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Paul Merriman

325 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago - ★★★★★ - 443 ratings

Sound Investing for Every Stage of Life

Investing Business
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Episodes

AAII Orange County Chapter Q&A

August 02, 2023 10:00 - 294 KB application/pdf

On July 22, 2023 Chris Pedersen gave a 2 hour online presentation to the Orange County Chapter of the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII).  The title was “Best In Class Fund Selection and Behavior.”  Over 650 people attended the presentation, a record turnout for our presentations.  The video will be available in the coming […] The post AAII Orange County Chapter Q&A first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post AAII Orange County Chapter Q&A appeared first on Paul Merriman.

The Worst Investment Advice I Know

July 26, 2023 08:48 - 222 KB application/pdf

 Some of the worst investment advice I know happens to millions of investors each year. Between paying commissions, paying higher expenses,  paying more taxes, being less diversified, and sitting on too much cash, so-called experts encourage investors to hold investments that are built to make as much as 2 to 4 percent less PER YEAR.Paul uses […] The post The Worst Investment Advice I Know first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post The Worst Investment Advice I Know appeared first on Paul ...

New Avantis ETF, free curriculum, good news or bad

July 19, 2023 15:18 - 192 KB application/pdf

Paul announces Chris Pedersen’s upcoming AAII presentation on Saturday, July 22.  The 2 hour Zoom presentation will begin at 8:45 a.m.  Chris will discuss how portfolio asset allocation, fund selection and investor behavior impact the returns we get for the risk we take.  He’ll also show some practical approaches to help us all come closer […] The post New Avantis ETF, free curriculum, good news or bad first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post New Avantis ETF, free curriculum, good news or...

Does anyone really buy & hold and more Q&A

July 12, 2023 13:39 - 294 KB application/pdf

 On this week’s podcast Paul addressed a couple of very important questions: 1. Is there really such a thing as a buy and hold investor? 2. What can an investor do to improve their chances of staying the course through all market cycles? 3. Many of your portfolios don’t include international equities.  Should investors […] The post Does anyone really buy & hold and more Q&A first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Does anyone really buy & hold and more Q&A appeared first on Paul Merriman.

The most important investment decision you will ever make

July 05, 2023 13:55 - 121 KB application/pdf

 While the industry generally agrees the most important investment decision is your choice of asset allocation, Paul makes the case that the choice between being a do it yourself investor vs. hiring a professional advisor is much more impactful over a lifetime. Paul discusses the many challenges of both decisions and finishes by showing […] The post The most important investment decision you will ever make first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post The most important investment decision yo...

Ben Felix- New Truth Teller and Q&A

June 28, 2023 13:12

 Paul starts the podcast with an update on the Bogleheads Conference.  For those who want to see a sample of last years presentations here is a link to all of the 2022 presentations. https://boglecenter.net/bogleheads-university/ For those interested in 2023 Conference, including list of speakers:  https://boglecenter.net/conferences/ For this interested in exploring John Bogles archives: https://boglecenter.net/bogle-archive/ […] The post Ben Felix- New Truth Teller and Q&A first appeared...

ChatGPT offers shocking investment information!

June 21, 2023 11:00 application/pdf

There is no question AI is a hot topic.  I have watched “end of the world” interviews with people who know a lot more than I do about AI.  In a recent poll, noted in The New Yorker, half of A.I. scientists agreed that there was at least a ten-per-cent chance that the human race would […] The post ChatGPT offers shocking investment information! first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post ChatGPT offers shocking investment information! appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Dave Ramsey, small cap value and a “new” 4 fund portfolio

June 19, 2023 19:01 - 252 KB application/pdf

 Paul starts the podcast encouraging listeners to check out the ⁠latest video⁠ where Chris, Daryl and Paul answer questions from readers, listeners and viewers regarding the article, podcast and video about the Sound Investing Portfolios 2023 Update.  The following are the links that were used in the video: ⁠Asset Class Index CAGR Comparison (1927-2023)⁠ ⁠Table […] The post Dave Ramsey, small cap value and a “new” 4 fund portfolio first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Dave Ramsey, sma...

Finding a trustworthy source of financial advice

June 14, 2023 12:47 - 17.8 MB application/pdf

Dear Friends, A couple weeks ago, we sent out a podcast that we recorded several years ago.  It has been by far the most popular podcast over the last 10+ years. Over 980,000 listeners have opened, and hopefully listened to the podcast entitled, “Could This Be the #1 Reason to Use Index Funds?” While the podcast […] The post Finding a trustworthy source of financial advice first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Finding a trustworthy source of financial advice appeared first on Paul Merr...

What rate of return can I count on in the future?

June 07, 2023 13:04 - 168 KB application/pdf

 Paul starts the podcast with a brief discussion about the new “financial Literacy for All Students” project at Western Washington University (WWU).   The Merriman Financial Education Foundation, WWU, and Paul personally, are working together to make this project a reality in the next two to three years. The main topic of the podcast […] The post What rate of return can I count on in the future? first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post What rate of return can I count on in the future? ap...

8 Steps to a “Great Financial Future”

May 31, 2023 14:35

“It’s good to learn from your mistakes.  It’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes.”  Warren Buffett There are easy choices in the investment process.  Much of the advice we offer is very simple and without much disagreement.  On the other hand there are choices that must come after a thoughtful understanding of long term […] The post 8 Steps to a “Great Financial Future” first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post 8 Steps to a “Great Financial Future” appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Going for a million!

May 24, 2023 11:23

 I have a number of things on my bucket list. One is to get “We’re Talking Millions!” in the hands of a million young people. It would seem an impossible challenge but I know it can be done. One of the reasons I know it is possible is because one of our podcasts has […] The post Going for a million! first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Going for a million! appeared first on Paul Merriman.

10 Things You Can’t Learn From a Backtest

May 17, 2023 11:50

Over the last 8 weeks Paul, Chris and Daryl have produced a series of podcasts and videos on 8 of the most important investment decisions investors make.  Along with these ⁠podcasts⁠ and ⁠videos⁠ Paul and Rich have written ⁠Marketwatch articles⁠ on the same topics. As a part of the discussion of these important decisions Daryl has updated over 200 tables of hypothetical returns that are used to […] The post 10 Things You Can’t Learn From a Backtest first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post...

The Simple Story About 2 Funds for Life

May 10, 2023 12:00 - 181 KB application/pdf

Paul discusses ways a parent or grandparent might explain 2 Funds for Life to a young adult.  In the discussion Paul suggests using the following tables to make a handful of important decisions. Tables 1-4 from his Follow the Math comments- ⁠Table 1⁠ ⁠Table 2⁠ ⁠Table 3⁠ ⁠Table 4⁠ ⁠Equity Index Returns (1928-2022)⁠ to compare the returns […] The post The Simple Story About 2 Funds for Life first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post The Simple Story About 2 Funds for Life appeared first on Pa...

Flexible Distributions 2023 Update

May 03, 2023 12:57 - 226 KB application/pdf

 If a retired investor has the ability to use a flexible distribution strategy it will likely produce one of the best financial outcomes in retirement.  In this presentation Paul compares the difference in returns and risk between the fixed and flexible distribution strategies. The discussion compares returns and total distributions for two of the 9 […] The post Flexible Distributions 2023 Update first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Flexible Distributions 2023 Update appeared first o...

Fixed Distributions 2023 Update

April 26, 2023 13:21 - 226 KB application/pdf

This podcast is Part 5 OF AN 8 PART series ON THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT DECISIONS. The discussion addresses the distribution tables that use a Fixed Distribution Strategy of 3, 4, 5 and 6 percent plus annual increases for inflation.  One set of distributions uses the S&P 500 as the equity position while the other uses the […] The post Fixed Distributions 2023 Update first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Fixed Distributions 2023 Update appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Fixed Contributions 2023 Update

April 19, 2023 14:14 - 214 KB application/pdf

 This podcast is the 4th in a series of our series to help do it yourself investors build a lifetime investment strategy.  The  presentation uses the following tables: ⁠Table C1 – Fixed Contributions: S&P 500 Equity Portfolio⁠  ⁠Table C14 – Fixed Contributions: US 2-Fund Equity Portfolio⁠ ⁠ Table C11 – Fixed Contributions: US All Value […] The post Fixed Contributions 2023 Update first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Fixed Contributions 2023 Update appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocations

April 12, 2023 15:28 - 691 KB application/pdf

 This podcast is the third in a series of seven podcasts that are designed to help do it yourself investors learn how to maximize their return, minimize their risk and increase their peace of mind.  It will be beneficial to listen to ⁠The Ultimate Buy and Hold⁠  and ⁠Sound Investing Portfolios: The History of Risk and Return⁠ (link)  podcasts before listening to this podcast. […] The post Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocations first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Fine Tuning Your Asset A...

Sound Investing Portfolios Risk and Return History

April 05, 2023 12:12 - 199 KB application/pdf

In this presentation Paul explores the risk and returns of 8 Sound Investing Portfolios and the S&P 500 for the period 1970 to 2022.   He references 2 sets of tables for portfolios built with all U.S. equity asset classes as well as worldwide portfolios that are 50% each U.S. and international  and 70% U.S. and […] The post Sound Investing Portfolios Risk and Return History first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Sound Investing Portfolios Risk and Return History appeared first on Paul M...

The Ultimate Buy and Hold 2023 Update

March 29, 2023 12:27 - 165 KB application/pdf

 Each year Paul (with the many hours of dedicated work from Director of Analytics Daryl Bahls ) updates and  reviews the latest returns and important lessons from the Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio. In this review he references a series of tables including: ⁠ Table A1-Ultimate Buy & Hold Equity Portfolio (50% US/50% Int’l)⁠ ⁠ Table A2 […] The post The Ultimate Buy and Hold 2023 Update first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post The Ultimate Buy and Hold 2023 Update appeared first on Paul M...

Three Keys to Long Term Investment Success

March 22, 2023 12:39

 “Three Keys to Long Term Investment Success” was my presentation at the 9th Annual Retiremeet America Conference. For those who wish to watch other presenters here is a link to the entire almost 6 hour video. 0:00 Welcome from Tom Cock and Don McDonald 13:17 “Financial Fysics” with Don McDonald 46:16 “Paying for Retirement” with […] The post Three Keys to Long Term Investment Success first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Three Keys to Long Term Investment Success appeared first on Pa...

Can you count on backtested results?

March 15, 2023 11:23

 In the coming weeks we will be posting the updated history of equity and fixed income returns for the last  53 and 95 years.  These returns will be used to study the impact of investing in combinations of equity asset classes as well as assuming they are being used in the accumulation and distribution […] The post Can you count on backtested results? first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Can you count on backtested results? appeared first on Paul Merriman.

A note of thanks to a great teacher

March 10, 2023 15:15

Dear Friends, The recent unexpected passing of our director of marketing, Aysha Griffin, made me take a second and third look at what we are doing as a non profit foundation and what the people who are working with us are doing to help us deliver on our mission. The Merriman Financial Education Foundation believes […] The post A note of thanks to a great teacher first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post A note of thanks to a great teacher appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Q&A for White Coat Investors Conference

March 08, 2023 12:40 - 183 KB application/pdf

 March 1 through March 4, I attended the White Coat Investor Conference (WCICON 2023).  On the 2nd, I made a 2 hour presentation focused on “How to Create and Execute a Lifetime Investment Strategy”.  I was thrilled with the turnout and positive feedback.  I also received many questions in the following days.  The following […] The post Q&A for White Coat Investors Conference first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Q&A for White Coat Investors Conference appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Paul Merriman on “Informed Decisions” with Paddy Delaney

March 01, 2023 14:40

 In this episode, Paddy has a great chat with Paul Merriman from The Merriman Financial Education Foundation in the USA. The foundation is dedicated to providing financial education to those of all ages. Paul shares his wealth of knowledge from decades of experience from starting his own Merriman Wealth Management after retiring to setting […] The post Paul Merriman on “Informed Decisions” with Paddy Delaney first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Paul Merriman on “Informed Decisions” ...

Rebalancing, parental advice, AVUV vs. FISVX and 10 more Q&A

February 22, 2023 14:00 - 709 KB application/pdf

 The following questions were sent to Paul during the 90 minute video presented to Western Washington University alumni on February 10, 2023. 2:38 1. How much more do you get with AVUV which has higher fees than FISVX, which is super low cost? Check out:  BOGLEHEADS.ORG/REBALANCING Check out:  whitecoatinvestor.com/portfolio-rebalancing-spreadsheet/ 11:20 2. What are your thoughts on robo advisors and investing? Check […] The post Rebalancing, parental advice, AVUV vs. FISVX and 10 more Q&...

Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations Update

February 15, 2023 13:12 - 2.39 MB application/pdf

 Paul leads off with the news that Chris Pedersen’s book 2 Funds for Life is now available as a free PDF to people who sign up for our free newsletter at https://paulmerriman.com/signup/. Watch the video here. Chris Pedersen joins Paul to discuss the 2023 update to his Best-in-Class ETF recommendations.  Chris explains the selection […] The post Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations Update first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations Update appeared first on Pau...

Small cap value, timing and more Q&A

February 08, 2023 13:19

The following are the Paul’s responses to questions and comments from listeners. 1. How do active mutual fund managers invest their own money? Article referenced in podcast: How Do Active Managers Invest Their Own Money? 2. Why not use market timing to protect investments from declining markets? 3. How should I put money into an […] The post Small cap value, timing and more Q&A first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Small cap value, timing and more Q&A appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Should You Manage Your Investments Yourself or Hire a Professional?

February 01, 2023 15:14

 If you’re looking to get started investing wisely for retirement, or want a refresher course in what’s important, watch this broadcast in which Paul Merriman addresses the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants.   He speaks to issues of trust, pointing out that investing following the math is simple. He illustrates the compelling differences […] The post Should You Manage Your Investments Yourself or Hire a Professional? first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Should You Ma...

Battling the Bear: Thriving in a Bear Market

January 25, 2023 14:54

 How will you thrive in a bear market? Paul Merriman joins Tom Cock, co-host of “Talking Real Money,” for this 90-minute live workshop on “How to Manage a Portfolio in a Bear Market,” jointly sponsored by The Merriman Financial Education Foundation and Apella Capital/Wealth. Includes Q&A from the audience. We suggest podcast listeners watch […] The post Battling the Bear: Thriving in a Bear Market first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Battling the Bear: Thriving in a Bear Market appea...

Sound Investing is not gambling

January 19, 2023 16:01

Dear Friends, As we try to address the issues of interest to investors at all stages of life, we offer this newsletter with what we hope is something for everyone. We always appreciate your comments and questions at info@PROTECTED and do our best to respond to each one. In this week’s video and podcast, “How can you trust the market?,” […] The post Sound Investing is not gambling first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Sound Investing is not gambling appeared first on Paul Merriman.

How can you trust the market?

January 18, 2023 13:43 - 183 KB application/pdf

 Join Paul Merriman, Chris Pedersen and Darryl Bahls as they respond to these questions from investors: What can a Do-It-Yourself investor do to prepare his/her spouse/partner for managing retirement investments should the DIY investor die first?  Learn how Paul, Chris and Daryl are each personally preparing for their generally disinterested spouses to take over […] The post How can you trust the market? first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post How can you trust the market? appeared firs...

Funding a child’s retirement

January 11, 2023 13:14

 Paul speaks with Dr. Robert H. Pass, host of Pediheart podcast and a pediatric cardiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, about how to go about funding a newborn child’s retirement (in 65 years!) through the magic of index investing, low costs and compounding interest. Learn how you can do this for a child in your […] The post Funding a child’s retirement first appeared on Paul Merriman. The post Funding a child’s retirement appeared first on Paul Merriman.

How did we do in 2022?

January 05, 2023 15:57

Dear Friends, Thanks again to our donors who generously support our work and mission! Here at the Foundation, we look ahead to a new year with exciting plans to offer you even more tools, information and resources to help realize your long-term financial goals. And, please see “A Worthy Goal” (below) to discover a way […] The post How did we do in 2022? appeared first on Paul Merriman.

How’d we do in 2022?

January 04, 2023 11:00 - 183 KB application/pdf

 This podcast reviews the 2022 returns of the Best-In-Class and Vanguard ETF portfolios as compared to the average shareholder in the recommended equity asset classes. The discussion focuses on what worked, what didn’t work, and what was the impact of the broader diversification of owning only the S&P 500. Paul also considers short, intermediate and long-term government bonds, the Quilt […] The post How’d we do in 2022? appeared first on Paul Merriman.

14 commonly-asked investor questions

December 28, 2022 12:50

 Paul answers some of the most-pressing investment questions posed by Rutgers University engineering students after his recent keynote presentation to 154 of them. View the Keynote Presentation video at: https://youtu.be/8_7ee1Nft7c 1.   How do you increase the rate of return on your investments? (1:58) 2.   What do you think of using “Robo Advisors” like Schwab […] The post 14 commonly-asked investor questions appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Make a big difference in your future

December 22, 2022 15:37 - 183 KB application/pdf

Dear Friends, As we end 2022, I join you in hopes for a brighter new year in the financial markets, accepting there is much we cannot control. Meanwhile, knowing that, we also know that history proves economies rise and fall and rise again, and personal peace of mind cannot be purchased at any price. This […] The post Make a big difference in your future appeared first on Paul Merriman.

10 reasons small-cap value can make you richer

December 21, 2022 10:15 - 3.46 MB application/pdf

The purpose of our podcasts is to help investors make some of the biggest investment decisions of their life.  This podcast focuses on the many reasons small-cap value should be in every investor’s portfolio, even if it is a very small part. Paul addresses these questions: 1.  What is the lifetime impact of adding 10% […] The post 10 reasons small-cap value can make you richer appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Insights into Financial Independence

December 14, 2022 11:05

 How to live the best life you can is the main focus of this conversation between Paul Merriman, Chris Pedersen, Daryl Bahls and Craig Appl, volunteer creator of The Merriman Financial Education Lifetime Calculator. Craig discusses the FIRE movement community and his experience at a Chautauqua Conference about financial independence outside Bogotá Colombia earlier […] The post Insights into Financial Independence appeared first on Paul Merriman.

How to create a financial legacy for a child

December 07, 2022 11:00 - 348 KB application/pdf

Do you want to create a financial legacy for a young person, especially a newborn? This podcast and video explains Paul’s plan for his new granddaughter, which is adaptable by any investor. [Podcast listeners are encouraged to watch the video and/or view the Slides and Tables below]. Paul is joined by Daryl Bahls, Director of […] The post How to create a financial legacy for a child appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Great news that benefits us all

November 29, 2022 15:35

Dear Friends, I have great news on this “Giving Tuesday,” an international day of generosity meant to empower people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Although not known for my brevity, I’ll get right to the point and elaborate further on. I’m excited to inform you that we’ve been given a $10,000 Giving […] The post Great news that benefits us all appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Your part in financial education

November 29, 2022 08:00

Ever wonder how the “Sound Investing” podcast is funded? Along with all the prolific work produced, over the past decade, by the mostly-volunteer Merriman Financial Education? Paul lays it out in this podcast, including his plans for 2023. Learn how you play a huge part in the how Paul’s retirement plans evolved into the myriad […] The post Your part in financial education appeared first on Paul Merriman.

How do you measure real wealth?

November 23, 2022 11:00

Paul Merriman is a compulsive list maker and his Thanksgiving list is his favorite of the year.  In this podcast, he covers a range of subjects for investors related to real wealth and giving thanks. He describes getting up very early on Thanksgiving Day to spend a few hours listing names of people for whom […] The post How do you measure real wealth? appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Your greatest Thanksgiving investments

November 22, 2022 15:28 - 204 MB

“I want to thank you all the work you and your foundation do. I love how everything is data driven with statistics. As an engineer, it makes more sense to me when I see numbers and stats to back up your different styles of investing and allocating money.” – Mitul P. In This Edition Battling The Bear Truth Tellers Tom […] The post Your greatest Thanksgiving investments appeared first on Paul Merriman.

The best investment we will ever make! and Q&A

November 15, 2022 10:00 - 644 KB application/pdf

 The first part of this broadcast describes the investment strategy Paul and his wife are giving to their latest grandchild. After Paul describes the strategy, Daryl Bahls, Director of Analytics for The Merriman Financial Education Foundation, shares tables that represent the 95-year potential financial implications of this investment. Then, Chris Pedersen, our Director of […] The post The best investment we will ever make! and Q&A appeared first on Paul Merriman.

How not to get cheated

November 10, 2022 15:26 - 2.07 MB application/pdf

“I love the podcasts, the site, and all of the helpful research that you share.  Thank you for being a candid, trusted resource.” — Will C. In This Edition Good News to Share20 Minutes to Double Your Lifetime Spending PowerWays Investors Get CheatedChecklist: End of Life PlanningQ&A with Chris PedersenPersonal Stories Dear Friends, Life can be full […] The post How not to get cheated appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Back to Basics: 12 simple ways to supercharge your retirement

November 09, 2022 13:39

 Paul provides a crash course in beginning investing in this presentation (with slideshow) to professional members of the Youth Business Alliance so they can use these principles and tools to educate and empower their students in financial literacy. This is the video (or podcast) to share with your teenage and older children, family, friends […] The post Back to Basics: 12 simple ways to supercharge your retirement appeared first on Paul Merriman.

20 minutes to double your spending power

November 02, 2022 10:00

 Chris Pedersen, Director of Research for The Merriman Financial Education Foundation, joins Paul Merriman to explain and elaborate on his ideas and tables published as the cover story in the AAII Journal(October 2022), titled, “Double Your Lifetime Purchasing Power in 20 Minutes.” As Chris states in this broadcast, the article particularly pertains to people […] The post 20 minutes to double your spending power appeared first on Paul Merriman.

30 Ways to make another million—Really

October 26, 2022 09:00 - 2.39 MB application/pdf

The focus of most of the work we do at The Merriman Financial Education Foundation is to help investors put together portfolios that we believe will produce higher rates of return per unit of risk. In this podcast we look at the math of making more money, as well as specific decisions that are likely to lead […] The post 30 Ways to make another million—Really appeared first on Paul Merriman.

How To Rebalance Your Portfolio

October 19, 2022 13:21 - 537 KB application/pdf

Paul Merriman, Chris Pedersen and Daryl Bahls each share his studies and comments about rebalancing a portfolio—how often, how much change before rebalancing, and when does it make sense not to rebalance? They also answer listener/viewer questions and Paul makes a special offer for a free chapter from Larry Swedroe’s book, Your Complete Guide to a Successful & […] The post How To Rebalance Your Portfolio appeared first on Paul Merriman.

Twitter Mentions

@savvyinvestorpm 56 Episodes
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