Sound Investing

Prior to discussing his topic of the day, Paul shares his thoughts on a recent podcast featuring Truth Tellers Tom Cock and Don McDonald, joined by Weston Wellington from Dimensional Fund Advisors. Weston weighs in on some of the most critical issues facing investors right now.Here are the topics on the podcast with Tom Cock and Don McDonald-0:53 Weston Wellington on volatility and market uncertainty2:47 Why volatility is the “price we pay to play”3:32 The media’s role in investor anxiety4:57 Should investors act on daily financial advice?6:15 Portfolio changes should reflect personal changes, not headlines7:24 Spam vs. Motorola: A lesson in stock picking9:44 Dimensional’s stance on individual stock ownership10:02 Diversification as “the closest thing to a free lunch”11:07 Are alternative investments the new magic bullet?12:43 Mutual funds vs. ETFs—what works best and when15:27 Industry evolution: from 8% loads to indexing dominance18:29 Where Dimensional fits in the modern fund landscape21:01 AI vs. “aggregated intelligence” in managing portfolios24:04 How regular people can find real financial advice25:34 The key to success: Temperament, not timing26:44 Weston’s side gig as a roving birthday singer27:58 Why Weston hasn’t been invited lately (and he's lonely)Next, Paul highlights a recent article by another Truth Teller, Ben Carlson. In “60/40 Portfolio Corrections, Bear Markets and Recoveries,” Ben breaks down the differences in returns during bear markets and the bounce-back that follows. Inspired by this, Paul explores a question that doesn’t get much attention: What’s the impact on a portfolio when you apply a 4% fixed withdrawal rate to the nine Sound Investing equity portfolios, each with a 60/40 equity-to-fixed income split? The results may surprise you!Paul notes there’s more to come on this topic, as these findings could have a real impact on how investors choose their retirement portfolios.As promised, here are the links to the Sound Investing Portfolios:50% U.S. / 50% International70% U.S. / 30% International

Being a do-it-yourself investor can be both rewarding and challenging. In this episode, we explore the essential mindset and strategies needed to succeed in the long term. Drawing from academic research, historical data, and decades of experience, this episode covers:Why short-term returns are often just noise and how to focus on the bigger picture.The importance of a 20-30 year horizon for small-cap value investments.How to avoid emotional decision-making and set realistic expectations.Insights into the performance of small-cap value vs. the S&P 500 over 25+ years.The role of faith, patience, and discipline in building a successful investment portfolio.Paul also provides a step-by-step guide to help investors analyze the numbers referenced in this episode. Follow these steps to compare small-cap value funds and the S&P 500:Steps to Analyze Performance on Morningstar:Open morningstar.com.Enter DFFVX in the search box at the top of the page.Open the Chart option located next to the Quote.Select MAX next to the Start Date to view the full performance history.One by one, enter the following ticker symbols into the Fund Chart Compare search box and hit return after each:This process allows you to visualize and compare the performance of these funds over time and gain a deeper understanding of the data discussed in this podcast.Whether you're 25 or 81, this episode is packed with actionable insights and encouragement to help you stay the course and achieve your financial goals. Listen now for expert advice and a fresh perspective on long-term investing!Links that Paul uses in this podcast-Bootcamp #1 - Biggest Decision of All: Stocks vs. BondsAvantis Quilt Chart

Discover the clash between market timing and buy-and-hold investing strategies. The discussion dives into Warren Buffett's decisions and the emotional struggles investors face. Learn why timing the market can lead to costly mistakes and how emotional choices can derail investments. Uncover ten compelling reasons market timing fails for most, while buy-and-hold emerges as the less stressful, more rewarding option. This insightful dialogue emphasizes discipline, patience, and the peace of mind that comes with a long-term commitment.

Paul Merriman, a financial literacy advocate and founder of The Merriman Financial Education Foundation, shares insights on the significance of financial education, especially for the youth. He discusses innovative initiatives, including a program at Western Washington University that introduces vital online resources for students. Paul emphasizes the importance of self-education to empower individuals in making informed investment decisions. He also showcases collaborative efforts among organizations to enhance financial literacy across different generations, advocating for a financially educated future.

Watch video hereThis updated discussion of the Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio highlights the advantages of equity asset allocation and worldwide diversification. The presentation was presented to members of the Washington State Society of CPAs. At the end of the presentation Paul adds his list of 15 million dollar decisions that all investors will make in their lifetime.

Join Rick Ferri, a leading expert in low-cost investing and host of the Bogleheads on Investing, along with Paul Merriman, founder of the Financial Education Foundation. They dive into essential topics like the pros and cons of small-cap value versus total market funds. Discover the significance of asset allocation, the challenges of target date funds, and the value of including international equities in a portfolio. They also share insights on maintaining a disciplined investment strategy amidst market volatility and the importance of informed decision-making for young investors.

In this riveting debate, economist Karsten Jeske, known for his straightforward investment strategies, faces off against veteran Paul Merriman. They hash out the merits of small cap value investing versus simpler index approaches like 'VTSAX and chill.' Merriman touts small cap value’s historical outperformance, while Jeske warns that its advantage may fade in today’s efficient market. The stakes are high—potentially millions for retirement as they unravel topics like diversification, investment complexity, and the importance of understanding risk in financial planning.

Discover the power of flexible distribution strategies for a successful retirement! Learn why defensive financial decisions are critical for long-term success. The discussion highlights the difference between fixed and flexible distributions, complete with comparison tables demonstrating potential returns and risks. Diversification through index funds is emphasized, alongside the pros and cons of various investment strategies like buy-and-hold versus market timing. Adaptable approaches can help you navigate market fluctuations and inflation more effectively.

The move from the accumulation to distribution period of an investors lifetime includes some very important decisions.What asset allocation between equities and fixed income?What combination of equity asset classes in the equity portion, as well as fixed income asset classes?What amount of distribution will be made annually?Will the payments be monthly, quarterly or annually?Will payments be adjusted for inflation and how often?Will the distributions be based on a fixed distribution with regular adjustments for inflation (the topic in this presentation) or on a flexible basis (the topic of the next segment)?In this podcast Paul uses 15 slides to address the questions above. It is recommended the viewer print out the ⁠PP presentation  to make it easier to follow the numbers.Many may find it is easier to follow the information on Paul’s video⁠ on the same topic.If you have questions about the presentation please leave comment or question in the comment section of the video  or email ⁠paul@paulmerriman.com⁠.  For those sending an email please let us know the topic of the Boot Camp presentation.

Watch video hereYoung and first time investors have to address a number of monumental decisions.  How much money to save for the futureHow much they should invest in equities and bonds How much of the equities should be in large, small, value, growth, U.S. and international asset classesHow much to increase the investment each yearThis podcast/video helps the investor address those decisions.  For those listening to the podcast here is a link to the pdf of all of the tables referenced in the presentation.  He only focuses on a handful of tables but here is a link for those who want to review the entire set of tables.Paul discusses the accumulation process from the viewpoint of an investor as well as a small business owner.  If you have questions please send them to paul@paulmerriman.com or leave them in the comment section below.