Sound Investing

The Motif Investing and M1 Finance companies allow investors to create a customized portfolio of individual securities and ETFs.  Paul and Chris Pedersen compare these two low cost ways to create do-it-yourself robo portfolios.  In both cases there are great advantages and important limitations.  Chris recently compared the important differences in a table that …

In Paul’s recent Marketwatch article he explores the debate between the results of index funds and actively-managed funds.  If you review the comments following the article, you will see there are a lot of defenders of active management. In this podcast Paul responds to some of the most aggressive defenders of active management, including a comparison of …

Paul discusses the annual update of Callan’s colorful “Periodic Table of Investment Returns 1999-2017” and suggests you view the table while listening.  Paul also addresses the changes to his 401k recommendations from 50/50 U.S/international equities to 70/30 U.S./international, and small cap value from Guggenheim SmallCap 600 Pure Value (RZV) to SPDR Small Cap Value (SLYV); and …

Paul briefly discusses the recent MarketWatch article, “4 simple and effective ways to help a young person get a jump on retirement”  and continues with consideration of 2017 performance of the Vanguard, Fidelity, T Rowe Price, Schwab, TD Ameritrade mutual fund and ETF portofolios recommended at his site, including his favorite. He …

DON’T LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST if you don’t like numbers. Many unexpected things happened in 2017.  To understand them it’s important to look at the numbers.  This discussion includes a comparison of large cap, small cap, growth, value, U.S. and international asset class returns.  There is also a comparison of 1- and 15-year returns for Vanguard, DFA and …

This podcast presents plans for 12 major projects for 2018 by The Merriman Financial Education Foundation.  They include fund selection for self-directed 401k plans, new 401k plans, more studies on the long-term impact of saving to retirement, answering more of your questions, teaching more young people about sound investing and interviewing some of the industry’s most-qualified experts.  Paul …

What to do about bonds is probably the most common question I get from investors.  In some ways it is the simplest of investment decisions but it can be made difficult due to emotional hurdles.  In this podcast Paul reviews several past articles on bonds.  Here are the links to those articles:  “Why bonds are the most …

Small cap value continues to be an asset class that Paul recommends for all investors.  Of course, for retired investors it may be a very small part as their position in equities is low. For first-time investors following Paul and Chris’ target date fund recommendations, the super-charged asset class may take up the entire portfolio. Most investors will …

Following are Paul’s answers to some great investing questions. Sometimes he needs to ask a question before he can answer your question, so please include your phone number in your “Ask Paul” questions sent to info@paulmerriman.com  Also, keep in mind that due to the number of emails received, Paul can only answer a portion of them, …

For more than 90% of working adults, the most important investment decision is how to invest their 401k, 457, 403b or IRA. Each of the 34 points in this podcast addresses a way that is likely to produce better returns. In this podcast Paul mentions several articles: How to Turn $3000 into $50 Million,