

Sound Investing
Paul Merriman
Weekly podcasts with Paul Merriman. Strategic planning for investing at every stage of life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 53min
The Merriman Financial Education Foundation: Plans, Priorities & Lessons for 2026
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.

11 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 47min
The Biggest Mistake Beginner Investors Make - and How to Avoid them
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.

22 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 57min
Chris & Paul October 2025 Q&A: Best-in-Class ETFs, Equal-Weight vs. Cap-Weight, and How Much Small-Cap Value?
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.

20 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 54min
Can You Trust the Market? Equal-Weighted S&P 500 vs. Four-Fund Strategy
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.

16 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 31min
The Final Chapter: S&P 500 vs. 60/40 vs. Four-Fund Strategy
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.

9 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 37min
Retirement Distributions: All S&P 500 vs. 60/40 Portfolio
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.

10 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 15min
Paul Merriman on Money Life with Chuck Jaffe at FinCon
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.

15 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 33min
Two Radical Investments – U.S. 4-Fund Portfolio vs. S&P 500
The host dives deep into a comparison between the U.S. 4-Fund Portfolio and the S&P 500, showcasing five decades of data. Discover how diversification impacts returns and volatility. Fascinating decade-by-decade analysis reveals that the 4-Fund strategy outperformed the S&P 500, particularly in the fourth decade. The discussion also links accumulation results to retirement planning, highlighting potential starting balances. Lists of downloadable tables support the analysis, making it a must-follow for investors!

20 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 27min
Saving for Retirement: 100% S&P 500 vs. 60/40 — A Lifetime Portfolio Comparison
Dive into a captivating analysis of retirement investment strategies! Discover the long-term implications of choosing between an all-equity portfolio versus a classic 60/40 mix of stocks and bonds. Historical performance data sheds light on returns and risks, while examining the impact of initial investments and contributions over 55 years. Prepare for insightful discussions to guide your portfolio decisions in this intriguing exploration of saving for retirement.

11 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Last Step To Successful Investing
Paul kicks things off with a listener's thought-provoking letter, exploring why their insights resonate more than those of investing legends. They delve into a captivating article on the evolution of financial advice, examining how math, history, and psychology intertwine in investing. The discussion underscores the well-trodden steps to success, while revealing two areas ripe for refinement: portfolio construction and fund selection. To aid listeners, Paul suggests three Boot Camp presentations to enhance their investment strategies.


