PODCAST

Sound Investing

Paul Merriman

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

business investing

All Episodes

00:51:30

AAII Presentation Follow-Up: ETF Tax Efficiency,...

Sound Investing ·

2025/11/12

First, a big thank-you to everyone who joined me for the AAII presentation last Saturday. I appreciate your patience during my rocky Zoom start—and a special shout-out to Suzette Moskwa, who saved the day by running the slides!As promised, I’m following up on your chat comments and questions from the session. This week’s focus is on your insights; in the next couple of weeks, I’ll share a full Q&A edition covering listener questions on portfolio construction, diversification, and long-term

00:19:07

Staying the Course — Insights on Reasonable &...

Sound Investing ·

2025/11/05

In this episode, Paul dives into one of the most important themes in long-term investing: staying the course, even when individual asset classes deliver unexpected short-term results. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY investor or still building confidence, Paul shares timely lessons to help you make better decisions—and support others who rely on your guidance.Paul also previews his upcoming presentation for the AAII Puget Sound Chapter, where he’ll take one of the deepest dives yet into Daryl Balls’

00:53:26

The Merriman Financial Education Foundation: Plans,...

Sound Investing ·

2025/10/29

Watch video here.Paul, Daryl, and Chris are back together to discuss plans, priorities, investing lessons, and listener questions. In this lively roundtable, the trio opens up about what’s next for The Merriman Financial Education Foundation—from simplifying tools like Best-in-Class ETFs and Two Funds for Life, to making the website and Boot Camp Series easier to navigate for new learners.They also share candid insights about long-term investing, the patience it takes to stick with small-cap value,

01:46:55

The Biggest Mistake Beginner Investors Make - and How...

Sound Investing ·

2025/10/22

In this practical and inspiring ETFatlas podcast episode, host Jack Lempart welcomes Paul Merriman for a return conversation focused on the biggest mistakes beginner investors make—and how to avoid them.The discussion reveals why most investing errors are emotional, not technical. Paul emphasizes that successful investing is usually simple, though almost never easy.Paul Merriman draws on decades of experience as an educator, advisor, and founder of the Merriman Financial Education Foundation to

00:56:53

Chris & Paul October 2025 Q&A: Best-in-Class ETFs,...

Sound Investing ·

2025/10/15

Watch YouTube video here.Paul Merriman and Chris Pedersen tackle your biggest questions—from simplifying portfolios and picking best-in-class ETFs to understanding equal-weighted funds, tax efficiency, and how much small-cap value to own. They dig into factor investing (size, value, quality, profitability, momentum), why reversion to the mean matters, and how to think like an owner—not a speculator. Plus: mentors, work-life balance, and the real risk investors face.Chapters00:00 – Intro &

00:53:49

Can You Trust the Market? Equal-Weighted S&P 500 vs....

Sound Investing ·

2025/10/08

In this week’s episode, Paul Merriman shares lessons from a lifetime of investing—prompted by conversations with students, longtime collaborator Rich Buck, and questions from new investors about trust and risk.Paul dives deep into the data behind his favorite long-term strategies, including the equal-weighted S&P 500 and the classic Four-Fund Portfolio, comparing 25-year results across multiple time periods.He explains why no one can predict short-term returns, but how history can still guide

00:30:39

The Final Chapter: S&P 500 vs. 60/40 vs. Four-Fund...

Sound Investing ·

2025/10/01

In this final episode of our four-part series, Paul Merriman compares three powerful approaches for a lifetime of investing:100% S&P 500: high-risk, high-reward growth.60/40 mix of S&P 500 and bonds: a defensive balance.100% U.S. Four-Fund strategy: large-cap blend, small-cap blend, large-cap value, small-cap value.Paul uses 55 years of data (1970–2024) to show how these portfolios performed during both accumulation and retirement distributions. Paul highlights the following critical tables

00:37:12

Retirement Distributions: All S&P 500 vs. 60/40...

Sound Investing ·

2025/09/24

Paul Merriman continues our series on radical lifetime investment strategies—comparing an all-equity S&P 500 portfolio to a balanced 60% equity/40% bonds portfolio.After two episodes focused on the accumulation phase, this third installment shifts to retirement distributions:How much income could each portfolio provide?How did they hold up during major market crashes?What role did bonds play in protecting withdrawals during tough years?Using 55 years of historical data (1970–2024) and key tables

00:15:16

Paul Merriman on Money Life with Chuck Jaffe at FinCon

Sound Investing ·

2025/09/18

At FinCon, Chuck Gaffe- moneylifeshow.com sat down with Paul for a wide-ranging conversation about investing and financial independence.Paul shared insights on the rise of index funds, the FIRE movement’s “one-fund-for-life” approach, and how small portfolio adjustments can boost long-term returns. He also discussed timeless investing principles like staying the course, understanding risk, keeping costs low, and diversifying wisely.At FinCon, Paul reflected on everything from the rise of index funds

00:33:29

Two Radical Investments – U.S. 4-Fund Portfolio vs....

Sound Investing ·

2025/09/17

In Part 2 of this 4-part series, Paul Merriman compares the accumulation results of the U.S. 4-Fund Portfolio against the S&P 500, using both all-equity and 60/40 strategies.Paul analyzes five decades of data, showing how diversification affects returns, volatility, and long-term wealth creation. Paul also highlights the tables you’ll want to download and follow along with as he explains the numbers:Table B1: Fine-Tuning Table – S&P 500Table B4: Fine-Tuning Table – U.S. 4-Fund PortfolioTable

00:27:01

Saving for Retirement: 100% S&P 500 vs. 60/40 — A...

Sound Investing ·

2025/09/10

This is the first of a series of 4 podcasts focused on the decision to have all of your investments be all equities vs. a balanced portfolio of equities and fixed income. In this presentation Paul uses the S&P 500 in both the all equity and the 60/40 stock/bond portfolio. He uses the following tables during his presentation.Table B1 Fine Tuning Table: S&P 500 Equity PortfolioTable H2a Sound Investing Portfolios (these portfolios are all 100% equities)Table H2 Sound Investing Portfolios

01:01:10

The Last Step To Successful Investing

Sound Investing ·

2025/09/03

Paul starts this letter beginning with a letter from a listener. The letter ends with the reason why our work has had more impact than John Bogle and Benjamin Felix (Both Truth Tellers). The rest of the podcast is focused on a recent article- ⁠The Evolution of Financial Advice, by Ben Carlson. The focus is on the math, history and psychology of investing.Paul concludes that most steps to successful investoring are well documented. But two areas are still open for fine tuning: Portfolio

00:38:23

The Biggest Mistake Investors Make

Sound Investing ·

2025/08/27

On this podcast, Paul Merriman dives into three big investor questions: Why would anyone add bonds to their portfolio—even in retirement? How has the Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio performed in 2025? And how much Small Cap Value should an investor add to VTSAX? Along the way, Paul explains why diversification and balance matter just as much as chasing higher returns.During the podcast Paul references ⁠Table G-1b, Fine Tuning Table: S&P 500 vs. US SCV Equity Porfolio -

00:48:40

100% stocks, Crypto, customizing 4 fund portfolio and...

Sound Investing ·

2025/08/20

Paul Merriman is looking ahead to the 2025 Bogleheads Conference (October 17–19), one of the premier gatherings for long-term investors. The lineup includes Vanguard CEO Salim Ramji, Christine Benz, Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Alan Roth, Jim Dahle, and more. Paul will be there for all three days to connect with listeners, share new projects, and learn from some of the best minds in the field. Even if you can’t make it, all sessions will be available later on the Bogleheads YouTube channel.In this

01:11:50

4 Portfolio Levels for Wealth Building

Sound Investing ·

2025/08/13

I had never heard of Erin Moriarity before she contacted me about having a conversation with her on “Erin Talks Money.” When I visited her Youtube channel I immediately realized what a powerhouse she is. She has over 200,000 subscribers to her Youtube channel and her videos are terrific. She has over 800 videos on topics most young investors or beginners at any age need to see. 36 videos on budgeting, 133 on retirement, and much more. Recently she started interviewing old experienced “experts."

00:39:11

10 Myths, Lies & Mistakes That Cost Investors...

Sound Investing ·

2025/08/06

What’s holding investors back from building real wealth? Talking Real Money, hosts Don McDonald and Tom Cock take aim at the 10 most damaging myths, lies, and mistakes that cost investors big—often millions.You’ll learn:Why "having a guy" isn’t a strategy—it's a setupWhy predicting the market is like calling a psychicHow starting too late can cost you over half a millionThe hard truth about individual stocks, expensive advisors, and false promises of risk-free wealthWhy

01:07:05

Future of Financial Literacy and Smart Investing

Sound Investing ·

2025/07/30

On this special Q&A episode—recorded July 29 2025—Paul Merriman gears up for his August 2 keynote at the Garrett Planning Network Retreat, where he will address more than 100 hourly financial advisors about the future of financial literacy. He invites listeners to email questions for the panel (paul@paulmerriman.com) and then dives into ten wide‑ranging listener questions that benefit investors of every age and stage.What you’ll learnAdding QQQ to the 10‑Fund “Ultimate Buy‑and‑Hold” portfolio:

00:54:56

Small cap value still the best , bonds and 2 funds...

Sound Investing ·

2025/07/23

In this episode, Paul Merriman shares insights into upcoming events, including his presentation at the Garrett Planning Network Retreat, as well as his reflections on asset allocation, government bond strategies, and the benefits of various portfolios for different life stages. Tune in for a deep dive into how different funds and asset classes perform over the long term, and how to optimize your investment strategy, regardless of age or risk tolerance.Key Topics Covered:1. Long-Term Returns

02:13:31

12 Million Dollar Decisions

Sound Investing ·

2025/07/16

In November 2020 The Merriman Financial Education Foundation released “We’re Talking Millions! 12 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Retirement.” The purpose of the book was to focus on a series of very simple steps any investor might take to improve their financial future. "Understanding how to invest wisely for your future can be daunting. Many people never get started for fear of making mistakes. Others make choices based on hearsay and hope, sold on hype or risk aversion. In "We're Talking

00:54:41

11 Q&A-Bonds, Rebalancing, All Value, Vanguard vs....

Sound Investing ·

2025/07/09

Many of you have been submitting thoughtful questions through our AI chat, particularly on fund selection, asset allocation, and broader investment strategy. It’s encouraging to see this level of engagement with the core principles that shape long-term financial success.While the AI generally provides sound and efficient guidance, there are times when its responses lack the nuance or clarity that experience can bring. To provide deeper context and help you make more informed decisions, I’ve selected

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Sound Investing

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