Sound Investing

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

  1. Larry Swedroe: The Evidence-Based Rules Every Investor Needs to Know | Bainbridge Financial Literacy Series 2026

    2 DAYS AGO

    Larry Swedroe: The Evidence-Based Rules Every Investor Needs to Know | Bainbridge Financial Literacy Series 2026

    Paul Merriman sits down with Larry Swedroe — author of 22 books and one of the most respected voices in evidence-based investing — for a conversation that covers everything from the five factors that actually matter to why Bitcoin might go to zero. Larry explains why judging your investment decisions by their outcomes is one of the most dangerous mistakes you can make, lays out the academic criteria he uses to separate real factor premiums from data mining, and reveals that he's made only three tactical moves in 30 years of investing. He and Paul use three eye-opening slides to show why chasing recent winners almost guarantees you'll underperform. They also dig into why growth stocks don't deliver the returns most people expect (hint: the growth rate is already in the price), why traditional index funds are "dumb traders" bleeding money to hedge funds, and how AI will make markets harder to beat — not easier. The audience Q&A covers emerging markets, the updated "Larry Portfolio," crypto, private equity, and which fund families Larry actually trusts with his own money. Part of the Spring Financial Education Series hosted by the Bainbridge Community Foundation in partnership with the Merriman Financial Education Foundation. LINKS & RESOURCES:   "Enrich Your Future" — Larry Swedroe   "Your Complete Guide to Factor-Based Investing" — Larry Swedroe & Andrew Berkin   "Your Complete Guide to a Successful and Secure Retirement" — Larry Swedroe  Larry Swedroe on Substack: https://larryswedroe.substack.com   The Hidden Flaw in Style Index Funds The Hidden Costs of Index Replication: What Every Investor Needs to Know About Adverse Effects of Index Replication Watch the video here. Coming up in this series: Christine Benz (Morningstar), Mike Piper, and Bill Bernstein. A special thanks to Professor Bunnell who teaches a  finance class at Bentley University.  He recommended his students tune into the interview.  I hope it motivated them to get a copy of Larry’s latest book. Enrich Your Future: The Keys to Successful Investing 1st Edition.   I would place a very large bet that it will make a huge difference in their financial future. By the way, to the best of my knowledge Bentley is the only university I know that requires a Personal Finance class to graduate.

    1hr 50min
  2. PlanVision: Low Cost Flat-Fee Financial Planning for Do-It-Yourself Investors

    8 APR

    PlanVision: Low Cost Flat-Fee Financial Planning for Do-It-Yourself Investors

    Paul Merriman sits down with Mark Zoril, founder of PlanVision, in the first episode of a new series spotlighting affordable financial planning options for do-it-yourself investors. Mark built PlanVision in 2012 around a simple premise: investing isn't as complicated as the financial services industry makes it seem, and technology makes it possible to deliver thoughtful, unbiased financial advice at a price almost anyone can afford. In this episode you'll learn: What you get for $489 in the first year — including access to the eMoney financial planning platform and one-on-one advisor sessionsHow the $8/month ongoing subscription works, and when it makes sense to stay on vs. cancelWhy PlanVision has no commissions, no affiliate links, no insurance sales, and no conflicts of interestHow the firm handles complex situations: Roth conversions, Social Security timing, 529s, pension vs. lump sum, and tax planning (with a CPA on staff)What PlanVision will and won't do — no estate planning, no market timing, no gold hedging strategiesHow they serve expats in over 180 countriesWhat happens when a client passes away and a surviving spouse needs guidanceMark's own investing philosophy — and why he puts his own money in a Vanguard target date fundHow PlanVision works with clients who follow Paul Merriman’s, Rick Ferri's, Larry Swedroe's, or any other multi-equity asset class  indexing philosophyLinks mentioned: PlanVision websitePlanVision testimonialsRob Berger interview with Mark Zoril (expat investing, 60+ min)Stan the Annuity ManBogleheads PlanVision comments Watch the full video on YouTube

    1hr 10min
  3. Paul Merriman on Managing $1.6 Billion But Never His Own Money

    1 APR

    Paul Merriman on Managing $1.6 Billion But Never His Own Money

    At 82 years old, I still work. Not because I have to, but because I want to. I joined Brian Herriot and Kirby Denison on “The Time Freedom Podcast” to talk about exactly that. But we ended up covering a lot more than I expected. Here's something that might surprise you: I managed money for thousands of people over 30 years and built a firm to $1.6 billion under management. And I have never once managed my own money. Why? Because I know myself too well. When the market drops, I would second-guess everything. I'd probably hesitate to put more money in, even though that's exactly what I teach people to do. So I let someone else handle it. I don't even check how I did last year. We also got into my disagreement with John Bogle. I had the privilege of sitting with him for about 90 minutes earlier in my career. Bogle preached Enough and it's even the title of one of his books. I respectfully disagree. I believe the goal should be more than enough. Because life gets in the way. Bad things happen. And they often happen during retirement, when you have the least ability to recover. If you stop working the moment you have just enough, you're one bad year away from trouble. 📚🎧 Brian's book Time Freedom is available for pre-order! Pre-order and get the audiobook free... instant access today, paper copy in September. Normally that takes three copies, but for my listeners, just one. timefreedombook.com | code: PAUL

    53 min
  4. Q & A Deep Dive

    25 MAR

    Q & A Deep Dive

    Q&A Highlights How does a 4-fund portfolio compare to a 10-fund portfolio?What is the best way to invest for a child’s future?Is it too late to use a diversified strategy like the 10-fund portfolio at age 50?Can I create and test my own custom portfolio using your tools?How should I invest during periods of inflation or uncertainty?What are some recommended fund options available at Schwab?Is a portfolio combining large-cap value and small-cap blend a good approach?Are there good alternatives to intermediate-term bonds?Who are some trustworthy voices in personal finance and investing?What is your opinion on separately managed accounts (SMAs)?Key Takeaway Long-term investment success is driven by asset allocation, discipline, and consistency—not complexity. A simple, well-structured portfolio that you can maintain through market cycles is often the most effective approach. Listen to the individual questions here.

    37 min
  5. DFA & Avantis ETFs: Building the Ultimate Lifetime Equity Strategy

    25 MAR

    DFA & Avantis ETFs: Building the Ultimate Lifetime Equity Strategy

    Paul Merriman is dedicated to helping do-it-yourself investors build portfolios they can stick with for life. In this episode, he shares what he believes is the closest thing to a perfect long-term equity strategy he's ever seen. Paul traces the evolution of index investing — from John Bogle's cap-weighted S&P 500 funds to the academic research of Fama and French, whose factor-based work showed that small cap value, large cap value, and other equity asset classes have historically outperformed the broad market over time. For years, the best factor-based funds from Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) were only available through select advisors. That changed when Avantis launched its ETF lineup in 2019, followed by DFA's own ETFs — putting institutional-quality, factor-based investing within reach of every self-directed investor. Paul introduces a recommended ETF list spanning 10 equity asset classes across both fund families, explains the key differences between DFA and Avantis, and makes the case for owning both. He also covers where to buy them and why Fidelity's fractional shares make it easy to start with any dollar amount. Key topics: Factor-based vs. traditional index funds · Accessing DFA and Avantis ETFs · The case for owning both · Simplifying rebalancing with M1 Finance The Q&A Paul references was recorded separately.

    54 min
  6. Flexible Retirement Withdrawals: Why Taking Less Can Give You More

    18 MAR

    Flexible Retirement Withdrawals: Why Taking Less Can Give You More

    In this episode, we explore how flexible (variable) withdrawal strategies can strengthen your retirement plan—and why fixed, inflation-adjusted withdrawals may increase risk over time. Using detailed distribution tables—including Table F1.3 (flexible withdrawals) and comparisons to  Table D1.3 (fixed withdrawals)—Paul walks through real historical outcomes across decades to show how adjusting withdrawals based on market performance can improve long-term results. You’ll learn: Fixed vs. flexible withdrawal strategies Insights from Tables F1.3, F1.4 vs. D1.3, D1.4 How flexibility helps defend against bear markets The role of diversification and low-cost investing Why oversaving creates powerful financial freedom If you’re planning for retirement or already taking withdrawals, this episode may offer a smarter, more adaptable approach to generating income. Watch Youtube Boot Camp 7 page

    38 min
  7. Boot Camp #6 Fixed Distributions

    11 MAR

    Boot Camp #6 Fixed Distributions

    In Boot Camp #6, Paul Merriman walks through real historical data starting in 1970 to test what happens when retirees withdraw 3%, 4%, or 5% from a $1 million portfolio — adjusted for inflation — across some of the toughest market conditions in history. This episode covers: The difference between retiring with “enough” and “more than enough” How inflation quietly turns $30,000 into $130,000+ over 30 years What happens if you retire into a bear market Why 1% more in withdrawals can cost millions S&P 500 vs. a globally diversified four-fund strategy How diversification impacts lifetime income and legacy outcomes The real risk of sequence of returns in retirement Why some portfolios ran out of money — and others didn’t You’ll hear side-by-side comparisons of: 100% S&P 500 portfolios 40/60, 50/50, and 60/40 stock-bond mixes A worldwide four-fund equity strategy Fixed inflation-adjusted withdrawals over 30 years The results may surprise you — especially when comparing 3%, 4%, and 5% withdrawal rates. If you're approaching retirement, already retired, or helping someone make distribution decisions, this episode breaks down the numbers in plain English and shows how small choices can create million-dollar differences. Next week: the strategy Paul considers the very best distribution method — for investors who retire with more than enough. Watch Video Here Catch up on the previous Boot Camp 2026 here

    40 min
  8. 2026 Boot Camp #5 Fixed Contributions

    4 MAR

    2026 Boot Camp #5 Fixed Contributions

    In Boot Camp #5 of 10, Paul delivers what he believes is the most important session in the series—especially for new and early investors (teens, 20s, 30s, and anyone just getting started). Instead of treating investing like speculation, Paul reframes it as building—or buying—a business over decades. Using clear, data-driven tables and “fine-tuning” comparisons, he walks through a simple, repeatable plan: start with $1,000 per year (about $83.33/month), increase contributions by 3% annually, and stay invested for 40+ years. You’ll see how long-term outcomes change based on asset allocation (100% stocks vs. 60/40 stocks and bonds), and why diversification can matter when markets go sideways. Paul also compares an S&P 500-only approach with a globally diversified “worldwide four-fund” strategy (mixing U.S. and international, large and small, value and growth). Along the way, he explains the real power source in early investing: your contributions, not short-term market performance—and why tax-advantaged accounts like a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) can dramatically increase the impact of compounding over a lifetime. If you want a practical framework for long-term, low-cost, diversified investing, plus a clear-eyed discussion of volatility, sequence of returns, and retirement withdrawals (including the concept of a 5% annual withdrawal strategy), this episode lays the groundwork. Why Paul believes this is the most important boot camp session Investing as building a business (the “portfolio mortgage” analogy) Starting with $83/month and increasing contributions by 3% annually Understanding the fine-tuning tables and historical market returns S&P 500 vs. 60/40 portfolio: balancing growth and volatility The Worldwide Four-Fund Portfolio and the benefits of deeper diversification How sequence of returns impacts accumulation and withdrawals Why you rarely notice individual company failures inside diversified funds The long-term advantage of Roth IRA / Roth 401(k) compounding Staying disciplined through crashes, recessions, and sideways markets Watch Video

    1hr 5min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Merriman
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    542
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Paul Merriman
  • Show Website
    Sound Investing

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