PODCAST

Sound Investing

Paul Merriman

Weekly podcasts with Paul Merriman. Strategic planning for investing at every stage of life.

business investing

All Episodes

00:37:41

Avantis Vs. DFA and the Winner Is?

Sound Investing ·

2025/07/02

On this week's podcast, we dive into my fascinating six-month journey with AI, exploring how tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing access to information and informed guidance. Drawing inspiration from Seth Godin's insightful piece, "Education is Free, Learning is Expensive," we'll discuss why true learning demands commitment and effort, especially in today's information-rich world.I've discovered AI's power extends far beyond simple fact-checking. It's a

00:47:28

The SPIVA Report- Proof You Can Buy!

Sound Investing ·

2025/06/25

Today, we're diving into something super important for anyone interested in mutual funds: the SPIVA Report, it's a big deal, and we'll break down why.But before we get to that, a quick note about August 4th. Chris, Daryl, and I are getting together that day to figure out how we can do even more to help you, not just now, but for the rest of your life as we all get closer to retirement. This is a huge goal, and we'd love your input! What can we do to improve our educational materials? Please email me

00:56:57

June Q&A with Paul, Chris an Daryl

Sound Investing ·

2025/06/18

Watch video here.Join Paul Merriman, Chris Pedersen, and Daryl Bahls for a deep dive into questions facing today’s investors! In this episode, our team tackles a wide range of topics designed to help you make smarter financial decisions, whether you’re a seasoned DIY investor or just getting started.Main Topics Covered:1. Midcap Funds – Are They Necessary? 2:24We break down why midcap funds often get left out of recommended portfolios, the impact of fund overlap, and whether including them really

00:54:09

A Very Special Birthday and an investment choice forever

Sound Investing ·

2025/06/11

In this special episode, Paul Merriman reflects on six decades of financial evolution, sparked by his son's 60th birthday. He draws fascinating comparisons between life and investing in 1965 and today, offering invaluable insights for every investor.What You'll Learn:A Look Back at 1965: Paul revisits societal norms, income levels, and the investing landscape of 60 years ago, including startling facts about mutual fund loads and stock commissions.The Evolution of Investing: Understand the

00:48:44

$100 a month to $37 million, Bear markets, Bogleheads...

Sound Investing ·

2025/06/04

Today I’ve got a lot to share: my recent trip to Western, new educational tables from Daryl Bahls, a must-read article by Ben Carlson, a fantastic free resource called Rebel Finance, and some takeaways from the latest Bogleheads meeting. Last week, I spent two full days at Western, meeting with students, faculty, and staff. I gave presentations to graduating seniors, a personal finance class, and the Financial Management Association Club. These students were eager to learn about building a strong

00:32:28

Vanguard vs. Mutual Shares, Who is the Long Term Champ

Sound Investing ·

2025/05/28

In this episode, Paul Merriman details his upcoming presentations at Western Washington University, where he will be connecting with students, professors, and staff about the critical importance of personal finance education. Paul also gives practical investing advice, including a hands-on guide to using Morningstar’s chart and comparison tools to analyze mutual funds and ETFs.Special Feature: Free Online Financial Literacy CoursePaul spotlights a fantastic, free multi-week financial literacy course

00:36:45

Which 60/40 Portfolio is Best?

Sound Investing ·

2025/05/21

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.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

01:04:13

Mastering Patience: Insights for Long-Term Success in...

Sound Investing ·

2025/05/14

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

00:38:17

Market Timing vs. Buy & Hold: Why market timing fails...

Sound Investing ·

2025/05/07

"Buy and hold investors don’t just win on average returns— they win by avoiding the behavioral landmines that sabotage long-term success.” Paul MerrimanIn this podcast Paul addresses one of the most important investment decisions a do it yourself investor will make. Paul opens the discussion with comments from a Forbes article from 2008 that discusses Warren Buffett’s market timing decision he made to get totally out of the market in 1969 and back aboard in 1974.The podcast (with the help of

00:30:57

Financial Literacy and Mastering the Million Dollar...

Sound Investing ·

2025/04/30

Watch Video hereApril is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. We also share some of our favorite financial literacy resources.RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI

00:59:38

WSCPA- The ultimate buy and hold portfolio

Sound Investing ·

2025/04/23

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.

01:35:02

How to Bake a Cake: An Asset Allocation Mashup | Rick...

Sound Investing ·

2025/04/16

Watch the video hereJoin me on Catching Up to Fi l with Rick Ferri to discuss key investing topics like asset allocation and the pros and cons of small-cap value vs. total market funds. TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS00:00 ⛓️ Understanding Bonds and Young Investors02:31 🌟 Introduction to Financial Literacy Titans03:12 🎓 Paul Merriman's Financial Education Foundation04:18 🧠 Rick Ferri and the Bogle Center for Financial Literacy12:09 ⚖️ The Importance of Asset Allocation23:11 🌍 Debating International

01:56:06

Small Cap Value Showdown Between Financial Legends —...

Sound Investing ·

2025/04/09

In the left corner, we have Paul Merriman, the seasoned finance veteran weighing in at 183 pounds. In the right corner, Dr. Karsten Jeske, the scrappy newcomer at 208 pounds. The bell rings, and the small cap value debate begins.This episode features a financial boxing match between two investment heavyweights with dramatically different perspectives. Paul Merriman champions diversification through the efficient frontier, which means adding small cap value to your portfolio. Dr. Karsten Jeska has

01:00:27

Bootcamp #7 Flexible Distributions

Sound Investing ·

2025/04/02

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.Before discussing flexible distributions Paul lists the reasons he believes that 99% of successful long term depends on defensive steps. After listing 18 defensive decisions he explains why flexible distributions are better than fixed distributions for those who have over said.The presentation includes 16 distribution tables that can be found in this

00:46:33

Fixed Distributions 2025 Update

Sound Investing ·

2025/03/26

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

01:05:58

Bootcamp #5 Fixed Contributions Update 2025

Sound Investing ·

2025/03/19

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

00:49:31

Bootcamp 4- Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocation 2025...

Sound Investing ·

2025/03/12

Here is the video link-This is the 4th in a series of 9 Boot Camp videos/podcasts. The previous three segments covered :Stocks vs. BondsThe Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio Sound Investing Portfolios.In this presentation Paul focuses on the differences between the risks and returns of different percentages stocks and bonds. He also discusses one table that mixes different percentages of the S&P 500 and small cap value.Here are a couple of videos that focus on small cap value.$13.83 Million? Yes

01:10:53

Bootcamp Episode #9 - Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations

Sound Investing ·

2025/03/05

Watch Video hereChris Pedersen updates his recommendations and describes his selection process in an interactive presentation with Paul and Daryl along for the ride.This "Best In Class ETFs Recommendations" presentation is the 9th in the Boot Camp Series. (We have not completed some of the earlier presentations due to the high interest in Chris' Best In Class Recommendations).The focus of each the Boot Camp presentation is to help investors make the best of what we consider to be the

01:13:07

The Biggest Decision of All: Stocks vs. Bonds

Sound Investing ·

2025/02/26

The 2024 numbers are finally in and we have produced the #1 investment decision in the Bootcamp series. There is no question that the biggest lifetime decision an investor makes is the choice between the safety of bonds and the potential long term growth of stocks. Here is a⁠ link⁠ to the pdf of the set of slides Paul uses in the presentation. The presentation includes the ⁠updated 1, 15 and 40 year returns tables ⁠ along with the ⁠quilt charts for the 1928 to 2024 period⁠.Our thanks to Daryl

00:48:53

The Good, Bad, Ugly and Average Risk and Returns of...

Sound Investing ·

2025/02/19

The purpose of this podcast/video is to help investors understand the likely risk and return parameters of small cap value, S&P 500, 2 Fund Portfolio (50% each SCV/S&P) and 4 Fund Portfolio (25% each SCV/S&P/SCB/LCV). In each case the best, worst, and average 1, 2, 3, 5, 10. 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 year returns are listed.The following tables are discussed:S&P 500 Historical Risk and Return US SCV Index Portfolio Historical Risk and Return US 2 Fund Index Portfolio Historical Risk

520 results

Sound Investing

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...