Sound Investing

Paul Merriman, a veteran investor and educator with over 60 years of experience, shares valuable insights on successful retirement investing. He emphasizes that costs and emotional decisions, rather than fund selection or market timing, are the real threats to retirement success. Paul advocates for simple, diversified portfolios and stresses the importance of education in fostering calm, long-term investing. He also discusses flexible withdrawal strategies and the need to assess client goals and risk tolerances for optimal planning.

Explore the tax efficiency of ETFs versus mutual funds, revealing how ETFs can save investors significant amounts in taxes. Delve into equal-weighted portfolios and their unique advantages for long-term holders. Learn about the impact of periodic rebalancing, illustrated by 'Shannon’s Demon', which highlights turning volatility into profit. Understand why Morningstar ratings may mislead investors and the importance of diversifying within asset classes. Finally, discover factors influencing small-cap value outperformance and the significance of historical performance comparisons.

Discover the importance of staying disciplined in long-term investing, even when short-term results are surprising. Learn about the differences between reasonable and unreasonable portfolios from industry leaders. Explore performance trends of various ETF strategies and how international markets are making a comeback. Unpack the challenges of implementing effective investment strategies in real life, especially with small-cap value investments. Dive into the benefits of non-traditional index funds and how they can outperform traditional options.

Chris Patterson and Daryl Balls, both leaders at the Merriman Financial Education Foundation, explore the evolution of investing education. They discuss the simplification of tools like Best-in-Class ETFs and the Two Funds for Life strategy, emphasizing making resources more accessible. The conversation highlights the importance of patience in small-cap value investing and the necessity of robust financial literacy for future generations. Personal investment lessons and the dangers of market timing also feature, alongside a commitment to enhancing educational initiatives.

In this insightful discussion, Paul Merriman, a veteran investment educator and founder of the Merriman Financial Education Foundation, shares essential insights for novice investors. He reveals that emotions, not lack of knowledge, often lead to common investing mistakes. Paul emphasizes the importance of starting early and avoiding high fees, showcasing how automation and diversification can protect against costly errors. He also encourages using ETFs for simplicity and maintaining discipline amid market fluctuations, making investing accessible for everyone.

Chris Pedersen, an investment strategist known for simplifying portfolios, joins to explore essential investing concepts. He discusses the benefits of factor-tilted ETFs and the impact of equal-weighted versus cap-weighted funds. Chris reveals how to determine the right allocation for small-cap value based on investor temperament. They also delve into the critical need for tax efficiency in ETFs and the importance of viewing stocks as ownership in companies, emphasizing a long-term perspective over speculation.

Paul Merriman tackles the age-old question of trust in investing, illuminating why diversification is crucial to mitigate risks. He contrasts the performance of equal-weighted versus cap-weighted S&P 500 funds, revealing the benefits of investing in smaller companies. The discussion includes insights on the long-term advantages of a four-fund portfolio and analysis of historical performance across different market periods. Merriman emphasizes patience and consistent saving as key strategies for navigating market uncertainties.

In this insightful discussion, Paul Merriman compares three investment strategies: the high-reward S&P 500, the balanced 60/40 mix, and the diversified four-fund approach. He reveals that the four-fund strategy could lead to significantly higher wealth over time, with only minimal additional risk. Highlighting 55 years of data, he explores how different portfolios perform during both accumulation and retirement phases. Listeners will discover crucial insights about balancing risks, the impact of withdrawals, and the value of diversification in long-term investing.

Explore radical lifetime investment strategies by comparing an all-equity S&P 500 portfolio to a balanced 60/40 mix. Learn how these portfolios perform during major market downturns and the crucial role bonds play in protecting against withdrawal risks. Historical data reveals the long-term impacts on retirement distributions. Discover how different asset allocations can influence your financial stability in tough times, and why a conservative approach with some bonds might be a lifesaver in retirement.

Join Paul Merriman, Founder of the Merriman Financial Education Foundation and financial educator, as he shares valuable insights at FinCon. He explores the rise of index funds and critiques the FIRE movement’s one-fund strategy, advocating for small portfolio tweaks to enhance returns. Paul emphasizes key investing principles: understanding risk, staying the course through market volatility, and the importance of diversifying wisely. His expert advice aims to empower investors towards financial independence with confidence.