portfolio, an independent investment newsletter focused on portfolio design, allocation strategy, and thoughtful market analysis.

The publication is educational in nature and separate from any advisory relationship. Its purpose is to explain how portfolios are constructed and managed - not to provide personalized investment advice. Reliable Portfolio is delivered digitally via email each month.

Advisory Work

Through ValueFirst Planning LLC, Ted maintains a deliberately limited advisory practice. By keeping client relationships focused and selective, he is able to devote the majority of his time to independent research, portfolio development, and long-term investment analysis through Reliable Portfolio.

Through Reliable Planning LLC, he also advises small businesses on financial structure, capital allocation, and long-term strategy.

Broader Work

Ted also writes about broader economic and institutional themes, including productivity, technological change, and the conditions that allow long-term prosperity to emerge. These ideas are explored more fully in his forthcoming book, The Liberty Curve.

Background & Credentials

Ted holds a Master of Science in Finance from Walsh College and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Oakland University. He earned the Certified Financial Planner™ designation in 2007 and maintains securities licenses including Series 7, 66, and 63.

Personal Perspective

Outside of work, Ted enjoys pickleball, reading, and writing.

He believes that durable outcomes, whether in markets or in life, are built through steady effort, sound structure, and respect for human ingenuity.

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