Sound Investing

1.Vanguard founder Jack Bogle says it’s time to play it safe. Should we be making changes to our portfolios or stay the course? :40 2. Did active managers beat passive funds in the recent selloff? 15:15 3. What are the relative risks and returns of the S&P 500 and small cap value index? 26:33 4. …

Not all of the numbers are in, but enough are to discuss the returns of 2018. Of course a single year is not indicative of much, but it is often a test of our commitment to Buy-and-Hold. In this podcast, Paul reviews the numbers for his favorite equity asset classes (big, small, value, growth, REITs, …

Paul answers some recent questions from readers and listeners. How far is the market likely to fall? How has your market timing system worked in this market decline? Which is the better Vanguard large cap ETF: VTV or VONV? Jeffrey Gundlach says investors shouldn’t invest in index funds because they are hurting investing behavior. His …

At the 2018 AAII National Conference, Paul presented key concepts from the Ultimate Buy and Hold strategy and premiered the Two Funds for Life strategy, and had the great pleasure of hearing a talk by Mark Hulbert, founder of the Hulbert Financial Digest and senior columnist for MarketWatch. Considering it was the best talk of 2018, Paul asked and was granted …

Paul discusses 9 different lies, or myths, that keep millions of investors from investing in stocks. Some of these lies are created by the “fake news and advertising” from Wall Street, and some by the natural fear of loss.  In one example of an investment myth — “Investing is risky” — he compares the worst …

In this lively conversation, Paul talks with Tim Ranzetta of NextGen Personal Finance about index funds, dispelling common myths young people have about money, how to build a portfolio for life, target date funds, the importance of diversification, the commitment to helping people help themselves, and more. NGPF.org provides an abundance …

Since the market started making noises like a baby bear, more investors are asking,”What is the appropriate percentage of equities in my portfolio?” Paul addresses this question from the points of view of a young investor, a pre-retiree and a retiree, and also considers the dangerous probabilities of bad advice from commission-based advisors. In a …

In wishing listeners a Happy Thanksgiving, Paul shares some of the reasons for his gratitude, and 12 important decisions/choices that every first-time investor will make. He provides a few reasons why one path is likely to lead to a better financial outcome. Attached is a list of the choices he recently used to teach high …

When Chris Pedersen came to Bainbridge Island to tape the video/podcast on the 2 Funds for Life Strategy, he joined Paul in an interview  to address some questions regarding his work on several important projects. Here is a partial list of questions: What are the pros and cons of Best-in-Class and commission-free portfolios? What variables …

This podcast, recorded before the market opened on Election Day in the U.S., begins with Paul’s advice on how to respond to the election results. He then answers the following questions from his readers and listeners: Why are bond funds losing money? Are individual bonds better than bond funds? How has mid-cap value performed compared …

These 10 important lessons should be considered when putting to work the “2 Funds for Life” portfolio in your portfolio. Paul focuses on the likely long-term gains and the likely short-term losses, answers questions, and discusses the other sources of information on the strategies. For the video, articles, tables and Q&A about the “Two Funds …

A simple strategy to maximize your retirement investments In this podcast, Paul Merriman and Chris Pedersen – who spent most of the last two years developing the “2 Funds for Life” strategy – discuss the rationale, research, details and benefits to easily implement this simple strategy. The discussion includes a quick review of the “Three greatest investment products” (podcast and article  includi...

In a recent conversation with Ken Roberts, of Ken’s Bulls and Bears, Paul answers some timely questions, such as: Do you expect value to be a top performer again? How much do you think investors should have in value? With the market being so high, what are you telling investors who are …

After making the point in “The three greatest investment products” that the target date fund is the best of the three (mutual funds second, and index funds third), Paul discusses the glaring problems inherent in almost all target date funds. While challenges include high expenses, active management and too much in …

Paul discusses George Sisti’s comments about the best mutual fund, best “safe” withdrawal rate, and why “working harder” doesn’t seem to help investors. And he answers questions from readers and listeners. 1.  What do you think of the new Fidelity zero-fee mutual funds? 2. Why are bonds losing money? 3. Which do you recommend: Vanguard or …

This is the first of a three-part series, laying the foundation for the upcoming “2 Fund for Life” strategy.  In this podcast, Paul discusses the mutual fund, index fund and target date fund, which have been responsible for some of the greatest wealth building for the average investor. In the case of the mutual fund and the index …

As Paul is preparing to release a new investment strategy, in this podcast he discusses the nature of hypothetical returns. What numbers can we trust and what numbers might be unfairly biased? Also, he addresses 7 questions from his readers and listeners. 1. What are the steps to setting up the $3000 to $50 million …

Billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and one of the sharks on the popular CNBC show, “Shark Tank,” shares 10 things people need know to be more successful investors.  Some of them are spot on, while others will likely lead investors down a less productive path. In a couple of cases Paul totally disagrees. Here are …

Ken Fisher is probably the best known independent investment advisor in America. At $70 billion under management, with 2,500 employees and a net worth of $3.8 billion, according to Forbes, he is likely also the most profitable advisor in the industry.  Fisher is considered the King of Marketing in the industry.  He advertises on national TV and in almost every retail …

From first-time investors to those on the verge of retiring with millions of dollars in savings, Paul’s answers to questions from our listeners and readers contain something of interest for every investor. 1.  How different is the new secret strategy from what you are recommending now? 2.  Why would anyone want to take the risk of investing in the market at these …

Paul speaks with Ed Fulbright, CPA and PFS – of “Meaningful Money” website and “Mastering Your Money” podcast – about how to invest in today’s market. Is the market ready to roll over and play dead after a very long period of record highs?  What should investors do who are sitting …

In this podcast Paul answers seven questions from his listeners/readers about bonds, Dimensional Funds, market collapse and correction, treasury funds, market timing and the Japanese market. 1.  Is a portfolio of 90% equities and 10% bonds too aggressive for a 38-year-old? 2.  Do you still recommend using Dimensional Funds even though one must pay an advisor to access them? 3. …

In this interview with financial advisor Joshua J. Sheats, of Radical Personal Finance, Paul speaks of his early ventures on Wall Street and in manufacturing, what it was like to build an advisory firm in the 1980s, his life’s challenges, and the goals, affirmations and philosophies that continue to motivate his work with the

Paul answers your questions about Vanguard balanced funds, including the pros and cons, how to select the best balanced funds, and how to match them to your investment goals and risk tolerance. He references the S&P 500 Equity Portfolio Fine-Tuning Table Vanguard funds: Balanced Index (VBINX) Life Strategy Income (VSCGX) Life Strategy Moderate Growth (VSMGX) …

This podcast was produced with an accompanying slideshow. Listen and watch here: Small Cap Value: What Could Go Wrong. Paul examines the historical and possible future risks and returns of small-cap value stocks as an asset class to help you determine its role in your portfolio – whether a young investor, in your working years, or a retiree. Referenced …